Pat's Note: This is an interesting piece from Zurich.

They have picked up on the epicentres being the UK and Canada, and
that things have got worse in the US. They are even trying to predict
where the next outbreak will come.

They have even spotted the Hamilton Spectator's activity.

It is surely only a matter of time before they spot the link to PMWS
epidemics in pigs?

The net is closing in on Britain's corrupt State Veterinary Service.

They might as well tell us the worst.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/c-diff-new-mrsa/story.aspx?guid=%7B8FA704A5-871D-4A91-BBF4-DEFCBBA9FD2D%7D&dist=hppr

Is C. diff the New MRSA?

What healthcare providers should know about this emerging risk 

Last update: 11:11 a.m. EDT Aug. 26, 2008
 
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Aug 26, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- "MRSA" outbreaks are
becoming an increasingly known risk among the general U.S. population
and the healthcare system that cares for them. As the number and
severity of outbreaks related to Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
bacteria continue occurring with growing frequency, healthcare
providers are paying more attention to this emerging risk as well.

 Among the general population, awareness is also growing about C. diff
bacteria that is found in the soil, air, human and animal feces, and
on most surfaces. What remains at issue includes: 

-- What can we do to limit the occurrences of more widespread
infections? 

-- What should we expect to see in future U.S. and Canadian
large-scale outbreaks? 

-- What can healthcare providers and their patients do today and in
the future to help control such outbreaks? 

For those not familiar with C. diff, these omnipresent bacteria don't
typically cause trouble. But when they grow in abnormally large
numbers in the human gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, they can produce
toxins that cause severe diarrhea. In more serious cases,
life-threatening inflammation of the colon -- and even death -- can
occur. C. diff usually becomes a problem only in some individuals who
are taking antibiotics or other antimicrobial drugs. This upsets the
normal flora in the GI tract, allowing C. diff bacteria to grow and
produce toxins. C. diff bacteria also produce spores that can survive
on surfaces and floors for years. Such spores are resistant to many
disinfectants and antiseptics, including alcohol gels often used for
hand sanitizing. 

Although C. diff has long been present, its prevalence and virulence
have increased markedly. In the United States, there was a 23 percent
annual increase in hospitalizations for the years 2000 -- 2006.1

 Mortality rates have risen from 5.7 per million to 23.7 per million
from 1999 -- 2004.2 Also of concern is the rise in cases of community
acquired C. diff infections in otherwise healthy individuals who are
not receiving antibiotics. Beyond the United States, hospitals in
Canada and Great Britain have experienced even more severe outbreaks.
At one hospital in Ontario, 177 of 17,500 patients admitted during an
outbreak between May 2006 and December 2007 were diagnosed with C.
diff; of those; 62 deaths were linked to 
C. diff as a contributing factor.3 

For reporters and editors seeking to learn more about C. diff's
emergence as a commonly seen risk, Zurich North America Commercial can
provide executives who can participate in interviews or compose
bylined articles. Please contact Steve McKay as listed below if you
would like to learn more or arrange an interview. 

1"Increase in adult Clostridium difficile--related hospitalizations
and case-fatality rate, United States, 2000--2005," Zilberberg MD,
Shorr AF, Kollef MH, Emerg Infect Dis, June 2008 
Available from http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/14/6/929.htm 
2"Increase in Clostridium difficile-related mortality rates, United
States, 1999-2004," Redelings MD, Sorvillo F, Mascola L., Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention Emerging Infectious Diseases [online]
2007 Sep [cited 2007 Aug 17] 

Available from Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/13/9/1417.htm 
3"Ministry ignored C. diff warning," Joan Walters, The Hamilton
Spectator, May 26, 2008 
About Zurich Financial Services 
Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is an insurance-based
financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and
offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin
America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered
in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 60,000 people serving
customers in more than 170 countries. In North America, Zurich (
www.zurichna.com) is a leading commercial property-casualty insurance
provider serving the global corporate, large corporate, middle market,
specialties and programs sectors. 
SOURCE: Zurich Financial Services 

-- 
Regards
Pat Gardiner
Release the results of testing British pigs for MRSA and C.Diff now!
www.go-self-sufficient.com  and http://animal-epidemics.blogspot.com/