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COMMENT: Although I’ve always known how dangerous lawn mowers are, I had no idea of the magnitude of lawn mower-related injures…..75,000 is not an insignificant number! A healthy reminder every now and again seems to be in order!
Each year, approximately 75,000 people are injured seriously enough by lawnmowers to require emergency room medical treatment. Only a small percentage of the injuries are caused by mechanical failure; most are the result of human error.
Here are some tips to follow before and while mowing your lawn:
Become familiar with your mower .
Read the owner’s manual before using the mower for the first time. Note all safety and operating instructions. Learn the controls well enough to act instantly in an emergency and to stop the machine quickly.
Proper clothing is essential to protect your body from harm .
Always wear non-slip shoes instead of tennis shoes or sandals. Steel-toe safety footwear offers the most protection against the blade. Long pants help protect your legs from objects that may be thrown from under the mower. Use ear plugs to prevent hearing loss caused by exposure to the high noise levels.
Never leave a mower running unattended .
A mower left running unattended can be fascinating to a child. If the mower has an electric start, the key should never be left in the ignition.
Always start the mower outdoors .
Never operate a mower where carbon monoxide can collect, such as in a closed garage, storage shed or basement.
Police the area .
Before you satrt mowing, be sure the lawn is free of tree limbs, rocks, wires and other debris, which can get caught up in the blades.
The main source of danger is the blade .
To perform its task efficiently, the mower blade must be sharp and travel at a high speed. If a hand or foot gets under the mower while the engine is running, it can cause serious injury. Never attempt to unclog or work on a lawnmower while the engine is on.
Disconnect the sparkplug wire .
Any time it is necessary to reach under the mower, disconnect the spark plug wire to insure that the engine cannot start. It takes a little extra time, but not as long as it does to recover from a serious injury.
Check for frayed or cut wiring .
When using an electric lawnmower, wires can easily get cut by the blade. Keep an eye on the wiring as you move the mower and check for frayed or cut wiring every time you mow.
SATURDAY, June 20 (HealthDay News) — Mowing the lawn is such a common summertime activity that many people forget that their lawn mower can cause serious injuries, experts warn.
Each year in the United States, about 200,000 people (including 16,000 children) are injured in lawn mower-related accidents, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Those injuries include severed fingers, toes and limbs, broken bones, eye damage and burns.
"In 19 years of practice as a plastic surgeon and microsurgeon, some of the most devastating and disabling injuries I’ve treated are from lawn-mower accidents," Dr. William Zamboni, president of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, said in a news release from the American Academy of Pediatrics. "It’s especially concerning when children are injured since most of these injuries are preventable."
A group of medical societies, including the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, offers the following lawn-mower safety tips:
Do not permit children under 12 years of age to operate any lawn mower and don’t allow anyone under 16 to use a ride-on mower.
Do not allow children to be passengers on ride-on mowers.
Keep young children at a safe distance from the area being mowed.
Don’t wear sandals when mowing. Wear sturdy shoes.
Remove debris, such as toys and stones, from the lawn before mowing in order to prevent injuries from flying objects.
Wear eye protection and hearing protection.
If possible, use a mower that stops moving forward when you release the handle.
Avoid mowing in reverse. If it is necessary to pull the mower backwards, always check behind you first.
Never start the mower in the garage. Also, refuel outdoors with the motor turned off and while the engine is cool.
Don’t allow youngsters to adjust mower blade settings.
Wait for mower blades to stop completely before detaching the grass catcher, clearing the discharge chute or crossing gravel roads/driveways.
MIT and CDC discover why H1N1 flu spreads inefficiently
Flu virus ill-suited for rapid transmission, but researchers say new strain bears watching, could mutate
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—A team from MIT and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found a genetic explanation for why the new H1N1 "swine flu" virus has spread from person to person less effectively than other flu viruses.
The H1N1 strain, which circled the globe this spring, has a form of surface protein that binds inefficiently to receptors found in the human respiratory tract, the team reports in the July 2 online edition of Science .
