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News You Can UseJune 20, 2008 Tomato Salmonella Outbreak Update Since mid-April, more than 277 cases of Salmonella reported nationwide have been attributed to the consumption of raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes. Of these reported cases, at least 43 individuals have required hospitalization for the illness. According to Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the isolated strain responsible for the outbreak has been determined to be Salmonella Saintpaul. A U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) update on the outbreak recommends consuming raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes only if grown and harvested in states not associated with the tainted tomatoes. Also deemed safe by the FDA are grape cherry tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached. Illness from Salmonella usually lasts 4-7 days and causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps that begin 12-72 hours after initial infection, according to the CDC. While most people recover without treatment, severe infections with complications may occur. Those most at-risk from complications include infants, elderly persons, and those with impaired immune systems. Severe infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other sites eventually causing death. Antibiotics may be administered in severe cases. When planning an outing or other events where tomatoes would be standard fare, remain abreast of the latest developments with the 2008 salmonella outbreak through the CDC. Cell Phone Text Scam Advertisements for things from prescription drugs to pornography are popping up in scam and spam text messages on cell phones requesting personal information, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Identity theft "phishing" schemes may ask you to call a toll-free number to correct an account problem. You may also be asked to provide your password or personal identification number (PIN). Meanwhile, you are being charged for the text messages and any long-distance calls placed to resolve what appears to be an outstanding matter. Furthermore, the messages appear to come from banks, credit card companies or other legitimate businesses. The Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection offers a series of tips for avoiding being drawn into an identity theft scam:
If you believe you have received a possible text message scam or have encountered other consumer problems, contact the AG's Consumer Protection toll-free hotline at 800-441-2555 or file an online complaint using the Attorney General's website. Firewood Quarantine to Stop Threat of Exotic Pests If you've witnessed crews hanging boxes in trees or happen across any of the purple-paneled sticky traps hung along highways around the state, you are witnessing Pennsylvania's efforts to assess the spread of the 1/2" long by 1/8" wide invasive beetle known as the Emerald Ash Borer which flies only from early May until September. The beetle has the potential to devastate our ash tree population, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA). The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has deployed a crew of 70 surveyors to place traps in 35 counties in an effort to protect the state's $17 billion hardwoods industry, employing 85,000 people in 2,500 companies. The invasive pest is believed to have entered the United States and Canada through wood packing and shipping material from China. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has prepared a brochure entitled "What is the Emerald Ash Borer?" to help you identify the wood-boring beetle native to China and Eastern Asia. Campers and homeowners should be aware that Pennsylvania has instituted a ban on out-of-state firewood. Kiln-dried packaged firewood labeled with the producer's name and address or USDA-certified wood is exempt from the quarantine. The Key to Lawn Mower Safety is You! The sweet smell of freshly mown grass can leave unhappy memories of injury and death to the careless lawn keeper and those around him. According to the Penn State Cooperative Extension, thousands of injuries occur every year due to the unsafe operation of power lawn mowers. Blade contact is responsible for 70 percent of all lawn mower accidents. Lawn mower blades turn at 3,000 to 3,600 revolutions per minute, or 50 to 60 revolutions per second. A mower's dual cutting edges mean an object making contact with the blade can be struck as many as 120 times in one second. Even with "dead-man brakes" the blades will continue for approximately 3 seconds. Meanwhile, those blades are delivering the equivalent of a 1.2 pound missile traveling at 232 miles per hour crushing bones and filling the wound with dirt and grass, making surgical repair even more difficult. Thrown objects are another major cause of lawn mower accidents. When stones, sticks, and other debris are launched from the discharge chute the force is capable of puncturing the skin or eyes and causing serious injury or death. The Cooperative Extension offers tips associated with proper handling of a lawn mower before and during operation. Before starting the mower:
Equally important are tips to observe during operation of a lawn mower:
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's National Ag Safety Database is making available a checklist of lawn mower hazards to promote safe mowing habits. Print and post a copy of Lawn Mower Hazards along side your mower for quick review prior to mowing. You will find critical reminders such as disconnecting the spark plug wire before tipping the lawn mower to do any servicing under the mower deck; insisting that everyone leave the area of lawn you are mowing, and making it a practice to never pull a hand mower toward yourself. Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer The PA Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) wants you to "hit one out of the park" in the battle against the disease with which some 9,500 Pennsylvania women are diagnosed annually. During July 2008, the Pennsylvania Coalition is teaming up with 11 minor league baseball stadiums and sponsors across the state to raise awareness, funds, and fun in the name of treatment, prevention, and a cure for breast cancer. Corporate and individual team sponsorships are still available in each of the participating stadiums. Each team will receive hats, jerseys, commemorative baseballs, and a souvenir team photo. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Team winners will be recognized that evening before the game in the stadium of play. For more details or to sign-up, visit the Homerun Derby website or contact the PBCC Executive Director at 800-377-8828 x102 or heather@pabreastcancer.org. The fundraising campaign will support education and advocacy, as well as direct uninsured women of low or moderate income who are diagnosed with breast cancer to free treatment. To inquire about the Breast & Cervical Cancer Prevention Treatment Program (BCCPT), call the HealthyWoman program at 800-215-7494. Dump it. Drain it. Treat it. Pennsylvania's first West Nile Virus-positive mosquito of 2008 has been discovered in Luzerne County prompting safety reminders from the PA Departments of Health and Environmental Protection. Begin with an inventory of your backyard. If it is holding water, observe the DEP mantra for ridding your property of mosquitoes -- "Dump it. Drain it. Treat it." Containers and objects with standing water should be dumped or treated with Bti. The naturally occurring bacterium kills only mosquito larvae making it safe for people, pets, aquatic life, and plants and is available at many retail stores. DEP's West Nile Virus Fact Sheet helps you spot and stop collections of stagnant water in and around your property. Some are as easy as covering trash and recycling containers, others may signal the need to repair leaky pipes and outdoor faucets. Link to related fact sheets. Personal protection from West Nile Virus calls for avoiding mosquito-production areas during their peak activity time – dusk and dawn. If your plans mean you may be exposed, wear long sleeves and pants. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention discusses insect repellants including DEET, permethrin, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus.
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