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Safety Advisories Alerts - In the past days, concerns over the threat of Anthrax as a potential means of terrorist attack in America have swept the media. The University of Pittsburgh received a threat of Anthrax contamination that turned out to be an apparent hoax. Many universities and organizations are trying to make information and resources available to their constituents to help them understand and cope with this latest development in the post-Sept. 11 context. This message is not to alarm you, but to assure members of the Carnegie Mellon community that we, too, are taking measures to increase security and take appropriate precautions at the university. See below for useful guidelines and links to federal and other expert Web sites with more information about possible threats. Please remember that Anthrax is generally treatable with antibiotics and is NOT contagious. Also keep in mind some general guidelines when dealing with any suspicious letters or packages coming to you through the mail: Characteristics of a "suspicious" letter or package:
If you receive a suspicious letter or package:
* University Police will respond and will contact all appropriate authorities.* For more information about Anthrax:
It is the time of year that we once again become concerned with heat-related illnesses. Every summer we discuss it, and we’ve been fortunate to have never had a serious incident, but the potential is still there. Pay attention to the following reminders: HEAT STROKE occurs when the body's system of temperature regulation fails and body temperature rises to critical levels. This condition is caused by a combination of highly variable factors, and its occurrence is difficult to predict. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. The primary signs and symptoms of heat stroke are confusion; irrational behavior; loss of consciousness; convulsions; a lack of sweating (usually); hot, dry skin; and an abnormally high body temperature. If body temperature is too high, it can cause death.If a worker shows signs of possible heat stroke, professional medical treatment must be obtained immediately. The worker should be placed in a shady area and the outer clothing should be removed. The worker's skin should be wetted and air movement around the worker should be increased to improve evaporative cooling until professional methods of cooling are initiated and the seriousness of the condition can be assessed. Fluids should be replaced as soon as possible. The medical outcome of an episode of heat stroke depends on the victim's physical fitness and the timing and effectiveness of first aid treatment. Regardless of the worker's protests, no employee suspected of being ill from heat stroke should be sent home alone or left unattended unless a physician has specifically approved such an order. HEAT EXHAUSTION The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion are headache, nausea, vertigo, weakness, thirst, and giddiness. Fortunately, this condition responds readily to prompt treatment. Heat exhaustion should not be dismissed lightly, however, for several reasons. One is that the fainting associated with heat exhaustion can be dangerous because the victim may be operating machinery when fainting occurs; moreover, the victim may be injured when he or she faints. Also, the signs and symptoms seen in heat exhaustion are similar to those of heat stroke, a medical emergency. Workers suffering from heat exhaustion should be removed from the hot environment and given fluid replacement. They should also be encouraged to get adequate rest. HEAT CRAMPS have been attributed to an electrolyte imbalance caused by sweating. It is important to understand that cramps can be caused by both too much and too little salt, and they appear to be directly related to a lack of water replenishment. Thirst cannot be relied on as a guide to the need for water; instead, water or commercially available carbohydrate-electrolyte replacement liquids (e.g., Gatorade) must be taken every 15 to 20 minutes in hot environments. HEAT COLLAPSE ("Fainting"). In heat collapse, the brain does not receive enough oxygen because blood pools in the extremities. As a result, the exposed individual may lose consciousness. This reaction is similar to that of heat exhaustion and does not affect the body's heat balance. However, the onset of heat collapse is rapid and unpredictable. To prevent heat collapse, the worker should gradually become acclimatized to the hot environment. HEAT RASHES are the most common problem in hot work environments. Prickly heat is manifested as a rash and usually appears in areas where the clothing is restrictive. As sweating increases, the rash gives rise to a prickling sensation. Prickly heat occurs in skin that is persistently wetted by unevaporated sweat, and heat rash papules may become infected if they are not treated. In most cases, heat rashes will disappear when the affected individual returns to a cool environment. HEAT FATIGUE. A factor that predisposes an individual to heat fatigue is lack of acclimatization. The use of a program of acclimatization and training for work in hot environments is advisable. The signs and symptoms of heat fatigue include impaired performance of skilled sensorimotor, mental, or vigilance jobs. There is no treatment for heat fatigue except to remove the heat stress before a more serious heat-related condition develops. CONTROLS:
We can’t do anything about the heat, but we can protect ourselves from its effects. Following these precautionary steps will make your job a lot safer, and a lot easier. MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) has become a serious source of infection . Treatment is difficult, making prevention of this infection vitally important. The following facts are offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to aid you in keeping yourself safe. What are the symptoms and treatment of MRSA? MRSA is a skin infection that usually appears as a pustule or boil. It may be red, swollen, and painful, and it is often accompanied by pus or other drainage. These usually appear in or around cuts and abrasions, or areas of the body covered by hair. Those who have compromised immune systems may also develop pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or bone infections, although these symptoms are rare in healthy individuals. Treatment usually consists of drainage of the pus, and antibiotics may or may not be required. For those with additional infections such as pneumonia, treatment is expanded. How is MRSA transmitted? MRSA usually is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items, such as towels. Five factors have been identified as aiding in the transmission. These factors are often identified as the Five C's:
How can I protect myself?
