Blogpost - JASE Medical

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month

If you aren’t prepared get prepared, we can help!

September is national preparedness month. We will be kicking off this month with a list of natural disasters, how likely they could be for you depending upon your geographical location, and some basic items needed in a go/bug out bag. This will provide the foundation for a series on preparedness which will include preparing for your unique situation.

We will start the series with reviewing the most likely natural disasters according to geographical areas of the country, and what to have in your basic to-go or bug out bag.

Where you live will partly determine what your bug out bag would include

Hurricanes most commonly found in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico.

On average, 10.1 named storms occur each season, with an average of 5.9 becoming hurricanes and 2.5 becoming major hurricanes (Category 3 or greater). The most recent storm, Hurricane Idalia (the size of Colorado) slammed into Florida’s coast as a Cat 3 hurricane. It made its way up through Georgia and to the North Carolina coast as a life threatening storm surge, leaving thousands in the dark as utility companies scramble to restore power. Water damage from storm surges also took a toll along coastal towns, flooding and destroying buildings in its path.

Tornados

Tornados are mostly found in the Midwest and Southeast but can be found in almost every state. On average there are 1,200 tornadoes every year. In fact, the US has more tornadoes than anywhere else in the world with Canada coming in second. The deadliest tornado occurred in Joplin, Missouri May 28, 2011. It was a class F5 tornado and lasted only 38 minutes and caused 161 deaths.

Wildfires

California leads the country with the most wildfires and number of acres burned, however most of western states have wildfires every year. There are, on average , 70.000 wildfires in the US every year. Lahaina, Hawaii is the deadliest wildfire in US history, as the official death toll stands at 115, with dozens of people still missing.

Structure (home) fires

An annual average of 343,100 fires are from home fires, with 2610 deaths on average. Most fires start in the kitchen, while cooking.

Floods

Eastern, Southeastern and Midwestern states are more prone to flooding in the US, as well as those located directly on the west coast. For this year (2023), the NWS reports 59 flood related deaths in the U.S. There are three types of floods, coastal, river, and flash floods.

Earthquakes

California has the highest number of earthquakes annually, followed by Alaska and Hawaii. These states lie along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region with intense tectonic activity due to subduction zones where one plate dives beneath another. Washington and Oregon, also located along the Pacific coast, also experience frequent earthquakes. The Cascadia Subduction Zone, off the coast of these two states, is known for its potential for a massive earthquake that could cause significant damage. Utah is home to several active faults that have recently produced moderate-to-large earthquakes. At his time, there aren’t many earthquake related deaths, (1906 quake in San Francisco with 62 deaths was the most in recent history) however scientists point out that earthquake prone zones are due for a major quake anytime.

Prepare before its too late.

The heartbreaking reports continue to pour out of Lahaina as the massive recovery efforts continue. It will take years for many residents of that historical island town to realize the full impact of the deadliest fire in US history.

Our own Dr Rowland, founder and CEO of Jase Medical had volunteered his time in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire that ravaged this small town.

When asked what he feels was the most important takeaway from his time volunteering at the Lahaina disaster site:

“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to prepare WHILE YOU CAN. Right before an oncoming hurricane is too late. Other things like supply disruptions, fires, earthquakes also happen in a moment. Even a regular weekend when you can’t get into a doctor or find an open pharmacy and its the middle of the night. The time is today to take one simple step to be better prepared medically. It takes 10 minutes.”

He went on to say,” There were many unavoidable tragedies about Maui. But there were also avoidable ones. One of those was being better prepared. A Jase Case or Jase Daily supply would have made huge difference to a lot of people there. Same can be said for folks around the country dealing with disasters, etc.”

Basic items needed if you have to leave home

There is no cookie cutter one-size-fits-all preparation list or kit, however there are some key items that everybody should have. Depending upon your age, ability, family makeup and size, and region of the country you live in, your needs will differ from even your next-door neighbors.

Every home should have a battery-operated radio that carries local weather and emergency updates.

