Category Archives: Public health

What role did Kansas, Missouri, and prairie dogs play in the first outbreak of monkeypox in the United States?

The symptoms of monkeypox are comparable to but less severe than those of smallpox.

he first outbreak of monkeypox in the United States in 2003 hit the Midwest and was caused by prairie dogs sold as pets that caught the virus from infected animals from Africa. The outbreak included three cases in Kansas and Missouri. CHARLIE RIEDEL Associated Press file
Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/health-care/article262585992.html#storylink=cpy

Contrary to the name, rodents, not monkeys, are the primary transmission vector. The initial outbreak in the United States hit six states in the Midwest, including Kansas and Missouri. The last occurrences have been connected to foreign travel and African animal imports. In 1958, monkeypox was first detected in a Danish laboratory.

In 1970, a youngster in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was diagnosed with the first human case. In 2003, there were 70 documented cases of monkeypox in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Contact with sores and rashes caused by the infection spreads monkeypox. It is also transmissible by large respiratory droplets, though not nearly as quickly as COVID-19. In addition, in the 2003 outbreak, no one contracted the virus through person-to-person contact, unlike the current situation.

The CDC provided updated recommendations based on what physicians have observed in patients thus far. Monkeypox typically causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and headaches. In addition, some individuals exhibited dispersed or localized lesions outside the face, hands, and feet.

More information may be found by visiting the following website: https://www.kansascity.com/news/business/health-care/article262585992.html#storylink=cpy

Would you like to hear that a new study links coffee consumption to a lower risk of death?

During the trial period, individuals who had moderate quantities of coffee, even with a little sugar, were 30 percent less likely to die than those who did not consume coffee.

Aileen Son for The New York Times

Researchers analyzed coffee consumption data obtained from the U.K. Biobank, a vast medical database including health information on the whole nation’s population. Three to five cups of unsweetened coffee per day was associated with the lowest mortality risk. Inconclusive were the data for persons who consumed coffee with artificial sweeteners. Other lifestyle factors, such as a healthy diet and frequent exercise, may also contribute to a reduced risk of death.

Coffee users may pick cold brew or drip coffee over less healthy caffeine sources, such as energy drinks or soda. Coffee beans have high quantities of antioxidants, which may help neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. Over time, an accumulation of free radicals may induce inflammation in the body, which can contribute to the formation of plaque associated with heart disease. Those who drank more than 4.5 cups of coffee each day had diminishing benefits.

What is the unusual virus known as monkeypox that has now been verified in the United States and Europe?

Primarily prevalent in Central and West Africa, monkeypox may be transmitted to both animals and humans.

Symptoms of the monkeypox virus are shown on a patient’s hand, from a 2003 case in the United States. In most instances, the disease causes fever and painful, pus-filled blisters. New cases in the United Kingdom, Spain and Portugal are spreading possibly through sexual contact, which had not previously been linked to monkeypox transmission.
CDC/Getty Images

Some illnesses confirmed in the United Kingdom have “no travel ties” to locations where monkeypox is present. An expert finds it remarkable that instances are surfacing simultaneously in many nations. The monkeypox virus is distinct from the coronavirus that shook the globe. Existing smallpox vaccines might protect the population in the event of an outbreak.

Katzourakis states: “We do not have the capability for anything to spread throughout the world at anywhere like the pace seen with covid.” The first documented monkeypox case in the United Kingdom moved to Nigeria, according to the World Health Organization. The CDC reports that six Americans are being screened for monkeypox after sitting near a British patient on an airplane. There are no evident connections between the most recent two cases and previous ones, suggesting the potential of community transmission. According to an expert, most Americans will never encounter a case of monkeypox in their lives.

Obtaining the genetic sequence of the virus responsible for recent instances will enable scientists to determine whether they are dealing with a novel strain. The 1980 elimination of smallpox has allowed residual poxviruses to circumvent dwindling defenses.

Did you know that there have been one million fatalities in the United States due to COVID?

More people in the United States have been killed by the COVID-19 virus than have been killed in vehicle accidents over the last two decades or in all of the country’s conflicts combined.

A white flag with a memorial written on it is one of the thousands of white flags representing Americans who have died of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) placed over 20 acres of the National Mall in Washington, September 26, 2021.
Joshua Roberts | Reuters

Because of errors in counting, the actual number is likely definitely more than what was reported. A considerable number of the country’s oldest citizens passed away, accounting for around three quarters of the overall number of fatalities. The death rates of persons of African and Hispanic descent were much higher than those of white people. What was initially a problem in urban areas quickly moved to rural regions and then back again, and this cycle continued until the course of the virus tracked the whole topography of the nation.

