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Millions in Europe unknowingly living with hepatitis, health authorities warn

Millions in Europe unknowingly living with hepatitis, health authorities warn

Yahoo4 days ago
Millions of people across Europe are living with hepatitis B or C without knowing it, putting them at serious risk of liver disease and cancer, public health authorities have warned.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said in a new report that around five million people in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway are living with chronic hepatitis B or C – but the majority are undiagnosed and untreated.
Often referred to as 'silent infections', hepatitis B and C can live undetected in the body for years, slowly damaging the liver until symptoms appear in the form of liver fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis, or cancer.
The virus is typically spread through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, including through unprotected sex or shared drug equipment.
The report estimates that 3.2 million people in the region are infected with hepatitis B, and 1.8 million have hepatitis C. Together, these viruses are linked to roughly 50,000 deaths every year.
Related
'I was scared': Half of Europeans living with hepatitis struggle to tell others about diagnosis
Hepatitis A is spreading rapidly in the Czech Republic with 6 deaths so far. Here's what we know
'We must underline the critical importance of scaling up efforts to prevent and control viral hepatitis," Dr Marieke van der Werf, the head of the ECDC's section on blood-borne viruses and tuberculosis, said in a statement.
She said access to vaccination, testing, and medical care for infected people "are essential for a healthier, more resilient Europe".
According to the ECDC, more than 65 per cent of those with hepatitis B and 62 per cent of those with hepatitis C are still undiagnosed.
Hepatitis C can be cured with a short course of highly effective antiviral medications. While hepatitis B cannot currently be cured, it can be managed with long-term treatment that helps suppress the virus and reduce the risk of liver damage.
Meanwhile, hepatitis A, which spreads via infected stool, is an acute infection that typically resolves on its own.
Globally, chronic viral hepatitis causes an estimated 1.3 million deaths each year. That's around 3,500 deaths every day, putting it on par with tuberculosis (TB).
The World Health Organization says 2.8 million of these deaths could be prevented by 2030, and has called on governments to embed hepatitis screening and treatment into primary healthcare, especially for vulnerable and high-risk communities.
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Corrections: Aug. 2, 2025
Corrections: Aug. 2, 2025

New York Times

timean hour ago

  • New York Times

Corrections: Aug. 2, 2025

An article on Thursday about Canada's measles outbreak misstated which officials were urging the Alberta provincial leader to declare a public health emergency. They were public health experts, not provincial officials. An article on Friday about the powerful earthquake that struck off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday misstated the energy difference between earthquake magnitudes. A magnitude 9 quake has about three times as much energy as magnitude 8.7, not 10 times as much. It has about twice as much energy as magnitude 8.8, not three times as much. A dance review on Thursday about Noche Flamenca's 'Legacy of Our Dreams' misstated the end date of the company's performances at the Joyce Theater. The show runs through Aug. 10, not this Sunday. Errors are corrected during the press run whenever possible, so some errors noted here may not have appeared in all editions. To contact the newsroom regarding correction requests, please email nytnews@ To share feedback, please visit Comments on opinion articles may be emailed to letters@ For newspaper delivery questions: 1-800-NYTIMES (1-800-698-4637) or email customercare@

Looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance, quiet and long-living cat? This is the breed for you –and everything you need to know
Looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance, quiet and long-living cat? This is the breed for you –and everything you need to know

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance, quiet and long-living cat? This is the breed for you –and everything you need to know

