Article from NHK News :
" Highly radioactive debris is still hampering the operator of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant from bringing its reactors under control, almost 3 months after the March 11th earthquake and tsunami.
On Monday, a piece of debris about 5 centimeters in diameter with radiation levels of 950 millisieverts per hour was removed from the west side of the Number 3 reactor building. It had been found on Saturday.
In May, debris with a radiation dose of 1,000 millisieverts per hour was discovered in the area, while rubble contaminated with 900 millisieverts per hour was found in April.
Tokyo Electric Power Company has so far removed about 280 containers of radioactive debris, but radiation levels still remain high near the reactor building that was badly damaged by a hydrogen explosion.
TEPCO is also struggling to handle highly radioactive water. More than 100,000 tons of contaminated water is believed to have accumulated in the basements of the reactor and turbine buildings.
TEPCO plans to begin a decontamination process on June 15th. Preparations are under way. The utility tested a device on Monday that will filter radioactive sediment from the water."
Monday, June 6, 2011
German officials seek evidence of sprout E. coli source
From DW World, excerpt :
" Sprouts from a market garden in Lower Saxony are now suspected of causing a deadly outbreak of E. coli bacteria in Germany. Officials hope for definitive results on Monday, but say their fresh lead is strong.
Researchers chasing after the root of a deadly outbreak of E. coli bacteria in Germany said Sunday that they had uncovered a new, important lead.
Gert Lindemann, agriculture minister for Lower Saxony, said a market garden in the rural district of Uelzen had yielded a connection "involving all the main outbreaks" of the disease, which is thought to have affected more than 2,000 people.
"From our view, this is the most concrete source," said Lindemann.
Although there was no definitive proof on Sunday, the ministry said the indications were strong enough to suggest people avoid sprouts for the time being.
"We do have notable evidence suggesting that a business in Uelzen could be the source of the infection, but we must wait for confirmation from laboratory tests," German Health Minister Daniel Bahr said.
Definitive laboratory results could be in later on Monday. As well as apparent connections to the major outbreaks, one employee of the northern German farm had also contracted the disease, authorities said."
" Sprouts from a market garden in Lower Saxony are now suspected of causing a deadly outbreak of E. coli bacteria in Germany. Officials hope for definitive results on Monday, but say their fresh lead is strong.
Researchers chasing after the root of a deadly outbreak of E. coli bacteria in Germany said Sunday that they had uncovered a new, important lead.
Gert Lindemann, agriculture minister for Lower Saxony, said a market garden in the rural district of Uelzen had yielded a connection "involving all the main outbreaks" of the disease, which is thought to have affected more than 2,000 people.
"From our view, this is the most concrete source," said Lindemann.
Although there was no definitive proof on Sunday, the ministry said the indications were strong enough to suggest people avoid sprouts for the time being.
"We do have notable evidence suggesting that a business in Uelzen could be the source of the infection, but we must wait for confirmation from laboratory tests," German Health Minister Daniel Bahr said.
Definitive laboratory results could be in later on Monday. As well as apparent connections to the major outbreaks, one employee of the northern German farm had also contracted the disease, authorities said."
Germany : German farm suspected epicenter of E.coli outbreak
Via IB Times :
" A North German farm,Gaertnerhof Bienenbuettel, has been identified as the most likely source of the infection in the E.coli outbreak, that killed 22 people and affected more than 2,200 people, a local media report said.
The farm, producing bean sprouts, located in Uelzen, south of Hamburg, is believed to be the epicenter of the outbreak.
German officials were awaiting results of tests on the farm's produce that would offer more conclusive proof.
The farm has been closed and Germans have been advised to stop eating bean sprouts. The managing director of the farm said on Monday that he was baffled that his bean sprouts were suspected of causing such a devastation.
An emergency meeting is to be held by EU agriculture ministers on Tuesday, to discuss the outbreak and its effect on production.
The agriculture minister for Lower Saxony, Gert Lindemann, said: "Further evidence has emerged which points to a plant nursery in Uelzen as the source of the EHEC cases, or at least one of the sources".
Definite proof would depend on test results, but "a connection has been found involving all the main outbreaks."
" A North German farm,Gaertnerhof Bienenbuettel, has been identified as the most likely source of the infection in the E.coli outbreak, that killed 22 people and affected more than 2,200 people, a local media report said.
The farm, producing bean sprouts, located in Uelzen, south of Hamburg, is believed to be the epicenter of the outbreak.
German officials were awaiting results of tests on the farm's produce that would offer more conclusive proof.
The farm has been closed and Germans have been advised to stop eating bean sprouts. The managing director of the farm said on Monday that he was baffled that his bean sprouts were suspected of causing such a devastation.
An emergency meeting is to be held by EU agriculture ministers on Tuesday, to discuss the outbreak and its effect on production.
The agriculture minister for Lower Saxony, Gert Lindemann, said: "Further evidence has emerged which points to a plant nursery in Uelzen as the source of the EHEC cases, or at least one of the sources".
Definite proof would depend on test results, but "a connection has been found involving all the main outbreaks."
India : 28 suspected malaria cases detected
Via Times Of India :
" VARANASI: The doctors detected 28 suspected cases of malaria during a recent special malaria camp at the district jail in Chowkaghat area of the city.
District malaria officer M A Khan said that on-the-spot blood slide (BS) collection was done during the camp on Saturday (June 4) and 28 suspected cases of malaria were detected.
He added that the confirmed cases would be known only after the pathological and lab tests of the slides. He also said that the next round of malaria awareness camp would be held at CRPF camp in Paharia on June 7.
It may be mentioned here that the district health administration is observing June as the anti-malaria month. The officials are intensifying efforts for increased blood slides collection and on-the-spot detection besides spreading awareness about vector-borne diseases in vulnerable pockets of the city.
Eight malaria camps would be held at different places including jails, camps of paramilitary forces and rural blocks of the district."
" VARANASI: The doctors detected 28 suspected cases of malaria during a recent special malaria camp at the district jail in Chowkaghat area of the city.
District malaria officer M A Khan said that on-the-spot blood slide (BS) collection was done during the camp on Saturday (June 4) and 28 suspected cases of malaria were detected.
He added that the confirmed cases would be known only after the pathological and lab tests of the slides. He also said that the next round of malaria awareness camp would be held at CRPF camp in Paharia on June 7.
It may be mentioned here that the district health administration is observing June as the anti-malaria month. The officials are intensifying efforts for increased blood slides collection and on-the-spot detection besides spreading awareness about vector-borne diseases in vulnerable pockets of the city.
Eight malaria camps would be held at different places including jails, camps of paramilitary forces and rural blocks of the district."