Should the university be closed until the threat is over? Closing the university is an extreme reaction that is generally not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Simple preventive measures such as those outlined above are usually sufficient to keep the infection under control. Likewise, cleaning and disinfection can be done while normal activities are continuing. This is not an air-borne illness, and only is transmitted by direct contact. As already mentioned, cleanliness and good hygiene, accompanied by common sense (e.g., covering open wounds) are generally sufficient to keep the illness under control and prevent its spread. I have a MRSA infection. What do I have to do to keep from spreading it? Unless directed by a physician, it is not necessary for infected individuals to stay home from work or class. The exception to that suggestion is someone who has a draining wound that can not be covered and contained with a clean, dry bandage, or those who, for some reason, can not maintain good personal hygiene. Anyone with an active infection should avoid activities where there is a possibility of skin-to-skin contact until the infection is healed. This would preclude students from participating in contact sports while infected. Personal items such as towels, razors, washcloths, clothing, or uniforms should not be shared. Sheets, towels, and clothing should be washed with water and laundry detergent, then dried in a clothes dryer. Anyone who must treat infected persons should follow universal precautions (gloves, hand washing before and after contact, and gowns, masks, and eye protection if there is danger of splashing of body fluids). For more information on MRSA see the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control website at http://www.cdc.gov. The concern about SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is growing, and along with it, a great deal of misinformation. This bulletin is posted to ease concern and provide a factual summary of the disease. SARS is a previously unknown disease that begins with a fever greater than 100.4oF. The symptoms may also include headache, body ache, chills, and a general feeling of discomfort. There may also be some mild respiratory symptoms, and a dry, nonproductive cough may develop after 2 to 7 days. The typical incubation period for the disease is 2 to 7 days, although incubation periods of up to 10 days have been suggested. If you develop these symptoms and have traveled to areas where SARS is present, or if you have been in contact with someone who has, see a physician as soon as possible for an evaluation. Because SARS is so new, little is known about its cause, but it is believed to be a previously unrecognized corona virus, so named for its halo appearance when viewed under a microscope. Corona viruses can survive in the environment for up to 3 hours and are probably spread through close contact with an infected person. Droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing are a likely means of spreading the infection, but it may also spread through touching contaminated objects. Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Hanoi are currently the hot spots for SARS. If you have already been there you should closely monitor your health for at least 10 days after your return. The most common misconception about SARS is that it is the result of a bio-terrorism attack. There is no evidence to support this theory. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web site (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/) has extensive information on SARS. New information is being discovered almost daily and this site will provide you with the latest up-to-date information available. Our wet spring means we will likely see a bumper crop of mosquitoes this summer, with an accompanying risk of West Nile virus. It is important that you know how to protect yourself. First, you should know that few who become infected will develop symptoms. Some may show minor flu-like symptoms, but only in rare cases will the infection result in severe illness. Those who are susceptible to severe cases, usually the elderly or those with depressed immune symptoms, can develop West Nile encephalitis, a potentially fatal brain inflammation. Less than 1% of those infected will develop severe illness, however, and fewer still will die. Also, those who are infected are believed to develop a lifelong immunity. The virus is not spread from human to human, although there is rising suspicion that it could spread through organ transplants. It is not spread by contacting dead birds, either, as many fear. The only reason we gather dead birds is to allow the Board of Health to determine if the virus has spread to Pittsburgh. We have not been asked to collect dead birds yet this year, but, because the virus did reach Pittsburgh last summer, it is likely to return. To avoid mosquito bites, stay indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquito activity peaks. When outside, wear long sleeved shirts and long pants, and apply an insect repellent containing at least 35% DEET. According to a study reported in the July 4, 2002, edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, “Only products containing DEET are dependable for long-lasting protection after a single application.” The study also noted that when label directions are followed, DEET will not pose unreasonable risks or adverse effects to humans, so there is no reason to be afraid to use it. DEET works by disrupting the ability of biting insects to detect the source of carbon dioxide—the gas naturally given off by our skin and in our breath— which is what attracts mosquitoes to us. In other words, it doesn’t kill the insects—it just makes it impossible for them to locate their prey. To reduce exposure, repair broken window screens, keep doors and windows closed, and eliminate any standing water sources. Puddles, tires, or even lamp posts can contain standing water, perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Be watchful for these places and eliminate them. By following these simple precautions, and by knowing the truth about West Nile Virus, you can protect yourself and eliminate a lot of worry. What to do if you receive a Bomb Threat For all bomb threats received verbally, the individual receiving the call will use the following check list. Obviously, the caller will likely refuse to answer many of these questions, or may not remain on the telephone long enough to be asked. Get as much information as possible and give the information to University Police immediately:
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