Bubonic Plague Germs Found on NYC Subway

AP/Ebraham Afshinnekoo/PathoMAP Project/Weill Cornell Medical College
[From article]

Researchers have mapped out the particles found across the city’s subway system, and they found a range of DNA from mozzarella cheese to the Bubonic plague.
The “PathoMap,” created by Weill Cornell Medical College researchers, maps out microbes and pathogens found on hand rails, kiosks, benches, turnstiles and passenger seats. The research team used nylon swabs to collect DNA in 24 subway lines in all five boroughs over a period of 17 months.
Researchers say most of the DNA found across the subway system is harmless, like the cheese DNA, but the study also found some drug-resistant, disease-causing bacteria, including some DNA fragments associated with anthrax and the Bubonic plague.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/PathoMap-Traces-Bacteria-Across-Subway-System-Cheese-Bubonic-Plague-291026181.html

"PathoMap" Traces Subway Bacteria, Finds DNA Linked to Plague, Sauerkraut
Published at 5:16 AM EST on Feb 6, 2015
NBC News New York, NY

200 People Die Daily In U.S. From Hospital Infections

[From article]

Many bacterial infections -- which can lead to serious complications from pneumonia and illnesses of the intestinal tract -- could be prevented if healthcare workers practiced common hygiene, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Although there has been some progress, today and every day more than 200 Americans with healthcare-associated infections will die during their hospital stay," said CDC Director Tom Frieden.

"The most advanced medical care won't work if clinicians don't prevent infections through basic things such as regular hand hygiene."

http://news.yahoo.com/hospital-infections-kill-200-daily-us-201323675.html;_ylt=AwrBEiEMNzNTowkAy9fQtDMD

Hospital infections kill 200 daily in US
March 26, 2014
AFP

Germs In Restaurants

Lettuce wedges, salt and pepper shakers, ketchup dispensers, and
playgrounds are high germ level places.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2220206/Anderson-Cooper-reveals-restaurants-horrifying-hidden-germs.html

Bacteria-infested lemon wedges and fly eggs on salt dispensers:
Anderson Cooper reveals restaurants' horrifying hidden germs
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 11:05 EST, 19 October 2012 | UPDATED: 11:47 EST, 19 October 2012

Bacteria In Humans Studied

http://www.ploscollections.org/article/browseIssue.action?issue=info:doi/10.1371/issue.pcol.v01.i13

The Human Microbiome Project Collection

Doctor's Ties Filled With Germs

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/ban_docs_germ_filled_ties_pols_mPNt44uKHzYbyrPvdy97RM

Ban docs' germ-filled ties: pols
By BRENDAN SCOTT, Post Correspondent
New York Post
Last Updated: 3:19 AM, May 3, 2011
Posted: 1:38 AM, May 3, 2011

TSA Spreads Germs

My concern is picking up germs from the dirty floors after being forced to remove shoes.

[From article]
"There is no doubt that bacteria (staph, strep, v.cholerae etc.) and viruses (noro, enteroviruses, herpes, hepatitis A and papilloma viruses) can be spread by contaminated vinyl or latex gloves," Dr. Thomas Warner of Wisconsin told WND in a letter to the editor.
[. . .]
"TSA agents are not trained as medical personnel. Just as they don't seem to grasp the Bill of Rights, they also may not understand how infectious disease is spread. They aren't medical personnel; they're Big Brother enforcers who have likely never been taught the principles of how to conduct a sterile body search," the commentary said.
[. . .]
On a TSA blog promoting the agency's actions and policies, one screener explained, "Changing gloves is fairly simple ... . When I gate screen I carry about 10-12 pairs in my pockets."

Respondents to the comment were outraged, "That's just plain disgusting and most certainly not acceptable ... procedures as set forth by the CDC for usage of gloves for protection," said one. "Reasoning being is that the bacteria count in your pockets is about the same is your mouth or armpit."

Wrote another forum participant, "Those gloves are soiled if they come out of your pockets and before handling my stuff you will be expected to obtain a clean, from the original container, pair. ... Who knows what filth inhabits your pockets!"

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=232457

WND Exclusive RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINES
Doctors sound TSA germ alert
Dangers include syphilis, lice, viruses, ringworm
Posted: November 24, 2010 9:09 pm Eastern