Ukraine : Sanitary Service, Veterinary Service Ban Sale Of Fish Caught Near Mariupol, Donetsk Region Over Cholera
Article from Ukraine News :
" The State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service and the State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service, in order to prevent cholera from spreading, from June 4 imposed a temporal ban on sale of fish caught in the Kalmius river and in the water area near Mariupol, Donetsk region, in the Sea of Azov, reads a joint order by the Chief State Medical Officer of Donetsk region, Viktor Denisenko, and the region's Chief Veterinary Medicine State Inspector, Anatolii Pryhodin, dated June 4.
The prohibition applies to sale of live, jerky and smoked fish at the markets and at all enterprises of wholesale and retail trade in Donetsk region.
Sale of such fish of any origin without documents proving its safety, quality and origin is forbidden too.
Moreover, they have imposed a permanent ban on sale of foodstuffs of animal and plant origin at the markets not equipped with state veterinary and sanitary examination laboratories.
The order also says that the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Veterinary Medicine Inspector of Donetsk region, having studied materials of an epidemiologic investigation, found out that cases of cholera in Mariupol linked to consumption or processing fish caught in the water area of the Sea of Azov near Mariupol and in the Kalmius river in Mariupol.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, as of 7am of June 6, 14 people with confirmed cholera were staying in the infectious disease ward of the city hospital No.4.
the first three people who contracted cholera in Mariupol were taken to hospital on May 29.
According to preliminary conclusions, the disease contracted via occurrence of seawater in human body or eating fish from the Sea of Azov."
" The State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service and the State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service, in order to prevent cholera from spreading, from June 4 imposed a temporal ban on sale of fish caught in the Kalmius river and in the water area near Mariupol, Donetsk region, in the Sea of Azov, reads a joint order by the Chief State Medical Officer of Donetsk region, Viktor Denisenko, and the region's Chief Veterinary Medicine State Inspector, Anatolii Pryhodin, dated June 4.
The prohibition applies to sale of live, jerky and smoked fish at the markets and at all enterprises of wholesale and retail trade in Donetsk region.
Sale of such fish of any origin without documents proving its safety, quality and origin is forbidden too.
Moreover, they have imposed a permanent ban on sale of foodstuffs of animal and plant origin at the markets not equipped with state veterinary and sanitary examination laboratories.
The order also says that the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Veterinary Medicine Inspector of Donetsk region, having studied materials of an epidemiologic investigation, found out that cases of cholera in Mariupol linked to consumption or processing fish caught in the water area of the Sea of Azov near Mariupol and in the Kalmius river in Mariupol.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, as of 7am of June 6, 14 people with confirmed cholera were staying in the infectious disease ward of the city hospital No.4.
the first three people who contracted cholera in Mariupol were taken to hospital on May 29.
According to preliminary conclusions, the disease contracted via occurrence of seawater in human body or eating fish from the Sea of Azov."
Uganda : Cholera outbreak in Hoima district
Via New Vision Online :
" EIGHT suspected cases of cholera have been reported in Nkondo Parish, in Kabwoya sub-county in Hoima district.
The district health inspector, Frederick Byenume, told journalists that eight people had been admitted to Sebigoro Health Centre III in Kabwoya sub-county. He said the patients had diarrhea were passing out blood and vomiting.
However, Byenume said no deaths had been recorded and four patients had been discharged. The rest, he added, are undergoing treatment and showing signs of improvement."
" EIGHT suspected cases of cholera have been reported in Nkondo Parish, in Kabwoya sub-county in Hoima district.
The district health inspector, Frederick Byenume, told journalists that eight people had been admitted to Sebigoro Health Centre III in Kabwoya sub-county. He said the patients had diarrhea were passing out blood and vomiting.
However, Byenume said no deaths had been recorded and four patients had been discharged. The rest, he added, are undergoing treatment and showing signs of improvement."
Germany : Bean sprouts possible source for E. coli outbreak
Via Xinhua :
" German authority said on Sunday that bean sprouts might be the "most convincing" source for the E. coli outbreak which has killed 22 people and infected more than 2,000 in the Europe.
Gert Lindemann, Agriculture Minister of the state Lower Saxony, told reporters in a press conference that restaurants and food outlets where the cases of E. coli had been reported all had received shipments of the particular bean sprouts.
A related company in the Uelzen region has been shut down and its products have been recalled, he said.
"It is the most convincing... source for the E. coli outbreak," Lindemann said. Although a conclusive laboratory analysis will not come out until Monday, current indications were strong enough to issue a public warning, he said.
Authorities have been racing to track down the source of the pathogen since the outbreak, which has infected people in 12 countries - all of whom had once traveled in northern Germany. More than 600 of those infected have developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a potentially deadly complication attacking the kidneys."
" German authority said on Sunday that bean sprouts might be the "most convincing" source for the E. coli outbreak which has killed 22 people and infected more than 2,000 in the Europe.
Gert Lindemann, Agriculture Minister of the state Lower Saxony, told reporters in a press conference that restaurants and food outlets where the cases of E. coli had been reported all had received shipments of the particular bean sprouts.
A related company in the Uelzen region has been shut down and its products have been recalled, he said.
"It is the most convincing... source for the E. coli outbreak," Lindemann said. Although a conclusive laboratory analysis will not come out until Monday, current indications were strong enough to issue a public warning, he said.
Authorities have been racing to track down the source of the pathogen since the outbreak, which has infected people in 12 countries - all of whom had once traveled in northern Germany. More than 600 of those infected have developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a potentially deadly complication attacking the kidneys."
Fiji : Dengue cases on the rise
Article from The Fiji Times :
" MACUATA has 18 confirmed dengue fever cases and people are urged to maintain a clean surrounding at home as preventative measure.
Health spokesman Peni Namotu said dengue fever was normal during this period.
The ministry also received cases from the Western and Central divisions.
"Dengue fever cases are normal at this time of the year because we are experiencing wet weather. Since dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes the best advice to people is to keep a clean surrounding," he said.
"All old tyres, coconut shells, cans and items which are possible breeding grounds for mosquitoes must be destroyed. Items must be disposed properly to prevent the storage of stagnant water, which is a common breeding ground for mosquitoes."
People are advised to visit their nearest medical centre upon experiencing feverish symptoms."
" MACUATA has 18 confirmed dengue fever cases and people are urged to maintain a clean surrounding at home as preventative measure.
Health spokesman Peni Namotu said dengue fever was normal during this period.
The ministry also received cases from the Western and Central divisions.
"Dengue fever cases are normal at this time of the year because we are experiencing wet weather. Since dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes the best advice to people is to keep a clean surrounding," he said.
"All old tyres, coconut shells, cans and items which are possible breeding grounds for mosquitoes must be destroyed. Items must be disposed properly to prevent the storage of stagnant water, which is a common breeding ground for mosquitoes."
People are advised to visit their nearest medical centre upon experiencing feverish symptoms."
Australia : Flu cases on the rise
Via Northside Chronicle :
" QUEENSLAND Health has urged residents to get their flu vaccination to curb the high levels of influenza already recorded this year.
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young said there had been 1598 notifications of influenza in Queensland so far this year - more than 1300 more than the same period last year.
