WHAT’S GOING AROUND: Doctors seeing cases of flu, respiratory virus and norovirus
A look at illnesses circulating in Mid-Missouri this week.
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Poultry expert says bird flu outbreak is the worst in U.S. history
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Started back in 2022, the avian flu outbreak that has been increasing egg prices and even killing non-bird animals isn’t expected to slow down soon. “It’s the longest, largest outbreak of bird flu in the U.S. history,” Lincoln University Poultry Extension Specialist Dr. Tatijana Fisher said. According to Fisher, bird flu is
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Former Rainbow House site to become adult behavioral health center
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The former site of a Columbia children’s center has been sold to Burrell Behavioral Health, with plans to turn it into a behavioral health facility. Burrell Behavior Health announced in a Tuesday press release that it had purchased the property on 1611 Towne Drive which was the former home of Rainbow House.
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Mid-Missouri officials warn of frozen lake dangers
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As mid-Missouri is expecting to face a cold snap on Sunday, officials are bringing awareness to the risks of frozen lakes, with Columbia Parks and Recreation temporarily closing Lakeside Dog Park at Twin Lakes Recreation area to safeguard dogs from falling through the ice. According to the Missouri Department of Public Safety,
Continue Reading WHAT’S GOING AROUND: Cases of influenza, COVID-19 increase after holidays
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Cases of several viruses have increased in Mid-Missouri since the holidays wrapped up a few weeks ago. MU Health Care At MU Health Care facilities Dr. Laura Morris said they have seen an increase in visits for respiratory symptoms, infections and testing. Morris said the holidays did bring a couple viral infections
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Missouri sees increase in flu and COVID cases during winter months
COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has seen an increase in flu and flu-like illnesses between December and January. According to the CDC, flu activity typically peaks in February, followed by December, January and March. Boone Health’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robin Blount adds that she also sees an increase
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Medical debt to be removed from credit reports
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Unpaid medical bills will no longer affect credit scores after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Tuesday finalized a rule to remove an estimated $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of about 15 million Americans. According to a 2024 study from the Missouri Foundation of Health, in a survey
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FDA disappoints child advocates with its new limit on lead in baby food
By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — For the first time in history, the US Food and Drug Administration has established guidance for levels of lead in processed baby foods that are sold on supermarket shelves and online. The agency’s action, announced Monday, only provides guidance to industry and is not enforceable. Under the new guidelines,
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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Have you or your family been sick this holiday season?
It’s that time of year again. Illnesses are thriving as cold temperatures push people inside. Locally, the spread of the flu has calmed a bit but COVID-19 cases rose in early December in Boone County. That’s reflective of a national trend of rising COVID-19 infections. Have you or your family fallen prey to the bugs
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Incoming governor Kehoe speaks about future of Missouri including crime, taxes and Amendment 3
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) After winning in the November election, Mike Kehoe will serve as Missouri’s 58th governor next year. Kehoe had served as lieutenant governor since 2018, after he was appointed by Gov. Mike Parson in 2018 and won the seat in the 2020 election. Prior to that, he served in the Missouri Senate. Kehoe
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COVID cases rising nationally but Missouri levels hard to pinpoint
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri may have one of the highest levels of the COVID-19 virus, according to federal officials. Missouri is one of the top handful of states for the amount of coronavirus in wastewater based on sampling from just one site in Jefferson County, south of St. Louis. The Centers for Disease Control and
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Missouri sees first significant decline in drug overdose deaths in almost a decade
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has reported the first significant overdose death decrease since 2015, with 1,948 deaths in 2023. The department says 1,310 overdose deaths were caused by synthetic opioids, 18 by heroin with a synthetic drug present and five deaths caused by heroin alone. According to the
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MU Health Care sees violence against health care workers ‘level off’ after implementing preventative programs
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) MU Health Care’s Chief Operating Officer Tonya Johnson says violence against health care workers from patients increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she claims it has leveled out after implementing preventative programs. Conversations on the safety of health care workers following the highly publicized United Healthcare CEO shooting. Following the shooting, Arrow
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Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield drops plan to limit anesthesia coverage
Health insurance provider Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will change how it evaluates billed time on professional claims for anesthesia services, according to a post made to Anthem’s website on November 1, 2024.
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Public health organizations remind people of safe food handling tips for the holidays
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) According to the USDA, foodborne germs cause 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths nationwide. Due to its size and commonly frozen nature, the USDA has specific tips on how to cook a turkey in time for Thursday’s holiday. When choosing a turkey, the FDA recommends 1 pound of turkey per
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MU Health Care finds increase of pneumonia, whooping cough
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) MU Health doctors are notifying Mid-Missouri residents to be aware of increased pneumonia and whooping cough cases. MU Health Care Dr. Christopher Sampson said the medical system has seen an uptick in pneumonia cases. Sampson said these higher rates seem to be consistent with what other doctors across the United States are
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Schnucks ends partnership with Boar’s Head amid listeria outbreak, new deli partner premieres next month
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A grocery store chain has announced a new deli partnership amid a listeria outbreak with Boar’s Head. Schnucks – which has locations in Columbia and Jefferson City – will begin offering Dietz and Watson’s Premium Meats and Artisan Cheeses next month, according to a Wednesday press release from the company. “Schnucks’ delis
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SCHOLAR Clinic offers eye care for Columbia students on Medicaid
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools students who receive Medicaid are now able to have eye exams and optometry care through the SCHOLAR Clinic, a Thursday press release says. SCHOLAR Clinic – which is a partnership between Clarity Healthcare and CPS — hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday to celebrate the new eye care
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Jefferson City hospital offers program for those experiencing withdrawal symptoms
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A new program at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City aims to help adults who need help managing withdrawal symptoms. According to a Thursday press release, StepOne Service is an inpatient three-to-five-day acute withdrawal management service for those experiencing withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and opioids. The program launched on
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RECALL ROUNDUP: Ready-to-eat meals, mini waffle cones and fire pits recalled
A look at some major recalls this week.
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