Tag Archives: Disease Control and Prevention

disease, Health, medications, Pharmaceuticals

Covid-19 delta variation

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The Covid-19 delta variation, which was first identified in India, is currently spreading globally, becoming the dominant strain in certain nations, such as the United Kingdom, and is expected to do so in others, such as the United States. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization said that the variation has been identified in more than 80 countries and that it is continuing to change as it spreads. In the United States, the variation now accounts for 10% of all new cases, up from 6% last week.


The variation is much more transmissible than other variants, according to studies.
Scientists have cautioned that evidence indicates the delta version is approximately 60% more transmissible than the “Alpha” type and is more likely to result in hospitalizations, as observed in the United Kingdom. Officials from the World Health Organization stated on Wednesday that there had been reports that the delta variation produces more severe symptoms, but that additional study is required to validate those findings. Still, there are indications that the delta version may cause symptoms that are not the same as those we have been told to watch out for with Covid-19.


What should you be wary of? Fever, persistent cough, and loss of taste or smell are the primary symptoms of Covid-19, according to governments all around the globe, with some local changes and additions as we have learned more about the virus. For example, the CDC’s revised list of potential infection symptoms includes tiredness, muscular or body pain, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. Of course, millions of individuals have had Covid-19 without showing any symptoms, and scientists are currently looking into the amount of asymptomatic transmission.


Experts say the delta version seems to produce a distinct set of symptoms. The Zoe Covid Symptom research, led by Tim Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London, is an ongoing U.K.-based project that allows the public to input their Covid symptoms into an app, which then allows scientists to evaluate the data. “For this younger demographic, it is more like a terrible cold, and people do not understand it, and that has not come through in any of the official materials.” “We have been looking at the top symptoms of app users since the beginning of May, and they are not the same as they were,” he added. “Headache is the most frequent symptom, followed by a sore throat, a runny nose, and a fever.” “Common symptoms like coughing and loss of smell are more uncommon today,” he adds, noting that younger individuals are more likely to get a cold or have a “funny off the sensation.”


The discovery of the alpha variation, which was initially discovered in the United Kingdom, signaled the development of a broader range of symptoms. “Chills, loss of appetite, headache, and muscular pains, in addition to the “typical” symptoms, were discovered in a survey of nearly a million individuals in England conducted between June 2020 and January 2021 – and therefore during a period during which the alpha variant propagated and became dominant. The delta variation was categorized as “of concern” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week.


In a statement to NBC News, it stated, “Based on growing evidence that the delta variation spreads more readily and produces more severe infections when compared to other variants, including B.1.1.7,” it added. During an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner, said the delta variation will likely become the prevalent strain in the United States and may “start a new pandemic going into the autumn.” Cases have risen among young individuals and the unvaccinated in the United Kingdom, where the delta variety is now responsible for most new infections, leading to an increase in hospitalizations in both groups. Because of the proliferation of these variations, the United Kingdom has decided to postpone further relaxation of the Covid-19 limits.


Covid-19 immunization efforts are anticipated to halt the spread of the delta form. Therefore, the race is on to safeguard those who have not been completely vaccinated. According to a study published on Monday by Public Health England, two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines are very efficient in preventing hospitalization in the delta form. The scenario in the United Kingdom demonstrates how fast the delta version may become dominant, and the United States is closely monitoring it. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the president’s top medical adviser, said last week that “we cannot allow that to happen in the United States,” as he urged more people to be vaccinated, particularly young adults. The most recent research on the virus’s spread in England offers little to assuage scientists’ fears.


The newest results from the REACT research, released on Thursday, cautioned that instances were increasing “exponentially” and that the “resurgence” of Covid-19 infections in England was “related to a higher prevalence of the Delta variant.” According to the research, approximately 1 in 670 individuals had the virus, a significant rise over the previous results, which showed that 1 in 1,000 people had the infection as of May 3. Experts note whom Imperial College London heads, the reproduction number in England is currently 1.44, which indicates that ten infected individuals would transmit the virus to 14 others on average, “resulting in a fast development of the pandemic.” Professor Paul Elliott, head of Imperial College’s School of Public Health’s REACT program, stated, “From late May to early June, we discovered clear evidence of an exponential increase in infections. These results support the Delta variation becoming prevalent, highlighting the significance of tracking infection rates and variants of concern in the population. According to the research, most illnesses occur in children and young adults, but they are also rising in older individuals.


