* Lake squatters key to fixing Philippine flooding: official Oct 9, 2009
The government has warned that disease outbreaks are highly likely for those living in the shelters, as well as in the flooded areas around Laguna, because of unsanitary conditions. This story has been viewed 343 times. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Aid reaches quake victims in Indonesia Oct 8, 2009
In the provincial capital of Padang, the search for the dead and treatment of injuries have given way to clearing debris and trying to prevent disease outbreaks. In more remote areas, the situation remains more desperate. (MSNBC -- International)
NY to enforce ban on burning Oct 8, 2009
individual open fires to control plant and animal disease outbreaks as approved by DEC upon the request by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets. open fires as necessary to control invasive plant and insect species. (Catskill Daily Mail, NY)
Indonesia mulls declaring villages mass graves Oct 7, 2009
There were no signs of disease outbreaks, despite shortages of drinking water and the hundreds of decaying bodies that remain buried beneath the rubble. "We're not seeing any rise in the reported incidence of communicable diseases, and that's a very good thing," Lavy said. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Medical Ethics Experts Identify, Address Key Issues In H1N1 Pandemic Oct 5, 2009
Likewise, at the international level, "countries need to be able to trust each other to be transparent and honest about infectious disease outbreaks. "Reciprocally, countries that do not trust the international community to be fair and to provide assistance may fear things such as economic loss as a consequence of having open and honest communications about outbreaks. The result may be that they chose not to be transparent with the global community. (Science Daily)
Typhoon Parma kills 15 in the Philippines Oct 4, 2009
International aid has been trickling in, although authorities said many areas remain under-served amid warnings of disease outbreaks in overcrowded camps. The agriculture department said the two storms had caused at least 5. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Congressional panel cuts funds for animal ID program Oct 3, 2009
Backers of a national animal ID system say it is needed primarily to trace animal disease outbreaks ... "We certainly recognize the need for animal identification to deal with the potential for livestock disease outbreaks," Hickman said. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Fresh quake near Tonga, tsunami toll nears 200 Oct 2, 2009
Aid officials have warned of disease outbreaks with more than 1,000 people crowded into makeshift camps around Apia and a lack of fresh water. (Additional reporting by Baris Atayman in Samoa, Adrian Bathgate and Mantik Kusjanto in Wellington, Rob Taylor and James Grubel in Canberra and Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles). (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
Wests sensitivity to D.C. parks use of forest fundsunderstandableBut it doesnt appear to be a raid on firefighting money Sep 30, 2009
8 million in federal stimulus funds originally designated to restore forest health conditions on federal, state, and private forest and rangelands recovering from fires, forest insects and disease outbreaks would be spent on park projects in the nation s capital. The report sparked instant indignation from some western states lawmakers who saw it as an attempt to divert fire fighting funds that were badly needed in the West. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
UN: More To Go Hungry In Eastern Africa Sep 22, 2009
The agency said that forced migrations in search of water and pasture have worsened livestock conditions, increased disease outbreaks and worsened conflicts in the area. Worldwide, the number of hungry people is estimated to have reached 1. (CBS News -- World)
Fighting disease outbreaks with 2-way health information exchange Sep 22, 2009
Rapid, secure two-way exchange of health information between medical care providers and public health officials is critical to dealing with disease outbreaks, bioterrorism incidents, illness from food borne contaminants, and other threats. Doctors, medical laboratories, and hospitals need efficient ways to inform public health agencies about emerging risks, and public health officials need effective approaches to monitoring, detecting, and informing medical providers about outbreaks. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
West Africa: Floods Could Trigger Disease Outbreaks, Warns UN Sep 16, 2009
com: West Africa: Deadly Floods Could Trigger Disease Outbreaks, UN Agency Warns (Page 1 of 1). Deadly Floods Could Trigger Disease Outbreaks, UN Agency Warns. (allAfrica.com)
* PRC eroding freedoms in Taiwan, HK Sep 12, 2009
Reporting on disease outbreaks, economic conditions, market and trading information, and, of course, issues of corruption and human violations X virtually any subject that might highlight shortcomings in the political system and cause embarrassment to the government X remains a legitimate target of suppression in the eyes of the governments vast censorship system. Even more important than the treatment of American and other foreign journalists in China is the threat the domestic censorship... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Changing the guard Sep 12, 2009
