http://www.examiner.com/infectious-disease-in-national/sri-lanka-primary-school-closed-over-mumps-outbreak?CID=examiner_alerts_article
The Mumps virus is a highly contagious disease that causes swelling in the parotid gland which is the largest of the salivary glands. This virus can actually be carried in approximately 20% of asymptomatic individuals and passed onto others unknowingly through droplets in the air resulting from a sneeze or cough by the infected individual. These airborne pathogens can enter the innocent victim’s body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. The Mumps virus can also be passed through direct contact to others through saliva. Eating or drinking from glasses or utensils used by the infected carrier can easily infect unsuspecting victims.
The Mumps virus is not evident in the infected person for at least six days when symptoms begin to erupt. This delay in obvious symptoms is dangerous because those infected with the Mumps virus can unknowingly pass this disease to several others before they are aware of their acquisition of the virus.
The Mumps virus symptoms may include parotid inflammation, fever, vomiting, headache, and soreness in the face and ears and in some cases swelling of the testicles in adolescent and adult males (orchitis) and swelling of the ovaries (oophoritis) in adolescent and adult females. Aseptic meningitis and encephalitis are common complications associated with the mumps virus. Deafness and pancreatitis can also occur but are not common.
Fortunately a Mumps virus vaccine was developed in the 60’s and has been very effective in reducing the outbreak of this disease in many developed countries. Vaccinations, air purification using photocatalytic oxidation, and not sharing cups or utensils with others, are the most effective methods of defense against the mumps virus.
http://www.examiner.com/infectious-disease-in-national/lehigh-university-issues-meningitis-health-advisory?CID=examiner_alerts_article
http://www.examiner.com/infectious-disease-in-national/a-second-lehigh-university-student-suspected-of-having-meningococcal-meningitis?CID=examiner_alerts_article
Meningococcal Meningitis is a serious bacterial infection that can occur with sudden onset. 
When a patient sneezes or coughs droplets are disseminated into the air and can then be inhaled by unsuspecting individuals. Students at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania possibly could have been exposed to Meningococcal Meningitis according to an article in the Examiner.com. Another suspected case caused a second warning to staff and students Sunday. Both articles are listed above.
Meningococcal Meningitis can be deadly if not treated immediately. The Neisseria bacterium affects the membranes in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms can include sudden fever, headache, body aches, and a stiff neck, then can progress to eyes hurting due to light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting, and can cause death within a very short period of time if treatment is not immediate. That is why it is so critical to notify all those that could have been exposed to the infected individual.
As with many bacteria, Neisseria can be carried in the nose and mouth of some individuals without it affecting them. Scientists are still puzzled as to why it does not develop into meningitis in those individuals. For some reason their autoimmune system seems to be able to keep this bacteria in check.
Meningococcal meningitis prevention includes; washing hands, don’t drink or eat after others, get the recommended vaccinations, cleaning and sanitizing surfaces, isolation of infected individuals in hospitals, air purification using photocatalytic oxidation, and if exposed to an infected individual with bacterial meningitis contact your local health care worker immediately. Antibiotics can be given as a preventative measure to those that have had close contact with the infected patient.
http://www.examiner.com/infectious-disease-in-national/gallatin-county-pertussis-outbreak-grows-to-30-most-cases-from-bozeman-high
A recent outbreak in a Montana High School has caused concern with the Gallatin City -County Health Department. The article does indicate Whooping Cough is treatable if diagnosed early.
Whooping Cough is also known as pertussis. Bordetella pertussis is a highly contagious airborne bacterium. Whooping cough is a nickname originating from the “whoop” sound made while coughing by someone with the disease. A report from the US National Library of Medicine (Pubmed.gov) dated Jan. 20th 2010 indicates “an estimated 45.8 million cases and nearly 295,000 deaths per year “are reported worldwide1 Whooping cough can be fatal with infants especially if they have a secondary infection such as pneumonia.
Too often those that have contracted Whooping Cough are unaware of their diagnosis because symptoms usually start much like a common cold. By this time they have innocently infected several others that they have been associated with. Within one to two weeks of initial symptoms the victim starts the uncontrollable violent coughing five to ten times followed by the signature “whooping “sound. These violent coughing fits occur around the clock with several attacks hourly. Patients are found gasping for air causing that “whooping” sound between fits. The extreme coughing can cause vomiting, hernias, vertebral artery (located in the neck) tear which could result in impeding blood flow, ruptured blood vessels in the eyes, rib fractures, and temporary loss of bladder control, just to name a few.
Prevention is possible by vaccination. The CDC recommends starting these vaccinations in childhood. In 2011 the CDC stated that the vaccination’s effectiveness may only last between three to six years. 2
Air purification using photocatalytic oxidation can significantly reduce the spread of airborne bacteria.
Photocatalysis equipment is available for hospitals, clinics and schools to install into their air handling systems.
1. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/967268-followup#a2650
2. http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/whopping-cough-pertussis-vaccine-immunity-2025/
http://justthevax.blogspot.com/2011/11/another-sspe-case-angelina-is-dying.html
Measles, Rubeola, or Morbilli can be a deadly disease and can be prevented. After reading this article I realized just how serious Measles can affect the lives of innocent children. In the United States outbreaks of Measles have become more common recently. Why, many may ask? In the United States children must be vaccinated before attending school whether public or private. Each State varies with respect to types of vaccines required. There are ways for your child to “opt out” such as for religious reasons or fear of autism. Dr. Joseph Rahimian an infectious disease specialist from St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan recently stated, "What concerns me is the trend of more and more people not vaccinating their children because of fears that vaccines cause autism — although no studies have proven this to be true," 1 Could this be one of the reasons, too many are opting out of the vaccine?
