New South Wales parents are being urged to keep children at home if they are unwell following a substantial increase in the number of gastroenteritis outbreaks in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services being reported to NSW Health.

 

With almost 1,000 children and more than 210 staff members affected to date, NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection Dr Richard Broome said it was important for those in the sector to be aware of the high numbers and to support parents to be aware of the need to keep children who are unwell at home. 

 

For the month of February, 156 outbreaks of gastroenteritis in early childhood education centres were reported, representing a 97 per cent increase in the number of cases reported compared to the average for the month. 

 

“NSW Health has notified the directors of NSW early childhood education services to an increase in viral gastroenteritis outbreaks and since then there have been further notifications of gastroenteritis outbreaks across the sector,” Dr Broome said. 

 

Gastroenteritis information

 

Viral gastroenteritis is highly infectious. Viruses are spread from the vomit or stool (faeces) of an infected person. This can occur when cleaning up body fluids, during person-to-person contact, sharing of contaminated objects and occasionally inhaling airborne particles when people vomit.

 

Viral gastroenteritis symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, headache and muscle aches. They can take up to three days to develop and usually last between one or two days, and sometimes longer.

 

Advice for parents and caregivers includes:

 

• Keep children experiencing gastroenteritis home from childcare services and school. Children should not return until 48 hours have passed since their last symptom.

 

• Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and running water, particularly after changing nappies, assisting someone with diarrhoea and/or vomiting and before preparing food. Alcohol hand sanitiser is generally less effective than soap and water but can be used if these are not available.

 

• Immediately and thoroughly clean contaminated surfaces with hot, soapy water and then disinfect the area using a household disinfectant. If possible, disinfect with a freshly made sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution, prepared according to manufacturer’s instructions.

 

• Immediately remove and wash clothing or linen that may be contaminated with stool or vomit (use hot water and detergent).

 

• Wear gloves and a mask when cleaning up bodily fluids, including vomit.

 

The main treatment for viral gastroenteritis is to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Most people recover without complications but it can be serious for infants, people with suppressed immune systems, and the elderly.

 

Please refer to information on how to prevent the spread of gastroenteritis for more information. 

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is ushering workers back to downtown Minneapolis on Monday, joining a host of other employers who have laid out new back-to-office plans.

Securian Financial’s employees will start coming back to the company’s St. Paul headquarters on March 22. United Natural Foods Inc., the food distribution giant that owns Cub Foods, will bring office workers back in the spring as well.

Managers at the Fed, which has about 1,000 employees in Minneapolis, started to come back in November and fully expected to reopen offices in December or January. But as the omicron variant caused COVID-19 cases to increase, the target dates were put off.

Now that cases are trending down, Neel Kashkari, the Minneapolis Fed chief, said the organization felt good about a late February return.

“I am excited to see everybody back,” Kashkari said. “I can’t believe it’s been two years. But we will see. I am sure there are going to be some hiccups along the way. There always are.”

The state’s reported positivity rate of COVID-19 diagnostic testing yo-yoed from 8.6% in the two weeks ending Dec. 20 to a record 23.5% on Jan. 10 to 7.2% on Feb. 15. It soon could drop below the state’s 5% caution threshold for substantial viral spread for the first time since Aug. 2.

Kashkari required all employees to get vaccinated this past summer and allowed people to re-enter the building on a voluntary basis. Going forward, they are expected to show up full time.

In contrast, Securian Financial notified its 3,000 headquarter workers Thursday that managers will return on a hybrid basis on March 22. Others will follow in phases starting April 5.

The move comes “after two years in a company-wide work-from-home environment,” said spokesman Jeff Bakken in an e-mail. “Hybrid work will be our new normal moving forward.”

The hybrid work model adopted by many employers is reverberating through other parts of the economy. Some skyway businesses wonder how many people will be downtown on a given day.

Bright Horizons runs more than 1,000 on-site child-care centers nationwide and provides emergency backup child-care services for employees at Target, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, United Health, 3M, Medtronic and Allianz.

With more employers recalling workers on a hybrid basis, demand for “backup child care just increased exponentially,” said Maribeth Bearfield, chief human resources officer for the chain. “Our backup business did extremely well, as people are looking for flexible options.”

Since the pandemic began, Bright Horizons opened 23 child-care centers, bought Chicago-based Sittercity and contracted with Edina-based College Nannies and Sitters to keep up with demand from working parents dealing with shifting work demands.