At its height, the Covid epidemic was responsible for the deaths of about one New Yorker every two minutes. This equated to over 800 individuals per day, which was five times as high as the city’s average rate of mortality. According to the findings of a research, the almost complete shutdown of public spaces in New York was most likely responsible for a drop in viral transmission of more than 50 percent. The death rate in New York City would never again reach the catastrophic levels it reached during the first wave. Still, the first wave was responsible for a significant amount of damage in a number of places, including Albany, Georgia, Detroit, and New Orleans. She recalls her father pleading with her and urging her not to receive the injection by saying, “Please, kitty.” You have no idea what components make up this item. Epidemiologists believe that the refusal to vaccinate led to the deaths of tens of hundreds of thousands of people.

Today, around one third of individuals living in the United States have not received all of their recommended vaccinations. Since vaccinations were readily accessible, at least 50,000 vaccinated persons have been documented as having died as a result of the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has only received data on mortality broken down by vaccination status from roughly half of the states. However, the mortality rate among vaccinated persons has been much lower, but the death rate among unvaccinated people has been at least nine times as probable. She claims that she had started to feel marginalized due to her age and the fact that some of the younger neighbors have refused to wear masks or abstain from huge gatherings. She also attributes this to the fact that she is becoming older.

The Covid-19 epidemic has resulted in a mortality rate that is much greater among persons of advanced age than among younger people. In those under the age of 25, the virus has shown to be less deadly than automobile accidents. In the two years leading up to the pandemic, there was an annual death toll of around 877,000 persons aged 85 and older on average. In the same age group, there were 100,000 additional fatalities per year in the years 2020 and 2021. In every age category, the death rate for persons of African and Hispanic descent has been greater than that of white people.

The racial discrepancy in mortality was most severe in the early stages of the epidemic; nonetheless, disparities still exist today. Rates for Native Americans and Pacific Islanders were less trustworthy as a result of low total numbers, and as a result, they are not displayed. According to the findings of the study, around 79.7 percent of employees in the age range of 20 to 64 who passed away from COVID in 2020 worked in sectors recognized as important. Workers in 11 industries that were not required to remain home due to the COVID outbreak had an approximately twofold increased risk of dying from the disease. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco carried out the investigation for the paper.

According to the findings of research conducted in the United States, people who do not possess a college degree and those who reside in more impoverished communities have a greater risk of passing away from COVID. In general, the areas with the greatest incomes have reported the fewest fatalities caused by covids, while the areas with the lowest incomes have reported the most. There is a correlation between poorer earnings and a reduced chance of immunization, which in turn is connected with mortality caused by COVID. In the beginning, a startling 43 percent of all deaths attributed to Covid were among people who were either residents or staff members in nursing homes. Leaders in the industry have requested that the federal government make a significant investment to ensure the safety of nursing homes.

The chief medical officer for the American Health Care Association, Dr. David Gifford, expresses pessimism about the industry’s future. What have we done to prevent the next virus from causing the lives of 200,000 people in nursing homes? The fatality rate in the United States caused by the coronavirus, often known as Covid, decreased overall except in the South, where it increased by around 4 percent. Epidemiologists have pointed to responses that were not as harsh, such as lockdowns that were lifted more quickly and masking restrictions that were not enforced as tightly. The state of Mississippi has one of the lowest immunization rates, while having the greatest number of COVID-related deaths of any state.

Here are the symptoms to for in BA.2.12.1 COVID variant

According to the most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the BA.2.12.1 variation of COVID-19 accounts for around 37% of all new coronavirus cases nationwide.

FILE – Syringes and a vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are displayed at a mass COVID-19 vaccination site in Batavia, Ill., on March 19, 2021.

Health experts predict that the number of people infected with BA.2.12.1 and related strains will continue to rise. CoV-19, the virus that infects people with SARS-CoV-2, is continually evolving and acquiring new mutations as it multiplies. SARS-CoV-2 is predicted to continue evolving in the future. The CDC predicts that some varieties will exist and then vanish, while others will originate, spread, and eventually supplant earlier forms.

An ancestor of BA.2.12.1 is a subvariant of COVID’s omicron strain known as BA.2. Experts predict that BA.2.12.1 will overtake its predecessors as the main strain of COVID-19 over the next few weeks due to its improved capacity to spread. Who knows when the next COVID spike will occur? For Alabama and the South as a whole, this is what one expert thinks will happen. Because of the COVID problems in China, Alabama hospitals are forced to limit medical supplies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitored phone calls to check whether people complied with COVID lockdowns.

In what ways does BA.2.12.1 manifest itself?

