The molecules — called 'antibody-recruiting molecule targeting HIV' (ARM-H) and 'antibody-recruiting molecule targeting prostate cancer' (ARM-P) — work by binding simultaneously to an antibody already present in the bloodstream and to proteins on HIV, HIV-infected cells or cancer cells. By coating these pathogens in antibodies, the molecules flag them as a threat and trigger the body's own immune response. In the case of ARM-H, by binding to proteins on the outside of the virus, they also prevent healthy human cells from being infected.

'Instead of trying to kill the pathogens directly, these molecules manipulate our immune system to do something it wouldn't ordinarily do,' said David Spiegel, Ph.D., M.D., assistant professor of chemistry and the corresponding author of both papers.

Because both HIV and cancer have methods for evading the body's immune system, treatments and vaccinations for the two diseases have proven difficult. Current treatment options for HIV and prostate cancer — including antiviral drugs, radiation and chemotherapy — involve severe side effects and are often ineffective against advanced cases. While there are some antibody drugs available, they are difficult to produce in large quantities and are costly. They also must be injected and are accompanied by severe side effects of their own.

By contrast, the ARM-H and ARM-P molecules, which the team has begun testing in mice, are structurally simple, inexpensive to produce, and could in theory be taken in pill form, Spiegel said. And because they are unlikely to target essential biological processes in the body, the side effects could be smaller, he noted.

'This is an entirely new approach to treating these two diseases, which are extraordinarily important in terms of their impact on human health,' Spiegel said.

HIV is a global pandemic that affects 33 million people worldwide, while prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among American men, with one out of every six American men expected to develop the disease.

Funding for this research was provided by the National Institutes of Health.

— WebWireID107192 —

Patients hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 influenza are evaluated to determine if antiviral drugs will be useful; some patients are not able to take the drugs that are currently available as pills or liquid and may benefit from intravenous antiviral medications.

To help meet the potential need for IV medications to combat the H1N1 virus, HHS ordered 10,000 treatment courses each from BioCryst, Roche and GlaxoSmithKline, totaling $31.5 million. The contracts allow HHS to place additional orders of up to 30,000 treatment courses with each manufacturer over two years. Roche manufactures Tamiflu; GlaxoSmithKline, Relenza, and BioCryst manufactures Peramivir.

Because there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antiviral medications that can be administered intravenously to treat influenza, the FDA issued an emergency use authorization on Oct. 23 to allow use of intravenous Peramivir, an investigational antiviral drug in the class of drugs known as neuraminidase inhibitors.

The HHS orders for intravenous oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and intravenous zanamivir (Relenza), also neuraminidase inhibitors, are predicated on FDA emergency use authorization for these medications.

FDA has not issued emergency use authorization authorizing the use of intravenous Tamiflu or Relenza. Orders for Tamiflu and Relenza are based on anticipated need of emergency use authorizations for additional IV drugs in the future. Tamiflu and Relenza are FDA-approved in the form of pills or liquid, and studies are ongoing into the use of these two drugs intravenously for hospitalized H1N1 flu patients.

The emergency use authorization for IV Peramivir allowed doctors to prescribe the drug to treat certain adults and children hospitalized with confirmed or suspected 2009 H1N1 infections. Specifically, IV Peramivir is authorized only for hospitalized adult and pediatric patients for whom therapy with an IV drug is clinically appropriate.

To authorize emergency use of any product, the FDA commissioner must determine that in an emergency, based on the totality of scientific evidence available, it is reasonable to believe that the product may be effective in diagnosing, treating, or preventing the serious or life threatening disease or condition; that the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product in the emergency situation, and that there is no adequate, approved, and available alternative to the product for diagnosing, preventing, or treating such serious or life threatening disease or condition.

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) within the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) will manage the contracts. BARDA supported the advanced development of IV Peramivir beginning in 2007 as part of a larger HHS initiative to develop promising new influenza medications and vaccines.

For more information on the emergency use of IV Peramivir authorized by FDA, including information for health care providers on patient eligibility, see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/eua/. Healthcare providers can also call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). Additional information about BARDA contracts is available at https://www.medicalcountermeasures.gov/announcements.aspx

— WebWireID107185 —

Pasadena, CA

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 8,000 and 18,000 people are hospitalized in the U.S. each year due to Legionnaires' disease. This number may be just the tip of the iceberg as it is believed by many experts that most cases are not diagnosed or reported.

The disease caused by Legionella, Legionnaires' disease, got its name after a 1976 outbreak at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia that sickened 221 people and caused 34 deaths. There is a milder form of the illness, known as Pontiac Fever, whose symptoms typically diminish and clear up without treatment.

The transmission of Legionella occurs via aerosols, when mist containing the bacteria is inhaled. Legionella can be found in nature in environments such as lakes and streams, but most human infections occur from manmade sources involving cooling towers or hot water systems.

Those infected by Legionella may take up to two weeks before they begin to show symptoms. Early on it may manifest its presence with flu-like and fever symptoms which can escalate into problems with nausea, nervous system issues and pneumonia. The CDC reports that 5% to 30% of cases can cause death.

As one of the largest environmental laboratories in the country, and an expert resource for Legionella analysis, EMSL Analytical and its affiliate LA Testing have developed a number of ongoing initiatives to educate environmental professionals and the general public about the organism that causes the disease. A dedicated website with more information can be found at www.LegionellaTesting.com.

'The collective expertise that EMSL and LA Testing have created over the years developing testing procedures for Legionella has made the company a rich source of information,' reported Ben Sublasky, National Director of Client Services for LA Testing and EMSL Analytical. To learn more about Legionella and other environmental services please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

— WebWireID107064 —

NAIROBI, KENYA.- A pivotal efficacy trial of RTS,S, the world's most clinically advanced malaria vaccine candidate, is now underway in seven African countries: Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. The trial, which is expected to involve up to 16,000 children, is on schedule, with more than 5,000 children already enrolled, researchers announced Tuesday at the 5th Multilateral Initiative on Malaria Pan-African Malaria Conference.

Developing a vaccine against malaria, a scientific challenge for decades, is critical to defeating the disease. A vaccine would complement existing interventions, such as bed nets and effective drug therapies. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals' (GSK Bio) RTS,S is the first malaria vaccine candidate to demonstrate significant efficacy during early development to warrant Phase III testing. It is the leading vaccine candidate in the global effort by the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) to develop a malaria vaccine.

