Archive for December, 2010

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Beware Infectious Disease Reports that Sow Panic

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 by

A recent online dispatch in The New York Times provides a critique of how a novel health hazard can be spun into a news report designed to catch the reader’s eye rather than inform. A reporter visiting Liberia filed a story filled with vivid lines about a mysterious “contagious skin disease taking over the city of Robertsport” where he had personally encountered 75 victims and learned that the Ministry of Health had ordered citizens to cease all movement. The report and disease were subsequently debunked by the epidemic alert service ProMed, used worldwide by public health professionals, as the result of an infestation of Nairobi flies, whose bodies emit a dermatitis-causing toxin when they are crushed against the skin with a well-aimed smack. The solution to the hazard is to brush or blow the fly away instead.

It may be a minor instance of infectious disease hysteria, but this story does remind us of the potential for today’s overactive media outlets to cast any emerging disease as the next plague. Though real and admittedly scary, avian flu and H1N1 have received this kind of media treatment, which many doctors believe has conditioned us to underestimate future threats. While we do not pretend to compete with CNN, Fox News or MSNBC, HTB promises to strive to present our readers facts rather than speculation and sensational sound bites. Keep an eye on the mysterious killer disease that has sprung up in Uganda and watch how news reports play out in this case.  Let us know of any reports you’ve seen that cross the line and need debunking.

Photo by AlamosaCountyPublicHealth.

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WHO Announces Milestone Test for Tuberculosis

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 by

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that it is endorsing a new technology to diagnose tuberculosis.  The test, done on sputum samples and taking less than 2 hours to perform, identifies the presence of tuberculosis genetic material (coined the nucleic acid amplification test, or NAAT).  By contrast, conventional methods for diagnosing tuberculosis, such as sputum cultures, take several weeks.  In addition to confirming a diagnosis, the new test is also able to identify drug resistance, a particularly critical benefit in parts of the world where commonly used drugs to treat tuberculosis may not be effective.

According to Dr. Mario Raviglione, the director of WHO’s signature program to the halt the spread of tuberculosis “This new test represents a major milestone for global TB diagnosis and care.  It represents new hope for millions of people who are at the highest risk of TB and drug resistant disease.”  In a related development, co-developer of the test FIND ( the Foundation for Innovative and New Diagnostics) announced that the manufacturer of the new test (Cepheid) will offer a deep price discount to 116 low and middle income countries where TB is highly endemic. 

One of the main reasons tuberculosis killed 1.7 million people last year and infects almost 10 million worldwide annually (see map below for high risk areas)  is the rapid spread of tuberculosis among contagious, but undiagnosed persons.  The new test will dramatically reduce the time required for diagnosis, allowing quicker isolation of infected individuals and more timely initiation of treatment.  It will also allow physicians to rapidly identify patients for whom medications are not working. 

A few obstacles to the universal use of the NAAT test remain.  The machine requires an uninterrupted electrical source, a companion computer, and must be calibrated at least annually.  Nonetheless, scientists are hopeful that the new technology will significantly reduce both the spread and the ineffective treatment of a pathogen that remains endemic and deadly in much of the world.

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New Health Survey: Eating in the Air

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 by

Eating healthy while traveling can be difficult, especially when on a plane.  Thankfully, the nutrition website DietDetective.com has made this easier by conducting an annual airline nutrition survey.  Charles Stuart Platkin, the author of the survey and visiting assistant professor at CUNY School of Public Health at Hunter College, has ranked eight popular airlines with a “health score” based on the variety of healthy offerings and cost.  Coming out on top is United Airlines, with a wide selection of healthy options, and at the bottom is US Airways, with poor choices and not much variety.

Listed below are the rankings and some of Platkin’s recommendations for the healthiest choice on-board:

1. United Airlines (4 Stars)

Best Snacks: “Tapas” (553 calories) or “Lite” (430 calories) options . Both have a variety of healthy, balanced ingredients for shorter flights.

