%#Washington State is currently facing a #salmonella outbreak linked to #pork products.% - http://clapway.com/2015/08/21/salmonella-pork-products-washington-101/

Salmonella is annually responsible for one million illnesses; 19,000 hospitalizations; and 380 deaths in the United States. There are 134 cases in 10 counties, and Washington State is currently facing a salmonella outbreak linked to pork products.

WHAT IS SALMONELLA?

Approximately 600-800 cases of salmonellosis are recorded among Washington residents each year. Salmonellosis (Salmonella) is a food poisoning caused by the Salmonella enterica bacterium. The easiest way to contract salmonella is by indulging in foods contaminated by the bacteria (like pork). Symptoms of Salmonella include fever, abdominal discomfort and vomiting. It develops 12 to 72 hours after infecting the body. Salmonella usually lasts between 4 and 7 days. People typically recover without medical assistance, however diarrhea and dehydration are severe symptoms of the contaminant that require medical attention.

HOW DOES FOOD CONTAMINATION HAPPEN?

Foods become contaminated with salmonella in a number of ways, “during food processing or food handling and by the unwashed hands of an infected food handler,” according to webmd.com. Beef, poultry, milk, and eggs are most commonly contaminated with salmonella. Salmonella can also be found in pet feces and is particularly prevalent in reptiles, baby chicks, ducklings, small rodents and hamsters.

WHAT HAPPENED TO PORK?

“The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has joined the state health department in its investigation into the outbreak,” according to Fox 13 news, “People eating pork are advised to cook it thoroughly.” The majority of illnesses, 84 cases to be exact, occurred in King County; 24 in Snohomish County; 12 in Pierce County and five in Yakima County.

The exposure of the bacteria for Washington community was caused by the consumption of whole roasted pigs served at private events and restaurants. Early testing confirms a connection to a slaughter facility in Graham, WA. “Samples were collected at Kapowsin Meats slaughter facility in Graham last week,” according to the state Department of Health, “testing confirms the outbreak strain was present.”

“The business, which is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, has cooperated with the investigation,” said foodsafetynews.com, “There may be other sources as well, and disease investigators are searching for the origin of the Salmonella bacteria in the outbreak.”

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Deadly Pigs: Salmonella in Pork Products In Washington

Major Pollution: Massive Mine Waste Spill in Animas River - http://clapway.com/2015/08/08/pollution-in-animas-river-101/

AN UNFORTUNATE EVENT

Everyday, the news has to break a series of unfortunate events, some of which inevitably concern pollution. Today’s news is no different.

When the news first broke out amidst Colorado mainstream media about the mine waste spill in the Animas River in Colorado, reaching all the way to Farmington, New Mexico, everyone was wondering who did this and why natural environments must be so polluted.

Coverage by Colorado news outlets like the Denver Post, reported that around the mine waste spill was had one million gallons of wastewater spill into the Animas River from an abandoned mine. The result was the once clean waters now run an orange tinge.

TRACKING POLLUTION AS IT SPREADS

The question regarding who caused the mine spill was answered when in the same outlet source the EPA acknowledged the spill was caused by their mistakes. How did this major pollution happen?

The EPA had been using some heavy equipment to examine some pollutants at the Gold King Mine when it inadvertently let loose the contamination into the river. Officials are now examining the river to see the effects it will have on the ecosystem due to the variety of contaminants in the mine waste spill.

Shortly after the accident, which occurred in the morning at 10:30am, the EPA later released a statement late Wednesday (around 10:40pm) about how they will address the mine waste spill and what to do about it. You can find the EPA’s regulations about reporting oil spills and other such hazardous spills here.

THE AFTERMATH OF POLLUTION

The orange tinge is the visible result of the mine waste spill caused by the EPA that is now flowing into other water systems that flow as far as Farmington, NM. Samples are being taken from the contaminated water sources for further concerns.

However, not all are swayed into relief efforts by demonstrations thus far. In a press release by the Center of Biological Diversity dated to yesterday, the issue of federal officials downplaying the concern of the mine waste spill in the Anima River is brought to full bore.

The river contaminated flows into other river systems such as the San Juan River that goes into New Mexico and Utah. The San Juan River is home to several species of endangered fish and birds that are already suffering from the pollution of present contaminants. The downplaying raised troublesome doubts and questions about what the long term effects of contamination will be.

In the press release, the center will be taking actions. The actions include inspecting the EPA’s efforts in accordance to various laws in place involving endangered species, hazardous contamination and spills.

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TAKE ADVANTAGE OF POLLUTION-FREE REFRESHING WATER WHILE YOU CAN

Major Pollution: Massive Mine Waste Spill in Animas River

Beach Sand Makes It Easier for You to Get Sick - http://clapway.com/2015/07/17/beach-sand-makes-it-easier-for-you-to-get-sick784/

The memo by officials

Summer is the prime time for people to go on road trips, take their boats out onto the water, and settle on the sand for a tan. Basically, everyone wants a nice time out in the sun for the family. However, what you may not know is that the beach, specifically the sand, is what possibly making you sick.

The American Chemical Society put out a public release  on Wednesday warning everyone who goes to the beach about the illness you contract at beaches from the water may factor in more from the sand. The change in where you contract the ailments came from a study from the Environmental Science & Technology, which covers the fact that infections may come from the fecal contamination that linger in sand.

How does beach sand make you sick?

After initial exposure to whatever fecal contaminations into the water, the bacteria from the waste get split into the beach sand and into the open water. However, the water decays the bacteria faster, whereas in the beach sand, it decays slower, thereby allowing more time for you to risk getting infected.

Only certain bacteria decayed slower in the beach sand than in water. Those bacteria were the Enterococci and the C. perfringens. The latter causing abdominal cramping and some diarrhea that if not hydrated frequently could take you to the ER.

Efforts to prevent people from getting sick at the beach

Besides releasing a public announcement of the risk of contracting illness associated with the beach area, signs have been put up that warn against swimming so that the likelihood of infection is decreased. The reason being is that some coastal waters are subjected to sewage dumps and the fecal matter that then settles in the water contaminate it and begins the aforementioned contamination cycle.

So the next time you go to the beach, think twice about venturing too far to the water as that is where the risk of infection is most high. But maybe the consideration of relocating to a beach where waste dumps don’t occur is a better idea, or even a community pool.

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Beach Sand Makes It Easier for You to Get Sick