Latest news with #EuropeanCentreforDiseasePreventionandControl
The Star
a day ago
- Health
- The Star
Turning to nature to fight dengue
Using Wolbachia bacteria most effective method to tackle virus, says expert PETALING JAYA: A nature-based method of controlling the spread of the dengue virus has shown to be the most effective strategy in curbing dengue fever, says an expert as the scourge surges worldwide and medical authorities bank on new vaccines and drug treatments. World Mosquito Programme CEO Scott O'Neill said there is strong evidence in trials conducted in Indonesia showing the Wolbachia method has been the most cost-effective and sustainable way at tackling the virus by preventing its spread in the first place. 'High-quality clinical trials have shown that it can be highly effective, with a large trial in Indonesia showing a 77% reduction in cases and an 86% reduction in hospitalisations once deployed,' O'Neill told The Star in an interview. According to the World Mosquito Programme's website, the method involves releasing mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacteria into the local mosquito population. The bacteria blocks viruses such as dengue, chikungunya and zika from growing in the bodies of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, thus reducing the insects' ability to transmit these viruses to humans. 'When Wolbachia is established in a mosquito population it results in a decreasing incidence of dengue, zika and chikungunya,' the website said, adding that the bacteria is safe for humans and the environment. Malaysia has also adopted this strategy by setting up 34 sites to release Wolbachia mosquitoes in Selangor, Johor, Penang, Kelantan, Melaka, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Last year marked one of the deadliest on record for dengue, with over 14 million cases and more than 10,000 dengue-related deaths worldwide, as reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. In Malaysia, the Health Ministry reported 122,423 dengue cases and 117 deaths in 2024, a slight decrease from 123,133 cases and 100 deaths in 2023. Alarmingly, from Jan 1 to June 19 this year, there have been 29,717 cases recorded, with Selangor accounting for nearly half of these with 12,749, based on the ministry's iDengue site. This is followed by Kuala Lumpur with 3,972, Johor (3,265), Sabah (2,081), Negri Sembilan (1,946), Kedah (1,218) and Perak (1,072). At present, there are 280 active outbreak localities and 16 deaths have been recorded as of June 15. O'Neill is doubtful that the rollout of new dengue vaccines could be the silver bullet against the disease. 'The first vaccine had worrying safety signals when administered on those who did not have dengue before, while the second has only been evaluated in two of the four dengue serotypes. 'Both of these vaccines require multiple carefully spaced shots to be effective. Given the efficacy of current vaccines and the challenges of administering them in a public health programme, they are unlikely to represent a solution for diseases like dengue by themselves. 'They will be a useful tool, though, to contribute to dengue control together with other approaches,' he said. Last year, Malaysia's Drug Control Authority approved the first dengue vaccine for use in the country named Qdenga. The vaccine is said to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes. It is particularly effective against the serotype-2 virus (DENV-2), which is currently the dominant viral strain in Malaysia. O'Neill also does not see repurposing drugs to treat dengue as a promising strategy. 'While a lot of work has been done on the possible use of antiviral drugs to treat dengue, the problem is that most patients seek care too late after the disease has progressed for the drugs to be effective,' he said. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad recently revealed that repurposing drugs to treat dengue is one of Malaysia's latest approaches to fight the disease.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Urgent warning over alarming spike in virus that ‘can cause serious illness and death' in 4 European holiday hotspots
The potentially lethal virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly STOP THE SPREAD Urgent warning over alarming spike in virus that 'can cause serious illness and death' in 4 European holiday hotspots FOUR Brit-favourite holiday hotspots have seen spikes in fatal and fast-spreading 'dirty hands disease'. Hundreds have fallen ill, and some have died, as hepatitis A sweeps through parts of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia this year. 5 Hep A can cause jaundice, making the skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow Credit: Alamy 5 The virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly Credit: Getty 5 In the Czech Republic, 600 cases of hep A have been confirmed in 2025, including six deaths Credit: Getty The potentially deadly virus is spread via the poo of infected people, which is why Czech health chiefs nicknamed it 'dirty hands disease' in a statement last month. The virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly. This means it can't clear a substance called bilirubin from the body. When bilirubin builds up, it causes jaundice, making the skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow. It can also lead to dark urine and cause itchy skin. But in some cases, people show no symptoms at all - making it even easier for the virus to spread unnoticed among crowds. According to a risk assessment published yesterday by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), four countries have reported a total of 2,097 cases of Hepatitis A (also called Hep A) so far in 2025. Slovakia, which has been experiencing an ongoing outbreak since late 2022, has reported 880 cases reported in 2025 alone. This year, Austria has recorded 87 confirmed cases, including three deaths, already exceeding its 2024 total. In Czechia, 600 cases have been confirmed in 2025, including six deaths, with young children being the most affected group. Hungary has reported 530 cases this year, mainly among adults. Germany, while not officially affected, has detected three cases genetically linked to outbreaks in Hungary and Austria, suggesting the outbreak might be gaining traction in Western Europe. The increase in hepatitis A cases is mainly hitting unvaccinated adults who are homeless, use or inject drugs, or live in poor sanitary conditions without much access to healthcare. There have also been cases reported in Roma communities in Czechia and Slovakia. Czech have previously officials urged anyone planning to visit the country to check their vaccine records and get jabbed before travelling. "In the current epidemiological situation, we recommend getting vaccinated before the start of holidays and vacations," Dr Barbora Macková, chief hygienist and director of the SZÚ said in a statement. Hep A vaccines are not routinely given out in the UK due to the low risk of getting the infection. 