US could issue travel warning over deadly mosquito-borne virus
China has recorded nearly 5,000 cases of the mosquito-borne illness since early July, with almost 3,000 cases reported in Guangdong province in the last week alone.
Globally, there have been 90 deaths and 240,000 cases across at least 16 countries this year, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an urgent call for action to prevent a repeat of the chikungunya epidemic, estimating 5.6 billion people in 119 countries are at risk.
Chikungunya, which causes fever and joint pain, is spread by infected mosquito bites and can be carried to unaffected areas by travellers, with no specific medicine available for treatment.
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Medical News Today
2 hours ago
- Medical News Today
Lower physical activity 12 years before onset may indicate heart disease risk
Several lifestyle changes can help lower the risk for heart disease, including being physically active. A new study found that adults who developed heart disease later in life experienced a decline in their physical activity about 12 years before their cardiovascular also discovered that Black male participants had a more continuous decline in physical activity from young adulthood to middle age, and Black female participants consistently reported the lowest physical activity throughout adulthood, highlighting to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are currently the leading cause of death worldwide, with about 17.9 million people dying from one each research tells us there are several lifestyle changes we can make to help lower our risk for heart disease, including eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, getting enough quality sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and being physically active. 'Cardiovascular disease is largely preventable through lifestyle modifications, and physical activity is one of the most powerful tools we have,' Yariv Gerber, PhD, professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the School of Public Health, Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Tel Aviv University, Israel, told Medical News Today.'Lifelong physical activity is essential for maintaining function, preventing disability, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. However, staying active over time can be difficult, especially during life transitions or after health events — periods when people are most vulnerable to decline,' Gerber is one of the authors of a new study published in the journal JAMA Cardiology, which found that adults who developed heart disease later in life experienced a decline in their physical activity about 12 years before their cardiovascular event. Less physical activity from young adulthood to middle ageFor this study, researchers analyzed health data from more than 3,000 participants of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. The study started in 1985-1986 and study participants were given 10 physical activity assessments until 2020-2022. Upon the study's conclusion, researchers found that most study participants experienced a decline in their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels from young adulthood to middle age, which then evened out in later years. 'While not every individual declined, on average, all demographic groups showed reductions in physical activity from young adulthood through midlife,' Gerber said.'This highlights how difficult it is to maintain healthy behaviors over time, even among generally healthy adults. Since physical activity is so closely tied to cardiovascular and overall health, it's essential to recognize when these declines occur — and to intervene early, ideally before habits become ingrained or health starts to deteriorate,' he in activity 12 years before heart disease diagnosisWhen looking at the correlation between physical activity and heart disease, Gerber and his team discovered that many participants' MVPA levels began declining about 12 years before a heart disease diagnosis, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, or heart researchers noticed in many cases an accelerated physical activity decline within two years of their cardiovascular event. Gerber explained that it takes years for cardiovascular disease to develop. 'The fact that we observed declines in physical activity more than a decade before diagnosis suggests that there's a long window of opportunity for prevention. Physical activity directly influences key risk factors like blood pressure, lipid levels, glucose, and body weight. Sustaining activity across adulthood could help delay or prevent cardiovascular disease onset — especially if we can identify and support individuals at risk of physical activity decline during these early stages.'— Yariv Gerber, PhDMost continuous physical activity decline observed in one groupAnd when looking at participants by ethnicity, researchers found that Black male participants had a more continuous decline in physical activity from young adulthood to middle age, and Black female participants consistently reported the lowest physical activity throughout adulthood. 'These differences are deeply concerning,' Gerber said. 'The study underscores the need for early and sustained preventive interventions — especially among populations historically at higher risk. Black women, in particular, showed consistently low MVPA levels and the highest risk of low activity post-cardiovascular disease.''Addressing this requires culturally tailored strategies, including easy access to safe recreational spaces, affordable facilities, transportation support, and system-level efforts to make physical activity more accessible to all,' he continued. 'Integrating physical activity promotion into routine care is also critical; even brief counseling has been shown to increase activity levels, despite the time constraints often cited by providers.'Targeted education and support neededMNT spoke with Jonathan Fialkow, MD, chief of cardiology at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, about this commented this was an interesting review of a population correlating maintaining moderate to intense physical activity to gender, race, and age, with some components showing declines in people who develop cardiac disease.'We are aware of the benefits of moderate-intense physical activity for cardiac and metabolic health,' he continued. 'To better understand populations at risk for achieving these benefits, we can better target them for education and support. Limitations in the study exist, but ultimately, we may be able to find other determinants in social, financial, behavioral, and lifestyle elements that may contribute to obstacles to more intense and regular physical activity, so we can address them.'MNT also talked to Jennifer Wong, MD, a board certified cardiologist and medical director of Non-Invasive Cardiology at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, about this research, who said it was useful to see the timing of physical activity decline and cardiovascular events. 'This underscores the importance of physical activity for preventing cardiovascular disease,' Wong explained. 'Prevention is key for our cardiovascular health. I find it helpful to look at the impact of modifiable risk factors and prioritize the more effective strategies.''I would like a better understanding of why the decline in physical activity is associated with increased cardiovascular events,' she continued. 'Did the decline occur because of progression of cardiovascular disease? Did symptoms of coronary ischemia or heart failure lead to the decline in activity? Or did the decrease in physical activity lead to more cardiovascular disease?'
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Reuters
Hunger and disease spreading in war-torn Sudan, WHO says
LONDON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Hunger and disease are spreading in war-torn Sudan, with famine already present in several areas, 25 million people acutely food insecure and nearly 100,000 cholera cases recorded since last July, the World Health Organisation said on Friday. Sudan's conflict between the army and rival Rapid Support Forces has displaced millions and split the country into rival zones of control, with the RSF still deeply embedded in western Sudan, and funding cuts are hampering humanitarian aid. "Relentless violence has pushed Sudan's health system to the edge, adding to a crisis marked by hunger, illness and despair," WHO Senior Emergency Officer Ilham Nour said in a statement. "Exacerbating the disease burden is hunger," she said, adding that about 770,000 children under 5 years old are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year. Cholera has also hit a camp for Darfur refugees in neighbouring eastern Chad, the United Nations refugee agency said on Friday. An outbreak in the Dougui refugee settlement has so far resulted in 264 cases and 12 deaths, said Patrice Ahouansou, UNHCR's situation coordinator in the region, leading the agency to suspend the re-location of refugees from the border with Sudan to prevent new cases. "Without urgent action, including enhancing access to medical treatment, to clean water, to sanitation, to hygiene, and most important, relocation from the border, many more lives are on the line," Ahouansou told a briefing in Geneva.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Global epidemic alarm as China virus spreads to new country in record-shattering outbreak
The virus spreading in China that has prompted Covid-era quarantines and restrictions is spreading, reaching a new country this week as cases surpass 10,000. Taiwan reported its first confirmed case of mosquito-borne chikungunya fever, the country's CDC said on Friday. The virus was detected in a Taiwanese woman who had traveled from Foshan, the current epicenter of the outbreak in China, located in the Guangdong Province. She returned to Taiwan on July 30. At least 12 other cities in Guangdong have reported infections, with about 3,000 cases being reported over the past week, bringing the total to over 10,000 in the country. The US CDC has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Guangdong Province, urging Americans to take extra precautions when visiting the region. However, experts fear the outbreak may have already reached America. Dr Louisa Messenger, a mosquito researcher in Nevada, told Daily Mail: 'This outbreak in