Tag Archives: nora

International, U.S.

Norovirus / Tummy Bug update, 09 August 2013: Climate change being blamed! Government water supplier being blamed! 20 people dead!

“Bacterial gastroenteritis in young babies is a growing problem in the developed world and an increasing cause of infant death in the developing world. Current treatments involve antibiotics, with more than half of all babies in Europe receiving them in their first year. But antibiotic resistance is a growing problem. Antibiotics also disturb the balance of beneficial bacteria, reducing natural defences against infection.”-Institute of Food Research, United Kingdom

Despite fasting during the day during the month of Ramadan, Muslims are increasingly binge eating at night, and it’s making them sick.  Reports say that hospitals in the Persian Gulf states are reporting an increase in gastroenteritis cases: “It’s a combination of overeating or binge eating, and reduced immunity due to dehydration and bad sleeping habits.”-Rabee Harb, Kuwait‘s Royale Hayat Hospital

In Pennsylvania U.S.A., people are being told not to drink ‘organic’ milk from a local farm.  Officials with the Departments of Agriculture and Health believe it is contaminated with a bacteria called Campylobacter.   The farm has been ordered to stop selling the milk, however the farm owners have third party test results, based on samples of the very same milk tested by the state, that say their operation is clean: “The test result from our third-party lab came back this morning just ahead of (the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s) and it is negative for Campylobacter. But our third-party pathogen-free test does not really matter to the state.”-Edwin Shank, The Family Cow

In Tennessee U.S.A., 62 Robertson County school employees got sick on the same day.   The director of schools thinks they got sick from food served at a school wide teacher meeting, however, that meeting was on a Tuesday and the 62 employees got sick on a Friday.  Health officials are investigating.

In Oregon U.S.A., the Grant County Health Department suspects norovirus to be the cause of an outbreak in the city of John Day.  About two dozen people got sick after eating at a local restaurant.  In Baker City, reports that the city’s water supply was contaminated with the parasite cryptosporidium.   As many as 400 people sick.  One source says this ends the city’s track record of providing 100 years of clean water.

In Iowa U.S.A., state health officials have confirmed 358 cases of cryptosporidium, and 138 new possible cases.  For all of last year Iowa saw 328 cases.   Health officials are blaming it on public swimming pools, but they have not confirmed that hypotheses.

Interesting info on cryptosporidium, according to the U.S. CDC no U.S. city suffered from the parasite contamination until 1984!

The cyclospora parasite (not to be confused with cryptosporidium) outbreak has hit 504 people in 16 U.S. states.  The U.S. CDC still does not know the source.  Health officials with Nebraska and Iowa say they’ve traced the parasites to produce that came from a U.S. run farm in Mexico. The U.S. FDA is trying to confirm the claim. The California based owner of the farm swears their own testing shows their farm in Mexico is clean.

Russia is threatening to ban all Russians from going to Turkey for holiday.  Russian health officials say resort destinations, mainly targeted to Russians, are battling increasing cases of stomach bug infections.  The Russian government is accusing the Association of Tour Operators from not disclosing such health risk facts before selling vacations to Russians.  Last year 3.3 million Russian’s vacationed in Turkey.

In United Kingdom, the city of Hull had to close their East Park kiddie pool because of cryptosporidium.  And the mom of a teenaged boy who died from meningitis is raising public awareness.   Meningitis hits fast, like a tummy bug, and includes vomiting.  This can cause some doctors to misdiagnose it.  The other problem is that there are a growing number of varieties of it, current vaccines do not cover all variants.  Her son died from the rare Group Y meningococcal meningitis. In the empire’s colony of Northern Ireland, the Antrim Area Hospital is being harshly criticized after two years of dismal performance, including dozens of tummy bug cases and a child that died.  An investigation pointed out two major factors; the hospital was built to handle 30000 patients per year, but is actually handling as much as 72000.  And hospital staff are suffering from extreme low moral blamed on the overwhelming bureaucracy of the NHS.

A Swiss study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology blames heat waves for increased gastroenteritis (tummy bugs, stomach bugs, vomiting bugs).  The study basically says, for many people, high heat temps weaken the tummy: “This study ties heat stress to digestive symptoms supporting the observed seasonal variation in the clinical course of inflammatory bowel disease and suggests that microbial infections of the gut might be additionally influenced by climate changes.”

In the city of Anantnag, India, at least 250 people have been hospitalized with  gastroenteritis in the past five days, at least 300 people infected.  A local doctor blames the water on the outbreak: “Outbreak of gastroenteritis is possible only due to the consumption of contaminated water. There can be no other reason for it.”-Nasir Khan

The people getting sick agree with the doctor’s claims, but point out the water is being supplied by the government: “This all happened due to the impure and contaminated water supplied to the people by the PHE officials. The spring where from the water is supplied is without any cover allowing all the dusty and garbage into it. Besides outside laborers who work on brick kilns in the area also use the spring for all purposes including bathing and washing clothes.”-Riyaz Ahmad Magray

An arrogant unnamed government official with India’s PHE (Public Health Engineering) disputes both claims: “…there is no possibility of the outbreak due to water. The people seemed to have taken some juice leading to the outbreak of gastroenteritis…”

The Kasmir Times reports that the PHE has not inspected their water source since the outbreaks were first reported, about a week ago.

