In brief: Crane being built to release ‘Bertha’
SEATTLE – The Dutch company Mammoet, whose name means mammoth, is assembling a huge custom crane over a pit being dug to reach the boring machine that got stuck while drilling a highway tunnel under downtown Seattle.
Sometime in the next few weeks, the crane will lift the 4 million-pound cutting head so it can be repaired and lowered back down the 120-foot pit, the Seattle Times reported Friday.
The contractor, Seattle Tunnel Partners, is digging the pit to rescue the machine called Bertha that stalled a year ago.
Seattle Tunnel Partners and the state Transportation Department need the repair project to work. They’re hoping the new 2-mile Highway 99 tunnel will be completed in late 2017 so the aging Alaskan Way Viaduct can be demolished.
Student infected with deadly illness
EUGENE – Public health officials said about 800 University of Oregon students and staff have been notified that a student has been diagnosed with a contagious and potentially life-threatening bacterial blood infection.
Lane County health officials in Eugene said the illness, called meningococcemia, can lead to meningitis. The affected student was hospitalized.
The Register-Guard reported that those contacted are believed to have been in contact with the sick student in classes and extracurricular activities since the school term started Jan. 5. They’ve been advised to seek treatment if they develop symptoms.
The bacteria reportedly can be transmitted through the air, although the disease is not considered to be as contagious as the common cold or the flu. The disease is treatable with a preventive antibiotic, which prevents the bacteria from spreading.
Listeria outbreak death originated from cheesemaker
YAKIMA – The Washington state Department of Health said an outbreak of listeria that has killed one person originated from a Yakima cheesemaker.
The Yakima Herald-Republic reported state health and agriculture officials are working with federal officials to contain the outbreak.
The products in question come from Queseria Bendita. The company has stopped producing cheese and is subject to a voluntary recall.
Health officials said as of Friday three listeria cases were reported – one each in King, Pierce and Yakima counties. One death was reported.
Officials said people who bought three Queseria Bendita brand cheeses – Queso Fresco, Panela, and Requeson – should throw away the product and not eat it.
In a statement, the company said the cheese was distributed to Hispanic stores in Oregon and Washington, and the firm sold products from its on-site store in Yakima.