Urgent Updates | August 3

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Ground Beef

Investigators are working to identify the source of the ground beef in the multistate salmonella outbreak. The CDC issued an alert on July 25th detailing that illnesses linked to this outbreak were first reported in late April. Full Access: CDC

 

Comparative Analysis of RSV-Related Hospitalizations in Children and Adults Over A 7 Year-Period Before, During and After The COVID-19 Pandemic

Researchers found that there were significant differences in the RSV season of 2021/2022 for older adults. There was a significantly lower number of patients in this season compared with the pre-pandemic seasons (15 in 2021/2022 compared with 97, 49, 112, and 45 in the pre-pandemic seasons). The RSV season was delayed by 51 days in adults compared with children in other seasons. The researchers concluded that the waves of RSV in adults followed a biannual pattern similar to those seen in children. Full Access: Journal of Clinical Virology

 

Risks Associated with Short-Term Opioids for Recent-Onset Low Back and Neck Pain Might Exceed Benefits

No significant difference was observed in pain scores between the opioid and placebo groups after 6 weeks or 12 weeks. After 52 weeks, the placebo group reported slightly (but significantly) less pain than the opioid group. Most secondary outcomes were similar between groups, but patients who received opioids reported slightly (but significantly) poorer mental-health quality of life at 6 and 12 weeks. Risk for opioid misuse (based on a validated assessment of risk factors) was significantly greater in the opioid group at 52 weeks. Guideline-based initial care should include reassurance, advise to stay active, and mild analgesics such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Full Access: NEJM