“Work and life have blended together” and that is changing the child-care landscape for working families, Bearfield said. “The pandemic happened and all of a sudden the way people work changes. We have people working in very different ways.”

For UNFI, going back to the office will be voluntary, said the group’s chief financial officer, John Howard.

Howard joked with Kashkari during a recent meeting that the company originally hoped to reopen its Eden Prairie offices in February, but the idea of opening anything in Minnesota during the cold month of February “didn’t sound very positive, so I think we will do it in the spring.”

Workers will need to be vaccinated to work in the offices, Howard said during a video call earlier this month while he was in Providence, R.I., opening UNFI’s office there.

Howard is looking forward to “a great return.”

“I think folks have forgotten the value of being in an office together. I am a fan of working remotely personally,” he said. “I think it serves a purpose and it has a place in the toolbox of how can we work with folks. But being in the office? And being able to just walk down the hall and talk to folks? You just can’t beat that.”

The Fed workers will join employees from Ameriprise and the city of Minneapolis, which already have returned on a hybrid basis. Some U.S. Bank workers also were set to return late this month. Xcel Energy headquarters workers will return March 7.

While Wells Fargo workers started to come back Feb. 10, most of the bank’s U.S. employees were expected to start having office days around March 14.

Officials at St. Paul-based Ecolab said they have not yet announced any return-to-work plans. The maker of disinfecting and cleaning products and services had originally hoped to begin returning workers on a voluntary basis in June 2021.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

No matter how hard you try, electronic devices can still get dirty. If you want to clean your HomePod or HomePod mini, read this guide to get started.

It doesn’t matter how clean you keep your house, your gadgets will collect dust and grime.

This is true for the HomePod and HomePod mini, but Apple offers little guidance in cleaning these smart speakers. From our own personal experience and suggestions of others, we’ve come up with some guidelines for how to clean a HomePod or HomePod mini.

How to Clean a HomePod or HomePod Mini (According to Apple)

Apple offers only a few thoughts on how to clean your HomePod or HomePod mini. It offers much more guidance on how to keep your smart speaker from being damaged. However, there are a few important do’s and don’t’s for cleaning your HomePod.

These include:

• Clean with a dry cloth, Apple says. If necessary, you can use a slightly damp cloth.
• 70-75% alcohol wipes are OK. Using a 70-percent isopropyl alcohol wipe is okay for gently wiping the top surface of the HomePod or HomePod mini. You’re also okay using a 75-percent ethyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipe.
• Avoid household cleaning agents. Don’t use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, or abrasives to clean any part of the HomePod.
• No liquids. Avoid bringing your HomePod or HomePod mini in contact with any liquids.

Other than offering suggestions on placing your HomePod or HomePod mini to prevent it damaging your furniture and avoid damage to the device itself, that’s all the guidance Apple offers.

Properly Cleaning the Top Surface of Your HomePod

After trials, tests, and gathering feedback from other HomePod users, here is the most effective way to clean the top surface of your HomePod or HomePod mini. This includes the touch surface, beneath which you’ll see the swirling light for Siri and other indications of activity.

To clean the top surface of your HomePod or HomePod mini:

1. Unplug your HomePod or HomePod mini from the electrical outlet.
2. Wait 10 seconds to ensure all electrical capacitors are fully discharged.
3. To begin, gently wipe the top surface of the device with a microfiber cloth. Other types of cloth may be abrasive and cause scratches on the touch surface.
   
4. If dirt or marks remain, dampen the microfiber cloth slightly with distilled water, wringing out any excess moisture.
5. With the damp cloth, again gently wipe the touch surface of the HomePod or HomePod mini.
6. Should any dirt or marks still remain, use an alcohol (70-percent isopropyl or 75-percent ethyl alcohol) wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipe to gently clean them.

To be perfectly safe, most cleaning wipes intended for eyeglass or camera lenses will be just fine for the top surface of your HomePod or HomePod mini. Take care not to allow the wipe to contact the mesh fabric, though, as there is a possibility it could discolor the fabric.

Under no circumstances should you spray any cleaning solution directly on your HomePod or HomePod mini. Doing so may allow liquid to enter through the mesh fabric, damaging the electronics within.

Cleaning the Surface Beneath Your HomePod

At the same time as you clean the top surface, check under the base of your HomePod or HomePod mini. Apple has stated the silicone base does occasionally leave white marks on certain wooden desks and tabletops. Cleaning these marks sooner rather than later will help prevent them from becoming permanent.

