9th food worker in eastern Kentucky county diagnosed with hepatitis A

ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) — Another food service worker in Boyd County was diagnosed with hepatitis A.

Officials with the Ashland-Boyd County Health Department reported an employee at the Tudor’s Biscuit World in the 2000 block of Winchester Ave. was diagnosed Tuesday.

This makes the 9th case in Boyd County as part of this outbreak.

According to the Tudor’s Corporate Office, the last shift the employee worked was Friday, May 25. The employee was recently hired part-time.

The risk for infection is “very low” according to the health department.

All employees will be required to get the hepatitis A vaccine before returning to work. Health officials are working with the restaurant staff to prevent any new cases.

“It is important for the public to understand that the hepatitis A virus has not been found to be in food from restaurants during this outbreak,” health officials stated. “Currently, the method of transmission is person-to-person.”

However, health officials say it’s “imperative” that people practice strict hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating, after using the restroom, or touching items like grocery carts, door handles, gas pump handles, etc. Hand sanitizer will not kill the virus.

Tudor’s released this statement:

“As a member of the area food service industry, we have been working with, and receiving direction, from the local Health Department since we were first made aware of the hepatitis A outbreak in Kentucky. As a result, to protect our customers and our employees, we arranged for all of our Ashland employees to receive the antivirus shot, re-educated our employees about the importance of washing their hands with soap throughout the day and continued to educate all of our employees companywide through a direct memo from our company owner as well as through our corporate newsletter. Since then, upon being made aware that an employee was actually diagnosed with the virus, we first immediately closed the store for a complete storewide cleaning and disinfection per Health Department guidelines. We also sent our Corporate Director of Training and Development from WV to the Ashland location to verify that handwashing and food preparation and safety procedures were being followed completely and we also sent the Corporate Franchise Quality Control Inspector to ensure that all sanitation efforts are up to standard. The recently hired part-time employee in question displayed no symptoms of any kind during the approximate two weeks of their employment and the last shift on site by this employee was Friday, May 25th.”

Symptoms of hepatitis A include loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, fever, stomach pain, brown colored urine, light colored stools, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Health officials say people can have some or none of these symptoms and it can take up to 50 days after exposure for someone to become ill. However, most people notice symptoms within 28 to 30 days of exposure.

Earlier this month a worker at O’Charley’s, located at 461 River Hill Drive, was diagnosed.

Before that, officials with the Ashland-Boyd County Health Department said an employee at the McDonald’s in the 2000 block of Winchester Ave. in Ashland was diagnosed.

“McDonald’s is working with the health department to prevent any new cases from arising in the community as a result of this case,” health department officials wrote in a press release at the time.

Health department officials said all employees at the McDonald’s got the hepatitis A vaccine prior to the employee being diagnosed. The person who was diagnosed also had the vaccine.

McDonald’s previously created a policy requiring all workers to get the hepatitis A vaccine.

The Winchester Ave. location voluntarily closed for disinfection after becoming aware of the diagnosed case.

Even earlier this month, an employee who handled food at RJ Kahuna’s on U.S. 60 in Ashland was diagnosed with the disease, according to the Ashland-Boyd County Health Department.

Officials at the health department investigated and the risk of customers becoming infected was “very low.”

All of the restaurant’s employees were required to get the hepatitis A vaccine before returning to work. RJ Kahuna’s voluntarily closed to allow for the employees’ vaccinations to develop an immunity.

“RJ Kahuna’s is working with the health department to prevent any new cases from arising in the community as a result of this case,” health officials stated in a press release.

At the beginning of the month, health officials reported an employee who handled food at the Dairy Queen on 13th Street in Ashland was diagnosed.

“The investigation found that the risk of restaurant patrons becoming infected is very low,” health officials stated in a press release. “Dairy Queen is working with the health department to prevent any new cases from arising in the community as a result of this case.”

