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Bad bacteria – The world's latest bacterial threats
Anyone who has seen a TV advert for fancy yoghurt knows there are good bacteria and bad bacteria. The former can enhance our lives and health, the latter can kill us, and while you might think these kinds of diseases belong in the third world, some of them are turning up in western nations many people would normally consider safe. Here's what's floating around the globe at the moment bacteria-wise.
Diphtheria hits Lagos
The Lagos Government has set its Emergency Response Committee on the case after an outbreak of diphtheria at King’s College. Apparently the outbreak has been brought under control and the authorities have asked people not to panic.
Apparently one 12-year-old pupil, who was suffering from a sore throat and fever in late February, was quickly referred then admitted to the paediatric emergency ward at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, given powerful antibiotics plus a full dose of diphtheria antitoxoid serum. Sadly the little boy suffered from 'progressive and irreversible' inflammation of the heart and died, myocarditis being a serious complication of the infection. Officials are keeping a close eye on 34 people who've had close contact with the boy, 14 of whom have already developed symptoms 'consistent with diphtheria'.
Two die from invasive group A streptococcal disease in Canada
The problem with prisons, as we know from covid, is diseases spread like wildfire when people are kept in crowded conditions where there's little or no fresh air. Two people have died at the Maplehurst Correctional Complex at Milton in Ontario, Canada, thanks to an outbreak of invasive group A streptococcal disease. Inmates are being checked every day, those with symptoms are being assessed and treated, and prison staff are carrying out 'additional cleaning'. The prison is also battling an influenza A outbreak
40 new cases of shigellosis in Oregon, USA
Since January 2025 forty new cases of shigellosis, caused by the Shigella bacteria, have been reported in Oregon, USA. The illness affects the the intestines, causing dysentery, fever and stomach pain. Apparently cases have been rising for more than 12 years, with the illness now turning up in the Portland Metro area.
Officials are calling it 'concerning'. Oregon saw high numbers of cases through 2024 as well, with two separate outbreaks of different strains . 2025's outbreak is down to a Shigella sonnei strain that turned up in spring 2024. Out of 197 cases across the USA, over 60% are currently in Oregon and 14 'sub-clusters' have been pinned down. The source hasn't been found yet.
14 dead from Melioidosis thanks to soil bacteria in Australia
A soil-dwelling bacteria called Melioidosis has killed 14 people in Queensland, Australia. This rare antibiotic-resistant disease is caused by bacteria in soil and mud in tropical regions, released after heavy rain or floods. The death toll makes 2025 a record-breaking year, like nothing the area has seen before. So far this year there have been 94 infections.
Illness happens when a person inhales the bacteria or it somehow gets into a person's bloodstream. Most of the current patients caught the illness from breathing it in. Experts say climate change is at the heart of the unprecedented outbreak, with Queensland seeing unusually heavy flooding following 1.5m of rainfall that engulfed homes, businesses and roads.
Melioidosis comes with a fatality rate as high as 50% because it is unusually aggressive as well as resistant to antibiotics, leaving people with weak immune systems most at risk. The symptoms include fever, difficulty breathing, coughing, and headaches.
The latest on Congo's mystery bacteria
Last time we mentioned the cluster of deaths linked to a mysterious illness in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Now the WHO has a theory – it could be either poisoning or bacterial meningitis. So far it has killed 53 people since it was first spotted on 9th February, and around 1300 are suspected to have caught it. Because the symptoms, including fever, chills and headaches, are very like malaria and a raft of other illnesses, it is proving a challenge to interpret any ongoing trend.
US hospitals and nursing homes hit by listeria
A deadly listeria outbreak in the USA has been linked to drinks, namely a type of frozen nutritional shake drink served up in nursing homes and hospitals. There's a nationwide recall going on. So far 38 people have been infected across 21 states, and 12 have died.
Stop bacteria before they stop your business!
Our UVC sanitising units are proven to inactivate more than 50 horrible bacteria within minutes including Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax), Campylobacter jejuni ATCC 43429, Escherichia coli O157:H7 CCUG 29193, Streptococcus viridans and Salmonella typhimurium. There's every reason to believe they can do the same deadly damage to other bacterial threats. If you'd like to know more about protecting your business against them in a fast-changing climate change world, give us a call.
