D.N.S. Reports

RSOE EDIS - Biological Hazard in Israel on Saturday, 29 October, 2011 at 04:23 (04:23 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: BH-20111029-32865-ISR

2011-10-28T23:07:00.000-07:00

Mysterious Disease Affecting Kinneret

[Sea of Galilee]

Biological Hazard in Israel on Saturday, 29 October, 2011

Description
The 1st stage of a mysterious disease affecting Kinneret [Sea of Galilee] fish begins in one of its eyes, which starts to pop out, and gets destroyed leaving an empty hole in the socket. Then the 2nd eye is affected. In the 3rd stage, the blind fish blacken and starves. Red spots appear on its body and then it dies. So far, there is no official answer whether the disease is an unknown virus, or a mutation of a virus, a bacteria or a parasite. Initial signs of the problem were discovered 10 years ago in small numbers. The phenomenon was 1st noticed by Menachem Lev, a fisherman from Kibbutz Ein Gev, a local expert on everything that happens in the Kinneret. The plague 1st affected St. Peter's Fish [Tilapia, Sarotherodon galilaeus galilaeus], which is considered sacred by Christians (from the story of the bread and the fishes). About a million Christian pilgrims visit Israel every year. Most of them visit the Kinneret and eat St. Peter's fish; the Ein Gev restaurant alone serves more than 300 000 fish dinners to pilgrims every year. The problem has worsened since then, and it is not only St. Peter's Fish that are affected by the disease, but also the Jordan River tilapia raised in fish ponds in the Hula Valley, silver carp, carp, and mullet. 12-15 percent of the fish in the lake have already contracted the disease. The Ministry of Agriculture denies the presence of this serious disease in the Kinneret. However, as a result of the numerous occurrences, a number of tests have been conducted in the last few weeks to identify the problem. The ministry's Fish Division laboratory at Nir David has concluded that the cause is not bacteriological. Its preliminary report in September 2011 found the characteristic symptoms in fishes' eyes. If the problem is a parasite, this will cause a major kashrut [approval as "Kosher" according to Jewish ritual-religious guidelines] problem and the Rabbinate is liable to ban fish from the Kinneret. The Water Authority believes that the disease is genetic in origin. Ministry of Agriculture Veterinary Services fish health director Dr. Avi Eldar is trying to discover whether a new or mutated virus is the cause of the disease. The Veterinary Services has not found an unambiguous answer, and Dr. Eldar has contacted a lab in Italy, which has not yet given its answer. In the absence of information about the source of the plague, or whether eating infected fish risks human health, Prof. Moshe Gefen, a leading researcher of Kinneret fishes, warned about the problem 5 years ago. He now advises intensive fishing of the lake in order to remove as many infected fish as possible, test the water of all Hula Valley fish ponds whose water flows into the Kinneret, and intensify the investigation into the disease. Most of all, he advises determining whether the cause is viral, because if it is, it is a potential human health hazard. He also advises improving the genetic diversity of the fish in the Kinneret. The quantity of fish caught in the Kinneret has plummeted in the past decade from 1800 tons a year to 400 tons. The average wholesale value of the catch is NIS 25 000 [USD 6942] per ton.
Biohazard name:	Fish Die-off (Unidentified disease)
Biohazard level:	0/4 ---
Biohazard desc.:	This does not included biological hazard category.

Link: RSOE EDIS - Biological Hazard in Israel on Saturday, 29 October, 2011EDIS CODE: BH-20111029-32865-ISR

Link: Unknown disease killing Kinneret fish - Globes

Link: wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinneret

RSOE EDIS - EBHWM - powered by FeedBurner

2011-10-21T04:24:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - EBHWM - powered by FeedBurner

World Events As it Happens!

RSOE EDIS - HAZMAT in USA on Wednesday, 12 October, 2011 at 05:40 (05:40 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: HZ-20111012-32649-USA

2011-10-12T22:06:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - HAZMAT in USA on Wednesday, 12 October, 2011 at 05:40 (05:40 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: HZ-20111012-32649-USA

RSOE EDIS - Vehicle Accident in New Zealand on Thursday, 06 October, 2011 EDIS CODE: VI-20111006-32565-NZL

2011-10-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - Vehicle Accident in New Zealand on Thursday, 06 October, 2011 at 03:06 (03:06 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: VI-20111006-32565-NZL

RSOE EDIS
Event Report

Event Description

Description

A hazardous substance aboard the stranded cargo ship Rena could give off highly flammable hydrogen gas if it comes into contact with water. The 236-metre cargo vessel struck the Astrolabe Reef, near Tauranga Harbour, around 2:20am yesterday. The Astrolabe Reef is about 4 nautical miles north of Motiti Island - about 12 nautical miles off the coast. A 2km oil slick has been confirmed as coming from the vessel. Maritime New Zealand spokesman

James Sygrove this afternoon said the vessel was carrying four containers of the alloy ferrosilicon, a solid substance which was a potential fire risk. "If it comes into contact with water it gives off hydrogen gas, which is reasonably flammable. It would obviously need a spark to go up, but that's a risk we have to look into,'' he said. Mr Sygrove said so far the containers had been located on the ship and it was not yet known if they were at imminent risk. Investigators were assessing that. Ferrosilicon is used in industrial processes like steel deoxidation, alloy manufacture, and military production of hydrogen gas for balloons.

