Latest news with #preventable
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Grandmother dies from rabies after ‘very slight scratch' from puppy in Morocco
The family of a grandmother who died after contracting rabies said she was scratched 'very slightly' by a puppy while visiting Morocco in February. Yvonne Ford's family said she only became ill two weeks ago, starting with a headache and resulting in her becoming unable to walk, talk, sleep or swallow. Ms Ford, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, died in Sheffield on June 11 aged 59, according to Sheffield Coroner's Court, where an inquest was opened and adjourned on Wednesday morning. Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust confirmed she was diagnosed with rabies at Barnsley Hospital. A Facebook post which her daughter Robyn Thomson made to raise awareness said: 'Our family is still processing this unimaginable loss, but we are choosing to speak up in the hope of preventing this from happening to others. 'Yvonne Ford, Ron Ford's wife and our Mum, died of rabies. 'She was scratched very slightly by a puppy in Morocco in February. 'At the time, she did not think any harm would come of it and didn't think much of it. 'Two weeks ago she became ill, starting with a headache and resulted in her losing her ability to walk, talk, sleep, swallow. 'Resulting in her passing.' Ms Thomson shared information about rabies, including that it is preventable through prompt medical care after exposure. She added: 'We never thought something like this could happen to someone we love. Please take animal bites seriously, vaccinate your pets, and educate those around you.' The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there is no risk to the wider public because there is no evidence rabies can be passed between people. However, as a precautionary measure it is assessing health workers and close contacts to offer vaccination where necessary. Rabies is a deadly virus spread through the saliva of infected animals, and people usually get it after being bitten by an infected animal. Animals such as cows, cats and foxes can carry the virus but, in developing countries, stray dogs are the most likely to spread rabies to people. Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal. The first symptoms of rabies can be similar to flu, while later symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, difficulty swallowing and excessive saliva. People may develop fears around things like swallowing drinks and can suffer hallucinations and paralysis. Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, at the UKHSA, said: 'I would like to extend my condolences to this individual's family at this time. 'If you are bitten, scratched or licked by an animal in a country where rabies is found then you should wash the wound or site of exposure with plenty of soap and water and seek medical advice without delay in order to get post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies. 'There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case. 'Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human-to-human transmission.' According to the UKHSA, rabies does not circulate in either wild or domestic animals in the UK, although some species of bats can carry a rabies-like virus. There have been no human cases of rabies acquired in the UK from animals other than bats reported since 1902. Between 2000 and 2024, there were six cases of rabies reported in the UK linked to people being exposed abroad. Rabies is common in other parts of the world, especially Asia and Africa. Travellers are being advised by the UKHSA to avoid contact with dogs, cats and other animals and check whether they may need a rabies vaccine prior to travel.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- RNZ News
Killer's emails showed escalating risk, public deserves inquiry
Elliot Cameron was sentenced in the High Court at Christchurch to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 10 years for murdering Faye Phelps. Photo: Pool/ NZME / George Heard The public "deserves an inquiry" into the forensic mental health system, says the Chief Victims Advisor, after revelations an elderly mental health patient who murdered a pensioner killed his brother 50 years ago . Elliot Cameron was sentenced in the High Court at Christchurch last week to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 10 years by Justice Rachel Dunningham for murdering 83-year-old Frances Anne Phelps, known as Faye. A suppression order was lifted on Monday, allowing RNZ to report Cameron killed his brother Jeffrey Cameron in 1975. A jury found him not guilty of murder by reason of insanity and detained as a special patient. Cameron was made a voluntary patient at Hillmorton Hospital in 2016, and then in October last year murdered Phelps, striking her with an axe. RNZ exclusively obtained emails from Cameron to his cousin Alan Cameron sent over more than a decade, detailing his concerns that he might kill again. In response to the revelations, Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money said it was hard to see Phelps' death as "anything other than preventable". "Mr Cameron was clearly in mental distress and as these communications show his risk was escalating. He knew it so why didn't those professionals caring for him recognise it and if they did, what action if any did they take?" RNZ earlier revealed another case involving a man who was made a special patient under the Mental Health Act after his first killing was recently found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity for a second time, after killing someone he believed was possessed. After that article, Money called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into forensic mental health facilities. On Monday evening, Money said she stood by her recommendation. "Now four weeks on, we learn of another patient who has warned of his intent and distress numerous times and yet he too has gone on to kill for a second time. "The public deserves an inquiry that can give actionable expert recommendations, as opposed to multiple Coroners inquests and recommendations that do not have the same binding influence. The patients themselves, and the public will be best served by an independent inquiry, not another internal review that changes nothing." Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money says it is hard to see Faye Phelps' death as "anything other than preventable". Photo: Stephanie Creagh Photography In 2010, Cameron made an alarming suggestion to his cousin. "Once someone has been driven to murder... it is a lot easier to... drive them to murder again," he wrote. "The probability of me repeating the offence outside hospital is greater than the probability of me repeating the offence where I am and so disrupting society is less when I remain in hospital." "I am correctly placed in a mental hospital," he said. "I should remain where I am." His anxieties around any change in his circumstances bubbled up again in 2016 when his patient status was changed to "informal" - meaning he was free to leave Hillmorton. "My mental state has not changed and I would be vulnerable in society and this would lead me to repeat the offence," he wrote to his cousin. "The mood here is to discharge anyone they can regardless of circumstances," he continued. "I would not like to go to jail but this may be my only option. I would need to remain in hospital. I would be grateful if you were prepared to look at this." In another email he wrote: "I may not have a better alternative than to re-offend. My vulnerability will lead me to recommit my original offence if forced on." At Elliot's sentencing it was revealed that in December 2022, he told nursing staff that he would be "hard to ignore if he was chopping up bodies" and continued threats over the next couple of months to kill people if discharged from hospital. In July 2024, Elliot threatened "disastrous measures" if he was discharged. From left, Bill Phelps and Faye Phelps. Photo: Supplied Phelps' daughter Karen Phelps told RNZ it was "shocking and appalling" that Cameron had expressed his vulnerability and the risk he believed he posed to the community with Hillmorton staff. She does not believe he was listened to or given the help he needed, and was therefore "a ticking time bomb". "They knew Elliot had vulnerabilities, they knew he'd killed before. "In my view, knowing Elliot was continually raising concerns about his mental health and the fact he might reoffend if released into the community, the blood of my mother is clearly on the hands of the DHB. It's hard to see it any other way. "They knew Elliot had vulnerabilities, they knew he'd killed before. "In my view, knowing Elliot was continually raising concerns about his mental health and the fact he might reoffend if released into the community, the blood of my mother is clearly on the hands of the DHB. It's hard to see it any other way." Health New Zealand deputy chief executive Te Waipounamu Martin Keogh earlier expressed "heartfelt condolences" to Phelps' family for their loss. "We have taken this tragic event extremely seriously and a full external review is progressing. "We have been in touch with the family and are keeping them updated on the review. Once the review is completed, it will be shared with the family and the coroner." Keogh was unable to provide further comment while the review is ongoing and the Coroner's inquest is yet to be completed. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said in a statement to RNZ he had been "very clear" more needed to be done to improve mental health and addiction outcomes and services in New Zealand. The Mental Health Bill currently before Parliament aimed to set out a new approach to the decision-making around change of status from special patient. If passed, the bill would establish a Forensic Review Tribunal responsible for determining long leave, reviewing the condition of these patients, and determining changes in legal status. "Any serious incident, particularly where someone is tragically killed, is a cause of very serious concern. "That is why it is important that investigations and reviews are triggered and recommendations for changes to services are acted on. As minister my focus will be on ensuring agencies involved are putting in place the necessary changes to help prevent these incidents occurring again." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
My patient died in a cubicle behind a curtain while surrounded by the drunken and drug-fuelled. This is what you must do to stop it happening to you: PROFESSOR ROB GALLOWAY
Working in A&E, I see the best of care but also the worst – and that's not necessarily the NHS 's fault. A few weeks ago I was looking after an 89-year-old gentleman who received care that utterly failed him – devastating for him and his loved ones, and for us as clinicians. Yet it was entirely preventable. It's a lesson for all of us.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Want to prevent a stroke? 5 simple, everyday lifestyle changes you should make, according to a doctor
