Timing. Wow.
http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?glide=EH-20091217-24195-AUS&cat=dis&lang=eng
two SA Pathology employees have contracted Q Fever following a breach in laboratory protocol. A 33-year-old man was diagnosed with the illness on Monday, and has since recovered fully. A woman, 31, was diagnosed on Thursday and is in a satisfactory condition. SA Health chief medical officer Professor Paddy Phillips said Q fever was caught from infected animals, so person-to-person spread was extremely unlikely and the risk to the public was low. He said a breach of laboratory protocols occurred five weeks ago and had been investigated. "The breach involved a live specimen being transported incorrectly in SA Pathology's laboratory on Frome Road," he said. "At this stage, SA Pathology cannot confirm a definitive link between the breach in protocol and the positive test results recorded by our employees this week. "SA Pathology is also offering screening to any employee who may require it." Professor Phillips said about half of all people infected did not develop symptoms and the illness was mild in most cases. "Hospitalisation and serious complications are rare," he said. "Infection usually occurs through inhalation of bacteria from animals and animal secretions or products, and the incubation period is usually between two and four weeks. Q Fever is an infection caused by Coxiella burnetii, which is almost always related to direct or indirect contact with infected animals. Only about one half of all people infected with Coxiella burnetii show signs of clinical illness, but onset of symptoms is usually sudden, with a flu-like illness, pneumonia and/or hepatitis. Most people who contract Q Fever recover fully with or without treatment. However some people may develop a chronic illness lasting months. Acute and chronic Q Fever can be treated with antibiotics. SA Health has consulted with the Public Services Association, who will provide additional advice and support to SA Pathology employees.
http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?glide=EH-20091217-24195-AUS&cat=dis&lang=eng
two SA Pathology employees have contracted Q Fever following a breach in laboratory protocol. A 33-year-old man was diagnosed with the illness on Monday, and has since recovered fully. A woman, 31, was diagnosed on Thursday and is in a satisfactory condition. SA Health chief medical officer Professor Paddy Phillips said Q fever was caught from infected animals, so person-to-person spread was extremely unlikely and the risk to the public was low. He said a breach of laboratory protocols occurred five weeks ago and had been investigated. "The breach involved a live specimen being transported incorrectly in SA Pathology's laboratory on Frome Road," he said. "At this stage, SA Pathology cannot confirm a definitive link between the breach in protocol and the positive test results recorded by our employees this week. "SA Pathology is also offering screening to any employee who may require it." Professor Phillips said about half of all people infected did not develop symptoms and the illness was mild in most cases. "Hospitalisation and serious complications are rare," he said. "Infection usually occurs through inhalation of bacteria from animals and animal secretions or products, and the incubation period is usually between two and four weeks. Q Fever is an infection caused by Coxiella burnetii, which is almost always related to direct or indirect contact with infected animals. Only about one half of all people infected with Coxiella burnetii show signs of clinical illness, but onset of symptoms is usually sudden, with a flu-like illness, pneumonia and/or hepatitis. Most people who contract Q Fever recover fully with or without treatment. However some people may develop a chronic illness lasting months. Acute and chronic Q Fever can be treated with antibiotics. SA Health has consulted with the Public Services Association, who will provide additional advice and support to SA Pathology employees.