In the city of Mumbai, India, the number of gastroenteritis cases has increased by 123 since my last update.  City health officials say they seen a 36% increase in cases compared to the same time last year.  Some people blame it on water being supplied by PHE.

In the sate of Chhattisgarh, India, 20 people have died in several villages from gastroenteritis.  State health officials say they’ve dispatched four “combat” medic teams to the villages to find out what’s going on.  Cholera is suspected, due to recent flooding, and more deaths are expected.  One report noted that most of the dead are women.

In the state of Karnataka, India, two villages have been declared cholera areas.  This means water must be boiled, the sale of cut (picked/harvested/prepped for eating) fruits are banned, fairs and markets are banned, fried foods banned in hostels.

And in Bhopal, India, dogs are going down to a viral fever and diarrhea known as parvo.  In the city of Jehangirabad, 60% of dogs brought to veterinarians have parvo.  Parvo has a 90% kill rate in India.  Vets blame it on the rainy season.

 

International, U.S.

Norovirus / Tummy Bug update, 02 August 2013: Airline flight from vomiting hell! 9 people dead, 150 sick in Canada! Hundreds sick at Washington campgrounds!

At least 26 people were quarantined in Australia after a gut wrenching flight from Chile.  Paramedics met the 747 when it landed in Sydney.  Health officials say the sick people were part of the same tour group.  Norovirus is suspected.  Also, in Wodonga The Grange old folks home was “locked down” for a week because of a major gastroenteritis outbreak.  Employees went to the local news media after officials with The Grange lied and said it was just a dozen people sick.  Turns out at least 70 residents and 12 employees were sick.  An unnamed employee said management didn’t even try to pick up the slack to compensate for the sick employees: “Work has increased tenfold. There has been no recognition from management. No one is saying we’re doing a great job. It’s a hard place to work at the moment.”

Nine people have died and 150 sickened after an outbreak at an old folks home in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada!  Health officials suspect the deadly outbreak is caused by norovirus.

And just south, in the state of Washington, U.S.A., the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department is investigating an outbreak at a YMCA campground. About 80 people are sick with norovirus like symptoms.  And 120 people sickened at a Christian campground in Whatcom County!  Health officials are blaming norovirus. They say the outbreak actually started at the beginning of July, but for some reason is only now being made public. About one week ago they did warn residents to be careful as there were “clusters” of cases being reported.  In the same county, people reported tummy bug symptoms after a chile contest on Lummi Island.

The U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease claims to have  discovered an antibody that can neutralize human norovirus.  Their study involved the use of immune cells of chimpanzees.

More bad news for plant eaters!  Recent parasite infections are being blamed on bagged salads!  In the United States the cyclospora outbreak has hit 16 states and at least 380 people!  In Iowa and Nebraska, health officials say they’ve traced the parasite to bagged salads.  At this point they’re not releasing the name of the brand of packaged salads.  You can only get sick by eating food or drink contaminated with the parasite.

In Arkansas U.S.A., another parasite has eaten the brain of a girl.  It’s called amoebic meningoencephalitis.  It’s a type of meningitis caused when an amoeba goes up your nose into your brain.  Officials think she got infected while swimming at Willow Springs Water Park.  One of the first signs is vomiting, which could cause people to think it’s a tummy bug.   The 12 years old girl has been placed in a medically induced coma.  If she survives she will be only the third person to do so.

Yogurt and flavored coffee lovers watch out, bugs are being used as food coloring in U.S. food products! According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, cochineal insects are being used to color flavored coffees and yogurts.  There are reports of people having allergic reactions, such as vomiting.  Starbucks announced last year they would stop using the red bugs in their strawberry flavored Frappuccino.  And you thought they were real strawberries.  Officials with Dannon yogurt says the U.S. FDA approved the use of the bugs as a substitute strawberry (carmine) coloring, so they are not going to stop using them!

And more bad news for plant eaters: A Washington U.S.A. woman and her 3 years old daughter were sick for seven months from oatmeal.  At first it was blamed on the standard tummy bug, turns out it was fungal mycotoxin poisoning.  It wasn’t doctors who figured it out, it was the suffering woman.  She was about to make her son a bowl of oatmeal, which he rarely ate, but she noticed he would get sick with similar symptoms when he ate it.  Upon closer inspection of the Western Family brand oatmeal container she found a clump of toxic mold in the oatmeal.