Dr Young said the higher than usual level of influenza cases made vaccination vital for the coming months.
``It’s especially important for people in groups considered most at risk, and that’s why Queensland Health provides free ‘flu vaccinations for the elderly, pregnant women, indigenous people aged over 15 and those at risk due to medical conditions,’’ Dr Young said.
``Influenza is a highly contagious and potentially serious disease that can be spread through coughing and sneezing."
" QUEENSLAND Health has urged residents to get their flu vaccination to curb the high levels of influenza already recorded this year.
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young said there had been 1598 notifications of influenza in Queensland so far this year - more than 1300 more than the same period last year.
Dr Young said the higher than usual level of influenza cases made vaccination vital for the coming months.
``It’s especially important for people in groups considered most at risk, and that’s why Queensland Health provides free ‘flu vaccinations for the elderly, pregnant women, indigenous people aged over 15 and those at risk due to medical conditions,’’ Dr Young said.
``Influenza is a highly contagious and potentially serious disease that can be spread through coughing and sneezing."
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Fiji : Macuata records 18 dengue cases
Via Radio Fiji :
" Macuata has recorded 18 cases of people diagnosed and treated with dengue fever so far this year.
Health spokesperson Peni Namotu says it is common at this time of the year dengue fever is on the rise as we experience the wet and humid season.
Namotu says people should keep their compound clean and destroy all mosquito breeding places."
" Macuata has recorded 18 cases of people diagnosed and treated with dengue fever so far this year.
Health spokesperson Peni Namotu says it is common at this time of the year dengue fever is on the rise as we experience the wet and humid season.
Namotu says people should keep their compound clean and destroy all mosquito breeding places."
Germany : E.coli outbreak 'stabilizing' as death toll climbs
Another report from DW World :
" The death toll in Germany's E. coli outbreak has risen to 19, as the infection is confirmed in 11 other countries. A Hamburg doctor, however, has said the outbreak seems to be stabilizing.
The death toll in Germany's E. coli outbreak has now risen to 19, following the death of an 80-year-old woman in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on Friday.
Eighteen of the victims have been in Germany, with one fatality reported in Sweden.
Earlier in the day, the World Health Organization announced that the outbreak had spread from Germany to 11 other countries, including the United States and Britain.
However, a German doctor has cautioned that the situation seems to be normalizing.
"The number of new infections appears to be stabilizing somewhat," Reinhard Brunkhorst, president of the German Nephrology Society, told reporters in Hamburg, where the outbreak is centered.
However, Brunkhorst admitted that the fatalities were part of "the biggest epidemic caused by bacteria in recent decades." Regional health authorities have reported more than 2,000 cases of people stricken with EHEC poisoning."
" The death toll in Germany's E. coli outbreak has risen to 19, as the infection is confirmed in 11 other countries. A Hamburg doctor, however, has said the outbreak seems to be stabilizing.
The death toll in Germany's E. coli outbreak has now risen to 19, following the death of an 80-year-old woman in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on Friday.
Eighteen of the victims have been in Germany, with one fatality reported in Sweden.
Earlier in the day, the World Health Organization announced that the outbreak had spread from Germany to 11 other countries, including the United States and Britain.
However, a German doctor has cautioned that the situation seems to be normalizing.
"The number of new infections appears to be stabilizing somewhat," Reinhard Brunkhorst, president of the German Nephrology Society, told reporters in Hamburg, where the outbreak is centered.
However, Brunkhorst admitted that the fatalities were part of "the biggest epidemic caused by bacteria in recent decades." Regional health authorities have reported more than 2,000 cases of people stricken with EHEC poisoning."
Germany : Scientists seek answers from origins of 'chimeric' E. coli
Via DW World :
" Scientists are examining the results of a genetic sequencing of the new E. coli strain. This new variety, which has sickened thousands in Europe, seems to be a product of two previously known infectious types of E. coli.
As of Friday, while German scientists struggled to isolate the source of the E. coli outbreak, epidemiologists and microbiologists remain unsure as to how they can uncover the secrets of this new infectious strain - and ultimately, battle it.
Earlier in the week, a team of German and Chinese scientists said that they had sequenced the genome of the bacteria, finding that it contained elements from two other previously known strains, O104:H4 and EAEC 55989.
O104:H4, which is a rare, enterohemmorhagic - or bloody diarrhea-inducing - strain, has only been documented in scientific literature once before. In 2005, a 29-year-old woman was admitted to a Korean hospital and was treated for the infection and later recovered.
This E. coli represents a new serotype, or sub-species variant for this kind of bacteria. It also has a "shiga toxin," which targets kidney cells and has the ability to enter the blood stream.
The Beijing Genomics Institute team also said on Thursday that the new bacteria has "93 percent sequence similarity" with EAEC 55989, another type of E. coli that is known to have an advanced ability to "colonize" the human stomach - that is, to latch on and reproduce quickly."
" Scientists are examining the results of a genetic sequencing of the new E. coli strain. This new variety, which has sickened thousands in Europe, seems to be a product of two previously known infectious types of E. coli.
As of Friday, while German scientists struggled to isolate the source of the E. coli outbreak, epidemiologists and microbiologists remain unsure as to how they can uncover the secrets of this new infectious strain - and ultimately, battle it.
Earlier in the week, a team of German and Chinese scientists said that they had sequenced the genome of the bacteria, finding that it contained elements from two other previously known strains, O104:H4 and EAEC 55989.
O104:H4, which is a rare, enterohemmorhagic - or bloody diarrhea-inducing - strain, has only been documented in scientific literature once before. In 2005, a 29-year-old woman was admitted to a Korean hospital and was treated for the infection and later recovered.
This E. coli represents a new serotype, or sub-species variant for this kind of bacteria. It also has a "shiga toxin," which targets kidney cells and has the ability to enter the blood stream.
The Beijing Genomics Institute team also said on Thursday that the new bacteria has "93 percent sequence similarity" with EAEC 55989, another type of E. coli that is known to have an advanced ability to "colonize" the human stomach - that is, to latch on and reproduce quickly."
Bangladesh : 3 more anthrax infected in Sirajganj
Via BDNews 24, anthrax cases are being reported in Bangladesh :
" Three more people have been found infected with anthrax at Shahjadpur Upazila, increasing the list of infected in Pabna district to 49 in the last eight days.
Sirajganj civil surgeon Dr Nazimuddin Khan told bdnews24.com that two people were found anthrax positive at Bara Maharajpur village and one more at Chakharipur village under Porjana union council of Shahjadpur Upazila on Friday.
He said that the patients were given necessary treatment. "A medical team is working in each of the affected areas. The patients are being given treatment free of cost."
Meanwhile, high-level investigation team of the livestock ministry led by livestock department director general Mohammad Ashraf Ali visited two severely affected villages of the district – Saratail in Shahjadpur and Satbila in Ullapara upazilas on Friday.
