US CDC plans travel notice as chikungunya cases surge in China: Report
Chikungunya, which is spread primarily by Aedes mosquito species and has no specific treatment, can cause rapid and large outbreaks. As the mosquitoes bite in the daytime, prevention is key, through the use of insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing.Earlier this month, the World Health Organization issued an urgent call for action to prevent a repeat of the 2004-2005 epidemic of chikungunya as new outbreaks linked to the Indian Ocean region spread to Europe and other continents.The current surge began in early 2025, with major outbreaks in the same Indian Ocean islands which were previously hit, including La Runion, Mayotte and Mauritius.- EndsTune InTrending Reel
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Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Flesh-eating bacteria cases rise in parts of USA. Treatment, symptoms, locations where is it found?
Flesh eating bacteria infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus are sharply increasing along the Gulf Coast, with multiple deaths reported in states like Louisiana and Florida. Warmer ocean temperatures and increased flooding are fueling a spike in infections, with multiple deaths reported across Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama. The bacteria can infect through open wounds or raw seafood. Health experts are urging the public to take precautions during peak coastal and seafood season. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is Vibrio Vulnificus? Why are cases increasing? Who is most at risk? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Real-life cases highlight danger How to stay safe? FAQs Emergency alerts have gone out along the Gulf Coast as Vibrio vulnificus , a dangerous flesh eating bacterium, has made an alarming comeback this summer. Health officials in Louisiana, Florida , Mississippi, and Alabama are reporting a sharp rise in infections including multiple deaths far exceeding historical link the rise in cases to rising sea temperatures and flooding, making the bacterial threat more common and widespread. Authorities are urging beachgoers and seafood consumers alike to take precautions during peak summer vulnificus is a bacterium naturally found in warm, brackish waters. It can enter the body through open wounds exposed to seawater or by consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters. Once inside the body, it can cause necrotizing fasciitis , a flesh eating infection that spreads rapidly, sometimes requiring amputation or resulting in point to rising ocean temperatures and more frequent flooding as key drivers. Warmer waters help the bacteria thrive and spread farther north than in previous years. With climate change accelerating, the risk window for exposure continues to expand. 'These infections aren't just happening during hurricanes anymore,' said one health official. 'They're becoming a seasonal concern.'While anyone can contract Vibrio vulnificus, people with weakened immune systems, liver disease, or diabetes face the highest risk. According to the CDC, the infection has a mortality rate of up to 50% in vulnerable individuals if not treated North Carolina, a man was hospitalized in critical condition after a minor cut from fishing became infected. In Florida, several tourists have been affected in beach destinations, prompting local warnings and temporary shellfish harvest authorities advise the public to: Avoid seawater if you have open wounds, Wear protective footwear in coastal areas, Fully cook shellfish, especially oysters, Seek immediate medical help for infected cuts or sudden skin changes after water still rare, Vibrio vulnificus infections are increasing in both frequency and geographic range. The CDC estimates about 100 serious cases annually, with roughly 30 deaths numbers that could rise if warming trends continue. As climate change alters coastal ecosystems, experts urge greater public awareness and swift medical intervention to prevent life threatening outcomes.A1. Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium found in warm, brackish coastal waters. It can cause severe infections when it enters the body through open wounds or raw seafood.A2. Swimming is generally safe, but people with open wounds should avoid contact with seawater. Wearing protective footwear can also help prevent cuts and scrapes.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Flesh-eating bacteria cases rise in parts of USA. Treatment, symptoms, locations where is it found?
