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🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 💪 Wellness News: What Is Pneumonic Plague?
• ⚠️ Health Alert: Weekly U.S. Food Recall & Safety Roundup
• 😄 Meme of the Day: Laughter is the Best Medicine
• ❤️ Communities need strong connections: Show Your Support
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)
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CARY SPOTLIGHT: HEALTH & WELLNESS EDITION
These articles in our Cary Spotlight Wellness Wednesday Special Edition are for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
What Is Pneumonic Plague?
A laboratory researcher's death in Russia has renewed attention on pneumonic plague, a rare but potentially deadly infection that can spread between people.
The 28-year-old researcher worked at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute in Siberia and died after developing pneumonia of an unknown origin. Several other people have been quarantined. Russian health authorities have played down a possible connection between the death and the researcher's work, and the information available so far does not establish that pneumonic plague caused the illness.
The World Health Organization is working with Russian authorities to determine what happened, what testing is underway and whether there are broader public health implications. Based on the unofficial information available, WHO has said the risk to the general population appears low.
🫁 What Is Pneumonic Plague?
Pneumonic plague is a severe lung infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, the same bacterium responsible for other forms of plague.
The most common form is bubonic plague, which often develops after the bite of an infected flea and causes painful, swollen lymph nodes. Septicemic plague occurs when the infection reaches the bloodstream and can lead to organ failure.
Pneumonic plague affects the lungs and is considered particularly dangerous because it is the form of plague that can spread directly from one person to another.
Transmission can occur through respiratory droplets produced by an infected person who coughs or sneezes. Infection can also occur through exposure to infected animals.
Person-to-person transmission is extremely rare in the United States. The last documented U.S. outbreak involving person-to-person pneumonic plague transmission occurred in Los Angeles in 1924.
🤒 Symptoms Can Develop Quickly
Pneumonic plague can cause severe pneumonia, and symptoms may develop rapidly after exposure.
Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, body aches, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and difficulty breathing.
Without treatment, pneumonic plague is nearly always fatal. The good news is that modern antibiotics can effectively treat the infection, particularly when treatment begins quickly.
Doctors may use antibiotics including ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gentamicin or streptomycin. Patients may also receive supportive care such as oxygen and fluids.
Early treatment is especially important. Patients who begin appropriate antibiotics soon after symptoms develop have a much better chance of recovery.
💉 Is There a Vaccine?
Plague vaccines have existed in various forms for more than a century, but vaccination is not routinely recommended for the general public.
WHO recommends vaccination only in certain high-risk circumstances, including for some laboratory workers who face repeated occupational exposure.
For most people, prevention instead focuses on avoiding contact with infected animals and quickly identifying and treating potential cases.
🌎 Plague Hasn't Disappeared
Plague is best known for its devastating role in history, particularly the Black Death of the 14th century. But the bacterium responsible for the disease still circulates in animal populations today.
Modern antibiotics and public health measures have dramatically changed the threat posed by the disease, but human cases continue to occur.
Since the 1990s, most reported human cases have occurred in Africa, according to WHO. The United States also occasionally records cases associated with infected animals or fleas.
In July 2025, a man in Arizona died from pneumonic plague after exposure to sick cats. Investigators believed the infection was transmitted from the animals, and no additional illnesses were reported among people exposed to them.
⚠️ How Worried Should People Be?
Based on the information currently available in the Russia case, there is no indication of a widespread international outbreak.
Pneumonic plague can be extremely dangerous for an infected individual, but its ability to spread is different from highly transmissible respiratory viruses. People typically become seriously ill quickly, and antibiotics can be used both to treat patients and to protect people with significant exposure.
Health authorities can also monitor close contacts of an infected person and provide preventive antibiotics when appropriate.
For people caring for someone with pneumonic plague, precautions include avoiding unprotected contact with the patient and potentially infectious bodily fluids and using appropriate protective equipment.
For the general public, the current situation is one health authorities are monitoring rather than evidence of a broad public health emergency.
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Weekly U.S. Food Recall & Safety Roundup
Reporting period: September 30–October 6, 2026
Bottom line upfront: The most significant outbreak development is the expansion of the E. coli and Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts and seed, which has grown from 55 to 76 illnesses across 16 states. For North Carolina readers, the most actionable new recall is the expansion involving Great Value and Trader Joe’s frozen berries, distributed in North Carolina with best-by dates extending into 2028.
1. Alfalfa sprouts and sprouting seed — E. coli and Salmonella outbreak expands
Products: Recalled alfalfa sprouts and sprouting seed connected to seed lot SAL2-24JB, including previously recalled Everything Sprouts and Calco products.
Hazard: Three strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli: O26:H11, O103:H25 and O168:H8, plus Salmonella Agona.
Major October 1 update: The outbreak increased to 76 illnesses across 16 states, 6 hospitalizations and no deaths. Sixty-four people contracted E. coli, nine contracted Salmonella and three were infected with both.
Consumer guidance: Do not eat, sell or serve affected alfalfa sprouts or use recalled sprouting seed. Discard or return the products and clean and sanitize anything they contacted.