Appropriate packaging was used to minimize the risk of contact with water. Meanwhile, an oil dispersant operation may be launched this afternoon. An aerial observation flight this morning identified the slick, which stretches from 1500 to 2000 meters from the vessel in a narrow ribbon. The Rena was carrying about 1700 tonnes of fuel oil and about 70 tonnes of marine diesel. An assessment team has now gone to the area in a vessel to conduct a closer analysis of the slick. The team will also conduct dispersant field tests to assess the potential effectiveness of a dispersant operation. If the tests are successful, the operation is likely to start today. National on-scene commander Rob Service said the on-water assessment would provide a clearer picture of what the oil spill response team was dealing with. A dispersant operation would be a viable option if it was found there was a significant amount of oil in the water. Dispersant works by diluting the oil in the water and assisting its natural breakdown. Mr Service said dispersant operations were only undertaken after careful consideration of the impact on the environment.

About 25 members of the assessment team arrived in Tauranga yesterday, working with members of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and other environmental agencies. Supplies from the national oil spill response equipment stockpile arrived in Tauranga overnight and are ready for deployment. A wildlife response plan is also in action with specialist oiled wildlife wash and rehabilitation equipment mobilized and underway from Massey University. The equipment is due to arrive in Tauranga this afternoon, and a wildlife center will be set up. Mr Service said wildlife teams were on standby to join those already in Tauranga to assist with field monitoring and response if and when required. A Transport Accident Investigation Commission inquiry has been launched to find out how the ship became grounded on the reef at near-high tide. Spokesman Peter Northcote said the inquiry could take up to a year to complete, but interim reports or urgent safety recommendations could come sooner if needed. "This event, involving such a large ship and finding itself on a reef where it shouldn't have been, automatically qualifies itself for investigation,'' he said.

Two investigators boarded the Rena this morning, including the commission's chief investigator, who was a maritime engineer and former mariner. Mr Northcote said they were securing data recorder information and conducting interviews with the ship's master and crew. "They're expected to remain on board certainly today, they may stay on board overnight

and continue their on-board work tomorrow.'' Crews were usually cooperative and happy to talk, Mr Northcote said. Useful information would be gathered from the salvage operation, including divers' photography and an understanding of the state of the vessel on the reef. The salvage would not affect the investigators' work but could fall under the scope of the investigation, as would the environmental impact of the accident.

Vehicle Accident in New Zealand on Thursday, 06 October, 2011 at 03:06 (03:06 AM) UTC.

Base data
EDIS Number:	VI-20111006-32565-NZL
Event type:	Vehicle Accident
Date/Time:	Thursday, 06 October, 2011 at 03:06 (03:06 AM) UTC
Last update:	---
Cause of event:
Damage level:	Severe
Geographic information
Continent:	Australia & New-Zealand
Country:	New Zealand
County / State:	Coral Sea
Area:	Astrolabe Reef
City:
Coordinate:	S 19° 49.000, E 165° 35.000
Number of affected people / Humanities loss
Foreign people:	Affected is unknown.

RSOE EDIS - Biological Hazard in USA on Wednesday, 12 October, 2011 at 03:24 (03:24 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: BH-20111012-32647-USA

2011-10-11T22:57:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - Biological Hazard in USA on Wednesday, 12 October, 2011 at 03:24 (03:24 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: BH-20111012-32647-USA

Biological Hazard in USA on Wednesday, 12 October, 2011 at 03:24 (03:24 AM) UTC.