'A malaria vaccine could help save countless lives and redefine the future for Africa's children,' said Dr. Patricia Njuguna, RTS,S principal investigator (KEMRI-Wellcome Trust, Kilifi, Kenya) and chair of the Clinical Trials Partnership Committee, a collaboration of African research institutions, MVI, and GSK Bio that is leading the clinical development of RTS,S. 'Communities all across Africa are dedicated to this future and are participating to ensure that we develop a vaccine with an acceptable safety and efficacy profile.'

RTS,S is the first vaccine designed primarily for use in Africa, where malaria kills more than 800,000 people every year, the majority of them children under the age of five. By conducting the trial in seven different countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, researchers will be able to evaluate the vaccine candidate's efficacy in a variety of settings, with diverse patterns of malaria transmission. For example, some trial sites are located in areas where there is a year-round threat of malaria, while others experience only seasonal transmission.

All of the research centers were chosen for their track record of world-class clinical research, strong community relations and commitment to meeting the highest international ethical, medical, clinical and regulatory standards.

'This is a tremendous moment in the fight against malaria and the culmination of more than two decades of research, including 10 years of clinical trials in Africa,' said Dr. Joe Cohen, co-inventor of RTS,S and Vice President of R&D, Vaccines for Emerging Diseases and HIV, at GSK Biologicals. 'The Phase III trial is a huge undertaking that depends on effective coordination between researchers, regulators, families and communities. Everyone involved has invested significant energy and resources to pave the way for what could become the world's first malaria vaccine.'

Recent Phase II studies showed that RTS,S reduced clinical episodes of malaria by 53 percent over an eight-month follow-up period. Findings from a Phase II trial initiated in 2002 and conducted with more than 2,000 children in southern Mozambique, published in the medical journal The Lancet in2004 and 2005, showed that RTS,S was efficacious for at least 18 months in reducing clinical malaria by 35 percent, and severe malaria by 49 percent.[i] , [ii] In addition, RTS,S was shown to have a promising safety and tolerability profile when used alongside the World Health Organization's (WHO) standard infant vaccines.

"This historic trial could lead to the availability of a vaccine with the potential to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of African children, if the data are positive," said Dr. Christian Loucq, director of the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative. 'But development is only half the mission; MVI and its partners are committed to ensuring this vaccine reaches those who need it most. We hope the international community will respond by starting to prepare for the day when—if all goes well—this vaccine will be available for distribution and use.'

The Phase III trial

The Phase III trial will evaluate the vaccine's efficacy in two groups of children. One group, aged 6 to 12 weeks, will be vaccinated as part of their regular schedule of infant immunizations; the second group includes children aged 5 to 17 months. The vaccine profile is intended primarily for infants, as they and children under the age of five are the most vulnerable to malaria.

'This is the largest trial ever conducted in Africa of a vaccine specifically designed for use with African children. We have great appreciation for the families and children participating,' said Dr. Salim Abdulla, director of the Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania, which is participating in the Phase III trial. 'Development of RTS,S across Africa has strengthened our research capacity, a legacy that will far outlast the trials.'

Each country hosting a study site has undertaken independent reviews to ensure the trial meets national safety, ethical and legal standards for medical research. In addition, an independent data and safety monitoring board oversees the entire trial with support from local safety monitors. The trial has been designed in consultation with appropriate regulatory authorities in the European Union, the United States and African countries, in conjunction with the WHO

Looking ahead

If the Phase III program progresses as expected, RTS,S could be submitted for regulatory review under Article 58 as early as 2012. Article 58 is a special review procedure that allows the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), in close collaboration with the WHO, to issue a scientific opinion regarding the quality, the efficacy and the safety of a medical product that is intended for use exclusively outside the European Union.

Under current plans, the RTS,S vaccine candidate would be submitted to regulatory authorities in 2012 based on efficacy in children 5-17 months of age. Additional safety and immunogenicity data from the infant population will be submitted soon thereafter, followed by efficacy data for infants once available. Depending on the final clinical profile of the vaccine and the timetable of the regulatory review process, the first vaccine introduction could take place over the next three to five years.

'GSK's approach is to make every effort possible to accelerate the availability of this life-saving vaccine,' said Mr. Jean Stéphenne, President and General Manager, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals. 'Ever conscious of the burden of malaria, we have no time to lose and we will exhaust every avenue at our disposal. This is our commitment as a company.'

MVI, the WHO and US Agency for International Development developed the Malaria Vaccine Decision-Making Framework to help countries prepare to make decisions related to future adoption of a malaria vaccine and thereby avoid unnecessary delay between the recommendation for use of a vaccine and its availability in low-income countries. GSK and MVI are already working with malaria-affected countries and international institutions to ensure that, if successful, a malaria vaccine will be readily available and affordable to those who need it most.

— WebWireID107055 —

HARTFORD, Conn. — Aetna (NYSE: AET) is providing free electronic roster billing for pharmacies and other non-traditional providers to use when submitting claims for the administration of the H1N1 flu vaccine. Health plan members receive coverage for H1N1 immunizations under their medical benefit, not as part of their pharmacy coverage, and typically, pharmacies are not able to bill for medical services. However, with 'mass immunizers' including pharmacies, community centers, and health clinics now authorized to administer the H1N1 vaccine, Aetna has adjusted its claims processing and payment policies to accept claims for the administration of the H1N1 vaccine from these providers and facilitate the prompt and accurate payment of these claims.

'Accepting roster billing is yet another example of Aetna's continuing efforts to remove barriers to vaccination for our members, and eliminate administrative complexity that could hinder access,' said Bill Fried, MD, Aetna's medical director heading the company's pandemic flu response initiative. 'Our goal is to support members by being flexible so they can obtain the H1N1 vaccine at a convenient location. Likewise, we are extending this flexibility to the health care professionals who are taking on the task of administering the vaccine to our members as part of the national effort to respond to the H1N1 flu pandemic.'

