Back to School: Outbreaks! August 19, 2016

As students and staff head into back to school season, it’s not just the curriculum that’s on their mind. In the past year, it seems like the number of outbreaks has increased greatly, especially those linked to Norovirus and other dangerous pathogens. One recent example occurred in June 2016 at Laguna Middle School in San Luis, CA when over 80 students and a staff member contracted Norovirus after gathering for an end of the year potluck lunch. As a result the eighth grade dance was postponed and other precautions were taken to prevent further spread of the virus. Laguna Middle School is not alone. Below is a list of other schools and colleges that had outbreaks this past school year. Some of the names may be surprising including Harvard University, Ursinus College, and other primary schools throughout the country.

What is your school doing to prevent the next outbreak? “No Touch” technologies such as UVC Cleaning Systems Inc. whole room ultraviolet C disinfection could help prevent the spread of infection. Contact us today to find out how we can help in the fight!

Aug 2016

Reno, NV Alice Smith Elementary

Norovirus

http://www.ktvn.com/story/6660868/norovirus-closes-elementary-school-in-reno

April 2016

Cambridge, MA Harvard University

Mumps

http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/27/health/harvard-university-mumps-outbreak/

February 2016

Philadelphia, PA Ursinus College

Norovirus

http://www.eater.com/2016/2/15/11008590/ursinus-college-norovirus-outbreak

March 2016

Charlotte, NC Union County Elementary

Chicken Pox

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/health-family/article64604577.html

May 2016

Tipton, MO Tipton School District

Shingella

http://www.abc17news.com/news/shigella-sickens-students-in-tipton-school-as-academic-year-ends/39520020

September 2015

Mccamey, TX Mccamey School District

MRSA

http://www.newswest9.com/story/29937137/mccamey-isd-reacts-to-confirmed-case-of-mrsa

June 1026

San Luis, CA Laguna Middle School

Norovirus

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/health-and-medicine/article83362952.html

March 2016

Miami, FL South Florida Elementary

Norovirus

http://wfla.com/2016/03/15/norovirus-at-florida-school-sickens-dozens-of-students/

January 2016

Tallahassee, FL Leon County Preschool

Whooping Cough

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/whooping-cough-outbreak-in-fl-leads-to-vaccine-investigations_us_5697c1ece4b0778f46f84f58

Scientist Film Bacteria As They Become Resistant To Drugs September 30, 2016

Scientist at Harvard Medical School have embarked on a quest to provide a large-scale glimpse into the maneuvers of bacteria as the encounter increasingly higher doses of antibiotics and adapt to survive them. For the first time ever, teams of...

Implementing UV Disinfection and Impact on EVS Workflow- September 23, 2016

Environmental Service Professionals (EVS) are on an ongoing mission trying to achieve optimal cleaning practices. The goal of this mission is clear and many EVS staff are

Equipping the EVS toolbox September 16, 2016

In the past decade, the number of multi-drug resistant pathogens have increased, yet many environmental service professionals methods of cleaning have remained stagnant. EVS professionals are well aware of the risk of

How to save 37,000 lives over five years.

The White House has backed a plan to fight superbugs — via the tracking of infections, faster tests and new drugs — and has asked Congress for $1.2 billion over five years to implement the program. If successful, the CDCs efforts...

Updating to Modern Technologies for Cleaning in Healthcare Settings August 26, 2016

Infection Prevention is not a single solution. Experts agree that surface contamination is one of the key factors that play a role in pathogen transmission. However, traditional methods of cleaning by environmental staff have been proven to be inadequate. The reason for this often varies based on education and resources available.

Medicare's Readmission Penalties Hit New High

Medicare measures the readmission rates of seven conditions: heart attacks, heart failure, pneumonia, chronic lung disease, hip and knee replacements and coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Fines are determined by comparing current rates to...

Readmission Penalties Approaching for Skilled Nursing Facilities - August 5, 2016

One of the most challenging transitions a patient will face is being discharged from the hospital and going to a skilled nursing facility. One fifth of the patients discharged from acute care hospitals are sent to one of the nations 15,000 skilled nursing facilities. According to a new report, skilled nursing facilities will need to address the “Protecting Access to Medicare Act” that starts to take effect in 2018.

MRSA: The Fight Continues

The largest epidemic going on inside hospitals and other health care facilities is controlling the infection MRSA. The staph bug causing these infections resists treatment and because it attacks so many people with weakened immune systems, hospital-acquired MRSA accounts for the vast majority of fatal MRSA infections.

Norovirus strikes at the RNC in Cleveland OH

The Ohio department of health was notified on Monday 7/18/16 about the outbreak of Norovirus among staffers at the Republican National Convention. All of those affected are staying at the Kalahari resort in Sandusky, Oh, about 60 miles away from...

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Back to School: Outbreaks! August 19, 2016

Scientist Film Bacteria As They Become Resistant To Drugs September 30, 2016

Implementing UV Disinfection and Impact on EVS Workflow- September 23, 2016

Equipping the EVS toolbox September 16, 2016

How to save 37,000 lives over five years.

Updating to Modern Technologies for Cleaning in Healthcare Settings August 26, 2016

Medicare's Readmission Penalties Hit New High

Readmission Penalties Approaching for Skilled Nursing Facilities - August 5, 2016

MRSA: The Fight Continues

Norovirus strikes at the RNC in Cleveland OH

Resource for Far UV- 222nm Inactivation Dose Rates

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