The free Sickweather iOS app will provide you with real-time, geo-tagged alerts whenever you are about to enter a location in which a person has recently reported feeling ill.
“Choose from several illnesses, including Flu, Norovirus, Pink Eye and Whooping Cough,” the app’s creators explain.
“Sickweather uses a patent-pending process to track and map reports of illness … Reports are represented by blue “SICK” map markers — tap them for more information of exactly when they were reported.
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According to the Special Eurobarometer 407, ‘Antimicrobial resistance’ published in November 2013, most Europeans (84%) are aware that the overuse of antibiotics makes them ineffective [1]. However, the general knowledge of Europeans about antibiotics remains quite low and results in the misuse of these drugs. When asked questions about antibiotics and how they work, 49% of respondents replied that antibiotics kill viruses whereas 40% correctly replied that antibiotics do not kill viruses. More than one in ten (11%) could not answer the question. Only slightly more than half of those polled (52%) could reply correctly that antibiotics are not* effective against colds and influenza. Most respondents (66%) are aware that the use of antibiotics can cause side-effects but nearly one fifth (19%) cannot answer the question. The above responses illustrate the challenge of those who try to make Europeans have a more prudent attitude towards antibiotic use.
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Where does foodborne illness (commonly called food poisoning) originate? If you guessed “in the kitchen,” you’d be missing a big part of the picture. Although disease detectives can discover germs and toxins from contaminated food (that has made people sick) from the kitchens of private homes and restaurants—these places are not necessarily where harmful viruses and bacteria enter the food.
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The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is investigating the source of watercress contamination that caused an outbreak of E.coli O157 which sickened 19 people.
This occurred in August 2013
WATE TV reports that Deputies and Health Department workers swarmed a Knox County dairy farm Thursday after health officials say several children were sickened with E. coli linked to consuming raw milk.
The owner of McBee Dairy Farm on Strong Road in Mascot says he warns all her customers about the risk. Tennesseans can legally drink raw milk if they own the cow and McBee Dairy Farm is a privately owned cow-share operation.
At least three children were hospitalized with illness from E. coli.
At least 51 students and employees at Stanford University have been sickened in a suspected norovirus outbreak, according to a spokeswoman for Santa Clara County Public Health.
The outbreak appears to have originated in the dining hall of Florence Moore Hall. Students who dine at the hall began complaining of symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and nausea beginning Tuesday afternoon.
Four students received emergency care for dehydration, including intravenous fluids, but none were checked in to a hospital, according to public health information officer Amy Cornell.
Despite advances in water management and sanitation, waterborne disease outbreaks continue to occur in the United States. CDC collects data on waterborne disease outbreaks submitted from all states and territories* through the Waterborne Disease and Outbreak Surveillance System.† During 2009–2010, the most recent years for which finalized data are available, 33 drinking water–associated outbreaks were reported, comprising 1,040 cases of illness, 85 hospitalizations, and nine deaths. Legionella accounted for 58% of outbreaks and 7% of illnesses, and Campylobacter accounted for 12% of outbreaks and 78% of illnesses. The most commonly identified outbreak deficiencies§ in drinking water-associated outbreaks were Legionella in plumbing systems (57.6%), untreated ground water (24.2%), and distribution system deficiencies (12.1%), suggesting that efforts to identify and correct these deficiencies could prevent many outbreaks and illnesses associated with drinking water. In addition to the drinking water outbreaks, 12 outbreaks associated with other nonrecreational water** were reported, comprising 234 cases of illness, 51 hospitalizations, and six deaths. Legionella accounted for 58% of these outbreaks, 42% of illnesses, 96% of hospitalizations, and all deaths. Public health, regulatory, and industry professionals can use this information to target prevention efforts against pathogens, infrastructure problems, and water sources associated with waterborne disease outbreaks.
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NSW Health has confirmed an outbreak of salmonella in Sydney’s north after 11 patients were admitted to two hospitals since Wednesday.
The suspected cause is pork rolls from a northern suburbs bakery. NSW Food Authority today confirmed it had launched an investigation following a request from NSW Health.
Northern Sydney Local Health District said eight patients had been admitted to Hornsby Hospital this week after contracting salmonella. A further three patients were admitted to the Sydney Adventist Hospital nearby.
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Tagged Northern Sydney Local Health District, nsw food authority
If you have a dog or cat that became ill after eating jerky pet treats, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would like to hear from you or your veterinarian.
The agency has repeatedly issued alerts to consumers about reports it has received concerning jerky pet treat-related illnesses involving 3,600 dogs and 10 cats in the U.S. since 2007. Approximately 580 of those pets have died.
