Final Update – This notice has been updated to reflect that the outbreak appears to be over and the outbreak investigation has been closed.

OTTAWA, ON, April 28, 2022 /CNW/ –

Why you should take note

The Public Health Agency of Canada collaborated with federal and provincial public health partners, the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to investigate an outbreak of norovirus and gastrointestinal illnesses involving five provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. The outbreak appears to be over and the outbreak investigation has been closed.

Investigation findings identified consumption of raw oysters from British Columbia as the source of the outbreak. As a result, some oyster harvesting areas in British Columbia that were associated with the outbreak were closed as a part of the investigation.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued several food recalls throughout February, March, and April. Links to each food recall associated with this investigation can be found at the end of this public health notice.

The outbreak investigation is an important reminder to Canadians and businesses that raw oysters can carry harmful germs that can lead to foodborne illness if not properly handled and cooked prior to consuming.

Investigation Summary

In total, 339 confirmed cases of norovirus and gastrointestinal illness were reported in the following provinces: British Columbia (301), Alberta (3), Saskatchewan (1), Manitoba (15) and Ontario (19). Individuals became sick between mid-January and early April 2022, and no deaths were reported.

Some oyster harvest areas in British Columbia that were associated with illnesses in the outbreak were closed as a part of the investigation. The CFIA issued several food recalls throughout February, March, and April. For more information on the recalled products, please consult the Government of Canada’s Recalls and Safety Alerts website.

The U.S. CDC also investigated a multistate norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters from British Columbia.

Who is most at risk

Acute gastrointestinal illnesses such as norovirus illness are common in North America and are very contagious, affecting all age groups. However, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, young children and the elderly are at risk for developing more serious complications, like dehydration.

What you should do to protect your health

Raw oysters contaminated with noroviruses may look, smell and taste normal. The following safe food-handling practices will reduce your risk of getting sick:

• Do not eat, use, sell, or serve any recalled oysters.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked oysters. Cook oysters to an internal temperature of 90° Celsius (194° Fahrenheit) for a minimum of 90 seconds before eating.
• Discard any oysters that did not open while cooking.
• Eat oysters right away after cooking and refrigerate leftovers.
• Always keep raw and cooked oysters separate to avoid cross-contamination.
• Do not use the same plate or utensils for raw and cooked shellfish, and wash counters and utensils with soap and warm water after preparation.
• Wash your hands well with soap before and after handling any food. Be sure to clean and sanitize cutting boards, counters, knives and other utensils after preparing raw foods.

Noroviruses can be transmitted by ill individuals and are able to survive relatively high levels of chlorine and varying temperatures. Cleaning and disinfecting practices are the key to preventing further illnesses in your home.

• Thoroughly clean contaminated surfaces, and disinfect using chlorine bleach, especially after an episode of illness.
• After vomiting or diarrhea, immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with the virus (use hot water and soap).
• If you have been diagnosed with norovirus illness or any other gastrointestinal illness, do not prepare food or pour drinks for other people while you have symptoms, and for the first 48 hours after you recover.

Symptoms

People with norovirus illness usually develop symptoms of gastroenteritis within 24 to 48 hours, but symptoms can start as early as 12 hours after exposure. The illness often begins suddenly. Even after having the illness, you can still become re-infected by norovirus.

The main symptoms of norovirus illness are:

• diarrhea
• vomiting (children usually experience more vomiting than adults)
• nausea
• stomach cramps

Other symptoms may include:

• low-grade fever
• headache
• chills
• muscle aches
• fatigue (a general sense of tiredness)

Most people feel better within one or two days, with symptoms resolving on their own, and experience no long-term health effects. As with any illness causing diarrhea or vomiting, people who are ill should drink plenty of liquids to replace lost body fluids and prevent dehydration. In severe cases, patients may need to be hospitalized and given fluids intravenously. If you have severe symptoms of norovirus, consult your healthcare provider.