To clean these marks, a soft cloth (damp or dry) should help. If the marks persist, you should use the furniture manufacturer’s recommended cleaning process. If this is a concern, consider moving the smart speaker to a different surface or using a HomePod coaster or stand.

How to Clean the Mesh Fabric of a HomePod

Finding out how to clean the mesh fabric of the HomePod is harder because of the sensitive electronic components that live just beneath it. It’s still perfectly doable, though, if you follow some simple steps.

To clean the mesh fabric of a HomePod or HomePod mini:

1. Begin with your damp microfiber cloth, using distilled water. Make sure any excess water is wrung out, and gently rub the cloth along the surface of the mesh fabric.
2. If dust and debris persist in the fabric, use a lint roller to remove the remaining particles. Do not press the lint roller hard against the surface, or you could damage it.
3. A shoe shine brush, cleansed of any cleaning solutions, can also help remove stubborn dust, dirt, or other debris. A camera lens cleaning brush is also safe to use.
   
4. Several users have had good luck cleaning impurities like these using Jason Markk Shoe Cleaner. This particular brand of brush and cleaning solution uses no harsh chemicals or abrasives that could discolor the fabric.

Possible Other Methods for Cleaning HomePod Fabric

We’ve personally tested the methods above and noticed no damage or discoloration. Other suggestions may be safe as well, but we have not tested them. They include:

• Using a can of compressed air from 3-4 inches away, in light strokes. While Apple advises against this, this light exposure shouldn’t cause any damage.
• Using a low-power Dyson or another handheld vacuum to remove dust and debris, then wiping the surface with a damp cloth.

How to Keep Your HomePod or HomePod Mini Clean

The best way to clean your Apple smart speaker is to only use it in a location that prevents it from being exposed to dirt and damage in the first place. If you want to make sure your HomePod or HomePod mini maintains its beauty for as long as possible, follow these tips.

• Keep the HomePod indoors, and only use it there. The device is not intended for outdoor use.
• Place your HomePod or HomePod mini on a higher surface, such as a shelf, where pets and children are unable to dirty it.
• Keep your smart speaker away from liquids. This means avoiding places where liquid may splash, such as next to a sink or dishwasher or near open containers of liquids.
• Keep the mesh fabric clear of blockages, so air can circulate optimally.
• During thunderstorms, unplug it from the electrical outlet.
• If the HomePod isn’t being used for a long period, unplug it.
• Do not place your speaker near heat sources like radiators, ovens, stoves, or ventilation ducts.
• Keep open flames and heat sources, such as candles and lit cigarettes, away from your HomePod.

If you suspect liquid or other damage to your HomePod, contact Apple Support for help. Do not attempt to open or repair the unit yourself.

More HomePod Tips and Tricks

Apple’s HomePod and HomePod mini are fantastic sources of entertainment, so be sure to make the most of what they offer.

For instance, Apple’s Intercom feature can be a great way of communicating with your friends and family. You can also pair one or two HomePod speakers with your Apple TV for an immersive home theater experience.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Harmful bacteria on a dirty yoga mat can put you at risk for a skin infection. Learn how often you should clean your yoga mat.

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative

How Bad Is It Really? sets the record straight on all the habits and behaviors you’ve heard might be unhealthy.

In This Article

Your yoga mat is like your water bottle — you know you should clean it every now and then, but you probably rarely do.

However, if you examined your mat under a microscope, what you’d find lurking about might change your mind (and give you the heebie-jeebies). Yep, an unwashed mat is a breeding ground for all kinds of creepy crawlies including bacteria, fungi and viruses. Which makes it an especially fertile incubator for many infections (more on this later).

We spoke to Kelly Reynolds, PhD, director of the Environment, Exposure Science and Risk Assessment Center at the University of Arizona, to find out what happens if you let your mat accumulate muck, plus tips on how to clean a yoga mat

3 Reasons to Clean Your Yoga Mat Regularly

1. It Can Cause a Skin Infection

Your yoga mat may be harboring harmful germs — including viruses, bacteria and fungi — which can produce nasty skin infections.