MAS faces new challenges from volatile crude oil prices, heavy discounting due to brutal competition, disease outbreaks, further liberalisation of the skies and more. For Azmil, he will soon realise that theres a huge difference between being part of a team and leading one. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
* Group launches campaign to gather prayers for Taiwan Sep 10, 2009
Shih invited people to pray for Taiwan to help it tide over disasters, including disease outbreaks, such as the A(H1N1) flu epidemic. Small individual wishes can converge into big power, she said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Is a Swine Flu Outbreak Getting Close? Ask Your iPhone Sep 9, 2009
Created by researchers at Children's Hospital Boston, the new app, called Outbreaks Near Me, gives users real-time information about the type and scope of any new disease outbreaks in their area. Related. (Time.com)
The mysterious equilibrium of zombies Sep 6, 2009
Standard modeling techniques for disease outbreaks weren t quite sufficient, the authors found. The key difference between the models presented here and other models of infectious disease, they wrote, is that the dead can come back to life. (Boston Globe)
Canine Influenza Virus Infection Sep 6, 2009
It should be remembered that canine influenza is more likely to occur in dogs which are placed in kennel situations (pet shops, veterinary hospitals, pounds, shelters, day care programs, boarding kennels) and attention to sanitary measures in these facilities is mandatory to help prevent disease outbreaks. A new has recently become available and may be recommended for dogs at risk of exposure to the influenza virus. (Suite101.com)
Swine Flu? There's an App for That Sep 3, 2009
A new app for the iPhone promises to help users track disease outbreaks. (Handout). (ABC News)
New iPhone application tracks disease outbreaks Sep 3, 2009
HealthMap, founded in 2006, tracks and maps infectious disease outbreaks through news reports, personal accounts, official alerts, blogs and chat rooms. Product Categories. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
Those Blinded By Brain Injury May Still 'See' Sep 3, 2009
(May 29, 2006) Orange juice and other foods traditionally not associated with foodborne disease outbreaks can still be a source of disease, although rare. Public health officials should be aware of this possibility. (Science Daily)
East-West Center awarded $1.4M for avian-flu study Sep 2, 2009
"The outcomes will be useful in designing policies for preventing and managing infectious disease outbreaks in Vietnam and other developing nations." ... Previous research suggests that disease outbreaks are associated with environmental changes that occur as societies evolve ... The findings from this study will help inform the Emerging Infectious Disease research community about the significance of development-based environmental change and perceived human risks in disease outbreaks. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Disease Threat May Change How Frogs Mate Sep 1, 2009
31, 2009) Dr Amber Teacher, studying a post-doctorate at Royal Holloway, University of London, has discovered evidence that a disease may be causing a behavioural change in frogs. The research, published in the August edition of Molecular Ecology , has unearthed a surprising fact about our long-tongued friends: wild frogs in the UK may be changing their mating behaviour. (Science Daily)
* Disease outbreaks in Papua New Guinea kill 47 people Sep 1, 2009
Disease outbreaks in Papua New Guinea kill 47 people. AFP, PORT MORESBY Tuesday, Sep 01, 2009, Page 5. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
* Liu seeks input from Aboriginal heads Aug 27, 2009
Liu also reassured residents of villages in Linbian Township (L), where gutters and drains remain badly clogged by mud, that they would be cleaned up by next Monday, adding that the government would temporarily evict residents to facilitate disinfection work and prevent disease outbreaks. Meanwhile, the premier said that the government would set up an alert system in mudslide-prone areas so that village chiefs could evacuate residents or take other actions to prevent future disasters. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Satellites Used to Predict Infectious Disease Outbreaks Aug 25, 2009
Ford and a group of experts have co-authored (pdf), due out next month in Emerging Infectious Diseases, that proposes making use of environmental data tracked via satellite to predict disease outbreaks. "As changes, and even with many of our weather patterns, [it] directly affects the distribution of disease," Ford says. (Scientific American)
Maryland hospitals to share data on swine flu, other diseases Aug 25, 2009
The system gathers symptom data reported in hospital emergency rooms to track disease outbreaks, public health emergencies and suspicious patterns of illness that could serve as an early warning for chemical and bioterrorism attacks. The data will be shared among the 46 hospitals. (Baltimore Business Journal, MD)
Twitter and health care -- can a tweet a day keep the doctor away? Aug 25, 2009
This has obvious advantages for sharing time-critical information such as disaster alerts and drug safety warnings, tracking disease outbreaks, or disseminating healthcare information. Twitter applications are available to help patients find out about clinical trials, for example, or to link brief news alerts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reliable websites that provide more detailed information. (EurekAlert!)
