Births in Jersey fell by 10% in 2024, figures show
Public Health Jersey said 330 of the babies born in 2024 were female and 390 were male.It said 8% of the births were classified as preterm - meaning they were born before 37 weeks' gestation - and 10 mothers in Jersey had twins or multiple births.A total of 46% of births between 2022 and 2024 were delivered by Caesarean section, Public Health Jersey added.
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Officials urge caution on mosquito bites abroad amid rise in chikungunya cases
Health officials have urged people to take precautions against mosquito bites while on holiday amid a rise in cases of chikungunya among travellers returning from abroad. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also detected the first cases of the emerging disease oropouche virus in the UK, all of which were linked to travel from Brazil. Chikungunya is a virus spread by mosquito bites, the symptoms of which include a sudden fever and joint pain. According to UKHSA, most people recover within two weeks, although the joint pain can last for months or even years in some cases. Serious complications are not common, but in rare cases the disease can be fatal, particularly in very young or older people, or those with underlying health conditions. The latest travel-associated infections report from UKHSA shows there were 73 cases of chikungunya reported between January and June 2025, compared to 27 cases for the same period last year. The majority were linked to travel to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius. All cases were reported in England, primarily in London. There is currently no risk of onward transmission of chikungunya, as the two species of mosquito that transmit the disease are not established in the UK, UKHSA said. The illness mainly occurs in Africa and Asia, specifically southern Asia, although cases have been reported in Europe and parts of North America. However, this year there have been outbreaks in the Americas and Asia, with surges in China and the Indian Ocean islands of Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: 'Chikungunya can be a nasty disease and we're seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the UK. 'While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. Thankfully symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, but joint pain may last for months or longer. 'It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling. 'Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk.' Two chikungunya vaccines are approved for use in the UK and are available to buy after an assessment at a private travel clinic. Meanwhile, the first UK cases of oropouche virus, which is spread by midge bites, have been detected by UKHSA. The three cases were all associated with travel to Brazil. The flu-like illness can cause a fever, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, chills, nausea and vomiting. Officials urged anyone who becomes unwell with these symptoms after travel to affected areas, including parts of Central and South America and the Caribbean, to seek urgent medical advice. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), before late 2023, oropouche virus was mostly reported near the Amazon rainforest area. However, in 2024, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Peru and the Dominican Republic reported locally transmitted cases of the disease. The UKHSA report also shows a rise in travel-associated cholera cases in the UK, with eight cases in the first half of the year compared to just one in 2024. Most cases were linked with travel to India and Ethiopia. There was also a 67% decrease in the number of dengue cases reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from January to June, and there were just four cases of zika virus during the period, down from nine in 2024.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
ADHD drugs have wider life benefits, study suggests
Drug treatment can help people newly diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) to reduce their risk of substance misuse, suicidal behaviour, transport accidents and criminality, a study issues are linked to common ADHD symptoms such as acting impulsively and becoming easily 5% of children and 2.5% of adults worldwide are thought to be affected by the disorder - and growing numbers are being findings, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), confirm the wider potential benefits of drug treatment and could help patients decide whether to start medication, the researchers say. Having ADHD means the brain works differently to most other people's. Symptoms can include difficulties concentrating and sitting still, having high energy levels and being impulsive. Despite the surge in people asking for help, the disorder is not becoming more common. Last year a BBC investigation found long waits for assessment in the are only diagnosed if the symptoms cause at least a moderate impact on their lives. The most commonly prescribed drugs, called stimulants, help manage everyday symptoms but there has been limited evidence of longer-term benefits for people's behaviour, while well-publicised side-effects, such as headaches, loss of appetite and trouble sleeping, have sparked debate on their safety. This BMJ study was based on 148,500 people aged six to 64, with ADHD in Sweden. Some 57% started drug treatment and, of these, methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin), was prescribed, to 88%.The researchers, from Southampton University and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, found taking ADHD medication was linked to reductions of first-time instances of: suicidal behaviour - 17%substance misuse - 15%transport accidents - 12%criminal behaviour - 13%When recurrent events were analysed, the researchers found ADHD medication was linked to reductions of: 15% for suicide attempts25% for substance misuses4% for accidental injuries16% for transport accidents25% for criminal behaviour "Oftentimes there is no information on what the risks are if you don't treat ADHD," said Prof Samuele Cortese, study author and professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at University of Southampton."Now we have evidence they [drugs] can reduce these risks."This could be explained by medication reducing impulsive behaviour and lack of concentration, which might reduce the risk of accidents while driving and reduce aggressive behaviour which could lead to researchers say the study was designed to be as robust as possible but cannot rule out the possibility the results were affected by factors such as people's genes, lifestyles and the severity of their ADHD. Accessing the right medication for ADHD in many countries is not easy, with some drugs in short supply. In the UK waiting times to see specialists after diagnosis in order to access drugs can be several Stuart Kinner, head of the Justice Health Group at Curtin University in Western Australia, said the research demonstrated "the diffuse benefits of ADHD diagnosis and treatment". "Failure to diagnose and treat ADHD can lead to self-medication with alcohol or other drugs, poor mental health, injury, and incarceration," he said. "Too many people with undiagnosed ADHD end up in the criminal justice system, where their condition may remain undiagnosed and untreated."Ian Maidment, professor in clinical pharmacy at Aston University, said the study "adds to our understanding of the potential benefits of these drugs".However, he said the research did not assess whether patients actually took their medication or the impact of different doses.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Cases of killer virus that makes the body ‘fold in on itself' soaring in UK – after virus sparks pandemic fears in China
