McALLEN – A high pollen count and second-hand smoke were two contributors this year as the McAllen-Mission-Edinburg area jumped to ninth from 25th as the worst place in the country for asthma.

 “I was surprised myself. I knew we were high, but I didn’t expect to be that high compared to other places,” said pulmonologist Ramon Rodriguez, who McAllen doctor specializes in internal medicine and pulmonary disease.

The ranking, which is determined by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation for America, includes evaluation  of factors like  pollen counts, air quality, frequent ozone days, public smoking bans and use of asthma medications.

All contributed to McAllen’s rise on the list, according to Angel Waldron, spokesperson for AAFA.

“This year, the pollen count was really high in McAllen, (which) can cause problems over half of the people with asthma because they also have allergies,” Waldron said, adding that allergies trigger 60 percent of asthma cases.

Exposure to second-hand smoke also triggers asthma attacks.

Although the AAFA recommends smoking bans in workplaces, restaurants, bars and in cars with minors, McAllen only bans the first two, according to Josue “ Josh ” Ramirez, the city’sdirector of Environmental and Health.

Rodriguez said second-hand smoke is an irritant, but added that barbecuing  also sends people to the emergency room with breathing problems. most show up on Mondays, he said.

Additionally, the McAllen area is among the top five highest in the country in poverty and uninsured rates.

According to the National Prescription Tracking Data Base, which is provided by IMS Health, the usages of both over-the-counter and prescription medications used to treat asthma are higher here than they should be.

 “the data is telling us, the people in McAllen are either dealing with a high incidence of triggers that cause their symptoms, or they may be self-medicating (by) trying different things until they find something that works,” Waldron said.

However, patients who are diligent in being tested and who consult with allergists regularly won’t need to self medicate, Waldron said.

Although typically considered a children’s disease, 68-year-old Connie DiCarlo-Mendiola, of McAllen, learned she had the disease 11 years ago. Growing up in Minnesota, DiCarlo-Mendiola never suffered symptoms as a youth. even when she moved 22 years ago to the Valley, things seemed great.

“ When I first came to the Valley, I loved that Gulf breeze in the evening. I thought that was the best thing because I could breath that fresh air. But now that I have asthma, whenever (there) is a windy day, I stay indoors because of allergies and the wind ,” she said.

Since her diagnosis, however, DiCarlo-Mendiola has ended up in the hospital once a year.

She is not alone. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas reports that the impact reflected on the asthma-related claims are on the rise in Texas.

In the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area alone last year, BCBSTX processed 28,000 claims and paid $2,500,000 related to asthma, Ross Blackstone, senior manager of Media and Public Relations for BCBSTX, stated in a written statement.

Asthma now affects one out of every 12 people in Texas.   in addition to health challenges, the Texas Department of State Health Services says asthma also carries significant social and economic burdens:

>> One-third of asthma-affected Texans miss work at least one day a year because of their condition.

>> One third of Texans with asthma have trouble sleeping, and more than 11 percent have had trouble sleeping five nights in a row or more.

>> Children up to age 4 who have asthma are admitted to the hospital two to eight times more than adults with the same condition.

SOLUTIONS

There are several things that can help alleviate or lessen the affects of asthma.

One is to education people and make them aware of the disease and how to control it, Waldron said.

While there is nothing people can do about pollen counts, they can implement and observe smoking bans.

Also, working to improve the rates of poverty and those who are uninsured would help, Waldron said.

“it is good that students are able to access their inhalers while in school, (but) there are some states that don’t allow it because it is a controlled substance,” Waldron said.”When they don’t have access, we have unnecessary deaths.”

Recruiting more allergists and pulmonologists also would benefit the area. currently, patients have long waiting periods before they can be seen by a board certified specialist.

Rodriguez said the Valley now has 14 allergists and pulmonolgists.

In the Medical: you can use some more physicians in McAllen as well, or specialist to handle, right now there are just far enough, so people are probably dealing with a long waiting period before they can be seen by a board certified specialist, if some more physicians were practicing in McAllen that would be a benefit to our patients as well.

Dr. Rodriguez said in the Valley there are 14 Allergist and pulmonologist if we include the Weslaco ones.

As for DiCarlo-Mendiola, who is a respiratory therapist herself, life is normal except during May and June.