“These microbes can live on surfaces for days to months and spread from person to person via surfaces like exercise mats,” Reynolds says. Common pathogens that can be transmitted by a dirty yoga mat include:

• ​Fungi that cause athlete’s foot and other types of ringworm:​ These pathogens multiply in warm, moist environments (like gym
  showers or around swimming pools). They are especially well adapted to thrive for long periods of time on yoga mats, Reynolds says, which is why fungal infections
  flourish so easily.
• ​Staphylococcus or staph bacteria:​ It’s a pathogen commonly found on the skin that’s usually harmless but can cause infection when it gets into a cut. Staph infections can cause red, swollen and painful skin infections that look like pimples or boils, and can even leak pus or become crusty, according to the National Library of Medicine. They can also lead to bone infections, which can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills.
• ​Human papillomavirus (HPV):​ Some strains of HPV can cause warts on the skin. Plantar warts are warts on the bottom of the feet.

And while bringing your own yoga mat to the gym (versus borrowing a rarely cleaned communal mat) can help mitigate your risk of infection, it doesn’t eliminate it completely. You can still become infected by someone simply stepping on your mat on their way to the water fountain. Or you could pick up germs from the gym floor and transfer them to your mat.

“Either way, add sweat and a warm environment, like a hot yoga studio, and you may have your own fungal colony established,” Reynolds says.

2. It Can Make You Break Out

Your filthy yoga mat might be bringing on bouts of breakouts. Excess oil, dirt, dead skin cells and bacteria –— which can block your pores and produce pimples — can easily spread from an unclean exercise mat and promote acne, Reynolds says.

To make matters worse, acne typically appears on areas of your body that boast the most oil glands such as your chest, upper back and shoulders, per the Mayo Clinic. And these oilier body parts are often the ones exposed to your yoga mat.

A dirty yoga mat can also ramp up your risk for catching the common cold, a respiratory infection or the stomach flu. This happens when cold and flu viruses are released into the air through a sick person’s coughs or sneezes, Reynolds says.

And someone doesn’t have to be particularly close for their germs to reach you. The spray from a sneeze or cough can travel up to 6 feet, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, an April 2014 study in the ​Journal of Fluid Mechanics​ found that smaller droplets can cover even longer distances (as far as 2.5 meters or more than 8 feet).

These meddling microbes rapidly settle on surfaces — like your yoga mat — where they can survive for days and spread to others, Reynolds says. Usually, an infection occurs when you touch your germy mat and unknowingly transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth from your hand.

And while the common cold or flu may be a temporary inconvenience (read: mostly harmless) for healthy individuals, those with compromised immune systems may become sicker.

For instance, people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease, and older adults and pregnant people all have a higher risk for serious flu complications, per the CDC.

So, how often do you need to clean your yoga mat? More often than you think.

“Given that exercise mats are placed on dirty floors, often shared among users and come into direct skin and face contact, I recommend cleaning ​and​ disinfecting them before every use,” Reynolds says. “Cleaning alone will not kill most of the germs, but it will reduce dirt, sweat and oils that bacteria and fungi feed on.”

If you’re sticking to solo at-home workouts (i.e., you’re the only one coming into contact with the mat), you have a little more leeway. In this case, cleaning and disinfecting it once a week should suffice. That said, if you sweat profusely, or you’re prone to acne, you might want to wipe down your mat more often.

Here are Reynold’s tips for how to clean a yoga mat and keep it microbe-free.

If Your Mat is Machine Washable …

Toss it in the wash (by itself) and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. To properly disinfect your mat, also use a laundry sanitizer, Reynolds says. A product like Lysol Laundry Sanitizer will kill bacteria and viruses that a regular detergent might miss.

If Your Mat Isn’t Machine Washable …

First, scrub it with soap and water to remove any dirt, then use a disinfecting spray or wipe, which is your best defense against germs. “Alcohol-based wipes are safe for use with most surfaces,” says Reynolds, who recommends throwing a travel pack in your gym bag.

After you clean and disinfect your mat, pat it down to dry it thoroughly. “Be sure your mat is fully dry before rolling it up to store as trapped moisture can promote more germ growth,” Reynolds says.

So, How Bad Is It Really to Never Clean Your Yoga Mat?

Doing downward dog on a dirty mat may impact each of us differently — for some it’s NBD, but for others, it can be potentially harmful.

If you have a weakened immune system and are more susceptible to infection, a clean yoga mat is more important, especially if you lug it to the gym or a hot yoga studio where germs love to gestate.