Roster billing is a simplified process that makes it easier for mass immunizers to bill health plans in bulk by submitting a single claim with a list of health plan members they have immunized, rather than filling out separate paperwork for each individual they vaccinate. Aetna has contracted with ZirMed® to provide electronic roster billing for administration of the H1N1 vaccine. Providers will access ZirMed's website to enroll in the program, download the Excel template roster bill, and then upload the completed rosters electronically. Pharmacies that already have a process in place with a vendor to file individual electronic medical claims may continue to do so. Providers who are unable to submit H1N1 vaccine administration claims electronically can print a paper copy of the roster bill and mail it to Aetna. Aetna has established a dedicated P.O. Box to accept paper billing rosters for the H1N1vaccinations.
Additional information on how providers can bill Aetna for administration of the H1N1 vaccine is available on the fact sheet posted on the healthcare professionals section of Aetna's website.
http://www.aetna.com/pharmacy-insurance/healthcare-professional/H1N1_billing.html

Aetna Offers Free CME Courses on Flu Preparedness
Aetna is offering physicians a free CME course that provides information and resources to help prepare for the pandemic flu or similar health crisis. The CME for physicians entitled "Pandemic Flu: Aware and Prepared CME" is a one-hour course. The course is available online at AetnaEducation.com, Aetna's education site designed specifically for health care professionals.

Physicians who complete the course can earn one category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. All other health care professionals, including office staff, who complete the course will earn a non-physician certificate.

Aetna Continues to Reach out to Members to Encourage Vaccination
Aetna continues to expand its educational resources for health plan members. Updated information on its public website includes a new H1N1 Self Evaluation tool made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and developed in collaboration with Emory University School of Medicine. http://www.flu.gov/evaluation/ This tool helps members understand their flu symptoms so they can make informed decisions about whether they need to see their doctor or even proceed to the nearest emergency room. Aetna's DocFind search tool now includes information on flu shot clinics.

In addition, Aetna is taking the extra step of proactively identifying members who may fall into the categories of 'priority individuals' defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

'Aetna is using the CareEngine® to identify and reach out to members who fall into several of the CDC's H1N1 vaccine 'priority' categories, including those who are younger than 65 years of age with chronic disease, persons 6 months to 24 years of age, and women who are pregnant,' Fried explained. 'Because members in these groups are at higher risk of complications from the H1N1 virus, Care Considerations will be posted to their secure and confidential Personal Health Record with information on H1N1 flu, their specific risk factors, and the suggestion that they speak with their physician about the vaccine.'

Personal Health Records compile an individual's health information gathered from across the health care spectrum, including physician offices, laboratories, diagnostic treatments and pharmacies. Aetna's CareEngine automatically checks this information against clinical guidelines searching for patient safety issues or potential gaps in care. If the CareEngine finds an opportunity to improve care, the member will receive a Care Consideration alerting them to
that information. The CareEngine and Aetna Personal Health Record are available to members of most of Aetna's fully insured plans and many self-funded plans.

— WebWireID107035 —

* Tianyuan and Novartis to collaborate on building a vaccines industry leader targeting unmet medical needs in China, the world's third-largest vaccines market

* Acquisition of 85% stake in Tianyuan for approximately USD 125 million will require Chinese regulatory and government approvals

Basel - Novartis has reached an agreement to acquire an 85% stake in the Chinese vaccines company Zhejiang Tianyuan Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as part of a strategic initiative to build a vaccines industry leader in this country and expand the Group's limited presence in this fast-growing market segment. This proposed acquisition will require government and regulatory approvals in China.

Tianyuan is a privately-owned vaccine company offering a range of marketed vaccine products in China and R&D projects focused on various preventable viral and bacterial diseases. Tianyuan has been delivering dynamic and profitable growth, having more than doubled its net sales to approximately USD 25 million in 2008 compared to 2006.

"Novartis has a long-standing commitment to improving healthcare in China. Our future activities with Tianyuan are an important step in our strategy to enhance the prevention of diseases in China with high-quality products," said Dr. Daniel Vasella, Chairman and CEO of Novartis. "The leadership and associates of Tianyuan share with Novartis the same ambition of offering a broad range of vaccines that can prevent many potentially deadly diseases and greatly improve quality of life."

As part of the collaboration, the two companies will work together to expand Tianyuan's product portfolio and R&D pipeline through targeted investments in vaccines innovation, manufacturing technologies and commercial networks. This collaboration is also expected to facilitate the introduction of Novartis vaccines into China, where Novartis currently has a limited presence with an offering of vaccines against influenza and rabies.

"Our mission is 'To build the Great Wall of Health for the people.' I personally look forward to working with Novartis to continue our mission by bringing more innovative vaccines to China and building Tianyuan into a true international vaccines company," said Mr. Ding Xiaohang, who is the founder, Chairman and CEO of Tianyuan and will continue to lead this business while holding a minority stake.

China is the world's third largest vaccines market, with annual industry sales of more than USD 1 billion and expectations for sustained double-digit growth in the future given the government's commitment to improve access to quality healthcare.

Transaction terms
Novartis has signed a definitive agreement with the shareholders of Zhejiang Tianyuan Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., to acquire an 85% stake for approximately RMB 850 million (USD 125 million in cash). The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including receipt of government and regulatory approvals in China.

About Tianyuan
Zhejiang Tianyuan Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., which was founded as a private enterprise by Mr. Ding Xiaohang, entered the Chinese vaccines industry in 1994 with the first vaccine in China against Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) caused by hantaviruses. Tianyuan has since become one of the country's leading private manufacturers and distributors of vaccines with approximately 400 associates and an R&D/manufacturing site in Hangzhou (near Shanghai).

