BIOVITAE

The Latest EFSA-ECDC Report (The European Union summary report on antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food in 2022–2023) has been released and it does not provide very exciting news. --- The Report highlights the persistent concerns about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in both humans and animals. Among the Key findings there have been included:  ⚠️ High resistance rates in Salmonella and Campylobacter to commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides.  ⚠️ Growing resistance to ciprofloxacin, a critical fluoroquinolone, in food-producing animals and human infections.  ⚠️ E. coli resistance remains widespread in livestock, though low resistance levels in Salmonella in laying hens offer some positive news.  ⚠️ Carbapenem-resistant E. coli in food and animals, though rare, is an alarming sign requiring further surveillance. To cite Carlos Das Neves, EFSA Chief Scientist and Piotr Kramarz, ECDC Chief Scientist: ‘A comprehensive One-Health approach is essential to tackling AMR. Robust surveillance systems, prudent antimicrobial use, and cross-sector collaboration are critical to mitigate the risk posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can spread between animals and humans.’  ✅ However, there are also some encouraging progress: Several EU countries report a decline in Campylobacter resistance to macrolides and reduced resistance in Salmonella Typhimurium in humans.  💡 What we can understand from this: AMR threatens both human and animal health, making infections harder to treat.  A coordinated One-Health approach is critical—and this means:  ✔️Prudent antibiotic use in both human medicine and agriculture  ✔️ Improved infection prevention & control strategies ✔️ Investing in research for alternative treatments  ✔️ Stronger surveillance & policies to mitigate the spread Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eUn9QgUD  #AMR #AntibioticResistance #OneHealth #InfectionPrevention #Biovitae #EFSA #ECDC #FoodSafety #PublicHealth

IS YOUR STORE AS CLEAN AS IT LOOKS? Retail spaces host thousands of bacteria, with high-touch surfaces becoming hotspots for harmful pathogens like MRSA, norovirus, and rotavirus—some of which can survive on clothing for 48 hours! 🚨 High-risk areas include:  ✅ Fitting rooms – Handles, curtains & floors can transfer germs.  ✅ Checkout counters & payment terminals – Constant hand contact increases contamination risks.  ✅ Shared surfaces – Railings, door handles, shelves & touchscreens are germ breeding grounds. 🧼 Traditional cleaning isn’t enough—germs can return between disinfection cycles.  💡 Biovitae changes the game with its continuous and passive sanitization: ✔️ 24/7 pathogen reduction—works continuously.  ✔️ Safe for people & the environment—no harmful chemicals, no UV. ✔️ Enhances customer confidence—a cleaner store means a better shopping experience.  🛒 Retail hygiene is now a competitive advantage.  #RetailSafety #Biovitae #Sanitization #HygieneInnovation #Antimicrobial #CustomerExperience #Retail

In the US there is a new bird flu virus (The H5N1) that is spreading at an alarming rate, crossing species from birds to mammals, dairy cattle, and even domestic pets. With nearly 70 human infections in the U.S. since April 2024—one of them fatal—global health experts are sounding the alarm: we must act now to close critical gaps in pandemic preparedness. 🔬 Some numbers and facts:  📌 H5N1 has affected 165+ million poultry birds and been detected in 970+ cattle herds across 17 U.S. states.  📌 The virus has now been found in seals, mice, goats, and pets, raising concerns about further mutations.  📌 Scientists warn that continued viral evolution could lead to more severe human infections. 🌍 What Needs to Happen NOW to fight this crisis?  ✅ Develop scalable pandemic flu vaccines & treatments with a global access framework.  ✅ Launch public awareness campaigns to combat misinformation and hesitancy.  ✅ Strengthen and stress-test pandemic response plans for rapid deployment. One thing is becoming clearer every day: infection prevention is our first line of defense. Reducing exposure to pathogens in indoor spaces—through continuous and effective disinfection strategies—is crucial in stopping the spread before it reaches a crisis point. #H5N1 #PandemicPreparedness #InfectionPrevention #Biovitae #PublicHealth #OneHealth #DiseaseControl Source: https://lnkd.in/e62e7mfh