CASES of a killer virus that can make the body 'fold in on itself' have increased in the UK, health chiefs have warned. There were 73 cases of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease that causes crippling joint pain, between January and June 2025 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - the highest number ever recorded. 5 This is over double the 27 cases reported during the same period in 2024, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data from its most recent travel-associated infection report suggests. The first cases of the oropouche have also been reported in the UK, which were all linked to travel from Brazil. The oropouche virus, dubbed ' sloth fever ', circulates between primates, sloths, and birds in the wild - before it is occasionally passed to humans by midges and mosquitoes. It is primarily found in the Amazon basin in South America, but in recent years has started spreading more widely around the Americas. Health officials have since urged people to take precautions against insect bites while on holiday, as cases of both infections surge. Chikungunya spreads through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species. The virus is rarely deadly, but can cause serious disease spread by the in the very young, older people and those with other underlying illnesses. Typical symptoms include: Excruciating joint pain, which can leave victims hunched or folded over in agony High fever Headache Muscle aches Nausea Fatigue Red, bumpy rash Swelling in the joints, particularly the hands and feet In severe cases, the joint pain can mimic arthritis, leaving sufferers temporarily disabled for months or even years. Oropouche virus The illness mainly occurs in Africa and Asia, specifically southern Asia, although cases have been reported in Europe and parts of North America. However, this year there have been outbreaks in the Americas and Asia, with surges in China and the Indian Ocean islands of Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. The majority of UK cases reported this year were linked to travel to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius. All cases were reported in England, primarily in London. There is currently no risk of onward transmission of chikungunya, as the two species of mosquito that transmit the disease are not established in the UK, UKHSA said. Meanwhile, more than 7,000 people have been struck down by the virus in China since June 2025, according to national health officials. 5 5 The majority of cases have been reported in Foshan, a city in southern Guangdong province, where officials have since rolled out Covid-style lockdowns in a desperate bid to stop the virus from spiralling out of control. At least 12 other cities in the southern Guangdong province have also reported infections. Hong Kong and Taiwan have also reported cases. Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: "Chikungunya can be a nasty disease and we're seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the UK. "While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. "Thankfully, symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, but joint pain may last for months or longer." He added: "It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling. "Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk." Two chikungunya vaccines are approved for use in the UK and are available to buy after an assessment at a private travel clinic. Meanwhile, three cases of oropouche virus have been detected by UKHSA. How concerning is this outbreak in China? Though tactics adopted by authorities in China hark back to lockdown measures five years ago, chikungunya "does not pose the same level of pandemic threat as a virus like Covid-19", according to Prof Tom Solomon, director of The Pandemic Institute in Liverpool. Dr César López-Camacho, from the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford, added: 'It is extremely unlikely to cause a pandemic in the traditional sense, as chikungunya does not spread from person to person. "However, it can cause large regional outbreaks, especially when introduced to mosquito-rich, low-immunity settings, like what we are probably seeing in China." The risk to the UK from this outbreak is "currently low" as Aedes mosquitoes, which tend to carry the virus, aren't widespread here. "But we do need to watch closely, as climate change and global travel are expanding the range of these mosquitoes, and with it, the viruses they carry," Dr López-Camacho warned. 'It is also important that genetic sequencing of the virus in this outbreak is carried out. "In past outbreaks, mutations have helped chikungunya adapt to new mosquito species. "If the virus has changed, we need to ensure current vaccines still offer protection." Brits travelling to China amidst the outbreak should "be cautious", the disease expert said. He continued: "The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 2 travel alert, recommending travellers use insect repellent, wear long sleeves, and stay in screened or air-conditioned accommodation. "Travellers returning from affected areas who develop fever and joint pain should seek medical attention and mention their recent travel." People travelling to high-risk areas where outbreaks of the virus often occur can get vaccinated against chikungunya at a travel clinic. But Prof Solomon noted: "There have been reports of serious side effects in people over the age of 65. "As such, the vaccine is currently recommended for travellers under 65 visiting high-risk areas." The flu-like illness can cause a fever, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, chills, nausea and vomiting. Officials urged anyone who becomes unwell with these symptoms after travel to affected areas, including parts of Central and South America and the Caribbean, to seek urgent medical advice. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), before late 2023, oropouche virus was mostly reported near the Amazon rainforest area. However, in 2024, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Peru and the Dominican Republic reported locally transmitted cases of the disease. The UKHSA report also shows a rise in travel-associated cholera cases in the UK, with eight cases in the first half of the year compared to just one in 2024. Most cases were linked with travel to India and Ethiopia. There was also a 67 per cent decrease in the number of dengue cases reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from January to June. And there were just four cases of zika virus during the period, down from nine in 2024. 5 Oropouche virus: Everything you need to know Oropouche fever is a disease caused by Oropouche virus It is spread through the bites of infected midges (small flies) and mosquitoes. Symptoms of Oropouche fever are similar to dengue and include headache, fever, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light. Severe cases may result in brain diseases such as meningitis. Symptoms typically start 4–8 days after being bitten and last 3–6 days. Most people recover without long-term effects. There are no specific medications or vaccines are available. Precautions Travellers heading to affected areas should take steps to avoid bug bites. The virus is endemic in many South American countries, in both rural and urban communities. Outbreaks are periodically reported in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago. Wear tops with long sleeves and long trousers, apply insect repellent regularly, and sleep under a mosquito net if you are not in enclosed, air-conditioned accommodation. Source: US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention
