
Bulgaria reports bluetongue disease outbreak on sheep farm
One animal was affected by the serotype 8 of bluetongue in a flock of 323 sheep on the farm in the district of Devin, the organisation said in a notice, citing information from the Bulgarian authorities.
Bulgaria previously reported that two sheep had fallen sick with serotype-8 bluetongue at the end of July in a backyard flock in a remote southwestern area near the border with North Macedonia.
Bluetongue can be deadly for domestic ruminants such as sheep, cattle and goats, though it does not affect humans or the safety of animal meat or milk.
The rapid spread of certain strains of the disease in the past year has led some countries, including France, to undertake vaccination campaigns.
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Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Experts warn of the cancer-causing chemicals that are a 'threat to humanity'
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The researchers found cancer rates have exploded in the past few decades and early onset cancer in people under the age of 50 increased 79 percent from 1990 to 2019. Pointing to a possible cause, they discovered that PFAS, or 'forever chemicals,' are found in almost all humans tested with 14 percent of European teenagers having blood levels 'high enough to risk adverse health effects'. And men with high levels of certain PFAS have been found to have less than half the normal sperm count of those with low levels. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are microscopic substances that take thousands of years to break down in the environment and human body, earning them the name 'forever chemicals.' Their main purpose is to repel water and oil, which is what makes non-stick cookware easier to clean and why certain jackets and tents can withstand rain. The chemicals can seep into the water supply from washing dishes and can enter food if packaging is made to be grease-resistant or if the non-stick coating on pots and pans begins to deteriorate. PFAS are also common in pesticides used on crops, which produces chemical-rich runoff that can enter the drinking water supply. From an analysis of peer-reviewed scientific papers as well as interviews with researchers, non-profit leaders, entrepreneurs and investors, the researchers found the food and agricultural industries to be the worst offenders. They explain: 'Pesticides and fertilizers can pollute water and affect local ecosystems as well as the food we eat, and one of the most dangerous fertilizers is the sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants which is spread on fields even though it often contains many toxic chemicals.' The researchers warn that PFAS have now 'contaminated the whole world', with levels in rainwater often exceeding safe limits for drinking water. 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'Policymakers should consider the impact of toxicity on fertility especially as many countries are struggling to boost it using expensive other incentives. This is important because human and planetary health is at stake. 'For us to ensure our continued development and ability to thrive as a human species, we have to accelerate the growth of innovative, technological solutions and ensure these are funded and scaled at pace.'


BreakingNews.ie
an hour ago
- BreakingNews.ie
6 signs of pancreatic cancer to never ignore
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Advertisement 'Our results show, in the group of patients who had profound immune responses (17/25 68%) achieved longer survival than we have expected in this cancer, quite a remarkable finding to occur in a phase 1 trial.' One of the major issues with pancreatic cancer is that symptoms can be 'vague' and 'masquerade as other less threatening illnesses' like irritable bowel syndrome and gallstones, 'so a lot of people will not tend to worry about them or present to the GP with them until it's too late,' explains Archbold. 'Even when they do present, GPs don't often recognise the signs and symptoms, so it's definitely one of the most misdiagnosed of all the common cancers.' Pancreatic cancer is often thought to be gallstones (Alamy/PA) 'Time is of the essence with pancreatic cancer,' she continues. 'We encourage everyone to trust their instincts and see a healthcare professional if they notice unusual symptoms, no matter how small they may seem. Early diagnosis saves lives.' 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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pancreatic Cancer Action (@pancreatic_cancer_action) New onset diabetes According to Diabetes UK, early signs of diabetes include peeing more frequently, especially at night, being very thirsty, feeling more tired than usual, losing weight without trying, genital itching or thrush, cuts and wounds taking longer to heal, blurred eyesight and increased hunger – some of which overlap with the other early signs of pancreatic cancer. A persistent or a sudden drop in energy This isn't being knackered for a couple of days after a busy week or a bad night's sleep, but 'persistent fatigue, no matter how much sleep you are getting,' says Archbold. Advertisement Indigestion You might just need some over-the-counter medicine, but if indigestion doesn't seem to respond to the usual meds, see your GP.


The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Cooling eye masks shoppers say ‘reduce dark circles and puffiness' slashed from £20 to £10 on Amazon
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