What the Government of Canada is doing

The Government of Canada is committed to food safety. The Public Health Agency of Canada leads the human health investigation of an outbreak and is in regular contact with its federal and provincial partners to monitor and take collaborative steps to address outbreaks.

Health Canada provides food-related health risk assessments to determine whether the presence of a certain substance or microorganism poses a health risk to consumers.

The CFIA conducts food safety investigations into the possible food source of an outbreak. CFIA also monitors for biotoxins in shellfish in harvesting areas and is responsible for registering and inspecting fish and shellfish processing plants. The CFIA may recommend that affected sites or areas be opened or closed based on epidemiological information, sample testing results and/or relevant harvest area information.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for opening and closing shellfish harvest areas, and enforcing closures under the authority of the Fisheries Act and the Management of Contaminated Fishery Regulations.

Under the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program, Environment and Climate Change Canada monitors pollution sources and sanitary conditions in shellfish growing waters.

The Government of Canada will continue to update Canadians as new information related to this investigation becomes available.

Epidemiological information

Figure 1 is an epidemiological curve for this outbreak, which shows the numbers of new cases by week. Outbreak investigators use this information to show when illnesses begin, when they peak, and when they trail off. It can take several weeks from the time a person becomes ill to when the illness is reported and linked to the outbreak. Data are available for 339 cases.

Additional information

• Shellfish Food Safety
• VCH News Release (March 18)
• Government of Canada Recalls and Safety Alerts:
• February 18, 2022
• March 20, 2022
• March 23, 2022
• March 27, 2022
• March 27, 2022
• March 31, 2022
• April 6, 2022
• April 11, 2022
• April 12, 2022
• April 14, 2022
• Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program Manual of Operations
• British Columbia Shellfish Harvesting
• Bivalve Shellfish Sanitary Contamination Closures
• General Food Safety Tips
• U.S. CDC Norovirus outbreak notice
• U.S. FDA Advisory – April 2022

SOURCE Health Canada

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2022/28/c0167.html

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Originally Appeared Here

Dear doctors: When my family tried to visit my parents at their assisted living facility, we were turned away at the door. I thought covid-19 was going to be the reason, but we were told it was because of a norovirus outbreak. What is that? Is it really so contagious? DEAR READER: Norovirus refers to a group of viruses that are the leading cause of gastrointestinal illness in the United States. They sicken 21 million people each year and send more than 100,000 of them to the hospital. Each year, these viruses cause 900 deaths, the majority of them in adults 65 and older.

Norovirus, which is shed in an infected person’s feces, is extremely contagious. If someone with norovirus fails to thoroughly wash their hands after a bowel movement, they can spread it to everything that they touch. You can become infected if you accidentally ingest the miniscule particles of feces that an infected individual leaves behind on a surface. This can be through person-to-person contact, consuming food or drink that they prepared or coming into contact with objects or surfaces that they have touched. The virus is present in vomit, as well, which adds an additional layer of risk when caring for or living with someone who is ill. To make things even more complicated, some people infected with norovirus don’t become sick, but they can still pass the virus to others.

Symptoms of norovirus infection begin from 12 hours to two days after exposure and often appear suddenly. The most common symptoms include nausea, repeated vomiting, stomach cramps and fatigue. Less often, someone may experience headache, low-grade fever, muscle aches and chills. While a miserable experience — the infection has earned the nickname “the vomiting bug” — it’s usually not life-threatening. But in vulnerable populations, such as infants, young children, older adults and those with a weakened immune system, infection can be severe.

Lab tests can detect noroviruses in a stool sample, but diagnosis is typically through the distinctive array of symptoms. There is no cure for this infection. Rather, the focus is on rest, managing discomfort, staying hydrated and meticulous hygiene to stop the spread. For those with a healthy immune system, recovery usually takes several days.

Because there are multiple means of transmission and the viral “dose” needed to cause an infection is so low, norovirus outbreaks are notoriously difficult to control.

It’s particularly true in group settings such as hospitals, schools, cruise ships, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Once an outbreak takes hold, it requires time and ongoing vigilance to eradicate.