Best Meal:    Turkey sandwich (310 calories), sundried tomato aioli (140 calories), Kettle cooked chips (150 calories). Total = 600 calories

2. JetBlue Airways (3.25 Stars)

Beat Snack: “All Nuts” roasted cashews (170 calories)

Best Meal:  “Shape Up – Wild Garden”: Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus (63 calories), New York Style Pita Chips (130 calories), Sheffa Zesty Snack Mix (118 calories), Emerald Natural Almonds (100 calories), Sun-Maid Raisins (45 calories), Brothers All Natural Asian Pear Fruit Crisps (28 calories). Total = 484 calories

3. American Airlines (3.125 Stars)

Best Snack: Cheese & Cracker Snack Tray – Two Pepperidge Farm two-cracker packs (95 calories), 0.75 ounces of cheese (75 calories), one 1-ounce box of raisins (90 calories), and one 1-ounce bag of mixed nuts (170 calories). Total = 430 calories Platkin recommends skipping the cracker packages.

Best Meal: Boston Market Chicken Caesar Salad with SunChips and dressing – Romaine lettuce, chicken and Parmesan, Romano and Asiago cheeses. Served with creamy Caesar dressing and SunChips on the side (470 calories)

4. Delta Airlines (3 Stars)

Best Snack: Breakfast — – Breyers Light Yogurt (assorted flavors) (250 calories), Nature Valley Oats ’n Honey Granola Bar (90 calories), Fresh Banana (90 calories). Total = 430 calories

Best Meal: Fruit and Cheese Plate (Available breakfast, lunch and dinner) Aged Cheddar, Havarti and Smoked Fontina, Green Grapes, Pecan Halves, Dried Apricots and Crackers. Total = 475 calories

5. Continental Airlines (2.5 Stars)

Best Snack: (Meant to be shared) Savory Snack Box – Stoned Classics Tortilla Chips (180 calories), Mild Salsa ( 14 calories), Wild Garden Hummus (, 63 calories),  Marinated Olives (153 calories), Azar Fruit and Nut Mix ( 330 calories), Organic Chocolate Chip Granola Bar (, 140 calories), Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies (160 calories). Total = 1,040 calories

Best Meal: Grilled Chicken Spinach Salad – Grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes and button mushrooms over spinach and romaine lettuce, topped with crispy onions and served with Italian vinaigrette. Chicken packaged separately for a vegetarian–friendly option (345 calories)

6. Southwest Airlines (2 Stars)

Best Snack: Honey or dry–roasted peanuts (70 calories)

7. Virgin America (2 Stars)

Best Snack: Veggies and Hummus – Crunchmaster crackers, pickled and garden–fresh veggies including broccoli, radishes, summer squash and tomatoes. Sweet peppadew hummus and curry dipping sauce. Total = 275 calories

Best Meal: Homestyle Chicken Sandwich – Chicken salad, vine–ripened tomatoes and crisp lettuce on hearth–baked nine–grain bread. Served with a Toblerone chocolate. Total = 325 calories

8. US Airways (1.75 Stars)

Best Snack: CaféPlus – Bumble Bee cranberry chicken salad (110 calories), Freshers cream crackers (140 calories), Bare Fruit cinnamon apple chips (43 calories), Emerald Natural almonds (100 calories), Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies (120 calories), Toblerone Mini (66 calories). Total = 579 calories

Have you done any of your own research or would you like to share your opinion with us?

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Travel Bulletin Egypt: Rare Shark Attacks Keep Tourists Out of the Water

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 by

Management for the seaside resorts in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, the popular destination for scuba divers, has advised visitors to stay out of the water following five shark attacks in the past week.  The attacks left one woman dead and four others seriously injured.  Egypt’s tourism ministry closed beaches after a 70-year old German woman was killed while snorkeling, and they are to remain closed until the white tip shark assumed responsible for the attacks is captured or killed. 

The Chamber of Diving and Watersports has asked its members to “stop any snorkeling activities happening from any boats or shore,” and travel companies in the area have suspended all water-based excursions.  According to the UK Foreign Office website, “Attacks by oceanic white tip sharks are extremely rare, and shark attacks of any kind are very unusual in the Red Sea.” Officials are unsure about what triggered these attacks.  Hesham Gabr, head of the Chamber of Diving and Watersports, stated that the attacks were probably triggered by an activity, such as illegal fishing or feeding in the area.  The chamber has invited four U.S. shark experts to “assess and advise on the best course of action” following the attacks.

Volunteer dive expeditions have been organized in an effort to find the white tip shark responsible for the attacks.  Two sharks were caught and killed near the South Sinai National Park on the Sharm el-Sheikh coast on Friday, but they did not match pictures taken by someone diving with one of the injured snorkelers.  In the meantime, many areas in Sharm el- Sheikh will be open for experienced divers with at least 50 logged dives.

