Environmental Hazards

CDC Telebriefing: CDC update on first Ebola case diagnosed in the United States

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 19:40:00 +0000

Saturday, October 4, 2014, 1:00 p.m. ET

Audio recording [MP3, 8.05 MB]

BARBARA REYNOLDS: You are joining CDC's daily Ebola response update. I'm Barbara Reynolds, the CDC's director of public affairs. Today you will hear from three speakers and then we'll take questions. Our first speaker is CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden. Dr. Frieden?
TOM FRIEDEN: Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you for joining us today. Today is the fifth day after the diagnosis of the first Ebola case in the United States, and we wanted to update on what has been done, what is happening in Atlanta, on the ground and also address questions that have been arising and answer questions that you may have. The first case of Ebola is both scary and unprecedented. Ebola is a deadly disease and we know that the images from Africa remind us of the severity that Ebola can cause in a community. Everything we've seen until now reinforces what we've known for the past 40 years. We know how to stop outbreaks of Ebola. In this country, we have health care infection control and public health systems that are tried and true and will stop before there's any widespread transmission. The core of that, the way to stop Ebola in its tracks is contact tracing, and follow-up. I want to salute Texas who are doing a phenomenal job of organizing their response, this unprecedented situation working in a highly efficient and effective way and addressing the needs of the patient, the contact and the community. It is wonderful to be working with them and we value the partnership greatly. At this point we've been saying for a couple of days that we're in the process of assessing contacts. And let me be really clear about what that involves because in public health we do contact tracing all the time, every day around the year, whether it's for tuberculosis or sexually transmitted disease or meningitis or measles or other things. It's core activity for us in public health. And in contact tracing, we expect that there will be some adjustments, some changes from day to day. The numbers may shift by one or two from one day to the next as further interviews may identify that someone thought they had a contact and didn't or somebody may remember that they had a contact that wasn't initially remembered. But at this point, we'll give you information about what we know as of today and going forward each day we will update that information. We will always have the fundamental principle that we will share with you any information that we have that you may need to know and that may be relevant for understanding the outbreak and our response to it. So, as of today or as of yesterday, I'll say, because today happens hourly hour and minute by minute. We'll give you the information as of the end of the day yesterday. We had assessed 114 people who may or may not have had exposure to the patient. We've done the assessments in all 114 but there's still a couple we're sorting out whether or not they are actual contacts. At this point, we have identified along with the folks on the ground in Texas nine individuals who we're pretty sure are definite contacts with the source patient, with the index case as we refer to him. That includes family members as well as some people in the health care profession. In addition, there are about 40 other people -- and the numbers may change by one or two per day -- that we can't rule out had contact. We don't know that they had contact, but because we're not certain that they did not have contact, we will be monitoring them as well. As of yesterday, that number total was 46, and we had been able to reach and monitor the temperatures of all but one of those 46. All were normal. All were healthy. All of the nine who had definite contact we were able to reach so we are confident that none of those with definite contact had any symptoms related to Ebola. None of them had fever. We'll be watching that very closely, particularly for those nine individuals in the coming days, understanding that the peak period after exposure is about eight to ten days, but it can be as long as 21 days. So for up to 21 days after exposure, we will be monitoring all of those roughly 50 people and any others if we identify other contacts and providing the information daily on the proportion that we have reached and the status of any individuals and whether or not they are ill. That group of 50 does include some individuals who traveled in the ambulance after the index patient. And when we reviewed with the ambulance staff all of the details there; we couldn't be 100 percent certain that other people in that ambulance may not subsequently other patients may not have been exposed. And therefore those individuals, although they're not considered to be definite contacts, will also be monitored for the 21-day period. In addition to contact tracing, i just want to mention two other issues before turning it over to our colleagues in Texas. First, the issue of other cases in the U.S. as we anticipated, the arrival of the first Ebola patient in the U.S. has really increased attention to what health workers had need to do in this country to be alert and ensure that a travel history is taken and that if people have fever and a travel history or other symptoms that are consistent with Ebola -- and that travel history is very specific, were you in these three West African country in the past 21 days -- in that case, we would of course do rapid testing. If that testing is negative, we actually repeat the test. If it's a high risk patient or a high probability patient after 72 hours unless it's become clear that's not their illness because it can take 72 hours for someone who's been tested to test positive. We have already gotten well over 100 inquiries of possible patients. We've assessed every one of those with state and local health departments, with local health departments and hospitals and just this one patient has tested positive. We've helped a dozen laboratories around the U.S. do high-quality Ebola testing so that testing does all have to come to us here at CDC. It can be done more rapidly as it is being done in Austin, Texas. We expect that we will see more rumors or concerns or possibilities of cases until there is a positive laboratory test that is what they are, rumors and concerns. And in fact, we want to see more concern. But we want that to be appropriate. We want the concern to be for someone who has symptoms, fever, and who has traveled to Guinea, Sierra Leone or Liberia in the last 21 days. We're looking at people from Nigeria, but we think transmission there and the two cities that have had transmission has ended. In addition, I know there have been a lot of concerns about the process of monitoring people when they come into this country. I just want to make a couple of key points about that. The first is that our number one priority is the safety of Americans. Full stop. Second, that we look at different suggestions that are being made. We've seen a lot of suggestions made in the media, by the public, by members of congress, and we're going to take a hard look at that. And we're quite open to seeing what can be done to ensure that, if there are ways to reduce the risk, we implement them and implement them well. With we also, I do believe, have to recognize that we are all connected. And although we might wish we could seal ourselves off from the world, there are Americans who have the right of return. There are many other people who have the right to enter into this country. And that we're not going to be able to get to zero risk no matter what we do unless and until we control the outbreak in West Africa. That's what we're working very intensively to do and we're beginning to see some progress there. But it's going to be a long, hard road. And finally, in terms of the entry process, we really need to be clear that we don't inadvertently increases the risk to people in this country by making it harder for us to respond to the needs in those countries by making it hard for us to get assistance in and therefore those outbreaks would become worse, go on longer and paradoxically, something that we did to try to protect ourselves might actually increase our risk. I'll end with one example along those lines from the time that i was in Liberia. The African union is quite willing to send hundreds of health workers in to help fight the outbreak in these countries, and they today have folks on the ground caring for patients. That's a terrific development. But their ability to get there was delayed by about a week because their flight was canceled and they were stuck in a neighboring country. So that neighboring country had taken -- Senegal, had taken that action in order to protect themselves, stopping all flights, but that action ended up making it harder to stop the outbreak in Liberia and elsewhere and potentially increased the risk to that country. So number one is to protect Americans but not to do things that night inadvertently make it harder to protect Americans. So I'll stop there and Barbara Reynolds will introduce the next speakers.
BARBARA REYNOLDS: Thank you, Dr. Frieden. Our next speaker is Dr. David Lakey, the commissioner of the Texas department of state health services. Dr. Lakey.
