infectious disease News

Preventing Spreading of Infectious Diseases in the Workplace

It may be obvious when people get injured at work, but it may not always be apparent when people acquire infections resulting from exposures at work. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reviewed infectious disease investigations in …

Experts Warn of More Superbug Cases in the U.S. in Coming Months

After two confirmed U.S. cases of a superbug that thwarts a last-resort antibiotic, infectious disease experts say they expect more cases in coming months because the bacterial gene behind it is likely far more widespread than previously believed. Army scientists …

Hospitals Improvise Ebola Defenses

What does it take to Ebola-proof a hospital? Over the past few months, U.S. medical centers have spent millions of dollars putting together a plan to treat patients with the scary, but extremely rare disease. To a large extent, it …

President Wants $6.2B for Ebola Fight

President Barack Obama on Wednesday asked Congress for $6.2 billion in emergency funds to confront Ebola at its source in West Africa and to secure the United States against any possible spread. Of the total, $2 billion would be apportioned …

More Ebola Cases in U.S. Predicted

Top medical experts studying the spread of Ebola say the public should expect more cases to emerge in the United States by year’s end as infected people arrive here from West Africa, including American doctors and nurses returning from the …

Australia Suspends Visas From Ebola-Affected Regions

Australia is suspending entry visas for people from Ebola-affected countries in West Africa in an attempt to keep out the disease. The government is canceling and refusing non-permanent or temporary visas held by people who are not yet traveling, and …

Ebola Beginning to Affect Travel Plans

Travel agents say customers are asking whether it’s safe to fly, and what steps they should take to guard against Ebola. The virus has killed more than 4,500 in West Africa since the current outbreak began several months ago. Several …

Existing Infectious Disease Protocols May Not Protect Against Ebola

As Thomas Eric Duncan’s health deteriorated, nurses Amber Joy Vinson and Nina Pham were at the Ebola patient‘s side. They wore protective gear including face shields, hazardous materials suits and protective footwear as they inserted catheters, drew blood and dealt …

Researchers Warn U.S. Ebola Cases May Top Two Dozen by November

There could be as many as two dozen people in the U.S. infected with Ebola by the end of the month, according to researchers tracking the virus with a computer model. The actual number will probably be far smaller and …

Is Ebola Compensable Under Workers’ Compensation?

Two tests must be satisfied before an illness or disease can be considered occupational and thus compensable under workers’ compensation. First, the illness or disease must be “occupational,” meaning that it arose out of the course and scope of employment. …