This includes repeatedly disinfecting every surface that may have been contaminated, and ensuring that everyone in the household or facility follows a strict regimen of frequent and thorough handwashing. Disposable gloves and paper towels should be used to clean up after a sick person, and they should be bagged before going into the trash. Infected people should stay home and avoid contact with others. While not getting to see your parents is disappointing, the no-visiting policy is quite likely part of the facility’s efforts to limit contact and control the outbreak.

Eve Glazier, M.D., MBA, is an internist and associate professor of medicine at UCLA Health. Elizabeth Ko, M.D., is an internist and assistant professor of medicine at UCLA Health. Send your questions to [email protected], or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10960 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1955, Los Angeles, CA, 90024.

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Originally Appeared Here

Even the least cooks among you have a lemon at home. This means that this acidic citrus fruit is acclaimed by the vast majority for its benefits and for its cleaning and disinfecting powers. If you don’t know what to do with the half-lemon you have left, we simply advise you to put it in the fridge. This is a practical, effective and surprising trick.

Lemon, this citrus fruit bursting with antioxidants, is not only a beauty and health ally. It is endowed with many cleaning properties and renders innumerable services when it comes to household cleaning. It can degrease, disinfect, stain, perfume and even act as a pest repellent. And yes, the lemon is a great help to make a lot of tasks easier for you. Moreover, if you want to remove bad smells from your refrigerator, the lemon trick is unstoppable.

Half a lemon – Source: spm

If you are used to opening the refrigerator and smelling an unpleasant odor which, moreover, spreads throughout the kitchen, it is time to act. First of all, you have to start by knowing the source of the bad odors and eliminate it, then put the food in airtight boxes to preserve it and protect it from any bacteria that can spread in the fridge. It is also advisable to clean the inside of the refrigerator regularly to disinfect and sanitize it. After all, it is inside this device that we keep the food that we consume on a daily basis and which must be irreproachable in terms of hygiene.

– Half a lemon in the fridge door

Cut the citrus fruit in half and put half in the fridge door. With its fresh scent, lemon subtly perfumes your fridge and neutralizes bad smells. You can also place half a lemon at the top of the fridge then another at the bottom in a small cup. This is sure to save you from holding your nose every time you open the refrigerator door. Repeat this trick as soon as the lemon becomes dry and no longer effective. You can also rub the lemon against the walls of the fridge to eliminate and neutralize bad smells. This trick is quick, ecological and economical on top of that!

What can be combined with lemon to deodorize the fridge?

To increase the effectiveness of lemon as a deodorant, you can combine it with baking soda. This combo prides itself on both absorbing unpleasant odors with the power of white powder and spreading a great scent via the scent of sour citrus. . To do this, pour a tablespoon of baking soda and another of lemon juice into a cup and place it inside the fridge.

Lemon and baking soda – Source: spm

In addition, lemon essential oil can also be very effective in combating the bad smell of the fridge. Simply mix a few drops of this citrus essential oil in a bottle filled with water and spray on areas prone to stubborn odors. Let the product act for a few minutes then with a sponge soaked in water, rinse and you’re done. With these tips, say goodbye to stuffy odors and make way for lemony freshness.

What other uses of lemon in the house?

To avoid the chemicals in conventional air fresheners, it doesn’t get any better than the natural alternatives. Like coffee grounds, lavender or even eucalyptus, lemon is the flagship product for eliminating bad smells.

To descale, lemon is your ally and this thanks to its acidity which dissolves limestone . Whether it’s to descale toilets, shower heads, taps or the kettle, this citrus fruit will be your savior in all circumstances.

Lemon is also a good trick to use to peel off labels and stickers. By rubbing half a lemon on the label , you take it off easily.

Lemon is also effective for whitening laundry or cleaning jewelry that darkens. Without forgetting kitchen utensils such as saucepans, which it makes shine without damaging the material.