The remaining members of the team are Dr Mat Yamage (Chief Technical Advisor Avian Influenza Control Program, FAO-UN), director of livestock department (admin) Mohammad Modassek Ali and director (extension) Partharati Sarker, deputy-director Dr Ranjit Chakrabarti.
They collected the sample of blood of 13 cattle of the area."
" Three more people have been found infected with anthrax at Shahjadpur Upazila, increasing the list of infected in Pabna district to 49 in the last eight days.
Sirajganj civil surgeon Dr Nazimuddin Khan told bdnews24.com that two people were found anthrax positive at Bara Maharajpur village and one more at Chakharipur village under Porjana union council of Shahjadpur Upazila on Friday.
He said that the patients were given necessary treatment. "A medical team is working in each of the affected areas. The patients are being given treatment free of cost."
Meanwhile, high-level investigation team of the livestock ministry led by livestock department director general Mohammad Ashraf Ali visited two severely affected villages of the district – Saratail in Shahjadpur and Satbila in Ullapara upazilas on Friday.
The remaining members of the team are Dr Mat Yamage (Chief Technical Advisor Avian Influenza Control Program, FAO-UN), director of livestock department (admin) Mohammad Modassek Ali and director (extension) Partharati Sarker, deputy-director Dr Ranjit Chakrabarti.
They collected the sample of blood of 13 cattle of the area."
1800 are hit as E.coli outbreak goes global
From Herald Scotland :
" MORE than 1800 people worldwide have been infected by a toxic new strain of E.coli which has now spread beyond Europe to affect a total of 12 countries.
Four more people in the UK have been diagnosed with food poisoning suspected to be linked to the outbreak, bringing the total number affected to 11. All the patients have links to Germany, where the outbreak began.
Some 19 people have been confirmed dead, 18 of them in Germany, and almost 200 new cases have been reported in the last few days in that country.
Public health professionals said there have been no cases in Scotland of the E.coli 0104 bug during the current outbreak, although part of the same strain was identified in a single case in 2005.
The Scottish Government’s disease watchdog, Health Protection Scotland (HPS), said Scotland was in an “excellent position” to detect any cases of the new strain.
HPS said enhanced surveillance methods introduced in 2001 to counteract Scotland’s peculiarly high rates of E.coli would be able to quickly pick up any sign of the latest strain of the infection.
The World Health Organisation has said the source of the outbreak remains unknown, but scientists believe that salad vegetables and leaves may be to blame and the UK’s Health Protection Agency is urging people travelling to Germany to avoid eating raw tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce.
Dr John Cowden, a consultant epidemiologist and expert in E.coli for HPS, said: “It appears to be the impression that [this version of E.coli] is causing more severe symptoms than what you might call the ‘normal’ strain."
" MORE than 1800 people worldwide have been infected by a toxic new strain of E.coli which has now spread beyond Europe to affect a total of 12 countries.
Four more people in the UK have been diagnosed with food poisoning suspected to be linked to the outbreak, bringing the total number affected to 11. All the patients have links to Germany, where the outbreak began.
Some 19 people have been confirmed dead, 18 of them in Germany, and almost 200 new cases have been reported in the last few days in that country.
Public health professionals said there have been no cases in Scotland of the E.coli 0104 bug during the current outbreak, although part of the same strain was identified in a single case in 2005.
The Scottish Government’s disease watchdog, Health Protection Scotland (HPS), said Scotland was in an “excellent position” to detect any cases of the new strain.
HPS said enhanced surveillance methods introduced in 2001 to counteract Scotland’s peculiarly high rates of E.coli would be able to quickly pick up any sign of the latest strain of the infection.
The World Health Organisation has said the source of the outbreak remains unknown, but scientists believe that salad vegetables and leaves may be to blame and the UK’s Health Protection Agency is urging people travelling to Germany to avoid eating raw tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce.
Dr John Cowden, a consultant epidemiologist and expert in E.coli for HPS, said: “It appears to be the impression that [this version of E.coli] is causing more severe symptoms than what you might call the ‘normal’ strain."
New Zealand : Jab urged to avoid swine flu outbreak
Via Wairarapa Times :
" Officials work to avoid spread of virus which hit schools last year Wairarapa people are being urged to get in quick for their flu jabs as health officials work to avoid a repeat of last year's horror swine flu season.
Last winter Wairarapa schools were hammered by a large outbreak of swine flu, with thousands of students infected and several admitted to Wairarapa Hospital.
The outbreak got so bad that in August some schools were reporting up to 50 per cent of their students away from school with the virus.
Regional Public Health medical officer Annette Nesdale said if people had not already been immunised they needed to act quickly.
"Now is the time to do it.
"It takes about 14 days to make the antibodies to protect you so the smart people in the community get it early because they know they will be protected."
She said this year's flu vaccine included protection against the H1N1 swine flu strain as well as two other strains of flu."
" Officials work to avoid spread of virus which hit schools last year Wairarapa people are being urged to get in quick for their flu jabs as health officials work to avoid a repeat of last year's horror swine flu season.
Last winter Wairarapa schools were hammered by a large outbreak of swine flu, with thousands of students infected and several admitted to Wairarapa Hospital.
The outbreak got so bad that in August some schools were reporting up to 50 per cent of their students away from school with the virus.
Regional Public Health medical officer Annette Nesdale said if people had not already been immunised they needed to act quickly.
"Now is the time to do it.
"It takes about 14 days to make the antibodies to protect you so the smart people in the community get it early because they know they will be protected."
She said this year's flu vaccine included protection against the H1N1 swine flu strain as well as two other strains of flu."
Japan : Heavy rain may cause toxic water to overflow outside Fukushima plant
Another article from Japan Today :
" TOKYO : Tokyo Electric Power Co said Friday radioactive water accumulated at its crippled nuclear power plant may overflow to the outside if heavy rain falls by June 15, fanning fears that radiation could further pollute the ocean and soil. The plant operator plans to start activating new equipment that can decontaminate the problem water June 15 or later but the possibility lingers that the project will not be completed in time, the officials said.
The amount of contaminated water, which may be leaking from the No. 1 to No. 3 reactors damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, has risen to 105,100 tons in total as of Tuesday as a recent typhoon brought substantial rainfall to the complex, utility officials said.
Even if there is no rain, the contaminated water may start overflowing to the outside June 20 at the earliest as coolant water for troubled reactors is believed to be seeping through the outer buildings, the officials said, adding that the combined amount of radiation in the tainted water is estimated to be 720,000 terabecquerels.
Hidehiko Nishiyama, a spokesman for the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, said, ‘‘If the possibility grows that tainted water will spill to the outside, we have to consider taking emergency measures’’ to stop the leakage.
Even if TEPCO successfully transfers around 4,300 tons of the toxic water to condensers at the Nos. 2 and 3 reactors and a waste-processing facility, the remaining water is feared to overflow to the environment June 20 at the No. 2 unit and June 21 at the No. 3 reactor, the officials said."