5 Austria has recorded 87 confirmed cases, including three deaths Credit: Getty 5 Slovakia has been experiencing an ongoing outbreak since late 2022 Credit: Getty But the NHS does advise the jab for travellers heading to places where the virus is more common. These include parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America. You should also get vaccinated if you've recently been close to someone with hepatitis A. If you have long-term liver disease or a blood clotting disorder like haemophilia, you should get the jab. Men who have sex with men and people with jobs that expose them to the virus, like healthcare or sewage workers, should also be vaccinated. Speak to your GP if you think you need a hepatitis A vaccine.
Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The 5 holiday hotspots where medieval children's virus is resurging – amid warning to Brits heading abroad
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MEDIEVAL virus that can cause deadly side effects in some children is surging through holiday hotspots, health officials have warned. Almost 1,000 measles cases were reported across 29 European countries in April alone, warned the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). 2 Health authorities have warned Brits about measles cases in European holiday spots Credit: Getty Cases were highest in destinations popular with UK travellers, such as France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Romania. It comes after British health authorities sounded the alarm over a potential surge of measles in England, warning families may bring back the contagious disease after travel abroad this summer. They urged families to make sure their kids are up to date with their vaccines before going on holiday - taking special care they've received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab. A dip in childhood vaccinations - including the jab that protects against measles - in England leaves more children at risk of disease, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) explained. "Measles is an acute, highly contagious viral disease capable of causing epidemics," the ECDC wrote in its report. "It is a serious disease that can lead to complications and even death." The infection starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash and white spots in the mouth a few days later. In some cases, the virus can lead to life-threatening complications, like brain inflammation and pneumonia. The best way to protect yourself from getting ill is getting the MMR vaccine. But if you haven't received the jab, it's almost 100 per cent likely you'll get infected if you come in contact with someone with measles, according to the ECDC. Powerful new video urges all parents to protect their children from surge of deadly Victorian disease as millions 'at risk' In April 2025, 975 measles cases were reported by 18 EU countries, the ECDC said. "The highest case counts were reported by Romania (402), France (186), Netherlands (111), Belgium (100) and Spain (52)," it wrote. The health watchdog noted that case numbers for April were lower than those reported in March - but it said a number of measles outbreaks have been reported in the region in the past year. Countries such as Italy have also seen high case numbers - with 85 reported in March and 36 in April. Between May 2024 and April 2025, 30 European countries reported a total of 22,481 cases of measles. Almost half (44 per cent) occurred in children under the age of five, while 29 per cent occurred in people aged 15 and over. "The highest notification rates were observed in infants under one year of age and children aged one to four years," the ECDC wrote. Health authorities were given information about people's vaccination status for 20,669 cases of the cases reported in the last 12 months. Eighty-five per cent of them occurred in unvaccinated patients and another 9 per cent occurred in people with just one dose of the MMR jab. Among the 7,194 cases reported in children aged one to four, 84 per cent were unvaccinated and 10 per cent had one dose of a measles-containing vaccine. The main symptoms of measles MEASLES is highly contagious and can cause serious problems in some people. The infection usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. The first signs include: A high temperature A runny or blocked nose Sneezing A cough Red, sore, watery eyes Small white spots may then appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips. A rash tends to come next. This usually starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body. The spots are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They are not normally itchy. The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on darker skin. Complications are rare, but measles can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, seizures, and sometimes death. Source: NHS The first MMR vaccine is offered to infants when they turn one year old and the second dose to pre-school children when they are around three years and four months old. "Infants under one year are particularly vulnerable to measles and its complications," the ECDC wrote. "They are best protected by a high level of herd immunity." Fourteen deaths as a result of measles were reported to ECDC during the 12-month period - twelve of these in Romania and two in France. There were 127,350 cases of measles in Europe last year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). This was double the amount reported in 2023 and the highest number since 1997. And UKHSA said that so far this year, outbreaks have been documented in France, Italy, Spain and Germany. The health watchdog said it was "concerned that more outbreaks may occur again on a larger scale this summer as families with unvaccinated children and adults travel to countries where there are outbreaks". "Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among those who are unvaccinated," it stressed. Since the start of the year, there have been 420 confirmed infections in England, 109 of these in April and 86 in May - though UKHSA said the figures for last month are likely to be an underestimate. Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, issued a warning to Brits for the summer: "It's essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with 2 MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family. "Measles cases are picking up again in England and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Health Matters newsletter: Explore bacteria's many faces
On good and bad bacteria, the links between climate change and disease, brain health, the evolving Covid-19 situation, and more This week, we go after the ubiquitous microscopic, unicellular living organisms that were among the first life forms to appear on earth - bacteria. We go after them, only in a manner of speaking, because some bacteria have gone after the human race, from time immemorial, inflicting harm, causing disease, death or disability, even as others have silently been termed 'good bacteria'. The world has begun to discover the huge impact that gut microbiota has on different aspects of human health, and new discoveries are revealed regularly with a mixture of awe and joy about peeling away the layers of an organism that is part hero, part villain. There is no doubt that the surge of bacterial infections in Europe and the United States is worrying. This past week, Europe suffers its largest diphtheria outbreak in 70 years. Diphtheria is caused by a toxin-producing bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae. In 2022, there was an unusual surge in Corynebacterium diphtheriae in several European countries, particularly among recently arrived migrants, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. That year 362 cases were recorded by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Patient samples from 10 countries showed that 98 percent of the cases were in males with an average age of 18. Almost all had recently migrated. There is no doubt that changing global dynamics will have an impact on the cesspool of pathogens and how they behave as well. This calls for a re-orientation to the way we have been looking at things, from a global health perspective. More not-so-good news on this front from America. Salmonella outbreak tied to eggs sickens dozens across 7 states in US. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhoea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration and stomach cramps. Most people who get sick recover within a week. Infections can be severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, who may require hospitalisation. According to the CDC, this particular outbreak was caused by contaminated eggs. Salmonella disease is from a bacteria often found in contaminated foods. Manaswini Vijayakumar wrote about Nanoplastics, and how they can make E. coli infections worse, as per a study. is a group of bacteria that live in your gut, and again, going by the bacteria rule, some strains cause disease - bloody diarrhoea, eroding the lining of the intestine. Again, it comes from eating contaminated food, and unlike other food-borne infections, even ingesting a small portion will lead to disease. In the study, researchers have proved that the presence of nanoplastics actually aggravate infections. E. coli bacteria have a negative charge on their outer membranes. This can attract positively charged nanoplastics and increase the stress on the bacterium, making it produce more toxins, leading to disease. No doubt this is worrisome, given that research has established that micro- and nano-plastics are all pervasive, even in our bloodstream, tissues, and in newborns as well. Their build-up has many toxic effects, including damage to cells and the genetic material inside. In fact the theme of this year's Environment Day (June 5) was controlling plastic pollution. Now, on to the flip side, the good face of the bacteria. Researchers found thermophile bacteria in the Rajgir hot spring lake in Nalanda district of Bihar, one group in the Actinobacteria group, that are known producers of antimicrobial compounds. (Well-known drugs like streptomycin and tetracycline were first discovered as the products of Actinobacteria.) Mohit Nikalje reports on this development. Discovering antibiotic-producing bacteria has become more pressing in the era of antimicrobial resistance. We can't miss pointing to Gayatri Saberwal's article, Using bacteriophages to combat antimicrobial resistance to bring up the tail here. Bacteriophages are 'good viruses' that naturally prey on bacteria. They are all around us, in the water, in the soil, in our gut, on our skin, etc. There are believed to be 10 times as many phages as bacteria on the earth. Phages were beginning to be used against bacterial infections about a century ago, but antibiotics superseded them once they were discovered. Unlike an antibiotic, which may be able to kill many species of bacteria, phages may only kill a few strains of a particular bacterium. Turning our attention to climate change, which hogs the limelight more than ever, in health columns these days. One of the key learnings this week was Dr. Kalpana Balakrishnan's piece explaining how Exposomics facilitates better environmental health published for World Environment Day. The exposome is defined as the measure of all the exposures of an individual in a lifetime and how those exposures relate to health. Traditional environmental health studies include hypothesis-driven methods which have focused on one or a class of environmental exposures at a few time