A go/bug out bag with (at very minimum) for each family member:

Note: Make sure the bag fits the individual. Don’t overpack to the point they aren’t able to wear and easily walk with it on their back. It is a good idea to fill the bag and practice walking and hiking with it on for at least an hour, preferably longer. Adjust fit and weight as necessary after this trial run.

Change of clothes, including socks and cold weather gear if you live in cold climate.
3 of bottles water
Snack bars- (Lara bars are calorie dense and nutritious).
Headlamp with extra batteries- to free hands up for other tasks
Whistle to use for emergencies.
Fixed blade knife/small pen knife (many uses)
Paper and pen (in case of evacuation- leave note or for any other emergency)
List of medications, allergies, health conditions, name and home address, and family care provider numbers, laminated (if you don’t have a laminator, office supply store can do this for a nominal fee).
Purchase a weather resistant pouch for important papers and extra medications, including your Jase case and Jase daily meds.

Store your Jase case and Jase Daily medications in the pouch.
If you haven’t already ordered your Jase case and Jase daily medications yet, do so today. Pack any medical supplies you use such as inhalers, etc.
If you use refrigerated medications, pack a cup size cold travel container designed specifically for syringes and meds that can keep your supply of medications cold for up to 30 hours. This would need to be stored in freezer until needed and once out of danger can be recharged to keep vital medications cool.
A small, basic first aid kit, with pain relievers and creams to relieve itching and minor burns. We will go into detail in next post on what to carry in a bug out first aid kit, according to age and ability.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

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Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

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How Long Do My Meds Last? A Look at Doxycycline

(Amazingly long shelf life)

Patented in 1957 and released for commercial use in in 1967, doxycycline is a semisynthetic tetracycline.

It is one of the most widely used antibiotics due to its ability to treat both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. With more than 11 million prescriptions filled yearly, doxycycline is one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics in the United States. Along with its known anti-inflammatory properties, doxycycline is an important antibiotic during a biological warfare attack, namely anthrax or tularemia.

How long does doxycycline remain potent?

When stored in a cool, dry, and dark area away from sunlight and capped, doxycycline can retain much of its potency well past expiration date.

Expiration dates reflect the time during which the product is expected to remain stable, or retain its identity, strength, quality, and purity, when it is properly stored according to its labeled storage conditions. According to the Shelf-Life Extension Program, a joint initiative of the FDA and Department of Defense that tested 122 drugs for potency after their expiration date revealed doxycycline maintained its potency well past 66 months- over 5.5 years. In fact, doxycycline potency has proven well beyond its testing.

A report dated January 2006 titled “Stability Profiles of Drug Products Extended” states as of the date of the report (testing initially started in 1986) that “Of the extended lots, 81 lots (of the tested medications in that group)are now dormant and 175 lots are currently active (primarily 159 lots of doxycycline hyclate tablets).” (See pg. 5 of the report)That represents a 20 year extension past expiration date of potency for doxycycline!

Doxycycline is listed in the World Health Organization Model List of Medications for the newly released 2023 edition:

FIRST CHOICE (From WHO 2023 list)

Cholera
Sexually transmitted infection due to
Chlamydia trachomatis

SECOND CHOICE (From WHO 2023 list)

Cholera
Community acquired pneumonia (mild to
moderate)
Exacerbations of COPD

In addition, doxycycline can be used to treat:

Anthrax
Animal and human bites
Plague
Tetanus
Tularemia
Prevent malaria when taken before exposure
Infections caused by mites, ticks or lice
Lyme disease

How to take

Best if taken on an empty stomach. If stomach upset is a concern, doxycycline can be taken with food although absorption will be affected. Be sure to take with plenty of water and remain hydrated throughout the course of taking doxycycline.

If taking as a prophylaxis for malaria,(Per CDC):

Adults: 100 mg daily. 1-2 days before traveling to an area where malaria transmission occurs.

Note- check with health authorities in Florida, Texas and Maryland as locally acquired cases of Malaria have been recently diagnosed.