All parts of the lemon are to be exploited, from its juice to its rind to deodorize, disinfect or polish. In terms of home maintenance, this citrus fruit is always to have on hand.

Read also How to use lemon to clean the house ?

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Originally Appeared Here

news, property, REV, mould, home, tips

An estimated 5.7 million Australians are living with potentially harmful mould in their homes according to Mitsubishi Electric’s Healthy Home Trends report. The report explores the newest trends, habits and concerns facing Australians at home. This included mould in at least one room for 22 per cent of respondents and dampness present in one room for 17 per cent. Of the homes with mould or dampness, 67 per cent had their belongings ruined with an average loss of $427 per person in the past year. This equates to $3 billion worth of items ruined in Australia in the past year alone. However, homes with air conditioning throughout were considerably less likely to experience damp or mould, confirming that regular and proper fresh airflow prevents the potentially harmful problem. The report also revealed 81 per cent of Australians experience respiratory symptoms with one quarter experiencing symptoms during hayfever season while one-in-three are triggered all year by airborne particles, like dust and pollen. In response to the report findings, Mitsubishi Electric has launched the MA-E85R Air Purifier and MJ-EV38HR Dehumidifier, both engineered to tackle air-quality issues faced by millions of Australians every day. The air purifier helps to improve indoor air quality and reduce exposure to common asthma and allergy triggers, including dust, pollen, pet allergens and some gases. It features a unique auto cleaning pre-filter that rotates and collects dust into a compartment, for minimum fuss and maximum performance. The dehumidifier boasts an energy-efficient inverter compressor and precision humidity control to remove excess moisture from the air and maintain a comfortable level of humidity all year helping to reduce the risk of dampness and mould. The key to preventing mould growth is reducing dampness. Mitsubishi Electric’s top three tips to prevention include:

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/hAYf5uV8h5f2xWYCvhVdDZ/53481340-4e46-467f-acb8-69dca8cf4e87.jpg/r0_315_6192_3813_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

An estimated 5.7 million Australians are living with potentially harmful mould in their homes according to Mitsubishi Electric’s Healthy Home Trends report.

The report explores the newest trends, habits and concerns facing Australians at home.

This included mould in at least one room for 22 per cent of respondents and dampness present in one room for 17 per cent.

Of the homes with mould or dampness, 67 per cent had their belongings ruined with an average loss of $427 per person in the past year. This equates to $3 billion worth of items ruined in Australia in the past year alone.

However, homes with air conditioning throughout were considerably less likely to experience damp or mould, confirming that regular and proper fresh airflow prevents the potentially harmful problem.

The report also revealed 81 per cent of Australians experience respiratory symptoms with one quarter experiencing symptoms during hayfever season while one-in-three are triggered all year by airborne particles, like dust and pollen.

In response to the report findings, Mitsubishi Electric has launched the MA-E85R Air Purifier and MJ-EV38HR Dehumidifier, both engineered to tackle air-quality issues faced by millions of Australians every day.

One-in-six Australians have recently purchased an air purifier, with bushfire smoke, air quality and mould the primary reasons for purchase

Mitsubishi Electric Healthy Home Trends report

The air purifier helps to improve indoor air quality and reduce exposure to common asthma and allergy triggers, including dust, pollen, pet allergens and some gases. It features a unique auto cleaning pre-filter that rotates and collects dust into a compartment, for minimum fuss and maximum performance.

The dehumidifier boasts an energy-efficient inverter compressor and precision humidity control to remove excess moisture from the air and maintain a comfortable level of humidity all year helping to reduce the risk of dampness and mould.

The key to preventing mould growth is reducing dampness. Mitsubishi Electric’s top three tips to prevention include:

1. Maintain proper ventilation by using exhaust fans, particularly when bathing, showering, cooking, doing laundry and drying clothes. Opening windows and doors when the weather permits improves cross ventilation.
2. Reduce humidity by limiting the use of humidifiers and unflued gas heaters while also limiting the number of fish tanks and indoor plants.
3. Control moisture and dampness by repairing water leaks and plumbing issues as soon as possible (things like a leaking roof, burst pipes or blocked gutters). If water enters the home completely clean and dry water-damaged carpets and building materials. Discard material that cannot be cleaned and dried completely. Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air and maintain a comfortable level of humidity in your home.