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Russian Blue cat overview Other names: Archangel Blues Life expectancy: 15–20 years Size: 8-10 inches (height), 15–18 inches (length) and 8–15 lb (weight) Coat: solid steel blue Eye colour: green eyes Temperament: devoted, intelligent, sensitive and intuitive Origin/native country: Russia Celebrated for their blue-silver coats, elegant build and low-key energy, the Russian Blue is the perfect mix of beauty and grace. As their name suggests, these feline companions hail from Russia – in the bustling port city of Arkhangelsk, to be exact – and they are a naturally occurring breed. They get their name because of their illustrious blue coat that has a silvery sheen throughout. You might think all this fur requires hours worth of upkeep, but the truth is, Russian Blues are pretty low maintenance on all fronts. This breed can also be a godsend for allergy-prone households because Russian Blues produce less of the allergy-triggering protein found in cats when compared to other breeds. Another fun fact about this beautiful, long-living breed? They are an intelligent, relatively independent and quiet breed, so are best suited for homes that can match this understated energy. If you're considering bringing a Russian Blue home, you'll find everything you need to know in this guide, including their health conditions, enrichment needs, and more. Are Russian Blue cats hypoallergenic? 'Russian Blue cats are not truly hypoallergenic, but may suit some owners with mild allergies,' explains vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan. 'This is because Russian Blues produce less Fel d1 protein in their saliva and urine than many other breeds,'. In the cat realm, Fel d1 is the protein that triggers reactions in those allergic to cats. Therefore, if you are in an allergy-prone household, it's worth reading up on the hypoallergenic cat breeds, like the Siamese, Burmese and the LaPerm, as these pets either produce less of the allergy-triggering protein and/or don't shed too much, which can make them an ideal proposition for allergy sufferers. Do Russian Blue cats shed? Russian Blues do shed some of their shimmering coat, but only minimally so this means you won't find too many loose hairs around your home! 'This can also help allergy sufferers as there will be less saliva-coated hair and dander in the environment,' Dr MacMillan says. 'Just remember that very sensitive people may still react.' For those who would prefer not to have tons of fur all over their clothing, floors and furniture, the non-shedding cat breeds are well worth considering. How long do Russian Blue cats live? Russian Blue cats are pretty long-living cats. So much so, many Russian Blues live until they are between 15–20 years of age with the right care. According to Dr MacMillan, if you want to increase the chances of your cat having a long and healthy life, then there are several things you can do. 'Make sure they are receiving the correct amount of a good quality diet, appropriate for their age and lifestyle,' the vet notes. 'Also monitor their weight closely, as cats that are overweight or obese can have significantly shorter life spans." Thirdly, Dr MacMillan suggests taking your cat to the vets for routine check-ups and ensuring they have all the recommended vaccinations. 'This will keep them safe from potentially fatal diseases,' she says. While regular anti-parasite treatment, like the best flea treatments for cats, will also help to keep them healthy, as will regular preventative oral care. How much grooming does a Russian Blue cat need? If you're considering adopting a Russian Blue, you'll be pleased to know that these cuties have easy grooming requirements. 'Their short coat only needs brushing once a week to remove any loose hairs,' Dr MacMillan says. 'I also recommend introducing regular oral care from an early age. Many cats will tolerate gentle toothbrushing with cat-safe toothpaste, if you encourage this with positive reinforcement training.' As Dr MacMillan says, to help keep cat teeth clean, it's important to get into a good teethbrushing routine. It's also well worth learning how to brush your cat's teeth, so that you can avoid dental disease, like stomatitis and gingivitis, and boost your cat's longevity and quality of life. How much exercise does a Russian Blue cat need? Russian Blues have moderate exercise needs and are not as demanding as some other cat breeds, like an Abyssinian, Bengal or Siamese, which are all high-energy cat breeds that will want to play with you all the time. 'Around 30 minutes of activity a day should be enough to keep them happy,' Dr MacMillan says. So, if you plan on bringing a Russian Blue home, the best cat toys and the best automated cat toys will help keep your kitty entertained. Wisdom Panel Cat DNA Test | Amazon Not sure exactly what breed your cat is? This kit screens for 70+ breeds, 45 genetic health insights and 25+ physical traits – because knowing every detail about your cat helps you understand how best to care for them. View Deal Russian Blue health problems Dental disease is common in many cats and Russian Blues are no different because dental issues in cats often go unnoticed. 'Excessive tartar buildup and gum inflammation can lead to tooth loss,' explains Dr MacMillan. 'That is why preventative oral care is so important.' Obesity is another health condition common in Russian Blues, as it can be hard to say no to those cute little faces! 'However, obesity is linked to an increased risk of other ailments like diabetes, joint disease, and cancer,' Dr MacMillan highlights. 'Owners must weigh their pet's food out carefully and keep an eye on their cat's body condition, to ensure they don't put on any extra pounds.' As with many pedigree breeds, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be a problem for Russian Blues. 'This condition causes thickening of the muscular heart walls,' the vet explains. 'This affects the heart's ability to effectively pump blood around the body. Heart failure can occur, as well as blood clots and sudden death.' Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an inherited condition so purchasing your kitten from a reputable breeder who has screened their cats will reduce the risk. Asthma in cats isn't uncommon and it's a respiratory condition that can affect this breed. 'In affected cats, the body overreacts to inhaled allergens leading to inflammation and constriction of the airways,' Dr MacMillan says. 'Asthmatic cats can have breathing difficulties, wheezing, and start open-mouth breathing.' If any of these symptoms occur, owners must seek urgent help from a vet if their cat is showing any signs of asthma. 'Reducing things like cigarette smoke, air fresheners and scented candles in the environment can help ease symptoms, but many cats will require long-term medication too,' Dr MacMillan adds. How much does a Russian Blue cost? Russian Blues are pretty expensive cats. Costing anywhere between $1,400–3,800, their distinct appearance and pleasing personality traits make them particularly desirable – and therefore on the pricier side. This is around the same price tag as a Bengal or Savannah cat. Though Russian Blues aren't considered to be one of the rarest cat breeds in the US, they aren't your everyday cat you might come across. Should I get a Russian Blue? That depends. The long-living Russian Blues are sweet-natured kitties who thrive in human company. These cats are a relatively quiet breed and can get a bit scared by noisy children, bouncy dogs, or strangers. This is why Dr MacMillan suggests they would be best suited to a peaceful household, perhaps an elderly owner or a family with calmer, older children. Due to the fact Russian Blues produce less Fel d1 protein in their saliva and urine than many other breed and shed minimally, this breed might also suit allergy sufferers or those who don't want to spend all day picking up after their kitty. Although they enjoy playing, they also like a bit of alone time and will often take themselves off for a nap. 'They are usually content being left for short periods too, if you need to head out for a bit,' Dr MacMillan adds. Russian Blue Cats As Pets | Amazon This book covers the ideal habitat, food, shedding, feeding, diet and diseases – all specific to Russian Blues – and is written to help to those who desire advice and a better understanding for their new or existing Deal Read next: Facts about Russian blue cats Edited by Georgia Guerin. Solve the daily Crossword