" TOKYO : Tokyo Electric Power Co said Friday radioactive water accumulated at its crippled nuclear power plant may overflow to the outside if heavy rain falls by June 15, fanning fears that radiation could further pollute the ocean and soil. The plant operator plans to start activating new equipment that can decontaminate the problem water June 15 or later but the possibility lingers that the project will not be completed in time, the officials said.
The amount of contaminated water, which may be leaking from the No. 1 to No. 3 reactors damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, has risen to 105,100 tons in total as of Tuesday as a recent typhoon brought substantial rainfall to the complex, utility officials said.
Even if there is no rain, the contaminated water may start overflowing to the outside June 20 at the earliest as coolant water for troubled reactors is believed to be seeping through the outer buildings, the officials said, adding that the combined amount of radiation in the tainted water is estimated to be 720,000 terabecquerels.
Hidehiko Nishiyama, a spokesman for the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, said, ‘‘If the possibility grows that tainted water will spill to the outside, we have to consider taking emergency measures’’ to stop the leakage.
Even if TEPCO successfully transfers around 4,300 tons of the toxic water to condensers at the Nos. 2 and 3 reactors and a waste-processing facility, the remaining water is feared to overflow to the environment June 20 at the No. 2 unit and June 21 at the No. 3 reactor, the officials said."
4 in US now linked to German E. coli outbreak
Article from Yahoo Health, excerpt :
" Four people in the U.S. were apparently sickened by the food poisoning outbreak in Europe, health officials said Friday. Three are hospitalized with a serious complication.
All four were in northern Germany in May. Though they didn't stay at the same hotel or eat at the same restaurants, officials are confident that they were infected with E. coli in that country.
Three of them — two women and a man — are hospitalized with kidney failure, a complication of E. coli that has become a hallmark of the outbreak. One of the four fell ill while on a plane to the U.S."
" Four people in the U.S. were apparently sickened by the food poisoning outbreak in Europe, health officials said Friday. Three are hospitalized with a serious complication.
All four were in northern Germany in May. Though they didn't stay at the same hotel or eat at the same restaurants, officials are confident that they were infected with E. coli in that country.
Three of them — two women and a man — are hospitalized with kidney failure, a complication of E. coli that has become a hallmark of the outbreak. One of the four fell ill while on a plane to the U.S."
Hong Kong : CHP urges vigilance against community-associated MRSA
From Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :
" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 3) called on the public to be vigilant against infection by community-associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a drug resistant bacterium.
The appeal was made following the CHP's investigation into a confirmed case of invasive CA-MRSA involving a 55-year-old man living in Wong Tai Sin.
The man with good past health presented with a painful facial swelling about one month ago. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of the United Christian Hospital on May 26 for head injury after a fall and was noted to have a right pre-auricular abscess. He was admitted for treatment on the same day.
The patient is currently in a serious condition. Wound swab taken from the patient grew CA-MRSA. Blood specimen from the patient also grew MRSA.
His home contacts had no symptoms of CA-MRSA infection.
MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a common infection worldwide.
In recent years, many countries have observed MRSA infections in healthy individuals who have not been hospitalised or stayed in other healthcare facilities or institutions, nor received medical procedures in the year before the onset of symptoms. They are known as CA-MRSA infections and usually have special patterns of antibiotic resistance."
" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 3) called on the public to be vigilant against infection by community-associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a drug resistant bacterium.
The appeal was made following the CHP's investigation into a confirmed case of invasive CA-MRSA involving a 55-year-old man living in Wong Tai Sin.
The man with good past health presented with a painful facial swelling about one month ago. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of the United Christian Hospital on May 26 for head injury after a fall and was noted to have a right pre-auricular abscess. He was admitted for treatment on the same day.
The patient is currently in a serious condition. Wound swab taken from the patient grew CA-MRSA. Blood specimen from the patient also grew MRSA.
His home contacts had no symptoms of CA-MRSA infection.
MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a common infection worldwide.
In recent years, many countries have observed MRSA infections in healthy individuals who have not been hospitalised or stayed in other healthcare facilities or institutions, nor received medical procedures in the year before the onset of symptoms. They are known as CA-MRSA infections and usually have special patterns of antibiotic resistance."
Japan : 2 nuclear plant workers exceed radiation limit; more being tested
Via Japan Today :
" TOKYO : Two nuclear plant workers have exceeded Japan’s radiation exposure limit for men and others who toiled without sufficient protection in the earliest days of the disaster could show high levels as well, the government and plant operator said Friday.
The two control room operators at the Fukushima Daiichi plant are the first men to surpass the government-set limit. About 40 workers are being tested further after preliminary findings showed high exposures, TEPCO spokesman Junichi Matsumoto said.
The two men are not showing immediate health problems but have an increased lifetime risk of cancer. TEPCO will take care of their long-term health monitoring, he said.
Doctors at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences examined them and said the two men don’t require current health treatment and can live normally, Matsumoto said.
Workers have been fighting to get the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant under control since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami knocked out power and crucial cooling systems, largely melting the cores of three reactors. Several explosions have scattered highly radioactive debris around the plant and leaked radiactivity into the environment around it.
The two men, one in his 30s and the other in his 40s, were responsible for the central control room for Unit 3 and 4 reactors the day the disasters struck and in the days that followed. About 150 other control room operators worked early in the crisis and are being examined."
" TOKYO : Two nuclear plant workers have exceeded Japan’s radiation exposure limit for men and others who toiled without sufficient protection in the earliest days of the disaster could show high levels as well, the government and plant operator said Friday.
The two control room operators at the Fukushima Daiichi plant are the first men to surpass the government-set limit. About 40 workers are being tested further after preliminary findings showed high exposures, TEPCO spokesman Junichi Matsumoto said.
The two men are not showing immediate health problems but have an increased lifetime risk of cancer. TEPCO will take care of their long-term health monitoring, he said.
Doctors at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences examined them and said the two men don’t require current health treatment and can live normally, Matsumoto said.
Workers have been fighting to get the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant under control since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami knocked out power and crucial cooling systems, largely melting the cores of three reactors. Several explosions have scattered highly radioactive debris around the plant and leaked radiactivity into the environment around it.
The two men, one in his 30s and the other in his 40s, were responsible for the central control room for Unit 3 and 4 reactors the day the disasters struck and in the days that followed. About 150 other control room operators worked early in the crisis and are being examined."
Friday, June 3, 2011
Germany steps up hunt for deadly E.coli source
Via Reuters Canada :
" BERLIN/LONDON : Racing to curb the spread of a killer food bug, Germany set up a national task force on Friday to hunt down the source of a highly toxic strain of E.coli that killed 17 people and sounded alarms around the world.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, engaged in a trade row with the European Union after Moscow banned imports of raw fruit and vegetables from the bloc, heightened the drama, saying he would not "poison" Russians by lifting the embargo.