Before taking doxycycline, consult with your care provider if you are taking any of the following:

(Below are major drug interactions, for a full list check out this doxycycline interaction checker)

Acitretin
Aminolevulinic acid
Bcg
Cholera vaccine, live
Etretinate
Isotretinoin
Ketoconazole
Lomitapide
Levoketoconazole
Methoxyflurane
Mipomersen
Pexidartinib
Tretinoin
Typhoid vaccine, live
Vitamin A

What To Avoid

Do not take supplements containing calcium or iron within 2 hours of taking doxycycline. Taking these could limit absorption.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Doxycycline can make your skin sun sensitive. There have been reports of severe sunburn while on this medication. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Allergy to any tetracycline antibiotic.
Consult primary care provider if pregnant or nursing. Doxycycline is present in breast milk but in concentrations generally considered safe. It is classified by the FDA as a pregnancy risk category B drug “Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.”

Common side effects may include:

Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea (mild)
Skin rash or itching

Discontinue and seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

Severe stomach pain
Watery or bloody diarrhea
Trouble swallowing/itchy throat
Chest pain, and/or irregular heart rhythm
Short of breath
Unable to urinate or urinating very little
Dark urine (darker than normal)
Jaundice (yellowing of the sclera or skin)
Fever, chills, swollen glands, body aches
Bruising or bleeding
Severe headaches, ringing in your ears
Upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back)
Overwhelming fatigue

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Order Today

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

After School and Home Alone – Do Your Children Know What to do in an Emergency?

As summer winds down and focus on starting a new school year is right around the corner, many parents and children are getting ready- adjusting bedtimes, school lunches, transportation to and from school, and in some instances, starting a new school. Along with this, many children will spend some time at home alone after school.

About 3.5 million American children between the ages of 5 and 12 spend time at home alone after school. The average amount of time isn’t much—only about an hour a day, according to a U-M study presented in Chicago at the Society for Research on Adolescence biennial meeting. This number represents about 26 percent of American children who spend time after school alone, including time spent getting from one place to another (from school to home, for example) on their own.

Many children are ready to be home alone for an hour or so; however, a lot can depend on the maturity and ability level of the individual child.

In addition, each living situation is unique. Families living in apartments and condominiums have a different lifestyle and circumstances than their suburban and rural counterparts. Even geographic locations-where you live-playa large part in readying your child to stay home alone.

No matter what age your children are, or type of housing, there are still many situations in common that you can ready your child for, ensuring their safety while home.

Assess your children’s age and ability

Ability doesn’t necessarily come with age. A lot depends upon your child’s temperament, emotional maturity, and physical ability. For instance, children with special needs- whether physical, mental or emotional-should be factored into how much time they can be home alone. For example, a 9-year-old child on the autism spectrum may not be able to stay at home alone, whereas a 9- year-old without special needs could be left alone for a short period of time.

Geographical location

Do you live in an area that has extreme heat or cold spells? Do you live in a flood zone? Do you live in a hurricane or tornado-prone area? If so, does your child know what to do if these situations arise? What if you cannot get home because of an adverse weather event? Does your child know what to do?

Weather events are the most likely emergency- assess the most likely weather that your children could encounter, during a severe weather event, the power may go out, phones may not work, and heat and air conditioning may also not be working. In addition, if there is severe weather and you can’t get home to your children in the usual time frame, would your children know what to do? Knowing what to do is important if cell phone service goes down and there’s no way to communicate with each other.

Home-alone emergency supplies

Basic first aid kit with basic supplies. Instruct your children how to use it in case of a minor emergency and when they should be calling 911. Laminate a card to keep in the first aid kit with these instructions.
Two flashlights with extra batteries
Bottled water
Prepackaged snacks
Portable radio with extra batteries with the emergency services bands
Portable cellphone battery chargers for each cell phone in the home. Test periodically and ensure they have a charge. Keep an additional cable with them for easy access.
Extra blankets and cold weather gear- and a small tent that can be set up in the bedroom or living room to contain heat in case you aren’t able to get home in a timely fashion

