Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the bacteria that cause ulcers and stomach cancer, may also protect children from asthma, suggests research presented at the 45^th annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which involved an analysis of 3,327 children and teens, found that children ages 3 to 13 who had H. pylori in their stomachs were 53 percent less likely to ever have contracted asthma than those who did not have the bug. Based on the results of NHANES 1999-2000, researchers compared study participants ages 3 to 19 who were tested for H. pylori with those who had ever been diagnosed with asthma. The study found that overall, those with H. pylori in their stomachs were 35 percent less likely to have ever contracted asthma and 44 percent less likely to have early-onset asthma, affecting children younger than 5.

The researchers suggest that H. pylori bacteria, which occur naturally and had been the dominant organism in human stomachs, have nearly disappeared from our systems, most likely due to our modern lifestyle and the high use of antibiotics. While bacteria have been on the decline, asthma has increased and has become a major health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 9 million children younger than 18 (13 percent of all children) have been diagnosed with the chronic disease asthma. Asthma is the third leading cause of hospitalization among children under the age of 15 and is occasionally fatal - 154 children under 15 died from asthma in 2003.

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Common Germ That Causes Cancer May Also Protect Children From Asthma

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently honored Proctor & Gamble (P&G) for its outstanding leadership in protecting children from environmental risks with its 2007 Children's Environmental Health Excellence Award. P&G received the award for its international work ensuring clean drinking water for children.

P&G helps families throughout the world treat contaminated drinking water by providing PUR water purifiers. Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the product treats drinking water at the point of use so that it meets World Health Organizations standards. PUR packets contain flocculants to clarify water and a chlorine disinfectant to kill microbial contaminants.

Under its corporate cause program, "Live, Learn and Thrive," P&G has provided more than 70 million PUR sachets to more than 30 countries. This equals 700 million liters of safe drinking water, preventing an estimated 29 million days of diarrhea and saving more than 3,800 lives. Studies show that the PUR sachets can reduce diarrhea illness in children by an estimated 50 percent.

The Children's Environmental Health Awards are designed to recognize ongoing and sustainable dedication to and notable leadership in protecting children from environmental health risks at the local, regional, national and international levels.

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Proctor & Gamble Receives EPA Award

The Utah Department of Health is easing restrictions on swimming pool operators and swimmers that have been in place since late August to control a statewide outbreak of cryptosporidiosis - an infection that can be picked up from fecal matter in swimming pools causing long-lasting, often debilitating diarrhea.

While cases are still being reported, health officials note that the rate of new cases appears to be decreasing. As a result, health officials are lifting several pool restrictions including an increase in the schedule of treating pools by hyperchlorination and maintaining higher levels of chlorine. Additionally, a ban on children under the age of five from swimming in public pools has been relaxed, although children who require diapers are still prohibited.

The Utah Health Department estimates that typical chlorine levels in pools are 1-5 parts per million. About once a month, pools will "superchlorinate" up to 10 ppm. The Utah Health Department had been asking pool operators to "hyperchlorinate" up to 20 ppm once a week.

In a normal year, Utah generally sees about 30 cases of cryptosporidiosis across the state. As of last week, there were 1,818 confirmed cases - the majority occurring since July. The Utah Department of Health, in conjunction with local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will conduct a study once the outbreak has slowed to determine what caused the large number of cases and how future cases can be prevented.

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Utah Health Officials Ease Pool Restrictions

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the risk of a cholera outbreak in southern Somalia is imminent. The warning comes three months after an outbreak of the disease in the country infected 37,000 Somalis and killed more than 1,100.

Seven new suspected cases of cholera have been identified in the capital, Mogadishu, as well as Berdale and Burhakaba. The WHO says the current threat is even more serious than the most recent cholera outbreak. WHO is urging all health partners to ensure prompt case management by using the WHO's Cholera Treatment Guidelines. Health partners have already distributed ORS sachets, ringer lactate and other cholera supplies to Cholera Treatment Centers (CTCs) erected in the affected villages. Additionally, the U.N. Children's fund, UNICEF, has begun delivering cholera kits and oral rehydration therapy supplies to the area.

For more information on the report, please visit:
United Nations Warns of Cholera Outbreak in Somalia

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