Repeating warnings to Germans not eat salad vegetables -- rattling farmers and stores just as they hit high season -- health officials said they recorded 199 new cases of the rare, highly toxic strain of the infection in the past two days.
That took the total of those infected since it was detected in early May to 1,733 -- making it possibly the deadliest ever outbreak -- and suggesting it was spreading as fast as ever.
Scientists struggled to pinpoint the contamination, assumed to be poor hygiene at a farm, in transit, a shop or food outlet.
Health institutes across Europe have tried to reassure the public by stressing that E.coli, a frequent cause of food poisoning, can generally be tackled by washing vegetables and by washing hands before eating to reduce the risk of bacteria being passed on from the feces of an infected person."
" BERLIN/LONDON : Racing to curb the spread of a killer food bug, Germany set up a national task force on Friday to hunt down the source of a highly toxic strain of E.coli that killed 17 people and sounded alarms around the world.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, engaged in a trade row with the European Union after Moscow banned imports of raw fruit and vegetables from the bloc, heightened the drama, saying he would not "poison" Russians by lifting the embargo.
Repeating warnings to Germans not eat salad vegetables -- rattling farmers and stores just as they hit high season -- health officials said they recorded 199 new cases of the rare, highly toxic strain of the infection in the past two days.
That took the total of those infected since it was detected in early May to 1,733 -- making it possibly the deadliest ever outbreak -- and suggesting it was spreading as fast as ever.
Scientists struggled to pinpoint the contamination, assumed to be poor hygiene at a farm, in transit, a shop or food outlet.
Health institutes across Europe have tried to reassure the public by stressing that E.coli, a frequent cause of food poisoning, can generally be tackled by washing vegetables and by washing hands before eating to reduce the risk of bacteria being passed on from the feces of an infected person."
Killer bacteria hits 12 countries: experts
Article from Sydney Morning Herald :
" Twelve countries have so far reported cases linked to a still unexplained outbreak of a lethal bacteria that has claimed 18 lives, while a senior doctor in the German city of Hamburg, the epicentre of the outbreak, said the outbreak appeared to be stabilising.
"Countries continue to report cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)," the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Europe division said in a statement, adding it had received reports of cases in 12 countries.
EHEC can cause bloody diarrhoea and potentially fatal liver damage, as well as full-blown haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney ailment.
As of June 2, 502 people in total had contracted HUS while 1064 had contracted EHEC, according to the WHO count.
An AFP toll compiled from national health authorities meanwhile showed more than 2000 people in total had fallen ill.
In addition to Germany, the epicentre of the outbreak where 17 people have died, cases of HUS and/or EHEC, had by Thursday been reported in Austria (HUS 0, EHEC 2), Britain (3, 4), the Czech Republic (0, 1), Denmark (7, 10), France (0, 6), the Netherlands (4, 4), Norway (0, 1), Spain (1, 0), Sweden (15,28), Switzerland (0,2), and the United States (2,0), the WHO said.
"All these cases except two are in people who reside in or had recently visited northern Germany during the incubation period for the infection (typically three to four days post-exposure), or in one case, had contact with a visitor from northern Germany," it explained.
The health organisation said on Thursday the strain of a lethal bacteria was "very rare" and had never been seen in an outbreak form before."
" Twelve countries have so far reported cases linked to a still unexplained outbreak of a lethal bacteria that has claimed 18 lives, while a senior doctor in the German city of Hamburg, the epicentre of the outbreak, said the outbreak appeared to be stabilising.
"Countries continue to report cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)," the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Europe division said in a statement, adding it had received reports of cases in 12 countries.
EHEC can cause bloody diarrhoea and potentially fatal liver damage, as well as full-blown haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney ailment.
As of June 2, 502 people in total had contracted HUS while 1064 had contracted EHEC, according to the WHO count.
An AFP toll compiled from national health authorities meanwhile showed more than 2000 people in total had fallen ill.
In addition to Germany, the epicentre of the outbreak where 17 people have died, cases of HUS and/or EHEC, had by Thursday been reported in Austria (HUS 0, EHEC 2), Britain (3, 4), the Czech Republic (0, 1), Denmark (7, 10), France (0, 6), the Netherlands (4, 4), Norway (0, 1), Spain (1, 0), Sweden (15,28), Switzerland (0,2), and the United States (2,0), the WHO said.
"All these cases except two are in people who reside in or had recently visited northern Germany during the incubation period for the infection (typically three to four days post-exposure), or in one case, had contact with a visitor from northern Germany," it explained.
The health organisation said on Thursday the strain of a lethal bacteria was "very rare" and had never been seen in an outbreak form before."
Pakistan : Dengue rears its ugly head again
Via Dawn :
" LAHORE, June 2: At least 10 people have been tested positive for dengue virus in the city, it is learnt.
Eight dengue patients were confirmed by senior bacteriologist Dr Zarafshan Tahir and two were diagnosed by Jinnah Hospital doctors. Another dengue patient was reported at Services Hospital.
Medical experts say dengue virus appears every two years. Last year, dengue fever hit Punjab, especially Lahore, where 4,200 people were affected and only 2,000 were reported. It claimed lives of many people in the province.
However, resurgence of dengue virus in the city eight months after last year’s ‘outbreak’ has alerted health authorities. Some hospitals are making emergency arrangements to treat dengue patients. The Jinnah Hospital administration has formed Dengue Surveillance Cell and appointed senior registrar Dr Zeman Khan as the focal person.
Mr Khan told Dawn that 40-year-old Parveen of Johar Town was one of the two patients who tested positive for dengue virus at Jinnah Hospital. He said all diagnostic facilities were available at the hospital for dengue patients and added that anti-mosquito measures had been taken at the health facility and a 23-bed dengue ward had been set up in the Medical Unit-I."
" LAHORE, June 2: At least 10 people have been tested positive for dengue virus in the city, it is learnt.
Eight dengue patients were confirmed by senior bacteriologist Dr Zarafshan Tahir and two were diagnosed by Jinnah Hospital doctors. Another dengue patient was reported at Services Hospital.
Medical experts say dengue virus appears every two years. Last year, dengue fever hit Punjab, especially Lahore, where 4,200 people were affected and only 2,000 were reported. It claimed lives of many people in the province.
However, resurgence of dengue virus in the city eight months after last year’s ‘outbreak’ has alerted health authorities. Some hospitals are making emergency arrangements to treat dengue patients. The Jinnah Hospital administration has formed Dengue Surveillance Cell and appointed senior registrar Dr Zeman Khan as the focal person.
Mr Khan told Dawn that 40-year-old Parveen of Johar Town was one of the two patients who tested positive for dengue virus at Jinnah Hospital. He said all diagnostic facilities were available at the hospital for dengue patients and added that anti-mosquito measures had been taken at the health facility and a 23-bed dengue ward had been set up in the Medical Unit-I."