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Originally Appeared Here

LINCOLN, Neb. (KCAU) — The seventh case in Nebraska of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was found in a farm in Knox County.

The case was among a flock of more than 2.1 million laying hens and confirmed by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), according to a release.

Birds on the farm will be “humanely depopulated and disposed of in an approved manner” with the farm being quarantined. A control zone of 6.2 miles is also established around the farm. Any poultry producers in that control zone should be aware of the signs of HPAI and let the NDA of any sick or dying birds.

Sioux City officials asking residents to help reduce water use to avoid issuing conservation plan

In addition, the order that prohibits birds from being at events has been extended through May 15. Events include fairs, swap meets, live bird auctions, and expositions. The order, issued on March 26, had been set to expire on April 30. Officials will reevaluate the order when it is closer to expiring.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk to people getting HPAI infections from birds is low. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.

Bird owners are asked to prevent contact between their birds and wildlife. They are also asked to practice biosecurity measures to limit the spread, including some information below.

• Know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases like HPAI. Be on the lookout for unusual signs of behavior, severe illness and/or sudden deaths.
• Restrict access to your property and poultry.
• Keep it clean. Wear clean clothes, scrub boots/shoes with disinfectant and wash hands thoroughly before and after contact with your flock.
• If you, your employees or family have been on other farms, or other places where there is livestock and/or poultry, clean and disinfect your vehicle tires and equipment before returning home.
• Don’t share equipment, tools, or other supplies with other livestock or poultry owners.
• In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, making sure wild birds cannot access domestic poultry’s feed and water sources.
• Report sick birds immediately to: NDA at 402-471-2351; the USDA at 866-536-7593; or your veterinarian. Early detection is important to prevent the spread of disease.

If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flock, they should report it to NDA immediately at (402) 471-2351. More information for producers can be found at https://nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian/index.html or http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.

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Originally Appeared Here

A bald eagle looks out from a nest in South Anchorage on Wednesday. Wildlife officials say both domesticated and wild birds are at risk for avian influenza, which has already spread in the Lower 48. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Normally, Laura Atwood feels joy as spring in Alaska brings the return of birdsong in and around the Bird Treatment & Learning Center, a rehabilitation facility she directs in Anchorage.

This year, with the prospect of a new strain of avian influenza hovering over the state, Atwood says she feels a sense of dread instead.

“I was out the other day, and there was like, five bald eagles floating above me and chattering to each other,” she said. “Normally, that would have made me really happy. And now I just looked up and thought, man, I hope you guys make it through the summer.”

Alaska authorities have yet to detect any cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu viruses that have led to the deaths of millions of birds across the Lower 48 in recent months.

But experts say that based on migratory bird patterns, it’s probably only a matter of time before the disease reaches the state — if it’s not here undetected already.

The implications could be serious for not only the state’s domestic birds but also wild birds, including geese, shore birds, vultures and eagles, according to Alaska’s state veterinarian, Dr. Bob Gerlach.

A pair of Arctic terns could be spotted at Potter Marsh on Wednesday. Arctic terns, which migrate from the Arctic to the Antarctic, are susceptible to avian flu, which has already spread in the Lower 48. (Marc Lester / ADN)

“This is very unusual with the fact that it does cause such severe impact on wild birds as well as domestic,” Gerlach said this week. ”Our big concern is, what’s the impact on our wild bird population? So the wildlife biologists will be evaluating that. But the other big concern is the people with their backyard flocks.”

Bird flu is highly contagious, much like COVID-19 or influenza strains that can infect humans. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transmission to humans or other mammals is very rare — just one human infection with current H5N1 bird flu viruses was reported in January, involving a person in the United Kingdom who did not have any symptoms.