In case of evacuation

Evacuation should not be taken lightly. Most of the time, your child is safer in their home than in the great outdoors. Fires, power outages that affect heating, and even door-to-door evacuation orders are reasons your child needs to be prepared. Luckily, having to evacuate is not very likely. But it is always better to be prepared than to have regrets.
Put together a go-bag for each child in the home. Have the child put the bag on and ensure it isn’t too heavy and fits their frame. In the bag, place a laminated card with their name, address, medications, allergies, parents’ names, and phone numbers.
Two bottles of water for each go bag
Two or more prepackaged snacks-Lara bars are a great nutritious snack
Child’s medication for at least three days in clearly labeled bottles
A change of clothing-socks, pants, underwear, shirt, hat, gloves, and coat/sweater, depending on your climate.
Headlamps and extra batteries (headlamps free hands for tasks)
Reflective tape on the go bag, or purchase reflective tape and apply it to the backpack for visibility
Laminated map of the immediate area that you live in
Rechargeable hand warmers (with recharging cables) if you live in a cold weather area
Phone and portable recharger with cable

Put together a plan and practice.

Post on the refrigerator or a conspicuous place emergency phone numbers, relatives, trusted friends, and neighbors that your children can contact or go to in the event they need to leave home. Make the people on this list aware that your children will contact them in an emergency.
Pull out the first aid kit, go through all the items in the kit, and practice using them—role play. Purchase extra gauze and bandages for your children to use and practice with. As you go through scenarios, advise them to treat only minor cuts and injuries. Give examples of a minor injury and when they should call 911 or seek a trusted adult if phone service or power is out. Ideally, take your child to a local first aid course.
Have your children operate the portable radio. Have them remove and replace the batteries, and demonstrate they know how to find the emergency station(s) for information about local weather events.
Practice removing and replacing flashlight batteries. Make sure they know how to operate them.
Review and rehearse what your child would do if phone service were unavailable. For example, not to panic, and if able to safely make it to a trusted neighbor’s home.
If your child has misplaced or lost their key, have an alternate area to access a key, not just under a mat or a rock near the house. These would be obvious places for intruders to gain access to your home by finding that key.

Backup plans Kids should know where a key is hidden in case they’ve lost theirs, where to go in the neighborhood if they need help, and who to call if there’s a problem and they can’t be reached.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Order Today

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Jase Founder Dr. Rowland Deploys with Aerial Recovery Group to Lahaina

When Dr. Shawn Rowland heard of the fire in Lahaina, and thousands were displaced, he wanted to offer his home on nearby Oahu for a displaced family or two to stay. He had no idea that he would be a part of the rescue and recovery efforts of a global outreach group called Aerial Recovery Group. Dr. Rowland had contacted their chief medical officer, Aaron Asay, physician assistant and friend that had lived on Maui, to offer his home for a displaced family or two.

Aaron had planned to be out of the country on assignment and would not be available to deploy to Lahaina. He asked his friend if he could be their physician for the group going to Lahaina, which Dr. Rowland readily accepted, and within two hours, a team had activated and organized. Once in Lahaina, the group connected with the Maui chief of police, who had locked down the city to prevent looters and onlookers that could prevent EMS and recovery workers from performing their jobs.

Drone mapping and real-time satellite imagery helped put together a scenario of the extent of the fire and where people might be that needed help. At that point, there was no electricity, communications, or cell phone service. Initially, they treated acute injuries such as broken bones, smoke inhalation, and minor injuries to those who stayed behind in the town. Many people remained in the Lahaina area because they could not return if they left.

That evening, Dr. Rowland heard about a man who could not leave his home because he had an infected foot. In the pitch dark, with no electricity, they made their way through the neighborhoods and up the dirt road, where they encountered many people sitting along the sides of the road who greeted them. “At first, I thought these were people that were housing others in their homes who had been displaced by the fire and were just sitting outside talking and visiting,” he said, “however, once we took care of the man with the infected foot and came back down, we were told that these were some of the people who had lost everything, including family members and all their possessions. I still get emotional talking about it.”

