This article is sponsored by SteraMist.
Flurona, a new word and a new disease. What is it? A potential ‘Twindemic’ which people have the seasonal flu and COVID-19 at the same time which has already hit the shores of America.
Although COVID-19 has been at the forefront of controversy, discussion, and concern, many medical professionals are worried about a potential rise in Influenza cases as infections last year were significantly lower than average (Nirappil 2021). What this means, according to Rochelle Walensky, Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is that “because of so little disease last year, population immunity is likely lower, putting us all at risk of increased disease this year” (Nirappil 2021). This information is especially alarming when considering a person can become infected with COVID-19 and Influenza at the same time (Nirappil). Although more research still needs to be conducted on the long-lasting effects of “Flurona”, preventing the double infection of two respiratory illnesses seems like a reasonable priority.
In order to reduce the number of potential Influenza, COVID-19, and Flurona cases, it is essential that SteraMist is implemented into school buildings, specifically ones that host children under the age of thirteen. In fact, “younger children between the ages of 6-12 usually have the highest incidences of flu activity and infection than other schools” (Elkridge 2019). Therefore, there is a higher likelihood that children will contract Influenza, while also still being exposed to COVID-19. Furthermore, these children can also go home and infect their parents, thereby substantially increasing Influenza, COVID-19, and Flurona cases. SteraMist disinfection is EPA registered for Influenza A and listed, EPA List N for SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) proving that it can help in infection prevention and keeping children protected.
Even though there is a lot of uncertainty in the world currently, SteraMist provides a stable solution to a global pandemic and ever-changing social and educational system policies. No matter the geographic location, SteraMist will provide protection against COVID-19, influenza, 
and Flurona, among many other pathogens, in the classroom as well as transportation, when given the opportunity. Therefore, it is essential that school districts begin to widely implement SteraMist into their cleaning and disinfection routine and provide protection to the children and the opportunity for them to stay in school and continue learning through in person instruction.
Just as coronavirus is an emerging pathogen; funguses also continue to emerge, posing a serious global health threat. Funguses arise in many ways, one being through natural disasters.
Natural disasters are some of the most disruptive and deadly events that occur throughout the world. Some can be prepared for, while others occur without a moment’s notice. Therefore, it is essential that rescue personnel are equipped with state-of-the-art technology that can help protect the long-term health of the victims associated with the natural disaster, and themselves. One thing that is often overlooked, post-natural disaster, is the increase in fungal infections in an affected area. Kaitlin Benedict, author of Invasive Fungal Infections after Natural disasters, claims that “fungal infections in disaster-affected persons has been increasingly recognized” and “fungal respiratory conditions associated with disasters include coccidioidomycosis” among other severe ailments and illnesses (Benedict 2014). This means that the elimination of fungi in a disaster area is necessary to not only complete the recovery process of an affected area but also ensure the protection of any and all rescuers and victims associated with the disaster.
TOMI SteraMist is equipped to handle emergency disinfection in response to a natural disaster and can counteract the dangers of spores and other fungal activity typically found in post-disaster areas. In fact, in the article Mechanisms of Sporicidal Activity Induced by Ionized
Hydrogen Peroxide in Spores of Bacillus atrophaeus, published by ABSA International, scientists demonstrated the effectiveness of SteraMist against Bacillus atrophaeus spores and found that “damage to the long DNA segment is highly significant for the contact times at 1[hour], 2[hours], 6[hours] and 12[hours] when comparing with the control samples” (Grimaldo 2021). The experiment was conducted using SteraMist’s Environment System, a full-room fogger, in a 900 cubed feet area, and clearly demonstrates the overall effectiveness and range of SteraMist technology. Furthermore, this experiment displays that in mere hours, SteraMist was able to damage the spore core DNA, disrupting growth and providing disinfection.
Although natural disasters can never fully be prevented, and it will always take time to rebuild an affected area, SteraMist technology offers an opportunity to enhance disaster recovery efforts while also promoting health and hazard relief. In a world that moves quickly and constantly changes, preparedness is often the difference between an ideal outcome and a less desirable one. SteraMist is prepared and ready to take on the world’s health threats, such as emerging pathogens and funguses.
Sources
Nirappil, Fenit. “Flu Practically Vanished Last Year. Now Doctors Are Bracing for Potential ‘Twindemic’ of Flu and Covid-19 Spikes.” The Washington Post. WP Company, October 15, 2021. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/10/08/flu-season-covid-shot/.
“Common Places Where the Flu Virus Spreads: Centennial Medical.” Centennial Medical – Primary Care in Elkridge, MD, September 22, 2019. https://centennialmedical.com/the-most-common-places-where-the-flu-virus-spreads/.
Benedict, Kaitlin, and Benjamin J Park. “Invasive Fungal Infections after Natural Disasters.” Emerging infectious diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 2014. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3944874/.
Grimaldo, Miguel. “Mechanisms of Sporicidal Activity Induced by Ionized Hydrogen Peroxide in the Spores of Bacillus Atrophaeus.” Liebert Pub. ABSA International, September 13, 2021. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/apb.20.0060.