China is very concerning. It [the virus] could already be here in the US; and really it's just one plane flight away.' Chikungunya is primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes, the same species that carry dengue and Zika. It is rarely fatal but can cause debilitating symptoms, including fever, joint pain and, in severe cases, life-threatening complications involving the heart and brain. Roger Hewson, virus surveillance lead at the UK's Wellcome Sanger Institute, said the current outbreak in China is the largest ever, Al Jazeera reported. A global spike in cases began in early 2025, with major outbreaks reported in the Indian Ocean islands of La Réunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, around 240,000 chikungunya cases and 90 related deaths have been recorded in 16 countries so far this year, as of August 4. The virus has also spread to Madagascar, Somalia, Kenya and India and is making its way to Europe. Case counts have also been increasing in Samoa, Tonga, French Polynesia, Fiji and Kiribati. As of August 5, the US CDC reports 46 cases of chikungunya virus in the US this year, all contracted by travelers returning from high-risk areas. No deaths have been reported. It is unclear how many of these could be linked to China's outbreak. Estimates suggest 1.6million people travel between the US and China every year, with experts saying it only takes one bite from a mosquito on one infected traveler to then pass it on throughout America. In addition to the CDC advisory for China, the agency also issued a warning for nine other countries including Bolivia and Sri Lanka. The US has experienced limited local transmission of the virus previously, most recently in 2014 and 2015 after cases were detected in Florida and Texas. Infections are most common in Asia, Africa and South America, though more recently cases have also emerged across Europe and the US. Nearly half a million people were infected during a major outbreak in 2004–2005, which spread across Africa, Asia and the Americas. Dr Diana Rojas Alvarez, a medical officer with the World Health Organization, recently warned: 'We are seeing history repeating itself,' referencing the scale of the earlier epidemic. The CDC is urging Americans to ensure they are vaccinated if they are at increased risk of exposure. While it's unclear exactly where the infections occurred, the CDC has issued an elevated risk notice for Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and now China. Roughly 200 travel-related cases were reported in the US in 2024, with no fatalities recorded. According to the CDC, chikungunya was rarely detected in American travelers before 2006. But between 2006 and 2013, the US logged around 30 imported cases a year, all in people who had recently visited affected regions in Asia, Africa or the Indian Ocean. In 2014, a total of 2,799 cases were reported - including 12 that were locally acquired - in states and territories such as Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, making it the country's worst year on record for the virus. To protect against chikungunya, travelers are advised to wear insect repellent, cover up with long clothing, and stay in air-conditioned or screened accommodation to avoid mosquito bites. Those experiencing fevers, joint pain or rashes should visit a hospital so they can be tested for the virus. To combat the spread of the virus in China, Chinese officials had ordered travelers from Foshan to undergo a 14-day home quarantine, similar to Covid restrictions, but that has since been withdrawn. Infected patients are being isolated in hospital wards and covered with mosquito nets. They are required to remain there for a week or until they test negative, if sooner. Images show Chinese state workers spraying clouds of disinfectant around city streets, residential areas and construction sites where people may come into contact with virus-bearing mosquitoes in or near standing water. Drones are being used to hunt down insect breeding grounds and spray insecticide, and residents are being asked to empty bottles, flower pots or other outdoor receptacles that may collect water. Failure to comply with any restriction may lead to fines of up to $1,400 (10,000 Yuan) and locals can have their electricity cut off, according to state media. The acute phase of illness typically resolves within one to two weeks, but joint pain may linger for weeks, months or even years in some cases. Newborns, seniors over 65, and people with underlying health issues face a higher risk of developing serious outcomes, including cardiovascular problems and, according to some studies, even Type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure triggered by post-viral inflammation. Importantly, chikungunya cannot be transmitted from person to person. Instead, the virus spreads when a mosquito bites an infected person, becomes a carrier, and then bites someone else. Pregnant women who become infected near the time of delivery can also pass the virus to their baby during birth, which can result in severe illness in the newborn. There is no antiviral treatment for chikungunya, but symptoms can be managed with rest, plenty of fluids, and pain relief such as acetaminophen.
