Japan's Sharp Corp. said Wednesday that it has developed an air purifier that eliminates 99.9 percent of the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu within 10 minutes. The system has been improved from an earlier version which was shown in 2005 to have eliminated 99 percent of the H5N1 virus when airborne, Sharp official Kenji Ota told reporters. The plasmacluster ion technology, developed in 2000, disables airborne micro-organisms by releasing positive and negative ions into the air. Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces contaminated by their faeces, is currently considered the main cause of human infection with the H5N1 virus, according to the World Health Organization. But influenza is a hard virus to beat and will need several lines of defence, said John Oxford, a University of London professor who heads Retroscreen Virology, a British research institute involved in the project. "This kind of new technology will add something to (our) ammunition box," he told the same press conference.

Plasmacluster ions have also proved effective against 26 other kinds of harmful airborne substances, including bacteria and allergens, Sharp said. During the tests, the H5N1 virus was sprayed in a one-cubic metre (1.3-cubic yard) box with a concentration of 50,000 ions per cubic centimetre. Samples were then taken 10 minutes later and injected into cell cultures. The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has killed more than 240 people worldwide since late 2003, according to the World Health Organization. The virus typically spreads from bird to human through direct contact, but experts fear it could mutate into a form easily transmissible between humans, with the potential to kill millions in a pandemic. Plasmacluster technology can be installed in air conditioners, dehumidifiers and air purifiers for home and industrial use, although Sharp gave no indication of when the latest technology might be used commercially. Sanyo Electric Co. has also developed a similar technology that proved 99 percent efficient in removing the bird flu virus using electrolysed tap water.

Comment On This Article Share This Article With Planet Earth Epidemics on Earth - Bird Flu, HIV/AIDS, Ebola HIV-positive Swazi women march against royals' shopping binge Added on: September 26, 2010 Just another look at my mangy legs and the effect of DE. I filmed these about a month ago, and since then the leg bites have virtually disapeared with the continued use of DE. green air purifiers air purifierNow the bites are on my neck and face, and I'm applying DE on these areas with caution. air cleaners for cigarette smokeKEEPING AWAY FROM EYES AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEM, and using HEPA air purifiers close to the bed and around the apartment.air pistol cleaning kits Overall Product Weight: 6.51lbs

Powerful HEPA filter is 99% effective at reducing airborne particles such as dust, pollen, tobacco smoke, pet dander and mold spores. Plus, the ionizer delivers extra cleaning power and helps freshen the air. Odor-Lock Filter Technology helps remove common household odors while ProTec antimicrobial treated filter helps prevent mold growth on the filter. Recommended for small rooms. Air cleaner machine type: HEPA Filter types: 99% HEPA™ Maximum room size: 96'' x 120'' Platinum Air™ HEPA™ Air Purifier collection Maximum room size (Square Footage): 80 Square feet Room Size (Sq. Ft.): 80 Square Feet Collection: Platinum Air™ HEPA Air Purifier Product Warranty: 3 years Additional Materials: Polypropylene, nylon, rubber, polycarbonate, pvc, fiberglass, steel, copper, aluminum Hardware Material: Stainless steel Primary Material Details: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Filter Height - Top to Bottom: 9.88 " Filter Width - Side to Side: 4.5 "

Filter Depth - Front to Back: 1.38 " Overall Height - Top to Bottom: 7.1 " Overall Width - Side to Side: 14.4 " Overall Depth - Front to Back: 11.1 " Overall Product Weight: 6.51 lbs Platinum Air™ HEPA Air Purifier Polypropylene, nylon, rubber, polycarbonate, pvc, fiberglass, steel, copper, aluminum As one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of brand name and consumer products, Honeywell has built one of the most prestigious legacies over the years. They have delivered award-winning designs, coupled with a reputable name as the industry leader in quality and innovation. For more than a century, the Honeywell name has been synonymous with technology solutions that improve people’s lives. Honeywell has developed high quality home climate control products that make life at home more comfortable and energy efficient. Ceiling fans save energy and provide comfort in both summer and winter months and offer aesthetic enhancement to any room décor.

Honeywell ceiling fans are unmatched in quality and performance. With every detail scrutinized, from the pitch of the blade, to the efficiency of the motor and the style of design Honeywell has created fans that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. With outdoor and indoor models, traditional and tropical styles, Honeywell has the perfect fan for your home or patio. All Honeywell fans are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. from Colorado Springs, COWhile bird flu is caused by a viral infection rather than an allergy, we have had so many customers ask about bird flu prevention that we decided to set up this bird flu information page. offers the N95 respirator masks and HEPA air purifiers that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends to healthcare workers for bird flu protection. Avian Influenza is the proper scientific name for bird flu, which is a disease caused by a flu virus that naturally occurs among birds. Wild birds around the world carry the virus, and most of them do not get sick from it, but the highly contagious virus can wreak havoc when transferred to domesticated birds like chickens, turkeys, and ducks.

