...Influenza A/H5 Detection Kit otherwise known as the avian flu detection kit was produced in 2006 before the merger. Thus, Applied Biosystems would be the more appropriate company for the comparison instead. Applied Biosystems Inc. was first established in 1981, and has a reputation for producing top quality instruments for diagnostic research. Moreover, the scales of both companies differ greatly. Applied Biosystems has approximately 5000 staff that work under them whereas Veredus has about 20-30 staff. The level of technology and expertise that the firm possesses is equivalent to that of a listed company, in order for Veredus Laboratories to be able to compete with such big market players in the industry and to emerge as a formidable force to be reckon with,. Thus, Applied Biosystems is definitely a strong competitor of Veredus Laboratories with its vast experience. Applied Biosystems developed the TaqMan Influenza A/H5 Detection Kit (Taqman) in 2006, which is capable of detecting the avian influenza in laboratory samples reliably and quickly. Instead of the usual traditional testing which requires up to 10 days for the results to be analyzed, the Taqman requires only 2 hours. This detection kit is very similar to the one that catapulted Veredus Laboratories to its position today, the Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 Detection Kit, which was also produced in 2006. Both products serve the same purpose in terms of detecting the avian flu by using the...
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...Bird Flu of H5N1 virus threatens world pandemic Public health has traditionally been an area of concern as anything that poses a threat to humans should be considered a top priority societally. From a global standpoint if public health is neglected then the amount of preventable deaths would rise exponentially. In the past few years several events have been noted as threats to public health, but society had identified them quick enough so that the threat to humans was minimized. One such event occurred in 2006 and was known as the bird flu. Although there is currently no vaccine for this strain of bird flu the rapid identification of this deadly virus helped to minimize its spread. According to Medline, birds just like humans can be stricken with the flu but the virus historically only affected avian species without the potential to affect humans. This remained true until 1997 in Hong Kong when the first case of the avian flu was reported. This avian virus has the ability to mutate or change its genetic makeup so that it can be easily incorporated into the human genome, thus causing a new form of flu that can be deadly and difficult to treat. Since 1997 the avian flu has spread to several countries and has severely affected both the commercial poultry supply and humans alike. Although the viral transition to infecting humans is rare, the avian flu is responsible for approximately 600 infections since its inception with a mortality rate of 60% (National Library of Medicine...
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...who try to vision this island as a beautiful place to take a vacation, it is however, not really a place in which one would hope to travel too. The majority of Kava’s population is over 50% of the people that live there are under the age of 15 years old. Kava is a disaster area due to the issues they are experiencing, such as, Tsunami, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Floods, Fires, Volcanic eruptions, Earthquakes, HIV/AIDS, Petroleum spill, High risk for avian flu, and Terrorism (from within and outside the country). This is a country that is in serious need of some help in getting the country moving forward and on its way to recovery. In the decision-making process, there are a total of nine steps that we must follow in order to improve the issues being caused in Kava. The first step in the decision-making process is identifying the problem or the issue. As stated in the introduction, Kava faces the following issues: Tsunami, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Floods, Fires, Volcanic eruptions, Earthquakes, HIV/AIDS, Petroleum spill, High risk for avian flu, and Terrorism (from within and outside the country). After closely identifying the potential problems, the next step would be to define the criteria, the goals, and the objectives. In doing so, we must first...
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...for a potential influenza pandemic by buying medicines, running disaster drills, and developing strategies for tighter border controls. On the other hand, a survey of global companies by London-based newsletter Continuity Central found that 72 percent have not even begun to get ready for a potential bird flu pandemic. Businesses in the U.S. seem to be particularly unprepared. In a survey by Deloitte & Touche of 100 U.S. executives, two-thirds said their companies had not yet prepared adequately for avian flu, and most have not one specifically in charge of such a plan. What these businesses might not realize is how they potentially will be affected. For instance, how will they continue to do their business if their workforce is ill or quarantined; if transportation, communication, utility services of other necessary public infrastructure functions are not available or are only available in limited areas; or if financial services are curtailed? How will they earn revenues if the general public is sick or not able to venture out? It’s a scenario with monumental implications for both the short term and the long term. One company that has panned for any potential avian flu outbreak is Deutsche Bank. The steps it has taken include making sure employees in infected zones don’t carry the disease to co-workers, moving others out of harm’s way, communicating medical bulletins to far-flung offices, and preparing for the inevitable economic shocks as mass illness slows trade and...
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...Bird Flu (H5N1) This articles discusses Bird Flu (H5N1). It talks about a lot of information from the causes, symptoms, exams and tests to detect it, the treatments and also the outlook or prognosis. The first human case was reported in Hong Kong in 1997 and was transmitted through chickens. This means that the virus was able to pass the barrier and mutate between animal and man. Since then there has been hundreds of cases and the mortality rate is approximetely 50%. Your risk of contracting the avian flu virus increases if you work with poultry, travel to countries where the virus is present or you consume undercooked poultry meat or eggs. The most recent case involved a 10 year old girl from Cambodia. After 5 days she was admitted to the hospital and after 2 days in intensive care she died (Zimmer 2012). The article states that treatment for H5N1 varies depending on your symptoms but generally can be treated with Tamiflu or Relenza to lessen the severity. These medications must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms for them to be effective. Typically with any virus the best treatment is a lot of fluids to help the virus run its' course more quickly. There have been cases of Bird Flu reported in Asia, Africa, Europe, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Pacific and near the East. It also goes on to state that the chance for a worldwide outbreak in humans goes up the more the the avian flu virus spreads. In conclusion, the avian flu virus, or bird flu is absolutely...
