SA moving closer to producing adult TB vaccine
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IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Chikungunya virus: symptoms, treatments and how to protect yourself from the mosquito-borne threat
Southern China is experiencing a chikungunya outbreak, reviving memories of COVID-19 controls. Image: Jimmy Chan/pexels In what feels eerily like a return to 2020, southern China is facing an outbreak that's reviving memories of the pandemic, but this time, it's not Covid-19. It's chikungunya, a virus spread by mosquito bites that causes sudden fever and severe joint pain, often lingering for months or even years. According to Bloomberg, the outbreak's epicentre is Foshan, a city in Guangdong province in South China, where over 6500 cases have been reported in just a few weeks. The local government is acting swiftly: hospitals are keeping patients under mosquito nets, drug purchases are being monitored, and communities are undergoing mass testing and disinfection campaigns. What is chikungunya Pronounced chik-un-GUN-yuh, the virus was first identified in Tanzania in 1952, but only arrived in China in 2008. Today, it's known to circulate in over 110 countries, mostly in Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and now, more prominently, southern China. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), symptoms usually appear 3–7 days after a mosquito bite and include: Sudden high fever. Intense joint and muscle pain. Skin rashes. Headaches. Swelling of the joints. While most people recover within a week, some may suffer from chronic joint pain for months, sometimes even years. Fortunately, deaths are rare, and the virus is not spread person-to-person, only through mosquito bites. Still, in vulnerable groups like newborns, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart disease, the illness can hit harder. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ With over 7,000 cases reported, authorities are implementing measures reminiscent of the pandemic. Image: Saeed Saeed/pexels Not another lockdown, but a wake-up call. Though the virus itself isn't new, the scale of the response in China is catching attention worldwide. Authorities are now tracking people buying over-the-counter fever or pain relief medication, a tactic used during the Zero-Covid strategy, reports "Bloomberg". Rather than lockdowns or digital tracking, outbreak control should focus on vector management and reducing human mosquito contact, Dr Donal Bisanzio, a senior epidemiologist at RTI International, a nonprofit research group, told BBC News. According to Kang Min, Director of Guangdong CDC's Institute of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, new cases are slowing down, but challenges remain due to international travel and the flood season, which fuels mosquito breeding. Here's what local authorities are doing: Mass disinfection drives and stagnant water removal. Encouraging window screens and mosquito nets. Fines of up to 1,000 yuan (R2 600) for businesses not cleaning up mosquito habitats. Seven-day health campaigns in high-risk towns like Lecong. Communities light mosquito coils at the same time daily to maximise the repellent effect. What does this mean for travellers and locals alike? With the outbreak spreading to 12 cities in Guangdong province and a first imported case in Hong Kong, a 12-year-old boy who had visited Foshan, global attention is growing. The US State Department has even advised travellers to China to exercise increased caution. In an interview with eNCA, Professor Tulio de Oliveira from the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation at Stellenbosch University discussed the chikungunya virus. He noted that in South Africa, the NICD has recorded ten travel-related cases of this virus from December to July. During the winter months, there are no immediate concerns about widespread outbreaks in South Africa. However, emphasised that the real concern for South Africa will arise in the summer when mosquito populations increase. "The variant causing concern originated in Réunion Island in March, leading to a significant outbreak with nearly 50 000 infections. While it also spread to Mauritius, effective measures helped control it there." He added, 'This variant has mutations that allow it to spread more easily through certain mosquito species.' 'Climate change and rising temperatures are expanding the areas where mosquitoes thrive, which could lead to more chikungunya cases. ' He urged vigilance as the situation evolves, especially with the potential for more introductions of the virus into South Africa as the seasons change. How to protect yourself Use mosquito repellent daily, especially in humid, rainy seasons. Install mosquito screens on windows and doors. Sleep under mosquito nets, especially if you live near standing water. Wear long sleeves and pants if you're outside at dawn or dusk. Eliminate stagnant water in plant pots, buckets, or outdoor containers. If you've travelled to affected areas and develop fever, joint pain, or rash, see a doctor and mention your travel history. Early detection helps avoid complications and stops the spread.