Measles, Rubeola, or Morbilli can be as deadly as the justthevax blog above indicates. Experts believe people who travel overseas and become ill return to the states and infect others who have neglected to be vaccinated. Measles, Rubeola, or Morbilli are airborne and highly contagious. When an infected individual coughs or sneezes infected cells containing the virus spew out of the infected persons mouth and nose and can be easily inhaled by unsuspecting victims. This virus can live in the air two hours after an infected person leaves a room and to make matters worse a person can be infected and contagious 1 or 2 days before they show any symptoms.
Generally symptoms of measles, Rubeola, or Morbilli are runny nose, high fever, rash ( usually beginning with the face and then spreading to the rest of the body), and coughing.
Air purification and filtration can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases and germs. Photocatalytic oxidation is the recognized technology that does destroy malignant microbes. It is essential that indoor clinics, hospitals, and doctor offices utilize the most up to date technologies to reduce the spread of diseases such as Measles, Rubeola, or Morbilli. A big portion of the responsibility of preventing the spread of measles still falls on the individual. Vaccines are available in the United States and have proven to be very effective with little to no risk.
1. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,379388,00.html#ixzz1dF4BPhcc
http://www.alternativemedicine.com/news-item/researchers-discover-why-measles-spreads-so-quickly
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccines-and-Diseases.aspx
http://www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom/Site1339/mainpageS1339P791.html
The co-infection of viral influenza H1N1 and MRSA pneumonia of 2009 Flu pandemic claimed the lives of 75 children (9 percent) according to the Children’s Hospital Boston investigative report. This was said to be the “The largest nationwide investigation to date of influenza in critically ill children…”
Most children that are infected with viral influenza recover but when MRSA invades the lungs of an individual already weakened with the flu it can quickly become life threatening.
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is in our environment both indoors and out and most of us have a natural immunity to these deadly bacteria as well as hundreds of others but when we become ill and our natural immune systems break down and become weakened we cannot fight malignant microbes very well.
Viral influenza and MRSA are airborne pathogens and are highly contagious. It is essential that hospitals maintain cleanliness standards above and beyond what many would call the “norm”. Many patients in hospitals are immunologically compromised and are very susceptible to malignant microbes that can and do exist in the hospital environment. Ongoing surface cleaning and sanitation, hand washing, and air purification and filtration can significantly reduce the spread of disease, bacteria, and viral infections.
There are many effective cleaning agents available for surfaces and hands and as for the air the most effective technology that destroys malignant microbes is photocatalytic oxidation. Prevention is the key. In addition to cleaning vaccinations are available for 3 different strains of influenza. The CDC recommends those 6 months of age and older to be vaccinated against viral influenza.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/GeneralInfectiousDisease/29433
Listeria news from the CDC is still coming in. The problematic cantaloupe from Jensen Farms Colorado was recalled in the middle of September the report states. Most cantaloupe does not last more than two weeks but if your refrigerator is like mine you may have food that is a bit older in it and needs to be discarded. A weekly clean sweep of the refrigerator is always a good idea especially when it comes to Rocky-ford brand of cantaloupe.
Those individuals that may have eaten the Listeria infected fruit may not show symptoms for as long as two weeks after consumption. A total of 29 individuals have lost their lives due to Listeriosis since the discovery of the bacteria on cantaloupe from Jensen Farms. Our previous blog indicated 123 outbreaks and that number has risen to 139, now including reports from Nevada and Utah for a total of 28 states over all.
Listeria monocytogenes bacterium is found in the air, leaves, soil, streams, sewage, and animals. Listeria is also found on deli meats, hot dogs, and unpasteurized cheeses. It is not real common to find Listeria on produce however it does happen as indicated in the case of the recent cantaloupe contamination.
Symptoms of Listeriosis include fever, aches, chills, nausea, and diarrhea much like the flu. If you have consumed any cantaloupe within the last few weeks and feel as though you have the flu contact your doctor.
Prevention includes cooking vegetables and meats , washing hands, cleaning and sanitizing surfaces in your home and air purification and filtration in food processing plants, pasteurizing milk, and careful washing of fruits and vegetables.
Our photo-catalytic oxidation equipment helps you to destroy these malignant pathogens and VOCs.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm
Viral Influenza season is upon us: have we done all we can do to avoid getting the dreaded
“flu”?
What is it we should know to avoid becoming inflicted with Viral Influenza? Education should be the first line of defense. Our goal at Zandair.com is to keep everyone well informed on airborne pathogens and how to avoid illnesses in your homes, at the office, schools, hospitals, and any other place of meeting.
Viral influenza can and will most likely affect most of us during the “Flu” season one way or another.
The CDC has several pointers to help us avoid contacting Viral Influenza. The CDC indicates the Flu shot this year will inoculate you against 3 of the most common strains including Influenza A (H1N1), Influenza A (H3N2), and Influenza B. This is the first suggestion given and of course hand washing, avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth unless you have washed your hands thoroughly first. Use alcohol based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Viral Influenza is spread through the air from other infected individuals that cough or sneeze and spew virus filled droplets into the air. Individuals within an enclosed area such as an office, clinic, school, nursing home, or even a hospital are highly susceptible to ingesting the virus filled droplets into their bodies through the eyes, nose, or mouth and contracting viral influenza. Droplets can settle on surfaces as well, and those who come in contact with the surface unknowingly touch their eyes, nose, or mouth and ingest the infectious germs.
Air purification and filtration should also be used to reduce the spread of airborne pathogens. Our photo-catalytic oxidation equipment can help destroy malignant pathogens and VOCs.