Standard Hygiene Practices Research Articles

Biosecurity implementation on large-scale poultry farms in Europe: A qualitative interview study with farmers

Biosecurity is an essential tool for rearing healthy animals. Biosecurity measures (BMs) are well known in poultry production, but it is difficult to assess actual implementation on farms. The aims of this qualitative study were (1) to provide an overview of biosecurity implementation according to poultry farmers in Europe; and (2) to better understand the reported reasons and potential obstacles for not implementing the measures. In seven European Union Member States, 192 farmers (118 under contract with a company and 68 independents) working in seven different categories of poultry production were interviewed on 62 BMs to determine the frequency of implementation and the reasons for non-implementation. Most of the replies (n = 7791) concerning BM implementation were reported by the farmers as “always” implemented (81%), statistically higher for breeders (87%) and layers (82%) and lower for independent farms versus farms under contract with a company (79.5% and 82.5%, respectively). Regardless the poultry production category, the most frequently implemented BMs declared by the farmers were daily surveillance of birds, rodent control and feed storage protection. Standard hygiene practices were also mentioned as high-implementation measures for most production categories, with some deficiencies, such as rendering tank disinfection after each collection and, for meat poultry, disinfection of the feed silo and bacterial control of house cleaning and disinfection between each cycle. The entry of vehicles and individuals onto poultry farms, especially during critical points of eggs collection for breeders and layers, as well as the presence of other animals, such as the “all in/all out” practice, particularly in layers and ducks, were also reported as the least commonly practiced measures. The main reasons for not implementing the measures (n = 1683 replies) were low awareness and poor knowledge of the expected benefits of biosecurity (“no known advantages” 14%, and “not useful” 12%), the lack of training (“not enough training” 5% and “advice” 7%), lack of time (19%), and financial aspects (17%). Despite the good overall biosecurity mentioned by the farmers, these findings highlight certain deficiencies, suggesting room for improvement and the need for targeted and tailored support of poultry farmers in Europe.

Fractional–Order Modeling and Control of COVID-19 with Shedding Effect

A fractional order COVID-19 model consisting of six compartments in Caputo sense is constructed. The indirect transmission of the virus through susceptible populations by the shedding effect is studied. Equilibrium solutions are calculated, and basic reproduction ratio (that depends both on direct and indirect mode of transmission), existence and uniqueness, as well as stability analysis of the solution of the model, are studied. The paper studies the effect of optimal control policy applied to shedding effect. The control is the observation of standard hygiene practices and chemical disinfectants in public spaces. Numerical simulations are carried out to support the analytic result and to show the significance of the fractional order from the biological viewpoint.

Occurrence of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella spp. in beef and cow milk from central Kerala

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a clinically important opportunistic pathogen and Salmonella spp. is a major food-borne pathogen causing gastroenteritis worldwide. The present study was conducted to determine the occurrence of K. pneumoniae and Salmonella spp. in beef and cow milk collected from central Kerala. The study was conducted in a span of 10 months from, January 2022 to October 2022. A total of 400 samples, comprising of 200 raw cow milk samples and 200 beef samples, were collected from different milk societies and retail shops of Thrissur and Palakkad districts. The K. pneumoniae and Salmonella spp. were isolated by conventional culture techniques on MacConkey agar and Xylose lysine deoxycholate agar, respectively. When conventional culture technique was used, 57.50 per cent and 10.25 per cent samples were positive for K. pneumoniae and Salmonella spp., respectively. The molecular confirmation of K. pneumoniae was carried out by PCR targeting genus specific gyrA followed by species specific rpoB gene. Salmonella spp. was confirmed on PCR by amplifying species specific invA gene and spvC gene was targeted to evaluate the virulent nature of the isolates. Out of the 400 milk and beef samples analysed 50.75 per cent were positive for K. pneumoniae and 10.25 per cent were positive for Salmonella spp. Implementation of standard hygiene practices during production, distribution chain are required to avoid the contamination of milk and beef samples indented for human consumption.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions Towards Hand Hygiene of Optometry Students Pre- and Peri-COVID-19 at a Tertiary Institution in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Limited research has been completed relating to the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards hand hygiene in optometry. The necessity of identifying possible gaps in the cycle of the optometric examination that may have an impact on standard hygiene practices is essential, especially seen in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the study was to determine if optometry students' KAP towards hand hygiene changed pre- and peri-COVID-19 to minimize the risk of possible infection it may have for their patients, family, and themselves. A cross-sectional purposeful sample study was completed among optometry students at a training institution in Johannesburg, South Africa, pre- (2019) and peri-COVID-19 (2022). The WHO hand hygiene knowledge and perception questionnaires for health care workers were adapted and used in the current study. Statistical analyses were performed to test for significant changes between the two groups. There was a significant change (p < 0.01) in the use of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) in 2022 (87.2%) compared to 2019 (46.5%), although only 41% of students peri-COVID-19 (2022), were aware that a minimum of 20 seconds is required to effectively clean hands. Students, both pre-COVID-19 (63.8%) and peri-COVID-19 (81.8%) perceived performing a hand hygiene regime during an optometric examination to be problematic. A significant peri-COVID-19 (2022) change in perception (p < 0.01) regarding the importance of completing required hand hygiene practices in front of a patient during examination was seen. The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to research a possible change in KAP towards hand hygiene practices in optometry students that have not been investigated before. Students were more aware of the impact of hand hygiene practices and the perception thereof, especially by patients and fellow students during the peri-COVID-19 (2022) period. An important finding was the difficulty that students experienced to perform a hand hygiene regime during an optometric examination.