Infected wild birds transfer the virus through their saliva and waste products. Domesticated birds may become infected after direct contact with infected birds or indirect contact with contaminated materials like dirt, water, cages, or food. Normally, bird flu is strictly for the birds - that is, it does not infect other animals; however, certain types of bird flu viruses can infect humans during a bird flu outbreak. A human may become infected through direct contact with infected birds or through indirect contact with contaminated surfaces. At this point, bird flu infection normally does not spread beyond one person. Nonetheless, since 2003, bird flu infections have killed over 100 people. The bird flu outbreak that began in Asia in 2003 is the largest and most severe on record. Bird flu symptoms in humans may include human flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches), eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases, and other life-threatening complications.

The H5N1 virus is the type of bird flu virus that has caused the most disease and death among humans. The H5N1 bird flu virus is highly contagious, highly pathogenic, and appears to have a unique capacity to cross the species barrier and cause deadly disease in humans. In the recent H5N1 bird flu outbreaks in Asia and Europe, over half of all people infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus have died. Most cases have involved previously healthy children. So far, bird flu infection normally does not spread beyond one person, but scientists are worried that the H5N1 virus may mutate and gain the capability to easily spread from human to human. The bird flu virus may also exchange DNA with human influenza and create a whole new type of virus; this is known as genetic re-assortment. If either of these scenarios occurs, we will find ourselves amidst a deadly bird flu pandemic. The human immune system is not equipped to handle the bird flu virus. A pandemic is a worldwide outbreak of disease.

Scientists around the world are watching the H5N1 virus and preparing for the possibility of a bird flu pandemic. A bird flu pandemic could happen at any time. In 1918, a major influenza pandemic spread around the world in less than 6 months, killing more than 40 million people and infecting one-quarter of the U.S. citizens. Julie Gerderding, head of the U.S. CDC, has stated that we are probably in a historical period equivalent to the time right before the 1918 influenza pandemic, when the virus was quietly mutating into a deadly strain. Currently, there is no bird flu vaccine; however, scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) are experimenting with possible bird flu vaccines. Read this NIAID article for more information about bird flu vaccine experiments. Note that seasonal flu shots do not provide protection against bird flu. The H5N1 virus is resistant to some standard antiviral medications. Other medicines used in treating human influenza viruses should work for treating bird flu in humans, but more studies are needed to test their effectiveness.

Plus, the bird flu virus can easily mutate and become resistant to these drugs. Disease prevention is the key to avoiding unnecessary deaths from the bird flu virus. Travelers should avoid all contact with poultry especially in Africa, Asia, and Europe and all places where infection may be present (farms, markets, etc.). Do not eat raw or undercooked poultry under any circumstances. Wash your hands frequently; this simple act is extremely important in the prevention of disease. According to the CDC, you cannot get the bird flu by eating properly cooked poultry and eggs. Most human cases of bird flu were caused by direct contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces. Proper handling and cooking methods will destroy the bird flu virus. To be safe, always wash your hands with soap and hot water before and after handling eggs and poultry. Wash egg shells with soap and warm water before cracking. Be sure to wash cutting boards, utensils, and counter tops to prevent raw poultry from contaminating other foods.

Cook poultry to a temperature of at least 165° Fahrenheit or higher, and cook eggs until whites and yolks are firm. There is currently a U.S. ban on the importation of birds and bird products from H5N1-infected countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The CDC states that there is a risk involved in handling feather products from infected countries. In addition to birds and humans, the bird flu virus has also infected pigs, tigers, leopards, ferrets, and domestic cats. Domestic cats can become infected by eating raw infected birds; however, there is no evidence that cats can spread the H5N1 virus to humans. If you believe you may have been exposed to the bird flu virus, pay close attention to your health for 10 days. If you develop any flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, etc.), please limit your travels and call your healthcare provider before visiting the office or hospital. You healthcare provider will need to know your symptoms, whether or not you've had any contact with poultry, and where you have traveled.

In dealing with suspected bird flu infection in an animal or person, the CDC recommends the following precautions for healthcare workers: standard hand hygiene, gloves, eye protection, an airborne particle isolation room with a HEPA filter, and an N95 fitted respirator mask approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Bird Flu Masks - N95 Masks As of yet, there have been no reported cases of the H5N1 virus in the United States, but the virus appears to be growing stronger, and if it reaches the U.S., experts predict that masks will fly off the shelves, making it extremely difficult to find proper protection from bird flu infection. Business Week recently reported that the United States is already experiencing a shortage of respirator masks. , a medical supply distributor based in Camarillo, CA, says, "I'm not sure this pandemic will ever come, but if it does, the world will not have masks . . . When the first sparrow dies in the U.S. from bird flu, consumers are going to hoard these things like crazy."