Doctors offer audio advice on childhood shots Aug 22, 2009
Experts say that increases the risk of disease outbreaks. To listen to the series, go to http://www. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Kenya: Food Keeps Schools Open Aug 22, 2009
This could trigger waterborne diseases, increase resource-based conflict, disease outbreaks and displacement of people due to high mobility among pastoral communities. Relevant Links. (allAfrica.com)
* Delays in relief efforts exacerbated the disaster Aug 20, 2009
Work to restore running water and electricity, repair roads, dole out subsidies, relocate homeless families, prevent disease outbreaks and clear rubble and mud is chaotic. It is frightening to speculate on how the reconstruction effort will proceed. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Improving Air Force Situational Awareness With Smart Satellite Imagery Aug 14, 2009
(July 8, 2008) Could Internet discussion forums, listservs and online news outlets be an informative source of information on disease outbreaks. A team of researchers from Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard. (Science Daily)
Somalia: Humanitarian Crisis 'At New Low' Aug 13, 2009
Many such families were facing hunger and disease outbreaks because of unsafe water. For Somalis who have fled to neighbouring Kenya, congestion is the main problem in the three refugee camps in Dadaab. (allAfrica.com)
Ocean Health Plays Vital Role In Coral Reef Recovery Aug 12, 2009
(July 27, 2009) Scientists say conditions are favorable for significant coral bleaching and infectious coral disease outbreaks in the Caribbean, especially in the Lesser Antilles. Similar conditions may develop in. (Science Daily)
* Agricultural losses exceed NT$5 billion Aug 11, 2009
To reduce possibility of disease outbreaks and pest manifestations to a minimum, the Environmental Protection Administrations (EPA) Department of Environmental Sanitation and Toxic Substance Management Director-General Yuan Shaw-ying (K^) urged people to begin cleaning up as soon as possible, starting with waste that rots easily. The EPA has contacted environmental protection bureaus of local governments and asked that they begin work now. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Taiwan)
How clout really works in Congress Aug 11, 2009
He has embraced other advantages of being on the committee, such as keeping tabs on issues important to his state, including a national animal identification system to track livestock disease outbreaks. While funding for the program was knocked out of the Agriculture spending bill (HR 2997) in the House, the Senate retained it, though at a lower spending level. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Using stickers to trace food Aug 3, 2009
He said that, independent of any government mandate, big grocery and warehouse stores have been pressuring growers to create some way to prove that produce doesn't come from areas where there have been disease outbreaks. "If there is a product recall, you want to be able to identify and communicate to the government, to the retailer and to the public that this product does not have to be pulled from the shelves and is safe to eat," he said. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Mailbag: Protect birds, from cars? (July 27) Jul 28, 2009
Do we euthanize the bird feeders responsible for disease outbreaks that kill birds by the thousand. Should we chop down the radio and cell towers that kill birds by the thousand. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Coral Bleaching Likely In Caribbean Jul 28, 2009
ScienceDaily (July 27, 2009) Scientists from NOAA s Coral Reef Watch Program say conditions are favorable for significant coral bleaching and infectious coral disease outbreaks in the Caribbean, especially in the Lesser Antilles. The forecast is based on the July NOAA Coral Reef Watch outlook, which expects continued high water temperatures through October 2009. (Science Daily)
Risky business Jul 28, 2009
Geographic and environmental boundaries that once protected us from widespread disease outbreaks are no more, says William Karesh ... As modern transportation is made available to more of the world, geographic boundaries that once protected us from remote disease outbreaks are nearly obsolete. (BBC News -- Science)
Warm Caribbean, Gulf threatening corals Jul 24, 2009
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coral Reef Watch network said the conditions may lead to coral disease outbreaks and bleaching, when the stressed organisms expel the colorful algae living in their tissues, leaving a whitish color. Coral bleaching that lasts more than a week can kill the organisms, since they rely on the algae for sustenance, leading to the loss of reef habitat for numerous marine species. (MSNBC -- Environment)