DAVID LAKEY: Thank you. And thank you, Dr. Frieden. First, as I begin, our thoughts and prayers really are with the patient right now and his family. He's going through a very rough situation right now, and our prayers are with him. And also our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been identified as a possible contact. Obviously a lot of concern there and making sure that we're working with the individuals and giving them the care that they need. We're working hard in Dallas to handle the issues here on the ground and to keep people informed. Obviously a lot of interest, heavy interest, in every detail. Our focus continues to be on protecting the public health, keeping people safe, do everything we can do to ensure additional Texans are not exposed to Ebola. That's what we're doing here. As Dr. Frieden discussed a little bit ago, we have no more cases, and we're very happy about that. The patient that has been identified is in an intensive care unit getting medical care right now by a very caring and compassionate team. Obviously he is ill, and again our prayers and thoughts are with him right now. We've identified everyone who may have had contact with him; again, none of those individuals have any symptoms at this time. The contacts are being monitored, as Dr. Frieden laid out, and I won't lay those numbers out again. But a lot of work taking place to refine those numbers and make sure that all the information is accurate, which takes a lot of discussion with individuals and meticulous analysis that is taking place and looking at any way that anybody could have been exposed to this initial individual. The other work that we're doing here in Dallas right now is making contingency plans, making sure that if something happens that we're ready for those type of events, whether if another individual becomes ill, how would the individual be cared for, a variety of things that could happen, making sure that we have those type of plans in place for this situation right now that's going on in Dallas. Again, obviously, a lot of concern, a lot of attention that is being paid right now, again, we are doing everything we are doing, a lot of folks working really hard to make sure that everything that we can do to ensure the public safety is taking place. So, again, echoing some of the comments of Dr. Frieden, public health work is taking place using practices that have been developed over many, many years that have been successful in containing a wide variety of other infectious diseases and those plans are being implemented here in Dallas, tried and true measures that have proven to control infectious diseases. Again, we look forward to working with our partners throughout the federal, state and local areas. Thank you.
BARBARA REYNOLDS: Thank you, Dr. Lakey. Our first speaker is Dallas county judge Clay Lewis Jenkins. Judge Jenkins?
CLAY LEWIS JENKINS: Thank you. Yesterday I moved Louise and three brave young men from their apartment in Dallas to a secure location that was provided by a member of the faith community on a request from me that was followed up by Mayor Mack Rawlings. I drove the family to their new temporary home, which is a place where I would put my own family and be happy if the person in my position put my family if I were in Mr. Duncan's situation and my family were in Louise and the three young men's situation. Just to give you a feel for the situation on the ground. Louise and those other three individuals who have not been identified are brave, good people who are concerned about the public health and obviously concerned about their own health. It's important to remember, for the public to remember, that the people who are being monitored are people just like your family. There's a lot of not because of the media but a lot of misinformation and erroneous fear along with the real information and understandable public health concern. Buff the people that are being monitored are real people, too, who need your prayers and are handling this in a very brave way. Our first responders our county and city employees have acted heroically. Those individuals have heard a lot of the same misinformation that members of the public have. I've even had first responders who had no medical training expressing concern for me yesterday before i got into the truck and having to get the medical staff to explain to them there's zero risk to me to help this family. So we're doing what we can here to keep you safe, not just locally here with our 2.5 million people in Dallas county but to keep this from spreading and to keep you safe nationally. We're working together seamlessly. It is a very fluid situation and so we can continue to improve both in capability and communication on a quarter hourly basis. And we're going to do everything necessary and remove any obstacles to keep you safe. Thank you for your support and your help in getting the accurate information out to the public.
BARBARA REYNOLDS: Thank you, Judge Jenkins. Alyssa, could you now please open the lines?
OPERATOR: Thank you. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 on your touchtone phone and record your name clearly when prompted. If you need to withdraw your question at any time you may press star 2. Our first question comes from Mark Albert. Your line is open with CBS news.
MARK ALBERT: Hi there. Thank you. This is for Dr. Frieden. Sir, could you please talk more about the CDC airport quarantine stations? How has your staffing, your procedures at those stations perhaps changed from before and now after this high Ebola awareness? Second, have any travelers been taken to those stations either voluntarily or involuntarily? And third, do you plan to add more quarantine stations beyond those in place now? Thank you.
TOM FRIEDEN:   Thank you. And before I address that question, I just want to again thank the folks in Texas. I think Dr. Lakey, Judge Jenkins and the entire team, the team of mayor Rawlings are doing a superb job. Especially judge Jenkins and his support ever the family. That's it, to support individuals and to stop the outbreak. Thank you very much for your leadership there. In terms of the quarantine stations, CDC has done two broad things. One is to work within the affected countries to strengthen exit screening there with thermometer screening as well as questionnaires and visual inspection of individuals. That screening alone, since we began it, has resulted in 77 people not boarding airplanes who had attempted to board, including 17 in the month of September. That is a reflection of a screening process that will identify individuals who have fever or obvious symptoms and can be taken off the line of going on. We don't have full follow-up information; know if any of those individuals had Ebola. Many had malaria, which is quite common in these countries. In terms of the quarantine stations, we have quarantine stations at major airports throughout the U.S. they are staffed by CDC public health service officers and other CDC staff. They're available to the customs and border protection and TSA staff if individuals or shipments have any concern that they may be infectious or if there's illness. And they work very closely with local authorities, local hospitals in case there's illness. I'm not aware of any individuals being referred because of concern of Ebola in recent days or weeks from that process. But if there are, we'll update that information going forward. We're looking very carefully at all of the options for what could be done to further reduce the risk that people would enter, understanding that nothing that we would have done either in Liberia or in the U.S. would have changed the course of the current situation because he did not have symptoms during the time that he was boarding or until four days after he had landed. So understanding that we're probably not going to get to a zero risk, we are looking at all options for what could be done to both support the countries so we can stop the outbreak and reduce our risk as well as theirs as well as potentially look at our options for what we could do.
MARK ALBERT: So are you looking to add quarantine stations at U.S. airports or have you added any staffing or resources there?
TOM FRIEDEN:   We have not had a lack of limitations in our quarantine stations but we're looking at all suggestions for what might be effective at reducing risk. And we work very closely with the department of homeland security, with the airlines, with the airport authorities. It's really many partners that work together to think what could work and be workable that could be helpful. Next question?
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Amanda Chen with the Huffington Post. Your line is open.
AMANDA CHEN: Hi, Thank you so much for taking questions on this. I had two questions. First of all, I just wanted to clarify that the nine high risk and about the 40 that you're still monitoring, the 40 is not in addition to what the number that was reported yesterday? That's just the total number right now? And then my second question is regarding the particular case of Mr. Duncan being sent to the hospital the first time on September 25th and the hospital putting out a statement saying last night it was not in fact a health records flaw. I don't know if you're working with the hospital to gain more clarity on what exactly happened there and if you had any more information on that.
TOM FRIEDEN:   I'll begin. Maybe Dr. Lakey wants to add. The number is approximately 50. That includes the nine with definite contact and approximately 40 with possible contact. So these are not in addition to prior numbers. That's the total based on the 114 assessments that were done as of yesterday. In terms of the hospital, the individual situation we can look at, but i think the broader issue is the need to ensure that the health care team takes a careful history and then that history is shared across the health care team. One of the things that we've done is to produce checklists for hospitals to use and flow charts for algorithms. We encourage hospitals to do that, to use them, to have exercise or drills to practice. There are a lot of issues that have come forward with the first case in the U.S. it's definitely possible to take care of patients with Ebola safely, but it's not easy. There are lots of issues from drawing blood to how blood is handled to what care is given that are quite challenging. And our role is to provide support to health care facilities so that they do that effectively and safely. Dr. Lakey?
DAVID LAKEY: Thank you, Tom, I don't have any additional information but to re-emphasize what you just said in that hospitals, health care workers across the nation have to learn from this experience. And that the travel history is very, very important to take right now, and it has to be communicated due to all of the partners caring for individuals. That's a very important lesson. Again, the health care workers that are on this call right now, hearing this, the hospitals, primary care physicians, if you have a patient with a fever or symptoms that could possibly be related to Ebola, you've got to ask that travel history and take it seriously. Thank you.
TOM FRIEDEN: Next question?
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Mike Stobbe with the Associated Press. Your line is open.