She said she follows three simple rules:

>> Complying with instructions for maintenance medications even when symptom free;

>> Exercising regularly;

>> Eating healthy.

Despite the debilitating effects of asthma, Di-Carlo-Mendiola said she’s winning the battle.

“I don’t let asthma control my life,” she said.

Martha L. Hernández covers health, business and general assignments for the Monitor and El Nuevo Heraldo . you can reach her at (956) 683-4846.

Actor and comedian Tracy Morgan attends "The Darker Side of Green" debate at The Bowery Hotel on July 27, 2010, in New York.

(Credit:Getty)

A spokesperson for “30 Rock” actor Tracy Morgan has reportedly told ABC he is being treated at a Utah hospital from symptoms related to “a combination of exhaustion and altitude,” flatly rejecting reports on Hollywood gossip sites which claimed the star collapsed after appearing intoxicated at an awards ceremony.

“Any reports of Tracy consuming alcohol are 100 percent false,” the message delivered by Morgan’s representative to ABC News said, seeking to stem the flow of apparent eye-witness accounts from sites like TMZ and The Hollywood Reporter.

An official with Park City Medical Center, not far from where Morgan was attending a ceremony at the Sundance Film Festival, confirmed to ABC News that medical exams showed no drugs or alcohol in Morgan’s system.

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A mosquito rests against a window. Malaria has claimed the lives of two siblings in Limpopo. Photo: Karen Sandison

Johannesburg – two siblings died from malaria in Mopane at the weekend, the Limpopo Health Department said on Monday.

The pair were believed to be between nine and 13 years old, said spokesperson Cecil Motsepe.

“they were admitted into Malamulele hospital over the weekend, diagnosed with malaria and treated… but they sadly died.”

The entire family was tested and found to be negative.

“we will be thoroughly investigating how they contracted the virus,” said Motsepe.

The department said it had seen a slight increase in malaria cases in the province over the past week but could not release any figures.

It had been carrying out a provincial programme to help prevent such diseases.

“we are carrying out a spray programme and have targeted 960 000 households to be sprayed,” Motsepe said.

So far, 40 000 homes had been sprayed.

“we are dispatching a team immediately to the area where the siblings came from so that all the homes there can be sprayed,” said Motsepe.

“Malaria is treatable but 90 percent of the time people treat it too late. So people must check for symptoms.”

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease which is transmitted through the bites of certain types of mosquitoes.

Flu-like symptoms, body aches and pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are all symptoms of the disease.

In 2010, nine people died of malaria out of 450 cases reported in Gauteng. – Sapa

5 January 2011 last updated at 05:49 ET Share this page the majority of deaths were in people infected with swine flu

Hospitals in the north west of England are being asked to make extra beds available after a surge in flu admissions.

Figures released by NHS North West show 108 flu patients in critical care beds in the region, up from 74 last week.

All hospitals have plans in place to increase the number of critical care beds if necessary. NHS North West has now asked them to trigger those plans.

It is unclear whether admissions have peaked, NHS North West said.

‘Expert treatment’

"we need to make sure that we are able to cope if we continue to see a significant rise in the number of patients with seasonal flu who need critical care," said a spokesperson.

Thirty-nine people in the UK have died with flu-like illnesses this winter, according to the latest figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) last week.

All but three of them were infected with the H1N1 swine flu virus, while the remainder had influenza B, the HPA said.

Last week, the Royal College of GPs said cases of all types of flu had risen to 124 per 100,000 people across the UK. Its latest figures are expected to be released on Thursday.

The NHS North West spokesman said: "we would like to remind everyone that A&E and 999 services are for life-threatening and serious conditions only.

"the vast majority of normally healthy adults can self-treat for a range of common complaints – including flu – without having to go to a GP or to their local A&E department.

"we need to make sure that our A&E, 999 and GP teams can focus on those people who need expert treatment.

"the advice remains that if you are a normally healthy adult and you think you have symptoms of flu, contact NHS Direct for advice."

Some recent customers of Jerry’s Famous Deli in Westwood are advised to receive hepatitis a vaccinations.

According to a report by the Department of Public Health, an employee at the restaurant has contracted the disease, which can be spread through close contact or fecal contamination of food or drink.

Customers who ate sandwiches at the restaurant or who ate catered sandwiches from this particular location on Nov. 18, 21, 23 or 24 should contact a physician immediately. Consumers of other foods or drinks are not considered to be at risk of contracting the virus.

