(CNN)GlaxoSmithKline is recalling more than 590,000 albuterol inhalers. Three lots of Ventolin HFA 200D inhalers have been voluntarily recalled due to a potential issues with the delivery system, a spokesman for the British pharmaceutical company said.
The affected lot numbers are 6ZP0003, 6ZP9944 and 6ZP9848. The devices have been recalled from hospitals, pharmacies, retailers and wholesalers in the United States.

Thanks Lynn I checked my inhalers ,whew !! there all good it's also lucky I don't have to use Ventolin and we have a generic version witch I currently have as well as Ventolin and it works just as well as Ventolin and 2 bucks less in cost

Your welcome Darth. Happy you don't use Ventolin. I do and checked mine. They were OK.

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Rare but deadly mouse-borne virus increases in the spring

As the weather warms and people turn to spring cleaning and outdoor activities such as camping and hiking, they need to beware of a rare but deadly virus that is spread through mouse droppings and kills up to 40 percent of people who become infected, public health officials said.

The severe respiratory illness is known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, or HPS. In the United States, most of these cases are spread by deer mice, which live in woodland areas and deserts and are found throughout North America. People get the disease by breathing in hantavirus when dust from dried rodent urine, saliva and droppings is stirred up in the air, which can happen in houses, garages and cabins, especially while cleaning. People can also get it by touching mouse urine, droppings or nesting materials that contain the virus, and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.

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Edible ‘CRISPR pill’ could help combat superbugs, food scientist says.

A NEW take on a revolutionary gene-editing technology called CRISPR-Cas9 could help combat the spread of drug resistant superbugs, scientists say.

Researchers at a US university want to replicate the capability of CRISPR — which lets scientists edit human genes to remove nasty diseases — by creating a pill that does a similar thing by targeting bad bacteria, causing it to self destruct.

Specifically, the probiotic cocktail would “kill your bacteria of choice,” said food scientist Jan-Peter Van Pijkeren of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He believes the idea could be used to fight germs like Clostridium difficile, a bacterium that can cause fatal infections in hospitals and nursing homes.

According to the The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, C. difficile “has emerged as a serious worldwide public health threat, capable of causing a range of problems from mild diarrhoea to ... death.”

Cheers.

19 APRIL 2017 | GENEVA - WHO reports remarkable achievements in tackling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) since 2007. An estimated 1 billion people received treatment in 2015 alone.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/ntd-report/en/
Key achievements include:

* 1 billion people treated for at least one neglected tropical disease in 2015 alone.
* 556 million people received preventive treatment for lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis).
* More than 114 million people received treatment for onchocerciasis (river blindness: 62% of those requiring it.
* Only 25 human cases of Guinea-worm disease were reported in 2016, putting eradication within reach.
* Cases of human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) have been reduced from 37 000 new cases in 1999 to well under 3000 cases in 2015.
* Trachoma – the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness – has been eliminated as a public health problem in Mexico, Morocco, and Oman. More than 185 000 trachoma patients had surgery for trichiasis worldwide and more than 56 million people received antibiotics in 2015 alone.
* Visceral leishmaniasis: in 2015 the target for elimination was achieved in 82% of sub-districts in India, 97% of sub-districts in Bangladesh, and in 100% of districts in Nepal.
* Only 12 reported human deaths were attributable to rabies in the WHO Region of the Americas in 2015, bringing the region close to its target of eliminating rabies in humans by 2015.

Bill Gates: Terrorists could wipe out 30 million people by weaponising a disease like smallpox


A bioterrorist attack which could wipe out 30 million people is becoming increasingly likely because it is easier than ever to create and spread deadly pathogens, Bill Gates has warned.

The Microsoft Founder, who was speaking ahead of speech at the Royal United Services Institute in London (RUSI), warned that an outbreak of a lethal respiratory virus like smallpox would be more dangerous than even a nuclear attack.

janneseti and Wiggo, thanks for your links. :)

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Diet fizzy drinks linked to dementia and stroke

Consuming diet fizzy drinks every day almost triples the risk of developing dementia, a major new study suggests.

People who regularly drank artificially sweetened beverages are also more likely to suffer a stroke, but the full-fat equivalent is not associated with a greater risk of either condition.

Researchers have warned, however, not to treat sugary drinks as a healthy option, saying there may be an as yet undetected link between full-fat drinks, dementia and stroke.

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Recalls announced on Atkins burritos and Fritos chips

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Stop & Shop Supermarket Company is warning consumers about recalls on two products: Atkins Chicken with cheese and bean burritos, which contain egg and soy, and Fritos Lay's Kettle Cooked potato chips that have potential Salmonella contamination in the jalapeno seasoning.

