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Federal study would test all adults in a community for AIDS

The New York Times reports that "Federal health officials are preparing a plan to study a bold new strategy to stop the spread of the AIDS virus: routinely testing virtually every adult in a community, and promptly treating those found to be infected.

27 Oct 2009

SDC-based hard surface disinfectant is effective against the 2009 H1N1

PURE Bioscience, creators of the patented silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) antimicrobial, announced today that its SDC-based hard surface disinfectant is effective against the 2009 H1N1 and is included on the list published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of antimicrobial products effective against the 2009 H1N1 flu strain based on their effectiveness against other influenza A virus strains.

27 Oct 2009

New hygienic cutlery dispenser, DIXIE SmartStock, aids in fight against germs

Flu season is in full swing, and high-traffic establishments such as foodservice facilities must take preventive measures to ensure a hygienic and safe environment for their customers. Georgia-Pacific Professional Food Services Solutions is aiding in the fight against germs with its hygienic cutlery dispenser, DIXIE® SmartStock®.

27 Oct 2009

Mosquitoes are attracted by naturally produced, dominant odor in humans

Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have identified the dominant odor naturally produced in humans and birds that attracts the blood-feeding Culex mosquitoes, which transmit West Nile virus and other life-threatening diseases.

27 Oct 2009

New anti-flu drugs to fight flu virus could become a reality

New anti-flu drugs could become a reality as a result of a study carried out by academics at the University of Hertfordshire.

27 Oct 2009

Vaccination rates need improvement; racial and ethnic disparities in vaccination coverage

More teenagers are being vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal meningitis and pertussis (whooping cough), though the rates are still too low, according to recently released government data and a panel of experts convened by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).

27 Oct 2009

USAID and USP join to combat substandard and counterfeit medicines

With substandard and counterfeit versions of medicines intended to treat life-threatening diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis posing a growing threat throughout the developing world, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) will expand their joint efforts to combat this menace by launching a new program over the next five years.

27 Oct 2009

Consumers concerned about H1N1 flu, to avoid shopping during holiday season

Nearly one in five consumers say their concern over the H1N1 flu will cause them to avoid shopping on traditionally busy retail days during the 2009 holiday season, according to a recent Morpace Omnibus Study.

27 Oct 2009

HHS releases new flu radio PSAs to promote flu prevention messages

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the availability of thirteen new 30-second flu radio public service announcements (PSA). These new radio messages feature 13 of America’s governors and Elmo from Sesame Street.

27 Oct 2009

New data on KAPIDEX for nighttime heartburn in adults with non-erosive GERD presented at the 2009 ACG

New data being presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego showed that treatment with KAPIDEX(TM) (dexlansoprazole) delayed release capsules over a four-week period resulted in a statistically significant greater percentage of nights without heartburn in subjects with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), compared to placebo (p<0.001).

27 Oct 2009

Genomics can provide insights in understanding emerging infectious disease

This week, the Public Library of Science, an open-access publisher, presents the "Genomics of Emerging Infectious Disease," a collection of essays, perspectives, and reviews that explores how genomics-with all its associated tools and techniques-can provide insights into our understanding of emerging infectious disease.

27 Oct 2009

New data from efficacy study of CIMZIA in Crohn's disease patients presented

New data from an open-label extension study evaluating the long-term safety and efficacy of CIMZIA® (certolizumab pegol) in moderate to severe Crohn's disease patients demonstrate that 82 percent of patients actively treated with CIMZIA - the only PEGylated anti-TNF-alpha (Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha) - remained in long-term remission without dose escalation up to 3.5 years.

27 Oct 2009

Rhode Island launches new system for tracking swine flu

At a press conference featuring healthcare leaders from throughout the state, Governor Donald L. Carcieri will announce that Rhode Island has launched a new system for tracking swine flu. Unprecedented in its approach, the system makes use of prescribing data provided by pharmacies throughout the state via a secure electronic link. In yet another first for the state and the nation, Rhode Island will also announce that it has now connected 100 percent of its retail pharmacies for e-prescribing.

27 Oct 2009

New Pandemic Influenza Stress Vaccine course for health-care workers

Experts know that a pandemic can increase stress-related absenteeism among health-care workers. To help prevent this, a team of Mount Sinai Hospital psychiatrists and nurses have developed The Pandemic Influenza Stress Vaccine, a computerized course for health-care workers worldwide to build their resilience during a pandemic.

27 Oct 2009

Stomach infection on the rise in outpatient settings; symptoms can range from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation

Mayo Clinic researchers have found that a sometimes deadly stomach bug, Clostridium difficile, (http://www.mayoclinic.org/c-difficile/) is on the rise in outpatient settings.

27 Oct 2009

Sperm can transmit HIV to macrophages and dendritic cells

Sperm, and not just the fluid it bathes in, can transmit HIV to macrophages, T cells, and dendritic cells (DCs), report a team led by Ana Ceballos at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina.

27 Oct 2009

President Obama declares H1N1 national emergency

President Barack Obama declared the H1N1 (swine) flu outbreak a national emergency, the Wall Street Journal reports. "The declaration, which Mr. Obama signed Friday, authorizes the administration to waive or modify certain federal requirements involving Medicare, Medicaid and health-privacy rules to speed treatment," the newspaper writes (McKay/Simpson/Whalen, 10/26).

26 Oct 2009

Also in Global Health News: Ghana, Nigeria Global Fund grants; CDC Director on global health role; African Peacekeepers and HIV/AIDS

Stabroek News reports on the recent news that Guyana received a $10 million grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The "six-year programme aims at strengthening critical areas in the system such as Mental Health; the Nursing Programme; Management and Development Programme; Surveillance and Monitoring Programme and Management and Information systems," the newspaper writes (10/23).

26 Oct 2009

Swine flu 'emergency' declaration could mean expedited care

President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency as the number of swine flu cases soars and vaccine production doesn't keep up with demand.

26 Oct 2009

Pritzker Olsen to represent 3-year-old child sickened with an E. coli O157:H7 infection

Pritzker Olsen law firm has been retained to represent a 3-year-old child sickened with an E. coli O157:H7 infection and hemolytic uremic syndrome. The child is believed to have contracted the illness at a local apple orchard/ petting zoo in the Twin Cities (MN) area. Preliminary testing indicates that the genetic fingerprint of the E .coli O157:H7 obtained from the child’s stool sample matches the genetic fingerprint of E. coli from llama feces tested at the petting zoo.

26 Oct 2009