"While the virus is able to bind human receptors, it clearly appears to be restricted," says Ram Sasisekharan, the Edward Hood Taplin Professor and director of the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology (HST) and the lead MIT author of the paper. Sasisekharan and his laboratory co-workers have been actively investigating influenza viruses.
That restricted, or weak, binding, along with a genetic variation in an H1N1 polymerase enzyme, which MIT researchers first reported three weeks ago in Nature Biotechnology, explains why the virus has not spread as efficiently as seasonal flu, says Sasisekharan. However, flu viruses are known to mutate rapidly, so there is cause for concern if H1N1 undergoes mutations that improve its binding affinity.
"We need to pay careful attention to the evolution of this virus," says Sasisekharan.
On June 11, the World Health Organization declared a level 6 pandemic alert for H1N1. More than 300 people have died and more than 70,000 people have been infected, according to the WHO.
Genetic variation
Sasisekharan and CDC senior microbiologist Terrence Tumpey have previously shown that a flu virus’s ability to infect humans depends on whether its hemagglutinin protein can bind to a specific type of receptor on the surface of human respiratory cells.
In the new Science paper, Sasisekharan, Tumpey and colleagues compared the new H1N1 strain to several seasonal flu strains, including some milder H1N1 strains, and to the virus that caused the 1918 flu pandemic. They found that the new strain, as expected, is able to bind to the predominant receptors in the human respiratory tract, known as umbrella-shaped alpha 2-6 glycan receptors.
However, binding efficiency varies between flu strains, and that variation is partly determined by the receptor-binding site (RBS) within the hemagglutinin protein. The team found that the new H1N1 strain’s RBS binds human receptors much less effectively than other flu viruses that infect humans.
The researchers also found that the new H1N1 strain spreads inefficiently in ferrets, which accurately mimics human influenza disease including how it spreads or transmits in humans. When the ferrets were in close contact with each other, they were exposed to enough virus particles that infection spread easily. However, when ferrets were kept separate and the virus could spread only through airborne respiratory droplets, the illness spread much less effectively.
This is consistent with the transmission of this virus seen in humans so far, says Sasisekharan. Most outbreaks have occurred in limited clusters, sometimes within a family or a school but not spread much further.
"One of the big payoffs of long-term investments in carbohydrate biology and chemistry research is an understanding of the relationships between cell surface carbohydrate structure and viral infectivity," said Jeremy M. Berg, director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, which partly funded the research. "Tools developed in building such understanding help in the response to events like the recent H1N1 outbreak."
Second mutation
The researchers also pinpointed a second mutation that impairs H1N1’s ability to spread rapidly.
Statement From FEMA Administrator Fugate On Preparedness As We Approach Independence Day Weekend
Release Date: July 2, 2009
Release Number: HQ-09-079
"As we take this opportunity to observe the July 4th holiday with loved ones and friends, we are reminded of all we have to be thankful for and why it is so critical that we do all we can to protect our families and communities. I encourage all Americans to take a few simple steps to ensure that if and when your community is impacted by an emergency or disaster, you are prepared.
"Most importantly, develop a family disaster plan - have the discussion now about what you will do if your community is impacted, where you will go, how you will communicate with your loved ones. I also encourage you to take a CPR or first aid course, transforming you from a survivor to an asset to your family and community in the case of emergencies. And, in the case of an emergency, after you have determined the safety of you and your family, check on a neighbor and make sure others are safe."
"We are all a part of our nation’s emergency response team, and the small steps we can each take now will go a long way in shaping our successful response to the next disaster. For more information on how to make sure you and your family are prepared please visit www.ready.gov ."
Additionally, the July 4th celebration includes its own hazards, especially regarding the use of fireworks. Below are some simple guidelines from the U.S. Fire Administration:
The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home - period. Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.
Kids should never play with fireworks. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) - hot enough to melt gold.
Steer clear of others - fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.
Don’t allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.
Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk to them.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Division of EMS promotes lawnmower safety Each year, approximately 68,000 persons with injuries caused by power mowers are treated in emergency departments. With trauma season in full swing, the Division of Emergency Medical Services is partnering with Safe Kids Ohio in offering safety tips to keep children safe this summer.
Children move very quickly, and you can’t always hear them if the mower is running, or you are listening to the radio, said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Henry Guzman. While summer is a great time for fun and relaxing activities, it also means paying more attention to the surroundings to ensure everyone is safe.
The American Academy of Pediatrics considers the power lawnmower one of the most dangerous tools around the home. Lawnmower blades can rotate at 3,000 revolutions per minute, generate a force three times greater than a .357 Magnum and propel a one-pound object at speeds of more than 200 miles per hour.
The most common lawnmower accidents involve children being run over or flying debris causing penetrating and life-threatening injuries.
Children can be taught lawnmower safety at a young age, and it is important to do so because lawnmower injuries are 100 percent preventable, said EMS Division Executive Director Richard Rucker. The Division of EMS and Safe Kids Ohio offer the following tips:
• Keep children and pets inside while operating a lawnmower
• Clear the yard of twigs, debris, tools and toys before mowing
• Read your operator’s manual and learn all safety features of your lawnmower
• Never leave your lawnmower running unattended
• Don’t allow children to play on or around a mower when it is in use or in storage
• A walk-behind mower operator should be no younger than 12
• A riding mower operator should be no younger than 16
• Extra riders should never be allowed on a riding mower.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety, through the Division of EMS, oversees the certification of emergency medical technicians and firefighters and ensures the professionals in these lifesaving roles are properly trained, educated and prepared for emergency situations. Safe Kids Ohio, is a coalition of public and private organizations working together to prevent injuries to children.
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF DISASTER FUNDING FOR USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Funding Available for Communities Affected By Hurricanes, Floods and Other Natural Disasters
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is accepting applications for funds to help rural communities affected by natural disasters. The funds are authorized under the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009.
"This assistance will help individuals, businesses and communities in areas that were declared a major disaster in calendar year 2008," Vilsack said. "USDA will work to ensure that these funds help rural citizens rebuild their communities and their lives from the devastating effects of tornados, hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters."
USDA Rural Development plans to distribute $188 million: $150 million is being allocated to communities declared disaster areas in calendar year 2008, and $38 million will be used for housing assistance in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Community Facilities Programs:
Under this announcement, USDA will make $169.5 million available in direct Community Facilities loans; $157.4 million in guaranteed loans and $24.2 million in grants. Community Facilities programs finance the development of essential community facilities in rural areas. These include hospitals, medical clinics, elderly care, first responder equipment and facilities, vocational and medical rehabilitation centers, and educational facilities. Eligible applicants include public entities such as local governments and special-purpose districts, nonprofit corporations, including Faith-based and neighborhood organizations, and Federally-recognized tribal governments in designated disaster areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
Housing Programs:
USDA will make $1.04 billion available for guaranteed loans to purchase or refinance homes; $549 million for direct loans; $18.8 million for loans to build or repair multi-family housing; $19.9 million in grants to repair homes; $1.9 million for rental assistance vouchers and $504,000 in housing repair loans.
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program:
USDA will make $445.9 million available in guaranteed loans to support the development of small and emerging private businesses. Eligible applicants include cooperative organizations, corporations, partnerships, nonprofit groups; Federally recognized Indian tribes, public bodies and individuals.
Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program:
USDA will make more than $4.8 million available in Rural Business Enterprise Program grants to assist small and emerging businesses in rural areas.
Water and Environmental Programs:
USDA will make more than $49.5 million available in loans, $15 million in grants and $2 million in Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants to help rural communities build, expand or repair water, wastewater and waste disposal facilities in designated disaster areas.
For additional information, see the June 25 Federal Register, page 30264.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development’s web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov .
Release No. 0277.09
Contact:
Weldon Freeman (202) 690-1384 Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF DISASTER FUNDING FOR USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Funding Available for Communities Affected By Hurricanes, Floods and Other Natural Disasters
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is accepting applications for funds to help rural communities affected by natural disasters. The funds are authorized under the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009.
"This assistance will help individuals, businesses and communities in areas that were declared a major disaster in calendar year 2008," Vilsack said. "USDA will work to ensure that these funds help rural citizens rebuild their communities and their lives from the devastating effects of tornados, hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters."
USDA Rural Development plans to distribute $188 million: $150 million is being allocated to communities declared disaster areas in calendar year 2008, and $38 million will be used for housing assistance in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Community Facilities Programs:
Under this announcement, USDA will make $169.5 million available in direct Community Facilities loans; $157.4 million in guaranteed loans and $24.2 million in grants. Community Facilities programs finance the development of essential community facilities in rural areas. These include hospitals, medical clinics, elderly care, first responder equipment and facilities, vocational and medical rehabilitation centers, and educational facilities. Eligible applicants include public entities such as local governments and special-purpose districts, nonprofit corporations, including Faith-based and neighborhood organizations, and Federally-recognized tribal governments in designated disaster areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
Housing Programs:
USDA will make $1.04 billion available for guaranteed loans to purchase or refinance homes; $549 million for direct loans; $18.8 million for loans to build or repair multi-family housing; $19.9 million in grants to repair homes; $1.9 million for rental assistance vouchers and $504,000 in housing repair loans.
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program:
USDA will make $445.9 million available in guaranteed loans to support the development of small and emerging private businesses. Eligible applicants include cooperative organizations, corporations, partnerships, nonprofit groups; Federally recognized Indian tribes, public bodies and individuals.
Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program:
USDA will make more than $4.8 million available in Rural Business Enterprise Program grants to assist small and emerging businesses in rural areas.
Water and Environmental Programs:
USDA will make more than $49.5 million available in loans, $15 million in grants and $2 million in Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants to help rural communities build, expand or repair water, wastewater and waste disposal facilities in designated disaster areas.
For additional information, see the June 25 Federal Register, page 30264.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development’s web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov .
#
Release No. 0277.09
Contact:
Weldon Freeman (202) 690-1384 Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF DISASTER FUNDING FOR USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Funding Available for Communities Affected By Hurricanes, Floods and Other Natural Disasters
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is accepting applications for funds to help rural communities affected by natural disasters. The funds are authorized under the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009.
"This assistance will help individuals, businesses and communities in areas that were declared a major disaster in calendar year 2008," Vilsack said. "USDA will work to ensure that these funds help rural citizens rebuild their communities and their lives from the devastating effects of tornados, hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters."
USDA Rural Development plans to distribute $188 million: $150 million is being allocated to communities declared disaster areas in calendar year 2008, and $38 million will be used for housing assistance in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Community Facilities Programs:
Under this announcement, USDA will make $169.5 million available in direct Community Facilities loans; $157.4 million in guaranteed loans and $24.2 million in grants. Community Facilities programs finance the development of essential community facilities in rural areas. These include hospitals, medical clinics, elderly care, first responder equipment and facilities, vocational and medical rehabilitation centers, and educational facilities. Eligible applicants include public entities such as local governments and special-purpose districts, nonprofit corporations, including Faith-based and neighborhood organizations, and Federally-recognized tribal governments in designated disaster areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
Housing Programs:
USDA will make $1.04 billion available for guaranteed loans to purchase or refinance homes; $549 million for direct loans; $18.8 million for loans to build or repair multi-family housing; $19.9 million in grants to repair homes; $1.9 million for rental assistance vouchers and $504,000 in housing repair loans.
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program:
USDA will make $445.9 million available in guaranteed loans to support the development of small and emerging private businesses. Eligible applicants include cooperative organizations, corporations, partnerships, nonprofit groups; Federally recognized Indian tribes, public bodies and individuals.
Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program:
USDA will make more than $4.8 million available in Rural Business Enterprise Program grants to assist small and emerging businesses in rural areas.
Water and Environmental Programs:
USDA will make more than $49.5 million available in loans, $15 million in grants and $2 million in Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants to help rural communities build, expand or repair water, wastewater and waste disposal facilities in designated disaster areas.
For additional information, see the June 25 Federal Register, page 30264.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development’s web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov .
Release No. 0277.09
Contact:
Weldon Freeman (202) 690-1384 Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF DISASTER FUNDING FOR USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Funding Available for Communities Affected By Hurricanes, Floods and Other Natural Disasters
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is accepting applications for funds to help rural communities affected by natural disasters. The funds are authorized under the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009.
"This assistance will help individuals, businesses and communities in areas that were declared a major disaster in calendar year 2008," Vilsack said. "USDA will work to ensure that these funds help rural citizens rebuild their communities and their lives from the devastating effects of tornados, hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters."
USDA Rural Development plans to distribute $188 million: $150 million is being allocated to communities declared disaster areas in calendar year 2008, and $38 million will be used for housing assistance in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Community Facilities Programs:
Under this announcement, USDA will make $169.5 million available in direct Community Facilities loans; $157.4 million in guaranteed loans and $24.2 million in grants. Community Facilities programs finance the development of essential community facilities in rural areas. These include hospitals, medical clinics, elderly care, first responder equipment and facilities, vocational and medical rehabilitation centers, and educational facilities. Eligible applicants include public entities such as local governments and special-purpose districts, nonprofit corporations, including Faith-based and neighborhood organizations, and Federally-recognized tribal governments in designated disaster areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
Housing Programs:
USDA will make $1.04 billion available for guaranteed loans to purchase or refinance homes; $549 million for direct loans; $18.8 million for loans to build or repair multi-family housing; $19.9 million in grants to repair homes; $1.9 million for rental assistance vouchers and $504,000 in housing repair loans.
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program:
USDA will make $445.9 million available in guaranteed loans to support the development of small and emerging private businesses. Eligible applicants include cooperative organizations, corporations, partnerships, nonprofit groups; Federally recognized Indian tribes, public bodies and individuals.
Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program:
USDA will make more than $4.8 million available in Rural Business Enterprise Program grants to assist small and emerging businesses in rural areas.
Water and Environmental Programs:
USDA will make more than $49.5 million available in loans, $15 million in grants and $2 million in Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants to help rural communities build, expand or repair water, wastewater and waste disposal facilities in designated disaster areas.
For additional information, see the June 25 Federal Register, page 30264.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development’s web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov .
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF DISASTER FUNDING FOR USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Funding Available for Communities Affected By Hurricanes, Floods and Other Natural Disasters
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is accepting applications for funds to help rural communities affected by natural disasters. The funds are authorized under the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009.
"This assistance will help individuals, businesses and communities in areas that were declared a major disaster in calendar year 2008," Vilsack said. "USDA will work to ensure that these funds help rural citizens rebuild their communities and their lives from the devastating effects of tornados, hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters."
USDA Rural Development plans to distribute $188 million: $150 million is being allocated to communities declared disaster areas in calendar year 2008, and $38 million will be used for housing assistance in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Community Facilities Programs:
Under this announcement, USDA will make $169.5 million available in direct Community Facilities loans; $157.4 million in guaranteed loans and $24.2 million in grants. Community Facilities programs finance the development of essential community facilities in rural areas. These include hospitals, medical clinics, elderly care, first responder equipment and facilities, vocational and medical rehabilitation centers, and educational facilities. Eligible applicants include public entities such as local governments and special-purpose districts, nonprofit corporations, including Faith-based and neighborhood organizations, and Federally-recognized tribal governments in designated disaster areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
Housing Programs:
USDA will make $1.04 billion available for guaranteed loans to purchase or refinance homes; $549 million for direct loans; $18.8 million for loans to build or repair multi-family housing; $19.9 million in grants to repair homes; $1.9 million for rental assistance vouchers and $504,000 in housing repair loans.