MIKE STOBBE: Hi. Thank you for taking my call. Dr. Frieden, if you could give a little more specifics about the contact tracing, the nine. Is that the four people in the apartment and does that mean the other five were all health care workers? And the other 40, how many of them were patients in the ambulance? How many of them were health care workers? How many of them were what else, what other category?
TOM FRIEDEN:   The numbers are likely to be somewhat fluid as we understand more about the nature of the contacts. So at this point what we're focusing on is the nine who we're fairly certain did have some level of contact. It may not have been high-risk contact, but there was definitely contact. We are particularly concerned about family members or people in the household i should say who had direct contact with the individual when he was sick and not isolated. Those are probably the highest risk individuals. Making sure that they're monitored and promptly cared for, should they develop any symptoms would be the highest priority. In terms of a further breakdown, we'll look at that over the course of today and provide additional information tomorrow.
MIKE STOBBE: Could you say what proportion of health care workers were exposed during his first visit and how many were exposed maybe during the second visit?
TOM FRIEDEN: I don't have that information. Dr. Lakey, do you have anything you'd like to add on this topic?
DAVID LAKEY: No additional information that the time. Thank you.
TOM FRIEDEN:   We'll try to provide additional information tomorrow as we have it. The level of information, it's really important to emphasize what kind contact tracing involves. It involves sitting down and going through minute by minute what happened, have them retrace their steps, identify what may have happened. Someone may remember something that happened before, later, after that interview so going back to them and repeating that. It's an in-depth process that involves building a very careful relationship with the individual, helping them to remember what happened, and then identified and piecing together where there may have been overlap and possible contact. Next question?
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Nell Greenville voice with National Public Radio. Your line is open.
NELL GREENVILLE: This is for Dr. Frieden or anyone who can answer. Do we know if this patient has any access to therapeutics or convalescent serum? You also mentioned the CDC was able to investigate well over 100 suspect cases. Could you say how many of those occurred after this initial positive case in Dallas and whether you all are seeing more cases coming to you all for evaluation in the wake of this first diagnosis?
TOM FRIEDEN:   Thank you. In terms of experimental treatment, that's really up to the treating physicians and the patient and patient's family. The available experimental treatment is one that we don't know if it works and it may cause some problems if it's administered. It would be available to them if they wish to use it. In terms of the number of inquiries of people who may have Ebola, we have definitely seen an increase in the number since this patient was diagnosed. We're seeing a steady number before then, and an increase since. That's as it should be. People are increasing their level of concern. We're finding that for the overwhelming majority there is in fact no travel history consistent with exposure to Ebola, but we'd rather have a wider net cast just as being done with contacts so that we're more likely to find someone promptly if they did actually have exposure and they do actually have symptoms. And even of those who have had exposure, most have not had symptoms that are highly consistent with Ebola. I will tell you that my team that works intensively on this with each call that comes in did alert me to this case in Dallas in a way that they have not alerted me to any of the other cases, given the severity of his symptoms and consistency of his travel history. So we were not surprised to see this positive, though we are absolutely very deeply concerned about the patient and hoping for his recovery, whereas for the other more than 100 that we've been consulted about we've thought the risk was far, far lower. Next question?
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Sharon Bagley with Reuters. Your line is open.
SHARON BAGLEY: Thanks, everyone. This is a question I think for Dr. Lakey. If you could please update us on what arrangements are currently in place or in the process of being implemented to deal with the medical waste associated with Mr. Duncan's stay at Texas health Presbyterian, if you have worked out arrangements with the department of transportation, et cetera.
DAVID LAKEY: Thanks. Currently the Presbyterian hospital is holding the waste there on the unit. We have worked -- the company has gotten the approval for the transportation. Hold on one sec. Has the approval for the, as my understanding, transportation but is waiting until after the weekend for the transport. Thank you.
TOM FRIEDEN:   We'll take two more questions.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Sherry Jacobson with Dallas Morning News. your line is open.
SHERRY JACOBSON: Thank you. I would like to know when this 21-day monitoring period started in Dallas and therefore when it will end. And if no cases come to light during that period, will you declare this incident over and is that some kind of pronouncement that you would have to make?
TOM FRIEDEN: I'll start and then ask Dr. Lakey to continue, it depends on the individual and when last had contact with the index patient when he was potentially infectious. So it's 21 days after that last period. And we internationally basically say that we can declare an outbreak over when there are two incubation periods or 42 days without an additional case.
SHERRY JACOBSON: What would those dates be, though? When was the last person's exposure?
TOM FRIEDEN:   The 28th is when the individual went into isolation so that would be the last day of exposure unless there are exposures that occur while the individual is in isolation. Dr. Lakey, anything you'd like to add?
DAVID LAKEY: No. That's correct. We've been working off of the patient being put in isolation on Sunday and taking our countdown from there, understanding that if there's any exposure, any additional cases, that that then changes the overall event time line. But for any individual that's part of this, the 21 days, is what we're using. Thank you.
TOM FRIEDEN:   And last question. Then I'll make a concluding remark.
OPERATOR: Our last question comes from Dennis Thompson with Health Day. Your line is open.
DENNIS THOMPSON: Yes. Given the situation in Dallas regarding medical waste, have there been any negotiations -- where do negotiations stand with the department of transportation in terms of other hospitals throughout the country and how they'll be handling their medical waste, for example, in emery and other places where they're treating Ebola patients?
TOM FRIEDEN:   Thank you. The situation with medical waste was one that was complicated. We actually thought it was resolved until last Friday coincidentally when the medical waste companies that remove medical waste indicated that what we thought was a resolution would not work for them. So even before this case had been diagnosed, we were working very intensively between many parts of the federal government to try to resolve it. It took longer than we would have wished to resolve, but it is now resolved. And the example in Texas is good for there can be used within hours anywhere in the country as it's needed. It basically comes down to whether the hospital has either an autoclave or an incinerator large enough to deal with the medical waste. If they don't and it needs to be removed, then we now have a process that all have agreed upon throughout not just the government but also the private companies that is workable and that should not be an issue going forward. Before I conclude, Dr. Lakey or Judge Jenkins, is there anything you'd like to say?
CLAY LEWIS JENKINS: This is clay. I'll just say i appreciate the work that our state and federal partners are doing, and I'm proud of the work that the men and women of Dallas county and the city of Dallas are doing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Duncan and also to everyone who is being monitored and to the families and loved ones of everyone who is being monitored. I know this is a scary situation for many people, but I am a married man with an 8-year-old daughter who's having her 9th birthday soon, and I would not be getting into a car with the people that are being monitored. I would not be around in their homes assuring them if it were not safe to do so. The people of Dallas have stepped up to the challenge and are going about their daily lives. For those of you who are -- for those of you who are -- all of you on this call please assure people that they're safe and that we're going to do everything to make sure they stay safe. Thank you.
TOM FRIEDEN:   Thank you very much, judge. And thank you for your leadership. Dr. Lakey?
DAVID LAKEY: I think my comments are the same as Judge Jenkins. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and those being evaluated and monitored. Obviously a lot of other individuals have concerns and we're addressing those here in Dallas. A lot of work is taking place, teams that they consist of folks from the federal government, state government, the local government, and a variety of partners working on this issue. Our goal is to ensure that no additional Texans are exposed. We will continue with that goal and continue to do meticulous work to make sure if anybody is exposed that we identify them rapidly and make sure that they get the care that they need. Again, we appreciate the thoughts and prayers that i know are across the nation related to what's going on here. Thank you.
TOM FRIEDEN:   Well, thank you very much to the folks in Texas who are leading the investigation. I'll just end with thanking the media and others for being on the call and just repeating what I think is the bottom line here, that the kind of contact tracing that's being led on the ground in Texas by the folks there at the county and state and with CDC support is what we mean when we say stopping Ebola in its tracks, finding anyone who may have been exposed and ensuring that they're monitored closely and if they were to develop any symptoms, immediately isolated. That's how we break the chains of transmission and that's why we're confident that we will stop this before it spreads in Texas or elsewhere. Thank you very much for joining us.