points. These fail to account for the complex interactions of exposures across the lifespan, on human health. Exposomics aims to bridge this gap by understanding how external exposures from physical, chemical, biological and psycho-social environments interact with diet and lifestyle and internal individual characteristics such as genetics, physiology, and epigenetics to create health or disease. In this story, Zubeda Hamid discusses whether air pollution could be a factor for increasing number of cancer cases in India, while this article discusses how Wildfire smoke exposure may shorten lung cancer survival. For those who have not even thought of this, apparently climate change related events might cause a resurgence of leprosy in pockets of the country. Aditya Ansh explains, here. Just a note to sign this segment off: In Delhi, the temperature shoots to 49°C; and an orange alert is issued amid a heatwave. Every year, June 8 is observed as Brain Tumour day, in order to summon attention to the most vital organ of the body: the brain. This week, we had a bunch of articles focussing on the brain and the mind. Dr. Boopesh Pugazhendi wrote that Brain tumours are on the rise in India: and further discussed what the future holds in terms of treatment. Enhanced diagnostic and treatment options have made things better for patients, he argues. Dr. Anurag Saxena wrote on the story of a 12-year-old boy battling multiple seizures, and how it was resolved for him. Athira Elssa Johnson argued that Not all cognitive decline is dementia and not all dementia is Alzheimer's stress clinicians this brain awareness month (June), while here is everything you need to know about Alzheimer's disease. Chapal Mehra and Vashita Madan examined the impact of everyday hustle on mental health of the youth, what with advocates for long hours of work grabbing headlines, from time to time. Siddharth Singhal in Bridging health cover, mental healthcare in India turned the attention to the situation following the passing of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and a subsequent IRDAI directive, when mental health is now covered at par with physical illnesses across health insurance plans in India. Hit the link for more information, in case you want to insure yourself. Dr. Jaideep Mahendra, in a fascinating story, decoded the link between neuropsychiatric disorders and periodontal health. Have you wondered, ever, if When you want to move, does your brain know before you've decided? Then, this article by Reeteka Sud might have a few answers. Hysell V. Oviedo in The Conversation describes how your left and right brain hear language differently. As a follow up to the evolving COVID-19 situation in the country, we had a number of articles this week, including explainers: Bindu Shajan Perappadan reported that the Centre asked States to ensure supply of medical oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators Most cases mild, say officials as COVID-19 tally reaches 6,132 What is the COVID-19 situation in India? As COVID-19 cases register an uptick in India, a look at the vaccine stock position In the In Focus podcast, What do you need to know about the Covid-19 spike in India? An increasing awareness of the importance of diets and food standards is thankfully gaining ground, and naturally, reflects in the content we provide as well. Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan tells you what is the ideal level of Potassium on your plate; Here, we have a story on Experts urging the Centre to implement mandatory warning labels on packaged foods, while Pawan Agarwal focuses on Maintaining India's progress in food safety standards. As part of The Hindu-Naruvi Hospitals partnership, a webinar was held on how Diet is both cause and cure for MASLD, a liver condition. I wrote last week about a worrisome move by the government to wind down the National Polio Surveillance Network centres in India in phases. Experts have stressed that the work is not done yet in polio eradication, given our neighbours still harbour polio cases, and the timing of the tail off exercise could not have come at a worse time. They've called for a reassessment of this plan, which they say might be disastrous in case wild virus strains or vaccine-derived polio strains find their way into the country. We are recording some key advances in the health sector last week, which show promise for patients. For instance, reports projected a new treatment nearly halves the risk of disease progression or death from a less common form of breast cancer that hasn't seen major drug advances in over a decade. In other news, IISc researchers developed a novel nanozyme which prevents excess clotting, while N. Ravi Kumar reported that Dr. Reddy's and Alvotech will co-develop, market biosimilar of Merck's cancer drug Keytruda. In our tailpiece column for the week, we chose Dr. K. Ganapathy's important piece demystifying what a good death is. As doctors get wrapped up in the immediacy of their cases and the emergencies of their patients, even the routine quotidian of treatments and diagnosis, it's important to consider what a good death means, and when to let go. As important as it is to live a good life, it is important to have a good death, he argues. In our explainers section, we have for you: Meenakshy S. on How six years of gender clinics in Tamil Nadu have improved access to healthcare for transpersons Dr. Srinivasan Vijay and Dr. Sathish M.S. explain the science of onco-physiotherapy – the need to embed exercise into cancer care Dr. Venkat P. and Dr. Priya Kapoor take you through the latest advances: How robotic surgeries are offering safer, quicker, more precise care for gynaecological cancers Stress and strokes: the twain do meet Also read: Serena Josephine M. on the changing gender scenario in gynaecology and orthopaedics: Challenging gender norms, one specialty at a time R. Prasad writes that Chewing tobacco increases oral cancer risk by over 19 times in elderly people In Chennai, this government healthcare institution has been serving pregnant women for 145 years Science Quiz | On allergies --- For many more health stories, head to our health page and subscribe to the health newsletter here.
