Today, listeners across the United States should be aware of several important public health alerts and advisories pertinent to Tuesday, November 11, 2025.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration report an ongoing infant botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart brand powdered infant formula. Since August, 13 infant botulism cases have been identified in 10 states—six confirmed to involve botulinum toxin type A. ByHeart Inc. has voluntarily recalled two lots of its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. The CDC urges caregivers and parents not to feed any recalled formula to infants and to dispose of the affected product immediately. If your child shows symptoms such as constipation, loss of appetite, weakness, poor sucking, altered cry, or striking loss of head control after consuming ByHeart formula, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms may take up to 30 days to develop and can progress rapidly, especially in infants under two months old. Untreated, the illness may result in paralysis, difficulty breathing, hospitalization, or even death. The CDC’s official advice is not to wait for laboratory confirmation before starting treatment if infant botulism is suspected. Treatment with BabyBIG, a botulism immune globulin, should begin as quickly as possible. For more guidance, visit the FDA’s recall notice or the CDC’s botulism outbreak page.

Several state health departments, including those in West Virginia and Hawaii, have amplified this recall, urging health care providers and clinicians to question parents about what formula brand their infants consume. Providers are also asked to be vigilant for classic symptoms of infant botulism and to report any suspected cases to their local health departments.

In other national health policy news, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced a significant regulatory update around hormone replacement therapy for menopause. According to the FDA’s press release, black box warnings—previously indicating increased cardiovascular, breast cancer, and probable dementia risks—are being removed following a comprehensive review of clinical literature and expert consensus. These warnings were based on older studies involving women well past typical menopausal age using hormone types not common today, and contemporary evidence no longer supports the blunt application of such warnings for most menopausal women. The warning for the risk of endometrial cancer remains in place for systemic estrogen-alone therapy when not balanced by progesterone. The FDA will continue requiring tailored risk information on specific therapies, and experts advise initiating hormone therapy before age 60 for optimal safety. According to STAT News, these changes aim to correct two decades of confusion and improve access to safe symptom relief for millions of women.

Air quality remains a concern for vulnerable groups, especially as winter approaches and people spend more time indoors. The Environmental Protection Agency reminds listeners that indoor air pollution from mold, radon, and smoke can trigger symptoms in children, seniors, and those with asthma or heart disease. Simple steps like improving ventilation and monitoring for mold or smoke exposure, especially after recent natural disasters or weather extremes, are strongly recommended by local health districts.

There are currently no broad infectious disease outbreaks reported today that impact the general public beyond the infant formula recall. Beach and recreational water advisories remain localized and are generally safe, though residents in some areas are advised to monitor local updates for water quality after heavy rains.

Listeners are reminded to check any baby formula against recall lists, consult with their health care providers if they have concerns, and stay updated on evolving women’s health recommendations. Thank you for tuning in...