Courtesy CDC.gov

Enterovirus D68 in the United States 2014 per CDC

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 22:04:00 +0000

October 1, 2014

Enterovirus D68 in the United States, 2014

AS per the CDC - What We Know

EV-D68 infections have recently been documented across the United States.

From mid-August to October 1, 2014, CDC or state public health laboratories have confirmed a total of 500 people in 42 states and the District of Columbia with respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. This indicates that at least one case has been detected in each state listed but does not indicate how widespread infections are in each state.
Enteroviruses commonly circulate in summer and fall. We’re currently in middle of the enterovirus season, and EV-D68 infections are likely to decline later in the fall.

Many state health departments have reported increases this year in cases of severe respiratory illness in children.

This increase could be caused by many different viruses that are common during this time of year. EV-D68 appears to be the predominant type of enterovirus this year and may be contributing to the increases in severe respiratory illnesses.
Hospitals in Missouri and Illinois were the first to document this increase that was later identified to be caused predominantly by EV-D68 infection.

CDC is prioritizing testing of specimens from children with severe respiratory illness. There are likely many children affected with milder forms of illness. Of the specimens tested by the CDC lab, about half have tested positive for EV-D68. About one third have tested positive for an enterovirus or rhinovirus other than EV-D68. See map of states with lab-confirmed EV-D68 infections for more information.

Almost all the confirmed cases this year of EV-D68 infection have been among children. Many of the children had asthma or a history of wheezing.

EV-D68 has been detected in specimens from four* patients who died and had samples submitted for testing. The role that EV-D68 infection played in these deaths is unclear at this time; state and local health departments are continuing to investigate.

Courtesy CDC

First Imported Case of Ebola Diagnosed in the United States

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 00:50:00 +0000

September 30 - source CDC

CDC confirmed on September 30, 2014, through laboratory tests, the first case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the United States in a person who had traveled to Dallas, Texas from West Africa. The patient did not have symptoms when leaving West Africa, but developed symptoms approximately five days after arriving in the United States.

The person sought medical care at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas after developing symptoms consistent with Ebola. Based on the person’s travel history and symptoms, CDC recommended testing for Ebola. The medical facility isolated the patient and sent specimens for testing at CDC and at a Texas lab participating in CDC’s Laboratory Response Network. CDC and the Texas Health Department reported the laboratory test results to the medical center to inform the patient. Local public health officials have begun identifying close contacts of the person for further daily monitoring for 21 days after exposure.

The ill person did not exhibit symptoms of Ebola during the flights from West Africa and CDC does not recommend that people on the same commercial airline flights undergo monitoring, as Ebola is only contagious if the person is experiencing active symptoms. The person reported developing symptoms several days after the return flight.

CDC recognizes that even a single case of Ebola diagnosed in the United States raises concerns. Knowing the possibility exists, medical and public health professionals across the country have been preparing to respond. CDC and public health officials in Texas are taking precautions to identify people who have had close personal contact with the ill person and health care professionals have been reminded to use meticulous infection control at all times.

We know how to stop Ebola’s further spread: thorough case finding, isolation of ill people, contacting people exposed to the ill person, and further isolation of contacts if they develop symptoms. The U.S. public health and medical systems have had prior experience with sporadic cases of diseases such as Ebola. In the past decade, the United States had 5 imported cases of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) diseases similar to Ebola (1 Marburg, 4 Lassa). None resulted in any transmission in the United States.

Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever - CDC Information Overview

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 11:51:00 +0000

August 3 2014
As per the CDC:

Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is one of numerous Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. It is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees).

Ebola HF is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. When infection occurs, symptoms usually begin abruptly. The first Ebolavirus species was discovered in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo near the Ebola River. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically.