New Hampshire U.S.A., one man has been infected with two rare viruses, Jamestown Canyon virus and the Powassan virus.  Mosquitoes and ticks spread the disease.  The signs are sudden severe headache, fever, vomiting and paralysis.

And in Iowa U.S.A., health officials reporting at least 26 cases of infection from a rare form of salmonella.  Officials say this form of salmonella is related to poultry and is easily confused with the cyclospora parasite.   Also, Polk County Department of Public Health is reporting another parasite outbreak, this time cryptosporidium.  At least 68 cases so far.  You get it from contaminated drinking water or swimming pools.

Bad news for beef eaters: There are reports that the Lone Star Tick is making its way north, from the southern U.S. states.  The bad news is that apparently the bite of the Amblyomma americanum can render you allergic to beef!  Symptoms are vomiting, abdominal cramps, hives, anaphylaxis and death.

In the African country of Nigeria, reports of at least 104 cases of gastroenteritis.  Health officials blame poor hygiene.

In the new administrative district of Bandipora, in Jammu and Kashmir, India, at least 75 cases of gastroenteritis.  Apparently people are rising up in protest because government officials supplied them with contaminated water.  The angry people actually forced Public Health Engineering Department employees to drink the contaminated water!  Health officials are now telling people to boil the water.  In Mumbai city, 40 cases of cholera, and 2481 cases of gastroenteritis, were reported in July.

Pakistan reported a 39% increase in gastroenteritis, from December through January.  (they also reported a 90% increase in snake bites!)

U.S.

Government Incompetence: FDA admits they look the other way when it comes to imported food! More smoke & mirrors?

27 July 2013 (11:42 UTC-07 Tango)/19 Ramadan 1434/05 Mordad 1391/20 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

In a round-a-bout rare admission of incompetence, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says they’ve allowed poor quality imported food to come into the United States!

Of course this is not new, and led to the creation of the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act.  Prior to that imported foods were allowed to meet fewer standards of safety (in reality almost none at all) then food produced in the United States!

But don’t get too excited, under the new rules (which are still under review, by the way) the onus is on the U.S. importer to provide the FDA with ‘documents’ showing the food is safe and is being produced/packaged in a safe way.  In other words, there’s no actual FDA inspection of the foreign foods or foreign food producing facilities (as before).

And just as before, the FDA is not going to investigate food sources (even domestic sources) until after food poisoning cases have been reported.  In fact, the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act directs the FDA to create “third party auditors” to act as “accredited” inspectors.  Those auditors could actually be “foreign government agencies or private companies”!

Sounds like the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act is nothing but smoke and mirrors!

According to the FDA, 50% of fruit and 20% of vegetables consumed in the U.S. are imported.  Now realize there have been several studies that show norovirus is being found in vegetables and fruits, especially those that come from Europe!

 

International, U.S.

Norovirus / Tummy Bug update, 24 July 2013: Rabies misdiagnosed as tummy bug, kills several! Fear forces family to remove stomachs!!! More reasons to be a meat eater!

In Maryland U.S.A., it’s been revealed that people who got organ transplants are dying from rabies.  The latest victim died in February this year.  The North Carolina man who donated his organs had been diagnosed with a tummy bug called ciguatera, from eating contaminated fish.  Turns out he had rabies, which can have symptoms similar to tummy bug.  Three organ recipients have been successfully treated for rabies.  A report says this is not the first time this has happened in the U.S. (at least three other documented cases where several people died), and issued a warning: “This transmission event provides an opportunity for enhancing rabies awareness and recognition and highlights the need for a modified approach to organ donor screening and recipient monitoring for infectious encephalitis.”-report co-authored by U.S. CDC, published in Journal of the American Medical Association

The U.S. CDC has confirmed that this year’s norovirus outbreaks are dominated by the GII.4 Sydney strain (as I wrote months ago).

In eight U.S. states at least 275 people are sick from a protozoa called cyclospora.  10 people hospitalized.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is trying to find the source.

In Washington U.S.A., the Seattle Parks and Recreation closed the Lincoln Park wading pool after children got sick.  They suspect norovirus.  Public pools are chlorinated, but the normal chlorine levels are not high enough to kill the new strains of tummy bugs.

In Massachusetts U.S.A., a family has removed their stomachs.  They have a genetic mutation known as CDH1.  It causes diffuse gastric cancer, which normally shows up when it reaches stage 4, meaning too late for treatment.  They’ve had several relatives die from it.  Stomach cancer is the number two cause of cancer death around the World.

In the U.S., the National Pork Board is investing $800000 USD to fight a killer pig virus called porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED).  It’s fatal for suckling pigs, and 346 cases have been confirmed in 14 states.  It’s been determined that it’s being spread when transporting pigs to markets or slaughter houses.  Right now the pork industry is being told to handle all pigs as if they were bio-hazards.  Pig meat is safe to eat when cooked properly.