Description
A total of 2,356 birds have died as a result of an avian botulism outbreak at the Six Man Club south of Naval Air Station Fallon, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The botulism, which does not affect humans, emerged from one of the ponds at the private hunting club due to hot weather and stagnant water in August. Since then, the outbreak has spread to all 10 ponds at the club and has killed ducks, ibis and numerous other species including a red-tailed hawk. According to Kyle Neill of the Nevada Department of Wildlife, 1,339 ducks and 755 coots have died as a result of the outbreak. He added 414 birds have died since Friday. The outbreak has not spread to Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge or Carson Lake, according to the USFWS. According to state records, this could be one of the worst botulism outbreaks since 1949. According to Mike Goodard of the USFWS, teams of individuals from the service and the Nevada Department of Wildlife have been on-site to clean up the dead birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NDOW teams use air boats to roam the ponds and scoop of birds with fishing nets. Goodard said no one from the Six Man Club has joined in the recovery efforts. On Friday, more than 200 dead birds were found and removed to one of several pits on the property. In addition, the USFWS has created a “Duck Hospital” at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge and also has another pit for dead birds. The one open pit at the club was about 5 feet deep and 8 feet in length and littered with hundreds of carcasses with thousands of flies swarming the bodies. The other pits on the property had been filled with dirt to cover the carcasses. Bill Henry, a wildlife biologist for the USFWS, said the botulism originated from the ground, where it became active once the first pond was filled with water. The water, which remained stagnant, became warm due to hot summer temperatures. “All this good habitat is causing all this death,” Henry added. The botulism then moved into the drinking source for the birds and once the initial birds died, flies laid eggs, which soon became maggots. Henry said the maggots can ingest the botulism without being affected, but the birds will eat the maggots, become infected and eventually die if they are not rescued in time. He added the disease creates paralysis starting with the feet and then moves to the body and eventually the head and neck. The result of death is by drowning or heat exhaustion, Henry said. He added it can take less than 12 hours for a healthy bird to ingest water or maggots before dying. However, many ill birds have been saved at the refuge's “Duck Hospital.” Clean and cool water flushes the botulism out of the birds' system. Eventually the birds are released back into the wild. But the crux of the outbreak, according to USFWS officials, has been the approach by the Six Man Club. Goodard said the service contacted the club when the outbreak originated and recommended draining the pond. Instead, the club used its water allotment to fill the nine other ponds in an attempt to cool the infected pond and erase the botulism. However, that maneuver backfired and the outbreak has spread to all 10 ponds. “We suggested to drain the pond, but other choices were made,” Henry said. Goodard and Henry said they have not been in contact with the club's owners and that another recommendation to haze — or scare — birds away has fallen on deaf ears. Federal and state officials have tried to keep birds away from the ponds, but the vast size of the club makes the project difficult. Chris Nicolai, a migratory bird biologist for the USFWS said an outbreak in 1988 claimed 6,000 to 10,000 birds. He added last that Thursday and Friday were the worst two days since the outbreak began with more than 400 dead birds collected. To stop the spread of botulism, Goodard said cool weather is needed to drop the water temperature in the ponds. The forecast for this week calls for temperatures in the mid-70s with evening lows in the high 30s to low 40s. The water fowl hunting season opens Saturday. “Thursday might be our last day (cleaning up),” Neill added. “It's toned down the last couple days and hopefully the weather stays cool.” Clostridium botulinum, or avian botulism, is the cause of the current outbreak at the Six Man Club south of Naval Air Station Fallon. It affects water fowl and shorebirds. The bacteria is widespread in soil and requires warm temperatures, a protein source and an anaerobic (no oxygen) environment in order to become active and produce toxin. Decomposing vegetation and invertebrates combined with warm temperatures can provide ideal conditions for the botulism bacteria to activate and produce toxin.
Biohazard name:	Avian botulism
Biohazard level:	2/4 Medium
Biohazard desc.:	Bacteria and viruses that cause only mild disease to humans, or are difficult to contract via aerosol in a lab setting, such as hepatitis A, B, and C, influenza A, Lyme disease, salmonella, mumps, measles, scrapie, dengue fever, and HIV. "Routine diagnostic work with clinical specimens can be done safely at Biosafety Level 2, using Biosafety Level 2 practices and procedures. Research work (including co-cultivation, virus replication studies, or manipulations involving concentrated virus) can be done in a BSL-2 (P2) facility, using BSL-3 practices and procedures. Virus production activities, including virus concentrations, require a BSL-3 (P3) facility and use of BSL-3 practices and procedures", see Recommended Biosafety Levels for Infectious Agents.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com

USFWS

RSOE EDIS - HAZMAT in USA on Wednesday, 12 October, 2011 at 03:05 (03:05 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: HZ-20111012-32644-USA

2011-10-11T22:25:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - HAZMAT in USA on Wednesday, 12 October, 2011 at 03:05 (03:05 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: HZ-20111012-32644-USA

HAZMAT in USA on Wednesday, 12 October, 2011

Base data
EDIS Number:	HZ-20111012-32644-USA
Event type:	HAZMAT
Date/Time:	Wednesday, 12 October, 2011 at 03:05 (03:05 AM) UTC
Last update:	---
Cause of event:
Damage level:	Moderate
Geographic information
Continent:	North-America
Country:	USA
County / State:	State of Ohio
Area:	Edgewood Middle School, Busenbark Road
City:	Trenton
Coordinate:	N 39° 28.523, W 84° 29.255
Number of affected people / Humanities loss
Foreign people:	Affected is unknown.
Dead person(s):	---
Injured person(s):	47

Event Description

HAZMAT in USA on Wednesday, 12 October, 2011

Description

An emergency evacuation of Edgewood Middle School Tuesday morning caused more than a few tense moments for school officials, emergency responders and nearly 50 sickened students. Students were evacuated outside, but the source of the problem turned out to be coming from there, on a high school athletic field that had been sprayed with weed killer two hours earlier. While students were not on that field, what began as breathing problems and headaches for 11 students eventually spread to 47 students. It created tense moments for emergency workers who scrambled to find the source while tending to the sick. By the time six students were sent to hospitals and 41 more were evaluated, a crew that suited up in hazmat gear and sophisticated testing equipment pinpointed the trouble. That’s when the chaos at the Busenbark Road campus took yet another turn. Emergency workers at first thought, mistakenly, that some of the students had been evacuated onto the tainted fields and would have to be decontaminated. “That’s when we thought we’d have to strip everybody’s clothes off and the whole nine yards,” said Jeff Galloway, director of the Butler County Emergency Management Agency.

Emergency and hazmat crews were called in shortly after 10 a.m. “The chemical is an irritant by inhalation,” said Galloway. “There was a situation here, but not a life threatening situation.” He said tests were performed inside the school and it was found to be clear of any residue. The herbicide that was identified has the trade name Momentum, which kills weeds and clover, but not grass. It is considered “slightly toxic with corneal involvement or irritation and moderate skin irritation,” according to warning labels. Galloway suggested that parents wash their children’s clothes, have them shower and send them outside to breathe clean air the rest of the day. For nearly four hours, firefighters from St. Clair Township, Hamilton and other nearby departments examined the 47 sick students to determine who needed to go to the hospital. “Our biggest concern was when we got here we didn’t realize that the problem was outside,” St. Clair Township Fire Chief Terry White said. Parents began arriving after hearing news reports of the evacuation. Some expressed concern. Others were in tears. But most were calm, said Butler County Sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Greer. School spokesman John Thomas initially had downplayed the situation to media as the hazmat team and other emergency crews were arriving on the scene. He said a couple students in one classroom who first complained of the odor and began coughing were sent to a district nurse. Teachers didn’t smell anything, he said. Even so, school officials decided to evacuate the room. Emergency management officials expanded the evacuation to the entire wing as children in other classrooms fell sick. Eventually the entire school was cleared.