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program:
USDA will make $445.9 million available in guaranteed loans to support the development of small and emerging private businesses. Eligible applicants include cooperative organizations, corporations, partnerships, nonprofit groups; Federally recognized Indian tribes, public bodies and individuals.
Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program:
USDA will make more than $4.8 million available in Rural Business Enterprise Program grants to assist small and emerging businesses in rural areas.
Water and Environmental Programs:
USDA will make more than $49.5 million available in loans, $15 million in grants and $2 million in Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants to help rural communities build, expand or repair water, wastewater and waste disposal facilities in designated disaster areas.
For additional information, see the June 25 Federal Register, page 30264.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development’s web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov .
AP Photo/Colorado State Patrol A study by the NAEMSP shows that ambulance crashes are more likely to result in fatalities than those of fire or police vehicles.
LAS VEGAS — Seventy-four percent of EMS worker deaths are transportation-related, according to new research released by the National Association of EMS Physicians. Further, ambulance crashes were shown to be more 27 and 33 percent more fatal than those of their respective police and fire vehicle counterparts.
The report suggests that an increased willingness by first responders to stay seated and wear seat belts, combined with a heightened attentiveness by motorists, could result in a drastic decrease in the number of fatalities.
"In an ambulance, the single most important thing one can do to increase survivability or prevent injury is to wear a seatbelt or some type of restraint," said Ron Thackery, senior vice president of safety and risk for American Medical Response.
The risks of death and severe injury for EMS personnel are four to six times higher for unrestrained ambulance occupants than restrained ones. While EMS workers do need to perform critical patient care — such as chest compressions — the majority of procedures can be done in conjunction with a restraint device, according to Thackery.
"If doing chest compressions, it’s going to be difficult anywhere, but 90 percent of typical patient care provided can be done in conjunction with some sort of restraint," Thackery said.
Despite this statistic, Thackery said only 10 percent of EMS workers admit to wearing a seatbelt in the back of a vehicle.
"It is much more common for people to wear seat belts in the front [of the ambulance] than the back," said Thackery. "Seat belt use is monitored in the front and generally affects airbag activity in the case of an accident. One solution may be to simply monitor seatbelt use more efficiently in the back."
Dr. David Slattery, co-author of the NAEMSP study, believes that advances in ambulance equipment are crucial to improve safety in the patient compartment, thereby allowing providers to give care as well as balance and protect themselves in transport.
"Technology is being developed to allow EMS workers to be seated and restrained — for example, automated chest compression devices — which allow the medic to sit down as opposed to standing over a patient performing CPR," Slattery said.
The NAEMSP also reports that failure of an oncoming motorist to yield to an ambulance is the primary cause of crashes when an ambulance is employing its lights and sirens.
"Proper positioning of a vehicle is highly important when responding to a scene," Thackery said. "Most on-scene crashes occur when traffic in the ambulance lane begins to shift to other lanes. To a motorist from afar, the ambulance lane suddenly appears open, so he increases his speed only to ultimately hit the emergency vehicle."
Some states are taking legislative measures to keep their first responders safe.
Following the death of paramedic Michelle Smith in December, the Delaware state senate passed a bill Tuesday carrying her name that would make individuals convicted of causing the reckless death of a paramedic, emergency medical technician, fire marshal, or fire police officer eligible for capital punishment. The legislation, named for the 30-year-old paramedic killed while tending to an accident victim after being struck by a speeding vehicle, would impart any transgressor with a first-degree murder charge.
"Often, people don’t realize the type of issues that EMS workers face," said Slattery. "While the work of EMS personnel can be risky by nature, there is no reason that the risk of occupational death is two and a half times larger for EMS workers compared to other American workers."