Euronews
09-06-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Salmonella outbreak linked to cashew butter sickens at least 65 people
A salmonella outbreak linked to cashew butter has sickened dozens of young children in Germany and Austria, health officials have warned. The illnesses are linked to Salmonella Infantis, a form of the bacteria typically associated with contaminated chicken. Since Germany detected the outbreak in late May, it has reported 52 salmonella cases among children under the age of 5, including 24 hospitalisations. Another 13 cases have been confirmed in Austria, mostly among young children, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Health authorities interviewed about two dozen parents, allowing them to identify the culprit behind the outbreak: a ready-to-eat cashew butter that the ECDC said has now been recalled. According to Germany's food safety notice, the recalled mousse is a raspberry-flavoured cashew butter sold in supermarkets throughout the country. 'Consumption of food contaminated with salmonella can lead to diarrhoea, headaches, abdominal pain, malaise, vomiting, and a mild fever,' the notice said. 'Infants, young children, and the elderly or those with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk and may develop more severe illnesses'. Beyond Austria and Germany, the cashew butter was sold in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, and Slovenia – but as of June 4, none of these countries had reported any salmonella cases linked to the food, according to the ECDC. But that could change, the agency said. 'Given the [mousse's] long shelf-life, there might still be a possibility for the food products to be present in consumers' homes,' the ECDC said, meaning additional illnesses could be reported in the coming weeks. The ECDC is monitoring the incident and has asked countries to share any available data on the outbreak-linked salmonella samples for further analysis. It is not the only salmonella risk in the European Union recently. In March, the agencyissued a warning about 'widespread' outbreaks tied to alfalfa seeds from Italy. Belgium counts 400 breweries and produces more than 1,600 types of beers, and yet its beer consumption continues to decline. According to an annual report by the Belgian Brewers association, the country's beer consumption fell by 2.1% in 2024, although the declinde was not as steep as the 6% decrease in 2023. The drop is part of an ongoing downward trend, with consumption in the country falling by almost 20% in the last 10 years. The association cites "persistent pressure on purchasing power, reduced competitiveness, high costs and an unstable geopolitical context," as the reason for the decreased consumption. They also noted a change in drinking habits, and growing health concerns. "Belgians are drinking less alcohol overall, and so, less beer." But it is not just Belgium, European brewers have been grappling with the long-term decline as the European Union has experienced a decline in demand for alcoholic beers, a Eurostat report reveals. Instead, non-alcoholic beverages are becoming increasingly more popular. "Five years ago, there was just one non-alcoholic beer, now there are six," bar owner Waldo Marlier told local media when speaking about his own stock. Non-alcoholic drinks have also seen a rapid rise in the UK, including popular trends such a Dry January which consists of staying sober for the month. It was estimated that 15.5 million people took part in it in the UK in 2025. Younger generations, increasingly aware of the harmful impact of alcohol on both physical and mental health, are changing the heavy drinking installed by previous generations. A recent survey published in The Times revealed that almost half of 18- to 34-year-olds have stopped drinking alcohol altogether. Similarly, a 2024 YouGov study found that 44 percent of British people aged 18 to 24 now prefer low or non-alcoholic alternatives. For many, non-alcoholic options provide a way to moderate consumption, feel included, and maintain better self-control during nights out. Recent socio-economic events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis, have reshaped our relationship with alcohol, encouraging people to reconsider its financial and personal costs.
