Cera Helps Disaster Victims in Central America

Contributions needed to purchase and deliver life-saving supplies

Jessup, MD, November 20, 1998--CeraLyte, the rice-based oral electrolyte, was sent to help avert dehydration deaths caused by Cholera, which is now threatening victims of the recent hurricane in Central America. Cholera, one of the most deadly of the diarrheal diseases, kills its victims by causing rapid dehydration and death within hours. Without oral electrolyte therapy, often 50% of those stricken with cholera die. With oral electrolyte therapy, the death rate drops to less than 3%. The Company sent three thousand packets through a relief effort organized by Sacred Heart, Central Latino Americano of Eugene, Oregon, and Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.

Contributions are needed to purchase and deliver more oral electrolytes and other life-saving supplies, and can be made through a number of charities, including Child Health Foundation of Columbia, Maryland (301.596.4514), a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to "saving the greatest number of child lives at lowest possible cost."

CeraLyte, an all-natural rice and electrolyte blend, works quickly to restore fluids lost in diarrhea and vomiting, reducing fluid losses by 20 to 30% and providing better hematocrit levels (an indicator of hydration) over standard glucose-based oral rehydration (ORS). More rapid hydration becomes critical in situations like cholera where fluid losses are so fast and when individuals are in poor health or at risk for other diseases.

Cera Products, manufacturer of CeraLyte, and a 1997 Maryland Challenge Fund recipient, has a distributor present in Central America with supplies of CeraLyte, called Arrodex in Central America, ready to distribute. Arrodex is available in either ready-to-drink bottles or in packets, which are reconstituted with water. In some cases, the packets are preferable as they are easy to carry and to reconstitute into boiled clean water. Cera's distributor, Industrias Quimicas (also known as IQSA), is able to package nearly 1 million bottles or packets of CeraLyte/Arrodex weekly. Industrias Quimicas also has available IV sets and antibiotics.

Contact Mr. Manuel Machon R., Industrias Quimicas (IQSA), Boulevard Venezuela No. 2850, Colonia Roma, San Salvador, El Salvador, Centro America, Tel: 011-503-224-2077 or Fax 011-503-298-6600, or Cera Products at the telephone number below, for information or to order.

Note: Contributions to purchase more oral electrolyte packets for the relief efforts may be made to the Centro Latino Americana (telephone 541-687-2667), 944 West 5th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97402, or to Child Health Foundation (301-596-4514), at 10630 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 126, Columbia, Maryland 21044. Both organizations are 501(c)3 public charities, so tax deductions are allowable under IRS regulations.

For additional information, contact Cera Products at 1.888.CERALYTE or online at www.ceraproductsinc.com.

Cera Products Press Contact

Charlene Riikonen
410.309.1000 or charlene.riikonen@ceraproducts.us

Cera Products Inc.

Cera Products Inc. is a Maryland-based biotechnology company. Founded by Ms. Charlene Riikonen and Johns Hopkins University physicians Dr. William Greenough and Dr. David Sack, Cera develops, manufactures and distributes high-performance, proprietary rice-based oral rehydration solutions (ORS). The company's mission is to save lives, improve quality of life, and reduce health care costs associated with dehydration worldwide. For more information, visit the Cera Products website at www.ceraproductsinc.com.

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