Is the hygiene hypothesis a plausible explanation for the asymmetry in COVID-19 mortality?

Madam, there is large variation observed in COVID-19 outcomes that indicate the existence of individual and population-based factors influencing the infection course (1). By the second wave of COVID-19, mortality rates in twenty most affected countries were varying, ranging from 2% in Philippines to 11% in Mexico (1). A study evaluating WHO’s region-wise statistical observation of six regions showed an Infection Fatality Rate (IFR) of 0.02% for the American, European, and Eastern Mediterranean regions while for South-East Asian and the Western Pacific regions, it was 0.01% (2). Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) was highest in Europe of 7.3%, 5.3% in American region and a lowest of 1.1% in South-East Asian region (2). Pre-existing health conditions have become decisive feature in assessing disease progression, and aligned with this discourse, the Hygiene Hypothesis can be a plausible explanation for this pattern of COVID-19 infection and mortality. The theory states that the reduced pathogen exposure in high-income regions during important development phases leads to a decreased stimulation by evolutionary relevant pathogens resulting in immune dysregulation and increase in chronic inflammation, allergy, autoimmunity (2).The hyper-hygienic practice wards off potential problems before they progress into clinical condition and disturbs the balance of commensal organisms in surface locations such as gastrointestinal tract, skin and increasing COVID-19 susceptibility(3). Contrarily, extensive exposure to multiple microbes that express pathogen associated molecular patterns activates innate immunity. In this “trained immunity”, ascribed to many cell types, a response generated against one set of microbes can have bystander immune protection against other infections (3). In Ethiopia, the IFR obtained was 0.55% in urban neighbourhoods and 0.78% in remote settlements respectively, an estimate lower than that deduced for higher income countries (4). Further, background immunity against SARS-CoV-2: TCD4 cells observed in some individuals not exposed to SARS-CoV-2 was found to cross react to SARS-CoV-2 proteins (5). However, the hypothesis cannot be over generalized as the number of COVID-19 deaths might be unascertained in low-income countries due to inadequate reporting. Climatic conditions, age, gender, the type of spread of disease also account for differences (4). On the contrary, we can suspect a positive relation between Social Vulnerability Index and COVID-19 incidence as results from Brazil exhibit (5). The Hygiene Hypothesis, albeit cannot be heavily relied upon, offers new perspective in studying the effect of the environment and innate immunity on disease severity and progression. It also provides insights for augmenting standard hygiene practices. Continue...

Survival and Fate of Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Water and Wastewater: Possible Health Concerns

The deadly Covid-19 virus is contagious in nature and spreads through human respiratory droplets. Knowing about the characteristics of coronavirus in the water cycle is critical to save human lives. Recently miniscule traces of novel coronavirus found in non-potable water samples. COVID-19 virus is also found to exist in fecal matter indicating that the disease might spread through fecal- oral transmission. It is reported that Coronaviruses can remain infectious for days or even longer periods in sewage water as well as in the potable water. Coronavirus-infested water is a possible agency for human exposure and further transmission of disease. Essentially, the persons working at the wastewater/ sewage treatment plants must use standard hygiene practices, and sports personnel protective equipment to avoid viral infection. Though most water treatment practices are believed to kill or remove coronaviruses effectively in drinking and wastewater, but their effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 needs extensive research. By maintaining the hygienic conditions and providing the amenities of clean drinking water, one can deal with any contagious disease including COVID-19. Keeping above in view, in this paper highlights the survival and fate of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in water and wastewater and discuss the possible health concerns, besides the importance of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE).