Almost half of NHS England waiting list patients yet to have initial appointment
Almost half of NHS England waiting list patients yet to have initial appointment

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Almost half of NHS England waiting list patients yet to have initial appointment

Around three million people in England have had no further health care since being referred to a hospital waiting list, new data suggests. NHS England figures last month estimated 7.36 million treatments were waiting to be carried out at the end of May, relating to just under 6.23 million patients – with the analysis from MBI Health suggesting almost half of those have been left in limbo. Referring to the issue as a 'frontlog' that contributes to increasing NHS waiting list times, MBI said the problem 'has gone unchallenged for too long', with an estimated 2.99 million people waiting for their first clinical contact. MBI's analysis found that around 70% of referral to treatment pathways fall into the category of being 'unseen' since the patient's GP referred them to a specialist. Delays in making a first assessment can lead to late diagnosis, worsening symptoms and pressure on emergency services. The analysis found that ear, nose and throat (ENT), trauma and orthopaedics, gastroenterology, ophthalmology and gynaecology and obstetrics departments were consistently the specialist departments with the greatest number of patients not seen for the first time. As part of the Government's 10-year health plan, the NHS is expected to meet its target of carrying out 92% per cent of routine operations and appointments within 18 weeks by March 2029 – a target that has not been achieved for almost a decade. The latest figures show how challenging that target will be given an estimated one million of the three million unseen patients have already gone more than 18 weeks without receiving any care. 'If accurate, three million people are trapped in an invisible waiting list crisis, stuck without basic diagnostic tests of first appointments while their conditions worsen,' Rachel Power, the chief executive of the Patients Association, told the Guardian. 'The scale is staggering, as nearly half of all patients on a waiting list haven't been seen by anyone. That's not a healthcare service; that's a breakdown. 'These aren't just statistics. They're people checking their phones daily for hospital calls that never come, unable to plan their lives while their symptoms deteriorate.' Last month it was found people of working age are making up a growing proportion of those on the NHS waiting list for treatment in England. Data tables published for the first time by NHS England also show people in the most deprived parts of the country are more likely to wait more than a year to start hospital treatment than those in the least deprived. The figures, analysed by the PA news agency, showed 56.1% of those on the list at the end of June this year were of working age (defined as age 19 to 64), up from 55.8% a year ago and 55.0% in June 2022. At the same time, the proportion of people on the waiting list under the age of 19 has fallen, standing at 10.8% in June this year, down from 11.2% a year earlier and 11.9% in June 2022. The proportion who are over 65 has remained broadly unchanged at around 33.1%. People of working age are also more likely to have to wait more than a year to start treatment (3.0% of patients in this age group at the end of June) than those over 65 (2.5%). However, the proportion is the same as those under 19 (also 3.0%).

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