April 28, 2010
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Lethal Fungus Strain in Oregon
A new strain o f airborne fungus
is spreading in Oregon that kills
about one out o f four people in­
fected with it, according to research­
ers at Duke University.
A new strain o f a fungus called
Cryptococcus gattii has infected
dogs, cats, sheep, elk, and other
mammals, but you can’t pick up
the fungus with contact with ani­
mals. Instead, people get it from
inhaling spores released by trees.
Sym ptom s, which can take
m o n ths to d ev elo p , in clu d e
coughs, chest pain, shortness o f
breath, headache, breathing prob­
lems, and other ailments. People
who pick up the fungus might have
to take medication for months, or
even years. Extreme cases might
require surgery.
"It's in the environment, and we're
exposed to the environment," re­
searcher Edmond Byrnes III of Duke
University M edical Center told
LiveScience. "And the environmen­
tal range o f this has been expand­
ing."
To date, five out o f 21 people
infected in the United State have
died from the fungus.
Researchers are uncertain as to
how the fungus, which originated in
the tropics, came to Oregon via
Canada, but expect it to spread.
However, public health officials
in Oregon want to reassure the pub­
lic that the fungus is rare, infection
rates are low, and it’s treatable.
People most at risk are those with
compromised immune systems.
“The fungus is rare, getting
sick from the fungus is uncom­
mon and if people do get sick
there
are treatm ents. The public
health threat from the fungus is
low,” said Katrina Hedberg, Or­
egon public health epidemiolo­
gist, on a statement on the Or­
egon Public Health Division’s
website. “Ifpeople are concerned
about their symptoms, they should
contact their health care provider
right away.”
Since 2004, there have been about
50 people identified with the illness
in Washington, Oregon and Cali­
fornia. About 10 people have died.
King Fanners Market Reopens
A fter a highly successful first
season, the King Farm ers M arket
is back, bigger and better than
before with more produce ven­
dors, m ore special events, music,
meat, cheese, cut flowers, plant
starts, hot food, cooking dem on­
s tr a tio n s , an d an a d ja c e n t
ch ild ren’s playground.
The m arket will open its second
season on Sunday, May 2, at 10
a.m. at Northeast Seventh Avenue
and W ygant (a block south o f
,
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Alberta Street, adjacent to King
r- ’ <
School Park.) The market will con­
tinue every Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2
* p
•
p.m ., through Oct. 31.
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This year, Oregon Trail Card
(food stam p) users can receive up
to $10 in m atching tokens for use
at the King Farm ers Market.
Y o u ’re invited to jo in your photo by K enneth A aron /K ing N eighborhood A ssoc iation
neighbors this Sunday and every Crowds line up for fresh produce and other foods during the
Sunday to celebrate a new season inaugural season o f the King Farmer's Market, a block south o f
o f the freshest local food.
Northeast Alberta Street, adjacent to King School Park.
ft.
B U S IN E S S E S
Interested in
Becoming a Vendor
Purchase a table
for $75.00
by April 15th
Contact Person
Shirlene Carson
503-481-8007
exectrav@aol.com
IN
M O T IO N
INFORMATION THAT WORKS FOR YOUR BUSINESS.
We are a netw orking
organization with profes­
sional contacts informing
other small businesses and
the community with great
information to help grow
your business or obtain
information about other
local businesses.
Saturday, May 1
Mallory Avenue
Community
Enrichment Center
(MACE)
126 N.E. Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211
10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
An opportunity to network with small businesses in the Community.
»111»,
H ealth W atch
Free Body Basics —This physician
recommended class is appropriate
for all ages and health conditions.
Plan to attend this one-session class
and learn the simple guidelines for
safe exercises, including stretch­
ing. Call 503-256-4000 to register.
hospital resource center providing
books, printed material, computer
access and more for individuals and
families dealing with cancer. The
center is open Monday through
Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lead Poisoning Prevention - Learn
Fam ilies with M ental Illness - A
free, 12-week course for people
whose family members live with
mental illness is offered at Emanuel
Hospital, Mt. Hood Medical Cen­
ter and Providence Medical Cen­
ter. The course has been described
as “life-changing” by former par­
ticipants. Registration is required
by calling 503-203-3326.
how to protect your family from lead
poisoning. Ideal for folks in live in
older homes with children or preg­
nant women. Qualified participants
receive a free kit o f safety and test­
ing supplies. Call 503-284-6827.
P a ren tin g C la sses — Newborns
don’t come with instruction manu­
als but parents and parents-to-be
can learn about a variety o f topics
from pain and c h ild b irth to
breastfeeding to infant CPR and
much more. For a schedule o f events,
call 5 0 3 -5 7 4 -6 5 9 5 o r v isit:
providence.org/classes.
M anaging C hronic Hepatitis C -
Third Wednesday o f each month at
5 p.m. The informative session is led
by a registered nurse to help you
manage side effects o f medications
and dosage preparations and ad­
ministration; doctor referral required. Cardiac-Rehab Exercises—A medi­
cally supervised exercise program
T o register, call 503-251 -6313.
forpeople dealing with heart condi­
B etter B reath ers — An asthma tions. For information, call 503-251 -
educational support group meets 6260.
on the 1st Tuesday o f the month
from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Fam ily C aregiver S u p p ortG rou p -
Adventist Medical Center. For in­ - This topic-oriented group offers a
safe place to discuss the stresses,
formation, call 503-251 -6830.
challenges and rewards o f provid­
C ancer Resource C e n te r—Provi­ ing care to an older relative or friend.
dence St. Vincent Medical Center Meets the first Thursday o f each
and the American Red Cross have month at 3 p.m. at Legacy Good
joined forces to create the first in- Samaritan Hospital.
Your Care
Our First
Priority
Dr. Marcelitte
Failla
Chiropractic
Physician
We are located at
1716 N.E. 42nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97213
(Between Broadway and Sandy Blvd.)
• Automobile accident injuries
• Chronic headache and joint pain
• Workers Compensation injuries
Call for an appointment!
(503)228-6140
To Place Your Classified Advertisement
Contact:
Phone: 503-288-0033
Fax: 503-288-0015
e-mail: classifieds@portlandobserver.com