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Important information on the recall below the fold from the CDC:

Perhaps disappointed that death panels failed to frighten the tar and feathers out of the average American, the right wing appears to have settled on a new meme to undercut healthcare reform: the CDC will force males to undergo circumcision. (h/t Avahome.)

The New York Times is reporting what had been until now a rumor too good to be true. Dr. Tom Frieden, currently the hard-driving activist NYC Commissioner of Health, will be the new head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Disclaimer: I have personal history with Tom.

An amazing amount of gibberish has been uttered about swine flu 2009 H1N1 virus in recent days. I would like to share some highlights (including antics of Collins and Perry) along with links to one or two items that actually make sense.

Ellinorianne and Fish Out of Water have both written excellent diaries about Smithfield Farms possible involvement in the outbreak of flu in Mexico.

A number of organizations have been warning about the dangers of factory farming in the west, and the role farming may have played in the first outbreaks in Asia of Avian flu. The Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Production published a report a year ago warning of the environmental dangers of factory farms.  

Pandora's Pond detailed the role of contaminated water in the genesis of Asian bird flu. The gist of the article is that fish farms were located in close proximity to pigs and chickens, and human excrement was added to the water for enrichment. Humans, pigs and chickens can exchange the influenza virus. The excrement in the water spread a human strain of influenza to wild birds who then infected chickens. Pigs ate the chicken poop. The cycling of the virus between pigs, chickens and wild birds allowed an extremely virulent form of flu to pass from birds to humans. Fortunately, it was never easily spread from human to human.

While you're getting yourself up and about, preparing to break fast, read the news and start your day, give a listen to Mishima's Late Night Karaoke and settle in to to check out a couple of news bits on the medical front, mined from the Star Tribune this morning:

• An outbreak of Haemophilus influenza type B (HiB) in Minnesota and the importance of vaccination:
  Minn. child illnesses worry CDC officials

  Five Minnesota children have grown sick — and one of them died — from a germ that can cause meningitis, causing U.S. health officials to warn of the importance of a common childhood vaccine.

  The Hib vaccine, which is given to babies, has succeeded in reducing U.S. cases of the bacterial illness to only about 20 a year in children younger than 5.

  [...snip...]

  Three of the five children — including the dead child — had not received any vaccine, due to a decision by their parents.

  The article goes on to say that a vaccine shortage started in 2007; while there's enough vaccine for children ages 2, 4 and 6 months of age, CDC officials recommend that doctors defer a booster shot normally given at around 12-15 months.

  Resurgence of rare disease leads to warning: Vaccinate

  "It's really important that parents stay on top of the vaccinations," said Ruth Lynfield, the state epidemiologist. "HiB is a very dangerous infection, but there is an effective vaccine that has been in use for almost 20 years."

• An Associated Press story about a possible treatment for Multiple Sclerosis:
  New pill to treat Multiple Sclerosis may be available soon, says drugmaker Merck
• High-tech healthcare products to monitor senior health are on the rise:
  Motion sensors, 'smart carpet,' other high-tech advances help seniors stay independent longer. The article discusses developments that include pneumatic tubes in mattresses and chair cushions, and motion sensors above showers, toilets and doorways. While it appears to indicate a bit more of a compromise between privacy and safety, the programs and technology are designed to help seniors spend more time living independently -- or at with a moderate appearance of doing so.
• A worrisome Ebola development reports "what may be the transmission of the Ebola virus from a pig to a human" -- significant because of how pigs are able to manufacture transitional forms of viral strains. The official level of concern is "more need to investigate than to worry" however.

So, what's for breakfast this fine morning?

This is an Open Thread.

Aw, nuts.

According to a recent AP article on Yahoo! News, peanut butter has been identified as the culprit in a recent outbreak of salmonella contamination.

People urged to avoid peanut butter products
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press Write

WASHINGTON – Federal health authorities on Saturday urged consumers to avoid eating cookies, cakes, ice cream and other foods that contain peanut butter until authorities can learn more about a deadly outbreak of salmonella contamination.

Fortunately for millions of school-age children nation-wide, as well as many pets, the supermarket jars of peanut butter appear to be safe at this time, according to the FDA. But...

Officials are focusing on peanut paste, as well as peanut butter, produced at a Blakely, Ga., facility owned by Peanut Corp. of America. Its peanut butter is not sold directly to consumers but distributed to institutions and food companies. But the peanut paste, made from roasted peanuts, is an ingredient in cookies, cakes and other products that people buy in the supermarket.

According to the article, one CDC official referred to this as an example of an "ingredient-driven outbreak." The article notes that at least 470 people across six states have gotten sick, 90 of whom were hospitalized and six of whom died. For more information, see the FDA page concerning the outbreak.

This is an Open Thread.