As one of the first independent disaster response teams, Dr. Rowlands’ role quickly became that of resource allocation and coordination. Volunteers from the community – from physicians to nurses, medics, firefighters, and volunteers poured into the area and needed guidance on where to go and what to do. At the same time, relief was coming in from harbors, planes, and local groups. As Dr. Roland put it, “It was organized chaos.” They needed to quickly establish an infrastructure that could distribute and set up tents and supplies in each designated area and for medical teams to go door to door in the immediate area to see if anyone needed medical care.

Over the coming days, as supplies, tents, and distribution centers were set up, Dr. Rowland noticed that the most pressing need was for people’s medications. They needed their blood pressure medicines, diabetic supplies, antidepressants, and other drugs. It made him more aware of why Jase Daily (having a year’s supply of your prescription medication) existed. As founder and CEO of Jase Medical, he went over as a volunteer and came back, knowing that the mission of Jase Medical was to help people prepare in the event of any emergency or natural disaster.

When asked what people could do to help or donate, Dr. Rowland said that, for now, all their physical needs were being met. It will take months, if not years, for these people to be back in a home environment.

He suggests, in addition to charities, such as the Red Cross, that gift cards through a reputable source that can get directly to the people would be the best way to help them with their personal, everyday needs. He also advises exercising caution when donating. Opportunistic scammers come out and take advantage of others in times like these.

He reports that there was plenty of food, water, clothing, diapers, and other essential supplies for the time being. There will be an ongoing need for a long time, however.

Dr. Rowland plans to return in the coming weeks, and we will keep you posted.

To learn more about the Aerial Response Recovery group and their missions, please visit their website.

“Aerial Recovery trains and deploys Humanitarian Special Operators to effectively respond to natural disasters and man-made disasters and combat sex trafficking. Made up of Veterans and First Responders, Aerial tackles some of the most difficult rescue and response missions globally.”

Postscript

As of this writing,

Ninety-nine people were reported dead. The death toll is expected to climb by 10-20 more daily.
Names of those deceased and identified to start being released today (Tuesday, August 15)
According to Maui Police Chief John Pelletier, only 25 percent of Lahaina has been searched. They expect to complete the recovery process by the weekend.
According to Hawaii Electric, 80 percent of power has been restored.
Even though the power has mostly been restored, many families have no way to communicate with loved ones. Many people lost phones in the fire while fleeing for their lives, according to Governor Josh Green
This has been the largest loss of life to a fire in over a hundred years of US history.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Order Today

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Are You Happy? 7 Tips to Happiness

“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” – Abraham Lincoln

“Happiness Happens Day” ,celebrated on August 8th of each year was founded by Pamela Gail Johnson. She started the Secret Society of Happy People in 1998, “to provide a missing voice for those who are happy and want to express it without having other people rain on their parade.” It is a day dedicated to recognizing and promoting happiness in our lives and encouraging people to share their positive moments and emotions. On her website she goes on to say, “We spend so much time focusing on our “what’s wrong” moments that we ignore many of our happy moments, so our happiness became a secret — even to us.”

Words that can describe happiness are:

Joy- a feeling of great pleasure
Contentment-A sense of satisfaction and being at peace with what one has.
Bliss- extreme happiness and joy
Fulfillment– A sense of achievement and satisfaction derived from reaching goals and aspirations.
Harmony- A sense of balance and alignment that contributes to inner happiness.
Serenity-A state of calm and tranquility that brings a peaceful happiness.
Optimism- A positive outlook on life- a belief that all will work out for the best

Happiness comes by focusing on the positive aspects of life, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

7 ways to nurture happiness in your own life

Fulfilling relationships and strong emotional connections

Fulfilling and close relationships keeps loneliness and isolation away. We are wired for connection.

Personal accomplishments- both great and small

Celebrate your personal accomplishments- no matter how small they are. Every great accomplishment is the result of placing one foot in front of the other (small accomplishments add up)

Cultivate gratitude

Gratitude- the act of being grateful for both the tangible and intangible. Research has repeatedly shown the strong correlation between gratitude and happiness. One way to practice gratitude is to start a daily gratitude journal and list 5 things, no matter how small that you are grateful for. Even the tea or coffee you are drinking while working on your journal is something to be grateful for. The journal can be as simple as a small notebook or pick up a gratitude journal that has daily affirmations and exercises to encourage you.

