International Aid Group Fights Parasites in Brazil
SAO PAULO, Brazil - Officials from INMED are working to help some 2 million Brazilian children infected with intestinal parasites.
For US$5 per child, the drug mebendazole can kill the bugs, which deplete children of vitamin A and iron. The U.S.-based international health and development organization created the Healthy Children, Healthy Futures program to combine public and private monies to aid impoverished public health.
Officials from the World Health Organization estimate that 90 percent of children in rural Brazil are infected with these parasites. Because they are transmitted via soil and water, the organization teaches how to maintain their health after the medication is given. These lessons include information on hand washing, wearing shoes, corralling animals and washing fruits and vegetables.
INMED also works in Mexico, the Dominica Republic, Burkina Faso, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, the Philippines and India.
For additional information, call Marshall Hoffman at (703) 820-2244.
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.
