Speaker incites opposition to bio lab Oct 3, 2008
A PowerPoint presentation put together by Dr. Joseph W. Melamed lists the documented leaks in the U.S. from BSL-3 and 4 labs: safety and security violations, theft or loss of viruses, infected animal waste leaks and disease outbreaks. Page 1 of 2. (The Seahawk, NC)
Hidden infections crucial to understanding, controlling disease outbreaks Sep 23, 2008
Public release date: 22-Sep-2008. Contact: Nancy Ross-Flanigan. (EurekAlert!)
DNA fingerprinting project under way Sep 20, 2008
The DNA fingerprinting will be used for rapid detection of disease outbreaks and to identify specific infectious agents. The chief executive officer of the company, Kenneth Frimpong, in a presentation noted that the use of the DNA fingerprinting will enable scientists to detect and determine the source of food and waterborne diseases. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Kennedy meets via videoconference Sep 19, 2008
ILLINOIS Coalition backs vaccine safety CHICAGO - A new coalition of 22 major medical groups says public confidence in vaccine safety needs to be restored to avoid risks for deadly disease outbreaks. Yesterday's message comes from the Chicago-based American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and 20 more of the nation's most influential health-related groups. (Boston Globe)
Docs: Public Needs To Know Vaccines Safe Sep 19, 2008
CHICAGO -- A coalition of 22 major medical groups said public health officials need to restore confidence in vaccine safety or the country will face a greater risk of disease outbreaks. The message comes from the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and 20 other health-related groups. (Click2Houston, TX)
A New License, for More Than Just Driving Sep 18, 2008
Dr. Irwin Redlener, a Columbia professor and expert on emergency preparedness, takes reader questions about precautions for disease outbreaks, terrorist attacks, disasters and other crises. Only in New York. (New York Times)
The clinic to visit before the exotic journey begins Sep 18, 2008
Tracking regional disease outbreaks can also be a hefty task. This mutable data is crucial to determining which immunizations are administered and which prescriptions are filled. (The Business Journal of Portland, OR)
Feral house cats can be voracious predators Sep 12, 2008
This is not true of natural predators, which often succumb to disease outbreaks and whose numbers are influenced by competition with others of their own kind for food sources and habitat. Because cats have a supplemental food supply provided by their human owners, they are not affected by fluctuations in prey populations. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
DeKalb animal shelter's problem is management not building, activist says Sep 11, 2008
But they say the problems, such as a high kill rate and disease outbreaks, are management issues. The center s long-time director resigned in June 2006. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
WHO helping flood victims Sep 7, 2008
NEW DELHI: The World Health Organisation (WHO) is working closely with the governments of India and Nepal to minimise the risk of disease outbreaks and provide basic healthcare for the millions affected by floods. The WHO s assistance includes supplying emergency medicines and equipment for 1,80,000 people, supporting disease surveillance and child immunisation campaigns and ensuring safe drinking water, Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO regional director for South East Asia, said here. (Hindu)
India's Evacuation of Marooned People From Bihar Flooding Almost Complete Sep 6, 2008
No disease outbreaks have been reported, Dayal said. Shelter has been provided to 300,000 people in about 260 relief camps, the government said. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
How Salmonella Bacteria Contaminate Salad Leaves Sep 6, 2008
Between 1996 2000, 23% of the UK's infectious intestinal disease outbreaks like salmonella and E. coli were caused by contaminated food, and of these, 4% were linked to prepared salad. The new research, led by Professor Gadi Frankel from Imperial College London and carried out with Dr Rob Shaw and colleagues at the University of Birmingham, has uncovered the mechanism used by one particular form of Salmonella called Salmonella enterica serovar Senftenberg, to infect salad leaves, causing a... (Science Daily)
Oregon State Hospital breaks ground on new complex Sep 5, 2008
In recent years, multiple government investigations and newspaper reports have documented severe problems at the hospital, including overcrowding, disease outbreaks, staffing shortages and security lapses. The hospital was the site for the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo s Nest, based on the novel by Oregon author Ken Kesey. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Plan calls for ending field burns by 2011 Sep 5, 2008
The Kulongoski bill will have no such exemptions, Ginsburg said, although it would empower the Environmental Quality Commission to allow emergency burning in case of pest or disease outbreaks. There would be no routine burning, Ginsburg said. (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Flooding budget 'badly handled' Sep 4, 2008
Ministers failed to budget properly ahead of last year's floods and animal disease outbreaks, an MPs' report says. The public accounts committee said that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs should have ensured enough funds to deal with such events. (BBC News -- UK)
September Ophthalmology research highlights Sep 2, 2008
New government initiatives could hasten this: the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee recently approved health information technology legislation that would provide incentives for physician adoption of EHR. In addition, the National Health Information Infrastructure initiative of the Department of Health and Human Services is working to build a distributed network of government EHR that would support retrospective research, prospective clinical trials, and early detection of... (EurekAlert!)