30 JUN 2009 Airbus A310-324 (7O-ADJ) of Yemenia Airways, off Mitsamiouli- 152(153 )
This e-mail is brought to you by the Aviation Safety Network (ASN). ASN is an exclusive service of the Flight Safety Foundation. Please note this information is preliminary; new information will be added on the Aviation Safety Network at http://aviation-safety.net/ The 2009 year list of accidents always contains the most recent information on each accident.
ASN ACCIDENT DIGEST 2009-12Date: 30 JUN 2009 Time: ca 01:50 Type: Airbus A310-324 Operator: Yemenia Airways Registration: 7O-ADJ C/n / msn: 535 First flight: 1990 Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney PW4152 Crew: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11 Passengers: Fatalities: 141 / Occupants: 141 Total: Fatalities: 152 / Occupants: 153 Airplane damage: Destroyed Location: off Mitsamiouli (Comoros) Phase: Approach Nature: International Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: San’a International Airport (SAH) Destination airport: Moroni-Prince Said Ibrahim In Airport (HAH) Flightnumber: 626
A Yemenia Airways Airbus A310-324 passenger plane was destroyed when it struck the water and crashed off shore from the Comoros. The airplane was on approach to Moroni-Prince Said Ibrahim In Airport (HAH) following an international flight from San’a International Airport (SAH). Yemenia Airways Flight IY626 had 142 passengers and 11 crew on board, according to a statement by Yemenia. A young girl survived the accident. The weather reported around the time of the accident (01:50 local, which is 22:50 UTC, June 29) was reported as follows: FMCH 292200Z 18022G33KT 9999 FEW020 24/17 Q1018 NOSIG= [wind from 180 degrees at 22 knots, gusting to 33 knots; unlimited visibility; few clouds at 2000 feet; temperature 24°C, dew point 17°C; 1018 mb] FMCH 292300Z 21025G35KT 9999 FEW020 25/16 Q1017 TEMPO 18015G30KT= [wind from 210 degrees at 25 knots, gusting to 35 knots; unlimited visibility; few clouds at 2000 feet; temperature 25°C, dew point 15°C; 1017 mb; temporary winds from 180 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 30 knots]Sources:
» BBC
» Airbus AIRCRAFT PROFILE AIRBUS A310
Munster VJ, de Wit E, van den Brand JM, et al. Pathogenesis and transmission of swine-origin 2009 A(H1N1) influenza virus in ferrets Science 2009 Jul 2; early online edition
Pathogenesis and Transmission of Swine-Origin 2009 A(H1N1) Influenza Virus in Ferrets
Vincent J. Munster 1, Emmie de Wit 1, Judith M. A. van den Brand 1, Sander Herfst 1, Eefje J. A. Schrauwen 1, Theo M. Bestebroer 1, David van de Vijver 1, Charles A. Boucher 1, Marion Koopmans 2, Guus F. Rimmelzwaan 1, Thijs Kuiken 1, Albert D. M. E. Osterhaus 1, Ron. A. M. Fouchier 1*
1 National Influenza Center and Department of Virology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 2 National Influenza Center and Department of Virology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.; National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Ron. A. M. Fouchier , E-mail: r.fouchier@erasmusmc.nl
The swine-origin influenza A(H1N1) virus that has emerged inhumans in early 2009 has raised concerns about pandemic developments.In a ferret pathogenesis and transmission model, the 2009 A(H1N1)virus was found to be more pathogenic than a seasonal A(H1N1)virus, with more extensive virus replication occurring in therespiratory tract. Replication of seasonal A(H1N1) virus wasconfined to the nasal cavity of ferrets, but 2009 A(H1N1) alsoreplicated in the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. Virus sheddingwas more abundant from the upper respiratory tract for 2009A(H1N1) virus by comparison with seasonal virus, and transmissionvia aerosol or respiratory droplets was equally efficient. Thesedata suggest that the 2009 A(H1N1) virus has the ability topersist in the human population, potentially with more severeclinical consequences.