Ryan Lockard, a parent from Madison Township, dashed to the school to pick up his 11-year-old daughter who is in the seventh grade. The middle school holds grades 5 through 8. “It was scary at first but it seems like they handled it ok,” he said. Daughter Abbi Lockard was among the students evacuated to the front of the school. “It was all pretty calm,” she said. Fifth and sixth graders were evacuated first to the front of the school, followed by the rest of the building 30 minutes later, she said. The older students were sent to the adjacent high school campus. The middle school will reopen as usual on Wednesday.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Report on the situation at Edgewood Middle School today

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Edgewood Schools
-- Attention --

First and foremost the safety of all students and staff was the most important thing in all the decisions.
As mentioned in previous communication we were informed this morning that some students said they smelled an odor and they were coughing and not feeling well. The decision was made to contact the local fire department, which is common in situations like this. From there the first responders called others to the sight; police, ambulatory services and hazard material experts. When schools are involved it is important to take all precautionary procedures to insure the safety of all.
Upon arrival, those in charge advised that we evacuate the building. At first just the 5th and 6th grade wing where the odor was determined to be, and later the rest of the building. Upon evacuation we followed the District Safety and Security plan which is to go to the high school gymnasium and auditorium.
Around 12:00 pm the staff in charged was informed that the baseball and softball field, approximately 150 yards from the middle school, received a lawn care treatment this morning around 8:30 am. The treatment was a “weed and feed” application that is applied in the fall. The product that was applied is called LESCO Momentum. This product is used often for treatment of lawns, ball fields, etc. On a data sheet report under hazards identification it states the product has low inhalation toxicity and that inhalation of the product MAY aggravate existing chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, emphysema, or bronchitis. Skin contact may aggravate existing skin disease. This was determined to be a possible cause. No students came in contact; however it is possible that the odor from the chemical reached the building.
If your child is experiencing any the above problems or is coughing and or wheezing excessively, it is suggested to contact your physician.
All totaled, approximately 30 students were looked at by the school nurse and the EMT’s and six chose to receive medical treatment at the hospital.
Around 1:30 pm, after an extensive check of the building, we received an all clear for re-entry by staff and students by the first responders. All students were brought back and school and extra-curricular activities continued for the day.
School will be in session tomorrow.

Links: Chemicals To Blame For Fumes At Edgewood School

http://www.edgewoodschools.com/

RSOE EDIS - Epidemic Hazard in Canada on October, 8, 2011 EDIS CODE: EH-20111008-32601-CAN

2011-10-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - Epidemic Hazard in Canada on Saturday, 08 October, 2011 at 03:25 (03:25 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: EH-20111008-32601-CAN

Epidemic Hazard in Canada on Saturday, 08 October, 2011 at 03:25 (03:25 AM) UTC.

Description
Hamilton public health is investigating whether four cases of legionellosis in the city’s east end came from a common source. The cases were reported to public health over the past several weeks. The first person became sick on Aug. 11 and reported it Aug. 23. The three other cases have been reported since Sept. 22. “Legionella is a seasonal thing so we do expect more cases at this time of the year. And, in fact, the number of cases is not large at all,” Dr. Chris Mackie, an associate medical officer of health, said Friday. But public health is trying to trace whether the disease came from the same source in the east end, he said, noting that one of the cases was contracted while the patient was travelling outside of the country. The elderly, people with lung conditions or immune disorders and smokers are more susceptible, Mackie said. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacterium, commonly found in large cooling systems. The bacteria live in water or wet soil and must be inhaled or aspirated to cause an infection. The city has looked into about the half a dozen cooling towers in the area and did not find concerns, Mackie said. A medical advisory was issued to Hamilton physicians, infection control officers, labs, intensive care units and other health care professionals to flag Legionellosis as a potential diagnosis for pneumonia cases.
Biohazard name:	Legionnaires Disease
Biohazard level:	4/4 Hazardous
Biohazard desc.:	Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system, and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility of an accidental release.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

Technological Disaster in Canada October 12 2011

2011-10-11T21:37:00.000-07:00

Technological Disaster in Canada

Wednesday, 12 October, 2011

Base data
EDIS Number:	AC-20111012-32643-CAN
Event type:	Technological Disaster
Date/Time:	Wednesday, 12 October, 2011 at 03:03 (03:03 AM) UTC
Last update:	---
Cause of event:
Damage level:	Minor
Geographic information
Continent:	North-America
Country:	Canada
County / State:	Province of Ontario
Area:	York University
City:	Toronto
Coordinate:	N 43° 46.303, W 79° 30.082
Number of affected people / Humanities loss
Foreign people:	Affected is unknown.
Dead person(s):	1
Injured person(s):	5