The responsible virus and sharing benefits Aug 27, 2008
Furthermore, the revised International Health Regulations do not require viruses to be sent to WHO. Though the revised regulations mandate the sharing of information on disease outbreaks of international importance, the fact is that such information is already shared and will continue to be shared. The authors further allege that Indonesia has violated "a host of other WHO agreements". (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Editorial)
Sick woman's familyhas retained lawyer Aug 22, 2008
He is currently litigating a number of cases dealing with disease outbreaks associated with raw milk consumption, including one lawsuit against Organic Pastures for an E. coli outbreak linked to its products. Marler regularly posts to his Internet blog. (Daily Triplicate)
* EDITORIAL: Mas UN policy yields to China Aug 21, 2008
In June this year, Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office Chairman Wang Yi () said that China would never accept Taiwan becoming a member of the WHO, but would look into setting up an international network that could be a new framework independent of the WHO to include Taiwan on information-sharing in case of disease outbreaks. So how would the Ma administration be able to determine whether it achieved success in realizing Taiwans meaningful participation in the UNs affiliated agencies. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Rounds: Prairie dog plan restricted by federal rulings Aug 17, 2008
But he does support use of a more limited ID system when needed to fight disease outbreaks and on a voluntary basis as a marketing tool for such things as South Dakota-produced beef. Used in that way, it could be an advantage for South Dakota producers, he said. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Garden lets residents get their hands in the soil Aug 16, 2008
The Beaches garden is part of that agricultural boom that is "growing along with food prices and disease outbreaks," organizer Gretchen Ferrell said. "We want to provide some solutions for people who live here.". (Florida Times-Union)
A recipe for saving the world's oceans from an extinction crisis Aug 14, 2008
Disease outbreaks will increase. Vertical mixing of ocean waters may be inhibited resulting in disrupted nutrient cycles. (EurekAlert!)
GPs might take flight in bird flu crisis Aug 9, 2008
The paper, published this week in the Medical Journal of Australia (2008;189:148-50), said infectious disease outbreaks had not been regarded as an important issue since their decline in the era of vaccines and antibiotics ... The paper, by public health experts at the University of Adelaide, said it was "essential that professional codes of ethics include statements about healthcare workers' duty to treat during infectious disease outbreaks, and that GPs be made aware of their professional... (The Australian)
Dell says its operations now carbon-neutral Aug 7, 2008
For example, some researchers may use the science to respond to disease outbreaks by analyzing reports of medical ailments and drug purchases. Stasko will focus some of his work on how new data analysis methods could be used to crack down on crooks. (AZCentral -- Business)
A slowdown inevitable? Aug 6, 2008
Analysts say "wild-card" events such as disease outbreaks could affect growth. Economists: China's booming economy could be pulled down by other nations. (CNN -- International)
Fragmented drug treatment helps hide epidemics Aug 6, 2008
He envisions adding drug-use epidemics to the federal system of health surveillance that is in place to monitor disease outbreaks, especially those related to terrorism. The system would monitor hospital records for drug-related medical emergencies, as well as searching pharmacy records for evidence of surges in drug abuse. (Kalamazoo Gazette, MI)
* Staffer plays down Ma's WHA remarks Aug 6, 2008
Hong Kongs Wen Wei Po newspaper reported that Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office Chairman Wang Yi () had said that although China would continue to block Taiwans applications to the WHO, it would look into setting up an international network that would be a new framework independent of the WHO to include Taiwan in information on disease outbreaks. Ma announced last night during a state banquet held for Nauruan President Marcus Stephen that the third Taiwan-South Pacific Allies leaders... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Zimbabwe: Diarrhoea Outbreak Hits Harare Aug 4, 2008
Dr Mungofa also said the taskforce on epidemic-prone diseases in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare was also meeting monthly to come up with strategies and modalities to prevent and control disease outbreaks and epidemics. Tafara and Mabvuku, the two main high-density suburbs in the dry zone, are receiving water from Unicef in bowsers and the United Nations agency has been drilling boreholes at schools and clinics for the suburb. (allAfrica.com)
Buying a Companion Parrot Aug 1, 2008
A good parrot breeder will let you visit the breeding facility, with the exception of closed aviaries, which don t permit visitors to lower the risk of avian disease outbreaks. If a good bird breeder raises parrots that aren t suitable for you, he or she will say so and may redirect you to local breeders who offer more suitable birds. (Suite101.com)