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Hot flashes and hard truths: Halle Berry's menopause misdiagnosis ignites health revolution
Actress Halle Berry opens up about menopause. Image: Instagram / halleberry Health is a deeply personal experience impacted by a variety of biological processes that women face throughout their lives. However, although milestones such as first steps and puberty are frequently regarded as simple, the path to menopause is plagued with unanticipated twists, particularly during perimenopause. This critical shift, characterised by changing hormone levels, is rarely defined in the precise terms required, resulting in a troubling difference in how women's health issues are recognised and treated. While misdiagnosis can affect anyone, research shows that women are disproportionately impacted. This disparity raises urgent questions about the underlying causes: Are we witnessing the effects of medical gaslighting, a lack of research in sex and gender medicine, and a society still grappling with outdated views of women's health? The World Health Organisation (WHO) has acknowledged the global gap in women's health education and research. In a recent health equity report, the WHO stated that "gender biases in medical research and clinical training contribute directly to misdiagnosis and under-treatment in women." Perimenopause is the period leading up to menopause, where hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, fluctuate wildly. It typically begins in a woman's 40s but can start as early as her mid-30s. Symptoms can include: Hot flashes. Fatigue. Brain fog. Irregular periods. Anxiety. Joint pain. However, because these symptoms can mimic other conditions, doctors often misattribute them to unrelated illnesses. Unfortunately, many healthcare providers lack adequate education on this subject, leaving countless women misdiagnosed with conditions like ADHD, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and even long Covid instead of recognising the hormonal changes at play. Dr Mary Claire Haver, author of "The Pause Life", highlights this issue, noting that the absence of menopause training in medical education pushes healthcare professionals to rely on vague diagnoses that fail to address the real issue. Unfortunately, many healthcare providers lack adequate education on this subject, leaving countless women misdiagnosed with conditions like ADHD, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and even long Covid instead of recognising the hormonal changes at play. Image: Tima Miroshnichenko /pexels A UK medical negligence firm, Higgs LLP, surveyed over 500 women and found that up to 1 in 3 women may experience a misdiagnosis before their actual menopause symptoms are recognised. Many had to go through two to five medical appointments before being correctly diagnosed. This delay means unnecessary treatments, emotional distress, and years of living without the right support. South African women aren't immune to this. Very few doctors in our public and even private healthcare systems are trained to look for hormonal changes as the root cause of many midlife complaints in women. Treating symptoms rather than understanding the cause. Whether it's due to outdated medical training, internalised bias, or the centuries-old trope of female 'hysteria,' women are often told their symptoms are psychological rather than physiological. One shining example of this struggle is Halle Berry, the Oscar-winning actress who has become a powerful voice for women experiencing menopause. When she boldly declared, 'I'm in menopause!' on Capitol Hill, she wasn't merely making a statement; she was kicking open the door to a conversation that has long been kept under wraps. Berry's journey began with a misdiagnosis that left her frustrated and misunderstood. She recalls being incorrectly diagnosed with herpes during her own perimenopausal journey, a turning point that ignited her passion for advocacy. Berry has transformed her experience into a mission to raise awareness about menopause. Her platform, Respin, originally a wellness website, has evolved into a comprehensive healthcare initiative focused on menopause. 'For too long, society has put women in boxes. For someone like me to speak about going through menopause, which has been so stigmatised," Berry told "Forbes", "If I can say, 'Hey, it's sexy to arrive at this time of our life. It's actually a privilege to age'.' Through Respin, Berry provides a vital resource for women navigating menopause. The platform offers telehealth consultations with menopause-trained physicians, community support, and personalised lifestyle plans.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Ekurhuleni celebrates exemplary service of the city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi
The City of Ekurhuleni has paid tribute to the outstanding service and enduring legacy of its city manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi. She concluded a distinguished career marked by transformative leadership, integrity in governance, and an unwavering commitment to public service. Mashazi, the first woman to serve as city manager in Ekurhuleni, has dedicated more than 40 years to public service. Her journey began at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, where she trained and worked as a nurse, before moving into municipal administration in the early 1990s. According to city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, Mashazi's extensive experience and visionary leadership have helped shape Ekurhuleni into one of South Africa's most dynamic metropolitan municipalities. Pioneering public health reforms Throughout her time in local government, Mashazi made a lasting impact, particularly in public health. As head of the City's Health Department, she led groundbreaking initiatives that enabled the region to achieve the highest TB cure rate in the country and significantly reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission. 'She was instrumental in establishing numerous primary healthcare facilities across Ekurhuleni, significantly improving health access for residents,' said Dlamini. Infrastructure growth and financial stewardship Since her appointment as city manager in 2016, Mashazi has ushered in a new era of development and financial discipline. Under her leadership, the city's capital expenditure more than doubled from R3.9b to R7b, enabling the rollout of critical infrastructure. This included the construction of 29 reservoirs and water towers, most notably Africa's second-tallest water tower, completed in Benoni to enhance the city's water resilience. Her tenure has also been defined by sound financial governance. Since the 2019/2020 financial year, Ekurhuleni has achieved three consecutive clean audits, recorded zero unauthorised or wasteful expenditure, and maintained a consistent 91% revenue collection rate. This achievement is recognised as a benchmark in the sector. Recognition and empowerment Mashazi's leadership has received widespread recognition. Her accolades include the public sector leader award at the Virtual Top Empowerment Awards, honours from the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP), and multiple Blue Drop and Green Drop awards for excellence in water and environmental management. She was most recently honoured by Good Governance Africa for her commitment to transparent and effective municipal administration. A strong advocate for gender equity, Dr Mashazi launched the City Manager's Women Empowerment Legacy Project in 2017. The initiative has elevated the role of women across all departments, especially in sectors historically dominated by men. A legacy for generations The City of Ekurhuleni has expressed its deepest gratitude for Mashazi's decades of exceptional service. She is described as a visionary trailblazer whose impact will be felt for generations. 'Mashazi leaves behind a city that is more resilient, more equitable, and better governed. Her contribution to Ekurhuleni's transformation is immeasurable,' said Dlamini. As Mashazi embarks on the next chapter of her life, the city extends its warmest wishes for continued success and fulfilment. Her legacy is firmly rooted in the fabric of Ekurhuleni's growth story, a lasting reminder of what dedicated public service can achieve.
