Wednesday, March 12News That Matters

Tag: health disaster

Guillain-Barre Syndrome Claims Two Lives in Andhra Pradesh, Sparks Health Alert

Guillain-Barre Syndrome Claims Two Lives in Andhra Pradesh, Sparks Health Alert

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
In Andhra Pradesh, health authorities have sounded the alarm after two deaths from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) were reported. Dr. Sivananda, Superintendent of King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam, described GBS as a rare, non-contagious post-viral condition that can cause paralysis and autoimmune disorders. He noted that GBS affects only two out of every two lakh people. Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav confirmed the deaths occurred in Guntur and Srikakulam districts. While acknowledging the syndrome’s 5-7% global mortality rate, Yadav reassured the public that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has directed comprehensive response measures. He urged people to remain calm and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear. The state’s first GBS-related death was recorded at Gun...
Study Finds Dust Storms Cost US $154B Annually Impacting Healthcare

Study Finds Dust Storms Cost US $154B Annually Impacting Healthcare

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
A new study in Nature Sustainability reveals that wind erosion and blowing dust cost the U.S. economy around $154 billion each year, impacting healthcare, transportation, agriculture, energy, and households. Conducted by researchers from The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), George Mason University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the study highlights the growing societal burden of dust storms, which are worsened by human land use, drought, and declining water resources. Thomas Gill, Ph.D., a UTEP earth sciences professor, emphasized the significance of these findings. "Blowing dust is a major expense and creates great societal harm," he said, comparing its costs to those of hurricanes and other natural disasters. Healthcare costs make up a significant portion of the tot...
Uganda Races to Deploy Trial Ebola Vaccine Amid Kampala Outbreak

Uganda Races to Deploy Trial Ebola Vaccine Amid Kampala Outbreak

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
KAMPALA – Ugandan health officials are rushing to deploy a trial vaccine after an Ebola outbreak hit the capital, Kampala. The vaccine targets the Sudan strain of the virus, with over 2,000 doses prepared for emergency use. The World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged support, providing 2,160 doses while assisting with regulatory approvals. Researchers are working alongside surveillance teams to assess the vaccine’s safety and efficacy before its rollout. Ebola, spread through bodily fluids, is suspected to have originated from contact with infected animals. Kampala’s high mobility presents a major challenge in containing the virus. Despite Uganda’s history of battling epidemic diseases, no licensed vaccine exists for the Sudan strain, making this trial a critical step in the figh...
England Reports New Mpox Case, Risk Level Stays Low

England Reports New Mpox Case, Risk Level Stays Low

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
Health officials in England have confirmed a new case of the mpox variant clade Ib, bringing the total to eight since October 2024. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that the case was detected in London and involved a traveler returning from Uganda, a region where the variant is spreading locally. Despite concerns over mpox’s links to a WHO-declared global health emergency, UKHSA maintains that the overall risk to the public remains low. Authorities note that imported cases are expected as outbreaks persist in parts of Africa, but no direct links have been found between this patient and previous cases in England. Health officials continue to monitor the situation while urging awareness but not alarm, as containment measures remain in place. From News Desk
Toxic Spring Linked to 17 Deaths in Jammu and Kashmir Authorities Seal Contaminated Site

Toxic Spring Linked to 17 Deaths in Jammu and Kashmir Authorities Seal Contaminated Site

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have sealed a water spring in Badhaal village, Rajouri district, after its water tested positive for pesticides or insecticides. The move comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the mysterious deaths of 17 villagers, including 13 children aged between 3 and 15 years. Deputy Commissioner Dil Mir ordered the spring to be sealed and deployed security personnel to prevent access to the contaminated site. Officials aim to ensure the safety of residents while investigations continue into the cause of the deaths. The health and police departments are working to determine how the water source became contaminated. The deaths, initially unexplained, prompted widespread concern in the region. Samples from the spring were analyzed, revealing the presence o...
Mpox Case Sparks Health Alert in Azerbaijan 22-Year-Old Tests Positive After Travel

Mpox Case Sparks Health Alert in Azerbaijan 22-Year-Old Tests Positive After Travel

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
Mpox Known as monkeypox viral infection often presenting flu-like symptoms, including fever, fatigue, and a distinctive rash. While the disease is typically mild, severe cases can be fatal, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. Transmission occurs through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials. A 22-year-old Azerbaijani citizen has tested positive for mpox after returning from an international trip, according to health authorities. The individual is currently in isolation and receiving medical treatment in Baku, while family members remain symptom-free under observation. The patient had traveled abroad from January 2 to January 11 before reporting symptoms, including fever, weakness, and a rash. Although the specific countries visited...
India Confirms First HMPV Cases Infants Affected in 3 States

India Confirms First HMPV Cases Infants Affected in 3 States

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
India on Monday reported its first-ever cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a globally recognized respiratory virus, with five confirmed infections across Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. The cases, involving infants under one year of age, have sparked concern and prompted health officials to issue guidelines for monitoring and prevention. First Cases in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Salem In Bengaluru, two infants a three-month-old who has been discharged and an eight-month-old recovering in a hospital were among the first cases identified. Ahmedabad reported a two-month-old baby infected with HMPV, while Tamil Nadu recorded one case each in Chennai and Salem. Authorities confirmed that the families of the infected infants in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad had no recent trave...
First HMPV Cases Reported in Bengaluru: Health Ministry Gears Up for Monitoring

First HMPV Cases Reported in Bengaluru: Health Ministry Gears Up for Monitoring

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment, Fact Check
India reported its first two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Bengaluru. The cases involve a 3-month-old infant, who has been discharged after recovery, and an 8-month-old infant, currently recovering in a hospital in the Karnataka capital. Both infants and their families have no recent travel history, ruling out exposure from other regions or countries. The cases were identified as part of routine surveillance for respiratory viral pathogens conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). “HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries,” the Centre stated. The Health Ministry convened a meeting on HMPV preparedness today, emphasizing monitoring and con...
8 Month Old Bengaluru Suspected of HMPV Infection No Symptoms Reported

8 Month Old Bengaluru Suspected of HMPV Infection No Symptoms Reported

Breaking News, Disasters, Fact Check
An eight-month-old in Bengaluru is suspected to have tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), based on a laboratory report dated January 2. The infant’s family had no recent travel history and the child displayed no concerning symptoms, according to sources from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) health department. Although the Karnataka state health department has not independently verified the results, they have acknowledged the credibility of the private laboratory’s testing procedures. “We trust the accuracy of their findings,” stated a health department official. Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) identified in 2001 in the Netherlands, is a significant cause of acute respiratory infections, particularly in children. Globally, it accounts for about 0.7% of flu cases...
Does Acetaminophen Influence Risk-Taking Behavior? New Study Says It Might

Does Acetaminophen Influence Risk-Taking Behavior? New Study Says It Might

Breaking News, Fact Check
Acetaminophen, one of the most commonly used pain relievers worldwide, may do more than ease headaches it could also impact how people perceive risks. A 2020 study from The Ohio State University suggests that this popular over-the-counter drug might lower risk awareness and increase risk-taking behavior. "Acetaminophen seems to make people feel less negative emotion when they consider risky activities they just don't feel as scared," explains neuroscientist Baldwin Way, the study's lead author. Given that nearly 25% of Americans take acetaminophen weekly, these findings could have broader implications for decision-making and risk perception in everyday life. In a series of experiments, researchers tested the effects of a 1,000 mg dose of acetaminophen the maximum recommended singl...