Rentokil is predicting a bed bug boom for 2025. If they're right we face a shocking rise of 67% year-on-year thanks to increasingly warm weather. Here's what you need to know about the revolting little creatures that cause such havoc in homes, resorts, hotels, hospitals, and basically anywhere there are soft furnishings and bedding for them to snuggle into. First, to stop your skin crawling too much, it's good to know that UVC light 'negatively impacts bed bug survival and host-seeking abilities'. Click here to download a science-led .pdf all about it. As the report concludes: 'This project strongly suggests that UV light is effective, both in killing bed bugs, and in impairing their ability to reach a host. Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of this study was the dramatic effect UV light had on the egg stage. While eggs have proven to be most resistant to current control tactics, they are highly vulnerable to UV treatment.' Bed bug facts to make you itch Blood-sucking bed bugs live on furniture and bedding, and their bites itch like mad, the last thing you want in your public-facing business. The bugs are at their lowest levels in January-February but by the end of March they're on the rise again, ramping up fast until their numbers peak in August and September. The late summer peak and winter lows have been proven by science, reported by the Journal of Medical Entomology. Bed bug numbers respond to warm weather. When it drops below 13C they nod off, going into hibernation. They can stay is this state of suspended animation for as long as a year, only waking up when things get warmer and they sense food in the shape of humans. If the weather drops below freezing they die, and anything above 45C also kills them off. The temperature they like best is human temperature, which is why they're so happy living indoors with us, where it never gets cold or hot enough to stop them in their tracks. When we go on holiday bed bugs enjoy another opportunity, this time spreading themselves around hotels, apartments, villas, guest houses and B&Bs, hitching a ride on the nearest unsuspecting person, hiding in luggage and sneaking around inside our clothing. It's no surprise the hospitality sector suffers more than any other from bed bug infestations. A guest with just one bed bug on board can cause chaos. Every female bed bug lays as many as seven eggs a day, and the babies mate with each other to create a disgusting never-ending circle. Hiding during daylight, they come out an night to feast on human blood, quickly spreading until they infest an entire building if they're not stopped in their tracks. They can crawl as fast as 100 feet an hour, reaching every area of a building in a short time. It can be hard to know there's an infestation because people just assume they've suffered an ordinary insect bite or two. Worse still, because some bed bug bites don't start to itch straight away, the source isn't always obvious. On the journey back from holiday they can hop off you or your luggage to infest boats, planes, trains, taxis, other travellers and their luggage, and ultimately your home. No wonder 2020 and 2021 were low bed bug years, with covid preventing travel and keeping us all at home. Now UK bed bug numbers have shot up again, 2025 is looking like a bumper year and London – being an international tourist destination – could be in for a particularly bad bed bug season. How to stop an infestation of bed bugs Early detection is really important. The earlier they're detected, the earlier they can be dealt with and the spread stopped. Otherwise customer complaints, bad reviews and even prosecutions could be on the cards for your hospitality business. Human cleaners aren't much help simply because the bugs like the dark, spending all day hiding, and they're really small anyway. Spray pesticides are not much use when the pest control company can't see where the bugs are hiding. Worse still, the creatures are quickly evolving immunity to the powerful pesticides that used to kill them off. If you'd like to know more about our simple, affordable UVC disinfection tech, which quickly inactivates an enormous list of common and not-so-common pathogens, get in touch for an inspiring conversation.
So what has been going on in the wonderful world of viral and bacterial infections? Read on if you're responsible for hygiene at a school or university, hospital, cruise ship, nursing home, restaurant, cafe, gym, clinic, surgery, hospitality setting, office, factory, childcare setting, on public transport, or at a theatre or cinema. Basically, wherever there's a risk of infections being spread, our UVC mobile sterilisers take the strain... pun intended! Parvovirus B19 This week the HSE has reminded the UK about a contagious viral infection that is common in children. It's nicknamed 'slapped cheek syndrome', is caused by parvovirus B19 and mostly clears up on its own after a few weeks. The virus spreads to humans, surfaces and objects when infected people cough or sneeze near them. Like many viral infections parvovirus B19 can be 'serious' in adults and the vulnerable. The story highlights, once again, the importance of good hygiene in public spaces and businesses. Norovirus hitting the UK harder than last winter As revealed by NHS England in late February, the UK has seen a record-breaking number of patients in hospital with norovirus, an average of 1160 a day, more than twice the number seen at the same time in winter 2023-24. RSV hospitalisations more than double compared to last year NHS data also reveals RSV cases are rising, with an average of 22 children in hospital with RSV per day in late February 25, up 83% compared to earlier in the month and more than double what we saw at the same time last winter. Mystery viruses lurking in the wings A mysterious viral disease has been affecting the western Democratic Republic of Congo, causing 60 deaths so far. The latest viral epidemic to hit the East African in the last year, it follows on from outbreaks of Marburg and mpox. The WHO says the new disease is neither Ebola nor Marburg, but it comes with the same dreaded symptoms of haemorrhagic fever. Thanks to covid we all know how fast a virus can travel around the modern world, in a global economy, which keeps these worrying infectious pathogens on the science community's radar. Antibiotic resistant bacteria are winning the battle Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, but they are gradually losing their power. Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria can evolve to withstand the drugs, making illnesses a lot harder and sometimes impossible to cure, for example antibiotic resistant TB. The resulting 'superbugs' already contribute to 35,000 deaths a year in the UK alone, directly kill more than 7500 of us in the UK every year, and cause the death of more than a million people annually worldwide. The National Audit Office says the UK is going to miss most of the targets set in 2019 to deal with antibiotic resistance. England's target to cut these infections by 10% between 2018 and 2025 has failed miserably, rising by 13% in 2023 alone. The problem is that some antibiotics are being released into the environment in 'unprecedented' quantities because they're being used in medicines and farming, for example being spread via sewage that escapes into rivers, or draining from farmland into streams. So how can you handle the threats and potential future threats of viral and bacterial infections at your business without spending a fortune or having to re-fit the entire building? Luckily it's a simple matter thanks to our powerful, safe mobile UVC hygiene units. Powerful, safe Direct Fixed Surface Sterilisation Our Mobile UVC LED Steriliser Units harness the power of germicidal lights, the perfect complement to everyday cleaning services carried out by humans. Because they offer such a fast turnaround, you don't have to suffer any downtime. Because these robust solid state UVC LED hygiene units don't contain mercury vapour they're perfect for fast disinfection without chemicals, simple to use and popular with cleaning staff. They're easy to wheel around from room to room and building to building for intense continual disinfection, and they're also perfect when you need to respond fast to an infection emergency. Opt for a 200w unit or a 600W unit to deployed fast disinfection with all the benefits of the one and only sustainable, no-chemicals pathogen-killing solution on the market at the moment. Why buy mobile UVC fixed surface sterilisation from us A UK-based company, we've been providing environmentally friendly, low energy solutions to the private and pubic sectors since 2006. Our UVC LED lamp tech suits every application and our tech is constantly evolving. If you'd like us to engineer a UVC solution specially for your business, we'll be delighted to go innovate for you.
