Surveillance of Cyclosporiasis
Since May 1, 2026, CDC has received reports of 4,173 laboratory-confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis and is aware of more than 7,400 additional cases that are not yet laboratory confirmed and require further investigation and analysis. CDC, FDA and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to iceberg lettuce in five states. Clinical implications: Urgent Care clinicians should remain vigilant and consider cyclosporiasis in patients with prolonged/relapsing watery diarrhea, especially with recent Taco Bell or iceberg lettuce exposure and order specific stool testing. Full Access: CDC
Diagnosing NSAID-Hypersensitivity/Allergy and NSAID-Exacerbated or Induced Food Allergy Phenotypes in Children and Adolescents
In a prospective study of 336 kids/teens with reported NSAID reactions, formal drug challenges confirmed true NSAID hypersensitivity/allergy in only 31% most often as urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis to a single NSAID. Among the 69% cleared of true allergy, about 14% actually had NSAID-exacerbated or induced food allergy. Reactions during antipyretic use were far more likely tied to the underlying fever/infection than the drug itself. Clinical implications: Don’t assume a “NSAID allergy” label is accurate. Kids with reactions during a febrile illness, urticaria, or younger age are more likely reacting to the infection, not the drug, and may benefit from formal allergy workup rather than permanent avoidance. Full Access: The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Active US Drug Shortages Rise for Third Straight Quarter
US drug shortages climbed to 227 in Q2 2026, the third straight quarterly rise, though still below the 2024 peak of 323. CNS drugs top the shortage list, followed by antimicrobials and chemo/hormone agents, and nearly half of new shortages involve sole-source drugs with no backup manufacturer. Thin margins and manufacturing fragility keep making the generic drug supply brittle. Clinical implications: Urgent Care clinics might encounter intermittent gaps in certain medications. Full Access: AJMC
Projected Lifetime Cancer Risks from Current Computed Tomography Imaging
A 2025 JAMA Internal Medicine risk model estimates that the 93 million CT scans performed on 62 million Americans in 2023 will cause about 103,000 future cancers over patients’ lifetimes. Lung, colon, and bladder cancers topped the list, with abdomen/pelvis and chest CTs contributing the most cases. Adults accounted for 91% of projected cancers due to sheer volume of scans, even though kids face higher per-scan risk. If current CT use and dosing continue, the authors project CT could eventually cause roughly 5% of all new cancer diagnoses each year — putting it in the same range as alcohol or excess body weight as a cancer risk factor. Clinical implications: In Urgent Care, this reinforces the need to order CTs only when truly necessary and to use the lowest effective dose, avoiding unnecessary multiphase studies whenever possible. Full Access: JAMA