Top in ID: N95 masks, COVID-19 saliva test, Ebola in DRC

According to a recent study, N95 decontamination methods that use high concentrations of gas plasma hydrogen peroxide can damage the masks. It was the top story in infectious disease last week.

Another top story was about the FDA’s emergency use authorization for a saliva-based COVID-19 diagnostic test.

Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:

Decontamination methods can damage N95 masks

Some decontamination methods — specifically, methods using high concentrations of gas plasma hydrogen peroxide — can substantially damage N95 masks after only one process, according to study data published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. Read more.

FDA authorizes use of COVID-19 saliva test funded by NBA

The FDA issued an emergency use authorization to the Yale School of Public Health for the SalivaDirect test, making the test available to any laboratory that wants to use it. Read more.

Ebola cases in DRC hit 100, a twofold increase

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has seen a twofold increase in Ebola cases in the last 5 weeks, bringing the total count to 100 in less than 100 days, according to WHO. Read more.

Salmonella outbreak spreads to 47 states, involves more than 800 cases

An outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections linked to red onions has spread to 47 states and involves 869 reported cases, according to the CDC. Read more.

Study shows drawbacks of deep-throat saliva for COVID-19 testing

Deep-throat saliva, although advantageous for COVID-19 testing because it is self-collected, is suboptimal in sensitivity compared with sputum and pooled nasopharyngeal and throat swabs, according to study data. Read more.