But a group class isn’t the only place where you can pick up pathogens. At home, your roommate or your partner can also pass on infections if they use your mat or inadvertently cough or sneeze on it.

So if your immune system isn’t robust and you live with someone, stick to separate mats and stow yours away (out of reach of random sneeze sprays) when you’re not using it.

If you’re a generally healthy person who lives alone and only uses your mat at home (i.e., never shares it with another soul or carries it to the gym), you’re probably in the clear even if you don’t clean it as often. But if you’re noticing recurring body acne or an unexplained skin infection, you may want to scrub and disinfect your mat more often.

To extend the time between washings, you can even lay a towel on top to keep sweat and body oils off the surface of your mat. Keep in mind: This strategy only works if you launder the towel with each use.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

National Invasive Species Awareness Week is Monday, Feb. 28 to Friday, March 4. As Pennsylvania grapples with a growing number of invasive plants, insects, and fish and other animals, the Great Lakes experience with invasive species provides helpful lessons.

The Great Lakes contain nearly one-fifth of the world’s drinkable surface water and are home to a diverse commercial and recreational fishery worth over $7 billion per year. They’re now also home to over 185 nonnative aquatic species.

Most nonnative organisms go about their business unnoticed, but some proliferate and become major problems, negatively affecting the economy, biology, and even chemistry of the Great Lakes. This subset of nonnative species is known as invasive species.

Sea lamprey were one of the first nonnative invasive species to have a significant impact on the Great Lakes. These primitive parasitic fish are thought to have entered the upper lakes via the Welland Canal in the early 1900s. 

A sea lamprey attaches itself to the side of a host fish via a toothy, sucker-like oral disk, and feeds off the bodily fluids of its unfortunate prey.  A single sea lamprey can kill over 40 pounds of fish in its lifetime. Sea lamprey, along with overfishing, resulted in the collapse of valuable commercial lake trout, lake whitefish, and cisco fisheries in the mid-1900s.

Recognizing that the sea lamprey problem was bigger than any single agency or jurisdiction, the United States and Canada formed the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in 1954, largely to try to control this new menace. Pooling partners’ expertise and resources, the commission was able to quickly develop and administer a chemical treatment to suppress sea lamprey populations in the Great Lakes. The program succeeded in reducing the population and limiting further economic and biological devastation. It continues to this day.   

The next wave of nonnative species invasions hit the Great Lakes in the 1980s, when zebra and quagga mussels began invading all five lakes. Carried in discharged ballast water from international shipping, these invasive mussels have clogged water intake pipes so extensively that millions of dollars are spent annually to disinfect the pipes. These species have also fouled swimming beaches and, through their filter-feeding behavior, short-circuited the base of the food chain. They’ve likely contributed to avian (bird) botulism outbreaks and harmful algal blooms.

Following the sea lamprey model, the U.S. government formed an interjurisdictional group — the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species to help address these and other ongoing threats to the Great Lakes from invasive species. Today, many groups collaborate to help manage invasive species in the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes experience with invasives offers many lessons that apply across Pennsylvania.

First, we live in an increasingly interconnected world, where living organisms are moved easily from place to place. 

More:Pennsylvania decided to ban three invasive plants

Second, once they get a foothold, invasive species can reproduce quickly, often outcompete native species, and expand their range aggressively.

Third, some of these organisms are very harmful to our natural ecosystems and the regional economies that depend on them.

Lastly, to effectively manage invasives species, a regional collaborative approach is crucial.

The Pennsylvania Invasive Species Council, a Governor’s Office advisory panel made up of seven state agencies and many non-governmental organizations, is working on just such an approach to manage invasive species statewide.

The council has developed a plan, Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM), that would break the state into six regional partnerships to identify and control invasive species.

While reporting to and guided by the council, each PRISM would be locally based. It would establish a large local pool of resources and knowledge to address invasives in that region, including experts and stakeholders in government, public and private industry, agriculture, environmental organizations, academia, gardening, outdoor recreation groups, and more.

Each PRISM would not only manage current invasive species, but monitor for new invaders so they can be controlled before they become a major problem.

If funded, the PRISM program will reduce the threat to Pennsylvania’s natural resources and the industries they support, including not only our fisheries, but also our farming, nurseries, timber, recreation, and more.

James Grazio, Ph.D., is the Great Lakes biologist at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and a member of the Pennsylvania Invasive Species Council.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

After many consumers’ year at home, Meijer is sharing top ways that they have changed their spring cleaning habits. The Midwestern retailer noticed two main shopping trends emerge: a balance between natural and disinfecting products, and kitchen organization.