Disclaimer
The foregoing release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the proposed acquisition of Novartis of a majority stake in Zhejiang Tianyuan Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and to Novartis and Tianyuan's respective businesses. Such forward looking statements are not historical facts and can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "to expand," "pipeline," "to collaborate," "targeting," "will," "strategic," "commitment," "future," "strategy," "ambition," "potentially," "expected," "look forward to," "expectations," or by express or implied discussions regarding potential future regulatory approvals of the proposed acquisition of a majority stake in Tianyuan by Novartis, or regarding the potential new vaccine products, or regarding potential future revenues from any such products, or potential future sales or earnings of the Novartis Group or any of its divisions or of Tianyuan; or by discussions of strategy, plans, expectations or intentions or potential synergies, strategic benefits or opportunities that may result from the proposed acquisition. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current plans, expectations, objectives, intentions or views of Novartis with respect to future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. In particular, there can be no guarantee that the proposed acquisition of Tianyuan by Novartis will obtain the required government and regulatory approvals in China. Nor can there be any guarantee that the proposed acquisition will be completed in the expected form or within the expected time frame or at all. Neither can there be any guarantee that Novartis will be able to realize any of the potential synergies, strategic benefits or opportunities as a result of the proposed acquisition. Nor can there be any guarantee that any new products will be developed or approved for sale in any market. Neither can there be any guarantee that Novartis or Tianyuan will achieve any particular levels of revenue in the future. Among other things, the expectations of Novartis could be affected by unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; unexpected clinical trial results, including unexpected new clinical data and unexpected additional analysis of existing clinical data; the company's ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection; competition in general; government, industry and general public pricing pressures; the impact that the foregoing factors could have on the values attributed to the Novartis Group's assets and liabilities as recorded in the Group's consolidated balance sheet, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis
Novartis provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, diagnostic tools and consumer health products. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in each of these areas. In 2008, the Group's continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 41.5 billion and net income of USD 8.2 billion. Approximately USD 7.2 billion was invested in R&D activities throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 99,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

— WebWireID107009 —

Sneeze into your sleeve, wash your hands and 'keep you fingers outta your eyes, mouth and nose, cuz that the places H1N1 goes,' DocRock sings in the 30-second H1N1 Rap video. And while the lyrics and tune are catchy and fun, the message is very serious.

'According to the Centers for Disease Control, H1N1 is going to sicken millions this flu season, and kids need to know how to protect themselves,' said Dr. Jeffrey Kang, chief medical officer for CIGNA. 'Several studies have shown that music helps children learn better than many other forms of teaching, so DocRock's H1N1 Rap is a powerful tool to get the message to stick with kids. This video gives the H1N1 Rap even more power.'

Dr. Seibel is a board-certified physician who teaches at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. As DocRock, he is an award-winning composer and performer of songs that help teach kids healthy behaviors through his HealthRock program.

'If you can sing about a health issue, you can talk about it, and talking about it helps change behavior. Getting kids to sing about steps to avoid H1N1 helps them follow those steps,' Dr. Seibel said. 'I'm happy to team with CIGNA to get this video made so we can help kids avoid getting H1N1 and the regular seasonal flu too.'

Along with DocRock's H1N1 Rap, people will find more health information on www.youtube.com/cignatv including 'Healthful Tips,' lessons on how health care works, how to get the most from a person's health care benefits, and more.

— WebWireID106872 —

All mold needs to grow is moisture, ambient temperatures, a food source (most building materials and building contents are ideal food sources) and as little as 24 to 48 hours to begin growing. All too often inexperienced contractors or others specializing in other fields, such as smoke and fire restoration, are hired to fix mold problems only to make matters worse.

When a mold problem occurs it is crucial to hire experienced and qualified mold professionals that understand how to identify and properly fix the problem. It is equally important to contact references and to be sure that any quote received is inclusive of getting the total job completed. A qualified mold remediation professional should:

• Identify and ensure that the moisture source has been resolved so mold does not reappear; extracting all excessive moisture from interior spaces.
• Carefully enclose and create negative pressure in damaged areas before beginning remediation to prevent aerosolizing the mold spores.
• Remove damaged materials that cannot be cleaned.
• Thoroughly clean and treat materials that can be saved.
• Treat new materials to prevent future mold growth.
• Receive clearance testing from a qualified neutral third party environmental consultant.
• Return the property to like-new conditions with an insurance backed warranty.

Global Prevention Services (GPS), one of the nation's largest mold remediation and prevention providers, has been on the forefront of protecting properties from microbial contaminants for years using the latest technologies. 'Our PureSpace® Process is guaranteed and GPS is one of the few firms in the nation with a true insurance backed warranty to return properties to healthy conditions the first time,' reported Jeanette Kurtz, Executive Vice President of Global Prevention Services.

To learn more about the GPS® Network please visit www.NoMold.com, email info@NoMold.com or call 877.NoMold5.

About Global Prevention Services
Global Prevention Services has been on the forefront of treating buildings with microbial problems and providing preventive solutions to residential and commercial facilities. The company has offices across the country providing complete microbial solutions.

— WebWireID106861 —

"These results complete GSK's first line results across key age groups. As previously shown in young children and adults under 60 years of age, these new data demonstrate the ability of the vaccine to induce a high immune response considered indicative of protection after one dose across a wide range of ages, including the elderly.' said Jéan Stephenne, President of GSK Biologicals. 'These data are very important for those in government who need to continually assess new data in light of the current global public health challenge.'

The trial, which is taking place in Belgium, involves 240 adults aged 18 to 85 years, and was designed to evaluate the tolerability and immunogenicity of Pandemrix. Half of the subjects enrolled in the trial (120 subjects) were under 60 and the other half were over 60 years of age. A planned analysis was performed 21 days after the first dose, immediately prior to administration of the second dose.

These results show that 88.0% of the subjects between 61-70 years of age, and 86.7% of those over 70 years of age, demonstrated a response that was above the regulatory threshold of 1:40 seroprotection, which is considered indicative of protection. Results in the age group 18 - 60 years of age were similar to previously reported studies in that age group, with 97.5% of subjects reaching the 1:40 seroprotection level in this trial.

The tolerability of the vaccine in this study was shown to be similar to that observed in the previously EMEA approved H5N1 adjuvanted vaccine. Local reactions such as pain, redness, and swelling at the site of injection were observed, but no severe reactions were reported to date. General reactions such as low grade fever, headache, and muscle ache were also observed, and were in line, or slightly more often than observed with GSK's current unadjuvanted seasonal influenza vaccines. Regulatory authorities will review these data and then may consider changes to the label, which currently indicates a two dose schedule for all age groups.

Further information on GSK's development of a vaccine to protect against pandemic 2009, including explanation of the vaccine development process and background information on adjuvants is available on: http://www.gsk.com/media/pandemic-flu.htm

— WebWireID106727 —

Back in 1957, the 'Asian Flu' pandemic spread the H2N2 strain of influenza throughout the U.S. As a result, individuals from that generation developed immunity to the H1N1 virus that is currently spreading worldwide. The biggest threat that the H1N1 Flu poses is that it targets children and young adults who have no immunity to such viral exposures. Since it is a new strain of the influenza virus and since flu vaccines are typically developed using a time-consuming biological process involving egg proteins, an effective vaccine has not only taken more time to deliver than expected, but also produced far fewer doses than needed.

