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NEWSLETTER - VOLUME 3 ISSUE 7 Copyright Dr. Deborah Baker-Racine 2003
Be careful of Rats' Droppings. A stock clerk was sent to clean up a storeroom at their Maui location. Then he got back, he was complaining that the storeroom was really filthy, and that he had noticed dried mouse or rat droppings in some areas. A couple of days later, he started feeling like he was coming down with stomach flu, achy joints, headache, and he started throwing up. He went to bed and never really got up. Within two days he was so ill and weak. His blood sugar count was down to 66 and his face and eyeballs were yellow. He was rushed to the emergency at Pali Momi, where they said he was suffering from massive organ failure! The doctor, in ER, transferred him to St. Francis Hospital and notifies all his relatives as he didn't had long to live. In ICU of St. Francis Hospital, a team of doctors were trying desperately to stabilize him. They said that even if by some miracle he pulled through, he would need a new liver, kidneys, pancreas and bladder. He died shortly before midnight. None of us would have ever made the connection between his job and his death, but the doctors specifically asked if he had been in a warehouse or exposed to dried rat or mouse droppings at any time. They said there is a virus (much like Hanta virus) that lives in dried rat and mouse droppings. Once dried, these droppings are like dust, and can easily be inhaled or ingested if a person is not careful to wash their hands and face thoroughly, or wear protective gear. An autopsy is being conducted to verify the doctors' suspicions and tissue samples have been sent to the CDC in Atlanta. Please be extremely careful to always rinse off the tops of any canned sodas or foods, and wipe off pasta packaging, cereal boxes, etc. Almost everything you buy in a supermarket was stored in a warehouse at one time or another, and stores themselves often have rodents. I worked in grocery wholesaling long enough to know that even the cleanest store has mice or rats. Whenever you buy any canned soft drink, please make sure that you wash the top with running water and soap, or if not available, drink with a straw. A family friend's friend died after drinking can of soda! Apparently, she did not clean the top before drinking from the can. The top was encrusted with dried rat's urine, which is toxic and obviously lethal!!!! canned drinks and other foodstuffs are stored in warehouses and containers that are usually infested with rodents and then get transported to the retail outlets without being properly cleaned. Please forward this message to the people you care about... XXX While it seems this particular story is untrue..(Hawaii Dept of Health says they have not had any cases of Hanta or Hanta-like virus)...Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) could definitely be a risk when cleaning out old storage areas. The more common vectors (carriers) of the virus are the common deer mouse and cotton rat. The virus does not affect them at all, but is carried in their droppings, urine and saliva on anything they have chewed. And it can live for some time outisde the rodents' bodies. I believe the main point here is that wherever mice/rats may "move in"..there is definite health risk. Whether it be to products stored in warehouses, items in your attic, even in shipping departments of manufacturers...one must be aware of this and act accordingly. Food items..sold in cans in particular must be washed before opening...even more attention paid to soda, juice and any items where direct contact to the mouth is expected. This is a very scarey avenue of infection. Especially to young children with immature immune systems. Therefore wash all cans with soap and water..and even better, use a straw. Cleaning out the attic? When you enter...the rodents scatter...but in their fear..will urinate and drop feces enmass....active virus is there. As you begin to shuffle things around, sweep etc. the particulate matter (and virus) gets mixed up with the air in the area and you can inhale it. The
goal here is to avoid anything which causes the "dust to
kick up"..and wet the area down with a disinfectant before working.
DID YOU KNOW?? Most recipes call for salt and pepper...so keep one shaker with both in..about 3/4 salt and 1/4 pepper...so easy! Bread will keep for almost three weeks if wrapped in foil and kept in a lower shelf. Great spaghetti storage container..take two 2 litre or quart containers..cut the top off one at the "shoulders" area..that's the container..then cut the bottom off another..about 4 inches or so from the bottom and that's your new top!
BETA GLUCAN! NEW INFORMATION TO SHOW HOW WELL IT WORKS IF ITS THE ONE FROM A.J. LANIGAN!! Lately some wonderful news has come from Transferpoint's A. J. Lanigan and his Beta Glucans products. These include: What is Beta Glucan? The Immune System and the Nervous System Validity of Beta Glucan Patents Recognized in Settlement of Patent Infringement Lawsuit New Research Supports Ability of Beta 1,3-D Glucan to Safely Enhance Human Immune Function AND THE REALLY BIG NEWS.... Beta 1,3-D Glucan Accepted for Inclusion in U.S. Screening Program for Potential SARS Treatments CLICK HERE TO READ THE DETAILED REPORT!
DID YOU KNOW??? Well its that time of year, when we are putting away berries, vegetables and walk around with stained fingers.. Ah-Ha!
We have a remedy for you! Rub your hands with a mixture of lemon
juice and Can't stand the smell of cooking cabbage or brussel sprouts? Add a large piece of parsley to the water when boiling. Absorbs the odour without changing the flavour.
GREAT NEWS!! NEW LOWERED PRICE ON BENFOTIAMIN!
Hope You have Enjoyed the Newsletter We'll
be back soon! Dr. Deb
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