29
Oct
2010
Outbreaks

Red Cross Provides Aid to Victims of Cholera Outbreak in Haiti
08
Sep
2010
Outbreaks
by Chris Wiant, MPH, PhD

Salmonella contamination on farms in Midwest

A national ongoing outbreak of salmonella-contaminated eggs has sickened over 1,400 people since May, according to experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak has been tracked to in-shell eggs from Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms in Iowa, which have launched a nationwide recall of over 550 million eggs suspected of being... Read More »
25
Jun
2010
Norovirus
by Barbara M. Soule, RN, MPA, CIC

New CDC Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Norovirus

Over the past several years, norovirus outbreaks have been increasingly reported at health care facilities across the county. Several states have implemented guidelines to help health care institutions and communities prevent norovirus transmission. Noroviruses cause gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and the small and large intestines, in people of all ages. Noroviruses are most dangerous... Read More »
19
May
2010
Norovirus
by Chris Wiant, MPH, PhD

Norovirus Outbreak at Minnesota School

Investigators from the Minnesota Department of Health are probing a norovirus outbreak that affected more than 60 students in the Renville County West school district last week. The students complained of vomiting and severe diarrhea. Noroviruses cause gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and the small and large intestines, in people of all ages, though... Read More »
07
Apr
2010
Norovirus
by Water Quality & Health Council

New Study Finds Bleach More Effective against Noroviruses than Other Disinfectants

Noroviruses, a group of viruses which are responsible for more than half of all reported food borne gastroenteritis outbreaks, cause gastroenteritis including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, weakness, and dehydration in people of all ages. They can be spread through contact with infected people or through contaminated water, foods, or surfaces. In addition, noroviruses arevery resistant to disinfection.... Read More »
02
Apr
2010
Bleach
by Water Quality & Health Council

Bleach disinfectant wipes reduce hospital-acquired C. difficile infection rates

Known as a “hospital superbug” because of its high antibacterial resistance, Clostridium difficile, C. difficile, is one of the most common bacterial pathogens that cause hospital-acquired infections in the country. It can cause diarrhea, colitis, and sepsis, any of which could prolong hospital stays or even cause death. Researchers found a way to reduce the acquisition of this... Read More »
31
Mar
2010
Flu
by Water Quality & Health Council

Are Hand Sanitizers Better than Hand Washing for Combating the Common Cold?

According to a new study reported by the ASM, hand sanitizers containing ethanol are much more effective at removing rhinovirus from hands than washing with soap and water. Hand sanitizers containing both ethanol and organic acids significantly reduced recovery of the virus from hands and rhinovirus infection up to 4 hours following use. The researchers of... Read More »
17
Mar
2010
Flu
by Ralph Morris, MD, MPH

Flu Vaccination Protects Entire Communities

When children are vaccinated against the seasonal flu, the entire community benefits. A study by theNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) found that people living in communities in which about 80 percent of the children were vaccinated were much less likely to contract seasonal influenza, even if they themselves had not been vaccinated. This... Read More »