To complicate the issue, there is ongoing controversy regarding the safety and effectiveness of the H1N1 vaccine. However, in addition to routine testing of the vaccine, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) will be closely monitoring vaccination efforts for indications of unexpected adverse effects.

While, many parents may still be hesitant to get their children vaccinated, there are some basic behaviors that can help children and others at risk stay healthy. Convergence Training's accurate and entertaining H1N1 Awareness video is designed to help nearly any audience put the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic into perspective and remember some basics to help avoid getting and stop spreading the H1N1 Flu.

Randy Kohltfarber, Convergence's Director of Product Development, explains that 'Our goals for this new video are to provide information and tools that can help prevent the spread of the H1N1 Flu, reduce the potential social and economic impact on our country, and ultimately save lives.'

Known for its use of 2D and 3D graphics and distinct visual style, Convergence Training is offering this video for purchase and download in flexible, easily-sharable formats to encourage broad distribution of the training.

About Convergence Training:
Based in Camas WA, Convergence Training is a producer of occupational health and safety training videos, learning management software, and regulatory compliance tools for general industry, mining, pulp and paper, and construction.

For more information on Convergence Training's safety training videos, compliance software, and online training services, visit http://www.ThinkConvergence.com or call 888-634-7346 x231.

About Coggno:
Based in San Jose, CA, Coggno is an LMS/LCMS toolkit and marketplace which facilitates the transfer of intellectual property between course creators and those who wish to acquire it. Coggno designs and delivers online solutions for e-learning, training, assessments, and courseware for organizations, corporations, associations, academic institutions, and subject matter experts. For more information, visit http://www.coggno.com/onlinetraining.

— WebWireID106672 —

When: Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 11:30am PST

Speakers:
- Scott Paro, Marketing Manager, San Francisco Health Plan
-Janet Johnson, VP of Marketing, KC Distance Learning
-Chanin Ballance, President and CEO, viaLanguage

Summary: For healthcare organizations, attracting and supporting ethnic markets has quickly transformed from an 'add on consideration' to a powerful consumer group and strategic piece of the business model. The success of President Obama's broad-based and extremely diverse campaign tells us that the tipping point in our culture has already happened. What is necessary to harness the power of today's ethnic market? Short of having a dedicated ethnic marketing group, how can you incorporate best practices to your existing marketing infrastructure to ensure that your brand and content resonate across cultures?

In this webinar, you will walk away with tips and ideas for:

• Building your brand across cultures
• How to gage if your campaign is hitting the cultural mark
• How and when to incorporate cultural adaptation, copy creation, transcreation and translation
• Integrated marketing trends in Web and social media

Registration: To register for this free webinar visit: www.vialanguage.com/webinar-registration

Resources: Download parts I, II and III whitepapers visit: www.vialanguage.com/content/resource_center/webinars

•Save Time, Money, and Improve Quality with Translation Memory
•Effective LEP Communication: Avoiding the Top 10 Translation Traps
•Tapping Into the Latino Market in a Down Economy

About viaLanguage

viaLanguage is a leading provider of healthcare and medical translation, localization and cultural adaptation services. viaLanguage combines thousands of healthcare linguists with advanced technology to serve as an outsourced partner for multilingual marketing, educational and compliance outreach. Healthcare, medical and life science organizations nationwide rely on viaLanguage services to educate consumers, increase marketing share and build multilingual brand for their products and services. A partial client list includes Blue Shield of California, Kaiser Permanente, WellCare Health Plans, Bravo Health, Caritas Medical Center, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Walmart and St. Jude Medical. Corporate Headquarters are located at 700 SW Taylor Street, Suite 310 Portland, OR 97205-3016. For more information, visit www.vialanguage.com or call us at 503-243-2007.

Media Contact:
Rachel Weikum
Weikum Communications
(503) 636-4762
rachel@weikumcommunications.com

— WebWireID106654 —

MRSA infections often occur in crowded environments such as hospitals, gyms and schools. The bacteria can be spread by direct skin to skin contact as well as from contact with contaminated surfaces.

UltraViolet Devices, Inc. (UVDI), a leading provider of advanced ultraviolet (UV) disinfection products designed to eliminate threats from MRSA and other pathogens, has been busy building orders for their Mobile Room Sanitizer. The Mobile Room Sanitizer is a portable unit designed to eradicate bacteria, viruses and molds. It can be easily moved between locations where there are concerns about surface and air contamination of MRSA and other harmful pathogens.

The Mobile Room Sanitizer is capable of safely disinfecting a room using UV-C energy in as little as a few minutes. 'We recently put UVDI's Mobile Room Sanitizer to independent third party laboratory tests using Staphylococcus aureas as the test organism,' reported Richard Hayes, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for UVDI. 'The results were spectacular with 99.9% of the dangerous organisms destroyed in as little as 5 minutes,' Hayes continued.

UVDI is an ISO 9001:2000 certified manufacturer and has distributors for the Mobile Room Sanitizer across the country. To learn more about UVDI, or to locate a distributor, please visit www.UVDI.com, email info@UVDI.com or call (877) 787-3882.

About UltraViolet Devices, Inc.
UVDI is a leading manufacturer and supplier of UV products for both air, surface and water disinfection. Under the ALTRU-V® brand, UVDI markets a full line of UV-C products for the HVACR market, providing the key benefits of reduced energy consumption and lower maintenance costs while delivering cleaner, healthier air. Sparks Technology advanced filtration brand provides bonded activated carbon and is the exclusive manufacturer using BPS™ (Bonded Particulate Structure) technology for producing high quality molecular filtration products.

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The screenings are part of an effort to raise awareness and help pass Minnesota Senate bill SF1631, which will allow patients with Lyme disease other tick-borne diseases and their doctors– not insurance companies – to decide what treatment protocol to follow.

Jordan Fisher Smith, who tells his own harrowing story in the film, will emcee the Nov 8 and 9 showings. State legislators Ray Vandeveer and John Ward will talk briefly about the legislation before the shows on Nov 8. Dr. Elizabeth Maloney, MLASG medical consultant, will be on hand for questions after all screenings. Jordan Fisher Smith and Dr. Maloney will be available to media 45 minutes before show times, or by appointment.

