Drug Resistant Flu Strains

Researchers in Japan confirmed that flu-fighting medicines are contaminating rivers downstream from sewage-treatment facilities. The source: Excretion by people taking the antiviral drug that slows influenza, oseltamivir phosphate, best known as Tamiflu.

Researchers and health officials are concerned that birds, which are natural carriers of influenza, are being exposed to water containing oseltamivir phosphate(Tamiflu) in it's active state. They're afraid that this may develop drug-resistant strains of the seasonal and Avian Flu.

For the study, researches at Kyoto University sampled the water discharged from three sewage treatment plants and the water at a few points along two rivers into which treated water flowed. Sampling began in December 2008, at the start of flu season. The research team sampled later on at the height of the seasonal Avian flu season(February) as infection rates increased.

Tamiflu's active form (oseltamivir carboxylate) showed up in the treated sewage in every test. In the researchers online report the values were low (nanograms-per-liter)in the first and last samples and peaked at almost 300 ng/L during the flu's peak. (Source--wired.com)

The research conducted in Japan supports the computer models on German researcher Wolf von Tümpling Jr. Von Tümpling's data shows that once exposed to sunlight the oseltamivir carboxylate(OC) will breakdown. At best, Concentrations would fall by half every three weeks.

The fear: The seasonal flu as well as H1N1 Swine Flu Virus will send the use of Tamiflu skyrocketing. The Tamiflu will be excreted in its active form, and is not able to be filtered out at sewage treatment plants. This means that any birds that like hanging out in the warm water discharges from the treatment plants will be exposed.

The Effect: Birds in the water containing oseltamivir carboxylate could potentially build a resistance to Tamiflu, which would result in resistant forms of the seasonal and Avian-flu (however not H1N1.)

Things to keep in mind this flu season:

Know the Symptoms! Knowing what to look for can be your best bet at a speedy recovery. It's also one of the best ways to help prevent spreading it. If you think you have contracted the flu, stay home!

Don't use Aspirin! "Salicylates specifically, aspirin, are contra-indicated, in patients who have the flu or flu like symptoms. We feel the exposure of patients with the flu to asprin specifically increases the risk of certain neurological inflammatory processes that can be very severe and very debilitating." Says Michael Marcus, MD Director Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonary-Maimonides Medical Center

Keep Hydrated: When you have the influenza virus, or other respiratory illness keeping the mucus thin and loose is very important. If it becomes thick it blocks key airway passages making it more difficult to breathe. Drink lots of water, and use Saline sprays if you think or know you have the flu.

The best thing to remember this flu season--a good defense, is a good offense: WASH YOUR HANDS! It's the best thing you can do to prevent catching or spreading the flu.

ITC's Birthday Bash

As the football team went 5-0 last Saturday, Mr. Piraino turned 50 this October 5th, 2009. The Tech Know staff dedicated their time to decorate the Dean of Students' office with some help from the staff. The black theme played nicely with toilet paper made the birthday decorating a success.

A chocolate chip cake was brought to Piraino from Michael McCrary and it was distributed to students and birthday boy old man. Piraino was shocked to open the A People's History of the United States and The American Pageant. Mr. Piraino appreciated the student’s work stating, “I’m going to get you on April Fool’s Day.”


We all enjoyed laughter as certain plans were already in planning stages for a certain date that was confirmed by Piraino. In the future, we will extend our Piraino Humor out of the office to share the enjoyment among the staff and students alike.

Students also reported that during the 1st block APUSH, class, Piraino suffered another episode of dementia when he couldn't find his books, or bag. It is then said that he made several threats to students to give them more homework. Officials have not yet confirmed this.

The day was not all evil, as the people who have gotten referrals or been sent to Piraino's office would assume. After the cake, and presents the Tech Know Staff rushed all of the decorations up to decorate for Ms. Crawford's room for her birthday bash.

Ms. Crawford--We're really sorry about only having black death themed streamers and balloons, but Mr. P, mistook the white "happy birthday" streamers for toilet paper, and used them to clean up his accident.

By Sanjeev Kumar, Staff Reporter

Flanders: Undercover Cop or New Toupee

A mysterious man was spotted at ITC on October 2, 2009. Officials speculate that he was a staff member who had just purchased a new toupee. As Mr. "Ned" Flanders, who is suspected by many of being an undercover cop, walks down the hallways he gives the students evil grins. On October 2, however, students couldn't help grin back when they saw his new hairdo. Students are beginning to speculate that it is in fact not a toupee--but a haircut to change his looks for a new deep undercover assignment for the ITCIA. The only way we can know for sure if Flanders is truly and undercover agent, is if he continues his strange behavior of enforcing hall rules or if he grows a mustache. Is there room for Flanders in our halls? Analysts predict we we won't be needing more cops until April 1, 2010.

We have no further information regarding Flanders at this time, all though our undercover reporter, StampIN, is continuing the Tech Know investigation.


By Sanjeev Kumar, Staff Reporter

Another ITC Tech Know Trivia Challenge: (For prizes as always!)
"Mr. Flanders--New Toupee or Undercover Cop?" -Tell us down in the comments!

Eagles Soar High with another victory--61-6

Last Saturday at Corcoran Stadium the ITC Eagles won again and made one step closer to the ultimate goal, a perfect season. The game went as smooth and easy as the last, and had the same result. A blowout victory of a previously unbeaten Phoenix team. And it was done in the way you have come to expect of The Eagles, the downhill running game of Kasheim "Buck" Jones, Delquan Ross, Shakier Denim and Chris Williams and a defense that has held teams to an average of 8 points a game compared to the 36.5 points we average on offense.

The most memorable moment of the game however came at a moment were we all realized that life isn't just all about football. It was late in the third quarter and Chris Williams had just crossed the goal line for one of his two touch downs of the day when coach Reese yelled to him "Go give it to her" and took a time out. Then Williams trotted to the stands and handed his touchdown ball to his mother who has been in the hospital, in a moment that will be remembered with all the great ones this season.

However now this Saturday has faded from the minds of the Tech football players for now because the time to remember a great season is when there is nothing left to leave on the field and the season is over.

For now our minds are set on redemption, for next Saturday we face a team that embarrassed us last season . Those of us who remember want nothing more than to return the favor and its sure to make a great game. So join us next Saturday as the ITC Eagles face off against their toughest opponents yet, the Cazenovia Lakers at Cazenovia.


For More photos, Check out IT Central's Flickr Stream

By: Mike McCrary, Sports Writer
Photos by: Jake O'Connell