Flies are found to be vectors of Antimicrobial Resistance in Hospitals 🦠🪰 When we think about hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), we often focus on surface contamination, inadequate hand hygiene, or antibiotic misuse. 🤚 But what if a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in healthcare settings was as small as a common fly? A recent study in Nigeria found that flies (A total of 1,396 flies) collected from eight hospital sites carried dangerous multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, including: 🔹 blaNDM (8% of flies) – a gene linked to resistance against last-resort antibiotics  🔹 mecA (6.4% of flies) – commonly associated with MRSA and other drug-resistant Staphylococci  🔹ESBL genes (40% of flies) – increasing resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics These findings highlight an urgent need for enhanced infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where resource limitations and high fly populations create perfect conditions for bacterial spread. 💡 So, what can be done? Beyond traditional IPC strategies, we must explore innovative, non-chemical approaches to reduce microbial contamination in hospitals. Technologies like BIOVITAE , with its UV-free microbicidal action, could play a critical role in reducing bacterial load in healthcare environments—without creating resistance. What do you think? Are flies an overlooked vector of AMR in hospitals? How can we better integrate environmental hygiene into infection control strategies? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇  #AMR #HospitalInfections #InfectionPrevention #Biovitae #PublicHealth Source:Flies as carriers of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria in Nigerian hospitals: A workflow for surveillance of AMR bacteria carried by arthropod pests in hospital settings, Environment International, https://lnkd.in/drkwqjYM.

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE BACTERIA IN GLACIERS AND ALPINE LAKES, IT’S AN ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS 🏔️ Antibiotic resistance (AR) is a growing challenge for global health, but did you know it’s also becoming a pressing issue in remote environments like glaciers and alpine lakes? Nowadays, it is well-known that these environments harbor a variety of life which includes bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi that have adapted to cold and nutrient-depleted environments. Moreover, these cold habitats can contain significant numbers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 🦠 A recent research uncovers how human activity is driving the spread of AR even in these seemingly untouched habitats. The research analyzed samples from glacial snow and ice, seasonal snow in areas with different levels of human impact, river systems (from melting waters to larger rivers), and different types of lakes (high altitude to swimming lakes). 💡 Key findings of the study:  🦠 29.8% increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria in areas with high human activity compared to remote regions. 🏔️ Glaciers, snowfields, and alpine lakes—once thought pristine—are now reservoirs of multidrug-resistant bacteria, influenced by factors like #tourism, animal #migration, and plastic #pollution. ⚠️ Antibiotic Resistance can spread via atmospheric processes, melting glaciers, and interconnected ecosystems, potentially bringing resistant bacteria closer to urbanized areas. Over 50% of bacteria isolated from the samples were multidrug-resistant, even to last-resort antibiotics like linezolid. Why it matters: AR isn’t just a clinical problem—it’s an environmental crisis. With #climatechange accelerating glacier melting, resistant bacteria could find new pathways to spread, threatening ecosystems and human health alike. Source: Daniel Gattinger, Valentin Schlenz, Tobias Weil, Birgit Sattler, From remote to urbanized: Dispersal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria under the aspect of anthropogenic influence, Science of The Total Environment, https://lnkd.in/dpMrQbA2.

Great First Day at the 9th AMR Conference! 🌟 Biovitae is proud to be part of the 9th AMR Conference – Novel Antimicrobials & AMR Diagnostics in Basel, together with Innovate UK! 💡🚀 Day 1 has been an incredible opportunity to connect with global experts, policymakers, and industry leaders dedicated to tackling antimicrobial resistance. Engaging discussions on innovation, policy, and the future of AMR solutions reinforced the urgent need for collaborative action across sectors. Looking forward to another insightful day tomorrow! Come visit us at Booth 6 to discuss how visible light technology can be a game-changer in the fight against AMR. #AMRConference #Innovation #OneHealth #Biovitae #AntimicrobialResistance #PublicHealth