Our UVC disinfection tech already uses UV light in the C spectrum to inactivate microorganisms so they can't make us ill, damaging the DNA and RNA inside pathogens, stopping them from reproducing and making them harmless. The idea has been harnessed for decades to keep people safe from disease. But what does the future hold for this promising technology? In this article we delve into future developments for UVC sanitisation. Recent advancements in UVC hygiene technology UVC LED innovation is marching onwards. The development of UVC LEDs has been a significant breakthrough in itself, being more energy-efficient, smaller and longer-lasting than old-school mercury bulbs. Research is ongoing, with the aim of improving LED tech's power and efficiency even more. Far-UVC 222 nm technology is driving particular interest at the moment because it might turn out to be safe for human exposure while still being deadly to pathogens. Recent studies show Far-UVC works hard to inactivate airborne and surface viruses without harming people's eyes or skin, but only time will tell whether it'll prove a promising tool for continuous disinfection in places where people gather and remain for some time. The safety aspect is clearly vital where people's health and wellbeing are concerned. 260nm LED light is gaining in popularity thanks to its insect attraction and repelling properties, a wavelength insects can't resist. 260nm LEDs can be used to trap and kill pests in an energy-efficient way without chemicals. It is also being explored for other purposes including scientific research, industrial curing, horticulture and indoor farming, where it's used to help stop the growth of mould, mildew, and other pathogens. It is even being used in specialist lighting for entertainment venues. Experts are expecting to see an increasing variety of applications developing across multiple sectors. Including UVC disinfection in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems improves indoor air quality, something that suddenly became a lot more urgent thanks to the covid pandemic. The list of pathogens inactivated by the light is long and impressive, bringing the power of UVC into many more settings, from theatres to schools, factories to nursing homes, offices to childcare. Portable UVC devices boomed during covid, but all was not well. Some cheap, badly-designed wands and hand-held lamps available online were found to be dangerous to humans and animals. The dramatic covid-led surge in these badly-designed personal UVC devices saw them being used to to disinfect surfaces, personal items and even water, and countless models are still on sale online. Drug-resistant pathogens don't stand a chance against UVC light, really good news when some antibiotic resistant strains of illnesses can and do kill people, as well as having the ability to spread like wildfire. It also has more potential to achieve in healthcare settings to combat hospital-acquired infections. UVC robots are being used more widely than ever in healthcare, including our own mobile units. Revolutionising the way hospitals approach infection control, they're being widely integrated into hygiene protocols as a solution to the age-old challenge of maintaining a sterile environment for patients who are vulnerable and susceptible to infections. While traditional cleaning methods fall short in eradicating all harmful pathogens, UVC robots do an excellent job of enhancing cleaning as well as freeing healthcare staff to focus on patients. High safety and regulatory standards are the name of the game. The European Medicines Agency’s Annex 1, for example, is set for full implementation by 2025, vital for refining clean-room contamination control strategies. Extensive research is going on into Pathogen Inactivation Efficiency, to understand more about the optimal UVC wavelengths and dosages required to inactivate various pathogens, understand how UVC exposure affects different materials, especially in healthcare and food contexts, and investigate the long-term effects of UVC exposure on human health, particularly Far-UVC. Smart sensors like those we've integrated into our units detect the presence of humans and automatically shut off UVC LEDs to prevent exposure in occupied spaces, something we expect to become even more sophisticated over time. We're expecting to eventually see the light being integrated into consumer electronics, for example smartphones, wearable tech and domestic appliances, to provide continual disinfection. Smart new semiconductor materials like aluminium gallium nitride (AlGaN) are being tested. AlGaN is used to manufacture light-emitting diodes operating in the blue to ultraviolet spectrum, with wavelengths down to 250 nm (far UV) achieved, and some reports of 222 nm. The more efficient the units, the better for everyone. So will your business benefit from UVC sanitisation? Our units are easy to fit and retro-fit into ordinary light fittings. They're designed by experts and tested carefully to deliver safe, effective, low cost, safe sanitisation to places where people gather and in vacated spaces, giving businesses a wide choice of ways to stay clean and hygienic. If you'd like to talk things through, get in touch.