Dairy Queen released the following statement:

“We have received notification that one of our employees fell ill and tested positive with the Hepatitis A virus. With the health and safety of our customers and employees being paramount, the store was immediately sanitized and disinfected, in accordance with health department regulations. In addition, we have also put additional procedures in place to ensure employees are adhering to strict health and sanitation policies. Store ownership and management will continue to work closely with Ashland-Boyd County Health Department officials.

Employees received a Hepatitis A vaccination or will be receiving the Hepatitis A vaccination before returning to work.

Please know that the health and safety of our customers and employees is a top priority.”

The Kentucky Department for Public Health recommended that anyone who lives in Boyd, Carter, Greenup, Hardin, Bullitt, and Jefferson counties get the vaccine.

“Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable illness,” stated Dr. Jeffrey Howard, acting DPH commissioner. “DPH recommends all children, ages 1 year through 18, receive the Hepatitis A vaccine as well as adults who want to protect themselves from an acute hepatitis A infection. In these counties with local transmission of the hepatitis A virus, we recommend everyone be vaccinated per guidelines to help stop this outbreak.”

Babesiosis, what is it?

Babesiosis is caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells and are spread by certain ticks. In the United States, tickborne transmission is most common in particular regions and seasons: it mainly occurs in parts of the Northeast and upper Midwest and usually peaks during the warm months.

Although many people who are infected with Babesia do not have symptoms, for those who do effective treatment is available. Babesiosis is preventable, if simple steps are taken to reduce exposure to ticks.

People can get infected with Babesia parasites in several ways:

  • The main way is through the bite of an infected tick—during outdoor activities in areas where babesiosis is found (see below).
  • A less common way is by getting a transfusion from a blood donor who has a Babesia infection but does not have any symptoms. (No tests have been licensed yet for screening blood donors for Babesia.)
  • Rare cases of congenital transmission—from an infected mother to her baby (during pregnancy or delivery)—have been reported.

Babesia parasites are not transmitted from person-to-person like the flu or the common cold.

Many different species (types) of Babesia parasites have been found in animals, only a few of which have been found in people. Babesia microti—which usually infects white-footed mice and other small mammals—is the main species that has been found in people in the United States. Occasional (sporadic) cases of babesiosis caused by other Babesia species have been detected.

Babesia microti is transmitted in nature by Ixodes scapularis ticks (also called blacklegged ticks or deer ticks).

  • Tickborne transmission primarily occurs in the Northeast and upper Midwest, especially in parts of New England, New York state, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
  • The parasite typically is spread by the young nymph stage of the tick, which is most apt to be found (seeking or “questing” for a blood meal) during warm months (spring and summer), in areas with woods, brush, or grass.
  • Infected people might not recall a tick bite because I. scapularisnymphs are very small (about the size of a poppy seed).

 

Diagnosis:-

n symptomatic people, babesiosis usually is diagnosed by examining blood specimens under a microscope and seeing Babesia parasites inside red blood cells.

To be sure the diagnosis is correct, your health care provider might have specimens of your blood tested by a specialized reference laboratory (such as at CDC or a health department).

Treatment:-

Effective treatments are available. People who do not have any symptoms or signs of babesiosis usually do not need to be treated.

Before considering treatment, the first step is to make sure the diagnosis is correct.

For more information, people should talk to their health care provider.lyme

Research program for patients with HTLV I & II

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Have you been diagnosed with HTLV I or II (Human T-cell Lymphotropic virus)?  If so your plasma is needed to further research and others.  Plasma is a crucial component in the research and manufacturing of test kits to diagnose other patients.  We are looking for both HTLV I as well as HTLV II patients to participate by donating plasma.  Participants who qualify will be compensated $300-$500 per donation (dependent on titer/antibody level as well as geographical location) and you can safely donate 2x per week.

If travel is necessary to get you to a center all travel related expenses (air, car, hotel) are pre-paid and covered by us and you still earn your compensation for your time participating in the program.

To learn more, please visit us at http://www.accessclinical.com or call us at 800-510-4003 to discuss the program further.