Report tracks pollution at U.S. beaches Jul 30, 2008
But it cited a federal health study that tracked 62 waterborne disease outbreaks in 2003 and 2004 and said 2,698 people became ill during that time, resulting in 58 hospitalizations and one death. "What this report means for families heading to the beach is they need to be careful and do a little homework," said Stoner. (MSNBC -- Environment)
AID STILL NEEDED Jul 27, 2008
They need further help with water and sanitation and shelter and there is a continuing need obviously for medical help too and monitoring to make sure there are no disease outbreaks. Together with that, we need to be conducting early recovery activities. (AlertNet)
Ag bill would damage local food, small farms: Animal ID requirement for school programs would help factory farms n not children Jul 25, 2008
We believe, in fact, that the animal ID program, as defined by U.S. Department of Agriculture, will not contain animal disease outbreaks in the United States. The source of E. coli, salmonella, listeria and other common meat-borne illness mostly results from mass crowding, feeding regimens, rushed assembly lines and poor sanitation most often found in industrial-scale meat operations. (Missoulian, MT)
Virus kills elderly woman on Gold Coast Jul 18, 2008
"There are established protocols for the management of infectious disease outbreaks in such facilities," Dr Staines said. "The population health unit's medical officer and nurse will continue to monitor progress and provide back-up support to the aged care facility as required.". (Sydney Morning Herald)
Ethiopia: UN Raises Alarm As Humanitarian Crisis Worsens Jul 16, 2008
Worsening malnutrition and the threat of disease outbreaks are compounding Ethiopia's humanitarian crisis, according to the World Health Organization ... The areas affected by shortages are also at significant risk of disease outbreaks: diarrhoeal diseases, measles and meningitis. (allAfrica.com)
New report: Greatest value of forests is sustainable water supply Jul 15, 2008
" The science of how forest management affects water quantity and quality, Jones said, has produced a solid foundation of principles. But forests in the United States are changing rapidly, and additional research may reveal ways to provide a sustainable flow of fresh, clean water. Changes in water supplies from forests due to climate change, the researchers said, are a particular concern, and water supplies may already be affected by increased fire frequency and insect or disease epidemics. Many... (EurekAlert!)
World Wide Wellness: Online Database Keeps Tabs on Emerging Health Threats Jul 13, 2008
By doing so, HealthMap provides a glimpse of potential disease outbreaks in local pockets, often before government and other health agencies such as the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) realize they are threats. "We hope that HealthMap will be able to identify outbreaks before traditional organizations become aware of them," says John Brownstein, co-founder of HealthMap and an assistant professor at the Informatics Program (CHIP) at... (Scientific American)
Coral Grief: Warming Climate Threatens Reef Destruction Jul 13, 2008
The main culprits, according to the study published today in Science: bleaching when corals expel the algae that normally feeds them and gives them color as well as disease outbreaks in by warming sea-surface temperatures. "If we cannot manage the [carbon dioxide] in the atmosphere, there's a very good possibility that bleaching events and disease events will be occurring with greater frequency and, if that occurs, there is a good chance that some species are not going to be able to replenish... (Scientific American)
Crawling The Internet To Track Infectious Disease Outbreaks Jul 13, 2008
ScienceDaily (July 8, 2008) Could Internet discussion forums, listservs, and online news outlets be an informative source of information on disease outbreaks ... To overcome these problems, the authors created the freely accessible HealthMap Project (), which they describe as a "multistream real-time surveillance platform that continually aggregates reports on new and ongoing infectious disease outbreaks." These reports are organized and disseminated in a variety of ways, including creating... (Science Daily)
HealthMap on the Internet to keep you alert on infectious disease ... Jul 13, 2008
HealthMap on the Internet to keep you alert on infectious disease outbreaks - HealthJockey ... Optimistic about the use of Internet for discussing health topics on forums, listservs, informative online news on disease outbreaks, the researchers have launched a real-time, automated data-gathering gathering system named as HealthMap ... The researchers describe this project as a multistream real-time surveillance platform that continually aggregates reports on new and ongoing infectious disease... (HealthJockey.com)
Simian Foamy Virus Found To Be Widespread Among Chimpanzees Jul 8, 2008
