CDC Weighs Travel Notice for China as Chikungunya Cases Rise
China has recorded nearly 5,000 cases of the mosquito-borne illness since one infection was introduced in early July. Guangdong, a province near Hong Kong, has recorded nearly 3,000 cases in the last week.
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Health officials issue warning after finding dead birds with dangerous virus: 'An early warning sign'
Health officials issue warning after finding dead birds with dangerous virus: 'An early warning sign' Three dead birds in California's Sacramento County have tested positive for West Nile virus. What's happening? The Sacramento Bee summarized an announcement from the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District, which said these were the first three birds to be identified with the virus in the county this year. However, a mosquito sample 3.5 weeks ago tested positive for the virus. "Finding the first positive birds is always significant because it serves as an early warning sign for West Nile virus activity," Gary Goodman, the district manager, said in a statement. "It confirms the virus is present in our region, helps us identify areas where infected mosquitoes may be found, and provides insight into where human cases could emerge later in the season." Why is West Nile virus important? Although West Nile virus has been in the United States since at least 1999, when it was discovered in New York, recent reports signal that it's showing up earlier in the season. Such is the case in Massachusetts, which recently discovered its first West Nile-carrying mosquitoes for the year. Many scientists attribute this shift to a warming planet, which enables disease-spreading mosquitoes to stay active for longer periods throughout the year. Plus, these bloodsuckers are beginning to expand their ranges and move into higher altitudes. For instance, Connecticut officials are warning residents that a type of mosquito that can carry chikungunya, Zika, and dengue is expected to spread farther and faster across the state in 2025. Symptoms of West Nile include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the virus sometimes turns deadly. In 2024, the CDC reported 164 deaths attributed to West Nile. The Bee reported that a man in the San Joaquin Valley, which borders Sacramento County, died partly because of the virus, making it the first West Nile-related death in the state this year. What's being done about West Nile? According to the Bee, area officials are spraying insecticide to limit the spread of West Nile, and the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District is amping up its efforts to monitor and trap mosquitoes. The district also directs citizens to its website, which has updates and mosquito bite prevention tips, including draining standing water that can attract mosquitoes and avoiding spending time outdoors at dawn and dusk. Meanwhile, communities across the globe are looking for ways to reduce their mosquito populations to protect residents from illnesses such as West Nile. For example, one Florida county is using X-rays to kill invasive mosquitoes. And one neighborhood in the Philippines is paying residents to bring in any mosquitoes they can capture, dead or alive. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Menopause increases your risk of STIs due to how aging changes your body
Diagnoses for sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are increasing in older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the number of people older than 65 diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis in the U.S. increased about three-, five- and sevenfold, respectively, from 2010 to 2023. Data also suggests that women older than 50 are at greater risk for HIV than younger women. Explanations for why these infections are so common in older adults include limited understanding of STIs in this age group, infrequent condom use and increased availability of medications for conditions that typically limit sexual activity in older adults, such as like Viagra and Cialis for erectile dysfunction and estrogen creams and tablets for vaginal dryness. Many older adults are reluctant to discuss their sexual history with their partners and health care providers, which contributes to misconceptions that they are monogamous or sexually inactive. In my work as an infectious disease scientist, I examine the largely unexplored biological reasons for why postmenopausal women have increased susceptibility to STIs. My recently published research shows that menopause is associated with loss of the genital tract's protective barrier, an essential defense against the microbial pathogens that cause STIs. Menopause: A natural part of aging Menopause is the stage in a woman's life marked by no menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months. In the U.S., menopause begins on average between ages 45 and 55. It is estimated that by the year 2030, 1.2 billion women worldwide will be menopausal or postmenopausal. Menopause results from a loss of estrogen production from the ovaries, which can diminish vaginal lubrication and vaginal tissue elasticity. This can cause a condition called genitourinary syndrome of menopause, or GSM, which involves symptoms such as vaginal dryness and irritation, painful sex and frequent urinary tract infections. Roughly half of postmenopausal women experience GSM. In addition to these negative effects on vaginal health, research from my lab has found that menopause also compromises the structural integrity of the tissue lining the vagina. The surface of the vagina is composed of multiple layers of epithelial cells that are held together by numerous adhesion molecules, including the proteins desmoglein-1, or DSG1, and desmocollin-1, or DSC1. These proteins strengthen the vaginal lining and restrict pathogen access to deeper tissue, reducing the risk of infection. To explore how menopause affects the vaginal lining, we compared the DSG1 and DSC1 levels in vaginal tissue from postmenopausal and premenopausal women. We found significantly lower DSG1 and DSC1 levels in postmenopausal women. We then surgically removed the ovaries of mice to model the loss of ovarian estrogen production in postmenopausal women. We also detected significantly less DSG1 and DSC1 proteins in vaginal tissue from mice without ovaries compared with mice with intact ovaries. Mice without ovaries also had greater susceptibility to infection with herpes simplex virus type 2, or HSV-2, and were less able to clear chlamydia infection from their lower genital tract. On the other hand, applying estrogen cream to mice without ovaries restored the integrity of their vaginal lining and fully protected these mice from HSV-2 infection. Too important to ignore Fully understanding the behavioral and biological risk factors that contribute to STI susceptibility can help clinicians and public health officials tackle the startling increases in STIs among older adults. Together, our studies show there is a loss of integrity in the vaginal lining after menopause. While additional research is needed, findings from our lab suggest that estrogen-containing compounds used to relieve vaginal irritation and other symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause can also reduce susceptibility to STIs among older adults. In the meantime, health care providers can help reduce the risk of STIs among older adults by consistently counseling them about safe sex practices and offering routine STI screening. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Thomas L. Cherpes, The Ohio State University Read more: Millions of women are working during menopause, but US law isn't clear on employees' rights or employers' obligations Iceland's recent volcanic eruptions driven by pooling magma are set to last centuries into the future The sex of your cells matters when it comes to heart disease Thomas L Cherpes receives funding from the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
The Hill
4 hours ago
- The Hill
What still causes the plague in the US?