Credit: http://www.cbc.ca

Technological Disaster in Canada

Wednesday, 12 October, 2011

Description

A construction worker died and five others were injured after building equipment collapsed at Toronto's York University on Tuesday. Dozens of emergency responders worked frantically to free the workers trapped under a toppled drilling rig at the site of the future York University subway station. A 25-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. He was still buried in the debris when the last of the injured was removed late Tuesday afternoon. The victim's name was not immediately released. The injured included a man who was trapped in the twisted equipment and had to be extricated as a surgical team stood by in case amputation was needed. It was not. The man was pulled free and transferred to hospital in stable condition, police and emergency officials said. Of the other four injured, one was taken to hospital in serious condition with multiple injuries. No students were in the immediate area of the collapse but university officials said classes at Seymour Schulich Building were cancelled due to the accident. There is no word on what caused the drilling rig to collapse. The Ministry of Labour has been called in to investigate. Peter Macintyre, a spokesman for Toronto Emergency Medical Services, had little information about the patients on Tuesday. He said at least one of them was taken by air ambulance to Sunnybrook Hospital. Although the construction site belongs to the Toronto Transit Commission, the work was being done by sub-contracted workers, said Brad Ross, a spokesman for the commission. That means the contractor is ultimately responsible for the workers' safety, Ross said.

CBC Link: Drilling rig collapse kills 1 at Toronto's York University

RSOE EDIS - Technological Disaster in Canada on Wednesday, 12 October, 2011 at 03:03 (03:03 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: AC-20111012-32643-CAN

2011-10-11T21:06:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - Technological Disaster in Canada on Wednesday, 12 October, 2011 at 03:03 (03:03 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: AC-20111012-32643-CAN

RSOE EDIS Event Report EH-20111011-32641-USA

2011-10-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS Event Report

EH-20111011-32641-USA

RSOE EDIS: EH-20111011-32641-USA

Epidemic Hazard in USA on Tuesday, 11 October, 2011 at 16:06 (04:06 PM) UTC.

Description
A student at Commack (KOH-mak) High School on Long Island has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. The school district says on its website that the unidentified student is receiving treatment. It cites the Suffolk County Health Department saying there is no further risk of transmission. A letter was mailed to the parents of all high school students and each high school staff member. The county Health Department will hold meetings with parents on Thursday and Friday night in the high school auditorium. The disease is caused by an infection transmitted through the air by a person with active TB. Symptoms include a bad cough that lasts more than three weeks, night sweats and coughing up blood or phlegm.
Biohazard name:	Tuberculosis
Biohazard level:	3/4 Hight
Biohazard desc.:	Bacteria and viruses that can cause severe to fatal disease in humans, but for which vaccines or other treatments exist, such as anthrax, West Nile virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, SARS virus, variola virus (smallpox), tuberculosis, typhus, Rift Valley fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, yellow fever, and malaria. Among parasitesPlasmodium falciparum, which causes Malaria, and Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes trypanosomiasis, also come under this level.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

LINK: District Confirms Tuberculosis Case at Commack High School

Credit: Victoria Reitano

Link: Community News Health Announce: TB

TB Test

acid fast bacilli of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

RSOE EDIS - Epidemic Hazard in USA on Tuesday, 11 October, 2011 at 16:06 (04:06 PM) UTC. EDIS CODE: EH-20111011-32641-USA

2011-10-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - Epidemic Hazard in USA on Tuesday, 11 October, 2011 at 16:06 (04:06 PM) UTC. EDIS CODE: EH-20111011-32641-USA

RSOE EDIS - HAZMAT in USA on Tuesday, 11 October, 2011 at 02:59 (02:59 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: HZ-20111011-32635-USA

2011-10-11T16:48:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - HAZMAT in USA on Tuesday, 11 October, 2011 at 02:59 (02:59 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: HZ-20111011-32635-USA

RSOE EDIS Event Report HZ-20111011-32635-USA

2011-10-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS Event Report: HAZMAT in USA on Tuesday, 11 October, 2011

RSOE EDIS: HZ-20111011-32635-USA

Description

Brookhaven National Laboratory had a minor radioactive contamination incident at the lab on Sept. 28, BNL officials have reported. The incident occurred during routine testing of monitoring equipment on the laboratory site, when a radioactive sealed source being used to test the monitoring equipment apparently leaked, according to George Goode, BNL assistant director for environment, safety and health. Two technicians conducting the testing were exposed to small amounts of radiation, Goode said. The level of exposure was not dangerous to their health and there were no off-site impacts, he said. The source of the contamination was a small brass rod into which radioactive cesium chloride is inserted, Goode said. The lab has 92 such source rods on site, he said. They are used to test the functioning of radioactivity monitors on the lab property. The rods, about eight inches long and a half-inch in diameter, are sealed and kept inside lead containers, he said. The lead container holding the leaky rod apparently tipped over inside a BNL pickup truck in which the two technicians were riding, Goode said. They righted the container and were unaware of the leak until later that day, when the contamination was detected by a radiation meter.

Investigators determined the source of the leak, and found contamination inside the cab of the pickup truck, on the hand of one of the workers and on both their shoes, Goode said. Radioactive contamination was also discovered in a parking lot, on stairs leading into a building at the lab and in the hallway of the building, apparently deposited by the workers' contaminated shoes. The floor mat of a private vehicle in which one worker later rode as a passenger was also contaminated, Goode said. Approximately six hours elapsed between the time the lead container tipped over inside the lab pickup truck, at about 10 a.m. and the discovery of the contamination at 4 p.m., Goode said. "Any time you have radioactivity where it's not supposed to be, it's not a good thing." Goode said. "We surveyed every office and every room in the building. We called people back in to test them. All the offices and all the people were clean." The worker who had a spot of contamination on his hand was not exposed to any danger, Goode said. A dose calculation to determine his exposure from the incident set it at 3.4 millirems, Goode said. The Department of Energy limit is 50,000 millirems, he said. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the average American is exposed to about 620 millirems each year. A chest X-ray results in an exposure of about 8 to 10 millirems per film, and a cross-country airplane flight results in a dose of 4 millirems.

