Locally tailored public health messages dispel Ebola myths in Sierra Leone.

Locally tailored public health messages dispel Ebola myths in Sierra Leone. A two-way channel of communication, appointing community leaders as messengers and communication in local dialects were all instrumental in dispelling misconceptions about Ebola virus in Sierra Leone during the West African epidemic, study data showed. Denials of the seriousness of Ebola virus infection, as well as conspiracy theories suggesting that the outbreak had been created by either Sierra Leone’s government or western governments, were common at the beginning of the epidemic,

CDC offers updated guidance on screening, caring for newborns exposed to Zika.

CDC offers updated guidance on screening, caring for newborns exposed to Zika. The CDC recently updated its interim clinical guidance for infants born to mothers with possible Zika virus exposure, emphasizing the importance of a team-based approach, with close communication between obstetrical and pediatric care providers. This updated guidance provides instruction for three scenarios of potential maternal Zika exposure: Infants with clinical findings consistent with congenital Zika syndrome born to mothers possibly exposed to Zika; infants without clinical findings of Zika syndrome born to mothers with laboratory evidence of Zika infection; infants without clinical findings of Zika syndrome born to mothers with no laboratory evidence of Zika infection. ZIKA

Telecommunication: Northern Ireland launches avian flu text alert service.

Northern Ireland launches avian flu text alert service.New service designed to inform poultry keepers of disease outbreaks.

Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a new text alert service to inform poultry producers of any disease outbreaks. 

 The new system ‘goes live’ as Northern Ireland Chief Veterinary Officer for Robert Huey urges farmers and other bird keepers to remain vigilant to the threat of avian influenza as the migratory cycle begins.

Be vigilant about avian flu as bird migrations begin.

Be vigilant about avian flu as bird migrations begin.USDA chief veterinary officer advises closely monitoring flocks and using good biosecurity measures.Poultry producers in the United States are being advised to be on the lookout for signs of avian influenza as wild birds are beginning their fall migrations. Dr. Jack Shere, USDA chief veterinary officer and deputy administrator for Veterinary Services, said poultry farmers are at risk as wild ducks and geese that could be carrying the avian influenza virus are flying south for the winter. “Look to see if there’s any reduction in feed consumption, any decrease in egg production, any birds that just don’t act right that seem weak or separate themselves or just don’t act like they normally do,” Shere said. “Those are signs that things are different in the flock and they should do what they can to get that flock tested.” Avian

Africa attracts poultry investors’ interest.

Africa attracts poultry investors’ interest. Rabobank identifies African poultry sector as a market with potential for good returns on investment. While much of the investment in the growing global poultry sector has gone to Europe, the Americas and Asia, it may soon be Africa’s turn to attract investors, according to a new report from RaboResearch, the research arm of Rabobank. Annual growth in the global demand for poultry is well known to be growing rapidly – at a rate of more than 60 percent over the coming two decades. And the report, titled ‘Time for Africa: Capturing the African Poultry Investment Opportunity,’ indicates that the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for poultry meat and eggs will be 5.5 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively, in African countries. These rates exceed those for the animal protein sector generally, and for other meats. African poultry sector offers potential for good returns on investment Rabobank Senior Animal Protein Analyst, Nan-Dirk Mulder, says the demand for poultry products is driven in Africa, as elsewhere, by the shift of the rural population to cities, and a growing middle class. Poultry and eggs are relatively affordable and available as people shift away for vegetable-only diets, and consumers in Africa prefer poultry to other meats. From the farmer’s point of view, poultry enterprises are comparatively easy to start and to expand, thanks to the short payback times. And for feed producers that supply the poultry farmers, Mulder says that several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have the potential to increase the cultivation of crops for animal feeds – an important consideration as 70 percent of total production costs for broilers and eggs are attributable to nutrition. Poultry.

Infection prevention in hospitals: The importance of hand hygiene.

Infection prevention in hospitals: The importance of hand hygiene. Hand hygiene is described by many health care workers as the single most important tool in preventing the spread of health care-associated infections between patients. According to WHO, there are few definitive data on the patient-care activities that are most likely to transmit bacteria to health care worker (HCW) hands, but there have been several studies that identified many possibilities. Although bacteria have been found on HCW hands after activities such as wound care, intravascular catheter care, respiratory tract care and handling patient secretions as expected, bacteria also have been found on HCW hands after so-called “clean” contact, such as taking a patient’s pulse, temperature or blood pressure. Organisms found on HCW hands after such patient contact range from Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium difficile, MRSA and gram-negative bacteria. However, direct patient contact is not the only way HCW hands can be contaminated. HCWs can acquire bacteria on their hands by touching contaminated surfaces in the patient environment and simply by touching a contaminated chart at the nurses’ station, according to the literature. Washing hands before and after patient contact seems like a simple solution to prevent the spread of bacteria between patients. Most hospitals have hand hygiene policies in place that guide their employees to do just that. But it is not as simple as it seems. Hospital

Preventing foodborne disease a ‘farm to fork issue’.

Preventing foodborne disease a ‘farm to fork issue’. Some restaurants in the United States have begun serving raw chicken. Chicken sashimi, chicken tartare — dishes that might make an infectious disease physician queasy with thoughts of Salmonella poisoning — are being eaten by customers in the U.S. “That’s Russian roulette,” Timothy F. Jones, MD,Infectious Disease News Editorial Board member and state epidemiologist for the Tennessee Department of Health, said in an interview. Likewise, Kirk Smith, DVM, MS, PhD, manager of the foodborne, waterborne, vector-borne and zoonotic diseases section at the Minnesota Department of Health, said raw chicken, no matter how it is sourced or prepared, is too dangerous to consume. “Pathogens are common on raw chicken,” Smith said. “If that becomes more of a widespread practice, I guarantee you we will see outbreaks.” Chicken