China : Bullfrogs tested for cholera bacteria in Shanghai
Via People's Daily Online :
" Bullfrogs at two stores in Shanghai's biggest aquatic wholesale market were withdrawn from sale and sealed yesterday because it was suspected they contained bacteria that can cause cholera.
More than 400 kilograms of bullfrogs were removed from the shelves at the Mingquan Bullfrog Firm and Guangbao Bullfrog Firm in the Tongchuan Road market.
The frogs were not raised in Shanghai, but came from southeast China's Fujian Province, officials with the Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Administrative Bureau said.
The Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention has taken frog samples for further laboratory tests. The bureau said further action depended on what the test results revealed.
The Shanghai Food and Drug Administration said it will take steps to prevent suspect frogs from being used by local restaurants.
The trade in bullfrogs is currently at its peak, with 30,000 to 40,000 kilograms of frogs sold from the market every day."
" Bullfrogs at two stores in Shanghai's biggest aquatic wholesale market were withdrawn from sale and sealed yesterday because it was suspected they contained bacteria that can cause cholera.
More than 400 kilograms of bullfrogs were removed from the shelves at the Mingquan Bullfrog Firm and Guangbao Bullfrog Firm in the Tongchuan Road market.
The frogs were not raised in Shanghai, but came from southeast China's Fujian Province, officials with the Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Administrative Bureau said.
The Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention has taken frog samples for further laboratory tests. The bureau said further action depended on what the test results revealed.
The Shanghai Food and Drug Administration said it will take steps to prevent suspect frogs from being used by local restaurants.
The trade in bullfrogs is currently at its peak, with 30,000 to 40,000 kilograms of frogs sold from the market every day."
Fiji : Dengue fever cases on the rise
Via Fiji Live :
" The province of Macuata has recorded a total of eight cases of dengue fever in the past few days says Ministry of Health.
Spokesman Peni Namotu said this is due to the increasing number of mosquito breeding sites.
“People need to destroy mosquito breeding sites immediately before more people get affected by dengue fever." He said.
Namotu said people who develop symptoms like body pain and fever should immediately seek medical advice."
" The province of Macuata has recorded a total of eight cases of dengue fever in the past few days says Ministry of Health.
Spokesman Peni Namotu said this is due to the increasing number of mosquito breeding sites.
“People need to destroy mosquito breeding sites immediately before more people get affected by dengue fever." He said.
Namotu said people who develop symptoms like body pain and fever should immediately seek medical advice."
Haiti : MSF alarmed by resurgence of cholera
From Medecins Sans Frontieres, cholera is raising it's ugly head again in Haiti :
" As of the end of May, cholera has killed nearly 5,000 people from among the 300,000 cases reported in the country. Three per cent of the country’s population have contracted the disease.
PORT-AU-PRINCE : The Haitian cholera epidemic is far from over. A sharp increase in cases has been seen in the capital and outbreaks have been reported elsewhere in the country.
Although the cholera epidemic in Haiti began to decline in February, it has not yet ended. In MSF cholera treatment centers (CTCs) in Port-au-Prince, teams have, in fact, seen an increase in cases since mid-May.
MSF had to reopen emergency CTCs to prevent existing treatment centres in Carrefour, Delmas, Martissant, Cité Soleil and Drouillard from being overwhelmed.
"Since May 29, in one week, MSF has treated almost 2,000 patients in the capital, and we have also been asked to intervene in other areas in the interior of the country, " said MSF head of mission Romain Gitenet. “Workload should be shared and coordinated in order to increase cholera treatment capacity in Haiti. Too many public facilities are still inadequate.”
It is essential that the authorities and their humanitarian partners mobilize to stop the spread of the disease by strengthening the national surveillance system and treatment facilities. Immediate improvements in hygiene, sanitation, and drinking water supply should be a national priority, in order to protect the most vulnerable people.
But for Gitenet, "vigilance is still the best protection. People must be strict about their hygiene and drink treated water. As soon as cholera symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea appear, it is vital to go as quickly as possible to a treatment center. Cholera is treatable, but without medical care it kills quickly."
" As of the end of May, cholera has killed nearly 5,000 people from among the 300,000 cases reported in the country. Three per cent of the country’s population have contracted the disease.
PORT-AU-PRINCE : The Haitian cholera epidemic is far from over. A sharp increase in cases has been seen in the capital and outbreaks have been reported elsewhere in the country.
Although the cholera epidemic in Haiti began to decline in February, it has not yet ended. In MSF cholera treatment centers (CTCs) in Port-au-Prince, teams have, in fact, seen an increase in cases since mid-May.
MSF had to reopen emergency CTCs to prevent existing treatment centres in Carrefour, Delmas, Martissant, Cité Soleil and Drouillard from being overwhelmed.
"Since May 29, in one week, MSF has treated almost 2,000 patients in the capital, and we have also been asked to intervene in other areas in the interior of the country, " said MSF head of mission Romain Gitenet. “Workload should be shared and coordinated in order to increase cholera treatment capacity in Haiti. Too many public facilities are still inadequate.”
It is essential that the authorities and their humanitarian partners mobilize to stop the spread of the disease by strengthening the national surveillance system and treatment facilities. Immediate improvements in hygiene, sanitation, and drinking water supply should be a national priority, in order to protect the most vulnerable people.
But for Gitenet, "vigilance is still the best protection. People must be strict about their hygiene and drink treated water. As soon as cholera symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea appear, it is vital to go as quickly as possible to a treatment center. Cholera is treatable, but without medical care it kills quickly."
Second possible E.coli patient hospitalized in Poland: minister
From Xinhua, now Poland may have an E Coli outbreak too :
" WARSAW, June 2 : A possible second E. coli infection patient has been hospitalized in Szczecin, northwestern Poland, Health Minister Ewa Kopacz said Thursday.
The man, who recently returned to Poland from Germany, has been diagnosed with exudative diarrhea and is currently being tested for E. coli bacteria.
Poland's first E. coli case, a 29-year-old woman permanently residing in Germany and diagnosed with the bacteria over a week ago, is currently in the same hospital.
Kopacz said sanitary teams were running E. coli checks countrywide, especially on marketplaces and in warehouses.
The E. coli epidemic originated in Germany, where it has taken 17 lives. One death has so far occurred in Sweden, bringing the total death toll to 18."
" WARSAW, June 2 : A possible second E. coli infection patient has been hospitalized in Szczecin, northwestern Poland, Health Minister Ewa Kopacz said Thursday.
The man, who recently returned to Poland from Germany, has been diagnosed with exudative diarrhea and is currently being tested for E. coli bacteria.
Poland's first E. coli case, a 29-year-old woman permanently residing in Germany and diagnosed with the bacteria over a week ago, is currently in the same hospital.
Kopacz said sanitary teams were running E. coli checks countrywide, especially on marketplaces and in warehouses.
The E. coli epidemic originated in Germany, where it has taken 17 lives. One death has so far occurred in Sweden, bringing the total death toll to 18."
