Protecting Building Occupants from Ringworm and Other Pathogens in Puerto Rico
Zimmetry Environmental provides infection control and indoor environmental quality testing, consulting and training services to identify and mitigate exposure risks to a wide range of contaminants in the built environment.
While there are dozens of different species of fungi that can cause ringworm, the three genera include Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton.
Ringworm is a skin infection that is actually caused by a fungus. It’s called “ringworm” because it can create a circular rash that is usually red and itchy. The infection goes by many names, the medical terms are “tinea” or “dermatophytosis.”
The name given to the unique group of fungi that can infect keratinized tissue, such as skin, hair and nails, is dermatophytes. While there are dozens of different species of fungi that can cause ringworm, the three genera include Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that anyone can get ringworm and the fungi that cause this infection can live on skin, surfaces and on items. Outbreaks of ringworm can occur in crowded places, such as schools and daycare centers.
Symptoms of ringworm typically appear between 4 and 14 days after the skin comes in contact with the fungi that cause it. The three main ways ringworm spreads listed by CDC include:
- From a person who has ringworm
- From an animal that has ringworm
- From the environment
“Just last summer, CDC announced that several drug-resistant ringworm infections were detected in New York City,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “This was the first time that cases of the treatment-resistant skin infections were reported in the United States. It’s likely just a matter of time before these types of cases begin to appear in Puerto Rico and elsewhere.”
Fortunately, there are ways to test surfaces and other environmental samples for fungi, bacteria and even viruses that can cause different infections and outbreaks. This form of testing can also be used proactively to assess the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection procedures as part of infection control efforts.
In Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean, Zimmetry Environmental proudly supports infection control programs with buildings assessments, testing, monitoring, consulting and training services to identify and mitigate exposure to a wide range of pathogens. Zimmetry has even sponsored an educational video about ringworm exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/vmu5ARreBDA
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their infection control, indoor environmental quality, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
( Press Release Image: https://photos.webwire.com/prmedia/12710/317796/317796-1.png )
WebWireID317796
Infection Control- Contact Information
- Paul Cochrane
- President
- Cochrane & Associates, LLC
- Contact via E-mail
This news content may be integrated into any legitimate news gathering and publishing effort. Linking is permitted.
News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.