Wisconsin U.S.A., reporting an invasion of Lone Star ticks, which cause ehrlichiosis.  The disease has symptoms similar to influenza and tummy bugs.  Health officials suspect the new ticks are surviving through the warmer winters.

In Canada, health officials are warning you to protect from insect bites, some of which cause tummy bug like symptoms.  Blood sucking insects spread diseases from human to human.

In Taranaki, New Zealand, cases of cryptosporidiosis are skyrocketing.  Last year they had none, this year 24 cases so far.  It usually spreads when a sick person swims in a public pool.  Treatment is the same for norovirus, drink plenty of water.

Health officials in Taiwan reporting that norovirus outbreaks are getting larger every year.  They’ve identified GII.4-2006b and GII.4-New Orleans.

In United Kingdom, more reasons to stay out of hospital.  The Royal Blackburn Hospital is apparently intentionally killing patients through neglect and harassment.  A old woman was admitted with tummy bug, but then died.  Her family says the staff ignored her, intentionally moved her to new rooms in the middle of the night, and she even wound up with injuries that she didn’t have when she went in.  The woman called the Royal Hospital “hell on earth”.  A government investigation backs up the family’s claim, saying the Royal Hospital has the highest death rates in the U.K.

Wards in the Royal Bolton Hospital and the Coronary Care Unit in U.K. have been closed.  It’s blamed on tummy bug, but hospital staff are not sure how many people are sick.

Health alarms are ringing in the U.K., after reports that the upcoming winter will see more delays in getting help at the hospital. It’s blamed on huge reductions in staff at Accident & Emergency (A&E) units across the U.K. due to funding cuts.   Also, a disease that can have tummy bug like symptoms being warned about.  It’s the killer coughing bug, called pertussis or whooping cough.  This year’s cases are up ten times from 2008.

In Scotland U.K., officials with Health Protection Scotland reporting massive increase in two or more linked cases of illnesses.  Cases of people being sick with more than two diseases at the same time is up 40% from last year.  Norovirus is the most prevalent co-infector, salmonella the second most prevalent.  68% of cases took place in nursing homes and 28% in hospitals.

U.K. news media have been circulating a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that says 50% of all tummy bugs are caused by raw fruit and veg!  It’s usually the fertilizers used on the plants, which can actually absorb the pathogens through their roots, meaning in some cases you can’t just wash it off ’cause it’s inside the plant.

In Russia, norovirus has been found in frozen raspberries from the Netherlands.  Russian officials are warning of norovirus infections of frozen berries from Austria, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.

Pakistan reporting a tummy bug outbreak in Panjpai.  At least 67 people sick.  Several people died. In Punjab, a child died from tummy bug.  Health officials say the disease is being spread by the water supply, at least 200 people sick.

In Madhya Pradesh, India, at least ten people sick from cholera.  Government officials say it’s taking place in “unauthorized” communities, whose water source is contaminated.  In Maharashtra, 31 more students have been admitted to hospital. This is the place where elementary and junior high students were poisoned by their school lunch.  22 children have died so far.  It’s blamed on a deadly pesticide (which is banned in the U.S.) that somehow got into their food.  The school principal has been arrested after an employee said she was forced by him to serve the food even after she discovered the contamination.  Also, in the same state of Maharashtra, health officials are reporting increased cases of cholera, specifically in the city of Mumbai.  Officials there are concerned because they had no cases last year. Also they report increased cases of typhoid and hepatitis.

 

International, U.S.

Norovirus / Tummy Bug update, 15 July 2013: Parasites! Fatal Pig virus! More reasons not to be a vegetarian!

In Rhode Island, and Massachusetts U.S.A., the Shigella Sonnei bacterium is striking down swimmers at local lake beaches.  Spring Lake and Wallum Lake have been mentioned.  Since 04 July there’s been about 140 cases reported.  The Spring Lake Beach was reopened because health officials could not find evidence of contamination.

In Wyoming U.S.A., officials at Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks say norovirus cases have returned to “normal levels”: “The spike we had was unusual, but having a few cases sprinkled [sprinkled ?] throughout the area during summer months is still within the realm of possibility.”-Jackie Skaggs, Grand Teton National Park

Also in Wyoming, the town of Hudson was hit with norovirus.  It was revealed that 30 people got sick back in May, after eating at the Svilar’s Bar and Dining Room.  The Wyoming Department of Health has yet to determine the source of infection.

In San Diego, California U.S.A., school officials were fearing a massive tummy bug outbreak after 22 elementary aged students began throwing up.  Turns out the dumb ass kids were chugging milk laced with salt, pepper, hot sauce and veggies!  18 students went to the hospital, but get this, some of those students didn’t take part in the stupid dare and were not sick at all: “When the first kids got sick, teachers asked if anybody else felt sick, and the hands started going up. Some of them were apparently having, sympathy pains.”-Jack Brandais, San Diego Unified School District

In Iowa U.S.A., more than 25 people have been infected with parasites.  It’s called Cyclospora, and health officials say it’s been awhile since they’ve seen such an outbreak (more than they’ve seen in the past 20 years!).  Apparently it’s contaminating produce, as health officials are telling people to wash even the packaged ‘pre-washed’ lettuce.