Safe Dining Experience: Continuous Sanitization is best solution. 👩🏼🍳When it comes to dining out, our health and safety should be a top priority.  Traditional cleaning procedures are a fundamental part of restaurant operations. However, they may not be enough to fully sanitize the environment.  🦠Bacteria and germs can lurk in unexpected places and remain viable on surfaces for extended periods. All the environments where food is cooked, washed or consumed are the places where germs and bacteria hazardous to health frequently proliferate.   And being often crowded with customers and frequented by many different people every day, these environments could also be a very fertile area for infection transmission. That's where #continuoussanitization steps in as a game-changer! 🔬💡 Continuous sanitization means real protection as it works when the risk is higher: when people are inside an evironment. It ensures that any restaurant remains a safe space for both customers and staff, minimizing the risk of infections.  🍽️In restaurants and canteens, Biovitae is effective in  ensuring a continuous and passive sanitisation that acts both on surfaces ( tables, kitchen and also on chairs) and on air. Biovitae LED no-UV technology is the only LED no-UV able to guarantee the continuous sanitisation of all indoor environments through visible light.  ✅ Biovitae does not ruin materials: Biovitae's technology is safe for all surfaces and materials.  ✅ Biovitae is Eco-Friendly: Biovitae LED no-UV sanitising technology is environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. By incorporating Biovitae's continuous sanitization system in restaurants, you're not only investing in the safety of your customers and staff but also enhancing your reputation as a responsible establishment. 🌟 💡 If you want to know more about bacteria, AMR and infection prevention, make sure to follow BIOVITAE  #Biovitae #ContinuousSanitization 

Which factor do you think has the greatest impact on productivity in an indoor environment? 🤔🏢 A recent study confirms that indoor temperature and lighting significantly affect office workers' performance, #health, and #wellbeing. The research found that:  🔹 Temperature has the most influence, contributing 38.56% to performance. Workers performed best at 21°C.  🔹 Illumination also plays a key role, with 1000 lux improving productivity and well-being.  🔹 Natural light enhances mood, focus, and sleep quality, reducing stress and fatigue. But there are two more critical factors: #airquality and #infection prevention. Offices are full of people, making them a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. A cleaner, safer environment is just as crucial for maintaining high productivity. With Biovitae’s microbicidal technology (without UV), workplaces can reduce microbial risks while ensuring a healthier atmosphere. Have you ever experienced a direct impact of these factors on your productivity? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇 #Productivity #WorkplaceWellbeing #HealthyWorkspaces #Biovitae #Innovation Source: Komalanthan, Vimalanathan (2014)The effect of indoor office environment on the work performance, health and well-being of office workers. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering. 12. 113. 10.1186/s40201-014-0113-7.

VISIBLE LIGHT IS NOW AN OFFICIAL INDOOR SANITIZATION TECHNOLOGY 💡 🎉 A significant milestone has been reached in the safety of #indoor spaces: the combination of wavelengths between 400 and 420 nm (Soret’s Band) has been officially recognized as a sanitization tool for indoor environments under the new reference practice published by the Italian National Standardization Body (#UNI). This marks a crucial evolution in microbial hygiene management within enclosed spaces. 📌 The publication of UNI/PdR 173:2025 represents a paradigm shift: for the first time, visible light is officially recognized alongside traditional chemical and physical sanitation systems. This means that visible light-based solutions like BIOVITAE can now be adopted under clear, standardized regulations, facilitating their wider implementation and greater impact on #microbiological safety in indoor environments. Read more in our latest news ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dw8hE37R

🌍 What if ancient #bacteria were unleashed from the Arctic? 🦠  The permafrost—Earth’s natural deep freezer—has trapped bacteria and viruses for thousands of years. 🔥 But with #climatechange accelerating, the Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet. This means that #pathogens once thought to be extinct could resurface. This threat was highlighted in Navigating New Horizons, a report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the International Scientific Council that explores emerging challenges to the health of the planet and human well-being. In 2016, an unusually hot summer in Siberia thawed a long-frozen anthrax outbreak, leading to the deaths of 2,500 reindeer and infecting dozens of people. Scientists warn that this could be just the beginning. 🧊 With the Arctic becoming more accessible due to melting ice and expanding human activity, we are entering uncharted territory—not only for climate change but also for #globalhealth risks. The potential release of unknown #microbes is a serious concern, especially as antimicrobial resistance (#AMR) continues to rise. If these ancient pathogens prove resistant to modern treatments, we could face new infectious threats with no existing cures. 🚨 Prevention is the key. Fighting climate change and investing in research on emerging pathogens must be a priority. But we must also rethink how we prevent infections today, because the next health crisis may not come from a new virus—but from an old one returning. 💬 What are your thoughts? Are we prepared for the hidden threats beneath the ice?