Cruise Ship Illnesses Increase - Solutions Sought

The number of reports in recent weeks about cruise ship passengers falling prey to onboard diseases is being seen to have sharply increased. Without any specific reasons being discovered, authorities continue to seek methods to prevent the spread of disease.

Serrature Meroni manufacture anti-bacterial door hardware that helps to minimze the spread of infectious disease. The fabulous Meroni Combina and Meroni Pigio range of door handles are being sought as a possible solution to minimize the spread of these virus'.

The unique attributes of the anti-bacterial handles, continue to impress authorities. The handle ranges are nouveau in design, naturally simple to operate, functional and ambient. The range of handles can allow for discerning owners to  still enjoy elegant looking functional hardware while protecting the lives and interests of crew and passengers.

Simple to install and retro-fit in place of many commonly used products today, both Combina and Pigio are considered a valuable asset that directly protects the lives of passengers, crew, patients and anyone that might touch the handle.

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5 reasons to stop using antibacterial soap

The FDA, recently announced the culmination of a 42 year study into the health benefits of the use of anti-bacterial handsoap.

To summarize. the FDA discovered that after a decades long investigation, the benefits derived from this multi-billion dollar industry, do not significantly add value to our lives, more than normal soap and water.

I meet people regularly who swear by their practise of using some alcohol based antibacterial soaps, hoping to minimize their own exposure to the easy transference of bacteria and virus'.

With this 42 year study finally releasing their results, concerned users are realizing that common used door knobs, that multiple people touch daily have been a harbinger of diseases that are too easily transferred.

That is of course until they learn about the Serrature Meroni range of Combina and Pigio range of push/pull entry levers and knobs, that are specifically designed with anti-microbial surfaces that minimize the spread of colds and flu.

We are the North American distributors of the fabulous Nouveau and Ultra-Modern door entry products made by the highly respected European (Italian) manufacturer Serrature Meroni.

We maintain a relatively large inventory, in multiple color options of Nova, Forma, Combina and Pigio (1, 2 & 3) door hardware.

We will showcase some special quantities of Meroni Nova, passage, privacy and entry handlesets, in large quantaties and diverse color options.

The five reasons are...

1. Antibacterial soaps are no more effective than conventional soap and water. As mentioned in the announcement, 42 years of FDA research—along with countless independent studies—have produced no evidence that triclosan provides any health benefits as compared to old-fashioned soap.

“I suspect there are a lot of consumers who assume that by using an antibacterial soap product, they are protecting themselves from illness, protecting their families,” Sandra Kweder, deputy director of the FDA’s drug center, told the AP. “But we don’t have any evidence that that is really the case over simple soap and water.”

Manufacturers say they do have evidence of triclosan’s superior efficacy, but the disagreement stems from the use of different sorts of testing methods. Tests that strictly measure the number of bacteria on a person’s hands after use do show that soaps with triclosan kill slightly more bacteria than conventional ones.

But the FDA wants data that show that this translates into an actual clinical benefit, such as reduced infection rates. So far, analyses of the health benefits don’t show any evidence that triclosan can reduce the transmission of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections. This might be due to the fact that antibacterial soaps specifically target bacteria, but not the viruses that cause the majority of seasonal colds and flus.

2. Antibacterial soaps have the potential to create antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The reason that the FDA is making manufacturers prove these products’ efficacy is because of a range of possible health risks associated with triclosan, and bacterial resistance is first on the list.

Heavy use of antibiotics can cause resistance, which results from a small subset of a bacteria population with a random mutation that allows it to survive exposure to the chemical. If that chemical is used frequently enough, it’ll kill other bacteria, but allow this resistant subset to proliferate. If this happens on a broad enough scale, it can essentially render that chemical useless against the strain of bacteria.

This is currently a huge problem in medicine—the World Health Organization calls it a “threat to global health security.” Some bacteria species (most notably, MRSA) have even acquired resistance to several different drugs, complicating efforts to control and treat infections as they spread. Health officials say that further research is needed before we can say that triclosan is fueling resistance, but several studies have hinted at the possibility.

