With a recent widespread flu epidemic spreading throughout the nation, there is now new way to fight the flu. UV Flu Technologies announced on Tuesday that it has developed a medical device to fight airborne infection, the ViraTech UV-400. The company has spent millions of dollars in developing the unit that was previously sold exclusively to hospitals and other medical facilities. The device was cleared by the FDA and the only pure UV-based device will now be offered to consumers, now with a Groupon offer.
"We felt Groupon was the perfect company to help with the consumer launch given their huge marketing and logistics capability", said the company in a statement. The ViraTech UV-400 differs from conventional air purifiers as it kills organic contaminants using germicidal ultraviolet light, while purifiers only trap the contaminants. It kills 99% of airborne bacteria as well as odors, smoke and toxic chemicals in rooms up to 800 square feet.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this year's flu season is hitting people earlier and stronger than any time in the past decade."Reports of Influenza-like-illness (ILI), are nearing what have been peak levels during moderately severe seasons. While influenza vaccination offers the best protection we have against influenza, it's still possible that some people may become ill despite being vaccinated," said Dr. Joe Bresee, Chief of Epidemiology and Prevention Branch in CDC's Influenza Division.
Young children, people sixty-five and older, pregnant women and those with underlying medical conditions are more susceptible to complications from the flu. The ideal way is to take preventative measures to remove or kill contaminated air before they breathe it in. Coughs and sneezes up to 6 feet away can spread flu viruses. Indoor air quality is essential and per day, the average person breathes in 3600 gallons of air.
"This serious outbreak may only be the beginning of a host of airborne diseases becoming major headlines over the next several years. Flu, Whooping Cough, TB, MRSA, Staph, and a host of other airborne transmitted diseases are coming back, many of which have grown resistant to treatments using antibiotics," said Jack Lennon, President of UV Flu Technologies.