There are five identified subspecies of Ebolavirus. Four of the five have caused disease in humans: Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus); Sudan virus (Sudan ebolavirus); Taï Forest virus (Taï Forest ebolavirus, formerly Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus); and Bundibugyo virus (Bundibugyo ebolavirus). The fifth, Reston virus (Reston ebolavirus), has caused disease in nonhuman primates, but not in humans.

The natural reservoir host of ebolaviruses remains unknown. However, on the basis of available evidence and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the virus is zoonotic (animal-borne) with bats being the most likely reservoir. Four of the five subtypes occur in an animal host native to Africa.

A host of similar species is probably associated with Reston virus, which was isolated from infected cynomolgous monkeys imported to the United States and Italy from the Philippines. Several workers in the Philippines and in US holding facility outbreaks became infected with the virus, but did not become ill.

Ebola virus disease

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 12:34:00 +0000

According to WHO -

Key facts for Ebola Virus

Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.
EVD outbreaks have a case fatality rate of up to 90%.
EVD outbreaks occur primarily in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests.
The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.
Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are considered to be the natural host of the Ebola virus.
Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care. No licensed specific treatment or vaccine is available for use in people or animals.

more information at WHO

Avian Flu Full Documentary Video

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 21:43:00 +0000

March 2, 2014 VIDEO The main Spanish virologist and influenza virus specialist (the influenza viruses), introduces us to H5N1. We explain why it is so easy to spread and how it is able to acquire the necessary features to jump from birds to humans. We will also briefly review recent pandemic caused by a virus experienced flu. And finally we will have the latest findings on H5N1. Research to suspect that this is a virus that will soon join the list of infectious agents. Virus that have appeared in recent decades causing new diseases, and have jeopardized health systems worldwide.

VIDEO - CDC: Flu hit young, middle-aged adults harder this year

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 21:35:00 +0000

CDC: Flu hit young, middle-aged adults harder this year This year's flu season has hit younger and middle-aged adults harder than in past years, government health officials warned Thursday. In previous flu seasons, young children and seniors aged 65 and older were among those most likely to be hospitalized or die from flu. See full video and news at

How can I protect my children after a flood?

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Sun, 12 May 2013 15:04:00 +0000

May 12 2013 From the USEPA website

Children are different from adults. They may be more vulnerable to chemicals or organisms they are exposed to in the environment.

NEVER use portable generators indoors! Place generators outside and as far away from buildings as possible.
Clean smooth, hard surfaces such as metal and plastics with soap and water and dry thoroughly.
Carefully follow any directions from boil-water alerts. Tap water that has been brought to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute will kill disease-causing organisms. But remember, boiling will not remove or destroy many potentially harmful chemicals.

Contaminated Water

While all people need safe drinking water, it is especially important for children because they are more vulnerable to harm from contaminated water. If a water source may be contaminated with flood waters, children, pregnant women and nursing mothers should drink only bottled water, which should also be used to mix baby formula and for cooking. We also recommend you sponge bathe your children with warm bottled water until you are certain your tap water is safe to drink.
Your child may or may not show symptoms or become ill from swallowing small amounts of contaminated water. Symptoms can vary by contaminant. If your child drinks water contaminated with disease-causing organisms, he/she may come down with symptoms similar to the “stomach flu.” These include stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and may cause dehydration.

Some contaminants, such as pesticides and gasoline, may cause the water to smell and taste strange, and others such as lead and disease-causing organisms may not be detectable. Drinking water contaminated with chemicals such as lead or gasoline may not cause immediate symptoms or cause your child to become ill but could still potentially harm your child’s developing brain or immune system.

Because you cannot be sure if the water is safe until private wells are professionally tested or city water is certified as safe by local officials, we urge parents to take every precaution to make sure their child’s drinking water is safe.

If you have a flooded well, do NOT turn on the pump, and do NOT flush the well with water. Contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice on disinfecting your well.

Your public water system or local health agency will inform you if you need to boil water prior to using it for drinking and cooking.

Tap water that has been brought to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute will kill disease-causing organisms. Boiling will not remove many potentially harmful chemicals, and may actually increase concentrations of heavy metals (including lead), which can be harmful to a child’s developing immune system. Chemically treating tap water with either chlorine or iodine will kill many disease-causing organisms, but will not remove harmful chemicals or heavy metals.

Dust Mite Screen Check Test Kit

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Sun, 12 May 2013 12:21:00 +0000

Dust mites are an allergen to some individuals. Although small and nearly microscopic in size, dust mites eat and live off dead skin and hair. They are not life-threatening or harmful, but can cause irritation and discomfort. Some of the dust mites' gut enzymes, particularly feces, can accumulate in mass quantities and cause strong, intense allergic reactions if not properly dealt with.

To find out your current dust mite count, the Alen DMSCTESTKITS dust mite screen check test kit can definitely help! Ideal Uses The DMSCTESTKITS is easy to use and administer. Make sure that your dust mite count won't leave your home exploding in allergic reactions. For many people, especially persons suffering from allergies and asthma, dust mites can become a huge annoyance. Alen Corporation DMSCTESTKITS Dust Mite Test Kit

Hamilton Beach True Air 04383 Allergen Reducer Air Purifiers - Great Deal!

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Sat, 11 May 2013 20:02:00 +0000

May 11 2013
Hamilton Beach True Air 04383 Allergen Reducer Air Purifiers

Hamilton Beach True Air Allergen Reducer Model 04383 with Permanent HEPA-grade filter. Compact, versatile air purifier for allergen control. Covers area up to 160 sq. ft.

Equipped with a permanent filter, this affordable little air purifier is perfect for everyone who does not want to deal with filter changes and replacement costs. The only maintenance it requires is to vacuum the filter 2 to 3 times per year! With a versatile compact design and removable base it can be set up in either a horizontal or vertical position on the floor, desk or shelf. The permanent HEPA-grade filter effectively removes 99% of irritating airborne allergens such as pet dander, dust, dust mite debris, pollen and mold spores down to 3 microns. The True Air Allergen Reducer by Hamilton Beach is an excellent value choice for those who are looking for a compact air purifier that requires minimal maintenance and are primarily concerned with removing allergens from a room up to 160 sq. ft.

Hamilton Beach True Air Allergen Reducer Model 04383 are ideal for someone who...
•Wants an air purifier that requires very little maintenance.
•Would like to filter airborne allergens such as dust, pet dander, mold spores and pollen from the air.
•Wants a quiet, compact air purifier for a small-medium sized room.
•Would like a desk top air purifier

Healthy Gluten-Free Life - 200 Delicious Gluten Dair Soy and Egg Free Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Thu, 09 May 2013 23:55:00 +0000

May 9 2013

Healthy Gluten-Free Life : 200 Delicious Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free and Egg-Free Recipes!