But the standard set by the DOE is "as low as reasonably achievable," Goode said. "Whenever anybody gets a dose by accident, there's no correlating benefit," he said. "Any accident is treated seriously." All contaminated surfaces have been cleaned, Goode said. Nonporous surfaces were wiped clean and the contaminated asphalt will be cut from from the parking lot. The two technicians were tested for internal radiation uptake and tested at zero, Goode said. The investigation continues into why the source rod leaked and whether adequate measures are in place to test source rods stored and used at the lab, he said. The rod in question was at least 20 years old, according to the lab official. "There was certainly no off-site consequences. It was all localized to the paths of travel of these individuals. We have conducted hundreds of surveys of any place they could have been," Goode said. "We also went back through the log documenting the use of the source and checked every location where it had recently been used," he said. "An investigating committee is sequestered full-time and will issue a report by the end of the week," Goode said. "We are conducting a review of radiological operations throughout the whole lab, and of source use in particular," he said. "Pending the results of the investigation, laboratory director Sam Aronson will be standing-down radiological operations at the lab site in order to conduct a comprehensive review of all radiological policies, procedures, practices, and training programs," according to a statement issued by the lab.

RSOE EDIS - Epidemic Hazard in USA

2011-10-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - Epidemic Hazard in USA on Saturday, 08 October, 2011 at 03:07 (03:07 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: EH-20111008-32598-USA

Epidemic Hazard in USA
Description: Delaware health authorities are reporting the first case of tularemia confirmed in the state since 2003. The illness associated with tick bites has put a 45-year-old Kent County man in a hospital and he is responding to treatment, according to a statement today from Heidi Truschel-Light of the Division of Public Health. She said the disease was confirmed by the state health lab on Thursday. The potentially fatal illness is not spread person-to-person but directly from tick, deerfly or other insect bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Domestic cats are very susceptible to tularemia and have been known to transmit the bacteria to humans. Humans can become infected by handling infected animal tissue when hunting or skinning infected rabbits, muskrats and other rodents; by inhaling dust or aerosols contaminated with the bacteria, such as during farming or landscaping activities, especially when tractors or mowers run over an infected animal or carcass. The disease can also be transmitted by drinking untreated water contaminated with the bacteria introduced by animal contact,” Truschel-Light said.

“Symptoms of tularemia usually appear three to five days after exposure to the bacteria, but can take as long as 14 days. Symptoms may include: sudden fever, chills, headaches, diarrhea, muscle aches, joint pain, dry cough and progressive weakness. People can also develop pneumonia with chest pain, cough and difficulty breathing. Other symptoms of tularemia depend upon how the person was exposed. These symptoms can include ulcers on the skin or in the mouth, swollen and painful lymph glands, swollen and painful eyes and a sore throat,” she said. “Anyone exposed to tularemia should be treated as soon as possible since the disease can be fatal,” Truschel-Light said. Dr. Karyl Rattay, Division of Public Health director, said, “Preventing tick bites is the best way to protect yourself from tularemia. Use insect repellent containing DEET on your skin, or treat clothing with repellent containing permethrin, to prevent insect bites.” In addition, use care and wear gloves when handling sick or dead animals. Be sure to cook food thoroughly and that your water is from a safe source. Note any change in the behavior of your pets (especially rodents and rabbits) or livestock, and consult a veterinarian if they develop unusual symptoms.”

Biohazard name:	Tularemia
Biohazard level:	4/4 Hazardous
Biohazard desc.:	Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system, and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility of an accidental release.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

wikipedia.org Tularemia

RealClearPolitics - RealClearPolitics Poll Averages

2011-10-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

RealClearPolitics - RealClearPolitics Poll Averages

Real Clear Politics Polls

realclearpolitics.com| 2012 President General Election President Obama v Republican Candidate

More Polls

Gallup.com

Rasmussenreports.com/politics

RealClearPolitics - RealClearPolitics Poll Averages

2011-10-07T22:14:00.000-07:00

RealClearPolitics - RealClearPolitics Poll Averages

Political viral videos

2011-10-07T22:06:00.000-07:00

youtube.com|Politics

AP/YouTube

Youtube creates new site for political viral video

http://www.youtube.com/politics

RSOE EDIS - Epidemic Hazard in USA on Thursday, 06 October, 2011 at 06:16 (06:16 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: EH-20111006-32568-USA

2011-10-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - Epidemic Hazard in USA on Thursday, 06 October, 2011 at 06:16 (06:16 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: EH-20111006-32568-USA

Epidemic Hazard in USA

Situation Update:Epidemic Hazard in USA on Thursday, 06 October, 2011 at 06:16 (06:16 AM) UTC Currently nothing updated information!

RSOE EDIS - Non-categorized event in USA on Saturday, 08 October, 2011 at 03:05 (03:05 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: UEV-20111008-32597-USA

2011-10-07T21:18:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - Non-categorized event in USA on Saturday, 08 October, 2011 at 03:05 (03:05 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: UEV-20111008-32597-USA

Nevada Air Force base has been infected by a keylogger virus!