USDA Unveils Comprehensive Look At Beef Cow-Calf Industry Practices (2) Jul 19, 2009
The National Animal identification System (NAIS) is a voluntary program to create a database for use during livestock disease outbreaks. It s designed to track animals in order to swiftly contain disease. (Agri-View, WI)
Kenya: Warning Over Conditions At Dadaab Camp Jul 18, 2009
Nairobi The process of decongesting chronically overcrowded camps hosting Somali refugees in Dadaab, northeastern Kenya, should be speeded up to check disease outbreaks and rising tensions with the local community, an official of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned. "Disease outbreaks is one of the current issues we are tackling; in the Hagadera camp [where IRC runs a hospital and four health posts] there are 35 cases of measles already," Kellie Leeson, IRC's country director said at... (allAfrica.com)
UN seeks donor help to address health situation in Somalia Jul 17, 2009
It said poor coverage of health care is leading to more frequent communicable disease outbreaks, rising rates of severe acute malnutrition, and falling immunization rates, among other effects. The alert followed a similar one issued by the humanitarian organizations in Somalia which are seeking 11 million U.S. dollars to meet the emergency water and sanitation needs of those who have fled Mogadishu in recent weeks. (Xinhuanet, China)
Somalia: Health Situation Crumbles - UN Jul 17, 2009
Poor coverage of health care is leading to more frequent communicable disease outbreaks, rising rates of severe acute malnutrition, and falling immunization rates, among other effects. Relevant Links. (allAfrica.com)
New Forest Service chief faces big issuesWe hope a visit to the local areas red zone will be on the agenda Jul 7, 2009
He s been a member of the Forest Service for 32 years in a variety of posts, including Montana, which has had major disease outbreaks and disastrous forest fires. He s the third straight Forest Service chief from the system s Northern Region, which includes 25 million acres and 12 national forests in five states. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
Clean, dirty beaches tracked Jul 5, 2009
Most waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States occur during the summer, when Americans are most likely to be exposed to contaminated beach water. Experts estimate that as many as 7 million Americans get sick every year from drinking or swimming in water contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites. (MSNBC -- Environment)
MARSHFIELD REED'S ARK: The limitations of maps Jul 3, 2009
There are maps of good fishing grounds, expected weather, transit systems, disease outbreaks and voting patterns, and the list is as endless as human imagination. There are even maps of imaginary places. (Marshfield Mariner, MA)
House passes field burn ban Jun 30, 2009
The only exceptions are for steep terrain in the Silverton hills and for disease outbreaks that can t be managed any other way. Rep. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Specialty food firms could feel brunt of increased regulation Jun 27, 2009
A series of food-borne disease outbreaks in spinach, peanuts and peppers, to name a few not only has sickened and killed American consumers, but has shaken public confidence in the industry that produces one of our most basic and important commodities. And it has laid bare unacceptable gaps in our food safety laws, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif. (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)
House moves to improve food safety Jun 18, 2009
A series of food-borne disease outbreaks - in spinach, peanuts, and peppers to name a few - has not only sickened and killed American consumers but has shaken public confidence in the industry that produces one of our most basic and important commodities, said Representative Henry A. Waxman, the committee chairman and a California Democrat. And it has laid bare unacceptable gaps in our food safety laws. (Boston Globe)
Could rift over Ariz. budget lead to shutdown of state services? Jun 17, 2009
The Department of Health Services would suspend operations, preventing officials from conducting investigations and tracking disease outbreaks at the state level. Coordinating the response to cases such as the recent swine-flu outbreak would be left to counties. (AZCentral -- News)
National animal ID? Not quite yet Jun 16, 2009
With the capabilities we have today, there s no reason controlling disease outbreaks quickly and efficiently can t be managed with an enhanced animal identification system. It s estimated the program would cost in the neighborhood of 190 million on an annual basis. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Flu severity key for pandemic phase decisions: WHO experts Jun 6, 2009