2. Great Value and Trader Joe’s frozen berries — expanded E. coli recall
Products:
Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend, 10 oz., UPC 7874211226, lots 6 031 01 and 6 041 01, best-by January 31 or February 10, 2028.
Great Value Organic Blueberries, 10 oz., UPC 7874211213, lots 6 019 01, 6 040 01 and 6 163 01, best-by January 19, February 9 or June 12, 2028.
Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend, 12 oz., UPC 00977654, lot 6 051 01, best-before February 20, 2028.
Hazard: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O145:H28.
Distribution: Great Value products went to Walmart stores in 30 states and Puerto Rico. Trader Joe’s products reached 26 states and Washington, D.C. North Carolina is included in both distribution lists.
Related outbreak: The completed investigation identified 17 illnesses, 6 hospitalizations and no deaths.
Consumer guidance: Check your freezer. Do not eat affected berries. Discard them or return them to Walmart or Trader Joe’s for a refund.
3. Bettergoods Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine — Listeria recall expanded to all lots
Product: Bettergoods Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine, frozen 22-ounce bags, UPC 194346442706.
Major October 1 update: The recall now covers all lot codes, expanding the earlier action that covered only two lots.
Hazard: Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
Distribution: Walmart stores nationwide.
Illnesses: None reported.
Consumer guidance: Do not eat the pasta. Return it to the place of purchase for a refund. This is particularly important for pregnant people, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
4. Jalapeño Salmonella outbreak ends
Products: Previously recalled fresh jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors, plus downstream prepared foods containing the peppers.
Hazard: Salmonella Javiana.
Final October 2 update: CDC declared the outbreak over with 488 illnesses across 34 states, 65 hospitalizations and no deaths. North Carolina reported cases. FDA identified a common grower in Sinaloa as the likely source but could not determine how the contamination occurred.
Consumer guidance: Fresh jalapeños from the outbreak are past their shelf life, but consumers should still check for recalled prepared or frozen products with longer shelf lives.
5. Home Grown broccoli sprouting seeds — possible Salmonella
Product: HOME GROWN Green Sprouting Calabrese Broccoli Seeds, eight-ounce heirloom packages, UPC 850056627443, lot AUG172026.
Hazard: Potential Salmonella contamination confirmed in a sample from the underlying bulk seed lot.
Distribution: Sold nationwide through Amazon between August 20 and September 18.
Illnesses: None specifically linked to this retail product.
Consumer guidance: Do not use the seeds. Dispose of them and contact Amazon for a refund.
6. Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread — undeclared milk
Products: Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread, 20-ounce loaves and 40-ounce two-packs. Affected 20-ounce loaves have UPC 0 72250 91662 2 and specified October 8–18 best-by dates. The two-pack UPC is 0 72250 00683 5.
Hazard: Undeclared milk.
Distribution: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Illnesses: None reported.
Consumer guidance: People with milk allergies should not eat the bread. Discard it or return it for a refund.
Other federal updates
FDA reported that an unidentified E. coli O157:H7 outbreak jointly investigated with USDA FSIS increased from 25 to 38 illnesses, while an unidentified Listeria outbreak increased from 40 to 44 illnesses. Because no food or brand has been identified, there is currently no product-specific consumer action.
FDA also announced smaller regional recalls involving Stewart’s Shops ice cream for possible metal, Saint Francis frozen pizzas for undeclared soy and WinCo salsa-bean-dip trays containing recalled peperoncini. No related illnesses or injuries were reported.
When you hear about a major food recall, what do you usually do?
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Meme of the Day.
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🎟️ Upcoming Events (Top Picks)
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information. Here are a few ideas for the week, so plan ahead:
• Wednesday: Paint Your Pet Portrait 2PM-4PM
• Wednesday: Autumn Flowers 2PM-3PM
• Wednesday: Live at The Bark Bar: Josh Rhyne 6PM-9PM
• Thursday: Art Cart 2PM-5PM
• Thursday: Town Council Regular Meeting 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Thursday: Movie Night Under The Stars 7PM-9PM
• Friday: The Music of James Taylor Featuring James Gedeon 7:30PM-9PM
• Saturday: My Tree, Our Tree All Day
• Saturday: Hum Sub Diwali 9AM-9:30PM
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 8AM-12PM
• Saturday: Barkitecture 1PM-5PM
• Sunday: Shakespeare Live!: Twelfth Night 11AM-12:30PM
• Sunday: Tricks & Treats: Dog Training 2PM-3PM
• Sunday: Sunday Sound Bath 4PM-5:30PM
• Monday: Children’s BINGO 4:30PM-6:30PM
But wait! There’s more. To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead: See Full 2-Week Calendar
The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
A: Pan-American Highway
The Pan-American Highway is the longest motor vehicle road in the world, stretching approximately 30,000 kilometers (19,000 miles). Spans across North, Central, and South America from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina. It is interrupted by the Darién Gap, a dense 60-mile jungle between Panama and Colombia that lacks a road connection.
Learn more, Pan-American Highway