In Sweden, more than 2000 people in the city of Österund are sick with Cryptosporidium.  The parasite is contaminating the town’s water supply, as many as 9000 people could be infected.  Health officials are trying to find out how the parasite got in the water supply.  For now the residents must boil the water, for at least 15 minutes, before using.

Speaking of parasites, the royal family of the British Empire (along with all the lovers of Anglo royalty around the World) are concerned because the duchess of cambridge, Kate Middleton, is infected with a parasite that’s getting bigger everyday!  Maybe it’ll burst forth from her sternum like a commoner silicon based Xenomorph, and then consume the rest of the house of windsor only to become a queen itself, laying thousands of leathery eggs, turning the British Isles into a giant hive of Aliens!  David Icke did say the royal family was a bunch of alien reptiles.  Oh, she’s just pregnant?  Then what the hell is all the fuss about?!

In the United Kingdom, travelers are being advised to get travel health insurance.  From 2011 to 2012, 48% of travelers aged 18 to 24 years did not get such health insurance.  About 1600 ended up in a hospital in another country.  One Brit, who traveled to California, got sick with tummy bug, went into hospital, and returned to the U.K. with a bill of about $151,130 USD!!!

In Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, reports that the local hospital is full up due to winter time infections including tummy bugs.

As winter hits Australia, the Food Safety Information Council is warning of norovirus outbreaks: “Norovirus has been called the winter vomiting bug overseas as it spreads easily between people during winter…..Once norovirus is contracted a single infected person can easily spread it to many others, especially if they prepare food or drink.”

Also in Australia, medical wards at Ballarat Base Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Centre are closed because of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks.

In Durban, South Africa, reports that 1000 children are sick with rotavirus.  The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says outbreaks are on the increase, and they blame lack of vaccinations and bad hygiene.

In the U.S.A., the Kansas Department of Health and Environment revealed that there were several outbreaks of tummy bug in April and May.  More than 50 cases reported that involved a First Communion, a meat market, a couple of restaurants and a wedding rehearsal.

In Pennsylvania U.S.A., it’s been revealed that Lancaster County’s pig farms have been hit with a new pig killing virus.  It’s called porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), and it’s 100% fatal in suckling pigs.  It also retards growth in older pigs. Local Pennsylvania news reports say officials refuse to report how many cases there are.  There is no treatment for PED.  According to the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, PED has hit pig farms in at least 16 states.

In Tennessee U.S.A., the Johnson City Medical Center is now using a robot named Gizmo, to zap microbes.  Like other germ killing robots used in Canada, Gizmo uses ultra violet light, 25000 times brighter than the sun, to break down DNA.

The United Nations Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted Strategic Plan 2014-2019.  They say it sets international standards to prevent food borne illness outbreaks caused by Hepatitis A, Norovirus, bacteria and protozoa.

 

International, U.S.

Norovirus / Tummy Bug update, 08 July 2013: Hundreds more sickened! New Dirty Hands Disease? Bilderberg behind new vaccine?

At least 200 people got sick at the Tough Mudder event in Michigan, U.S.A.  State health officials confirmed that people were infected with norovirus at the “…not your average lame-ass mud run or spirit-crushing ‘endurance’ road race.” held last week.  Health officials don’t know the source of the norovirus outbreak.  New cases continue to be reported, and a new hot line phone number has been established to report new cases: 517-264-5215.

In Wyoming U.S.A., health officials say the number of norovirus cases at Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks, are going down.  At least 200 cases confirmed since the outbreak started in mid June.  The National Park Service says they’ve cleaned everything, including gift shops and hotels.  Park employees were isolated for 72 hours!  They remind people that those hand sanitizers don’t work against norovirus: “People tend to rely on hand sanitizer, but it just isn’t as effective against norovirus as plain old soap and water.”-NPS spokeswoman

The Minnesota U.S.A., a man died after getting infected with listeria.  Several people from several surrounding states have been hospitalized.  It’s being linked to Crave Brothers soft cheeses.  Also, the Department of Health is warning of tummy sickness caused by swimming in pools.  Cryptosporidium, E. coli O157:H7, norovirus, Shigella, and Giardia can all be found in public swimming pools.  The standard levels of chlorine used in pools will not kill these buggers.  Last year the North Star State saw 11 outbreaks caused by infected swimming pools.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, salmonella is the deadliest form of tummy bug.   Listeria is the second deadliest.  E.coli is third.   The CDC says better detection of norovirus helped to identify the real killers.  Norovirus is a major cause of tummy bug outbreaks, but causes relatively few deaths.