While the connection between infections, hospitalizations, and fatalities has been decreasing since February, indicating that infections lead to fewer hospital admissions and deaths due to the immunization campaign, the hospitalization trend has been reversed since late April.

Reference

HEALTH AND SCIENCE
The fast-spreading delta Covid variant could have different symptoms, experts say.https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/17/covid-delta-variant-symptoms-spread-and-what-to-look-out-for.html

Culture, disease, drugs, Health, medications, Pharmaceuticals

Southern Indian states have declared a state of emergency

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Two southern Indian states have declared a state of emergency, as coronavirus cases spread at a breakneck pace through the country and pressure increases on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to enforce a national shutdown.


Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, has the most significant active caseload of any Indian region, with over 300,000 people. However, analysts warn that the worst is yet to come as India’s third-largest city struggles with oxygen scarcity, overcrowded hospitals, and overcrowded crematoriums. The lockout declaration in Tamil Nadu state came after a regular total of over 26,000 cases on Friday.


Since February, infections have risen dramatically in India due to increased viral varieties and government decisions to encourage large crowds to assemble for religious festivals and political rallies.


India recorded 401,078 suspected cases on Saturday, with a record high of 4,187 deaths. In India, there have been over 21.8 million reported infections and almost 240,000 deaths. Also, such drastic tolls, according to experts, are under-counted.
As his hospital strained to find more air, one doctor in Bengaluru said he had to refuse patients “left, right, and center.”


“The issue is that the demand is so high that we require continuous oxygen,” said Dr. Sanjay Gururaj, medical director at Shanti Hospital and Research Center. The hospital sends a vehicle twice a day to oxygen plants on the city’s outskirts to retrieve 12 jumbo oxygen cylinders. “This would have lasted over two weeks; now, it lasts just over a day,” he said.


The state’s oxygen scarcity led the Supreme Court to ask the federal government to raise the amount of liquid medical oxygen sent to Karnataka. The decision came after 24 virus patients died on Monday in a government hospital. It is unknown how many of them perished because of the shortage of oxygen, but an inquiry is underway.


So far, Modi has delegated liability for combating the virus in this latest outbreak to under-resourced state governments, and he has been accused of doing very little. His government has responded that it is doing everything possible in the face of a “once-in-a-century crisis.” Meanwhile, many medical professionals, minority politicians, and even Supreme Court justices are pressing for nationwide bans, claiming that a patchwork of state regulations is inadequate to increase infections.
Experts warn that the surge in Bengaluru is outpacing that of other hard-hit cities such as the capital, New Delhi, and Mumbai. According to Murad Banaji, a mathematician modeling COVID-19 development in India, cases have increased 100-fold since February, citing official numbers. Test positivity has risen to over 30%, showing that the virus is much more severe than reported estimates, he said.
“Disaster was looming by early March when cases rose,” he said. “Bangalore is more than a ticking time bomb — it is amid an explosion.” Bengaluru was classified as Bangalore.


In recent weeks, Northern India, headed by New Delhi, has received much attention, with news channels broadcasting pictures of patients lying on stretchers outside hospitals and mass funeral pyres that flame all night.
The crisis in Karnataka has drawn attention to other southern states dealing with an increase in incidents. In Andhra Pradesh, daily cases have surpassed 20,000 for the past three days, prompting the state to impose new restrictions.

Kerala, which served as a model for dealing with the pandemic last year, went into lockdown on Saturday. With chronic cases exceeding 40,000, the state is increasing money, including turning hundreds of industrial oxygen cylinders into medical oxygen, according to Dr. Amar Fetle, the state’s COVID-19 officer.


“The magnitude of cases from last year to now is different,” he said, noting that rising figures have resulted in further hospitalizations and increased demand on health-care services, with hospitals complete. “It has turned into a race between occupancy and how quickly we can add beds. We are doing everything we can to remain ahead of the virus.”


Infections are on the rise in the southern area, but there has been “less visible outcry” than in the north due to improved health facilities and government programs addressing issues at the neighborhood level, according to Jacob John, professor of community medicine at Christian Medical College, Vellore.


However, as the epidemic has ravaged major cities in waves, smaller towns and communities with tiny links to health services are also at risk.


“These places are becoming affected, which suggests that we may not have seen the worst yet in south India,” he added.