During last year’s spring cleaning, there was pervasive uncertainty regarding how the COVID-19 virus could spread, leaving many families relying heavily on disinfectant products throughout the home. In 2020, Meijer saw an increase of more than 60% in bath and surface cleaners and an increase of more than 50% in bleach. Once customers faced the realities of children, parents and pets spending so much time in close quarters, however, they developed strategies for what cleaners to use where, which define their current habits.

“More time spent at home means more meals prepared in the kitchen, more people using the bathrooms more often, and more messes overall,” said Angie Pagel, director of merchandising for household consumables at Meijer. “Most families found themselves cleaning more frequently and thoroughly than ever before. Through this experience, they realized they have different priorities for different spaces in the home – wanting to disinfect high-touch areas like bathrooms and doorknobs, but opting for more natural ingredients for kitchens, nurseries and children’s play spaces.”

With more time spent in the kitchen searching for new meals to prepare, shoppers have gravitated toward how to better organize their cooking workspace as opposed to organizing their underused wardrobe closets.

“Having already organized their closets earlier this year and having left much of their wardrobe undisturbed since they lived their lives at home, many customers weren’t in a hurry to reorganize their closets,” Meijer Home Organization Buyer Rachel Turner said. “Instead, this spring our customers focused on their kitchens.”

Sales of kitchen baskets and counter organization items more than tripled this spring, while sales of kitchen turntables and cabinet organization items doubled. With that extra attention to tidying the kitchen, customers also replaced some daily kitchen cleaning basics – sales of scrub brushes and sponges are up more than 40% so far.

“A lot of us developed a new love of cooking over the last year and discovered ways we might want to improve our kitchen’s layout that we hadn’t given as much thought to before,” Turner said. “Customers are also starting to think about inviting guests into their homes and entertaining again, which is driving additional interest in kitchen organization.”

People are more receptive to houseguests as more Americans get vaccinated, so home cleaning and reorganizing the kitchen are habits that aren’t going away any time soon.

In April, Meijer also reported on other shopping trends related to pandemic living, including the popularity of work-from-home pillows, grab-and-go sushi and Shop & Scan usage.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer operates more than 255 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. The company is No. 18 on The PG 100, Progressive Grocer‘s 2021 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America. 

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Pennsylvania has not confirmed any avian influenza cases, but officials are warning poultry owners to “step up biosecurity efforts.”

PENNSYLVANIA, USA — After discoveries of highly contagious influenza among poultry populations in three states, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding is issuing a warning to poultry owners in Pennsylvania. 

On Feb. 9, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal Health and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed a strain of avian influenza among a turkey flock at an Indiana farm. APHIS also discovered the strain among chickens at two different locations in Kentucky. 

Recently, the flu moved a bit closer to home; a mixed group of birds in a backyard flock in Virginia also recently tested positive. All of the flocks with confirmed cases in the three states are in quarantine, and the infected birds will be removed and killed to prevent spreading the disease. 29,000 infected turkeys were already killed at the first confirmed site in Indiana.

Government officials across the nation and in Pennsylvania are encouraging poultry owners to remain vigilant amid the increasing confirmed cases. 

The high-alert efforts come after a bird flu outbreak in 2015 killed 50 million birds in the U.S. and made a nearly $1 billion dent in federal funds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted this strain “do not present an immediate public health concern” since no cases have been detected in U.S. humans. 

Although the avian flu strain, HPAI, has not been reported in Pennsylvania, Secretary Redding said poultry owners should “step up biosecurity efforts” in order to protect flocks and, in turn, the commonwealth’s $7.1 billion poultry industry. 

Redding noted his department is also ramping up prevention and detection efforts. 

“The department’s Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services is on the forefront of controlling and eradicating diseases in livestock and poultry,” he said. “Preventing emerging infectious diseases is critical to preventing economic loss to farmers and the commonwealth.”

Redding said if birds start exhibiting symptoms of the flu to report it immediately to any nearby animal health official or veterinarian. Symptoms can include sudden death; lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs; nasal discharge, coughing, or sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea. 

See below for the Department of Agriculture’s list of tips to contain any potential future avian flu cases. 