A spokesperson for Jerry’s Famous Deli could not be reached on short notice.Those who are at risk should be vaccinated within two weeks of exposure, said Evi Desser, a nurse practitioner at the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center.

The virus causes an infection that inflames the liver and decreases its function, according to the Mayo Clinic website. In most cases, however, the liver completely heals on its own without treatment or permanent damage.

Symptoms of hepatitis a include jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever and abdominal cramps, according to the Department of Public Health statement.

Anyone who has already had the hepatitis a vaccination, even as a child, is immune to the disease.

The Ashe Center provides vaccines for $39. To make a reservation to see a primary care provider, students should make an appointment online. For additional questions or personal concerns, students may also send messages to their primary care provider via the Ashe Center’s website. The full public health report can be found on the website under “Health Alerts.”

In addition, the Department of Public Health will be providing vaccines through certain clinics in the area, a list of which is available on the department’s website at publichealth.lacounty.gov or by calling the L.a. County info line by dialing 211 on any cell phone.

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – A sixth person is dead in connection with a Hepatitis B outbreak at a Wayne County assisted living facility.

A spokesperson for the N.C. Division of Public Health says the person was one of eight identified as part of an initial investigation in October.

Additional testing shows two additional residents have antibodies to Hepatitis B that show possible infection from the virus.  They were never diagnosed and have since recovered.

An updated version of the Division of Public Health’s investigation report is available on line at epi.state.nc.us/epi/gcdc/hepatitis.html

— Previous Story —

MT. OLIVE, N.C.- State Health Dept. investigators says they believe they know what caused a Hepatitis B outbreak that killed five residents in an assisted living facility.  the Division of Public Health report says the outbreak at Glen Care assisted Living in Mt. Olive was most likely the result of unsafe blood glucose monitoring practices; something the facility strongly denies.

“The six years that we’ve been here, we’ve used the same system with the same staff and never been cited for improper technique,” said Anne Kornegay, Glen Care Vice President on Thursday.

The State Health Dept. investigation found glucometers stored together in a single drawer on the medication cart.  it also says they were not clearly labeled with residents’ names.  the report says a confidential interview with a medication technician indicated the glucometers and lancing devices were not routinely cleaned and disinfected between uses.  something epidemiologists say should never happen.

“In any circumstance, nobody should share glucose monitoring devices,” said Megan Davies, State Epidemiologist.  “not the meters, not the lancets, not the lancet holders.”

But Anne Kornegay, the Vice President of Glen Care assisted Living Facility, defended the staff on Thursday.

“I’m a no-nonsense nurse and have been for over 30 years,” said Kornegay.  “That’s the cream of the crop right there.  They’re passionate.”

During the investigation, Glen Care management brought in registered nurses to observe the medication technicians.  They say all of the med-techs used the right technique. 

“Those medical devices are meant for the individual for whom they’re prescribed,” said Davies.  “and sharing them even occasionally can put you at risk for blood-borne pathogens.”

The State says it cannot determine how the illness entered the facility in the first place, but Davies says the spread might have been prevented had the pens been store separately and clearly labeled.  the report says at the time of the state’s investigation, no Glen Care employees had completed a state-approved infection control course.  the State issued a plan of correction to glen care which outlines steps the staff must take to remedy the problem immediately.  Glen Care talked with us about the investigation Thursday, but would not comment on the report Friday.

— Previous Story —

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. (AP) – State investigators say unsafe practices used in blood sugar monitoring led to a hepatitis outbreak that killed five people at a Wayne County nursing home.      in a report released Friday, the Division of Public Health says employees at GlenCare of Mount Olive may have used a single lancing device on multiple patients.      An employee told investigators that some testing equipment wasn’t routinely disinfected between uses.      Eight patients contracted Hepatitis B, and five have died. Hepatitis B is typically transmitted by exposure to blood or body fluids.      A woman who answered the phone at the facility Friday said Glen Care has no comment.      the report includes a list of recommendations, including hepatitis testing for all patients and safer blood monitoring practices.            (Copyright 2010 by the associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)— Previous Story —

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – the investigation continues at an assisted living facility where five residents have died from Hepatitis-B. 

It happened at Glen-Care assisted Living in Mount Olive.

Several questions remain in this investigation as local and state agencies have been looking for what caused the outbreak.

