When our office computer began exhibiting inappropriate responses, we undertook an investigation of the cause of the computer's malfunctioning. We spent many hours checking the software program, evaluating the computer user's work habits, and finally confirmed the diagnosis that our computer was infected with a virus. With virus detection software, we identified the agent as a macro virus and applied appropriate treatment, disinfection of the computer. But we were faced with the questions of how did our computer become infected and had we been responsible for transmitting this virus to other computers. A careful investigation revealed that the source of the infection was a disk containing a manuscript that was sent to us by the top infection control organization in the country, APIC National! Once our computer was infected, disks we shared with other users then infected their computers. We discovered that we were guilty of transmitting the virus across the state from Orange County to Brunswick County! We notified these contacts and recommended appropriate post-exposure strategies.
By February 1996, The US Department of Energy, Computer Incident Advisory Capability, reported that Word macro viruses were no longer an isolated threat but that they were a significant hazard to the information on a computer. They indicated in their risk assessment that vulnerability of systems to this type of virus is high because most computer users are not in the habit of scanning documents. Documents are much more mobile than executable files, passing from machine to machine. Word macro viruses replicate themselves by infecting the normal template so that when any new document is created the new documents have the virus. The macro viruses were not detected by earlier anti-virus software but most anti-virus scanners now include macro virus detection.
Are you at risk? Yes, if you're a computer user, you are at risk
and should practice appropriate prevention and control. We
recommend these infection control guidelines for computer
users.
The EPA is providing a Satellite Workshop on implementation of the new Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerator Rule on September 17, 1997; 12:30 - 4:00 pm EST (regulators); September 18, 1997; 12:30 - 4:00 pm EST (industry). Location: EPA in Research Triangle Park, Erick Building, Alexander Drive.
The focus of this seminar will be implementation of the Emissions Guidelines which apply to existing sources (constructed before 6/20/96). EPA officials, state representatives and industry will be present. Day one is geared toward regulators (state/local agencies). Day two is geared toward the regulated (sources). On both days participants will be able to phone or fax in their questions and have their questions answered live.
To register in North Carolina call: Dennis Shipman at (919) 541- 5477. To order the video contact Christine Murphy, Registrar, IES-Environmental Programs at (919) 515-5875. To register and find the viewing location closest to you, state/local agencies, call Jean Taylor at (919) 541-4946
A copy of the final rule for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators is available in the following ways: Internet at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/rules.html (only in Wordperfect 6.1 format). After the final rule is published, it will be available in the Federal Register. For electronic mail or FAX, send request to: copland.rick@epamail.epa.gov (919-541-5265); or to: collins.donna@epamail.epa.gov (919-541-5578) or FAX to: Donna Collins FAX 919-541-5450.
Include in your request your name, address, phone number, fax
number, and e-mail address. Indicate what you would like
(preamble/regulation, comment/response document, fact sheets) and
in what format you would like them (e-mail, computer diskette,
hard copy). Note that e-mail will be fastest followed by
computer diskette. Hard copy will be the slowest.
National Infection Control Week is October 19-24, 1997.
"Part II, The Infection Control Practitioner as an Environmentalist" will be held October 20-24, 1997 at the Holiday Inn in Chapel Hill.
"Prevention and Control of Nosocomial Infections" will be held November 14-16, 1997 at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, NC. It is an intensive training program for physicians, epidemiologists, Infection Control Committee Chairs, infectious disease specialists and may serve as an intensive review for the experienced infection control practitioner.
The Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources (DEHNR) is no more! As of August 1997, the new NC Department of Health and Human Services combines all public health services (including Communicable Disease and Tuberculosis) formerly located in the Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources with the Department of Health and Human Services. DEHNR has been renamed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The "Draft Guideline for Infection Control in Health Care Personnel, 1997" was printed in the Federal Register on September 8, 1997. The document is available on the Internet at "http://www.access.gpo.gov" - from the menu, choose Superintendent of Documents, GPO Access.
Report of the Month is also available on the home page of the Statewide Infection Control Program at http://www.unc.edu/depts/spice/
The Statewide Infection Control Program (SICP) is funded by the General Assembly of North Carolina to serve the State. The SICP is not a regulatory agency but provides education and consultation to North Carolina healthcare facilities.
Copyright 1997 Statewide Infection Control Program