Basic Qualifications:

  1. Must have “official” diagnosis of HTLV I or II
  2. Must have access to or be able to obtain test results indicating your diagnosis
  3. Must be HIV/HCV & HBV negative
  4. Must be 18-65 years in age and weigh at least 110 pounds or more

HTLV I/II, what is it?

You find out if you carry HTLV by  having your blood tested for HTLV 1 and 2 antibodies.

First your blood will be tested using an ELISA test. This test screens your blood for HTLV antibodies. ELISA tests are either non reactive or reactive. If the ELISA test is reactive then your blood has to be retested with a confirmatory test, a Western Blot or Immuno Blot for example, depending on the laboratory. Your doctor and the laboratory staff know how to do this. The ELISA results have to be rechecked because the ELISA test can give false positive results.

The confirmatory test has two advantages: it can exclude false positive ELISA screens and types the HTLV as 1 or 2. Blood tested with the HTLV confirmatory test can give three test results: the tested blood is either HTLV negative or HTLV positive or HTLV indeterminate.

  • HTLV negative means your body has not encountered HTLV and has therefore not developed HTLV antibodies against HTLV. You do not carry HTLV.
  • HTLV positive means your body has encountered HTLV and has developed HTLV antibodies against HTLV. You carry HTLV.
  • HTLV indeterminate means your body has encountered HTLV and has developed some HTLV antibodies to HTLV. You may carry HTLV.


HTLV DNA, which is virus incorporated in the cell DNA, can be detected through PCR testing. PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction.  This test looks directly for HTLV proviral DNA in the blood cells. This reports the percentage of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) which carry the virus. So for example if the PCR test says the HTLV proviral load is 1%, then this means that 1 out of 100 PBMCs have one copy of HTLV DNA incorporated into the DNA. The HTLV-1 proviral load fluctuates very little over time and does not gradually rise over time as seen in other retroviral infections.

Do you have “acute” Hepatitis B?

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Were you just diagnosed with “acute” Hepatitis B?  We have a plasma donation program designed just for you to help others.  Your plasma is needed for further research as well as to be used as controls in test kits, the very kits that were used to diagnose you.  Participants are compensated for their donation and if travel is required for you to participate, we pay all travel related costs (air, hotel and car service) to get you to your appointments.

If you qualify you can earn as much as $500 each time you donate and because these programs are different than whole blood you can donate 2x per week until your antibodies are too low to continue. You have the ability to earn $1000 per week for helping research and others.

To learn more please visit/inquire at http://www.accessclinical.com to learn more.

“Basic” Qualifications:-

  • Must be 18-65 years in age and weigh at least 110lbs or more
  • MUST BE HIV/HCV negative (cannot accept co-infections/there are no HIV or HCV programs at this time)
  • Must have or have access to obtaining your blood work showing your hep b antibodies and negative HCV/HIV testing

FDA warns that teething medicines are unsafe, wants them off shelves

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials warned parents Wednesday about the dangers of teething remedies that contain a popular numbing ingredient and asked manufacturers to stop selling their products intended for babies and toddlers.

The Food and Drug Administration said that various gels and creams containing the drug benzocaine can cause rare but deadly side effects in children, especially those 2 years and younger.

The agency has been warning about the products for a decade but said reports of illnesses and deaths have continued. Now, it wants teething products off the market, noting there is little evidence they actually work.

“We urge parents, caregivers and retailers who sell them to heed our warnings and not use over-the-counter products containing benzocaine for teething pain,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, in a statement.

One major manufacturer, Church and Dwight Co. Inc., said Wednesday it would discontinue its four Orajel teething brands, including Baby Orajel and Orajel Medicated Teething Swabs.

The FDA said it will take legal action against other companies that don’t voluntarily comply as soon as possible.

Benzocaine is also used in popular over-the-counter products for toothaches and cold sores in adults, including Orajel and Anbesol and generic drugstore brands. Products for adults can remain on the market but the FDA wants companies to add new warnings. Church and Dwight will continue to sell its other Orajel products, the company said in a statement.