Lyme disease is a complex disease with complicated issues surrounding it. Here are some of the basics:

* Lyme disease is the fastest growing vector-borne disease in the United States. Minnesota ranks 8th, with 1,282 cases reported in 2008.
* The CDC estimates the number to be ten times that, making LD bigger than West Nile and Avian flu combined.
* 1 in 3 deer ticks in Minnesota carry the Lyme bacteria, according to the MN Dept of Health.
* Lyme cases have spiked 450% in Minnesota from 1998 – 2008.
* Tests for LD are highly inaccurate and result in false negatives; insurance companies then use these results to deny care.
* Patients are often denied much-needed antibiotic treatment by doctors who are misinformed about the disease or fear reprisal from state medical boards.
* Each year thousands go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, told that their symptoms are "all in their head.'

'Under Our Skin' follows patients and physicians as they battle for their lives and livelihoods, bringing into focus a haunting picture of our health care system and its inability to cope with a silent terror under our skin.

The Minnesota Lyme Action Support Group is a non-profit organization working toward increased awareness and prevention of Lyme disease, as well as much-needed research into the causes and complications of tick-borne diseases.

The Minnesota Lyme Action Support Group also provides educational opportunities for physicians, advocacy for patients, information on tick-borne diseases, and support to those infected with Lyme disease.

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Our experts are:

Treatment and Diagnosis: Robert Baltimore, MD, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine; Vincent Quagliarello, MD, Clinical Chief, Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine;

Epidemiology and Public Health Response: Louise Dembry, MD, Director of Hospital Epidemiology, Yale-New Haven Hospital; Mark Russi, MD, Director of Occupational Health Services, Yale-New Haven Hospital;

Diagnostic Testing: Marie Landry, MD, Director, Clinical Virology Laboratory, Yale School of Medicine and Yale-New Haven Hospital;

Global Health Implications: Michael Cappello, MD, Microbial Pathogenesis, Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine;

History of Epidemics: Naomi Rogers, PhD, History of Infectious Outbreaks, Comparisons with the 1918 Global Flu Epidemic.

Experts in other areas, such as the biology and mutation of viruses, are also available.

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"It appears that people with more education believe that steps being taken will prevent an outbreak," said Gary Pickens, chief research officer for the Healthcare & Science business of Thomson Reuters

Do Americans intend to have everyone in their household vaccinated? About 36 percent say yes, and 47 percent say no. Older Americans are more likely to say members of their household will get swine flu shots.

"It's astounding, with all the information being distributed about swine flu, that only a third of the population expects to get vaccinated," Pickens said. "There is also a group of people who are very concerned about swine flu, but not likely to get the flu shot. Presumably, they experience some type of barrier to care. They are mostly young adults, less educated, lower income, and female."

These results are from a telephone survey of 3,003 households conducted from Oct. 5-15 - a segment of the Thomson Reuters PULSE Healthcare Survey, the largest and longest-running survey of its kind. Each year, PULSE polls more than 100,000 U.S. households about healthcare behaviors, attitudes and utilization.

* The survey asked respondents to rate their level of concern about swine flu (1 = not at all concerned; 5 = very concerned):
36 percent rated it a 1 or 2.
* 29.6 percent rated it a 3.
* 34.4 percent rated it a 4 or 5.

Half of people with a high school diploma or less education (49.8 percent) rated their concern 4 or 5, compared with 29 percent of people with at least a four-year college degree.

At the same time, 43.3 percent of people earning under $25,000 annually rated their concern at 4 or 5. This compares with 33.3 percent of those earning $25,000 to $49,999, 30 percent of those earning $50,000 to $99,999, and 31 percent of those earning $100,000 or more.

Respondents also were asked to rate the likelihood that everyone in their household would get the swine flu vaccination (1 = not at all likely; 5 = very likely):

* Almost half (47 percent) chose 1 or 2.
* 16.3 percent chose 3.
* 36.7 selected 4 or 5.

Demographic groups most likely to say they will get flu shots are those age 65 and older (46.5 percent selected 4 or 5) and those with a high school diploma or less education (47.5 percent selected 4 or 5).

Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, healthcare and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs more than 50,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: TRI) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: TRI). For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.

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To date, data have demonstrated that the H1N1 adjuvanted vaccine has a similar tolerability profile to GSK's previously EMEA approved H5N1 adjuvanted vaccine. The immune response elicited by Pandemrix has previously been reported in a limited number of adults demonstrating over 98% of the subjects exceeded the immunogenicity criteria as defined by international licensing authorities for a pandemic influenza vaccine. The adjuvant system in GSK's influenza vaccine has already been tested in more than 41,000 people in GSK's influenza programmes including the H5N1, the H1N1 and candidate adjuvanted seasonal flu vaccines.

Preliminary paediatric results

Also announced today are preliminary results from the first paediatric clinical trial assessing use of Pandemrix. The trial in children aged 6 to 36 months, which is ongoing, shows that after a first dose of adjuvanted vaccine, a strong response was demonstrated which exceeds the immunogenicity criteria as defined by international licensing authorities for a pandemic influenza vaccine. As planned, the vaccine in this trial contains a half dose of H1N1 antigen (1.9 µg) and a half dose of adjuvant, as compared to the adult vaccine.

"These results in young children provide clinically relevant information as they show the ability of the vaccine to induce a very high immune response suggestive of early protection after one dose, in a population where it is known to be difficult to raise such an immune response. ' said Jéan Stephenne, President GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals. 'GSK is sharing these preliminary data with public health officials and organisations who will consider these results as they continue their efforts to develop the most effective strategies for providing protection against the H1N1 virus. GSK also expects to have data in the elderly shortly."

This paediatric trial, which is taking place in Spain, involves 200 children aged 6 to 36 months, and has been designed to evaluate the tolerability and immunogenicity of Pandemrix.

A planned interim analysis was performed on the first 51 children recruited in this trial. These first results with Pandemrix in a paediatric population show that a high immune response was elicited 21 days after one single administration of vaccine. In 100% of the children receiving the adjuvanted vaccine a response above the regulatory threshold of 1:40 seroprotection was elicited, which is considered indicative of protection in adults. The level of immune response according to the above mentioned threshold was identical between children in different age groups when the data were stratified (6 – 11 months, 12 – 23 months and 24 – 35 months). The tolerability of the vaccine in this trial has been shown to be similar to that in the H5N1 clinical trial programme. Once the trial is completed, regulatory authorities will review the data set and may then consider changes to the label which currently indicates a two dose schedule for the paediatric population.