In birds, the flu presents with a host of symptoms that include fatigue, swollen comb or wattles, difficulty walking, nasal discharge and decreased egg production.

Because there is no treatment for infected birds, the virus often means death for some, especially poultry and raptors like hawks, eagles or owls. The mortality rate for those birds is extremely high — between 70% and 100% once infected, said Gerlach.

Key spreaders are migrating geese and ducks making their way across the country, leaving highly contagious droppings as they go. So far, untold numbers of at least 51 species of wild birds have died. Over 33 million domestic poultry in the U.S. in 29 states have died from the virus or needed to be euthanized because of possible exposure, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is tracking the spread.

Gerlach said there are two different bird migrations that could bring the bird flu to Alaska, and it’s possible contagious birds have already arrived in the state, or will soon.

Wild birds including gulls, sandhill cranes, swans and dabbling ducks have already made the trip, he said.

The virus began in Asia, Gerlach said, and has been detected in northern Kazakhstan and northern parts of Russia.

“So it’s coming from both sides — going from the east, from the Lower 48, and from the west, from Asia,” he said.

Trying to avoid Lower 48 horror stories

In Alaska, some backyard chicken owners, a community that has grown exponentially in recent years, are watching the spread of the virus with concern.

Fairbanks resident Amelia Sikes first adopted chickens at the beginning of the pandemic as a way to keep busy while stuck at home all the time. She’s glad she did.

Amelia Sikes from Fairbanks began raising chickens in 2020 just as the pandemic hit. She’s taking precautions to protect her 11-chicken flock from the avian flu, including asking her neighbors to take down their bird feeders, and following other biosecurity recommendations. (Amelia Sikes photo)

“They’ve just been so fulfilling, like the best pets,” she said of the 11 birds that now make up her flock. “They give me lots of eggs, and one of them, Moira, is just more like a pet chicken than anything else.”

But now Sikes is monitoring the progress of avian flu through at least six Facebook groups dedicated to raising chickens. The horror stories she saw on social media from Lower 48 chicken owners worry her, especially the experience of a man who lost his entire 50-bird flock to avian flu.

That’s what would need to happen on Alaska farms where birds test positive, even if it’s just one, Gerlach said. The grim choice to euthanize birds helps prevent the virus from spreading.

Owners would likely be able to receive “indemnity” payments to help cover the value of any birds that had to be euthanized, he said.

Sikes said she’s already making changes to avoid that worst-case scenario. She recently asked neighbors to consider taking down bird feeders to avoid attracting wild birds, and is mindful of the snow her chickens get from outside and the river silt they use for dust baths.

“I have a covered run, so I’m not too concerned about wild birds getting in my bird space,” she said. “But I’m trying to be more aware of what parts of my chickens’ routine are potentially crossing that boundary.”

[Bird flu drives free-range hens indoors to protect poultry]

‘Protect our birds’

Bird TLC, the rehabilitation center near Potter Marsh, cares for between 600 and 800 sick, injured or orphaned birds yearly.

An intake area at Bird Treatment and Learning Center helps staff test for and discover symptoms of avian influenza. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Staff recently put into place an extensive mitigation plan to protect incoming birds from the flu that’s reminiscent of preventive steps taken to stave off the spread of COVID-19 in people.

Dr. Karen Higgs, a center veterinarian, said workers each have about three pairs of shoes and multiple outfits to change into while moving around the facility to prevent contamination.

The center is closed to visitors, and two weeks ago, they set up a quarantine and isolation area where all bird intakes go first to be tested for avian influenza.

Higgs said that while she tries not to make comparisons between avian flu and COVID-19, she think the last two years helped prepare the center for the steps they’re taking now to protect their birds.

Dr. Karen Higgs, avian care director, discusses Bird Treatment and Learning Center’s response to avian influenza on Tuesday. (Marc Lester / ADN)

“I mean, even just as simple as, you can talk more about viruses, and when you say ‘virus load’ and how it’s transmitted, there’s a lot of vocabulary that now people know,” she said.