The UV Spectrum is complex. UV light spans wavelengths from 10 nm to 400 nm, divided into three sub-types based on the wavelength. UVA light, at 315-400 nm, comes with the longest wavelength, the least energetic but the most common at 95% of the UV radiation reaching the earth's surface. UVB light, at 280-315 nm, is the medium wavelength, a higher energy type of light that gives us sunburn. And UVC light, at 100-280 nm, offers the shortest, most energetic and dangerous type of UV radiation. The germicidal properties of UVC were first discovered in the late 1800s, and it has been used for disinfection for over a century, particularly in water treatment. UVC light is what we use in our popular disinfection units, engineered with care and expertise to create perfectly safe, affordable and highly effective ways to render a huge variety of pathogens harmless. Here are the facts about the powerful type of light that saves lives and supports better business, used for decades in healthcare, food, drinking water, HVAC systems, in medical and lab settings and more. UVC light and the ozone layer UVC light emitted by the sun, falling within the UVC Spectrum, is mostly absorbed by the planet's protective atmosphere, particularly the ozone layer. The ozone layer is made up of O3 ozone molecules, which gather in the stratosphere 10 to 30 miles above the surface of the earth. Ozone absorbs almost all of the UVC radiation, converting the high-energy radiation into heat in a process called photodissociation, splitting the ozone molecule into one oxygen atom and an oxygen molecule. This ozone-oxygen cycle continually creates and destroys ozone in the stratosphere, keeping things in perfect balance and protecting life on the planet. We've engineered UVC light for safety In its raw state UVC light is dangerous to the skin and eyes, causing everything from sunburn and premature ageing to skin cancer. When engineered into a safe solution its germicidal properties make UVC light a powerful tool for disinfection, destroying the molecular bonds between the DNA and RNA in bacteria, viruses, fungi and other threats so they can't reproduce. It's particularly good at breaking the thymine bases in DNA, causing mutations that prevent the pathogen from spreading and making people ill. How old-school mercury UVC lamps have been replaced with LEDs So UVC is one of the most effective ways to disinfect surfaces, air, and water, killing everything from E. coli to flu and covid. But the tech has come a long way in recent years, making it a much safer option. Old-school Mercury Vapor Lamps emitted the light at a wavelength in the 254 nm range, but everyone knows mercury is horribly poisonous, well worth avoiding when there's a safer, more environmentally responsible alternative. Then there are old-style Low-Pressure Mercury Lamps, used in germicidal settings but still involving mercury. The newer kids on the block, like ours, harness LED UVC for a more energy-efficient, durable and smaller-sized alternative. Built in safety features you can trust Our UVC devices are designed to be safe, emitting radiation in controlled environments or with built-in shields to keep people, plants and animals safe from harmful exposure. They're also a lot more environmentally friendly. Old mercury-based UVC lamps need to be disposed of very carefully indeed to avoid contaminating the environment. It's also good to know that artificial UVC light doesn't affect the ozone layer like CFCs and other pollutants, not adding anything to the ozone depletion problem. Practical, compact easy-to-fit and portable units Low Pressure UVC Lamps are used in many sterilization settings, for example air purifiers, HVAC systems and water purifying. High Pressure UVC Lamps giving off a more intense light are best for larger scale disinfection, for example treating sewage. UVC LED lamps and units like ours are compact enough to be portable thanks to their a compact design and energy efficiency. Some of our units are designed to be fitted into existing light fixtures, small and neat as well as long-lasting, pieces of kit with all the right safety measures built in. Some are so safe you can leave them on all the time. UVC units that can always be left on Here's an example. Our CT-X2 UVC LED Ceiling Air Circulating Purification Lamp is safe to have on all the time. It disinfects both the upper air in a room and the air from below, which is sent through a fan to increase the air circulation to protect people in the area. This model is perfect for continuous disinfection when people are present, places like offices, schools, sports centres, shops and healthcare settings. In effect these units deliver beautifully clean air as standard, integrating it into your premises. Choose from a handy industry standard 600mm or 300mm square ceiling tile unit. The X1 uses convection to provide continuous air disinfection, the X2's mechanical extraction design gives you silent air circulation and the X3 integrates both for surface and air sterilisation, great for your loos, changing rooms, lifts and other small spaces where people don't tend to spend a lot of time. That's just one of a variety of units designed for specific circumstances. Take a look at our other products, see how they could benefit your business, from mobile units you can wheel around to units specifically designed for vehicles. What's next for UVC? There's research going on around the world to find more applications for UVC light, including potentially using it in farming to handle plant pathogens and in food preservation to extend the shelf life of perishable foods.