These results differ from the recently publicised data1 on an unadjuvanted H1N1 pandemic vaccine which, when used in children, demonstrated that 50% of children aged 6 to 35 months met the seroprotection benchmark set by regulatory agencies. In general, seasonal influenza vaccines, which are unadjuvanted, elicit a lower immune response and reduced efficacy in young children compared to adults. Further results on the H1N1 clinical trials will follow as the data become available.

Supplies have been provided to governments, with more than 10 million doses already having been shipped. Shipments are continuing and GSK anticipates increasing the amount being shipped to governments in the coming weeks as additional manufacturing regulatory approvals are received.

Further information on GSK's development of a vaccine to protect against pandemic (H1N1) 2009, including explanation of the vaccine development process and background information on adjuvants is available on: http://www.gsk.com/media/pandemic-flu.htm

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com

This press release is intended for business journalists and analysts/investors. Please note that this release may not have been issued in every market in which GSK operates.

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Mandeep R. Mehra, MBBS, FACC, FACP, Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation observes, "Nowhere is the threat of H1N1 more real than in cardiopulmonary transplantation. The ISHLT's Infectious Disease Council has developed what is assuredly the most comprehensive and clinically relevant direction for prevention and management of H1N1 flu in donors, recipients, care providers and family members."

Recognition of the novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, aggressive diagnosis and early treatment need be paired with active preventative measures to stem the impact of infection in the transplant population. This special advisory addresses issues relevant to cardiothoracic transplant candidates, selection of donors, recipient management and patients with mechanical circulatory support devices. Since transplant recipients are treated with anti-rejection drugs, the advisory provides clear directions for specific dosing of antiviral drugs and management of the background immunosuppression. Specific guidelines for evaluation and management of post-surgical transplant patients are also given, as well as recommendations for how and when to administer vaccines. On the donor side, the advisory provides guidelines for how to evaluate and treat donors so that organs can be safely used and not wasted. Finally, it provides specific guidelines for the healthcare teams managing such patients.

Writing in the article, Lara A. Danziger-Isakov MD MPH, Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, states, 'Interaction with organ procurement organizations for organ selection must take into account emerging data on the use of organs from patients infected and treated for the novel 2009 H1N1 Influenza virus. Improved diagnostic testing with shorter turnaround times is needed in donor evaluation. Individual patient education, prevention measures and treatment strategies will also require attention to the local patterns of infection, availability of the novel 2009 H1N1 Influenza virus vaccination, and emerging patterns of antiviral resistance. Finally, efforts to contain and prevent the novel 2009 H1N1 Influenza virus from spreading within the cardiothoracic transplant setting can be accomplished through infection control measures.'

'This article is an initiative of the Infectious Disease (ID) council of ISHLT to provide timely practical guidance for cardiothoracic transplant programs facing a winter pandemic of novel 2009 H1N1 influenza,' comments Dr Margaret M Hannan, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Chairman of ID council for ISHLT. 'Evolving diagnostic testing with limitations due to prolonged turnaround time and availability are considered in donor and recipient management. Ensuring that the most accurate diagnostic tests are being carried out in a timely and systematic manner will allow cardiothoracic transplant surgeons to make informed decisions in 'real time' and avoid waste of usable organs.' Education of staff and patients in infection control and prevention is fundamental to successful management of this virus in the transplant recipient population.

The article is 'The Novel 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus Pandemic: Unique Considerations for Programs in Cardiothoracic Transplantation' by Lara A. Danziger-Isakov MD MPH, Shahid Husain MD MS , Martha L. Mooney MD FACP, Margaret M. Hannan MD for the ISHLT Infectious Diseases Council. DOI 10.1016/j.healun.2009.10.001. Following advance online publication on October 23, 2009, the article will appear in The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, Volume 28, Issue 12 (December 2009) published by Elsevier.

Notes to Editors:
Full text of the article is available upon request; contact l.gruner@elsevier.com.
To obtain additional information from the ISHLT regarding the new novel 2009 H1N1 flu advisory for cardiopulmonary transplantation or to arrange an author interview, please contact:
Margaret Hannan, MD
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Dublin, Ireland
+353 87 917 4000 (mobile)
mhannan@mater.ie
margarethannan102@hotmail.com

OR

Martha L. Mooney, MD
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Norfolk, VA USA
+1 757-446-8999
mooneyml@evms.edu

Authors
Lara A. Danziger-Isakov MD MPH, Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA
Shahid Husain MD MS, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
Martha L. Mooney MD FACP, Sentara Norfolk Transplant Center: East Virginia Medical Center, Norfolk, VA, USA
Margaret M. Hannan MD, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Key points Regarding Novel 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus
Vaccination

* Vaccination for both seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza and novel 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine should be given as soon as they become available.
* Live attenuated seasonal trivalent influenza virus vaccine (nasal flu vaccine) should be avoided in transplant candidates, transplant care providers and transplant recipients.
* Both seasonal trivalent inactivated and novel 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine can be given simultaneously in transplant recipients but ideally when vaccine is given separately there should be a month between vaccine administration.
* Both seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine and novel 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine can be given soon after transplant. However, the immune response of early vaccination post transplantation may only be partially protective.
* Vaccine should be administered as per manufacturer recommendations.

Donor Evaluation

* All potential donors should have nasopharyngeal swab and throat swabs done for novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus testing prior to organ procurement.
* rRT-PCR is the preferred assay to diagnose influenza infection including novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection.
* Negative rapid influenza detection assay does not exclude the diagnosis of novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection.

About The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
A forum that includes all aspects of pre-clinical and clinical science of the failing heart and lung

The Official Publication of the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation, The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation brings readers essential scholarly and timely information in the field of cardiopulmonary transplantation, mechanical and biological support of the failing heart, advanced lung disease (including pulmonary vascular disease) and cell replacement therapy; Importantly, the Journal also serves as a medium of communication of pre-clinical sciences in all these rapidly expanding areas.

