Botulism
What is botulism?
How is botulism spread?
Is botulism spread from person to person?
How can botulism be prevented?
What are the symptoms?
How is botulism treated?
Is there a vaccine to prevent infection from the botulism toxin?
What is botulism?
Botulism is a rare disease caused by a toxin produced by the spore-forming bacterium Clostridium botulinum. C. botulinum occurs naturally and can be found in soil, water, animals, contaminated food or agricultural products. The toxin produced by C. botulinum is the most potent toxin known and can affect humans, animals, even fish.
Frequently Asked Questions: Avian Influenza
What is avian influenza?
Avian influenza is a contagious viral infection that can affect all species of birds but can, less commonly, infect mammals. While all bird species are thought to be susceptible to infection, domestic poultry flocks are especially vulnerable to infections that can rapidly turn into epidemics. Wild birds may carry influenza viruses without becoming ill due to natural resistance. Wild waterfowl present a natural reservoir for these viruses and can be responsible for the primary introduction of infection into domestic poultry. Further evolution of these viruses amongst poultry may result in strains that are capable of causing a wide range of clinical illness, from no symptoms to a severe epidemic that kills up to 100 percent of infected birds.
Is avian influenza transmissible to humans?
People have contracted avian flu and limited, inefficient human-to-human transmission is suspected in some cases. To date, the avian influenza viruses that have caused illness in people include the H5N1, H7N7, H7N3 and H9N2 subtypes, with H5N1 associated with the most serious illness in humans.
HIV Transmission in Prison
Until recently, few data were available on how many prisoners become infected in prison. The data that were available suggested that “transmission does occur in correctional facilities, but at quite low rates.” This was sometimes used to argue that HIV transmission in prisons is rare and that there is no need for increased prevention efforts.
However, most of the studies that have reported relatively low levels of HIV transmission in prison were conducted early in the HIV epidemic and sampled long-term prisoners who would have been at less risk of infection than short-term prisoners. The extent of HIV infection occurring in prisons may have been underestimated. In recent years, a growing number of studies undertaken in Scotland, Australia, Lithuania, and Russia have shown how frighteningly quickly HIV can spread behind bars. Two of these studies are summarized in more detail here.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a common and important health problem among seniors in Canada. The number of individuals with COPD will likely increase in the future because of the aging population. While cigarette smoking is the principal cause of COPD, workplace exposures and outdoor air pollution contribute to the development or the exacerbation of COPD. Exposure of the fetus and young child to environmental tobacco smoke and repeated respiratory infections contributes to a decrease in lung function that can contribute to COPD in later life.
As their disease progresses, individuals with COPD experience a reduced quality of life due to limited activity levels caused by an increase in shortness of breath. Their families face not only the challenge of providing an increasing level of care, but also the difficulty of watching the relentless progression of the disease in their loved one. The costs associated with COPD affect the family, the health care system, and the community as a whole with loss in productivity and the need for additional services.
New drug formulation may help drug addicts quit
An injectable, sustained-release formulation of naltrexone is a safe and effective treatment for patients who are addicted to opioid drugs, such as heroin, new research suggests.
Naltrexone in oral form is very effective in preventing and reversing the effects of opioid drugs. However, it has not been particularly useful because patients often stop taking it, according to the report in the Archives of General Psychiatry. The development of a longer lasting naltrexone formulation has renewed interest in this drug.
New drugs, deals seen boosting biotech in 2006
The biotechnology sector looks set to grow again in 2006, helped by new drug approvals, a relative lack of generic competition and the eagerness of big drug companies to partner with—or acquire—those with products at early stages of development, analysts said.
“It’s been about three years since biotech bottomed out, and this bull period feels much more controlled and sustainable than others,” said Eric Schmidt, an analyst at SG Cowen & Co.
Over the next three days executives from more than 30 biotechnology companies will discuss the future of their new products, the potential for collaborations, and the regulatory environment at the Reuters Biotechnology Summit to be held in London, Boston and Los Angeles.
Tis the Season for Asthma
The onset of winter often bodes ill for asthma sufferers. Cold temperatures and dry air can trigger asthma attacks, especially during outdoor exercise, said James Bonner, M.D., UAB professor of pulmonary medicine. And forced air heating systems can stir up dust mites and prompt allergic reactions that exacerbate asthma. Bonner also said viral infections such as influenza are particularly hard on asthmatics. A bad bout with the flu can be a serious setback, so Bonner said a flu shot is a good idea for asthma patients.
Kids, Sports and Head Injuries
With spring football practice comes injuries, including head injuries. The signs of a concussion aren’t always obvious, said UAB neuropsychologist Paul Blanton, Ph.D., who directs the UAB Sports-Related Concussion Clinic and Research Program. “The biggest mistake parents and coaches make is that if the child isn’t knocked unconscious or dazed over an extended period of time, they tend to dismiss the possibility of a concussion.” Blanton says loss of consciousness during a game is rare. The more subtle signs of concussion can include irritability, headache and drowsiness. Blanton warns parents against dismissing or ignoring complaints or symptoms and to seek a medical evaluation.
Using Cell Phones to Teach Pandemic Flu Preparedness
A team from the University of Illinois at Chicago has developed the first interactive tool using mobile phones to educate the public about pandemic flu.
The free, interactive media—called Mobile PanFlu Prep—will be demonstrated at the Local, State and Federal Public Health Preparedness Summit Feb. 22-24 in Washington.
Public launch is March 1.
