Infectious Diseases


Britain to Launch National Pandemic Flu Service

The service, a Web site and call centers to help Britons decide whether or not they have the H1N1 flu, will be available this week, the national health secretary announced Monday.

H1N1 Tops Illinois Preparedness Summit's Concerns

The July 15 event in Oak Brook was co-sponsored by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Public Health Association.

Study Suggests H1N1 Virus More Dangerous than Suspected

A new study of the H1N1 flu virus shows that the pathogen is more virulent than previously thought. Writing in a report published July 13 in the journal Nature, an international team of researchers led by University of Wisconsin-Madison virologist Yoshihiro Kawaoka provides a detailed portrait of the pandemic virus and its pathogenic qualities.

French Government Buying $35 Million More of Sperian’s Disposable Respirators

The company also announced it is boosting its capacity to make single-use protective masks by 60 percent. Sperian is scheduled to release its second quarter 2009 sales results on Thursday.

a lit cigarette

WHO Launches Global Noncommunicable Disease Network

Focused on prevention and control, the new network will "unite currently fragmented efforts by bringing the cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes and respiratory communities together with tobacco control, healthy diets and physical activity advocates," the agency said.

Tips for Sick Workers

According to Dr. Mary Capelli-Schellpfeffer, medical director of Loyola University Health System Occupational Health Services, people who come to work sick are more likely to hinder than help their company.

CDC Starts Web-based Environmental Public Health Tracking Network

Called a "revolutionary tool," it will allow the public to track environmental exposures and chronic health conditions.

CDC Designates Two New Injury Control Research Centers

In addition, the agency renewed funding for five years for two current injury control centers in Baltimore and Chapel Hill, N.C.



CDC Estimates 1 Million U.S. H1N1 Flu Cases

The “ballpark figure” was given Friday by Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases in Atlanta. She said five manufacturers are working on vaccines for this strain of influenza, with clinical trials to happen this summer.

inside a prison

NIOSH Lists Best BBP Practices for Correctional Health Workers

The agency posted the information Tuesday to help this group of workers and their managers address bloodborne pathogens exposures.

H1N1 Among Topics Planned for Upcoming Federal Advisory Council Meeting

OSHA will convene a meeting of the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH) on June 25, 2009, in Washington, D.C. Among the issues for discussion is OSHA outreach and education efforts related to the Influenza A (H1N1) virus.

sanofi-aventis to Donate 100 Million Swine Flu Vaccinations to WHO

Christopher A. Viehbacher, Chief Executive Officer of sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, declared at the June 17 opening session of the Pacific Health Summit in Seattle that the company will donate 100 million doses of the novel A(H1N1) influenza strain the World Health Organization (WHO).

NY Textile Plant Cited for Potential Asphyxia, Amputation Hazards, Other Violations

"These citations encompass a cross section of fall protection, flammable, confined space, lockout, and bloodborne pathogen hazards as well as inadequate personal protective equipment and hazard communication training," said Edward Jerome, OSHA's area director in Albany, N.Y.

25 Minnesota Hospitals Win Patient Safety Awards

They're winners in the fourth round of a year-old recognition program by the Minnesota Hospital Association. The Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, shown here, was honored for three of MHA's four safety campaigns: safe count, safe from falls, safe site.

CDC Report Suggests Regulating Municipal Splash Parks

The report featured in the June 12 edition of MMWR involved a 2007 Cryptosporidium outbreak confirmed at an Idaho splash park.

U.S. Government Accountability Office logo

GAO Finds Problems in Government's Flu Readiness

A June 16 report summarizing three agencies with essential occupations that cannot be done remotely, including air traffic controllers, indicates the FAA in particular isn't ready and believes long-term use of respirators during a pandemic is impractical.

BCPE Adds New Certification Designations

The Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE) recently announced the addition of the Certified User Experience and Associate User Experience certification designations.

Researchers Use Facebook to Model H1N1 Disease Spread

"When did you first learn about the swine flu outbreak? Have you searched the Internet for additional information on the swine flu outbreak? If a vaccine for swine flu became available, would you want to be vaccinated?" These questions first appeared on Facebook on Saturday, April 25, just a day or two after concerns of H1N1, or swine flu, swept across the country.

FDA Consumer Alert: Do Not Use Clarcon Skin Products

The Food and Drug Administration announced recently that Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc. of Roy, Utah, is voluntarily recalling some skin sanitizers and skin protectants marketed under several different brand names because of high levels of disease-causing bacteria found in the product during a recent inspection. FDA is warning consumers to not use any Clarcon products.

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