3. The soaps could act as endocrine disruptors.  A number of studies have found that, in rats, frogs and other animals, triclosan appears to interfere with the body’s regulation of thyroid hormone, perhaps because it chemically resembles the hormone closely enough that it can bind to its receptor sites. If this is the case in humans, too, there are worries that it could lead to problems such as infertility, artificially-advanced early puberty, obesity and cancer.

These same effects haven’t yet been found in humans, but the FDA calls the animal studies “a concern”—and notes that, given the minimal benefits of long-term triclosan use, it’s likely not worth the risk.

First H5N1 Avian Flu Death In North America

Serrature Meroni make a handle that is taylored to hospitals, aged care centers, schools and institutions that care about the health and safety of their staff and patrons.

The Combina Anti-Bacterial Door handle, not only exceeds all ADA conditions, but also minimizes the spread of potentially harmful disease.

With the current Polar Vortex, playing havoc with North American's daily lives, preventing the spread of disease is of paramount concern.

Stylish, functional and secure. The incredibly easy to use, patented Premiapri mechanism, encourages simple to operate and stylish nouveau door handles in both passage and privacy (bathroom) functions, that prevent the transferrence of potentially harmful diseases.

From CNN...

(CNN) -- Canadian health officials confirmed Wednesday that a resident from Alberta has died from H5N1 avian flu, the first case of the virus in North America.

Canada's Health Minister, Rona Ambrose, said the infected individual had recently traveled to Beijing.

The Canadian case also is the first case of H5N1 infection ever imported by a traveler into a country where the virus is not present in poultry. No such H5N1 viruses have been detected in people or in animals in the United States.

Face ID - The Future Of Access Control Has Started.

In December 2009, we wrote an article about this fabulous product and it's infancy in the world of access control.

We are very pleased to see it has survived and entered it's teenage years.

Hanvon are the brains behind this superbly designed and engineered product aimed at hospitals, research labs, banks and large employers to handle time and access identification of employees.

Simple to use, convenient, anti-bacterial, protective and above all else accurate, this product has and will continue to improve our access.

The video after the jump gives a small glimpse of how this product works...

New Bird Flu Strain Found In China - More Reason To Prevent Transmission

According to ABC News in Australia, four more people have been infected with a new strain of bird flu in China.

This is hot on the heels of information obtained on Sunday that three more infections - two of them fatal - occurred in recent days.

The new strain of bird flu called H7N9 is being played down by the World Health Organization (WHO) but they said it is crucial to find out how the new strain of avian influenza is being spread to humans.

This knowledge should highlight why it is vital and important for all public buildings, schools, hospitals, medical centers etc to increase their onus of responsibility to their patrons. Responsibility in the form of protecting people from the possible transference of harmful bacteria, especially from the touching of door handles.

Just about every person touches a door handle every day, but are virtually completely unaware that shared contact of surfaces is one of the fastest methods for spreading harmful diseases.

Because the % of transmission from surface touching is considered low by statistics standards, it is most likely due to communal surfaces not being considered as potential causes of the spreading of diseases, that people generally dont consider door handles to be of sufficient importance to their health.

Luckily for some, Serrature Meroni have been producing their patented Anti-Bacterial range of door knobs for a few years now. As a dwelling owner or manager, it is your responsibility to maintain the health of all persons that enter or use your property. Using a door handle that prevent the transference of harmful bacteria should be a consideration not to be passed on.

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'Nightmare' Bacteria Spreading In U.S. Hospitals, Nursing Homes According To The CDC

An article has appeared in MSN News in the last few days alerting readers to a bacteria that is showing signs of resistance to powerful anti-biotics.

"The  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  said 4 percent of U.S. hospitals and 18 percent of nursing homes had treated at least one patient with the bacteria, called Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), within the first six months of 2012."

"CRE are nightmare bacteria. Our strongest antibiotics don't work and patients are left with potentially untreatable infections," CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said in a news release. "Doctors, hospital leaders and public health [officials] must work together now to implement the CDC's 'detect and protect' strategy and stop these infections from spreading."