At the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, home to dozens of seabirds including various species of ducks and puffins, preparations are being made to protect the birds there from possible infections, according to Carrie Goertz, the center’s director of animal health.

Although many of the birds at the SeaLife Center aren’t as likely to become seriously ill from the flu as poultry and raptors, they can often be asymptomatic carriers, Goertz said. So the center is looking into bolstering the netting around its aviaries to limit exposure to other birds.

The center is also exploring instituting “foot baths” for visitors once cases have been identified in Alaska, Goertz said. They plan to increase the frequency of health screenings and testing that’s done on their birds, she said.

At Bird TLC, veterinarian Higgs said that while the steps the center is taking might seem drastic to some, they’ve been talking to experts in the Lower 48 where the bird flu has already arrived to know what practices are best and just how bad this strain really is.

“Our whole goal is to protect our birds, protect our patients, and then also keep ourselves safe,” she said.

Precautions for owners of backyard flocks

• Keep your chickens or ducks away from ponds where waterfowl may be.

• Keep feed protected from wild birds or other wildlife.

• Keep poultry under cover or otherwise limit free ranging to prevent contact with wild birds.

• Change clothes and boots before going to another farm or area with birds.

• Do not share equipment and supplies with other bird owners.

• Isolate new birds for 30 days before adding them to your flock.

• Wash hands thoroughly after handling or working with birds. Wear clean clothes, and disinfect cages or equipment that come in contact with birds and their droppings.

• When handling and cleaning game, hunters should wear gloves, wash hands, and disinfect knives and equipment used for cleaning. Use caution if you have domestic birds at home.

Whom to contact

To report illness or death in a backyard flock, contact your local veterinarian or the Office of the State Veterinarian at 907-375-8215.

Alaskans who notice signs of unusual bird behavior or deaths among migratory birds — which include disorientation, twitching or tremors, and necks twisted back — can call the state’s sick or dead bird hotline at 1-866-527-3358, or email email [email protected].

• • •

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Originally Appeared Here

To care for our skin and keep it young, we often use cosmetic products. However, sometimes we over-buy so much that we forget to use them. Very few people know this, but some expired creams can be very useful for cleaning your home or for maintaining objects. Discover their usefulness!

You did not suspect it but the moisturizing cream that you apply to your skin can be useful at home. By dint of abandoning certain products that are not suitable for our skin, we make a compilation of them and sometimes remain unused. To avoid waste, you can use it for other daily uses.

Do we need to get rid of all our expired creams?

The answer is no. Instead of throwing away your creams for the smell or texture that is not suited to your needs, consider keeping them at home for your next cleaning or storage. They are very useful when it is necessary to deep clean certain spaces or fabrics. Let’s see how these products are used at home.

– Use your creams to treat leather

Leather cleaning – Source: spm

If you have not succeeded in keep your cream for a long time. Do not panic. It is possible to use it to clean leather objects and accessories. Face cream, cleansing milk or body cream are real remedies for nourishing this tissue which is sometimes difficult to maintain. Apply this product by mixing it with a little white vinegar and you’re done. This combination of products will give your fabric more shine. Your leather sofa and even your bag or jacket will be clean and bright again. Other natural remedies to treat leather: Marseille soap. It can be put on a glove before rubbing the leather. Then, it must be rinsed using a clean, damp cloth.

Warning: it is recommended to apply these products to a hidden part of the area to be treated in order to avoid damaging it.

– Apply your creams to the wood

Clean the wood – Source: spm

Once expired, face and body creams can no longer be used on the skin. However, these can be very useful when it comes to cleaning some delicate materials. As such, it is possible to use expired moisturizers on wooden items in your home. This way you will avoid making an unnecessary and costly purchase. You can apply it on your wooden surfaces. To do this, simply put some on a soft cloth and use it to wipe, remove dirt and absorb it. Milk is also used to polish wood. To do this, simply heat it a little before using it on your wooden table.

