The United States currently faces several important public health alerts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a nationwide public health alert for ready-to-eat pasta meals that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products include Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce sold at Walmart with “best if used by” dates spanning from September 22 to October 1, 2025, and Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo with “best if used by” dates of September 20, September 24, or September 27, 2025. These items bear establishment numbers “EST. 50784,” “EST. 47718,” or “P-45288” inside the USDA inspection mark. Health officials urge listeners to discard these meals or return them if purchased, due to confirmed Listeria contamination in the pasta, which is possibly linked to an earlier outbreak associated with chicken fettuccine alfredo products. Listeria infection is particularly dangerous for older adults, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women, causing flu-like symptoms, stiff neck, confusion, and even serious pregnancy complications. Anyone in a high-risk group who consumed these foods and experiences fever, muscle aches, or digestive symptoms should seek care and alert their provider to potential listeria exposure, according to information from FSIS, the Food and Drug Administration, and WGCU.

COVID-19 hospitalizations are currently peaking nationwide, though fewer than one percent of U.S. deaths this week have been associated with COVID-19, according to trend data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, currently show low levels of hospitalizations. The most recent season of influenza in 2024-2025 was categorized as high severity, prompting CDC to publish updated recommendations for the 2025-2026 flu vaccine. The CDC urges listeners, especially those in risk groups, to consider getting the new flu vaccine for continued protection.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently narrowed its recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccine. The committee now advises that vaccination for COVID-19 should be determined by an individual’s circumstances after discussions with a healthcare provider. This guidance applies particularly to people with one or more risk factors for severe COVID-19. For children under age three, the committee now advises administering varicella immunization separately from the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and not as the combined MMRV shot, because of a small risk of seizures when the combined vaccine is used. The committee also recommends testing all pregnant women for hepatitis B prior to delivery but delayed a decision on whether newborn hepatitis B vaccines should be routine. These changes have caused confusion across the country, as state policies tied to CDC recommendations could limit vaccine access in some areas, and the Food and Drug Administration has not authorized the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines for healthy adults and children under 65, according to coverage from the American Medical Association and Associated Press.

There have also been recent spikes in drug-resistant bacterial infections, with the CDC reporting a 70 percent increase in so-called nightmare bacteria since 2019. Close attention and prompt infection prevention measure are encouraged in healthcare settings.

Listeners are reminded to stay up-to-date on food recalls, vaccine news, and respiratory illness trends, especially as cooler weather approaches and risk rises for flu and other viruses. For detailed guidance, use resources from CDC and USDA hotlines, and always consult your healthcare provider regarding immunizations or potential exposure to foodborne or communicable illnesses.

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