(NEXSTAR) — Northern Arizona recently recorded its first pneumonic plague-related death since 2007. Early last year, Oregon saw its first case of the bubonic plague since 2015. Person-to-person spread of the plague hasn't been seen in more than 100 years in the U.S., but cases occasionally pop up. So what causes them? The plague cases reported in the U.S. today are not exactly the same as those seen in medieval Europe. Between 1347 and 1352 alone, it's estimated that the plague caused the deaths of at least 25 million Europeans. Rats aboard a ship from the Crimea and Asia that docked in Sicily are blamed for bringing the bubonic plague into Europe. Once fleas ran out of host rodents in Europe – those that lacked resistance to the plague also died – they sought out humans. Fungus labeled 'urgent threat' by CDC is spreading rapidly, hospital study finds Eventually, those who were sick or at risk of carrying the plague were isolated and put into quarantine, much like guidance issued during the COVID pandemic. A vaccine in the late 19th century, improved sanitation, better health practices and modern antibiotics have been credited with helping to stop the spread of the plague when it pops up. The U.S. now sees about seven cases annually, on average, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The World Health Organization says most human cases over the last three decades have been in Africa. When cases do occur in the U.S., they're primarily in the West, with most reported in New Mexico and Arizona. Cases have also appeared within the region of southern Oregon, far western Nevada, and California. U.S. cases are, most often, bubonic. There are three main forms of the plague: bubonic (the most common during Europe's Black Death), septicemic, and pneumonic. Generally speaking, plague is brought on by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, with humans and mammals being affected. 'Quiet cracking' is the newest term for a workplace problem — and it's 'pretty pervasive,' expert says The three types of plague present with different symptoms and are caused by different things. Bubonic plague is caused by the bites of fleas that are mostly found on rodents. Symptoms of bubonic plague, the Cleveland Clinic explains, include a sudden high fever; chills; headaches; pain in the abdomen, arms, and legs; and large, swollen lymph nodes that can leak pus. While the bacteria will multiply in the lymph node where it entered the body, it's capable of spreading to other parts of the body if not treated with antibiotics. Septicemic plague has similar symptoms to bubonic plague, including fever, chills, extreme weakness, pain in the abdomen, shock, and the possibility of bleeding into the skin and other organs, the CDC explains. This form of plague can develop from untreated bubonic plague as well as from the handling of infected animals. Should a person with bubonic or septicemic plague go without treatment, and the bacteria reach their lungs, they can develop pneumonic plague. A person can also get pneumonic plague from breathing in 'droplets coughed out by another person or animal with pneumonic plague,' according to the CDC. Like other forms of plague, a person infected with pneumonic plague may develop a fever, headache, weakness, and pneumonia, with the latter developing 'rapidly.' While bubonic and septicemic plague may take a few days to set in, the incubation period for pneumonic plague may be just over a day, the CDC reports. It's the only form that can be spread person-to-person, and it is considered the most serious form of the disease. Between 2020 and 2023, the CDC reported 15 human plague cases were reported. Of those, three died. As the Cleveland Clinic explains, plague has to be treated with antibiotics as quickly as possible — taking antibiotics within 24 hours of symptoms gives you 'the best chance of getting better.' You could begin feeling better within a week or two, as long as you receive treatment, according to health experts. Regardless of the type of plague, about 90% survive with quick treatment. Untreated, 'plague is nearly always fatal,' the Cleveland Clinic said. Health officials have not said how the Arizona resident who died earlier this year of the pneumonic plague became infected. Oregon's case of bubonic plague last year was believed to be brought on by a pet cat. In recent years, Colorado has reported a cat testing positive for septicemic plague and a cat, two prairie dog colonies, and a squirrel testing positive for bubonic plague. Infected fleas are largely to blame for plague cases that occur in the U.S. today, but the handling of infected animals – like cats, rabbits, rats, mice, and squirrels, according to New York's Department of Health – has also been known to lead to the plague. To avoid getting the plague, it's recommended that you take steps to avoid flea bites. That includes wearing bug spray with DEET and clearing up spaces outside where the wild animals fleas love may live. It's also important to speak with your veterinarian about preventing fleas on your pets. Your pets should also not be allowed to roam outdoors freely if you live in an area prone to the plague.
