Category: Educational

The performance of the OnSite® COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test by CTK was evaluated using sample material from nasopharyngeal swabs stored in viral transport media. The swabs were previously used to screen for SARS-CoV-2 using qPCR.  The OnSite® COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test sensitivity was between 86-90% depending on the viral load*. The study used leftover sample material selected from samples sent.... Read Full Article >

World TB Day, March 24, 2016, is an opportunity to raise awareness about the enormous burden of TB. With 1.5 million TB-associated deaths per year, TB is a top infectious killer worldwide.   Key Facts: In 2014, 9.6 million people fell ill with TB and 1.5 million died from the disease. Over 95% of TB deaths occur in low- and middle.... Read Full Article >

February is worldwide Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cancer can be reduced if detected by early screening and diagnosis, and then treated early. Did you know these facts about cancer? Most Common Cancers: Here are the most commonly diagnosed cancers (in order of frequency) worldwide according to the CDC: Men:.... Read Full Article >

On February 1, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after the rapid increase of microencephaly cases in newborn babies, which is strongly believed to be linked to women with an infectious history of the Zika virus (ZIKV) during pregnancy. http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html ZIKV recently emerged as an epidemic in Latin America, particularly in Brazil.... Read Full Article >

In a recent cohort study published in the journal, Neurology, researchers have shown that the mosquito-borne virus chikungunya may lead to a severe brain infection and even death in infants and people over 65.  The study involved a cohort of patients infected with chickungunya virus during the 2005-2006 outbreak on Reunion Island, off the coast of Madagascar.   Researchers looked at.... Read Full Article >

UNICEF says diarrheal diseases stemming from inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene kill over 800 children under five-years-old every day. Using proper toilets and hand washing – preferably with soap – prevents the transfer of bacteria, viruses and parasites found in human feces which otherwise contaminate water resources, soil and food. This contamination is a major cause of diarrhea, the second.... Read Full Article >