Glen-Care management says the first resident died from Hepatitis-B on August 30th.  

It wasn’t until mid-October when the health department notified staff the cause of death was Hepatitis-B.

Glen-Care management says a common thread among individuals involved in the outbreak were diabetic.

The Division of Health Service Regulation interviewed medical technicians at Glen-Care.

Investigators say five of the med-techs admitted to using the same blood sugar pen on several residents. 

Glen-Care management denies this accusation, saying all of their med-techs have proven to correctly perform this procedure. 

We are expecting the Department of Public Health to release their preliminary report this afternoon.

We’ll continue bringing you the latest as this story develops. 

— Previous Story —

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – An assisisted living facility is in jeopardy tonight after an outbreak of Hepatitis B left five residents dead.

It’s at the GlenCare assisted living facility in Mount Olive that the Division of Health Services reported the sharing of medical equipment between residents as a potential cause to the outbreak.

    Today officials with Glencare spoke out about their medical technicians and their practices.

“I go in the dinning room and look at the empty chairs of those that have passed on and it breaks my heart,” said Anne Kornegay, GlenCare Vice President.

It’s reaction from Glencare officials after the Division of Health Service Regulations notified them of troubling findings.

“We received a telephone conference call with the Division of Health Service Regulation informing us that we were in immediate jeopardy because five of five Medication Technicians told them during an interview that they had used the same pen on several residents,” said Glenn Kornegay, GlenCare President.

A call that spurred a controversy over the sharing of a medical device used to measure blood sugar levels and officials from Glencare hope to clear the water before the DHS release their findings.

“I look at this staff that have been loyal to their residents and they have been accused and I believe them when they tell me they have not done that,” said Anne Kornegay.

Medical Technicians at the GlenCare facility say they never admitted to using the same pen on multiple residents and initial investigations can’t prove that’s what caused the virus to spread.

Registered nurses called in to inspect the facility agree.

“I can tell you I surveyed this building under state capacity and had I seen a med tech use the same pen on two residents or more, I would have pulled her off the cart right then,” said Betty Merritt, registered nurse.

It’s the first glimpse at a potential factor in the outbreak of virus that claimed the lives of five people.

GlenCare technicians have signed a release asking that the names of those who admitted to sharing the pens be released.

No word yet on if the state will do that.

The state will be releasing its full report on Glencare in the coming days and of course we’ll be following the story when it does.

—Previous Story—

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – An assisted living facility in Mount Olive is facing controversy after seven reported cases of hepatitis B were discovered, five of which were fatal.

The Glencare assisted Living Facility held a press conference Thursday morning to shed light on accusations by DHS that five medical technicians admitted to using the same pins on multiple patents.

Those interviews done by DHS were confidential and no medical technicians at Glencare support DHS’ findings.

Officials at Glencare say the hepatitis outbreak could have come from a number of sources outside the facility.

“When people are interviewed they are often misquoted and I believe that’s what happened in this facility, I do not believe that this loving caring people shared the same pin on a patient,” said Anne Kornegay, Vice-President of Glencare.

Nine on your side will have more on this story tonight at 6.

— Previous Story —

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. - Two more residents at a Wayne County assisted living facility have tested positive for hepatitis. four people died in an apparent hepatitis outbreak at Glencare of Mount Olive.

The state department of Health and Human Services confirmed the results. Additional testing was done after the initial outbreak.

The total number of Glencare residents with lab confirmed hepatitis is now seven. one of the four people who died did not have a lab confirmed hepatitis diagnosis, but a representative with the Department of Health and Human Services says he had all the symptoms.

Health and Human Services is conducting an investigation into the facility and the apparent hepatitis outbreak.

— Previous Story —

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – four people at an assisted living center are dead and health officials say Hepatitis-B is to blame.

At least one other resident at the Glencare of Mount Olive home tested positive.

Now investigators are trying to figure out what caused the disease to spread.

They’ve tested all the residents and state officials are waiting to see if anyone else has the disease.

Health officials say it’s usually spread through contact with blood or body fluids like medical devices that are shared among patients.

The home says the only contact with blood is when they test blood sugar levels, but they say a different device is used on each patient. 

The owner of the facility says they are looking at their procedures to make sure there is no cross contamination or other risk factors.

Test results for the rest of the residents should be back by next week.