Summary

By giving detailed instructions and a host of tips on everything from choosing quality ingredients to techniques on make-ahead meals, Tammy will inspire you to step back into the kitchen and enjoy cooking again. Filled with over 200 mouth watering recipes, The Healthy Gluten-Free Life will bring you back to the tastes and textures you remember from your pre-gluten free days.

Mold Test Kit For Home or Office - Identifies 5 molds

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:32:00 +0000

May 6 2013 Mold Test Kit For Home and Office - Identifies 5 predominant molds in the indoor or outdoor environment.

Mold test kits are designed to identify hundreds of types of mold in the home and office that may be the cause of asthma and allergies. These test kits quantify and identify mold sources.

The Mold Test Kit (MTK) identifies and quantifies hundreds of types of molds hidden in dark areas, basements, crawl spaces, basements, carpets and attics. It only takes one person to implement the test and requires no special training. Mold Test Kits are ideal for someone who...
•Wants to find out the types of mold in their home or office environment.
•Has allergic reactions such as asthma, rhinitis / sinusitis, and atopic dermatitis and would like to find the cause.
•Lives or works in an area with constant moisture and poor air circulation and wants to check for mold.
•Is moving into a new home or apartment and needs to find out the indoor environmental conditions.
•Wants a comprehensive mold report that is compared to industry guidelines (expressed in colony forming units per gram - CFU/gr).
•Is an Educator, School and Plant Operator, Industrial Hygienist, Teacher, HVAC Engineer, Building Maintenance Supervisor, Test and Balance Professional, Real Estate Professional, Insurance Claim Adjuster, Homeowner, Hospital Engineer, Physician, Occupational Health and Safety Professional.

Portable Air Purifiers Hepa Filter Black - Fight Allergy Season!

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Sun, 05 May 2013 21:07:00 +0000

May 5 2013 (110/115VAC/12VDC) Portable air purifiers includes 2 prefilters, hepa filter, carbon filter, 110/115 plug with 7 ft. cord. Black Encasement (not shown).

Save 5% on Allergy Relief Products with Coupon Code through 05/31/13!

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Sun, 05 May 2013 19:56:00 +0000

May 5 2013 - Save 5% at AllergyBuyersClub.com with online coupon code Save 5% with Coupon Code SPRINGCJFIVE through 05/31/13!to get an automatic 5% savings until 05/31/13! Excludes IQAir, Miele, Ladybug, Santa Fe and Ebac brands.

Current Bed Bug News Stories

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:41:00 +0000

Current Bed Bug News Stories

		Bedbugs Outlast Many Quick remedies May 25, 2011, By Andrew Siff

		Ross County Health District Working on New Bed Bug response May 18, 2011, Gazette Staff

		Number of Bed Bug Cases in Ottawa Doubles May 17, 2011, By Stefan Keyes

		Bedbugs May Trigger Anxiety May 15, 2011, By Kristina Fiore

Save 10% on bed bug mattress covers and all Bedbug.com encasements by using coupon code 'BUGMENOT' at checkout on Bedbug.com

VIDEO OF BED BUG "ATTACK"

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:37:00 +0000

Maybe they should be called bed blood bugs, an army of these can attack a person 500 times in one night!

BED BUGS - Part 4

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:31:00 +0000

Preventing Infestations

As difficult as it can be to eradicate bed bugs, it makes great sense to take precautions to avoid them in the first place. Householders should be vigilant when acquiring used furnishings, especially beds and couches. Curbside items should be avoided, and secondhand articles should be examined closely before being brought into the home, and perhaps laundered or placed in a dryer. Avoiding problems with bed bugs is most challenging in apartments, hotels and other places where there are ongoing opportunities for the bugs to be introduced. Preventative inspection by tenants, housekeeping staff, or pest control firms is the best way to uncover infestations in their initial stages when they are easiest to control.

Discarded beds and couches might be infested and should be left alone.

Concerned travelers may want to get in the habit of checking their bed for signs of bed bugs, a common practice in the past. This would entail examining the bed sheets and upper and lower seams of the mattress and box spring, especially along the head of the bed. Some professionals also suggest removal and examination behind the headboard, a frequent hiding place for the bugs in hotel rooms. Headboards are heavy and cumbersome, however, and untrained persons should not attempt removal themselves. If bed bugs are discovered, travelers can request another room, preferably in another area of the building. Vigilant travelers may also want to elevate suitcases off the floor on a luggage stand, tabletop or other hard surface. Should travelers experience itchy welts suggestive of bed bug bites during their stay, it would be prudent upon returning home (before unpacking) to place all clothing in disposable plastic bags and directly into the washer and/or dryer. Inspecting or vacuuming luggage upon arrival home is less useful since it’s hard to spot bed bugs inside a suitcase. The suitcase itself can either be treated or discarded.

The incidence of bed bugs in the United States is increasing to the point where vigilance by all is a prudent practice. Familiarity can help to avoid infestation, or at least prompt earlier intervention by a professional.

Source:
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

BED BUGS - Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:29:00 +0000

Controlling Infestations

Bed bugs are challenging pests to control. Since they can hide in so many places, treatments must be thorough and elimination is not always a certainty. In most cases, it will be prudent to enlist the services of a professional. Experienced pest control firms know where to look for bed bugs, and have an assortment of management tools at their disposal.
Owners and occupants have an important role and will need to assist the professional. Affording access for inspection and treatment is crucial, and excess clutter will have to be removed. Belongings strewn about rooms afford many places for bed bugs to hide, and impedes inspection and treatment. Some pest control firms want furniture moved away from walls and mattresses and box springs stood on edge before they arrive; others prefer to inspect first and move these items themselves. Since bed bugs can disperse throughout a building, it often will be necessary to inspect adjoining rooms and apartments.

Treatment Procedures. Infested and infestation-prone bedding and garments will need to be bagged and laundered (120°F minimum) since these items cannot be treated with insecticides. Another effective and efficient option is to place clothing, toys, shoes, backpacks, etc., in a clothes dryer set at medium to high heat for 10 to 20 minutes. This will kill all bed bug life stages and can be done alone or in conjunction with laundering. According to textile experts at the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (Laurel, MD), most garments designated as ‘dry-clean only’ (e.g., cotton, wool, silk, linen, rayon, nylon, poly blends) will not be harmed provided they are dry before being placed in a clothes dryer at moderate (less than 160?F) settings. While dry cleaning procedures also kill bed bugs, there is risk of infesting the establishment when buggy items are de-bagged, tagged and sorted.

Items which cannot be put in a washer or dryer can sometimes be de-infested by wrapping in plastic and placing them outdoors in a hot, sunny location, closed vehicle, etc. for at least a day. If this method is attempted, packing fewer items per bag makes it harder for the bugs to find cooler places to hide. Monitoring with a thermometer is prudent, with a target internal temperature of at least 120°F. Bed bugs also will succumb to cold temperatures below 32°F, but the freezing temperatures must be maintained for several days. Consequently, throughout much of the country, heating tends to be a faster, more reliable option than chilling. Attempts to rid an entire dwelling of bed bugs by raising or lowering the thermostat will be unsuccessful, although some companies are having success using supplemental heaters.