Reference
India’s surge hits southern states, prompts more lockdowns. https://apnews.com/article/india-religion-coronavirus-pandemic-health-18d61c7956cb0bf9f59d975a5f171875

Diet, disease, Health

Processed foods raises the risk of heart disease and stroke

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Consuming red meat and heavily processed foods raises the risk of heart disease and stroke. Nearly 166,000 women and 44,000 men followed the study for 24-30 years. Red meat, organ meat, processed meat, refined grains, drinks are associated with increased inflammation. Leafy greens, carrots, onions, whole grains, fruits, nuts, fatty fish, and olive oil, experts claim, will promote the safe inflammatory reaction. Mediterranean diet is one of the world’s healthiest diets, the International Food Knowledge Council stated.

The western diet is full of over-processed, fat-laden foods, sugar beverages, and red and processed meats. Chronic inflammation is related to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and many other conditions. Ninety percent of Americans don’t consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, he says. Many unhealthy, “ultra-processed” foods can also shorten your life, studies have shown. The good news is that anti-inflammatory elements like vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids can neutralize free radicals.

Reference
Choose anti-inflammatory foods to lower heart disease and stroke risk, study says. https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/02/health/anti-inflammatory-foods-heart-disease-wellness/index.html

disease, Health

The CDC has updated its guidelines on the spread of COVID-19

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The CDC has updated its guidelines on the spread of COVID-19. The CDC describes near contact as being within six feet of the person infected for 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour span. It is difficult to identify the current guidelines on which the health departments depend to perform touch tracing. The signs of the infection vary from minor symptoms to extreme illness, according to the CDC. It is not clear if the public has undergone proper instruction on proper selection and use of respiratory PPE, such as N95, for close interaction with an infectious person wearing a respiratory mask. Symptoms of the disease include: fever, chills, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, sore throat, and muscle aches, the CDC says. The disease can last 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and can be serious or moderate in some cases, it says. It is not clear if an affected person has signs for more than two days after being exposed to coronavirus, the Agency states.

Reference

CDC revises “close contact” definition. https://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=23565&z=58

disease, drugs, Health, medications, Pharmaceuticals

The spread of the Covid-19 among members in a family group

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The spread of the Covid-19 among members in a family group after one individual is infected is “common” and occurs quickly after illness onset, relating to new research through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The person exposed or suspected of experiencing Covid-19 should always be isolated before getting tested, and before test outcomes get back to protect others in the home, said the analysis, published Friday when looking at the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

“Because prompt isolation of persons with #COVID-19 can lessen household transmission, persons who suspect which they could have COVID-19 should isolate, stay in the home, and employ an independent bedroom and bathroom if feasible,” wrote a CDC-led team of researchers.
All people in family members should also wear masks all of the time per space, the group said.

Referencehttps://www.cnn.com/2020/10/30/health/household-spread-covid-19-wellness/index.html
Household spread of Covid-19 is common and quick, a new CDC study finds. https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/30/health/household-spread-covid-19-wellness/index.html.

disease, Health, human rights

The early voting place has already generated long, long lines in many states

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The early voting place has already generated long, long lines in many states, counties, and with the November election just 11 days away, many states, counties, and cities have imposed security precautions to protect voters and poll workers from contact with the coronavirus.

However, polling places still have the potential in order to become “mass gathering events for people,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention educated and warned the American people in an advisory released on Friday of this week, adding that measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 might be improved.

The C.D.C. based its latest suggestions on a study through 522 poll workers’ experiences in Delaware’s statewide the month of September.

Guidelines and rules issued by the agency in June recommended various ways to attenuate crowds at polling locations in the United States, including absentee voting and extended voting hours.

To cut down on disease transmission of the virus, the C.D.C. also recommended setting up physical barriers, protecting self by wearing masks between voting machines; spacing the machines aside from the other person; indicating 6-foot distances with signs or floor markings for those of you waiting in line to vote for a long time; designating separate entrances and exits for voters; the use of protective gear — masks, face shields, gloves and gowns for individuals — for poll workers assisting sick voters and those who are carriers; and allowing curbside voting for folks who are ill.

“Ensuring that ill or potential voters who may be a carrier can vote while maintaining poll worker and voter safety may be important to minimizing transmission without restricting voting rights,” the report said.
Voting in the Covid-19 Pandemic: Wear a Mask and Bring Your Pen. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/23/health/Covid-voting-safety.html

disease, Healthy eating

If Americans would quit complaining concerning face masks

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If Americans would quit complaining concerning face masks and use them when they leave their homes, they could conserve well over 100,000 lives — and perhaps more than half a million — through the conclusion of February, based on a study published Friday in Nature Medicine.

