Like a cat softly entering a room on cushioned paws, a new killer may be stalking the land. Known as NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta- lactamase 1) this gene fragment becomes deadly whenever it gets inserted into a bacterium’s genetic structure. If a bacteria strain carries the NDM-1 gene, it is resistant to nearly all antibiotics, … Continue reading
With most of the national attention focused on job creation and the economy these days, it’s easy to see why not much press is being devoted to other issues. Among these would be the potential effects resulting from a virulent outbreak of pandemic flu! In the scenario I’ll cover here, the Avian flu makes a … Continue reading
When it comes to the control of the avian flu virus H5N1 in New Deli, India, I am somehow not as assured by the control measures as I thought I might be. Take a recent outbreak that occurred on September the 7th involving rural backyard poultry. The control measure employed as follows: ‘Stamping out of … Continue reading
‘Know your enemy’, a saying derived from Sun Tzu’s The art of War, aptly describes what could be described as a war between infectious viruses and men. In the case of the virus that causes the flu, what you don’t know can make you very sick or even end in death! [more]
150 Million BC – I am a Tyrannosaurus Rex. A dinosaur roaming the earth, doing as I please. Confident that I am the top dog and will continue to be the big kahuna over all I see! Hell, I’ve lasted for over 150 million years haven’t I? That’s a damn long time, man! Chomp Chomp! … Continue reading
I was brought up to believe that one of the most sterile foods, one of the longest lasting in the fridge was the ubiquitous egg. As a hiker, I still remember that an egg can be taken with you in an unrefrigerated state for as long as two weeks and still be safe to eat! … Continue reading
On any given year, the US produces over 300 million tons of animal waste in it numerous CAFO or Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. One of the larger sites may house over 800,000 pigs at any one time. CAFO’s are known for their cramped conditions where animals are forced to live shoulder to shoulder for the … Continue reading
The Florida Health Department recently confirmed 24 cases of dengue fever in Key West through mid-July. Of those, 18 involved Key West residents, five were residents of other Florida counties and one case involved a resident of another state. In addition, 49 “imported” cases of dengue fever are reported in Florida. (Those cases involved people … Continue reading