WHO Director General Margaret Chan can consult the panel during severe disease outbreaks. The UN health agency reiterated that it was maintaining the pandemic alert level at five out of six, signalling that a pandemic is "imminent.". (Yahoo! Asia News)
Health IT needs more functionality, CIO says Jun 5, 2009
IHS CIO Cullen says improved health IT could help track disease outbreaks ... One needed tool is the ability to use up-to-date clinical health data to serve as a relatively fast indicator of emerging disease outbreaks, such as swine flu, she said. (FCW.com)
In The Turf War Against Seaweed, Coral Reefs More Resilient Than Expected Jun 4, 2009
The problem with too much seaweed, researchers say, is that it can smother the baby corals, reducing the ability of reefs to recover from other disturbances such as hurricanes and disease outbreaks. Over recent decades, there have been several dramatic examples of such shifts, with one of the most widely known and striking cases occurring in the Caribbean in the 1980s. (Science Daily)
Big Food Under Fire Jun 4, 2009
On the other hand, proposed mandatory participation in systems like the , which is designed to track disease outbreaks in livestock, could put many small producers. Page: 1 | Big Food Under Fire: Industrial agriculture shouldn't worry about the government. (Slate)
University of Maryland School of Medicine awarded $20M from NIH Jun 3, 2009
The institute will use the funding to sequence and analyze the genomes of bioterrorism agents and disease outbreaks, such as swine flu or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The research could lead to the creation of new drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tools to treat infectious diseases. (Baltimore Business Journal, MD)
Central Africa: Scientists Find More Signs of Bats' Role in Ebola May 30, 2009
Bats spread the Ebola virus to humans and play a pivotal role in disease outbreaks, evidence suggests. Ebola, a filovirus, causes fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and sometimes bleeding. (allAfrica.com)
Death toll rises in South Asia cyclone May 30, 2009
CALCUTTA - Hundreds of thousands of people flooded out of their homes by deadly Cyclone Aila crowded government shelters in eastern India and Bangladesh yesterday, and officials said the risk of disease outbreaks was growing. The death toll from Monday's cyclone rose to 264 people in the two countries. (Boston Globe)
Refusing Immunizations Puts Children At Increased Risk Of Pertussis Infection, Study Finds May 29, 2009
The study findings are important for parents who cite low risk of infection as a reason to choose fewer or no immunizations, and for researchers who are concerned that decreased immunization rates could lead to more disease outbreaks across the country. "This study helps dispel one of the commonly held beliefs among vaccine-refusing parents: that their children are not at risk for vaccine preventable diseases," said study lead author Jason Glanz, Ph. (Science Daily)
Well Water Can Pose Health Risks To Young Children May 29, 2009
12, 2007) Disease outbreaks sometimes originate from a source that most people in the United States and other developed countries trust unquestioningly: drinking water. However, there is much we do not know. (Science Daily)
Concerns over animal ID program to be heard May 29, 2009
Animal health officials say such a system could help track and limit disease outbreaks. The South Dakota Cattlemen's Association favors a mandatory individual animal ID system for breeding stock -- cows and bulls -- as a first step toward tracking disease effectively, said Executive Director Jodie Hickman. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Emergency management group takes shape in Watertown May 28, 2009
The information was intended to help the officials, member of the town's newly formed Emergency Management Coalition, in the event of communicable disease outbreaks in Watertown. Watertown is facing its own right now, albeit small, with. (Watertown TAB & Press, MA)
Facebook, Twitter Vital Sites During Health Scares May 28, 2009
Launched in a beta trial in early March, the online application aims to track real-time disease outbreaks in a variety of U.S. and global cities using sickness-related keywords in tweets from the Twitter site ... Social media providers themselves also are offering new tools to track the progress of disease outbreaks and online discussions about them ... Disease outbreaks aside, social media has a huge potential for empowering people to take charge of their own health, Parr said. (SmartMoney)