The researchers viewed five circumstances for how the pandemic could play out with different levels of mask-wearing and guidelines about staying home and social distancing. All the scenarios presumed that no vaccine was accessible, nor any #medicines capable of curing the disease.

Systematically, the most effective — not to mention the least expensive and easiest — way to minimize deaths was to increase the number of individuals wearing masks.

As of Sept. 21, only 49% of Americans stated they “always” used a mask in public, corresponding to the study. If U.S. citizens do not mask up in increasing numbers, they jeopardize another round of compulsory social distancing measures that could shut businesses and schools around the country, the authors mentioned.

“The potential lifesaving benefit of maximizing mask use in the following fall and winter cannot be exaggerated,” wrote the team from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.

The forecasts also suggest that if states continue to ease their social distancing mandates and other constraints regardless of the recent rise in #COVID-19 cases, there could be more than 1 million mortality rates in the U.S. by the end of February.

Reference
New study makes it clear: Mask wearing can save lots of lives. https://www.startribune.com/new-study-makes-it-clear-mask-wearing-can-save-lots-of-lives/572850702/

disease, Health

More than 50 percent of U.S. states are experiencing an “uncontrolled spread” of the coronavirus

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More than 50 percent of U.S. states are experiencing an “uncontrolled spread” of the coronavirus, according to data published by the website Covidexitstrategy.org. Thirty states are reporting a lot more than 150 new infections a day per one million people.

The internet site’s contributors consist of public health and crisis experts with experience working during the White House, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and regarding the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, including Ryan Panchadsaram, an old U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer during the White House.

Using the reopening criteria outlined by the White House, Covidexitstrategy.org tracked each state’s progress when it comes to “its reduction in symptoms and cases, health system readiness, and increased testing.”

Reference
‘Uncontrolled Spread’ of COVID in Majority of U.S. States. https://www.newsweek.com/coronavirus-us-cases-rising-most-states-covid-spread-pandemic-1540319

disease, Health

New research shows that the blood type may determine the chances of infected with COVID-19

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New research shows that the #blood type may determine the chances of infected with #COVID-19 and its severity.

Danish #scientists compared the blood of more than 473,000 infected individuals to more than two million when looking at the average man or woman.

They found that people who have blood types A, B, and AB were prone to be infected than those with type O.

In an independent study from Canada, researchers looked over nearly 100 hospitalized patients.

Those with blood types A or AB were more likely to have severe #disease requiring mechanical ventilation and dialysis than people with blood type O or B.
Reference:
Blood type could determine severity of COVID-19, new research finds. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/nation-world/blood-type-could-determine-severity-of-covid-19-new-research-finds

disease, Health

Do you believe one has some immunity from Covid-19?

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One has some #immunity, but just how much and for how long are significant unanswered questions.

There is evidence that reinfection is unlikely for at least 90 days, even for people with a mild case of #COVID-19. That is how long New York City researchers found stable degrees of protective antibodies in the research of nearly 20,000 patients of the Mount Sinai Health System.

Reinfection so far happens to be rare. The most widely known example is that researchers in Hong Kong said a man had mild COVID-19 and then months later was infected again but showed no symptoms. His second infection was detected through airport testing, and researchers said genetic tests revealed slightly different strains associated with the virus.

It evidences the individuals’ disease fighting capability worked as it should. Very few #diseases leave people completely immune for life.

Antibodies are just one piece of the body’s defenses, and so they naturally wane in the long run. Moreover, often, “memory” immune cells can identify germs they previously encountered to fight them better the 2nd time around. Which will help make any repeat infections less severe.

Scientists are studying the way the other areas of the immunity system kick in with all the coronavirus.

It is unknown whether individuals who have been reinfected but show no symptoms could spread the virus to others. That is why health authorities say even those that have recovered from COVID-19 need certainly to wear a mask, keep their distance, and practice good hygiene.


Reference:
Does a flu shot reduce my chances of getting COVID-19? https://journalstar.com/news/national/does-a-flu-shot-reduce-my-chances-of-getting-covid-19-and-more-questions-answered/article_e6118375-b4c7-500f-9541-b9d1c8c866a2.html