Editing Celera Press Releases Suplimental (section)

==='''PRESS RELEASE -  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE'''===

In a joint release Celera Genomics Group (an Applera Corporation business) and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today a campaign aimed at the surviving members of American Airlines Flight 283 to prevent antimicrobial contamination and colonization of Infectious Bioterrorism Agents/Diseases for which studies confirm resides in their genome. <br>  <br> Celera has presented preclinical data characterizing this alien agent and has developed a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, CRA-024781, as an agent therapeutic.  The campaign, entitled "Antimicrobial Resistance," centers around four key strategies for preventing antimicrobial resistance in Flight 283 Survivors, targeting the pathogen:  1) preventing infection and determine contagion,  2) diagnosing and treating infection effectively,  3) using antimicrobial wisely,  and  4) preventing transmission of drug-resistant pathogens.  <br>  <br> Within these strategies are 12 specific action steps derived from evidenced-based guidelines and recommendations already developed by CDC and other organizations that clinicians can take now to prevent antimicrobial resistance in hospitalized 
adults. In the future, CDC will announce similar action steps for clinicians who care for Survivor patients and those infected by Survivors.   <br>  <br> Celera and CDC are asking all Surviving members of Flight 283 to contact the Celera facility to arrange examination by no later than February 28, 2005. <br>  <br>"Clinicians are always on the go and are bombarded with lots of information about preventing infections. Celera and CDC is trying to simplify things by presenting the best practices in simple terms that easily can be recalled and followed by fronting clinicians to protect patients and prevent antimicrobial infection from Survivors,"   -- said Dr. Robert Booth, Chief Scientific Officer of Celera's Antimicrobial Resistance Program. <br>  <br>The action steps for clinicians who provide care for hospitalized adults include:
* use standard infection control precautions 
* contain infectious body fluids (airborne/droplet/contact precautions) 
* when in doubt, consult infection control experts 
* CDC suggests General action for anyone fearing they have been in contact with Survivors or the Infection: 
* Break the chain of contagion
* stay home when you are sick 
* keep your hands clean 
* set an example! 
<br>
Celera and CDC are partnering with professional medical organizations including the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Society for Microbiology, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, national medical centers, and other healthcare institutions to distribute, implement, and evaluate campaign materials. Some of the materials being developed include a slide set featuring the 12 action steps and the evidence to support them, posters, brochures, as well as a pocket-size clinician reminder card listing the 12 action steps. The campaign also features a website where clinicians may access the 12 action steps as well as information to share with their patients. <br>  <br> Antimicrobial resistant infections from Survivors could become a major threat to patient safety. Each year in the United States an estimated 2 million hospitalized people acquire infections that result in more 90,000 deaths. More than half of these infections are caused by bacteria that are resistant to at least one of the antimicrobial commonly used to treat those infections, according to CDC.  <br>  <br> "We are confident that this campaign will help prevent the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance from the Survivors and make healthcare in the United States even safer than it is today,"  -- Dr. Booth said. <br>  <br> This campaign is made possible through support from Celera Genomics Group and the CDC Foundation.  <br>  <br> The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations. <br>