Here are the infectious diseases that have made headlines in the past week around the world. From bird flu, to TB, malaria to MRSA, find out about the news that affects your health today.
Cholera Outbreak in Uganda
Doctors Without Borders is responding to a cholera outbreak reports the humanitarian organization. Treatment for
cholera is simple, but left untreated the disease can kill a patient within hours.
Dengue Fever Outbreak in Rio Affects 33,000 People
The BBC News reports that
33,000 cases of dengue fever have been reported in Rio de Janeiro this year. 48 people have died and hospitals are overloaded with patients.
Dengue fever is spread by day-biting mosquitoes and can lead to dengue
hemorrhagic fever which is a very serious disease. Brazilian health authorities are encouraging people to wear
proper protective clothing against insect bites. Reducing standing water, where mosquitoes breed, and wearing
insect repellent are two more ways to prevent mosquito borne diseases.
Dengue and Yellow Fever Treatment Possibility?
AFP news reports that
scientists from Purdue University in Indiana have discovered how viruses like dengue fever and yellow fever become infectious. Further research could lead to a cure for these diseases for which the current treatment is nothing more than maintaining fluid balances in the patient.
Dengue fever and
yellow fever are both spread by
Aedes aegyptii mosquitoes, also called tiger mosquitoes, that are present in the US and Europe.
Ebola Vaccine on the Horizon?
We soon may be able to halt the spread of Ebola outbreaks through vaccination. A link url=http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/03/31/ebola.html]general overview on where we are with Ebola vaccines[/link] will be given at the Society for General Microbiology meeting this year in Edinburgh Scotland reports CBC Canada news. Studies with primates have shown that an Ebola vaccine can be effective.
Ebola can kill very quickly and is quite contagious making health officials fear that it could cause disastrous results if spread through air travel or bioterrorism. Unfortunately, this last possibility is probably the only reason governments in the developed world will fund such a vaccine, since there are many other diseases that mostly affect developing countries that get very little funding.
Elephantiasis To Be Eliminated By 2015
AP news reports that the
World Health Organization aims to eliminate elephantiasis by 2015. The disease is called lymphatic filariasis after the thread-like worm that is spread to people by mosquitoes. Most people suffering from the disease are infected before they are 5 years-old and suffer swelling of the legs, arms, breasts and genitals until it cripples a person. It is estimated that in Africa alone the disease has disfigured more than 40 million people, though the disease also affects millions of people in Asia and Latin America.
Lyme Disease Treatment Works?
UC Davis researchers have found that
in mice the bacteria that causes Lyme disease can still be present even after a course of antibiotics reports Science Daily News. People suffering from what's known as
post Lyme disease syndrome already know this and have demanded longer treatment with antibiotics. The researchers, however, feel that the bacteria would not respond to a second treatment, but it is more probable that a new class of antibiotics would have to be developed to eliminate the
Lyme disease bacteria completely.
Cheap Bird Flu Masks Work
Lindsey Grayson, Australian Researcher at Melbourne's Austin Hospital conducted a study that has led her to believe
a surgical mask is as good as an expensive so-called N95 mask in protecting against the flu reports ABC Online from Australia. Check out more information about buying a
bird flu mask and make up your own mind before
stocking up for a pandemic.
Measles Coming Back to Developed Countries
San Diego, California was the site of a measles outbreak last month when 12 children fell ill with the disease reports the Mercury News. The children had not been vaccinated against measles, a growing trend in developed countries. One child infected the others after catching the disease on vacation in
Switzerland, where there have been 2,000 cases in the past 16 months reports SwissInfo. An outbreak in Berkeley, California happened last year after an international student infected others in the waiting room at a doctor's office. Outbreaks of preventable diseases will again plague developed countries as more people refuse to vaccinate their children. The debate around vaccinations, especially concerning autism and vaccinations, is raging. I recommend parents follow the recommendations of the CDC and the WHO who have put these recommendations in place in the best interest of children around the world, including those in developed countries.
Measles and Radical Islam
There's an odd coincidence of an infectious disease and radical Islamic leaders in Nigeria. In 2003 and 2004, radical Islamic leaders alleged that childhood vaccinations were a western plot to make Muslim girls infertile reports Voice of America news. Now in the
last 3 months, 3,000 cases of measles have been reported and 165 people have died in Nigeria, mostly young people. A Nigerian health official is reported as stating that 95% of the children with measles have parents who refused to permit their children from being vaccinated. The number of cases and deaths is likely under-reported. Islamic countries are as pro-vaccine as any other country and this conspiracy theory is rare among religious leaders, but shows how misinformed leaders can influence public health.
Breast Milk Salmonella Cure?
The Telegraph from London reports that
breast milk contains sugars that may combat salmonella and other bad bacteria in the gut. The sugars, called prebiotics, are said to possibility offer an alternative to antibiotics. Currently prebiotics are added to yogurt and are also present in fruits such as bananas, berries, asparagus, garlic and whole grains reports the Telegraph. Apparently the sugars stimulate the production of the good bacteria in the gut, which then can fight off the bad bugs, like
salmonella.