The CDC also says food caught in water are the cause of most tummy bugs (because of scombroid toxin and ciguatera).  Vegetarians take note, plants are still the number one source of norovirus, because of the fertilizers used on the crops.

Speaking of fish.  The employees of the new Bonefish Grill, in Florida U.S.A., were hit with suspected norovirus.  Department of Health officials say they’re still trying to find the source.  It was the owner of the restaurant that ordered his employees get tested, after he noticed several were sick: “As a precautionary measure, we notified the local health department, postponed the opening of the restaurant and took significant measures, including a thorough cleaning of a brand new restaurant, to ensure the health and safety of our employees and future customers.”

Takeda Pharmaceutical, a Japanese drug maker claims to have created a norovirus vaccine.  However, according to some reports, it requires a series of shots to become effective, and, is still several years away from being approved.  By the way, the vaccine was originally being developed by a Montana U.S.A. company, but the company was taken over by Takeda.  Also, the man leading Takeda’s norovirus vaccine testing is Rajeev Venkayya, formerly the director for global health delivery at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  Bill Gates is connected to the global elitist organization known as Bilderberg!

In Cumbria, England U.K., a college prom went south as 20 students and teachers got sick with tummy bug.  It happened at the three star Hunday Manor Country House Hotel, which is now closed.  Health officials said it was “very likely” to be norovirus.  They expect more cases.   Also, the retirement home, Bethel House, has been hit with tummy bug.  Operators of the home have called in public health officials to investigate.  Public Health England are concerned that there are so many vomiting bug outbreaks in Cumbria.

Another lawsuit against another cruise line.  A man and wife from Hampshire, England U.K., went on a birthday cruise at the end of May.  He got sick, and said the ship smelled of sewage.  The same cruise line, Oriana, is being sued by at least 30 other people for two other cruises.

In Wales U.K.,  shellfishers are upset about norovirus testing.   They say it could adversely affect their industry: “The number of norovirus cases linked to shellfish is minuscule compared to that spread from person to person.”-James Wilson, Deepdock

The testing of shellfish for norovirus might be from the conception that shellfish cause a lot of stomach problems.  That might be if your talking about allergies or improperly handled or cooked shellfish, and a recent outbreak in Belgium found oysters infected with norovirus, but norovirus originated in humans not shellfish (the oysters probably got infected by human handlers).  It is mainly a human to human disease, so it’s suspect that a fishing industry would be forced to test their catch for norovirus.  The first norovirus case occurred in 1968 in Norwalk, Ohio, U.S.A.  This is why it is sometimes called the Norwalk virus.  However, the 1968 outbreak was not confirmed until 1972, when researchers were finally able to identify the cause.  Ever since then, year after year, there are more and more cases, and stronger and stronger versions of the virus.

The U.K.‘s Food Standards Agency is recommending that chicken slaughter houses wash chicken in lactic acid, or blast freeze them.  This is because the latest studies show that tummy sickness caused by bad chicken increases year after year.  (maybe it’s all that crap the mass production chicken farms use as poultry feed, or all those antibiotics they shoot ’em up with?)

In the United Kingdom, the Accident and Emergency (aka A&E) scandal is being blamed on thousands of people seeking help with norovirus infections (along with NHS restructuring of services).  The scandal is the result of incredibly long waiting times for people seeking help.  But here’s the thing, if most of the case load involved norovirus, then most of them were wasted trips to the A&E!   There is no treatment for norovirus, for most cases the only thing the medical staff will due is try and rehydrate you, usually intravenously.  Save some time by trying to keep yourself hydrated and stay away from the germ infested hospitals (more people get sick in the hospital than outside the hospital)!

Here’s another reason to stay out of the hospital if you’ve got norovirus or a mild case of tummy bug: money!  According to the U.S. CDC, each year there are hundreds of millions of dollars in healthcare costs resulting from people seeking medical help from untreatable norovirus.  The main problem are people who can’t keep hydrated!  Save some money, keep hydrated, and stay out of the germ infected hospitals (unless you’re on the verge of death)!

In Slovakia, something called the ‘dirty hands disease’ is causing concern.  The 17th Bažant Pohoda multicultural open-air festival (aka The Pohoda) is about to begin, and health official are concerned over last year’s outbreak of dirty hands disease.  Last year The Pohoda got hit with more than 100 cases of gastroenteritis.  Apparently dirty hands disease is what they call norovirus in Slovakia.   All it takes is one infected person to attend a crowded festival, and BAM, your sick as a dog that just chowed down on a bunch of grass.

In Canada, the Vancouver General Hospital was the first to begin using robots to kill norovirus.  Canadian hospitals are using a germ killing UV light system.  Tru-D the ultra violet robot issues a warning: “Disinfecting will commence in 15 seconds; please leave the room.” 

International

Norovirus / Tummy Bug update, 27 May 2013: Now number 1 cause of gastroenteritis! Meat good! Another misdiagnosis gone wrong!