Major disease outbreaks have originated from cross-species transmission of infectious agents between primates and humans, making it important to learn more about how these cross-species transfers occur. The high SFV infection rates of chimpanzees provide an opportunity to monitor where humans are exposed to these viruses. (Science Daily)
Training held on animal diseases Jul 6, 2008
PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota is doing a good job preparing for the possibility of animal disease outbreaks, according to Sam Holland, the state veterinarian. (163). (Rapid City Journal, SD)
East Africa: Agencies Warn of Emergency Crises in the Horn Jul 5, 2008
Disease outbreaks fuelled by poor hygiene and sanitation in drought affected areas, and poor health and nutrition services including low immunization coverage, are additional high risks for mothers and children. Alarmed by the situation, members of the Regional Humanitarian Partnership Team in Nairobi called upon governments in the region and all humanitarian partners to act promptly to save lives and prevent an escalation of the crisis. (allAfrica.com)
UN Urges China Take Stronger Role Jul 2, 2008
In a speech at Beijing's Foreign Affairs University on Tuesday, Ban praised China's role as a net grain exporter but also called on the communist leadership to further join in efforts to address soaring food prices, climate change and global disease outbreaks. "This is an area where China stands tall. You are leading the activities of the U.N. as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council and your financial and peacekeeping contribution is growing," Ban said. (Time.com)
Resistant Strep Thrives in Overburdened Hospitals Jun 26, 2008
Tackling the root causes of overcrowding and understaffing should reverse current trends in infectious disease outbreaks. MRSA is type of staph infection resistant to methicillin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic effective against many pathogens, as well as more conventional antibiotics, such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. (MEDLINEplus)
Black flies surge in Maine's clean rivers Jun 24, 2008
In Africa, the insects can transmit a parasite that causes human blindness and in the United States, the flies have caused disease outbreaks in birds and regularly pester livestock. In New England, the bugs deliver only painful bites, although some people are allergic to them. (Boston Globe)
The Pink State Jun 18, 2008
Of course, this doesn't mean survivors aren't struggling to stay alive, but there's little evidence that the delay in reaching the Irrawaddy Delta led to large numbers of deaths or disease outbreaks. The Wall Street Journal leads its world-wide newsbox with the car bomb that exploded in a predominantly Shiite area of Baghdad and killed at least 51 people. (Slate)
Cattle Council defends national disease agreement Jun 17, 2008
The Cattle Council has hit back at criticism of its decision to sign a cost sharing agreement with the Federal Government to deal with disease outbreaks. The Australian Beef Association says the horse industry was sensible to resist signing a similar deal until the Government had agreed to pay to clean up equine flu. (ABC Online)
China on alert for unrest in earthquake zone Jun 12, 2008
While no large-scale disease outbreaks have been reported, evacuees in the temporary camps have been suffering from exposure, with 10 people recovering in a clinic from heat stroke and numerous cases of the common cold. State broadcaster CCTV showed workers wearing white anti-chemical suits and face masks spraying disinfectant into rubble in the destroyed town of Beichuan, where hundreds of bodies remain buried under collapsed buildings. (Lompoc Record, CA)
Transat A.T. Inc. - Second Quarter 2008 Results - Growth continues despite intense competition and high cost of fuel Jun 12, 2008
Factors that could lead actual results to differ also include general economic conditions, competition, extreme weather conditions, disease outbreaks, war, terrorism, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Corporation's continuous disclosure documents. These forward-looking statements, by their nature, necessarily involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements. (Canada Newswire)
World Vision urges donations as Myanmar match deadline nears Jun 12, 2008
Children are extremely vulnerable to disease outbreaks, and these kinds of projects help to minimize the risk of illness. Many farmers in Myanmar are especially in need of assistance. (Canada Newswire)
Dignity amid rubble in China's quake zone - Red Cross worker Jun 12, 2008
You do get a strong impression that the government is very serious about this disaster and possible disease outbreaks. We do quick assessment with our Chinese Red Cross counterparts and decide to all in for water purification and mass sanitation emergency response units. (AlertNet)
More disease outbreaks in Europe with climate change: experts Jun 12, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. June 13, 2008 - 12:05AM. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Horse owners win free ride, for now Jun 11, 2008