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...Application of Community Health & Population-Focused Nursing Western Governors University A1. Description of Disease Avian Influenza, commonly referred to as the Bird Flu, is a highly contagious virus amongst birds (avian). These viruses occur naturally and can move quickly from wild aquatic birds to domesticated chickens, ducks and turkeys. Wild birds infected with the avian influenza virus usually do not get sick. The virus that normally infects the respiratory tract, affects wild birds intestines instead. However, our domesticated birds aren’t as fortunate and can become very ill and even die from the virus. There are two different strains of the virus: low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Poultry infected with LPAI viruses may not cause disease at, could cause mild illness or may not even be detected. On the hand, when HPAI viruses infect poultry it can cause severe disease and high mortality (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015). According to the CDC, avian influenza outbreaks have been responsible for illness and death in humans in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Pacific and the Near East but between 1997 and 2014, the United States experienced only one incident of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry (CDC, 2015). The first bird flu case was reported in 1997 in Hong Kong and affected 18 humans, claiming the lives of six. A2. Epidemiological Determinants Although...
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...greater presence in the island country of Kava. That is good for Wilson and good for the people of Kava. While holding to our founder Chris Morales commitment to do what is right and the Wilson mission statement of community which states, “We support the communities in which we operate and encourage our people to be active in civic and social life.” Kava is located in the South Pacific and has many resources including petroleum, coffee, cocoa, spices, bananas, sugar, tourism, fishing and natural gas as well as inexpensive quality labor. Although Kava is rich with resources they are also plagued with problems including tidal waves, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, HIV/AIDS, petroleum spills and the avian flu. In order to establish a greater presence in Kava we must first analyze all problems and issues that we will face. To do this we must use the first step in the formulation of the problem which is to define the problem, define goals and evaluate the effects of the problem. One tool used in this process is brainstorming and research. Being new to the country I will rely on the knowledge of the government, business and community of Kava to identify problems that can be addressed and those that can not. Problems that can not be controlled or prevented include tidal waves, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. Although they are uncontrollable the effects of these disasters can be minimized by Wilson...
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...generally does not cause disease, but mild symptoms within the host. The influenza viruses rely on cells for replication, and for the infection process to begin what are the mechanisms for transmission of the influenza virus to humans? MODE OF TRANSMISSION The bird flu outbreak in Hong Kong 1997 showed the transmission was from an avian virus that infected a boy and resulted in fatality. This was the first observed event where avian viruses infected humans rather than humans infecting other humans. The spread of Influenza occurs in different ways one is throughout the air in droplets (5). This type of transmission is one of the most common for respiratory infections to occur (5). Another method is through contact as well. Immunologically our epithelial layers act as the first step protecting us from these viruses when we have initial contact without touching the mouth or nasal orifice (6). This is also dependent on how many people are close together in the vicinity, allowing for an easier transmission of influenza from host to host (5). The hosts commonly infected with influenza type A include Birds, pigs, ducks, chickens and, also humans (4). Pigs for instance can develop both instances of avian and human influenza viruses, which in turn can cause reassortant viruses. Type B and C affect humans mostly, but certain kinds of animals, for example horses have been found to have influenza type B where swine can get Influenza type C (4). The transmission of influenza in animals...
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...Avian Influenza, also called bird flu or H5N1 is an infection that naturally occurs among birds. Avian Influenza is carried in wild birds in their intestines but usually do not get sick. On the contrary domesticated birds: turkey, chickens, and ducks pick up the very contagious virus and get very sick. The virus is fatal. Birds that are susceptible to the virus become infected by being in contact with contaminated secretions or excretions. Domesticated birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces (such as dirt or cages) or materials (such as water or feed) that have been contaminated with the virus. (CDC) 2010. The spread of avian influenza A viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and has been limited, inefficient and not sustained. However, because of the possibility that avian influenza A viruses could change and gain the ability to spread easily between people, monitoring for human infection and person-to-person transmission is extremely important for public health. (CDC) 2010. Avian Influenza Outbreak Outbreaks The most recent reported outbreak was January 2015. The outbreak is still ongoing but has not yet spread to humans. The most recent outbreak in North America with transmission to humans was in Canada in 2004. Health Canada reported two cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza A (H7): one in a person involved...