General housecleaning measures, such as vacuuming floors and surfaces, seldom reaches the places where bed bugs hide. Targeted vacuuming of infested harborages, however, can help remove some of the bugs before treatment with insecticides. Bed bugs and especially the eggs can be difficult to dislodge. Optimum results will be achieved by moving and scraping the end of the suction wand along infested areas such as seams and fabric folds of beds and sofas, and the perimeter edge of wall-to-wall carpets. Afterward, dispose of the vacuum contents in a sealed trash bag. Some pest control firms also employ commercial steamers or rapid freezing equipment to treat areas where bed bugs are found or suspected. Used correctly, they kill both bugs and eggs on contact. Neither method, however, affords residual protection against bed bugs which may have been missed.

At times it may be necessary to throw out infested items, especially beds and upholstered furniture. Knowledgeable pest control firms are able to advise clients on what can stay and what should go. When infested items are discarded, bagging or wrapping them prevents dislodgement of bugs en route to the Dumpster®.

While the aforementioned measures are helpful, insecticides are important for bed bug elimination. Professionals treat using a variety of low-odor sprays, dusts and aerosols. Baits designed to control ants and cockroaches are ineffective. Application entails treating all areas where the bugs are discovered or tend to crawl or hide. This may take hours of effort and follow-up visits are usually required.

Some bed bug species are parasites of bats or birds, and may bite people if the wild hosts are no longer available. If bat bugs or bird bugs are involved, roosting and nesting sites should be the primary focus of treatment and the animals excluded from the building.

Do I Have to Throw Out the Bed? Eliminating bed bugs from beds can be challenging. If there are holes or tears in the fabric, the bugs and eggs may be inside, as well as outside. There also are restrictions on how beds can be treated with pesticides. For these reasons, companies sometimes recommend that beds be discarded, especially when heavily infested or in poor condition. Another option is to encase both the mattress and box spring in a protective cover like those used for allergy relief. Encasements specifically designed to help protect against bed bugs are available through retail outlets or pest control firms. Once the cover is installed and zipped shut, any bugs which happen to be inside are entombed and eventually will die. Encasements also help protect newly purchased beds, and make it easier to spot and destroy any bugs residing on the outer surface during subsequent examination. Encasements will not, however, keep bed bugs from crawling onto a bed and biting a sleeping person.

Bed bugs are frequently found on the undersides of box springs.

Some companies treat seams, tufts, and crevices of bed components with insecticides, but they usually will not spray the entire mattress surface. They also should not spray bed sheets, blankets or clothing, which should be laundered. Vacuuming and steaming further help to eliminate bugs and eggs from beds, but afford no residual protection and may not kill bed bugs hidden inside the box spring or mattress. Fumigation is another way to de-infest beds and hard-to-treat items, but the procedure is not always available. In extreme cases, entire buildings have been fumigated for bed bugs. The service can be quite costly though, and involves covering the building in a tarp and injecting a lethal gas. Some companies also de-infest such items with specialized heating equipment.

Source:
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

BED BUGS - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:25:00 +0000

Controlling Infestations

Bed bugs are challenging pests to control. They hide in many tiny places, so inspections and treatments must be very thorough. In most cases, it will be prudent to enlist the services of a professional pest control firm. Experienced companies know where to look for bed bugs, and have an assortment of management tools at their disposal. Owners and occupants will need to assist the professional in important ways. Affording access for inspection and treatment is essential, and excess clutter should be removed. In some cases, infested mattresses and box springs will need to be discarded. Since bed bugs can disperse throughout a building, it also may be necessary to inspect adjoining rooms and apartments.

Where They Hide

Bed bugs can live in almost any crevice or protected location. The most common place to find them is the bed. Bed bugs often hide within seams, tufts and crevices of the mattress, box spring, bed frame and headboard.

Bed bugs often congregate along seams of mattresses
and box springs. Blackish spots are excrement.

A thorough inspection requires dismantling the bed, and standing the components on edge so that upper and lower surfaces can be examined. Things to look for are the bugs themselves, and the light-brown, molted skins of the nymphs. Dark spots of dried bed bug excrement are often present along mattress seams or wherever the bugs have resided. Box springs afford many places for bed bugs to hide, especially underneath where the fabric is stapled to the wooden frame. Oftentimes the underlying gauze dust cover must be removed to gain access for inspection and possible treatment. Successful treatment of mattresses and box springs is difficult, however, and infested ones may need to be discarded or encased in a protective cover. Cracks and crevices of bed frames should be examined, especially if the frame is wood. (Bed bugs have an affinity for wood and fabric more so than metal or plastic). Headboards secured to walls should also be removed and inspected. In hotels and motels, the area behind the headboard is often the first place that the bugs become established. Bed bugs also hide among items stored under beds.

Bed bugs hidden beside a recessed screw under a nightstand.

During the early stages of a bed bug problem, the pests tend to congregate mostly in beds and other sleeping areas. As infestations grow larger, they tend to move beyond beds into other locations making control more difficult. Upholstered chairs and sofas should be examined above and beneath, especially seams, tufts, skirts and crevices. Sofas can be major bed bug hotspots, especially when used for sleeping. Like beds, they can be difficult to treat and may need to be discarded. Nightstands and dressers should be emptied and examined inside and out, then tipped over to inspect the woodwork underneath. Oftentimes the bugs will be hiding in cracks, corners, and recesses. Other common places to find bed bugs include: along and under the edge of wall-to-wall carpeting (especially behind beds and furniture); cracks in wood molding; ceiling-wall junctures; behind wall-mounted picture frames, mirrors, switch plates and outlets; under loose wallpaper; amongst clothing and clutter stored in closets; and inside clocks, phones, televisions and smoke detectors.

Bed bugs often reside along baseboards. Photo shows eggs,
nymphs, and adults beneath carpet edge.

Bed bugs tend to congregate in certain areas, but it is common to find a single bug or some eggs scattered here and there. Persistence and a bright flashlight are requisites for success. A thorough inspection and treatment may take up to several hours. Some companies are beginning to use canines for detecting hard-to-find infestations. When properly trained, the dogs can be very effective. However at this time very few companies are using them due to the expense of training and maintaining such animals.