In Maryland U.S.A., health officials revealed that on 17 May at least 200 kids attending the Pot Spring Elementary school got sick.  Nine employees also got sick.  Preliminary lab tests blame norovirus.

In Washington U.S.A., weeks later an outbreak continues.  Back on 10 May Longview Elementary school was closed.  Grant County Health District officials have confirmed it’s norovirus, and they’re warning that there are still “…pockets of students in other Moses Lake schools with stomach illnesses.”

In Iowa U.S.A., the Siouxland District Health Department concluded their investigating into what caused about three teachers and 80 students to get sick at the Bryant Elementary School.  They blame norovirus.

A study published in the latest edition of the New England Journal of Medicine says norovirus will soon be the number one cause of gastroenteritis in children.  Rotavirus was the number one cause, but that is on the decline since a vaccine was developed.  There is no vaccine for norovirus.

According to the journal Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, norovirus is now the number one cause for gastroenteritis for children and adults in Canada.   The study says one in eight Canadians will get norovirus every year.   In the United States it’s now one in every six people!

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that meat based E.Coli (bacteria) caused gastroenteritis is down, by a lot.  An overall drop of 44% from 2000 to 2010.  It’s even better for ground beef (hamburger), a whopper, I mean a whopping 72% decline in E.Coli cases!  The decline is being credited to better raising of beef cows, cleaner handling of meat at the slaughter houses, and better cooking practices by consumers.

In Southampton, Hampshire U.K., a Celebrity Cruises ship docked after a trip to the Mediterranean.  It was revealed that at least 77 passengers and five crew members were sick with gastroenteritis.  The cruise line says from now on passengers will be asked if they’ve had stomach problems within three days prior to the cruise.  Customers can reschedule their cruises.

Norovirus has hit the Royal Lancaster Infirmary in Lancaster U.K.  Visitation in Ward 37 is now restricted.

In Finland, a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health found that ‘open plan’ office work spaces not only result in less productivity, but they’re the main reason why office workers get sick!   Open space office workers take 62% more sick days than office workers who have their own office.  Studies by several U.S. and U.K. universities had similar conclusions.

In Galway, Ireland, a family recounted the death of their four years old daughter and gave a warning.  At first everyone thought she was suffering a bad case of gastroenteritis, because of the symptoms.  She died hours later in her fathers arms, after a doctor said it was just a tummy bug.  Turned out it was  an aggressive type of pneumococcal meningitis that rapidly progressed to septicemia (blood poisoning).  Meningitis can result in flu like/stomach bug like symptoms, but it’s not the flu.  You can visit the privately funded actformeningitis.ie for more info.

International, U.S.

Norovirus / Tummy Bug update, 22 May 2013: Entire school district shut down! It does kill! Cancer mistaken for stomach bug!

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 58% of all public pools tested in the United States, were swimming with E.Coli (bacteria) contaminated human shit (fecal contamination)!    The CDC concluded that many ‘mericans aren’t very clean.

In Ohio U.S.A., 11 schools were closed in Brunswick.  The epidemic started at a 07 May teacher appreciation lunch.  It’s been spreading since then.  All schools were closed because so many students are sick that even those students not sick have siblings that are sick.  Several dozens of teachers and students are sick.  Local media incorrectly called norovirus the stomach flu and/or food poisoning.

In Missouri U.S.A., the Cole County Health Department now saying last weeks’ outbreaks in local elementary and junior highs, were caused by norovirus.

In Arlington, Virginia U.S.A., Nottingham Elementary School hit by an outbreak.  School officials only made things more confusing when they started moving students from classroom to classroom.  School officials refuse to say how many students got sick, but one parent said at least 80. Students were fearful: “Everyone was getting sick. It got me and all my friends worried, and we cleared out as fast as we could.”-Raquel Robinson, 4th grader

In Wisconsin U.S.A., more than 50 students from Minnesota got sick at a YMCA camp.  Reports say the Minnesota Department of Health said one child from the North Star State was sick with norovirus when they left home for the YMCA camp.  Once there the virus quickly spread to the other students.  Also, in Franklin, the Pleasant View Elementary School was closed and scrubbed after more than 50 students became sick with stomach bug symptoms.  Health officials are testing to determine the cause.

In Iowa U.S.A., the Siouxland District Health Department investigating what caused about three teachers and 80 students to get sick at the Bryant Elementary School.

In New York U.S.A., a woman thought she was suffering from stomach bug, because of the symptoms.  She finally went to the doctor and found out she had fast spreading stage 4 breast cancer.  She died after her first chemotherapy treatment.  Friends of the family said that the exact moment she died a double rainbow appeared in the sky.