Benzocaine can cause a rare blood condition linked to potentially deadly breathing problems. The pain-relieving ingredient can interfere with an oxygen-carrying protein in the blood. Symptoms include shortness of breath, headache and rapid heart rate.

The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend teething creams because they usually wash out of the baby’s mouth within minutes. Instead, the group recommends giving babies teething rings or simply massaging their gums to relieve pain.

The FDA issued warnings about the teething products in 2006, 2011 and 2014, but it did not call for their removal from the market. Officials reviewed 119 cases of the blood disorder linked to benzocaine between 2009 and 2017, including four deaths, according to the FDA.

Wednesday’s action comes more than four years after the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA to stop sales of teething products. The agency faced a deadline next week after Public Citizen sued the FDA to force a response to the petition.

Research program for patients who have polymyositis or idopathic myopathies

We are currently looking for patients diagnosed with polymyositis or those with an idiopathic inflammatory myopathies who have positive blood tests for JO-1 antibodies.

There is a need for patients with this antibody to donate plasma to help others with your condition. Plasma is a crucial part in the creation of test kits as well as further research into the auto immune disorder for better treatment. Participants can safely donate plasma 2x per week based on FDA guidelines. Each time you donate you will earn $100-$500 per donation based on your antibody levels.

To learn more visit us at http://www.accessclinical.com

To Qualify:
1. Must be 18-65 years of age
2. Must weigh at least 110lbs or more
3. Must be HIV/HCV/HBV-Negative
4. Must have or have access to your blood test results showing your JO-1 antibody & Level

Research program for patients with “acute”mononucleosis

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Do you or has someone you know just been diagnosed with “active” Mono? If so we have a plasma donation program for you. Your plasma is needed for further research and for validations for test kits to diagnose other patients. Plasma is a crucial component in the test kits and is needed to ensure that the latest and greatest test kits are available when doctors are testing their patients.

Participants can safely donate plasma 2x per week and earn $200 per donation for their time/donation.

To learn more visit us at http://www.accessclinical.com

To Qualify:
* Must be 16-65 years in age
* Must weigh at least 110lbs or more
* Must have copies or access to your lab test results showing “active” mono
* Should have been diagnosed in the last 7-10 days
* MUST BE,HIV, HCV and HBV negative

Research programs for patients with auto immune diseases looking for participants

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Do you currently suffer with an Auto Immune disorder? Would you like to help others? If so we have a unique plasma donation program specifically for those with Auto Immune conditions. We are looking for individuals who have been diagnosed as having one of the below Auto Immune disorders to donate plasma which is used in research and for the manufacturing of controls for test kits to diagnose other patients. Without plasma donors such as yourself these kits run the risk of going on back order and will make diagnosing other patients harder.

Plasma donations are safe and highly regulated by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) as well as state regulators. These programs are done in licensed FDA facilities and all programs are HIPAA compliant and your participation in the program is 100% confidential and voluntary. If you qualify for one of our programs you can safely donate plasma as frequently as 2x per week because we are only taking the plasma component of the red blood cells. The red blood cells are returned back to you thru a process called plasmapheresis, therefore it allows you to donate more frequently than a traditional blood donation.

Also, because these are not “blood” donations we are able to compensate you $100-$500 per donation (compensation dependent upon diagnosis and antibody levels).

If you are interested in learning more or to see if you qualify please visit us at http://www.accessclinical.com to learn more.

Current Programs:

*Crest/Scleroderma (SCL-70  blood tests)
*APS/LAA (anti Cardiolipin & anti Beta-2 Glycoprotein antibodies)
*SLE/Lupus (ANA &dsDNA antibody tests)
*Red Cell Antibody/A-Typical Antibody (need anti Fya & anti Fyb)
*Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis (anti Jo-1 antibody test)
*Rheumatoid Arthritis (Rheumatoid Factor test)

To Qualify:

* Must be 18-65 years in age and weigh at least 110lbs or more
* Must be HIV/HCV/HBV Negative
* Must be able to provide most current lab results showing your diagnosis/antibodie