issue 06 / volume 41 Be prepared for EVD68 » Enterovirus currently spreading throughout US, Canada Brittney MacDonald Staff Writer n outbreak of respiratory virus enterovirus species D serotype, also known as EVD68 or EV68, has recently begun spreading throughout North America. Numerous cases have been reported in the US, and several cases have been confirmed in Alberta, with at least two potential cases being monitored in BC. Characterized by its many symptoms, those infected can experience anything from feeling healthy to having trouble breathing to suffering paralysis. Because symptoms are so broad the virus is hard to diagnose, and can be mistaken for many other health issues. This includes similarities to the rhinovirus, or common cold, which is a relative of the enterovirus family. Because of its numerous tells, health experts suspect that EVD68 will continue its evolution and alter its rate of infection with each new cold season. Previous incarnations of the virus appeared in the Philippines between 2008 and 2009 and resulted in the death of two children. This strand of enterovirus has been gradually spreading throughout the world as of late, and is likely to make an appearance in Canada. EVD68 has a minimal fatality rate, and seems to only affect small groups as opposed to a | arias ! : widespread contagion. Experts fear this may change with the : sudden and rapid evolution : the virus has apparently taken since the beginning of this cold : Season. In March, an Asian : research team in the US : released an article on their : enterovirus findings: despite : EVD68’s contagious similarities : to the rhinovirus, EVD68’s : cells behave more like the flu, : attacking sialic acids which : are prevalent in the upper respiratory system. This can : lead to further complications : like pneumonia, if the virus : moves down into the lower : : lungs. This is a particular threat : : if the sufferer has a pre-existing : condition such as asthma or is : susceptible to pleurisy. In a smaller range of cases, EVD68 has proven to also have : the capacity of weakening : the immune systems to avoid : telltale flu-like symptoms such : as fever or painful aches. This : allows the virus to continue to : work and infect healthy cells until a sudden onslaught of : severe respiratory problems, or : : sudden paralysis takes place. : Should this occur, sufferers are urged to go to emergency care : even if the symptoms are only : momentary. While the virus can affect : many, it’s more likely to have : : harsher effects on children and : : teenagers, as their immune : systems are weaker than those : of adults. In an interview with : CBC, head of paediatrics at : Richmond Hospital Dr. Eric : Swartz stated, “For some reason it [EVD68] seems like it attacks : news // 5 some children with some more severity, were seeing : some more intensive care unit : submissions in the United : States.” Preventative measures are similar to those of any virus: : continual hand-washing and cleanliness are encouraged. As : with any virus, it is best to be diligent and well-informed, : especially if'you have a : weakened immune system : due to disease or medication, or a pre-existing respiratory condition. Starbucks announces fair trade offerings at universities across Canada » SFU inspired company to offer fair trade espresso at campuses nationwide Anthony Bianco The Peak Secs initiative to serve ethically sourced coffee has officially expanded. The company announced September 25 that, beginning in spring 2015, Starbucks Canada will serve fair trade certified espresso at all Canadian university and college locations. This decision coincides with the anniversary of the fair trade pilot program, which started at the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Burnaby Starbucks location last year. : announced that it will open : more locations on Canadian : university and college : campuses, and will also expand : : previously existing Starbucks. : : In the last two years, Starbucks : : Canada has increased its : growth and presence on : campuses by 50 per cent. The company also Starbucks says that it has : become increasingly aware over : the past few years of the need : for ethically sourced coffee : and has set a goal for all of its : coffee to be certified through : Coffee and Farmer Equity : (CAFE) Practices. As of 2013, : 95 per cent of Starbucks coffee : was ethically sourced and : had garnered the necessary : verifications and certifications. Rossann Williams, president of Starbucks Canada, said in the September 25 press : release, “We care about coffee farmers. We know many of : these people personally and : importantly, we know longterm : : success is linked with theirs.” She went on to say, “Ensuring that all Starbucks : coffee is ethically sourced is a : priority for us and we are proud : to offer students a fair trade : espresso.” After being named “Best Campus of the Year” by : Fairtrade Canada just last : month, SFU’s leadership in : utilizing ethically sourced : coffee has led other universities : : and colleges to become active : in serving fair trade coffee. : Seven other campuses have : joined SFUina movement to : : make ethically sourced coffee a : : standard. Roger Aube, director of : Licensed Stores for Starbucks : Canada, said in the same : : release, “We're excited to build : : on the incredible success of the : fair trade offering at our store Mark McLaughlin, SFU : director of ancillary services, : stated, “We are extremely : pleased by Starbucks’ : announcement to offer fair trade certified espresso in its : cafes on Canadian campuses. : Students come to our : institutions for an exceptional : education, and more and more we find that they also come : with hopes of changing the : world for the better.” Although Starbucks : will offer fair trade certified espresso at all its locations at Canadian universities and : colleges, the company will : at Simon Fraser University and : : take it country-wide.” not offer fair trade certified : espresso at off-campus : locations, and does not have : plans to start.