"Holy Sh*t, A Virus Has Infected the

US Drone Fleet"

From http://gizmodo.com
Link below

holy-sh*t a virus has infected the US drone fleet

Exclusive: Computer Virus Hits U.S. Drone Fleet | Danger Room | Wired.com

2011-10-07T17:08:00.000-07:00

Exclusive: Computer Virus Hits U.S. Drone Fleet | Danger Room | Wired.com

Exclusive: Computer Virus Hits U.S. Drone Fleet

Story From Wired.com By Noah Shachtman

Photo courtesy of Bryan William Jones

A computer virus has infected the cockpits of America’s Predator and Reaper drones, logging pilots’ every keystroke as they remotely fly missions over Afghanistan and other warzones.

The virus, first detected nearly two weeks ago by the military’s Host-Based Security System, has not prevented pilots at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada from flying their missions overseas. Nor have there been any confirmed incidents of classified information being lost or sent to an outside source. But the virus has resisted multiple efforts to remove it from Creech’s computers, network security specialists say. And the infection underscores the ongoing security risks in what has become the U.S. military’s most important weapons system.

“We keep wiping it off, and it keeps coming back,” says a source familiar with the network infection, one of three that told Danger Room about the virus. “We think it’s benign. But we just don’t know.”

Military network security specialists aren’t sure whether the virus and its so-called “keylogger” payload were introduced intentionally or by accident; it may be a common piece of malware that just happened to make its way into these sensitive networks. The specialists don’t know exactly how far the virus has spread. But they’re sure that the infection has hit both classified and unclassified machines at Creech. That raises the possibility, at least, that secret data may have been captured by the keylogger, and then transmitted over the public internet to someone outside the military chain of command.

Drones have become America’s tool of choice in both its conventional and shadow wars, allowing U.S. forces to attack targets and spy on its foes without risking American lives. Since President Obama assumed office, a fleet of approximately 30 CIA-directed drones have hit targets in Pakistan more than 230 times; all told, these drones have killed more than 2,000 suspected militants and civilians, according to the Washington Post. More than 150 additional Predator and Reaper drones, under U.S. Air Force control, watch over the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. American military drones struck 92 times in Libya between mid-April and late August. And late last month, an American drone killed top terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki — part of an escalating unmanned air assault in the Horn of Africa and southern Arabian peninsula.

But despite their widespread use, the drone systems are known to have security flaws. Many Reapers and Predators don’t encrypt the video they transmit to American troops on the ground. In the summer of 2009, U.S. forces discovered “days and days and hours and hours” of the drone footage on the laptops of Iraqi insurgents. A $26 piece of software allowed the militants to capture the video.

The lion’s share of U.S. drone missions are flown by Air Force pilots stationed at Creech, a tiny outpost in the barren Nevada desert, 20 miles north of a state prison and adjacent to a one-story casino. In a nondescript building, down a largely unmarked hallway, is a series of rooms, each with a rack of servers and a “ground control station,” or GCS. There, a drone pilot and a sensor operator sit in their flight suits in front of a series of screens. In the pilot’s hand is the joystick, guiding the drone as it soars above Afghanistan, Iraq, or some other battlefield.

Some of the GCSs are classified secret, and used for conventional warzone surveillance duty. The GCSs handling more exotic operations are top secret. None of the remote cockpits are supposed to be connected to the public internet. Which means they are supposed to be largely immune to viruses and other network security threats.

But time and time again, the so-called “air gaps” between classified and public networks have been bridged, largely through the use of discs and removable drives. In late 2008, for example, the drives helped introduce the agent.btz worm to hundreds of thousands of Defense Department computers. The Pentagon is still disinfecting machines, three years later.

Use of the drives is now severely restricted throughout the military. But the base at Creech was one of the exceptions, until the virus hit. Predator and Reaper crews use removable hard drives to load map updates and transport mission videos from one computer to another. The virus is believed to have spread through these removable drives. Drone units at other Air Force bases worldwide have now been ordered to stop their use.

In the meantime, technicians at Creech are trying to get the virus off the GCS machines. It has not been easy. At first, they followed removal instructions posted on the website of the Kaspersky security firm. “But the virus kept coming back,” a source familiar with the infection says. Eventually, the technicians had to use a software tool called BCWipe to completely erase the GCS’ internal hard drives. “That meant rebuilding them from scratch” — a time-consuming effort.

The Air Force declined to comment directly on the virus. “We generally do not discuss specific vulnerabilities, threats, or responses to our computer networks, since that helps people looking to exploit or attack our systems to refine their approach,” says Lt. Col. Tadd Sholtis, a spokesman for Air Combat Command, which oversees the drones and all other Air Force tactical aircraft. “We invest a lot in protecting and monitoring our systems to counter threats and ensure security, which includes a comprehensive response to viruses, worms, and other malware we discover.”

However, insiders say that senior officers at Creech are being briefed daily on the virus.

“It’s getting a lot of attention,” the source says. “But no one’s panicking. Yet.”