Limit negative influences in your life– Influences, such as tv, social media and even consistently negative people can dampen and make achieving personal happiness difficult to attain and maintain. Everyone has a “bad day” or experience; however, when possible, guard your thoughts and eyes from unnecessary drama. The “what ifs” on the tv or social media do nothing but prey on the fight or flight center of your brain. Analyze relationships and how they affect you. When possible, limit those relationships that cause unnecessary distress in your life.
Practice self-care- Self care can mean engaging in satisfying hobbies, time alone, lunch with a friend, a hot bath or anything that brings pleasure, and you look forward to doing. If you aren’t sure what to do, take time to really think about what brings you pleasure and satisfaction- and make time for it!
Help others- Helping others or volunteering, builds relationships and strengthens bonds , leading to a feeling of fulfillment.
Learn and practice resilience- Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges. Cultivate resilience learning from failures and maintaining a positive outlook.

Being happy is linked to improved outlook of health

Studies have shown that being happy can have positive effects on physical and mental well-being.

Some ways in which happiness contributes to health:

Stress reduction- Happiness reduces stress. Chronic stress leads to increased cortisol levels. Chronically high cortisol levels can lower immune function, raise blood pressure, and contribute to raised blood glucose levels. Being happy counteracts the effects of stress.
Better lifestyle choices leading to longevity– When you are happy, you tend to eat better, are more motivated to exercise and connect with those in your life that you value. In fact, regular, consistent exercise produces mood enhancing endorphins.
There is a strong correlation between pain and emotions. Powerful pain-relieving endorphins- natural painkillers-are released while engaging in pleasurable activities. These endorphins reduce the perception of pain.
Happiness produces positive emotions– These emotions can promote resilience and help cope with the ups and downs of everyday life. Positive relationships are linked to improved mental health and overall cognitive function. In addition, problem solving abilities are enhanced when happy.
Happiness isn’t something that just “happens”. Personal responsibility and getting to know yourself- your genetics, overall health and personality, environment and abilities all play an important role in happiness. However, taking a proactive role in your personal happiness will yield a more fulfilled (and happy) life.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Order Today

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

An Illegal Chinese Backed Biolab was Found in California – In December

And we are just now finding out about it

Prestige Biotech, Inc, a Chinese based company had been illegally operating a biolab containing deadly pathogens in Claifornia since October 2022 according to documents. No CA address can be found for Prestige; addresses found for authorized agents were either empty offices or unverifiable addresses in China.

Located in the San Joquin Valley, the small town of Reedly, city code enforcement workers discovered a garden hose sticking out of the side of a supposedly vacant building back in December of 2022. Upon further investigation, they discovered the building was supposed to be vacant- there were no building permits of certificate of occupancy paperwork filed. Numerous violations prompted city officials to declare the site unsafe and posted “Unsafe to Occupy” signs around the building. Further investigation prompted the notification of many agencies- federal and state- were notified, from the FBI to the CDC and public health officials to further investigate. What they found was a macabre scene of filth, and thousands of unlabeled vials of fluids and suspected biological material. They also discovered, hundreds of mice living in inhumane conditions. The city took possession of the animals, euthanizing 773 of them along with more than 175 were found dead.

This lab also contained at least 20 different pathogens including specimens of HIV, malaria, coronavirus, hepatitis B and C, streptococcus pneumonia, and 20 refrigerators filled with specimens and tissues. “Certain rooms of the warehouse were found to contain several vessels of liquid and various apparatus,” court documents said. “Fresno County Public Health staff also observed blood, tissue and other bodily fluid samples and serums; and thousands of vials of unlabeled fluids and suspected biological material.”