What is Vibrio Vulnificus? Why are cases increasing? Who is most at risk? Live Events Real-life cases highlight danger How to stay safe? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Emergency alerts have gone out along the Gulf Coast as Vibrio vulnificus , a dangerous flesh eating bacterium, has made an alarming comeback this summer. Health officials in Louisiana, Florida , Mississippi, and Alabama are reporting a sharp rise in infections including multiple deaths far exceeding historical link the rise in cases to rising sea temperatures and flooding, making the bacterial threat more common and widespread. Authorities are urging beachgoers and seafood consumers alike to take precautions during peak summer vulnificus is a bacterium naturally found in warm, brackish waters. It can enter the body through open wounds exposed to seawater or by consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters. Once inside the body, it can cause necrotizing fasciitis , a flesh eating infection that spreads rapidly, sometimes requiring amputation or resulting in point to rising ocean temperatures and more frequent flooding as key drivers. Warmer waters help the bacteria thrive and spread farther north than in previous years. With climate change accelerating, the risk window for exposure continues to expand. 'These infections aren't just happening during hurricanes anymore,' said one health official. 'They're becoming a seasonal concern.'While anyone can contract Vibrio vulnificus, people with weakened immune systems, liver disease, or diabetes face the highest risk. According to the CDC, the infection has a mortality rate of up to 50% in vulnerable individuals if not treated North Carolina, a man was hospitalized in critical condition after a minor cut from fishing became infected. In Florida, several tourists have been affected in beach destinations, prompting local warnings and temporary shellfish harvest authorities advise the public to: Avoid seawater if you have open wounds, Wear protective footwear in coastal areas, Fully cook shellfish, especially oysters, Seek immediate medical help for infected cuts or sudden skin changes after water still rare, Vibrio vulnificus infections are increasing in both frequency and geographic range. The CDC estimates about 100 serious cases annually, with roughly 30 deaths numbers that could rise if warming trends continue. As climate change alters coastal ecosystems, experts urge greater public awareness and swift medical intervention to prevent life threatening outcomes.A1. Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium found in warm, brackish coastal waters. It can cause severe infections when it enters the body through open wounds or raw seafood.A2. Swimming is generally safe, but people with open wounds should avoid contact with seawater. Wearing protective footwear can also help prevent cuts and scrapes.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
What are chikungunya symptoms? CDC issues travel warning for China amid outbreak
Americans travelling to China have been advised to practice utmost caution in the wake of the chikungunya virus outbreak in the country. A Level 2 travel alert was issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in this regard last week. CDC issued warning for Americans traveling to China after the Chikungunya outbreak.(Unsplash) This comes as more than 7,000 cases of the mosquito-borne virus were reported in the Guangdong province of China, forcing the authorities to put in measures similar to the ones taken during the COVID-19 pandemic period, as per BBC. Among the worst-affected regions in the country is the city of Foshan, where chikungunya patients have been ordered to stay in the hospital until they test negative. They will be discharged at the end of a week-long stay, and their beds are being protected using mosquito nets. Chikungunya: What to know? The viral disease is transmitted mainly through the Aedes mosquitoes. It is caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which is an RNA virus in the alphavirus genus of the Togaviridae family, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). CHIKV was identified for the first time in the United Republic of Tanzania in 1952, while major outbreaks have been reported in America, Asia, and Africa. A study that came out in Nature in June this year, estimated that around 35.3 million people get infected by Chikungunya on an annual basis across 180 countries and regions. It leads to nearly 3,700 deaths, which is 0.01% of the total cases, as per TIME magazine. The latest outbreak in China has been attributed to imported cases. Liu Qiyong, China CDC's chief expert in vector-borne disease control, told CGTN, 'With the virus spreading globally, imported cases have inevitably reached China.' Chikungunya symptoms The WHO states that chikungunya symptoms are quite similar to dengue and Zika, thus making it difficult to diagnose the disease and accurately determine the total number of infected persons. Also read: Chikungunya outbreak: China on high alert as Guangdong battles over 7,000 cases amid COVID like strict measures Some of the most common symptoms of Chikungunya include high fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, as well as joint swelling and rashes. The symptoms usually appear around 4-8 days after the patient is bitten by the infected mosquito. At first, the person gets to witness an 'abrupt onset of fever, frequently accompanied by severe joint pain,' as per the WHO. Notably, the joint pain is often debilitating and can last anywhere from a few days to weeks, months, and even years in some cases. While most of the patients completely recover from the infection, there are cases of eye, heart, and neurological complications that have come up due to the CHIKV infection. FAQs: 1. Why CDC has issued a warning for China? CDC's Level 2 alert, which is designated as 'Practice Enhanced Precautions', came out after China marked over 7,000 cases of chikungunya infections. 2. How are chikungunya patients treated? No specific antiviral treatment is available for the chikungunya virus infections. Usually, doctors give antipyretic and analgesic medications, like paracetamol, for fever and pain, as per the WHO. Also, there are two chikungunya vaccines that have received regulatory approvals, but these are not widely available. 3. Is chikungunya fatal? Severe symptoms and deaths from the viral disease are rare, occurring mostly among young children or elderly people who have co-existing health problems.
