The first case of Ebola in the United States was confirmed on September 30, 2014 when Thomas Eric Duncan was diagnosed after traveling to Dallas, TX from Liberia.
Earlier this month, Thomas Eric Duncan became the first person in the United States to be diagnosed with the Ebola virus following his return from Liberia.
The chance of an Ebola outbreak in the U.S. is slim, but it’s a good reminder for biohazard professionals on the importance of properly dealing with bacteria and viruses.
In the news and on the Internet, it’s next to impossible to avoid the mention of “Ebola.” Misinformation and panic characterize much of the discussion, as Americans rightly fear what could happen were the deadly virus to reach our shores.
My introduction to the field of bio recovery was in June of 2002. At the time I was employed at one of the “big box” emergency restoration franchises when the phone rang on what can only be described as a glorious Saturday afternoon, weather-wise.
Bats can compress their bodies to squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter. Being that older homes often lack retrofitting to assure no gaps are accessible on the outside of the structure, this type of animal infestation – and its subsequent restoration – can be very common.
It’s mid-April 2014 and David O’Brien, Crime Scene Clean Team/Rapid Responders, is working on a 600 square foot apartment unit. It’s a one-bedroom unit, consisting of a kitchen, bathroom and living area.
The American Bio-Recovery Association (ABRA) has named Andrew P. Yurchuck as its new president of the Board of Directors, according to a press release. Yurchuck has been an ABRA member for 12 years and served on the association’s executive board in 2006 and 2012.