FRITOS RECALL

Frito Lay recalled select Lay's Kettle Cooked potato chips that may contain Salmonella contamination in the jalapeno seasoning. The following products are included in this recall:

*Frito Lay 2 Go Bold Mix, 18.4 oz., UPC 2840064666 with a "use by" date of June20 or prior.

*Lays Kettle Cooked Variety Pack, 10.2 oz., UPC 2840062930 with a "use by" date of June 20 or prior Lays Kettle Cooked Potato Chips Jalapeno, 2.75 oz., UPC 2840043783 with a "guaranteed fresh" date of July 4 or prior.

*Lays Kettle Cooked Potato Chips Jalapeno, 13.5 oz., UPC 2840063218 with a "guaranteed fresh" date of JUL 4 or prior.

*Lays Kettle Cooked Potato Chips Jalapeno, 8 oz., UPC 2840037185 with a "guaranteed fresh" date of July 4 or prior.

Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.

The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within eight to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days.

Customers who have purchased these products should discard any unused portions and bring their purchase receipt to Stop & Shop for a full refund.

Consumers looking for additional information on the recall may call Frito Customer Service at 800-406-0096.

ATKINS BURRITOS RECALL

Request Foods, Inc. said the Atkins Chicken with Cheese and Bean Burritos packages are mislabeled. They contain egg and soy, which is not declared on the product label.

The specific recall is for Atkins Chicken with Cheese and Bean Burrito, 6 oz. plastic package, UPC 63748000989 with a "best by" date of Dec. 19, 2017 and an establishment number P-17644 inside the USDA mark of inspection.

People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg or soy may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

Symptoms of food allergies typically appear from within a few minutes to two hours after a person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic. Allergic reactions can include: hives; flushed skin or rash; tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth; face, tongue, or lip swelling; vomiting and/or diarrhea; abdominal cramps; coughing or wheezing; dizziness and/or lightheadedness; swelling of the throat and vocal cords; difficulty breathing; loss of consciousness.

Customers who have purchased this product should discard any unused portions and bring their purchase receipt to Stop & Shop for a full refund.

Consumers looking for additional information on the Atkins recall may call Request Foods Consumer Affairs at 844- 342-3400.

In addition, customers may call Stop & Shop Customer Service at 1-800-767-7772 for more information.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-corn-toxins-exclusive-idUSKBN17N2M5

Exclusive: Vomitoxin makes nasty appearance for U.S. farm sector

A fungus that causes “vomitoxin” has been found in some U.S. corn harvested last year, forcing poultry and pork farmers to test their grain, and giving headaches to grain growers already wrestling with massive supplies and low prices.

The plant toxin sickens livestock and can also make humans and pets fall ill.

The appearance of vomitoxin and other toxins produced by fungi is affecting ethanol markets and prompting grain processors to seek alternative sources of feed supplies.

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture first isolated the toxin in 1973 after an unusually wet winter in the Midwest. The compound was given what researchers described as the “trivial name” vomitoxin because pigs were refusing to eat the infected corn or vomiting after consuming it. The U.S. Corn Belt had earlier outbreaks of infection from the toxin in 1966 and 1928.

The spread of vomitoxin is concentrated in Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, and parts of Iowa and Michigan, and its full impact is not yet known, according to state officials and data gathered by food testing firm Neogen Corp. (NEOG.O)

In Indiana, 40 of 92 counties had at least one load of corn harvested last fall that has tested positive for vomitoxin, according to the Office of Indiana State Chemist's county survey. In 2015 and 2014, no more than four counties saw grain affected by the fungus.

And in a "considerable" share of corn crops tested in Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana since last fall's harvest, the vomitoxin levels have tested high enough to be considered too toxic for humans, pets, hogs, chickens and dairy cattle, according to public and private data compiled by Neogen. The company did not state what percent of each state's corn crop was tested.

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FDA cracks down on 'illegal' cancer treatments

(CNN) The US Food and Drug Administration calls it "cruel deception": companies promising desperate consumers that their products can cure cancer.
On Tuesday, the agency responsible for policing the American food and drug market issued warning letters to 14 companies that it says are "illegally selling more than 65 products that fraudulently claim to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure cancer."

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'Superbug' fungus new menace in US hospitals, mostly NY, NJ

A 'superbug' fungus is emerging as a new menace in U.S. hospitals, mostly in New York and New Jersey.

First identified in Japan in 2009, the fungus has spread to more than a dozen countries around the globe. The oldest of the 66 cases reported in the U.S. dates back to 2013, but most were reported in the last year.