• Keep your distance: Restrict access to your property and poultry or post a biosecurity sign.
• Keep it clean: Wear clean clothes, scrub boots/shoes with disinfectant and wash hands thoroughly.
• Don’t haul disease home: 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 borrow disease from your neighbor: Do not share equipment, tools, or other supplies with your neighbors of other livestock or poultry owners.
• Know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases: Know what diseases are of concern for your flock and be on the lookout for unusual signs of behavior, severe illness and/or sudden deaths. Early detection is important to prevent the spread of disease
• Report sick birds: Don’t wait. Report serious or unusual animal health problems to your veterinarian, local extension office, or State or Federal Animal Health officials.

Download the FOX43 app here.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

The Natural Choice

Product shortages gave a boost to the natural cleaning segment. Mintel research indicates that natural brands saw sharp sales growth when they became the alternative for consumers who couldn’t find their regular cleaning products. As supply issues subside, natural cleaning products have new opportunities. Trial drives adoption of natural products, and many consumers who may not have been inclined to try natural products may now find them preferable to more traditional brands. Price does remain a hurdle in this segment, but research shows that there’s an upside opportunity in the natural cleaning product segment.

Research from Mintel reveals that compared with 2020, fewer consumers are abandoning natural for mainstream products, particularly disinfectants, and 24% of all consumers and 36% of parents of children age 5 and under resolve to use more natural products once the pandemic is over.

Mintel experts believe that green will evolve to stand for better convenience as big brands acquire successful natural brands or launch natural brands of their own. For instance, Procter & Gamble recently launched 9 Elements,  a line of laundry and home care products with vinegar and plant-based ingredients. The line’s home cleaning products are made without artificial preservatives, dyes, thickeners and synthetic fragrances, and include a bathroom cleaner, a multipurpose cleaner and dish soap.

“Increasingly, consumers will expect green niche brands to be more innovatively nimble,” notes Mintel’s report. Small green brands that can make the leap to natural formulas that deliver unique benefits will shape the future of natural home care, the research predicts.

Kemmet points to the rising interest in reducing waste through concentrates and tab/pod refill options that allow the consumer to reuse bottles. “Although the category size is still very small and these products tend to be sold more online, it’s a trend worth watching,” she says. “Grove Collaborative, a direct-to-consumer products company which recently hit shelves at Target, is a company focused on ‘clean’ products for the home that also don’t spoil the earth or our health. They are creating a reality where household essentials of every kind are actually good for you and the world.”

While consumers are always looking for innovation — and the pandemic heightened the desire for products that do more, Mintel’s research shows that price is still a major factor in purchasing decisions. More than 60% of consumers cite price as their most important purchase criteria, followed by “familiar brand” (47%) and “products that are safe for the whole family” (44%). Retailers need to stay sharp on prices in this category.

“We are starting to see promotion frequency increasing, but depth of discount and investment levels are still deflated compared to 2019,” observes Kemmet. “Given the increase in demand for cleaning products, compared to 2019, retailers should look to increase displays of cleaning products.”

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

This buff laced Polish hen was photographed by Hens & Chicks class teacher Brian Trader of the Delaware Botanic Gardens. Backyard chickens are among the birds that should be protected from possible infection with the current wave of avian influenza. Hunters are also being urged to take extra care in handling wild birds.

Coastal Point • Submitted

Cases of Eurasian H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were detected in wild birds in Delaware in recent days, officials reported this week, as the bird flu continues to spread in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the Eurasian H5 strain of HPAI in eight wild ducks and a Canada goose in Kent County and one red-shouldered hawk in New Castle County. APHIS is working with federal and state partners, including DNREC, on additional avian influenza surveillance and testing.

All the ducks found to have HPAI — including five northern shovelers, one American wigeon, one black duck and a gadwall — were harvested by hunters and submitted to APHIS for sampling. The Canada goose was a mortality submitted for testing, while the red-shouldered hawk was tested for HPAI after it had been taken to Tri-State Bird Rescue for rehabilitation.

Officials said the findings were not unexpected, as wild birds can be infected with HPAI but show no signs of illness. Eight other states in the Atlantic Flyway have found HPAI this year in wild birds, with it believed to be widespread in migratory waterfowl. Wild free-flying ducks, geese and shorebirds can carry the disease to new areas when migrating, as can raptors, such as hawks and owls.