Photo by sharkbait.

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Easing Aches and Pains Triggered by Travels

Monday, December 6th, 2010 by

According to a recent survey, 86% of Americans have aches and pains that are triggered by travel activities, with 11% of Americans reporting that they outright avoid travel due to aches and pains[1].  To help holiday travelers ease aches and pains during holiday trips, the makers of ThermaCare® are inviting people to join its Holiday Travel Heat Wave by offering the following tips:

  • Pack light – Lifting and carrying heavy suitcases can cause strain on your back. Always remember to lift from your knees instead of bending over for added support.
  • Use rolling luggage – Take the weight off your back and arms during those mad dashes through the airport!
  • Adjust your seat so it is as comfortable as possible – When spending long hours in a car seat make sure to adjust your seat before leaving to ensure it is as appropriate for your body type as possible.
  • Use a pillow, blanket, or traveling neck rest for extra support – Long trips can trigger all kinds of aches and pains; packing items such as a pillow for additional lower back support or a neck rest can help eliminate or lessen common aches and pains.
  • Take breaks and stretch – Everyone wants to get to their destination quickly, but taking short breaks at rest stops and making time to stand up and stretch, even on airplanes, will keep you feeling limber and fresh once you arrive!
  • Pack ThermaCare® HeatWraps – Toss some ThermaCare® HeatWraps into your carry-on for when aches and pains get the best of you. These thin discreet wraps provide pain relief without the need to take pills. They can easily be worn under clothing and are flexible enough to move with you no matter where your holiday travels may take you.

Post provided by Ketchum on behalf of Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.

 [1] Opinion Research Inc. conducted a national telephone survey of 1,000 adults, age 18 or older living in the continental United States. The survey was completed during the period November 4-8, 2010. The survey was funded by Pfizer.

Photo by Jez Page.

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Travel Bulletin Venezuela: Prolonged rains cause mudslides, shut roads

Friday, December 3rd, 2010 by

Venezuela’s rainy season has extended well past its usual October close.  Heavy rains are causing a variety of problems such as flooding and mudslides, resulting in the death of 25 people and the displacement of nearly 60,000.   

Air transportation is extremely limited, and ground transportation is dangerous — over 112 roads in the area have been blocked.  Schools in eleven states have been ordered to close until at least Friday, and the government has declared a state of emergency in the states of Caracas, Falcon, Vargas and Miranda. 

Even after the rain abates, flooding and mudslides will continue to pose danger. Travelers should exercise extreme caution and review tips the Red Cross offers on mudslide safety.

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Are Airport Body Scanners Safe?

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 by

Amid the controversy surrounding the new full-body scanners at airport security checkpoints, an important question has been raised: Are the new scanners safe?  The scanners emit a small amount of radiation, and according to an article in the New York Daily News, many frequent fliers and airline pilots are worried about the dangers of this radiation.  

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) holds that the scanners are extremely safe and that the level of radiation a person is exposed to is minimal.  They say that radiation from one scan is approximately equal to what a person is exposed to when flying for three minutes in an airplane at 30,000 feet, where atmospheric radiation levels are higher than on the ground. The American College of Radiology estimates that 1,000 scans a year equal one chest X-Ray, although there are others who gauge equivalence at a much lower threshold.

In a letter to the White House, the FDA stated:        

“The potential health risks from a full-body screening with a general-use X-ray security system are minuscule.  Several groups of recognized experts have been assembled and have analyzed the radiation safety issues associated with this technology.  As a result of these evidence-based, responsible actions, we are confident that full-body X-ray security products and practices do not pose a significant risk to the public health.”

However, another group of experts — a panel of doctors and professors from UC San Francisco — believe that the scanners need to be studied for potential health consequences before they are adopted for mainstream use.  In a letter to the White House, the panel expressed their concern that the scanners could increase the risk of cancer and cause other problems, especially for passengers who are older, have a weaker immune system, or are pregnant.  Other scientists worry that the scanners may malfunction in some way, resulting in too much radiation being emitted. 

In the absence of long-term studies, there is no conclusive proof one way or the other.  The FDA believes that the risks are minimal, estimating that the risk of fatal cancer from the maximum allowable dose would be 1 in 80 million per screening.  Doses from a single scan are considerably lower than the maximum.  Frequent fliers, do you have concerns about the long-term safety of body scanners?

Photo by dawning.ca.

