HSE Safety Alert issued
HSE has issued a safety alert highlighting the increased risks of primary containment loss associated with dead-legs that may be present on process pipe-work. LINK
Hospital deep clean as baby skin infection detected
A small number of babies at a Belfast hospital have been found to have pseudomonas on their skin. The infants involved were being treated in the neonatal unit of the Royal Jubilee Maternity Service. Although the bacteria was found on their skin, it does not mean the babies were infected. Staff have put in place… Read more »
Three more cases of legionnaires’ disease confirmed in Moncton
The outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in the Moncton area is not over as three new cases are confirmed, bringing the total number of cases to 12. “Since our last update, we’ve had three additional cases reported to public health,” said Dr. Yves Leger, the regional medical officer of health. “We’ve had two cases reported this… Read more »
Virginia county confirms 10 Legionnaires’ disease cases, investigation into possible source of exposure
Health officials in a Virginia county are investigating an increase of Legionnaires’ disease cases. The Virginia Department of Health on Thursday announced that the Chesterfield Health District (CHD) is investigating an increase in Legionnaires disease cases in the northeast part of the county. The Virginia DOH said in a statement there have been 10 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease since… Read more »
‘ONE HOUR TO LIVE’ Brit dad fighting for his life after getting Legionnaires diseases at same hotel where two UK nationals died
A BRITISH dad was left fighting for his life after contracting Legionnaires’ disease at the same hotel where two other guests died from the same bug. Scot James Cooper, 59, was given just an hour to live before lapsing into a four-day coma when he returned from the Kalofer Hotel, in Bulgaria, last year. His… Read more »
Legionnaires’ disease: Second Bulgaria holidaymaker dies after trip
Two British holidaymakers have died from Legionnaires’ disease after returning home from the same hotel in Bulgaria, it has emerged. Brian Taylor, 75, from Huddersfield, died in July, a month after holidaying at the Hotel Kalofer. It follows the death of John Cowan 43, from Lanarkshire, who had also been staying at the same hotel in… Read more »
Contractor warned school officials of uncleaned HVAC units
Months before the Virginia Department of Health began investigating an increase in cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Chesterfield, the contractor hired to service HVAC units at county schools repeatedly alerted school officials about significant maintenance problems and recommended testing for Legionella bacteria, documents show. The school system has come under fire in recent weeks after… Read more »
World health report raises concerns about microplastics in drinking water
Just when you thought it was safe to drink bottled water, a new U.N. report raises concerns about what you may be consuming: tiny particles of microplastics. The just-published 124-page report from the World Health Organization (WHO) is the first major international study to examine the potential human health risks caused by exposure to microplastics… Read more »
Man dies of Legionnaires’ disease after Bulgarian holiday
A man from Lanarkshire has died from Legionnaires’ disease after returning home from holiday in Bulgaria. John Cowan, from Hamilton, died in June a week after falling ill at the Hotel Kalofer in the Sunny Beach resort. The 43-year-old’s family believe he contracted the airborne bacteria at the hotel and are threatening legal action against… Read more »
In Cystic Fibrosis, Lungs Feed Deadly Bacteria
In cystic fibrosis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a much-feared pathogen. The bacterium easily colonizes the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis, leading to chronic infections that are almost impossible to eradicate and are ultimately fatal. Why does P. aeruginosa, but not other common bacteria, thrive in cystic fibrosis lungs? A new study from researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians… Read more »