UK : New strain of MRSA superbug found in cows
Via BBC, excerpt :
" A new strain of the MRSA "superbug" has been found in British cows and is believed to be infecting humans.
Environmental campaigners say the new strain has emerged because of the over-use of antibiotics by dairy farmers.
Dr Mark Holmes of Cambridge University, who led the research, said this was a "credible hypothesis".
The researchers, writing in the Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal, say there is no additional health risk from eating milk and dairy products.
'Financial pressure'
MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a drug-resistant form of a usually harmless bacterium which can be deadly when it infects wounds.
The 35 or so strains of antibiotic-resistant superbugs are genetically fairly similar. However, this new variety is very different and it is thought that it might have first emerged from cows.
Its discoverers have dubbed it "New MRSA"
Antibiotics are widely used by dairy farmers to treat cows with mastitis. However over-use means some bacteria become resistant and difficult to treat if humans become infected.
Dr Holmes said the problem might be exacerbated by financial pressures on diary farmers."
" A new strain of the MRSA "superbug" has been found in British cows and is believed to be infecting humans.
Environmental campaigners say the new strain has emerged because of the over-use of antibiotics by dairy farmers.
Dr Mark Holmes of Cambridge University, who led the research, said this was a "credible hypothesis".
The researchers, writing in the Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal, say there is no additional health risk from eating milk and dairy products.
'Financial pressure'
MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a drug-resistant form of a usually harmless bacterium which can be deadly when it infects wounds.
The 35 or so strains of antibiotic-resistant superbugs are genetically fairly similar. However, this new variety is very different and it is thought that it might have first emerged from cows.
Its discoverers have dubbed it "New MRSA"
Antibiotics are widely used by dairy farmers to treat cows with mastitis. However over-use means some bacteria become resistant and difficult to treat if humans become infected.
Dr Holmes said the problem might be exacerbated by financial pressures on diary farmers."
New strain of E. coli behind German outbreak
Another article from DW World :
" Health officials say a never-before-seen strain of E. coli bacteria is behind the outbreak that has killed 18 people and sickened thousands across Europe. Russia has banned all vegetable imports from the European Union.
The strain of E. coli that has killed 18 people in Europe is a new variation of the bacteria, a World Health Organization (WHO) spokeswoman said Thursday.
"This strain has never been seen in an outbreak situation before," said Aphaluck Bhatiasevi, adding that the WHO was awaiting further details from labs analyzing the bacteria.
Scientists at the Beijing Genomics Institute, who are collaborating with Germany's University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, completed sequencing the genome of the bacterium and called the new strain "highly infectious and toxic."
The scientists added that the new strain carried several antibiotic resistant genes, making antibiotic treatment extremely difficult. The bacterium is similar to other strains that cause diarrhea and kidney failure."
" Health officials say a never-before-seen strain of E. coli bacteria is behind the outbreak that has killed 18 people and sickened thousands across Europe. Russia has banned all vegetable imports from the European Union.
The strain of E. coli that has killed 18 people in Europe is a new variation of the bacteria, a World Health Organization (WHO) spokeswoman said Thursday.
"This strain has never been seen in an outbreak situation before," said Aphaluck Bhatiasevi, adding that the WHO was awaiting further details from labs analyzing the bacteria.
Scientists at the Beijing Genomics Institute, who are collaborating with Germany's University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, completed sequencing the genome of the bacterium and called the new strain "highly infectious and toxic."
The scientists added that the new strain carried several antibiotic resistant genes, making antibiotic treatment extremely difficult. The bacterium is similar to other strains that cause diarrhea and kidney failure."
FAO warns Laos to stay alert against avian influenza
Via Xinhua :
" VIENTIANE, June 2 : The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued an early warning to Laos on Thursday for the country to stay alert to the possibility of fresh outbreaks of avian influenza.
FAO epidemiologist Dr. Joanna Mackenzie gave the warning in the Lao capital of Vientiane that the threat of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) remained real.
An FAO press release stressed the importance of protecting hands with plastic bags when people have to pick up sick or dead chickens or ducks, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards, as the virus can cause serious illness and death in humans.
In addition, it's important to report any unusual high death rate in poultry to the District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO) to determine if it was caused by Avian Influenza, the press release said.
Since the first outbreak of HPAI in 2004, FAO has been providing technical support to the Lao Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF) in upgrading its readiness to detect and control HPAI."
" VIENTIANE, June 2 : The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued an early warning to Laos on Thursday for the country to stay alert to the possibility of fresh outbreaks of avian influenza.
FAO epidemiologist Dr. Joanna Mackenzie gave the warning in the Lao capital of Vientiane that the threat of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) remained real.
An FAO press release stressed the importance of protecting hands with plastic bags when people have to pick up sick or dead chickens or ducks, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards, as the virus can cause serious illness and death in humans.
In addition, it's important to report any unusual high death rate in poultry to the District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO) to determine if it was caused by Avian Influenza, the press release said.
Since the first outbreak of HPAI in 2004, FAO has been providing technical support to the Lao Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF) in upgrading its readiness to detect and control HPAI."
European Commission warns against misplaced E. coli blame
Via DW World, excerpt :
" The European Commission has warned against an early allocation of blame in the recent German outbreak of the E. coli bacteria, after Germany prematurely pointed the finger at Spain.
Recent warnings by German authorities against vegetables from Spain were declared premature Wednesday after it was found that Spanish cucumbers were not responsible for an outbreak in Germany of the bacteria E. coli.
But the German backtrack came too late for many Spanish farmers after the warnings turned countless consumers off Spanish agricultural products. Now, the matter of compensation is hanging in the air.
If a European Union member state identifies a suspected contamination of food, it is obliged to warn the EU's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).
The RASFF has been in place since 1979 and brings several non-EU states into its fold. In 2009, there were around 8,000 alerts, only around 500 of which were serious warnings regarding food already on the market.
A step too far
But in the view of EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos, Germany went too far with its naming of a specific suspect country in Spain, a suspicion which turned out to be wrong."
" The European Commission has warned against an early allocation of blame in the recent German outbreak of the E. coli bacteria, after Germany prematurely pointed the finger at Spain.
Recent warnings by German authorities against vegetables from Spain were declared premature Wednesday after it was found that Spanish cucumbers were not responsible for an outbreak in Germany of the bacteria E. coli.
But the German backtrack came too late for many Spanish farmers after the warnings turned countless consumers off Spanish agricultural products. Now, the matter of compensation is hanging in the air.
If a European Union member state identifies a suspected contamination of food, it is obliged to warn the EU's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).
The RASFF has been in place since 1979 and brings several non-EU states into its fold. In 2009, there were around 8,000 alerts, only around 500 of which were serious warnings regarding food already on the market.
A step too far
But in the view of EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos, Germany went too far with its naming of a specific suspect country in Spain, a suspicion which turned out to be wrong."
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