Our UVC units kill viruses in just a few minutes, protecting people's wellbeing in all sorts of business and healthcare settings. It's good news when new threats are arising all the time. And it's even better news thanks to research revealing some common winter viruses could trigger heart complications. But as it turns out the viruses inside us, our lifetime companions, are on our side. Weirder still, viruses make sound – and scientists have been listening. Here's the news. The good – 380 trillion viruses inside us Did you know your body is occupied by huge numbers of microorganisms? You probably do, since together they make up our 'microbiome', something widely discussed in the media in recent years. While these tiny passengers have evolved alongside humans for millions of years, we've only just begun to quantify the human microbiome. Now we know it includes at least 38 trillion bacteria per human, but the biggest chunk of all is made up of viruses. Estimates say there are at least 380 trillion viruses inside every one of us, a lively, active community called the human virome. Luckily these viruses are not harmful like those that cause flu, covid, Ebola and dengue fever. Many of them, called bacteriophages or 'phages' for short, actually protect us by infecting the bad bacteria that live inside us. Phages live in our protective mucus membranes, the body's physical barrier against invading bacteria. We've lived with them inside us for so long that these days they're an important part of the human immune system. In fact they are so effective they've been used by medical experts to treat dysentery, sepsis, salmonella infections and skin infections for almost 100 years. As time goes by we're beginning to understand more about this remarkable symbiotic relationship. Non-symptomatic herpes viruses, for example, support our killer white blood cells in identifying cancer cells and cells infected by other viral pathogens. Their work benefits the viruses themselves as well as their human hosts, helping them live longer as well as getting rid of competing viruses that might damage their host. The most exciting thing of all is the fact that we might eventually be able to modify these handy little beasts to actually target cancer cells and other nasties. The bad – A virus with 70% mortality lands in the USA A deadly virus whose mortality rate could be as high as 70% has been found in the US for the first time. The Camp Hill virus has been spotted in shrews in Alabama, a sign that always worries scientists because, like all viruses, it could find a way to species-hop into humans. Australian fruit bats are the usual hosts for the virus, so it's concerning to find it inside a different mammal on a different continent. The Camp Hill virus is a henipaviruses from a family that includes the Nipah and Hendra viruses, which kill 40-75% of those they infect. So far the Camp Hill virus hasn't been seen in humans. We don't know what the death rate would be if it did infect humans but it's a lot like the Langya virus, which crossed from shrews to humans in China to cause fever, fatigue, coughs and aches, liver dysfunction and kidney damage. As you can imagine experts are keeping a close eye on the situation. The ugly – Winter viruses could cause heart and stroke issues The American Heart Association says some common viruses have been linked to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, with the biggest risk occurring within three days of being infected and an increased risk for as long as three months. Because viruses provoke inflammation they can either lead to cardiac problems or make existing problems worse. When the body's immune system creates inflammation to fight a virus, the inflammation can accidentally cause harm to the tissue of the heart. And that makes avoiding common illnesses like flu, norovirus and covid more important than ever. The strange – Virus talk Did you know viruses talk? They emit sound waves at a frequency 1 million times higher than our ears can pick up, as discovered by chemists and microbiologists at Michigan State University, USA. Apparently the team has even picked up tiny, weeny natural vibration frequencies made by individual viruses by bouncing light off them to 'see' vibration patterns. Having examined the vibrations of single virus particles at room temperature using ultrafast spectroscopy, the team discovered every type of virus vibrates in its own unique way, distinct from each other and all the others tested. This means one day we may be able to use these 'bio-sonics' to scan a room, detect viruses in the air, and identify them so tech like our UVC sanitising units can be deployed to kill them. It's good to be prepared for the worst. If you'd like to keep your premises clean, safe and hygienic using the magic of UVC light at a wavelength so powerful it kills pathogens in no time, let's talk. Not All Viruses Are Bad For You. Here Are Some That Can Have a Protective Effect : ScienceAlert Meet the 380 trillion viruses inside your body New virus discovered in Alabama raises pandemic fears Viruses make sound at a frequency 1 million times higher than humans can hear Some winter viruses could trigger heart complications, experts warn
Bird flu in humans is very rare but it can be serious or even deadly. The United States reported its first bird-flu related death in January 2025. Now a human case of bird flu has been detected in England, someone from from the West Midlands who was infected on a farm where they had close, long-term contact with a lot of infected birds. On the bright side they're being cared for in a 'High Consequence Infectious Disease' or HCID unit, and they're not too ill. A national Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) came into force for the whole of England and Scotland at noon on Saturday in a bid to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and other captive birds. As of 26th January 2025 it's a legal requirement for every keeper of birds in Scotland and England to follow strict rules to protect their flocks from avian flu , including keeping birds indoors. The birds that passed the infection on had the DI.2 genotype of bird flu, just one of the viruses circulating in birds in the UK this winter. It's not the same as the strains circulating in both mammals and birds in the USA. The strains that can infect humans in the UK include A(H5N1) and A(H7N9), while H5N1 was the strain responsible for the first US bird flu fatality. The human case was found after the UK's Animal and Plant Health Agency found the H5N1 outbreak in a flock of birds, then monitored the people who'd been in close contact with the infected birds, in other words those who are most likely to be infected by it. While there's no evidence of onward transmission from the latest human case, it's important not to touch sick or dead birds – and vital to follow Defra's guidance over reporting suspected avian flu cases. Bird flu is spread by close contact with an infected bird, alive or dead, including touching a dead bird, bird poo or bird bedding, by killing an infected bird or preparing it for cooking. You can’t catch bird flu by eating properly-cooked poultry or eggs, even when there's an outbreak of bird flu. So far there hasn't been a single documented case of human-to-human transmission of bird flu in the UK or EU, though has occasionally happened abroad. Bird flu symptoms usually turn up 3-5 days after exposure and infection, and can include a very high temperature, shivers and aches, a headache, cough or shortness of breath, maybe sickness and diarrhoea, stomach and chest pain, nose and gum bleeds and conjunctivitis. With only seven cases identified in the UK since 2021, the UKHSA says the risk to the public remains 'very low'. It's good to know the UK is prepared and ready to respond, having added the H5 vaccine, which protects against bird flu, to the nation's stockpile. How our UVC units kill pathogens Our proven UVC Cleaning Systems reduce the infections and illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, moulds and other pathogens thanks to equipment that delivers the highest level of quality for multiple applications. Harnessing UVC light at a specific wavelength that destroys the RNA inside pathogens fast, leaving them unable to multiply and making our lights the ultimate environmental disinfectant. Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation and UVC Disinfection Treatments are regulated by the USA's notoriously fussy Environmental Protection Agency, proven as an effective non chemical pesticide, and have been used safely and effectively in UK healthcare settings for decades. Labs using flow hoods for working with pathogens, for example, often have built-in UV lights to kill bacteria or viruses when the hoods aren't being used. Unlike some units whose surface can reach 180 degrees Fahrenheit, ours run on LED bulbs, which means they can't become dangerously hot. So ours don't need internal thermostats and electric cooling fans to keep the equipment at the right operating temperature, which brings the cost down and keeps things simple. Our Direct Fixed Units automatically disinfect the air and surfaces whenever the space is unoccupied, significantly reducing the spread of illnesses. Our Upper Air Germicidal Units are perfect for continuous disinfection when people are present, for example a medical setting or a bird farm. We install the units above peoples heads to stop cross-contamination by viruses and germs by sharply reducing the overall viral load in the air. These Upper Air Germicidal Units mean clean air is the standard, not the exception. Our lights are easy to install, inexpensive to buy and run, and multiple studies suggest it's a safe way to prevent any virus from transmitting, including covid, flu, avian flu, measles, potential future pandemic viruses and new infectious viruses yet to emerge. There's no reason why it won't also kill avian flu in all its various variants, because it is a virus like any other. Let's talk about keeping your business bird flu-safe Antiviral drugs can prevent complications and reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill – but the best cure of all is prevention. If you'd like to keep your business safe from the spread of all sorts of horrible human-to-human viruses, we'll be pleased to explain the tech to you, and provide a no-obligation quote.