Government red tape could cost you or your loved ones their life

Considering they (city, state and federal authorities) knew about this unlicensed biolab for months and kept giving the company notice (see timeline of abatement below) without any firm action, I submit bureaucratic red tape, given the vast array of deadly pathogens ( I was only able to locate a few of them) could have possibly put the general public in mortal danger.

Fresno County Public Health

California Department of Toxic Substances

California Department of Public Health

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Timeline of Abatement orders to Prestige Lab from County of Fresno

April 21, 2023 Attempts to communicate with business owners in regards to facility located at 850 I Street, Reedley, CA 93654 since December 19, 2022 from City of Reedley and other public agencies to ascertain contents and items at the facility have been unsuccessful. City of Reedley building officials posted on March 3, 2023 an Unsafe to Occupy Notice in front of the building. Building has limited power source supplying refrigerators and freezers that are storing reagents, biological samples, appearance of containers used to culture virus(es), and multiple chemical containers. Items documented by City of Reedley officials. This order is issued as a result of multiple attempts to communicate with Universal MediTech Inc, Prestige Biotech Inc (“business owners”) currently leasing space located at 850 I Street, Reedley, CA 93654 to confirm hazardous materials, biological specimens, and operational practices to ensure hazardous waste and medical waste are appropriately being disposed of in compliance with Federal and State requirements. CDC has interest in the reagents being stored in the refrigerator/freezer that have been imported from outside of the United States which will require a federal permit which the business does not currently possess.

May 31^st 2023 Within seven (7) days, the Business identified above must produce a biological abatement and disposal plan for the transport of properly labeled and identified biological specimens consistent with Federal, State, and local regulations. This plan should include transporters with appropriate licensures and certifications as well as a demonstration of commitment from these vendors via a purchase order or binding commitment. All biological specimens in non-operating refrigerators, or specimens that are improperly labeled or unidentified shall be treated as medical waste and abated and disposed of as medical waste. Such transporters contact information must be provided for the Fresno County Department of Public Health to verify
By June 11th 2023, the business identified above must produce a biological abatement and disposal plan for the transport of properly labeled and identified biological specimens consistent with federal state and local regulations. This plan should include transporters and with appropriate licensures and certifications as well as a demonstration of commitment from these vendors via a purchase order or binding commitment period all biological specimens in non operating refrigerators are specimens that are improperly labeled for unidentified shall be treated as medical waste and abated and disposed as medical waste.

All of the biological agents were destroyed by July 7 following a legal abatement process by the agency.

This lab that was left to operate for 7 months before it was shut down. by reviewing the biosafety levels required by labs that test pathogenic diseases.

4 Biosafety Lab Levels

BSL1

Controlled access
Hand washing sink
Sharp hazards warning policy
Personal protective equipment
Laboratory bench
Autoclave

BSL2

Controlled access
Hand washing sink
Sharp hazards warning policy
Physical containment device
Personal protective equipment
Laboratory bench
Autoclave

BSL3 (with risk-based enhancements)

Biosafety Level 3 is applicable to clinical, diagnostic, teaching, research, or production facilities in which work is done with indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease as a result of exposure by inhalation. HIV can be either level 2 or 3 depending on concentration and quantity of virus

Air tight when disinfecting
Self-closing, double-door access
Controlled access
Personal shower out (risk-based enhancement)
Sharp hazards warning policy
Hand washing sink
Sealed penetrations
Physical containment device
Powered air purifying respirator (risk-based enhancement)
Laboratory bench
Autoclave
Exhaust HEPA filter (risk-based enhancement)
Effluent decontamination system (risk-based enhancement)

BSL4

Air tight
Self-closing, double-door access
Controlled access
Sharp hazards warning policy
Hand washing sink
Sealed penetrations
Physical containment device
Positive pressure protective suit
Laboratory bench
Autoclave
Chemical shower out
Personal shower out
Supply and exhaust HEPA filter
Effluent decontamination system

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

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- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

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Lifesaving Medications

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- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Lifesaving Medications

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- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Lifesaving Medications

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- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Lifesaving Medications

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- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Lifesaving Medications

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