The fungus called Candida auris is a harmful form of yeast. Scientists say it can be hard to identify with standard lab tests. U.S. health officials sounded alarms last year because two of the three kinds of commonly used antifungal drugs have little effect.

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A mysterious illness kills 11 young people in Liberia, where Ebola raged

World Health Organization officials said Friday that they are investigating a troubling report out of Liberia of a “cluster of unexplained illnesses and deaths” in an area several hours from Monrovia.

Since April 24, at least 17 people have fallen ill with fever, vomiting, headache, diarrhea. Eleven have died and five are still hospitalized at the Francis Grant Hospital in Greenville, Sinoe County, which is about 4.5 hours southeast of the capital. Most of the victims are younger than 21. While the symptoms appear to mimic those of Ebola in the early stages, specimens analyzed from seven of the people who died came back negative for the virus.

The WHO said rapid-response teams from the WHO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners have been sent to the area and are looking into reports that the victims may have attended the funeral of a religious leader.

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updated:


Liberia to Send Blood Samples Abroad in Latest Disease Outbreak


Monrovia — Liberia does not have the capacity to diagnose the latest disease outbreak which has already killed at least 11 persons in Sinoe County.

Nine infected persons are undergoing treatment. There are fears that the number may rise.

The country's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Francis Kateh told reporters Friday that the Health Ministry is considering sending blood samples broad for further testing.

According to Dr. Kateh, initial tests conducted to determine Ebola proved negative. However, the current laboratory is not equipped to determine food poison, which many suspect to be the cause of the sudden outbreak.

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Peripheral artery disease, PAD can cause gangrene.
The disease most commonly affects the legs.
In 2010 about 202 million people had PAD worldwide.
The main risk factor is cigarette smoking.[2] Other risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_artery_disease

If your legs look anything like the picture in the link below your in a bit of trouble

http://www.southernvascularspecialist.com.au/peripheral-arterial-disease.html

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Rare 'Superbug' Strikes Maryland Patient: CDC

A potentially dangerous "superbug" that is resistant to major treatments has infected a Maryland patient, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sixty-one cases of "Candida auris," a multi-drug-resistant fungus that is emerging globally, have been identified in six states, with the most cases in New York, according to the agency.

New York has had the most cases at 39, followed by 15 in New Jersey. The remaining states are Illinois, with four, and Indiana, Maryland and Massachusetts, each with one case. Medical experts say the fungus has been found on the skin and clothing of patients and hospital workers and can move from one person to another in hospitals, unlike other invasive yeast infections. Outbreaks are possible in medical facilities because the fungus can live on contaminated objects such as bedrails, chairs and other equipment, and on the hands of health care providers.

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Rare 'Superbug' Strikes Maryland Patient: CDC

A potentially dangerous "superbug" that is resistant to major treatments has infected a Maryland patient, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sixty-one cases of "Candida auris," a multi-drug-resistant fungus that is emerging globally, have been identified in six states, with the most cases in New York, according to the agency.

New York has had the most cases at 39, followed by 15 in New Jersey. The remaining states are Illinois, with four, and Indiana, Maryland and Massachusetts, each with one case. Medical experts say the fungus has been found on the skin and clothing of patients and hospital workers and can move from one person to another in hospitals, unlike other invasive yeast infections. Outbreaks are possible in medical facilities because the fungus can live on contaminated objects such as bedrails, chairs and other equipment, and on the hands of health care providers.

I found this about it so there is some thing people can do to stop the spread of it .

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/23/2/16-1320_article

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Mysterious Ebola-like illness kills 12 in Africa, WHO says

A mysterious illness with Ebola-like symptoms which appeared in southeast Liberia is now in the country’s capital, local authorities say. Both the government and the World Health Organization (WHO) put the revised death toll from the illness at 12.

According to Liberian Health Ministry spokesman Sorbor George “the illness has entered the capital,” with the WHO saying the total number of cases has risen to 25.


Thanks for the link, Glenn.

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Does not sound good Lyn lets hope Ebola hasn't Mutated and they can keep it under control now summer is coming .

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Does not sound good Lyn lets hope Ebola hasn't Mutated and they can keep it under control now summer is coming .

My thoughts exactly on Ebola mutating.

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climate change which is where this link belongs. Just decided to post it here.


Long-dormant bacteria and viruses, trapped in ice and permafrost for centuries, are reviving as Earth's climate warms

Throughout history, humans have existed side-by-side with bacteria and viruses. From the bubonic plague to smallpox, we have evolved to resist them, and in response they have developed new ways of infecting us.

We have had antibiotics for over a century, ever since Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin. In response, bacteria have responded by evolving antibiotic resistance. The battle is endless: because we spend so much time with pathogens, we sometimes develop a kind of natural stalemate.

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