BA.2.12.1, like the preceding BA.2 variation, is more likely to cause flu-like symptoms in the upper respiratory tract. Initial COVID-19 symptoms include:

  • Smell and taste are lost
  • Feeling hot or cold
  • Cough
  • Sneezing
  • Shortness of breath or breathing issues
  • Fatigue
  • a sore or aching bodily part
  • Headache
  • A bad case of the hiccups
  • Is your nose running or stuffed up?
  • nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose are the most common symptoms of the omicron variety. Fatigue and dizziness are some side effects of BA.2. COVID and its variations may be reduced by immunization, according to experts. People who have been immunized may have outbreaks of infection, but this is to be anticipated, and staying up to date on recommended vaccinations may help avoid serious disease, hospitalization, and even death. An Omicron variation has emerged that underscores the need of vaccines, the CDC stated.

Did you know that15 minutes of mental health hygiene can change your whole day?

Incorporating a daily stress-relief exercise into your routine not only helps you feel better now, but research suggests that it may also enhance your overall well-being in the future.

The cleanliness is seen in the reduction of cortisol levels, which is the primary stress hormone. When you begin with a clear, peaceful mind, you have a calm reference point to which you may look back when things become tough. The goal, according to mental health consultant David Sawyer, is to establish a baseline sensation that will help you feel better while you go about your daily activities. In his words, it is only a matter of learning to handle and nourish that inner space with awareness.

Daily writing and trying various hobbies might assist you in identifying what activities make you feel the most tranquil and stress-relieved in the long run. According to psychologist Tom Sawyer, you may begin to seek to check in with your mental state at increasingly frequent intervals during the day. Sawyer recommends including some kind of low-impact physical exercise into your schedule at least three days a week, such as walking, riding, or yoga. If you can, schedule some time at the end of the day to wind down and relax, he recommends. Step away from screens and decompress, he advises.

Would you like to know why your butthole itches?

Between 1% and 5% of the US, the population suffers from anal itching, which is four times more prevalent in males.

Pinworms are a common parasitic infection that can cause anal itching. 
Agency-Animal-Picture / Contributor / Getty Images

It is seldom indicative of a significant medical condition, and the majority of instances may be handled with lifestyle modifications or medical therapy. Certain items, such as spicy meals and coffee, might irritate the anal region and produce itching. Hemorrhoids may be treated at home using over-the-counter topical creams or suppositories, NSAIDs for pain relief, and sitz baths for swelling reduction. After treating hemorrhoids, you may avoid recurrences by increasing your fiber and water intake.

Did you know that the first human case of a highly contagious bird flu strain was detected in the US?

Early this week, an adult man under the age of 40 who was employed at a commercial poultry farm in Montrose County, Colorado, was found to be infected with the influenza A (H5) virus.

H10 flu viruses cause few signs of disease in birds and very rarely cause serious disease in humans

Jin Hua/VCG via Getty Images

Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2279407-first-human-case-of-h10n3-bird-flu-strain-reported-in-china/#ixzz7RwDS6T3w

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has tracked more than 2,500 individuals who have been exposed to birds infected with the H5N1 virus and has only discovered one case in Colorado. Farms throughout more than half of the nation have been devastated by the spread of avian flu viruses, which has resulted in the deaths of millions of egg-laying birds. There have been no reported incidences of H5 viruses transmitting from person to person at this time. Celine Dion provides an update on her health as she announces the cancellation of her tour for the second time.

You might not have known this, but a study called “Landmark” found that people who smoke are more likely to get Alzheimer’s.

The biggest Alzheimer’s study ever finds new genes and pathways involved in disease progression.

silhouette of a person showing internal nervous system and brain on a blue background surrounded by dna

CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

The groundbreaking study’s findings imply physicians can better anticipate whether a patient is genetically prone to Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease affects over 5.8 million Americans. Researchers from France’s Université de Lille performed the study. A genetic risk score may help determine who is most likely to develop Alzheimer’s.

To better understand Alzheimer’s and create medicines that delay or prevent the disease start, the research represents a huge step forward. The next stage is for researchers to concentrate on the study’s risk genes and their influence in brain cell malfunction and death.

Did you know that Pfizer recalls some batches of blood pressure drugs over carcinogen presence?

Pfizer (PFE.N) voluntarily recalled five batches of its Accupril blood pressure pills on Friday after the discovery of high amounts of a possible cancer-causing chemical in the medication.

The manufacturer said that it was unaware of any adverse event reports associated with the recalled batches, which were supplied in the United States and Puerto Rico between December 2019 and April 2022. Pfizer Canada similarly recalled all lots of three Accupril dosages on Thursday after determining that the same contaminant was present at unsafe levels. Pfizer said that there was no immediate danger to patients who were taking the drug that included the chemical, nitrosamine. While nitrosamines are naturally occurring in water and food, prolonged exposure over tolerable levels may raise the risk of cancer. Pfizer also withdrew several batches of another blood pressure medication, Accuretic, and two approved less expensive generic equivalents last month owing to the presence of a probable carcinogen.