Avian influenza (AI), commonly known as “bird flu,” is a respiratory disease of birds caused by an influenza Type A virus. The viruses can infect poultry (chickens, ducks, quail, pheasants, guinea fowl and turkeys) and some wild bird species (such as ducks, geese, swans, shorebirds, hawks and owls), but are known to impact poultry and wild birds in different ways. While wild birds often can carry the AI viruses without becoming sick, AI in poultry is contagious and can make some domesticated birds very sick and even cause death. Avian influenza is not associated with the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2).

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) considers the risk to the general public from HPAI H5 infections to be low. No human infections with Eurasian H5 viruses have occurred in the United States. The public was reminded that the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165°F will kill bacteria and viruses, including HPAI.

Precautions recommended for waterfowl hunters

With the snow goose conservation order in effect through April 8, Delaware waterfowl hunters can reduce the risk of exposing poultry or pet birds to AI by taking basic safety precautions to keep the disease from spreading, officials noted.

To help protect domestic birds:

• Dress game birds in the field whenever possible.

• Those who must dress game birds at home should do so in an area inaccessible to poultry and pet birds. Ideally, there should be a solid barrier between the areas where game is cleaned and where domestic birds are housed.

• Keep a separate pair of shoes to wear only in the game-cleaning area. If this is not possible, wear rubber boots or shoes and clean/disinfect them before entering or leaving the area.

• Use dedicated utensils for cleaning game, whether in the field or at home. Do not use those tools around poultry or domestic fowl.

• Always wear rubber gloves when cleaning game.

• Double-bag the carcass remains and feathers. Tie the inner bag and be sure to take off disposable rubber gloves and leave them in the outer bag before tying it closed.

• Place the bag in a trash can that poultry and domestic fowl cannot access. The trash can should also be secured against any access by children, pets or other animals.

• Wash hands with soap and water immediately after handling game.

• Scrub all tools and work surfaces with soap and water.

To protect oneself:

• Do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.

• Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game.

• Wear rubber gloves while cleaning game or cleaning bird feeders.

• Wash hands with soap and water immediately after handling game or cleaning bird feeders.

• Wash all tools and work surfaces with soap and water.

• Avoid food cross-contamination. Keep uncooked game in a separate container, away from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.

• Cook game meat thoroughly; poultry should reach an internal temperature of 165 °F to kill disease organisms and parasites.

Precautions urged for poultry owners and producers

Poultry owners or those working within the poultry industry should refer to guidance issued by the Delaware Department of Agriculture regarding increased biosecurity protocols. For additional information, visit de.gov/poultry.

Any sickness or unusual deaths in backyard flocks and commercial poultry, should be reported to the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Poultry & Animal Health Section at (302) 698-4500, or after hours by calling (302) 233-1480 for a disease emergency involving poultry.

To report groups of dead or sick waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, hawks or owls, contact the DNREC’s Wildlife Disease Program at (302) 735-3600.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

There’s no reason to wait until spring to do a top-to-bottom deep clean of your home. Save the stress and energy and start early with smaller tasks that you can accomplish in your spare time. If you tackle the interior of your home before spring really hits, you can give outdoor tasks your entire focus when warmer weather arrives.

Tackle the dust. It’s an easy task to neglect, but a thorough dusting of your whole home can be accomplished fairly quickly. Get all the surfaces and knickknacks, dusty bookshelves, baseboards, door frames, and windows. It’s also a good time to check your air filters to ensure that dust doesn’t quickly pile up again.

Wash all your bedding. Sheets and pillowcases should be washed more frequently, but now is a good time to tackle all of it — blankets, mattress pads, and dust ruffles, if you use them. Pillows, including down, can also go in the washing machine. Warm on the gentle cycle is a good bet, or check the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have foam pillows, though, skip the machine and refer to the label instead.

Clean ceiling fans and vent covers. We’ve all glanced up at the ceiling fan and wanted to scream when we noticed the dust — avoid that feeling and give each fan blade a quick wipe. Remove vent covers, including the bathroom vent fan cover, and wash with dish soap and water.

Deep-clean your appliances. It’s a great time to clean the oven, wipe and disinfect the interior of the fridge, scour the microwave and get the gunk out of the nooks and crannies in your countertop appliances, like mixers and food processors. De-scale your coffee maker with vinegar and cold water and dump the old crumbs out of your toaster.

Purge the closets. If it’s snowing or raining, throw on some music or a good audiobook and settle in to chuck all the clothes that you don’t wear anymore. It’s an annoying chore, but it always feels good to get it done.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here