Serrature Meroni, the Italian manufacturer of nouveau door locks and cabinet and furniture hardware, developed their patented Anti-Bacterial handlesets a few years ago, just as the world was learning about Bird Flu.

Hygienic Door Handle - By Stream Hygiene Ltd.

Stream Hygiene Ltd. are a UK based manufacturer of hygienic washroom (toilet) products. They manufacture and distribute hygienic washroom products including the brilliant Tornado hands free air dryer, zero flush waterless urinals and revolving toilet seat covers.

Their latest product is the Hygienic toilet cubicle door handle. This unique device is expertly designed to protect toilet users from the hazards of disease transfer through contact. It is a well understood practise that many bathroom users do not wash their hands when using the bathroom, but more so, immediately after using the toilet cubicle, there is rarely a wash basin in the same room, so after finishing your business, in all likelihood, you will touch the same handle that the previous user touched. This could significantly increase the chances of catching a transferable disease. [view video after the jump]

Bird Flu - Still A Menace In Asia And Beyond

A couple of years ago the H5N1 - Bird Flu virus made news headlines across the globe. There were about 350 reported deaths across the world and many thousands more were infected before an anti-virus was found.

In recent days days (see source below), a discovery has been made in Vietnam of a new strain (mutation) that is allegedly impervious to the anti-virus.

10 people have died in Cambodia, Egypt, Indonesia, China and Vietnam. The new strain has also been found in Bangladesh and Nepal.

The WHO (World Health Organisation) is remaining tight lipped about it, but I think it is vital and important to be aware that Bird Flu is again on peoples minds.

Whereas the transfer of the virus is usually through peoples contact with poultry, these viruses are known to mutate quite quickly and could spread rampantly due to migrating birds.

We post this here to remind our readers of the Serrature Meroni Anti-Bacterial door handle products, that mitigate the transfer of potentially threatening virus' and other diseases by contact.

In many environments in our daily lives, we often will touch a door handle or knob that has been touched by others. In high-trafficked environments, we can have little to no control over the spread of illnesses and having the benefits of Meroni anti-bacterial door knobs on our doors, could help to prevent us from getting sick.

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Contagion

Just last week my wife and I went to see this movie. I found it to be one of the most entertaining suspense filled films I have seen in ages.

It stars Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Lawrence Fishburne and a gaggle of other big name stars.

The storyline involves a woman who returns home to the USA from abroad who has been in contact with someone who passed on a virus to her. Anything or anyone she came into contact with seemed to also contract the contagious virus.

To make a long story short, many millions of people become infected and die before a cure is found.

The realism in this fictional movie was astounding. The film director makes the audience feel that the whole scenario is entirely plausible and probable.

The recent bird flu and H1N1 virus' that the world contracted in the last couple of years, makes this film even more realistic and topical.

Why do I post this review here?

I am the exclusive USA importer/distributor of the sensational Serrature Meroni brand of locks and door and cabinet hardware from Italy. Serrature Meroni, a few years ago introduced a unique line of inventory that includes especially designed anti-bacterial polymer door knobs. These handles minimize the potential impact of transferring disease between people.

Virtually all people touch a door knob to operate a door at home or work or the doctors surgery or a hospital or any other public building, in order to enter or exit a room or the building. All people rarely consider the likelihood of catching and spreading germs from unknowingly touching a surface that a possible infected carrier has also touched.

Remember when those recent well known virus' (Bird Flu and H1N1) were breaking news all over the media? Pharmacists, grocery stores and merchants everywhere suddenly began selling notoriously huge amounts of hand sanitizers and similar products. Many institutions enacted strict policies forcing people to use hand sanitizers as often as possible and some even required employees to wear face masks to minimize the potential spread of airborne diseases.

The realism of the movie Contagion, made me think about how easy it would be to spread disease.

But thanks to forward thinking companies like Serrature Meroni, we can now rest easier with the assurance that forward thinking home owners, hospital management, doctors surgeries, chemical research laboratories and other concerned proactive people, are taking steps to protect their customers, staff, friends and families from the potential deadly side effects of unknown or even known virus'.