disease

St. Charles County officials are investigating 10 cases of E. coli infection, but have said they don’t yet know the source of the illnesses.

Their research could help explain why the same strain of the plague can reemerge in the same area after years of inactivity and harm the local environment.

St. Louis County health officials said those affected by the bacterial infection attended four events hosted or catered by Andre’s Banquets and Catering. The owner has denied his business is the culprit.

Reported cases of the infectious disease have surpassed pre-pandemic levels in Missouri. The state has tallied 422 cases of whooping cough so far this year, a 744% increase from last year.

The agency tested blood from health workers who had been exposed to a person with H5N1 bird flu and later developed flu-like symptoms, raising concerns of human transmission.

A routine flu screening in late summer found the H5N1 virus in a Missouri patient. Unlike the other reported cases of avian flu, this person did not report being in recent contact with animals.

Some fear the decision will make it hard for low-income Missourians to access affordable COVID-19 testing, even though testing provided by doctors and clinics will still be covered.

So far, there have been 14 human cases of bird flu this year. All the patients — except the one from Missouri — had been linked to sick dairy cows or poultry.

A summer COVID surge is starting to recede in Kansas and Missouri, but the next wave of infections is likely only weeks away. People covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance can get the updated vaccine for free or for a small fee.

H5N1 has not been detected in Missouri’s dairy herd, but some of the state’s poultry flock has been affected. Exhibitors bringing Cows to the Missouri State Fair need to have their milk tested before arriving.

Missouri's cicada outburst has worsened the spread of diseases for farmers. It comes after years of difficult weather conditions, including the recent drought, that have taken a toll on apple growers.

Health officials announced an active tuberculosis case at Olathe Northwest High School in early October. Now, four other people tested positive for the bacteria.