About The International Society For Heart & Lung Transplantation (ISHLT)
The International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the science and treatment of end-stage heart and lung diseases. ISHLT was created in 1981 at a small gathering of about 15 cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. Today, ISHLT has over 2200 members from over 45 countries, representing over 10 different disciplines involved in the management and treatment of end-state heart and lung disease. Despite their differing specializations, all ISHLT members share a common dedication to the advancement of the science and treatment of end-stage heart and lung disease.

This multinational, multidisciplinary mix is one of the biggest strengths of the Society. It brings greater breadth and depth to ISHLT's educational offerings and provides an exceptional environment for networking and exchanging information on an informal basis.

About Elsevier
Elsevier is a world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The company works in partnership with the global science and health communities to publish more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and close to 20,000 book titles, including major reference works from Mosby and Saunders. Elsevier's online solutions include ScienceDirect, Scopus, Reaxys, MD Consult and Nursing Consult, which enhance the productivity of science and health professionals, and the SciVal suite and MEDai's Pinpoint Review, which help research and health care institutions deliver better outcomes more cost-effectively.

A global business headquartered in Amsterdam, Elsevier employs 7,000 people worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC, a world-leading publisher and information provider, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

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WASHINGTON, A new American Red Cross poll shows that while concerns about exposure to the H1N1 (swine flu) virus remain high, women are more likely than men to make extra efforts to cover coughs and sneezes with tissue, wash their hands more carefully and use hand sanitizer more often.

Since it was first identified in April, the H1N1 virus has been spreading across the country and the world. The new Red Cross survey of 1,005 adults in the U.S., which was completed October 11th, found that 22 percent said they know someone who has had the H1N1 virus.

The survey found significant differences in how men and women have reacted to the threat of the H1N1 flu.

Made an extra effort to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue:
Women 83%
Men 67%

Made an extra effort to clean surfaces at home or at work with disinfectant:
Women 72%
Men 53%

Started to use hand sanitizer more often:
Women 66%
Men 50%

Made an extra effort to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth:
Women 64%
Men 47%

'The flu doesn't favor one gender over another, so it's important for everyone to take steps to reduce the spread of H1N1,' said Sharon Stanley, Chief Nurse of the American Red Cross.

The survey also found that vaccination is on the minds of women. The survey found that more women (35%) have gotten their seasonal flu shots this year than men (26%). At the same time, women are more concerned than men about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine, with 60% of women expressing concern to 44% of men.

'Vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for controlling both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus,' Stanley said. 'In addition to getting vaccinated against the flu, men, women and children can help reduce their exposure by practicing good hand-washing hygiene, using hand sanitizer and covering their cough.'

Many People Going to Work or School When Sick

The survey also looked at how Americans are responding to H1N1 in the work place and found that in the past two months, in one in five households, someone has gone to work or school when they were sick.

'People who have the flu should stay home from work or school to help prevent passing the illness on to someone else,' said Stanley. 'Each of us has the responsibility to be a good neighbor. To help keep others from becoming sick, do your part by washing your hands, sneezing into your arm, using hand sanitizer and staying home when ill.'

While 70 percent of Americans are confident that they could take time off from work to care for someone with the flu, only 20 percent have actually talked to their supervisor about what happens if they need to take time off from work.

Additional survey findings:

* 78% started washing their hands more carefully and more often.
* 63% are making an extra effort to clean surfaces at home or work with disinfectant.
* 73% know what symptoms to look for that would tell them if their loved one needed to go to a hospital.

As with any emergency, the Red Cross encourages people to prepare by getting an emergency kit, making a plan and being informed.

The Red Cross has recently released a Pandemic Flu educational program for small businesses to help raise awareness and educate workplaces on what to expect and how to plan for a pandemic. Smaller companies often operate with fewer resources and limited capacity compared to their larger counterparts and can be particularly at risk for disruptions resulting from a flu pandemic.

More information about H1N1 and the seasonal flu is available at www.redcross.org/pandemicflu. This site contains video resources, preparedness tips and information about how to help lessen the spread of the flu virus as well as information for people caring for loved ones with the flu. The Red Cross also has products available at www.redcrossstore.org that promote healthier environments and help people protect themselves from the spread of germs.

The telephone survey of 1,005 U.S. adults 18 years and older was conducted October 8-11, 2009 by CARAVAN® Opinion Research Corporation. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent.

CARAVAN® Opinion Research Corporation conducted three telephone surveys of U.S. Adults on behalf of the American Red Cross, with the most recent in October 2009 (May 1-4, 2009, 1,004 Respondents; July 17-20, 2009, 1,002 Respondents; and October 8-11, 2009, 1,005 Respondents). Margin of error for each is +/- 3.1 percent at the 95% confidence level.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

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UVDI is a market leader in the application of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) technology. The company is also well known for their Sparks Technology™ molecular carbon filtration applications using BPS™ - Bonded Particulate Structure technology. The company is ISO 9001:2000 certified and has invested heavily in the research, development and production of products manufactured at their 50,000 square foot facility in California.

UVDI's cutting edge technologies not only protect human health, but also reduce building energy consumption and maintenance costs. The company's popular ALTRU-V® product line employs ultraviolet technology to optimize HVAC system operation for buildings ranging from residential properties to large facilities such as the Los Angeles International Airport and the U.S. Marine Corps recruit training facility at Parris Island. Sparks Technology's filtration products are daily protecting human health at a number of medical facilities nationwide.

The company currently sells products through an international distributor network and as demand for these products has increased the company recently announced the expansion of their product distributor network. 'UVDI is currently looking to expand the distributor network in areas that call for additional coverage,' reported Paul Cochrane, Public Relations Manager for UVDI. 'Distributors have the relationships with the customers and service capabilities in their regions that are vital for total customer satisfaction,' Cochrane continued.

To learn more about UVDI, or to locate a distributor, please visit www.UVDI.com, email info@UVDI.com or call (877) 787-3882.

About UltraViolet Devices, Inc.
UVDI is a leading manufacturer and supplier of UV products for both air, surface and water disinfection. Under the ALTRU-V® brand, UVDI markets a full line of UV-C products for the HVACR market, providing the key benefits of reduced energy consumption and lower maintenance costs while delivering cleaner, healthier air. Sparks Technology advanced filtration brand provides bonded activated carbon and is the exclusive manufacturer using BPS™ (Bonded Particulate Structure) technology for producing high quality molecular filtration products.

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