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...Influenza A virus M2 protein forms a ion channel and releases vRNP complexes into the cytoplasm of infected cells mechanism of the ion channel inhibitors is to block the ion channel. However due to antigenic shift viruses such as H1N1 and H3N2 viruses, the swine-origin H1N1 pandemic viruses, and some highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza have formed resistivity towards ion channel inhibitors. Therefore antiviral drugs from these class cannot be used to treat influenza A viruses. Antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir and zanamivir belong to the class neuraminidase inhibitors they target the sialidase activity of the NA protein and block them this is would be useful for the release of virus particles from the infected cells. Unfortunately the virus H1N1 has been developing resistivity towards oseltamivir. On top of that it has also been reported that the highly pathogenic avian H5N1has also reported to show low levels of resistance to...
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...low affordable amount. There are many issues for the island of Kava. For one, the island of Kava is a disaster waiting to happen, environmentally and economically. This island seems to have most of world’s issues all in one. The environmental issues are many. Tidal waves, tsunamis, typhoons, hurricanes tornadoes, floods, fires, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are the natural disasters that the island of Kava faces. Just those natural disasters only can cause serious issues for an organization. There are also four disaster threats that could be controllable. The first being HIV/AIDS. The second is oil spills. As we all know, oil spills are manmade disasters that can be prevented. The next disaster threat is the Avian flu. There is no cure for the Avian flu or HIV/AIDS, these can lead to death and chaos in the community. The last disaster comes domestic and foreign and that is terrorism. Other than the...
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...The Influenza Epidemic of 1918-1919 The Influenza Epidemic of 1918-1919 is said to be the Mother of all Pandemics. A Pandemic is the worldwide spread of a new disease. It occurs when a influenza virus emerges and spreads around the world. About one third of the whole world’s population was infected by the epidemic.“All influenza A pandemics since that time have been caused by descendants of the 1918 virus.” (1918 Influenza: the Mother of All Pandemics Vol. 12, No. 1, Jan. 2006)The cause of the influenza links to“ avian and swine influenza were unknown.” It has been one of the world’s worst sicknesses recorded by man. There were two waves of the epidemic. The first wave of the sickness started in the spring of 1918 and was mild. The people...
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...Decisions in Paradise: How to Be, or Not to Be Expanding Del Monte’s Presence in Kava Del Monte Foods is considering expanding their operations and establishing a greater presence on the Island of Kava in the South Pacific. There are many obstacles to overcome, some of them being the fact that Kava has many disasters and chaos to deal with in its every day existence. Many of its residents are indigenous people who practice indigenous health care and indigenous religion. Becoming a greater presence in Kava can either have a very positive effect that can transform the life of an entire culture or not be any help at all just remain status quo. Del Monte Foods is one of the countries largest and best known producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded food and pet products. Their mission is “committed to enriching the lives of today’s families including pets. They do this by providing nourishing, great tasting, and easy-to-use products that meet the needs of everyone in your home.” The company further defines those principles as the following: We are driven by the consumer and deliver results through a partnership with our customers built upon superior brands and products, continuous innovation, excellent service and a commitment to quality in all we do. Our people are passionate about winning and take pride in Del Monte as they lead the company to achieve world-class performance and superior shareholder value. “(www.delmonte.com)” While there are...
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...can contribute to human as well as animal health, a number of veterinarians work with physicians and scientists as they research ways to prevent and treat various human health problems. Technology is also incorporated in this career. Technology helps veterinary doctors because Animals needs the benefit of laser surgery, ultrasounds, and MRIs. Operations that once required weeks of recovery now take just days. The challenges that a veterinarian might encounter in this career is that when working with animals that are frightened or in pain, veterinarians risked being bitten, kicked, or scratched. Vets also face the risk of infections caused by viruses and bacteria in animals, such as swine flu and avian flu. To prevent this risks, It is recommended that veterinarians are vaccinated against rabies just in case, or normally you will have at least one other person, a vet technician in the room restraining the animal while you give vaccinations or exams, so this reduces the animal’s ability to bite you. Science helps me prepare for my future career because in science class, we do presentation and talk in front of people and that will help me practice...
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...Should we purposefully engineer avian flu strains to become highly transmissible in humans? In our view, no. We believe the benefits of this work do not outweigh the risks. There are no guarantees that such a deadly strain of avian flu would not escape accidentally from the laboratory. This particular experiment was performed by internationally respected scientists in biosafety conditions considered top of the line. They seem to have taken the expected and necessary precautions. The risk of a person accidentally becoming infected and starting an outbreak with this new strain is low. But it is not zero. The safety record of most labs working at high biocontainment levels is outstanding, and the historic number of accidents is very low. In almost all situations, even if a laboratory worker comes in contact with a dangerous pathogen and becomes sick, the risk of extensive wide community spread is negligible. This is because very few dangerous pathogens are as highly transmissible as influenza is. An accidental escape of an influenza strain from a lab in 1977 proves the possibility: That accident led to widespread flu epidemics. Given the potential global consequences of an accident with the newly modified strain of avian flu, we are playing with fire. We are not opposed to research in high-containment labs using dangerous pathogens, including H5N1. Over the past decade, the Center for Biosecurity of UPMC has publicly argued for the importance of such research to develop diagnostics...
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