RSOE EDIS - Epidemic Hazard in USA on Wednesday, 05 October, 2011 at 19:09 (07:09 PM) UTC. EDIS CODE: EH-20111005-32564-USA

2011-10-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - Epidemic Hazard in USA on Wednesday, 05 October, 2011 at 19:09 (07:09 PM) UTC. EDIS CODE: EH-20111005-32564-USA

Situation Update No. 1 on Friday, 07 October, 2011 at 03:13 UTC

Epidemic Hazard in USA on Wednesday, 05 October, 2011

Updated:

Friday, 07 October, 2011 at 03:13 UTC

              hotels.com
Description: Three people who were guests at the Plim Plaza Hotel in Ocean City, MD were hospitalized for legionellosis a week after staying at the hotel according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and the Worcester County Health Department. DHMH health officials said in a news release Wednesday that all three individuals were hospitalized, but none died. It is not confirmed that the guests acquired the illness at the hotel, and the investigation is ongoing. Hotel management have relocated current guests and closed the hotel. As of Wednesday the investigation has shown that water samples from the hotel are being cultured at the Maryland State Health lab. Preliminary reports suggest the presence of Legionella bacteria in hotel water, however final culture results are not expected until the end of next week, at the earliest. Legionnaires’ disease gained national notoriety in 1976 when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discovered it during an epidemic of pneumonia among American legion members at a convention in Philadelphia. The causative organism is the bacteria, Legionella pneumophila. The legionella bacteria are found throughout nature, because of this most people become exposed to it but few develop symptoms.

The primary place in nature it’s found is water sources particularly at warmer temperatures; lakes, rivers and moist soil. It is also found in man-made facilities (frequently the source of outbreaks) such as air-conditioning ducts and cooling towers, humidifiers, whirlpools and hospital equipment. People get exposed through inhaling infectious aerosols from these water sources. There is no transmission from person to person. The infection can appear in two clinical forms: Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever. Both conditions are typified by headache, fever, body aches and occasionally abdominal pain and diarrhea. Legionnaires’ disease is the cause of pneumonia where a non productive cough is typical. Fatality rates of this form of the infection are around 15 % even with improvements in treatment. Pontiac fever is a self limiting flu-like illness that does not progress to pneumonia or death. Diagnosis is usually made by typical symptoms in a outbreak setting. Diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease depends on identifying the bacteria in microbiological culture, detecting the antigen in urine samples or a fourfold increase in antibody titer. Certain health conditions make you more susceptible to infection to include increasing age, smoking, chronic lung disease, malignancy and diabetes mellitus.

Legionnaires’ disease is treatable with antibiotics. To following things can be done as preventive measures: cooling towers should be drained when not in use and cleaned to remove scale and sediment and biocides can be used to limit bacterial growth. Tap water should not be used in respiratory therapy devices.

Webcams: plimplaza

RAF Predator And Reaper Drones At Risk Of Mystery Virus As US Planes At Creech Air Force Base Hit | Technology | Sky News

2011-10-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

RAF Predator And Reaper Drones At Risk Of Mystery Virus As US Planes At Creech Air Force Base Hit | Technology | Sky News

RSOE EDIS - HAZMAT in USA on Friday, 07 October, 2011 at 10:04 (10:04 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: HZ-20111007-32589-USA

2011-10-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - HAZMAT in USA on Friday, 07 October, 2011 at 10:04 (10:04 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: HZ-20111007-32589-USA

Epidemic Hazard in USA RSOE EDIS Event Report 10/07/2011

2011-10-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

Description

It has been reported that a female sixth grade student at West Geauga Middle School is being treated for viral meningitis. West Geauga Schools Superintendent Tom Diringer said that he could not confirm the case, but that it is "probably true." According to another news source, the student has been absent for several days and the school found out Thursday that the child is being treated for the illness. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Viral infections are the most common cause of meningitis; bacterial infections are the second most common cause. Viral meningitis is serious but rarely fatal in people with normal immune systems. Usually, the symptoms last from 7 to 10 days and the patient recovers completely. Bacterial meningitis, on the other hand, can be very serious and result in disability or death if not treated promptly. Often, the symptoms of viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis are the same. Symptoms can appear over several hours or develop in one to two days. Diringer noted that a reverse 911 call alerting parents to the situation would probably be initiated by West Geauga Middle School Principal Jim Kish. He added that the district was taking precautions through extra cleaning of classrooms and building facilities. No other cases of children experiencing meningitis-related symptoms have been reported as far as he knows. The superintendent advised that parents "observe their children and be vigilant for physical types of things" that might suggest presence of the infection. A person experiencing meningitis can be affected with some or all of the following symptoms, but maybe not at the same time: Severe headaches, high fever, painfully stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, numbness in hands and feet, light sensitivity, confusion, rash and seizures.

Biohazard name:	Viral meningitis
Biohazard level:	3/4 Hight
Biohazard desc.:	Bacteria and viruses that can cause severe to fatal disease in humans, but for which vaccines or other treatments exist, such as anthrax, West Nile virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, SARS virus, variola virus (smallpox), tuberculosis, typhus, Rift Valley fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, yellow fever, and malaria. Among parasitesPlasmodium falciparum, which causes Malaria, and Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes trypanosomiasis, also come under this level.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

WEST GEAUGA SUPERINTENDENT
Thomas P. Diringer, Ed.D.

http://www.westgeauga.k12.oh.us/

http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu

RSOE EDIS - Epidemic Hazard in USA on Friday, 07 October, 2011 at 03:14 (03:14 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: EH-20111007-32582-USA

2011-10-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

RSOE EDIS - Epidemic Hazard in USA on Friday, 07 October, 2011 at 03:14 (03:14 AM) UTC. EDIS CODE: EH-20111007-32582-USA