In East Riding of Yorkshire, England U.K., ward 21 at Castle Hill Hospital closed due to an outbreak: “…new patients being brought onto the ward had to go past the infected people.”-hospital source

In Worcestershire, England U.K., the Alexandra Hospital was closed along with wards at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

In East Midlands, England U.K., an investigation into the death of a 38 years old woman last year, concluded she died from norovirus.  Pathologists also told the Chesterfield Coroner’s Court that at least 80 people died in the United Kingdom last year, because of norovirus.

A study by a Canadian insurance company found that 93% of workers in United Kingdom go to work sick.  The main reasons are fear of loss of income and/or employment.

In Highland, Scotland U.K., The County Community Hospital in Invergordon, Lawson Memorial Hospital in Golspie, and the inpatient ward in Nairn Town have all been closed due to outbreaks.

In Queensland, Australia, a man is suffering from a massive watermelon sized hernia, after he got sick with a stomach bug.  He got infected after continuing to drink from his beer after he dropped in into the river he was fishing on.  Of course he picked up unknown microbes as a result.  The anti-biotic treatments and operations didn’t help. He’s been told he’ll need six more operations, yet on his most recent trip to the Royal Brisbane Hospital he was turned away due to lack of beds!

Researchers at Texas A&M University are experimenting with an electron beam to kill norovirus and hepatitis A in oysters. Most people like eating their oysters raw.

Other researchers claim they’ve come up with a way to kill microbes (bacteria, viruses, yeasts, molds) using gold, silver and lasers.  Apparently they use micro particles of gold or silver ‘shells’ designed to trap specifically shaped microbes, and then use a laser, which somehow kills only those microbes trapped in the gold/silver shells.

 

International, U.S.

Norovirus update, 14 April 2013: Test takers taken out by throwing up! Bioquell to the rescue?

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one in 15 residents of the United States will get infected every year.

In North Carolina U.S.A., health officials are warning people that they could get norovirus by taking a hike!  Reports say that many hikers who’ve walked the Appalachian Trail near Hot Springs have become sick.  Officials say you should avoid the shelters along that stretch of the trail.

Officials with the Jerome Harrison Elementary school in Connecticut U.S.A.,  are pleading with parents to keep their sick children at home, after an outbreak hit the school.

In Florida U.S.A., schools in Alachua County are preparing to get hit after an outbreak at a local nursing home. The schools are sending flyers home to parents with tips to try and prevent spreading norovirus.

Outbreaks continue to hit Muskegon County, Michigan U.S.A. Classes were canceled on Thursday and Friday for the North Muskegon Public Schools. At least 100 elementary students were sick by Wednesday.  Clean up is bigger than you think: “If someone vomits in the room, you pretty much have to sanitize all the surfaces in the room.”-Ken Kraus, Public Health – Muskegon County

More outbreaks in the U.S. state of Alaska. Anchorage School District officials say the norovirus actually struck in the middle of standardized state exams, with several students suddenly throwing up.  State Health and Social Services workers confirmed it’s a norovirus outbreak, however they can not find the source.

In Denmark, the restaurant with the World’s longest reservation waiting list, is now having all shellfish tested for contamination before being cooked.  Elite restaurant Noma, which was the site of a norovirus outbreak recently, also provides a direct link to recent health inspection results on their website.

In New Zealand, Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton has imposed visitor restrictions due to an outbreak.   Apparently the Kiwis think they’ve come up with a way to kill norovirus bugs: Hydrogen Peroxide.

The Auckland hospital has been testing a new robot janitor, but this one cleans up little nasties that make you sick (and if you’re not careful it’ll clean your clock). It’s called Bioquell, and it sprays hydrogen peroxide.  It’s not for use around humans, the rooms have to be sealed off before it goes to work: “It basically kills every bug known to man, including the little spores of the nastiest bugs. This is a game changer. This is not just a better way of cleaning, this is fundamentally different.”-Mary Seddon, director for quality improvement

Several British hospitals have given the all clear, but many other hospitals are getting hit.  Poole Hospital, Dorset U.K., reported an outbreak last week. Two wards closed to visitors.  And in West Midlands the Sandwell General hospital closed two wards due to outbreaks. The Grantham Hospital in Lincolnshire also restricted visitation. In Cheshire, the Warrington Hospital closed ward A2 to visitors. In York, the York Hospital getting hit with a large outbreak, they blame the visitors: “We have had instances recently where visitors have vomited whilst on our wards, placing patients and staff at risk and causing us to close further ward areas at a time when the hospital is particularly busy.”-Libby McManus, chief nurse

Also in United Kingdom, a norovirus infection triggered a potentially deadly genetic condition in an nine years old girl.  Just hours after getting sick, she became confused. Somehow the stomach bug caused a condition where ammonia builds up in the blood.  She recovered despite doctors telling her parents she had only 72 hours to live, but now she must attend physical therapy sessions.

In Canada, Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit reporting two outbreaks in nursing homes:  “We hope to lift visitor restrictions by Sunday. The problem started about three weeks ago.”-Lorrie Hornick, public health inspector