The recent outbreak of staph infections in schools throughout the country is serving to bring to the spotlight the importance of routine, thorough cleaning and targeted disinfection of buildings where a large number of people constantly live, work or play. This includes schools, office buildings and hospitals. Researchers and health officials are going on the offensive and stressing to the public that bacteria and viruses such as salmonella, E. Coli, influenza and staph can be brought into the home and live on hard surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom counters, doorknobs and stair rails, it is important to clean and disinfect the home using the proper products as well.

Health officials are not the only ones reacting to the deadly outbreak of viral diseases. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) said Sunday he will introduce legislation next week to improve the prevention and treatment of infections, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA

The recent outbreak of staph infections in schools throughout the country is serving to bring to the spotlight the importance of routine, thorough cleaning and targeted disinfection of buildings where a large number of people constantly live, work or play. This includes schools, office buildings and hospitals. Researchers and health officials are going on the offensive and stressing to the public that bacteria and viruses such as salmonella, E. Coli, influenza and staph can be brought into the home and live on hard surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom counters, doorknobs and stair rails, it is important to clean and disinfect the home using the proper products as well.

Chris Cathcart, President of the Consumer Specialty Products Association said, "Hand washing is an important deterrent to disease transmission, but disinfecting cleaning products kill bacteria and viruses that soap and water alone will not

According to health officials seven school children infected with E. coli have suffered kidney failure and required dialysis. 3 others in Floyd County who had contact with the kids are also infected with the deadly disease. Another six suspected cases are awaiting lab results.

According to investigations by authorities all the people infected are linked to Gelena Elementary School. A news release Tuesday from county health officials did not indicate progress toward identifying the infection's source

A New Jersey meat company is voluntarily recalling some of its hamburgers for fear of contamination by E. coli bacteria, New York Health Department officials said Tuesday.

At least six people have fallen ill in Albany, Monroe, Herkimer and Washington counties in New York and three were hospitalized after consuming the frozen ground beef patties produced on June 22, July 12 or July 23

Dole has issued an international voluntary recall for their prepackaged lettuce salad Monday, after a sample taken from a store in Canada tested positive for E. coli.

A division of Dole Food Co. said the recall affects all packages of Dole's Hearts Delight salad mix sold in the United States and Canada with a "best if used by" date of September 19, 2007, and a production code of "A24924A" or "A24924B