Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
First Months of 2012 Warmest on Record in U.S.
The United States had record warm temperatures during the first few months of 2012, especially in March.
In the lower 48 states, temperatures were 6 degrees higher than average for the first three months of year, and 8.6 degrees above normal in March, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Associated Press reported.
The warm temperatures in the first three months broke the previous January-March record by 1.4 degrees.
The warm start to 2012 is the result of an unusual combination of La Nina and a number of other weather patterns, according to meteorologists.
The 2011-12 winter was the fourth warmest on record in the United States and the period since last April has been the warmest 12-month stretch on record, NOAA climate scientist Jake Crouch told the AP.
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Diamond Naturals Dog Food Recalled
Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice dry dog food is being recalled due to possible salmonella contamination, Diamond Pet Foods says.
The recalled 6-, 20- and 40-pound bags were distributed to customers in 12 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. It is possible that some of these customers distributed the product to other states, the AP reported.
Pets who eat the food or people who handle it could become infected with salmonella. Symptoms of salmonella infection in people include nausea, vomting, diarrhea or blood diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramping. Pets with salmonella may have decreased appetite, abdominal pain and fever.
In a statement issued Friday, Diamond Pet Foods said no illnesses have been reported and no other Diamond products are affected by the recall, the AP reported.
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Salmonella Outbreak Affects 100 People in 19 States: CDC
A outbreak of salmonella has now affected 100 people across 19 states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Friday.
According to the agency, between Jan. 28 and March 25 salmonella infections linked to the outbreak have been reported in Alabama (2 cases), Arkansas (1), Connecticut (5), District of Columbia (2), Georgia (4), Illinois (9), Louisiana (2), Maryland (10), Massachusetts (4), Mississippi (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (7), New York (23), North Carolina (2), Pennsylvania (3), Rhode Island (4), South Carolina (3), Texas (3), Virginia (5) and Wisconsin (9).
So far 10 people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported, the CDC said.
All of the infections have been from a strain of salmonella called Salmonella Bareilly. The CDC had previously tied the outbreak to sushi/sashimi, but no one food source has yet been conclusively pinpointed as the source of illness.
Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. Most people recover within 4 to 7 days without treatment, but some cases are deadly if not treated with antibiotics. The elderly, the very young and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk of a severe illness from salmonella infection.
If you suspect you have eaten contaminated food, the CDC recommends contacting your doctor. “CDC will update the public on the progress of this investigation as information becomes available,” the agency said.
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