Source:
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

BED BUGS - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:17:00 +0000

Most householders of this generation have never seen a bed bug. Until recently, they also were a rarity among pest control professionals. Bed bug infestations were common in the United States before World War II. But with improvements in hygiene, and especially the widespread use of DDT during the 1940s and ‘50s, the bugs all but vanished. The pests remained fairly prevalent, however, in other regions of the world including Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. In recent years, bed bugs have also made a comeback in the U.S. They are increasingly being encountered in homes, apartments, hotels, motels, health care facilities, dormitories, shelters, schools, and modes of transport. Other places where bed bugs sometimes appear include movie theaters, laundries/dry cleaners, furniture rental outlets and office buildings. Immigration and international travel have undoubtedly contributed to the resurgence of bed bugs in the U.S. Changes in modern pest control practice — and less effective bed bug pesticides — are other factors suspected for the recurrence.

Description and Habits

Bed bugs are small, brownish, flattened insects that feed solely on the blood of animals. The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is the species most adapted to living with humans. It has done so since ancient times. Bed bugs are mentioned in medieval European texts and in classical Greek writings back to the time of Aristotle. Other bed bug species prefer to feed on wild hosts, especially bats and birds.

Adult bed bugs are about 3/16-inch long and reddish-brown, with oval, flattened bodies. They are sometimes mistaken for ticks or cockroaches. The immatures (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are smaller and lighter in color. Bed bugs do not fly, but can move rapidly over floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces. Female bed bugs lay their eggs in secluded areas, depositing 1, 2 or more eggs per day and hundreds during a lifetime. The eggs are tiny, whitish, and hard to see on most surfaces without magnification (individual eggs are about the size of a dust speck). When first laid, the eggs are sticky, causing them to adhere to surfaces. Newly hatched nymphs are straw-colored and no bigger than a pinhead. As they grow, they molt (shed their skin) five times before reaching maturity. A blood meal is needed between each successive molt. Under favorable conditions (70-80°F), the bugs can complete development in as little as a month, producing three or more generations per year. Cooler temperatures or limited access to blood extends the development time. Bed bugs are resilient. Nymphs can survive months without feeding and the adults for more than a year. Infestations therefore are unlikely to diminish by leaving premises unoccupied. Although C. lectularius prefers feeding on humans, it will also bite other warm-blooded animals, including dogs, cats, birds and rodents.

Dark spots of bed bug excrement on a mattress.

Bed bugs are active mainly at night. During the daytime, they prefer to hide close to where people sleep. Their flattened bodies enable them to fit into tiny crevices — especially those associated with mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards. Bed bugs do not have nests like ants or bees, but do tend to congregate in habitual hiding places. Characteristically, these areas are marked by dark spotting and staining, which is the dried excrement of the bugs. Also present will be eggs and eggshells, the brownish molted skins of maturing nymphs and the bugs themselves. Another telltale though less frequent sign is rusty or reddish blood smears on bed sheets or mattresses from crushing an engorged bed bug. Heavy infestations may have a “buggy” smell, but the odor is seldom apparent and should not be relied upon for detection.

Bed bugs prefer to hide close to where they feed. However, if necessary, they will crawl several feet to obtain a blood meal. Initial infestations tend to be around beds, but the bugs eventually may become scattered throughout the bedroom, occupying any crevice or protected location. They also may spread to adjacent rooms or apartments.
Source:
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

THE BASICS OF INFLUENZA - Part 5

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:52:00 +0000

Use of the nasal spray seasonal flu vaccine

Vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is an option for healthy* people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. Even people who live with or care for those in a high risk group (including health care workers) can get the nasal-spray flu vaccine as long as they are healthy themselves and are not pregnant. The one exception is health care workers who care for people with severely weakened immune systems who require a protected hospital environment; these people should get the inactivated flu vaccine (flu shot).

Who should not be vaccinated against seasonal flu?

Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:
•People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
•People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
•Children younger than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).
•People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
•People with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS) that occurred after receiving influenza vaccine and who are not at risk for severe illness from influenza should generally not receive vaccine. Tell your doctor if you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Your doctor will help you decide whether the vaccine is recommended for you.

If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your health care provider.

Source: Center for Disease Control

THE BASICS OF INFLUENZA - Part 4

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:45:00 +0000

Who should get vaccinated?

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. This recommendation has been in place since February 24, 2010 when CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people. While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.

Who is at high risk for developing flu-related complications?

•Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
•Adults 65 years of age and older
•Pregnant women
•American Indians and Alaskan Natives seem to be at higher risk of flu complications
•People who have medical conditions including: ◦Asthma (even if it’s controlled or mild)
◦Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury]
◦Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
◦Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
◦Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
◦Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
◦Kidney disorders
◦Liver disorders
◦Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
◦Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids)
◦People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
◦People who are morbidly obese (Body Mass Index [BMI] of 40 or greater)

Who else should get vaccinated?

Other people for whom vaccination is especially important are:
•People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
•People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including: ◦Health care workers
◦Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
◦Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than 5 years of age with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children younger than 6 months of age (children younger than 6 months are at highest risk of flu-related complications but are too young to get vaccinated)

Source: Centers for Disease Control

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THE BASICS OF INFLUENZA - Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:39:00 +0000

Complications of flu

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

Preventing seasonal flu: Get vaccinated

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. There are two types of flu vaccines:
•“Flu shots” — inactivated vaccines (containing killed virus) that are given with a needle. There are three flu shots being produced for the United States market now. ◦The regular seasonal flu shot is “intramuscular” which means it is injected into muscle (usually in the upper arm). It has been used for decades and is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. Regular flu shots make up the bulk of the vaccine supply produced for the United States.
◦A hi-dose vaccine for people 65 and older which also is intramuscular. This vaccine was first made available during the 2010-2011 season.
◦An intradermal vaccine for people 18 to 64 years of age which is injected with a needle into the “dermis” or skin. This vaccine is being made available for the first time for the 2011-2012 season.

•The nasal–spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.

The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three influenza viruses that research suggests will be most common.

When to get vaccinated against seasonal flu

Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September, or as soon as vaccine is available, and continue throughout the flu season which can last as late as May. This is because the timing and duration of flu seasons vary. While flu season can begin early as October, most of the time seasonal flu activity peaks in January, February or later.

Source: Center for Disease Control

THE BASICS OF INFLUENZA - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:30:00 +0000

Period of contagiousness

You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

How serious is the flu?

Flu is unpredictable and how severe it is can vary widely from one season to the next depending on many things, including:
•what flu viruses are spreading,
•how much flu vaccine is available
•when vaccine is available
•how many people get vaccinated, and
•how well the flu vaccine is matched to flu viruses that are causing illness.

Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu. This includes older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and persons who live in facilities like nursing homes.

Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.

Source: Center For Disease Control

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THE BASICS OF INFLUENZA - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Scrap Metal Prices) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:23:00 +0000

What is influenza (also called flu)?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Signs and symptoms of flu

People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:
•Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
•Cough
•Sore throat
•Runny or stuffy nose
•Muscle or body aches
•Headaches
•Fatigue (very tired)
•Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

How flu spreads

Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.

Source: Center for Disease Control