– Reuse the packaging of your creams

Cream boxes – Source: spm

Start by tidying up. You will no doubt come across very old boxes of creams, check their expiration date and put them aside. You will need it later! If you have consumed all your product before expiration, remember to reuse the empty bottles. It can be very useful to put new cosmetics in it or to better organize your bathroom. However, there are certain hygiene and safety rules to follow as for glass jars. It is best to boil them before reuse. For plastic or aluminum, just wash thoroughly with soap before disinfecting with alcohol at 20°.

Caution:

It is advisable to pay attention to the PAO mention (period after opening) of a product to have an idea of ​​the lifespan of a product at the time of its use.

Although they allow us to have soft and hydrated skin, these many moisturizing treatments that we apply have purifying and cleansing properties both on the skin and on certain household items and fabrics .

Read also How do you know if you have been blocked by a contact on WhatsApp?

Baking soda is a natural product renowned for its various uses. It can be used in household maintenance to clean, degrease and disinfect surfaces or to preserve the shine of laundry. This passepartout product is also popular for taking care of the skin and preserving its youth. But its uses don’t stop there. Indeed, baking soda is beneficial for your plants too. Find out what happens if you spray your plants with a mixture of water and baking soda.

(Tiranjini Pillai / Daily Titan)

Owning a pet can bring so much joy to a person’s life and may provide unique health benefits for their owners. Pets are a responsibility, but sometimes tend to be forgotten once the reality of the maintenance and supervision kicks in. 

Many may be surprised that, although their pet’s food bowls provide their pets with nutrients needed for survival, it can also be a hotspot for germs.  

According to a Plos One study of 400 dog owners’ dish washing habits, 22% wash their pet’s dishes once a week and 18% either wash their pet’s dishes every few months or not at all. Only 12% wash their pet’s dishes every day. 

Not many people think about washing their pet’s food bowls on a daily basis. However, their food bowls are known to contain germs and bacteria like salmonella and E. coli. A pet’s water bowl can contain germs that have harbored algae and mold. According to the National Sanitation Foundation, pet bowls are ranked No. 4 for being the most germ-infested place in a home. 

Even a simple wipe with a paper towel and water after each meal, is not enough to prevent bacteria. Dishwashers also do not do the trick; salmonella residuals reside in 67% of bowls, since the lack of heat fails to kill the bacteria.

Since pets eat with their mouths, their saliva mixes with their food leaving a recipe for bacteria and germs to form. Some people often think this is only true for raw or wet food, but dry food and kibble still run the risk of salmonella. Using bleach cleaning solutions is the best practice when it comes to fighting against bacteria. 

Along with proper cleaning solutions and daily maintenance of the dishes owners put their pet’s food in, they must make sure to store the food correctly to protect the quality of the food and health of the pet. 

Heat often spoils the pet food if not sealed properly. So, it’s best to store pet food in cool and dry places to avoid unknowingly serving pets rancid food. It’s also important to make sure it’s properly sealed to avoid ants, bugs, and other rodents from getting in.

If their food isn’t stored correctly, it may cause the food to become stale and stripped of nutritional value. This could also contribute to pets getting sick from their food.  

Not enough people are aware that negligence toward proper food handling, dish maintenance, and overall knowledge of pet food can be detrimental to a pet’s health. When it comes to safely feeding pets, more information and knowledge should be easily accessible for pet owners to follow. 

Since pet owners don’t even know about the risks food bowls can bring, it should be talked about when initially considering a pet. Pet companies should do a better job at raising awareness of the risks that come from poor handling and serving of pet food. 

Current pet owners should educate themselves on best practices for food and dish cleanliness.  Some responsibility falls on the pet companies for not raising awareness about these issues. 

It’s time for pet owners to take a step up and accept the responsibility of taking care of a pet. Cleaning and disinfecting a pet’s dish may take extra time and effort, but that is part of the responsibility of having a pet and keeping them healthy.

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Originally Appeared Here