Infectious Diseases


AVMA Testifies on Antimicrobial-Resistant 'Superbugs,' Food Safety

"Risk assessments demonstrate a very low risk to human health from the use of antimicrobials in food animals, and some models predict an increased human health burden if the use is withdrawn," testified AVMA Assistant Executive Vice President Dr. Lyle P. Vogel.

Medline Launches Nationwide Hand Hygiene Compliance Program

Geared for hospital and health care facilities, the program combines best-in-class hand hygiene products, a step-by-step implementation process, patient education, and training materials to fight hospital-acquired infections.

APIC Study Finds MRSA Rates Eight Times Higher than Estimated

The data came today during the Association of Professionals in Infection Control's 35th Annual Educational Conference and International Meeting.

ACS Honors Pfizer for WWII Penicillin Innovation

In a special ceremony held yesterday in Brooklyn, N.Y., the American Chemical Society designated Pfizer's development of deep-tank fermentation--which enabled the mass production of penicillin for use in World War II and ushered in the era of antibiotics--as a National Historic Chemical Landmark.

North American Bird Flu Strain Properties Could Enhance Infection Potential

A CDC study suggests that some North American avian influenza virus strains have properties that might enhance their potential to infect humans as well as their potential to spread from human to human.

Illinois County Reports 2 Legionnaires' Cases from Hotel Hot Tub

The Illinois Department of Public Health has closed the hot tub and the hotel's pool as it investigates. One person diagnosed with the disease has been released from the hospital.

CDC: Recreational Water Illnesses On The Rise

More recreational water illnesses (RWI) outbreaks were reported in 2007 than ever before, and the numbers could increase in the coming years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

APIC Conference to Focus On Reducing Hospital-Acquired Infections

Additional highlights of the more than 75 topics on the week's agenda include "Treatment of MRSA Infections and Role for Decolonization" and "Surgical Center Hepatitis C Outbreak: Use of Unsafe Injection Practices."



OSHA Seeks Insight on Stockpiling Respirators, Facemasks for Pandemic Flu

If you have already addressed stockpiling needs for your facility, OSHA invites you to please provide your underlying assumptions and methodology.

World's Experts Gathered to Plot New WHO Flu Guidance

The Geneva meeting of 120 experts will end today, with the new guidance to be released later this year.

UN Looks Within, Launches HIV Initiative for Staffers

"Many UN staff members are still not well prepared to protect themselves and their families from HIV," said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, shown here at yesterday's "UN Cares" kick-off in New York.

Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Among Hazards Cited at N.Y. Laundry

Employee exposure to electrocution and being caught in unguarded or unexpectedly energized driers and other machinery were also among the dangers OSHA found.

Fighting the Superbug

It was bound to happen. Medical professionals warned about it more than 50 years ago when a surprisingly effective tool for fighting infections first entered into broad use in the 1950s. If we step back a bit more to 1939, when two European scientists used penicillin for the first time on a human patient, it becomes obvious why antibiotics have been so heavily prescribed to fight infections.

APIC's Events Focus on Preventing MRSA, Hospital-Acquired Infections

The "never events" funding change coming this fall from CMS has the attention of hospital administrators.

AAOHN to Host MRSA Webcast

CDC Expert Rachel Gorwitz, M.D., MPH, will be the featured presenter, focusing on "Community and Healthcare-Associated MRSA: Populations at Risk."

New Federal Research Agenda Set for Drug-Resistant TB

The lead agency's director says the agenda addresses today's "antiquated, slow" TB diagnostic tools.

MRSA Infections Increasing in All Surgical Fields

Two plastic surgeons found four infections after face lift surgeries, including two requiring hospitalization -- with both patients having had known contact with another doctor or hospital.

HHS Secretary Visits SE Asia to Advance Product Safety, Pandemic Flu Efforts

"By working together, we can improve the safety of food and other products and build a common defense against disease," Secretary Leavitt said.

CDC Reminder: National Infant Immunization Week Starts Tomorrow

CDC is reminding the public that National Infant Immunization Week and Vaccination Week in the Americas starts tomorrow and continues through April 26, 2008. Hundreds of communities throughout the United States are expected to sponsor activities to emphasize the health benefits of timely vaccination and the importance to parents, health-care providers, and communities of maintaining high vaccination coverage.

Annual Respirator Fit Testing Enforcement Has Resumed

Michigan OSHA announced its resumption April 11 and said it is following OSHA's lead, now that an annual congressional block has been removed.

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