The Government now plans to pass the legislation so there is a framework for sharing costs of future disease outbreaks, but not to use the legislation to recover the costs of last year's emergency. "The bill is now expected to pass, but with a levy to remain at zero until agreement is reached with industry on measures to deal with any future disease outbreak," Mr Burke said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Record Exports and Imports Forecast For U.S. Agriculture Jun 6, 2008
Increased sales are supported by catering business for the Olympics, rising incomes, and reduced domestic supplies resulting from disease outbreaks and weather. U.S. exports to China are forecast to reach a record 10. (Agri-View, WI)
Alberta cattle, hog farmers get C$300 million aid Jun 6, 2008
The system will help trace animals during disease outbreaks and could be used for certifying consumer-driven products such as hormone-free, range-fed, grass-fed, humanely raised or naturally raised meats, the government said. Alberta is home to 5. (Reuters Canada)
Assembly approves sick-leave bill Jun 4, 2008
Capozza said allowing workers the time off to care for themselves or their family members can help reduce the transmission of food-borne illnesses, decrease disease outbreaks and reduce the spread of infections in work places and care facilities. Without paid time off, supporters said workers are more likely to continue working while they are sick for fear of losing money or their jobs. (Fresno Bee)
Crisis deepensin Myanmar Jun 3, 2008
UN officials warned the government on Friday that the forced resettlement of thousands of victims could launch a second wave of deaths, through disease outbreaks and deprivation in areas that lack proper drinking water and food supplies. Myanmar-based aid workers and relief volunteers who had worked in the delta areas in recent weeks doubt that many rice farmers will be able to plant their monsoon crops on time - despite the government's forced resettlement policies. (Asia Times Online)
Still no word on survivors of helicopter crash in China earthquake ... Jun 2, 2008
The chopper was returning after dropping off four members of an epidemic prevention team in the town of Lixian, the official China Daily newspaper reported, underscoring efforts to prevent disease outbreaks in quake-hit areas and crowded camps for those made homeless. State broadcaster CCTV reported on its main noontime news broadcast that 4,000 soldiers were taking part in the search but gave no word on any survivors. (International Herald Tribune)
You can forget the $49 air fare Jun 2, 2008
Euphoric sweet spots where all is right in the world are inevitably followed by crises of ever-growing magnitude: wars, global disease outbreaks, economic recessions and now the mother of all shocks, for the fourth time in 40 years, the oil problem. The next few months will say much about the future shape of an industry that, just 12 months ago, looked forward to seemingly endless growth, powered by the new phenomenon of the LCC (low-cost carrier). (The Age, Australia)
China quake survivors rescued as rain threatens millions May 29, 2008
However, China has repeatedly said it needs millions of tents to shelter quake victims and minimise the risk of serious disease outbreaks as the warm, rainy, summer months approach. The foreign help has been more than matched by an unprecedented outpouring of domestic donations of money and supplies. (ABC Online)
China evacuates villagers after new flood threat May 28, 2008
Also Tuesday, health officials said higher-than-normal rates of stomach pains and fever had been reported among the millions of quake survivors, but that no major disease outbreaks had occurred. About 5 million people were left homeless by the quake, and many are living in tents or makeshift camps clustered throughout the disaster zone. (Anchorage Daily News)
China Says Faces Tough Health Job In Quake Region May 28, 2008
BEIJING - Chinese health authorities face a tough job to prevent disease outbreaks in areas hard hit by May 12's massive earthquake, but are confident they can stop large-scale epidemics, officials said on Tuesday. The 7. (Planet Ark, United States)
Party stresses reconstruction May 27, 2008
Local authorities should mount all-out efforts to prevent disease outbreaks in all affected villages, and guard against quake-induced disasters, aftershocks and flooding. Transportation, telecommunications and power and water supplies in the quake zones must resume as soon as possible, the committee said, while livelihoods should be secured for orphans, the widowed elderly with no children and the handicapped who lost relatives. (Xinhuanet, China)
Rain threatens quake zone May 25, 2008
Amid growing concern over possible disease outbreaks in the makeshift camps, conditions looked set to worsen with rain showers forecast throughout the day, building to possible heavy downpours towards nightfall, according to state meteorologists. Pace of foreign aid picks up. (iAfrica.com)
China quake: 69 dams near collapse May 25, 2008
Wen said no infectious disease outbreaks have developed despite the harsh living conditions for survivors. Wen optimistically predicted that life would return to normal in the quake area in about three months. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NFL)