Combating Lassa fever for sustainable development: Interplay of perceived behavioural control and current preventive practices in most endemic States in Nigeria.

Lassa fever has become a recurring incidence in Nigeria with high case fatality rates recorded in recent times. Given that total compliance with standard hygiene is recommended as a fundamental ingredient for the prevention of Lassa fever, this study investigated the influence of perceived behavioural control and current household and environmental hygiene practices for Lassa fever prevention among residents of selected Lassa fever endemic states in Nigeria. Data collected from primary sources through a mixed-methods approach, using self-administered structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) was used for analysis and drawing of inferences. The sample size consisted of 663 survey respondents and 72 FGD participants. The quantitative data was analysed with the aid of SPSS version 23 using descriptive and inferential statistics while thematic analysis was employed in analysing the qualitative data. The findings indicate that the residents perceived certain recommended hygiene practices as 'easy-to-perform' while some are perceived as 'difficult-to-perform'. Compliance with standard hygiene practices is still partial due to the significant influence of Perceived Behavioural Control on current practices towards Lassa fever prevention in all the selected states at (R2= .023, .040 and .111 for Ebonyi, Edo and Ondo states respectively, at p˂0.05). The study recommends the establishment of community-based mechanized food/crops drying facilities at subsidized rates to remove the risk of food contamination by rodents during sun-drying and extensive use of interpersonal communication channels for door-to-door campaign for the total compliance with the preferred hygiene practices for Lassa fever.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A Pharmacotherapy Primer

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A Pharmacotherapy Primer

Neonatal death from rose disease in 1796

ZusammenfassungIn der vorhygienischen Zeit lief das Erysipel in den Kriegslazaretten und Krankensälen als Epidemie mit oftmals tödlichem Ausgang ab. Eine besondere, wenn auch seltene Form war die Rose der Neugeborenen. Auch hier gab es kleinere Epidemien in den Geburtshäusern des 18. und 19. Jahrhunderts. Eine detaillierte Beschreibung eines Krankheitsverlaufes stammt von Christoph Wilhelm Hufeland aus dem Jahre 1796. Wahrscheinlich hatte sich das Baby bei seiner Mutter angesteckt. Die Eintrittspforten der Erreger befanden sich üblicherweise am Nabel und in der Genitalregion. Sie verursachten hier eine dramatische Lokalreaktion. Von vornherein verlief die Infektion als Sepsis. Damit erschien der tödliche Ausgang vorgegeben. Möglicherweise war Hufelands Krankheitsfall auch mit einem Tetanus (Kieferbackenzwang) kombiniert. Heute gibt es die Rose des Neugeborenen in unserem Kulturkreis nicht mehr.

The Artificial Family

<h3>Abstract</h3> <h3>Background and objective</h3> SARS-CoV-2 infection poses tremendous challenge to the healthcare system of nations across the globe. Serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers, which form a high-risk group, helps in identifying the burden of hidden infection in an institutional setting. <h3>Methods</h3> We present the results of a cross-sectional serosurvey in healthcare workers from two different hospital settings based on their role in the management of SARS-CoV-2 patients in District Srinagar, Kashmir. In addition to testing for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG, we collected information on influenza-like symptoms in the last four weeks and the status of RT-PCR testing. SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies were detected in serum samples using a sensitive and specific chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay technology. <h3>Interpretation and Conclusion</h3> Of 2915 healthcare workers who participated in the study, we analysed data from 2905 healthcare workers. The overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies was 2.5% (95% CI 2.0-3.1) in the healthcare workers of District Srinagar. Healthcare workers who had ever worked at a dedicated-COVID hospital had a substantially lower seroprevalence of 0.6% (95% CI: 0.2 - 1.9). Among healthcare workers who had tested positive for RT-PCR, seroprevalence was 27.6% (95% CI: 14.0 - 47.2).The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers of District Srinagar is low, reflecting that a high proportion of healthcare workers are still susceptible to the infection. It is crucial to lay thrust on infection prevention and control activities and standard hygiene practices by the healthcare staff to protect them from acquiring infection within the healthcare setting.