• California: A listeria outbreak linked to prepared pasta meals has affected more than 30 people, causing 25 hospitalizations and six deaths. The meals were sold at several major grocery stores, including Albertsons, Kroger, and Trader Joe's. Nate's Fine Foods Inc., the supplier of the meals, previously issued a recall in connection to the outbreak, which was later expanded in September after another sample of pasta tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. "When it comes to listeria outbreaks, this one's fairly significant and large," said Benjamin Chapman, a food safety specialist and head of the agricultural and human sciences department at North Carolina State University. According to CDC, around 1,250 are infected with listeria each year in the United States, and around 172 people die from the infection, making it the third leading cause of death from food-borne illness in the country. Currently, health officials are warning people who purchased any of the recalled products to avoid eating them and clean any surfaces the affected foods may have touched. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a listeria infection, including diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, should see a doctor and report the symptoms to FDA. (Albeck-Ripka/Callahan, New York Times, 11/5; Treisman, NPR, 11/4)
• District of Columbia: The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 222-209 on a funding bill to end the government shutdown after a record 43 days. While the vote was largely along party lines, six Democrats voted for the bill, and two Republicans voted against it. Earlier this week, the Senate passed a continuing resolution to fund the government in a 60-40 vote, with eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus voting for it. After the House passed the bill, it was sent to President Donald Trump, who signed it into law later that evening. The funding package includes a "minibus" of full-year funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, FDA, the Department of Veteran Affairs, and Congressional operations while all other agencies will be funded through Jan. 30. It also includes a measure to reverse layoffs imposed during the shutdown, provide backpay for federal employees, and protect against further layoffs. As part of the deal reached to end the shutdown, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) agreed to hold a vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies in mid-December. However, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) has not agreed to do the same in the House if a bill passes in the Senate, making it unclear how any bill on ACA subsidies would move forward. (Tully-McManus, et al., Politico, 11/12; Lillis, The Hill, 11/12; Samuels, The Hill, 11/12; Sprunt, NPR, 11/12)
• Maryland: FDA last week sent warning letters to 18 websites selling counterfeit or unapproved versions of Botox and other similar injectable drugs. FDA said it took action after receiving reports of injuries associated with the products, including symptoms of botulism. Botox is a diluted, purified form of botulinum, one of the most toxic substances in the world. In rare cases, Botox can spread beyond the injection site to other parts of the body and paralyze or weaken muscles used for breathing and swallowing. Some symptoms of botulism include difficulty swallowing or breathing, slurred speech, and muscle weakness. In a press release, FDA said patients should only receive Botox and similar drugs from licensed and trained health professionals. The agency also urged patients experiencing signs of botulism to "seek immediate medical care." (CBS News, 11/6)

Rae Woods breaks down the government shutdown’s impact on healthcare and what rural leaders must do now to secure funding through a new $50 billion federal program.