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How Much Baggage Are You Carrying? Just checking…

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 by

It turns out that the airlines are improving their baggage handling service, and it is not just because the new fees have meant fewer bags to handle.  Today’s article in the Wall Street Journal’s The Middle Seat, Better Odds of Getting Your Bags, is a very detailed look at the recent improvements airlines have made, and it turns out that much of the gain comes from the application of fairly common technology.

I am not sure if the investments in technology predated the new revenue coming in from the baggage fees, but the knowledge that there are revenues tied to handling baggage will surely help keep the airlines focused on improving their services.  As Robert Isom, chief operating officer at US Airways Group Inc., says in the article, “If you are going to charge for bags, you better be really reliable.”

With all of the hassles associated with flying (anyone up for an invasive, full body pat-down?), it is nice to hear that the aggravation of a lost bag may be less common.

Photo by V.H.S.

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Travel Bulletin Tehran: City shuts down for two-day “air pollution holiday”

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 by

Authorities in Tehran have declared the second government holiday in a month due to deadly air pollution.  All schools, public offices, and banks will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday December 2nd and 3rd because conditions have been determined to be “polluted and unhealthy.”  Children, the ill and the elderly have been urged to remain indoors, and all sports and other outdoor activities have been cancelled.  The air in Tehran is some of the most polluted in the world, largely due to the growing traffic congestion and the geographical location of the city.

The city of Tehran is rapidly growing, and there are a high number of cars on the roads.  The level of pollutants is well above the standard set by the World Health Organization.  According to the Tehran mayor’s office, the 1.4 million vehicles in the city pump an estimated 5 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air each year.  Many of the cars are old which increases the amount of pollution being emitted.  In addition, the city is located between mountains which trap the pollution when there is no wind or rain to clear it. 

Health experts say that many Iranians suffer serious health problems as a result of the pollution. Iran’s Health Ministry reported that there has been a 30% increase in admission of patients suffering from breathing problems in the past few days.  It is estimated that thousands of deaths a year are caused by heart attacks and respiratory illnesses brought on by this pollution.

In the long-term, Iranian officials are working to try to reduce the pollution by expanding public transportation, enforcing more strict traffic laws, and requiring vehicle emission inspections.  Authorities are also working to convert heating systems to natural gas. In the short run, breathing in Tehran can be dangerous.

Photo by Hulivili.

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New Ways to Generate Safe Water in the Wild

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 by

Survivalists and military personnel have long been familiar with the need to purify water from lakes, rivers and streams where safe water supplies are unavailable.  In addition to chemical pollutants, heavy metals and silt, portable water purification systems must be able to remove bacteria, such as E. coli, Salmonella (typhoid fever) and Vibrio cholera (cholera), protozoa such as Giardiasis and Cryptosporidium, parasitic worms such as liver flukes and schistosomiasis and viruses. 

For years, the process of boiling water to kill larger pathogens, using activated charcoal filtration systems to remove pollutants, and then adding chemical decontaminants such as chlorine and iodine to eliminate viruses has been the gold standard for obtaining potable water in the wild.  However, new technologies in the last twenty five years have created more user friendly alternatives for soldiers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Portable water purification devices, otherwise known as point-of-use treatment systems, employ a variety of technologies.  The Sport Berkey Portable Water Purifier uses a filter that removes contaminants by a surface phenomenon known as adsorption — the molecular attraction of substances to a media surface. Source water is forced through a filter that removes pathogens and toxic chemicals.

Aqua Sun produces battery and solar powered briefcase sized devices that can purify a gallon or more of water per minute using a combination of filtration and ultraviolet light disinfection.  This represents a significant improvement over the hand pumps that force contaminated water through filters that have been used by military personnel since the late 1980s. Hydro-Photon manufactures a portable, lightweight UV water purifier with the brand name SteriPEN that uses sunlight to induce DNA changes in disease-causing organisms. These DNA changes interfere with an organism’s ability to reproduce — rendering the pathogen harmless.

Though cutting edge, many of the newer technologies have their limitations.  For instance, devices like the SteriPEN are intended for use with clear water only, and devices that rely on filters lose their ability to extract contaminants over time and may even become pathogen reservoirs.  If you are venturing into areas where safe water is not available, consider the volume of water that you need to purify and the logistics of carrying a purifying device with you. There’s likely to be an optimal solution.

Photo by waterdotorg.

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