Daily Archives: July 5, 2013

pandemic

Measles rise sparks vaccine debate in Germany | Germany | DW.DE | 06.07.2013

Measles are extremely contagious. The virus spreads through respiration, or contact with fluids from an infected person’s nose and mouth, such as while speaking, coughing or sneezing. The contact does not have to be direct, as the virus can remain active for hours. 

Measles infections are particularly dangerous for infants under one year of age. “One in 5,000 infants develops subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. This degenerative encephalitis, if not treated in its intial stage, is always fatal. Parents whose children receive such a diagnosis can only watch them die,” said Mankertz.

via Measles rise sparks vaccine debate in Germany | Germany | DW.DE | 06.07.2013.

Adults who play politics or guesswork about vaccinations for children should have to view the children who die and face their parents!

Urbanfarm

Kids to try farming in the Iron Age – Top stories – Scotsman.com

Entitled The Iron Age Farming and Fashion Project, ancient seeds have already been planted at participating schools including Broughton Primary, Craigour Primary and Cramond Primary. Gorgie City Farm is also taking part.

In August – wearing Celtic costumes – they will harvest their crops to make bread and porridge. They will also be growing dye plants such as woad, and having a go at dyeing sheep’s wool.

Melissa said: “This project was inspired by the Iron Age remains in Holyrood Park, and I hope everyone involved in the project will enjoy learning how to make bread, porridge and dyes the Iron Age Way.”

The School of Ancient Crafts works with young people in Edinburgh teaching them the skills and crafts of the past. Through this practical approach to history, pupils learn about the day-to-day lives of our ancestors, and also make wonderful replica objects to take home.

via Kids to try farming in the Iron Age – Top stories – Scotsman.com.

environment, pandemic

CDC Joins Investigation into Deadly Listeria Outbreak | Food Safety News

According to the CDC,  the ongoing investigation indicates that Les Frères, Petit Frère, and Petit Frère with Truffles cheeses made by Wisconsin’s Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese Company is the likely source of the deadly outbreak. Crave Brothers recalled the cheese products on July 3.

Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio each have reported one case associated to the outbreak strain. Two cases were confirmed in Minnesota, including the death case.

All five ill persons were hospitalized. One illness in a pregnant woman resulted in a miscarriage.

The Listeria outbreak is the subject of a continuing and collaborative investigation is involving local and state health agencies along with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Atlanta-based CDC.

via CDC Joins Investigation into Deadly Listeria Outbreak | Food Safety News.

environment, pandemic, planetkillers, Profiteering

Drug-resistant bacteria found in workers at industrial farms | Vaccine News Daily

Drug-resistant bacteria associated with livestock were found in the noses of North Carolina industrial livestock workers, but not in workers handling antibiotic-free livestock, according to a study published on Tuesday in PLOS ONE.

A team of researchers confirmed earlier findings in Iowa by determining that the use of antibiotics in animals resulted in drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria among industrial livestock workers in North Carolina. The team expressed concerns that the livestock-associated bacteria could go from farm workers to hospitals and the community settings, as the bacteria previously did in Europe.

The researchers based the study on interviews and nose swabs collected and analyzed from individuals working at two different types of livestock operations. The scientists tested the S. aureus isolated from nose swabs for resistance to multiple antibiotics.

“This study shows that these livestock-associated strains are present among workers at industrial livestock operations and that these strains are resistant not just to methicillin, but to multiple antibiotics — including antibiotics that are used to treat human infections,” Christopher Heaney, the corresponding author of the study, said.

via Drug-resistant bacteria found in workers at industrial farms | Vaccine News Daily.

pandemic

At least 11 dead in H1N1 flu outbreak in northern Chile – Xinhua | English.news.cn

At least 11 people have been killed in an H1N1 flu outbreak at northern Chile’s Tarapaca region, Health Minister Jaime Manalich said Thursday.

Medical Association President Enrique Paris said the average infection ratio in Tarapaca had climbed to 148 in 100,000 people, six times higher than the national average of 24 in 100,000.

Paris suggested postponing or canceling the upcoming traditional Fiesta de La Tirana festival to prevent a massive spread of the infection. The festival, to be held on July 15-17, is an annual religious gathering, which attracts more than 200,000 visitors each year.

Manalich said Friday he would travel to the infected areas, 1,900 km north of Santiago, to direct the fight against the epidemic.

He also said the government would soon transport 115,000 vaccines to the affected region.

via At least 11 dead in H1N1 flu outbreak in northern Chile – Xinhua | English.news.cn.

Uncategorized

Roxy promotes female surfers – but without the surfing

Fit and Feminist

If you’re reading this blog, you probably don’t need me to tell you all about the problematic history of media coverage as it relates to female athletes.  From news profiles of the first professional female ball players that focused on their cooking skills to obsessive analysis of the waistlines and hairstyles of the Olympians in London, media of all kinds has shown an embarrassing tendency to focus on everything about female athletes but their athleticism.

Now, I do think there has been some progress. For instance, Nike has done some pretty great work portraying female athletes in action, while ESPN: The Magazine’s Body Issue, while not perfect, has published nude portraits of female athletes that are not only beautiful but also powerful and exciting.  We are a long, long ways from the days when people could only deal with seeing female athletes as long as they have been assured that…

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Anti-Humane, environment, racism

Manure dump at B.C. homeless camp could mean civil lawsuit – British Columbia – CBC News

The City of Abbotsford, B.C., could be facing a civil lawsuit after officials spread chicken manure over a popular gathering place for the homeless in an apparent bid to drive them out of the city.

Read more about the manure dump

The group, being represented by the Pivot Legal Society, has issued a notice of damage to the city, saying they are contemplating a civil suit for “discrimination, harassment and loss of property.”

Pivot lawyer DJ Larkin says the case is important because this wasn’t an isolated incident.

“Shortly after the chicken fertilizer incident happened in Abbotsford, the exact same tactic was attempted in another municipality in British Columbia and so we see this kind of thing happening over and over again across British Columbia, across the United States,” she said.

“We think it’s really important to take a stand and say homeless people need to be protected.”

Both the mayor and city manager apologized after the incident came to light last month in a column written by a local advocate.

A few weeks later, Abbotsford’s police chief revealed he was investigating allegations police officers slashed tents belonging to homeless people.

via Manure dump at B.C. homeless camp could mean civil lawsuit – British Columbia – CBC News.