Flu Season Approaching

As we head into the flu season, it has been reported that the threat of this strain is much worse than in previous years. Children and elders have been advised to get the flu shot early to protect against the risk of transmission. Major pharmacies and health care providers have already begun vaccinating patients.

It has been reported that the elder population is at significant risk this year of suffering from flu symptoms. Individuals over 65 have been urged to get vaccinated and many programs have been made available to offer free shots.

Bird Flu Outbreak

It has been reported that cases of the bird flu have been recorded in India. This strain has been identified as H5N1 which has recently been reported in China and Vietnam. Authorities are stressing caution as this strain currently has no viable treatment.

Plans to destroy chicken, eggs, and feed are being developed to help contain the avian flu from spreading further across India and nearby countries. Pursuant to UN notification of the resurgence of the bird flu, affected areas are taking steps to identify and control the processing of birds and containment of infected individuals.

To date, no direct correlation has been made between the cases reported in China and Vietnam with the recent outbreak in India. However, because of the severity of this strain and the lack of treatment options, global markets are urged to be aware of the potential risk.

Tyco International Spins off Into 3 Companies

In 2007, Tyco International spun off two companies consisting of Covidien - its healthcare division, and Tyco Electronics and now announces that it will further segment into two additional  companies leaving shareholders concerned. The expected revenue and dividends for investors are said to be equivalent to existing numbers, but stock holders are not so sure.

Tyco plans to segment its ADT and Flow Control into individual business units. ADT provides security and fire protection equipment and monitoring services, while the flow control leg of the company provides valves and controls for manufacturers particularly in mining and water markets. Each business unit would be its own public company and traded as such after the proposed 12 month restructuring.

Though not alone in restructuring, Tyco is the largest corporation proposing such a drastic company change. Other companies including Kraft, McGraw Hill, and ConocoPhillips are also proposing such a business shift. Fears run wild among investors over the potential repercussions of these business changes.

Tuberculosis Posed To Kill Thousands

Tuberculosis is a disease that has been around for many years and has frequently plagued the world population. Treatment is extensive and costly, and detection is difficult, so the progression and spread of TB is rapid and dangerous. Recently, there has been a resurgence in Europe of tuberculosis resulting in increased alarm among the medical community.

TB is an infection of the lungs by Mycobacterium causing severe tissue damage. The resultant coughing to expel the bacteria enables rapid transmission. Because of this, patients suffer long and painful degeneration of the lungs and quite frequently pass along this bacteria in an airborne form.

Treatment of tuberculosis is a process including 6 months of powerful antibiotic usage, but many of these series are not completed by patients. The result is that drug resistant forms of the infection are now spreading at an alarming rate. Without isolation and treatment, TB can pose a significant threat currently resulting in an estimated 1.7 million people per year.

Protect yourself from contracting tuberculosis by keeping immune systems healthy and remaining clear of infected persons.