We already know Far-UVC light at 222nm is safe for people's eyes in the shorter term, unlike other UV light wavelengths. Now a three year research project has proved its safety in the long term, with an excellent ocular safety record over 36 months. It looks like the light has no adverse effects at all on vision, eye health or overall eye safety, even following years of exposure. Here's the science, translated into plain language for you. About Far-UVC ultraviolet light UVC decontamination has been used for decades in hospitals, ambulances and waiting rooms, all of which must be continually disinfected. While regular UVC light at 254 nm ( Fluorescent Tubes) is too dangerous for people to be in, 222 nm Far-UVC light delivers continual decontamination perfectly safely with people present, as shown by the long term research we're talking about. Far-UVC has a wavelength of 222 nm, proven to deactivate microorganisms quickly by destroying their RNA. It doesn't get past the outer layer of human skin, or the eye's cornea, both of which the body renews automatically and continually. And that makes it unique when used within the safe limits identified by science. As the new 3 year study reveals, it is perfect for decontaminating occupied spaces. While studies lasting for shorter times have already proved its safety, it is great to know that three years of exposure to Far-UVC light, even when someone is exposed to it every day, is officially deemed harmless. Unless you're a pathogen, of course, in which case... you're dead! About the science The three year test took place in real-world conditions, in an ophthalmology examination room fitted with 222 nm Far-UVC lamps. Four ophthalmologists worked in the room, carefully observed and tested regularly for eye health. The scientists running the study measured visual acuity, the ability to see details at a certain distance, refractive error which makes it hard to see clearly, and overall corneal health. The results were clear and consistent: the safety of 222 nm Far-UVC light for prolonged use in occupied spaces is proven, with no changes in visual acuity, refractive error, cornea health or overall eye health. There were no abnormalities or significant changes, no long term side effects, and no delayed problems turned up afterwards. Why is 222 nm Far-UVC safe for eyes and skin? 222 nm UVC is safe because it can't penetrate the eye or skin, unlike other UVC wavelengths which can cause damage by going a lot deeper. It only touches the outermost layers, which renew naturally after 24-48 hours anyway so there's never any lasting damage. Significant benefits for healthcare settings and patients UVC disinfection tech has already revolutionised decontamination in healthcare settings, being clean, low cost, very low maintenance and highly effective. In hospitals it cuts the risk of healthcare-associated infections. When used alongside normal manual cleaning it dramatically decreases harmful pathogens on high-touch surfaces. In ambulances UVC keeps things safe and sterile, constantly decontaminating the air and the surfaces it touches. In waiting rooms it kills airborne bacteria and viruses, cutting the risk of illnesses spreading a lot better than traditional ventilation. Because it also kills moulds it delivers better air quality to help protect the vulnerable. As you can imagine there are also excellent cost benefits. It cuts the time staff members are off sick and lowers infection rates in patients, providing better outcomes for patients as well as higher operational efficiency. In fact, during the covid pandemic, it was estimated to save around €3.3 million for just one large healthcare premises. Improve productivity, reduce sick days & keep employees happy The results of the study reinforce UVC's role as an excellent solution for continuous decontamination in real-world healthcare contexts, but also for other businesses of every shape, size and flavour. If you want to keep your employees healthy, lose less time to sick days, protect visitors, customers, suppliers and anyone else who enters the premises, our affordable units blend effectiveness and safety to deliver better infection control than any other decontamination technique. Fit FAR-UVC in your business and feel the benefits Less time off sick, better productivity, an intact supply chain at your place and a workforce that knows you genuinely care about their health – that's what our units do for businesses. If you'd like to know more, get in touch.