Maines TR, Jayaraman A, Belser J, et al. Transmission and pathogenesis of swine-origin 2009 A(H1N1) influenza viruses in ferrets and mice. Science 2009 Jul 2; early online edition
Transmission and Pathogenesis of Swine-Origin 2009 A(H1N1) Influenza Viruses in Ferrets and Mice
Taronna R. Maines 1, Akila Jayaraman 2, Jessica A. Belser 3, Debra A. Wadford 1, Claudia Pappas 1, Hui Zeng 1, Kortney M. Gustin 1, Melissa B. Pearce 1, Karthik Viswanathan 2, Zachary H. Shriver 2, Rahul Raman 2, Nancy J. Cox 1, Ram Sasisekharan 2, Jacqueline M. Katz 1, Terrence M. Tumpey 1*
1 Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. 2 Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, E25-519, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. 3 Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Terrence M. Tumpey , E-mail: tft9@cdc.gov
Recent reports of mild to severe influenza-like illness in humanscaused by a novel swine-origin 2009 A(H1N1) influenza virusunderscore the need to better understand the pathogenesis andtransmission of these viruses in mammals. Here, selected 2009A(H1N1) isolates were assessed for their ability to cause diseasein mice and ferrets, and compared with a contemporary seasonalH1N1 virus for their ability to transmit by respiratory dropletsto naïve ferrets. In contrast to seasonal influenza H1N1virus, 2009 A(H1N1) viruses caused increased morbidity, replicatedto higher titers in lung tissue, and were recovered from theintestinal tract of intranasally inoculated ferrets. The 2009A(H1N1) viruses exhibited less efficient respiratory droplettransmission in ferrets in comparison to the high-transmissiblephenotype of a seasonal H1N1 virus. Transmission of the 2009A(H1N1) viruses was further corroborated by characterizing thebinding specificity of the viral hemagglutinin to the sialylatedglycan receptors (in the human host) using dose-dependent directreceptor binding and human lung tissue binding assays.
Reuters, 7/1/09: Thousands of additional law enforcement officers within 50 miles of New York City will have access to radiation detectors for dirty bombs and nuclear devices, New York police said on Wednesday.
The detectors, including cell phone-sized devices that officers wear on their belts, can help uncover a dirty bomb might be assembled outside New York and smuggled in, police said at a security conference. New York Police Department officers have used such devices for several years.
Police spokesman Paul Browne said thousands of law enforcement officers in areas surrounding New York City, including state police and sheriff’s departments in New Jersey and Connecticut, were joining New York in a program aimed at detecting dirty bombs and averting nuclear attacks.
The increase in officers and equipment was being funded by a federal program called “Securing the Cities” that had been allocated $54 million in the past three years, Browne said.
Nearly eight years after the September 11 attacks in 2001, New York remains the top target for groups like al Qaeda planning attacks on the United States, police and lawmakers said, and the possibility of a radiological attack on a public transport system remained high.
“We know that terrorists come here and we know that they are surveying here,” said Captain Michael Riggio of the NYPD counterterrorism division.
The belt devices, which buzz when they detect radiation, are the “first line of defense” against a possible dirty bomb or a small-scale nuclear device, he said.
A dirty bomb, which combines conventional explosives such as dynamite with radioactive material, could have a devastating impact and close down the surrounding area for several years.
Police hope the small detectors will soon be equipped with Bluetooth technology and synchronized with a police command center that will instantaneously trace on a map the exact location of radiological material and snap a picture of the offending vehicle or person.
The use of larger radiation detection devices, which are set up in NYPD cars, boats and helicopters and at subway, bridge and car tunnel entrances, is also being expanded.
Browne said small-scale nuclear devices were harder to make so a dirty bomb was a more likely pick for militant groups.
“We still don’t have an adequate strategy of detecting nuclear material,” New York Police commissioner Ray Kelly said at the conference. Browne said Kelly was referring to inadequate security at the country’s ports, where radioactive materials could be smuggled in through large cargo containers.
SATURDAY, June 20 (HealthDay News) — Mowing the lawn is such a common summertime activity that many people forget that their lawn mower can cause serious injuries, experts warn.
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