|
"News You Can Use" ------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FOOD POISONING Investigators said they believe seedless green grapes caused a salmonella outbreak that sickened 41 people across six Western states last summer and fall. "We were surprised to find that the outbreak of Salmonella serotype senftenberg -- most often found in meats and poultry -- was apparently spread to people through grapes," said Alicia Cronquist, an epidemic intelligence officer assigned to the Colorado State Health Department by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. The outbreak of S. senftenberg caused primarily diarrhea and abdominal cramps, she told the Inter- national Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases Tuesday. Symptoms ranged from mild to severe. The investigators were unable to track the cause of the outbreak to its origin, but sophisticated DNA fingerprinting tests showed the strain of S. senftenberg was the same among samples taken from people infected in California, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Cronquist said the bacteria may have infected the fruit during harvesting or in storage before it was dis- tributed. In another case reported at the meeting, epidemiol- ogists in California determined that precut melons -- can- taloupes, watermelon and honeydew -- were the likely cause of another Salmonella outbreak, this one caused by the S. poona serotype. Kris Carter, a fellow with the California Epidemiologic Investigation Service, interviewed 23 patients who came down with the S. poona infections in June and July of 2001 and was able to determine an associ- ation with eating melons. Carter said it is possible the bacteria on the surface of the melons somehow infected the fruits when it was cut. It also is possible that because precut melon sits around a while before being eaten, the bacteria has an opportunity to grow, she said. She said people who want to avoid infection from fruits should wash them first and eat them soon after preparation. (Thanks to Ed Susman, UPI Science News) ------------------------------------------------------------
Are you one of those types that always seems to miss phone calls on your Cell Phone? Well not anymore! Introducing the latest technological breakthrough for your Cell Phone... the Flashing Cell Phone Chain! The crafty cellular flashing chain emits 3 multi-color flashing lights BEFORE your phone receives a call signal. Now you can turn off the ringer, or play your music as loud as you want without ever missing a call. Carry it with your keys, hang it from your car mirror or attach it to
your cellphone case it works up to 3 feet away from your phone. Cute &
functional, they make a great gift... but HURRY... they're going fast.
Normally $19.99, you can order yours for only $9.99, or SAVE on 2 or more!
------------------------------------------------------------
NEW COMPUTER VIRUS The "My Life" virus that spread last week to thousands of computers worldwide is unique in that it uses e-mail pro- grams and instant messaging networks to find new targets. The virus -- known officially as MyLife.B -- entices recip- ients to open an attachment that displays a cartoon of for- mer President Clinton. If the attachment is opened, it deletes files on a computer's hard drive and looks to rep- licate itself via e-mail and instant messaging programs. Lisa Smith, product manager at antivirus company McAfee, told USA Today: "If this one does reach large proportions, it will be a very costly virus because most consumers don't have good backup methods for their operating system or important files on the C drive." Experts say many consumers do not purchase antiviral software, and many others don't update the protective programs that they already have. (Thanks to UPI’s Joe Warminsky in Washington) ------------------------------------------------------------
With the explosion in popularity of psychic services it is important not to get taken when getting a psychic reading. Many companies use per minute telephone charges to wrack up huge bills for consumers using their services. Psychic500.com is an online psychic reading site that has all their prices clearly marked. Horoscopes are FREE, and in-depth readings are only $12.95. If you are one of the millions of American's looking for psychic guidance don't get taken to the cleaners. Psychic500.com is a reliable site with FREE services and all prices clearly marked. No per minute charges at Psychic500.com. Just Visit: http://www.psychic500.com ------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------ END OF TODAY'S CONSUMER - Another FREE gophercentral publication:
Copyright 2002 by PENN LLC. All rights reserved. Feel free to forward this, in its entirety, to others. Copyright 2002 by United Press International |