There's been a flurry of media interest about new, current and evolving viruses for 2025, including some disturbing reports about bird flu in Canada, Mongolia and the USA. In this post we take a look at the viral health threats we may face in 2025, and reveal how to stay safe from them. The winter norovirus season gets off to a horrible start The media reports on an '80 per cent rise' in severe illness that leaves people feeling totally wiped out, and experts are wondering whether a new antigen might be behind the surge. If so it won't be the only virus to skyrocket this winter, adding to the already heavy burden of flu, regular norovirus, RSV and Covid. There are worries that norovirus in particular might have become more severe, especially since some counties have seen a dramatic increase in norovirus infections. If the new antigen makes it easier for the virus to spread, leads to a more serious illness or both, it could explain the sharp increase in cases. So far we do know that this winter's norovirus seems to be making people more ill than usual, with some GPs seeing entire families out of action because of it and others hospitalised because of dehydration. New HMPV outbreak hits China Human Metapneumovirus is very like a common cold, with coughs and wheezes, a runny nose and a sore throat. Like the common cold, most of the time it's mild but it can be serious in small children, people with weak immune systems and those over 65. Now we're seeing a new HMPV virus outbreak in China, whose symptoms are a bit different. Social media reports from China suggest hospitals are being overwhelmed and crematoriums are full thanks to the outbreak, adding to the country's current winter outbreaks of influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Covid. Some say they're on the brink of declaring a health emergency. So far there's no vaccine for HMPV. This year's flu virus is a particularly nasty one The 2024-25 flu season is by all accounts a nasty one. One UK Health Security Agency report from late 2024 says flu had already increased compared to the previous season and was circulating at high levels. No wonder more than 4000 of us spent Christmas Day in hospital with flu, and so many others took such a long time to recover. It's partly down to the slump in flu vaccinations. During the Covid pandemic free jabs were offered to all over 50s. Now it is only available to people over 65 and those at special risk. Add the fact that vaccine uptake has dropped, with fewer than 35% of higher risk adults having their flu jab, and you can see why things are headed in an unwanted direction. Too many frontline healthcare staff have also decided not to get the jab at just under 43%, not good news for people in hospital. We need a 90% uptake for the vaccination programme to limit flu outbreaks. On the bright side the current rise isn't unprecedented, not as bad as the 2022-23 season which caused 5000 flu deaths a week in England alone. H5N1 bird flu jumps between animals and humans Scientists have been keeping a careful eye on bird flu for almost 30 years, first identified in geese during 1996. While the virus only causes mild infections in humans, classed as low pathogenic, H5N1 often kills birds so for them it is highly pathogenic. Mongolian horses are in the news for catching H5N1 bird flu, and of course humans can also catch it. We've just seen the first human death from bird flu in the USA. Luckily, so far, human bird flu is rare, usually a 'dead-end infection' because it doesn't spread from human to human. In 2021 it turned up in North America, having evolved from infecting birds to making a wide variety of mammals ill. So far it has spread to 48 species across 26 or more different countries, with massive death tolls for marine mammals as well as land creatures, being called a global pandemic for animals. A Canadian teenager who caught the disease late in 2024 became seriously ill. It turned out that H5N1 had managed to evolve enough to infect cells in her respiratory system. The same goes for the person who caught it in Louisiana, USA. Now infectious disease experts are saying the virus's continual spread is making its transformation into a 'fully human' pathogen more likely. The latest news? On January 10th San Francisco Department of Public Health said a child had caught H5N1 avian flu, origin unknown. We hope the child recovers. UVC sanitising tech does the job So what can you, as a business owner, do to keep your employees safe from these infections, protect your customers, and keep your part of the supply chain going strong? The answer is simple and reliable. Our UVC disinfection tech is affordable, simple, safe, clean, cheap to run, comes with little or no maintenance, and kills a huge list of pathogens stone dead in seconds. If you'd like to know more, get in touch.
In recent times, the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been making headlines due to its surge in cases, particularly in China. While HMPV is not a new virus, its recent uptick has raised concerns about respiratory illnesses. HMPV is a known respiratory virus that typically causes mild cold-like symptoms, including cough, fever, and nasal congestion. However, it can lead to more severe respiratory issues, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Given the potential for HMPV and other viruses to spread, it's imperative for businesses to implement effective disinfection strategies to protect employees and customers. One such method is the use of UVC light technology. How UVC light works Ultraviolet C (UVC) light, with wavelengths between 200–280 nm, is known for its germicidal properties. When microorganisms are exposed to UVC light, it damages their DNA or RNA, rendering them incapable of replication and effectively neutralising them. This makes UVC light a powerful tool in disinfecting air, surfaces, and water. Beckman Laser Institute Benefits of UVC light for businesses Chemical-free disinfection: UVC light provides a non-chemical method of disinfection, reducing the reliance on potentially harmful cleaning agents. Broad-spectrum efficacy: UVC light is effective against a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and moulds. Cost-effective: While the initial investment in UVC equipment is required, it can lead to long-term savings by reducing the need for chemical disinfectants and manual cleaning efforts. Enhanced safety: Regular use of UVC light can help maintain a healthier environment, potentially reducing absenteeism due to illness. Implementing UVC light in your business To effectively incorporate UVC light into your disinfection protocols, consider the following steps: Assess your space: Evaluate the size and layout of your premises to determine the appropriate UVC equipment needed. Choose the right products: Select UVC devices that are suitable for your environment, whether it's a mobile steriliser for flexible use or ceiling-mounted units for continuous operation. Follow safety guidelines: Ensure that all UVC equipment is used according to manufacturer instructions to prevent exposure to harmful UV radiation. Integrate into routine cleaning: Incorporate UVC disinfection into your regular cleaning schedule to maintain consistent hygiene standards. By adopting UVC light technology, businesses can enhance their disinfection efforts, providing a safer environment for all. At Cooltech UVC, we offer a range of UVC sanitising solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of various industries. Our products are lab-tested and proven to achieve high kill rates against pathogens, including viruses like HMPV. Investing in UVC disinfection not only demonstrates a commitment to health and safety but also positions your business as a responsible and proactive entity in the face of emerging health threats.