Nearly 900,000 Canadian adults have experienced a stroke — a disease that affects blood flow to, and within, the brain and damages brain cells. With June being Stroke Month, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is raising awareness about the disease, its risk factors and myths. And, while many factors influence stroke risk — including things you can't change, like genetics, age and sex — certain lifestyle changes can lower your risk of stroke. In fact, 80 per cent of strokes are preventable. However, according to a 2023 poll, 7 in 10 Canadians don't understand the risk factors for stroke and heart disease. It can be hard to fix what you don't understand. With this in mind, Yahoo Canada spoke to Dr. Nishita Singh. She's a stroke neurologist, assistant professor at the University of Manitoba and the Heart and Stroke and Research Manitoba chair in clinical stroke research. Here, Singh shares her advice on how to decrease stroke risk by making lifestyle changes and embracing healthy habits. First, an important reminder: 'Stroke can happen at any age, and the risk of stroke increases as people get older,' Singh says. While 80 per cent of all strokes happen to those over the age of 60, it's important to note that younger people can — and do — have strokes. 'It's really important that you keep your heart and brain healthy,' Singh says. 'That's what would prevent stroke and heart disease, and it all begins with understanding your risk and knowing what you can do to manage them.' [Simple habits] can make a remarkable difference when it comes to decreasing your risk of stroke and heart disease in the Nishita Singh The good news is, healthy lifestyle behaviours can be very effective in lowering your stroke risk. 'These simple habits are, of course, easier for some than others," the doctor continues. "But they can make a remarkable difference when it comes to decreasing your risk of stroke and heart disease in the future.' Singh and other doctors advise patients to aim for 10,000 steps per day. If you're not doing any kind of physical activity each day, Singh says you should start — whether you're in your 20s or 60s — or even older. 'It's never too late to start any kind of physical activity,' she says. Can't hit 10,000 steps? That's OK. Any exercise is better than nothing, Singh notes. 'There is a cumulative benefit when it comes to physical activity, so even if you start with 2,000 steps a day or 5,000 steps a day, that's also good,' she explains. As a benchmark, the Heart and Stroke Foundation suggests people get in 150 minutes of exercise per week, which is about 20 minutes each day. And it doesn't have to be hitting the gym or lifting weights. Singh says it can be as simple as walking. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for both heart disease and stroke, Singh says. 'It is also one of the most challenging things to do at a personal level when it comes to quitting.' Smoking causes stickiness in your blood cells, making them clump together more easily — and more likely to form clots. Smoking can also lead to deposition of cholesterol plaques, which can cause narrowing of the arteries in the heart, the brain and throughout your body. 'That can lead to symptoms of heart disease, heart attack or stroke,' Singh explains. The same goes for e-cigarettes and vaping. If you're thinking about quitting, Singh says it doesn't have to be an 'all or nothing' mindset. 'Just start with taking baby steps — there's a cumulative benefit there as well," she says. Experts generally recommend limiting alcohol intake for heart health. In fact, the World Heart Federation says that even moderate alcohol consumption can harm cardiovascular health, and Health Canada's guidelines to limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per week align with this. 'There's a lot of recent data which actually strongly supports that no alcohol is the best way to protect yourself from heart disease or stroke,' Singh says. 'Currently, you should abstain from alcohol completely to prevent any further risk.' It's one of the most commonly asked questions Singh gets: What exactly should I be eating as part of a healthy diet? 'It's really about conscious eating and conscious lifestyle measures,' she says. Generally, Singh tells patients that eating healthy means not getting takeout from fast food joints every day. 'No deep fried foods, no alcohol, no smoking, no ultra-processed foods, and no or minimal red meat,' she adds. Similar to smoking, Singh explains that the extra oil in deep-fried foods deposits in the walls of blood vessels and contributes to the narrowing of arteries. 'It can ultimately lead to decreased blood flow and make these organs unhappy and cause symptoms and heart disease and stroke,' she says. She also says researchers are currently studying how ultra-processed foods can affect your risk of heart disease and stroke. So, what should you eat? 'Eat as much natural, organic, green, healthy, leafy greens, vegetables and fruits [as possible] and get all of that in your system while you're exercising and having a smoke-free, alcohol-free life," the doctor says. Maintaining a healthy weight is another way to lower your risk of stroke. It's worth noting, Singh says, that these changes don't have to happen overnight. "Even if you take small, incremental steps, your risk of stroke will lower over time as you pursue a healthier lifestyle," she says. More than three in 10 Canadians cannot name any of the signs of stroke, according to the latest Heart and Stroke poll results. It's important to recognize the signs of stroke so you can act quickly. FAST is a simple way to remember the signs of stroke: Face – is it drooping? Arms – can you raise both? Speech – Is it slurred or jumbled? Time to call 9-1-1 right away.