UVC light is a powerful and potent killer of bacteria, viruses, spores, moulds and other pathogens, so will it also be able to help halt the spread of the new crop of diseases the WHO is warning us about for next year? Every pathogen has to be tested, of course, to see if it really can be killed by UVC light, but the signs are very good indeed. This type of light, at this special wavelength, is deadly to so many communicable diseases, it's likely to kill those on the WHO's latest hit list as well. As the festive season approaches, let's explore the risks humanity faces in 2025. 17 threats on the World Health Organization's latest vaccine development list The WHO has listed 17 disease-causing bacteria, viruses and parasites as top priorities for new vaccine development going forwards. It's the first ever study to globally assess and prioritise these common diseases based on how badly they affect our health regionally and globally. So far the focus of vaccine research has been on commerce, with profit put first. This new WHO report focuses on humanity's needs, not profit. They asked international and regional experts for their vaccine research and development priorities based on disease, deaths, their socioeconomic impact and any existing disease resistance. The resulting list reflects the needs of diverse populations across the planet, revealing ten top priority pathogens for each of the WHO’s six regions. When combined the global list contains 17 urgent common pathogens that are already endemic, already needing urgent action. Three of the most deadly, which together kill almost two and a half million of us a year, are HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, and these remain long standing priorities for vaccine research Joining the list for 2025 is Group A streptococcus, a severe infection that contributes to 280,000 deaths a year from rheumatic heart disease in poorer nations Klebsiella pneumoniae is a newbie, a bacteria associated with 790,000 deaths in 2019 alone and, in poor countries, responsible for 40% of deaths in newborns thanks to sepsis The full WHO Priority endemic pathogens list We need vaccine research for these: Group A streptococcus – UVC is already proved to kill Streptococcus faecalis ATCC29212 and Streptococcus viridans Hepatitis C virus – UVC kills both Hepatitis A HM175 and Infectious Hepatitis HIV-1 Klebsiella pneumoniae – UVC kills both Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella terrigena ATCC33257 Vaccines for these need more work: Cytomegalovirus Influenza virus (broadly protective vaccine) – UVC kills the Influenza virus Leishmania species Non-typhoidal Salmonella – UVC already kills Salmonella anatum, derby, enteritidis, infantis, paratyphi, typhosa and typhimurium Norovirus – UVC kills norovirus Plasmodium falciparum (malaria) Shigella species – UVC kills Shigella dyseteriae, flexneri, paradysenteriae, and sonnei ATCC9290 Staphylococcus aureus, which UVC kills along with Staphylococcus albus, hemolyticus, aureus phage A and lactis These vaccines are almost there, on the brink of approval, recommendation or introduction: Dengue virus Group B streptococcus – UVC kills Streptococcus faecalis ATCC29212 and Streptococcus viridans Extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli – UVC kills Escherichia coli O157:H7 CCUG 29193 and O157:H7 Mycobacterium tuberculosis Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) The extra risks posed by mass displacement With wars currently displacing millions of people, leaving them in conditions with poor hygiene, vaccines are even more important than ever. Experts say the number of people on the move is going to increase because of poverty, lack of food security, no access to basic healthcare, water shortages, climate change, environments being destroyed, and natural disasters. Refugees and migrants' health issues are made worse by a lack of hospitals, medicines and doctors plus language barriers, different cultures, discrimination, social and economic exclusion, poverty, homelessness and exploitation, all of which make disease more likely and will help spread diseases faster. Different ways for diseases to spread Pathogens are transmitted to humans in different ways, originating in different animals. The source of SARS-CoV-2, for example, is still a mystery, although bats and pangolins are probably its natural hosts. Both SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV originate in bats, SARS-CoV transmitted to humans by the Palm Civet and MERS-CoV by Arabian camels. Filoviruses originate in bats before being spread to humans by wildlife. Rift Valley fever virus comes from mosquitoes, spread to humans by cows. Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus originates in ticks before being spread to humans by cows and other domestic animals. Lassa fever virus (LASV) originates in a kind of mouse, Zika virus comes from mosquitoes, Nipah comes from bats and is spread to humans via pigs, the list goes on. How does UVC disinfection help in this complex context? UVC light safely kills pathogens quickly and efficiently in the air and on every surface it touches. This makes our UVC hygiene units an excellent choice for healthcare settings, which is why it is already used by so many hospitals around the world and has been relied on for so many decades. Bring safe, clean, effective UVC hygiene to your healthcare business, food production business or any other setting where hygiene is critical and you'll enjoy low cost tech that's easy to fit, costs next to nothing to run because the light is emitted by LEDs, and contains no nasty chemicals. It's a dazzlingly good way to keep people safe from disease. PS. We'd like to wish our customers a happy, profitable and peaceful Christmas and an excellent 2025.