Latest news with #CentreforDiseaseControl
Mint
22-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
Mint Primer: Covid cases are rising again. Should we be worried?
Singapore, Hong Kong, China and some South-East Asian countries have reported a modest spike in covid cases again, as have parts of India. What's causing the rise? Should we be alarmed, and what can we do about it? Mint explains. How big is the spike in covid cases? It is significant, but nothing like the levels we saw during 2020-2021. As per the ministry of health and family welfare, India has 257 active covid cases, largely in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. The ministry recorded one death this month but is still in the process of confirming fatalities in Kerala. Meanwhile, Singapore's ministry of health said cases had grown to 14,200 by early May, with 133 hospitalized daily. China's Centre for Disease Control also reported a spike in cases. Of its samples collected weekly, those with covid rose to 16.2% in early May while rates of those hospitalized rose to over 6%. Also read | Covid-19 like new bat virus HKU5-CoV discovered at Wuhan lab, can enter humans using same gateway as coronavirus What's causing this spike? Scientists across countries have pointed to descendants of the JN.1 variant, a version of covid that originated in Europe and spread to France, the UK and later North America starting in late-2023. The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared it a variant of interest (but not concern) in December 2023 as it spread more rapidly than previous versions of covid and dominated the world. Sovereign health authorities, such as Singapore's, said strains including LF.7 and NB.1.8. are responsible for the ongoing spike in cases. But at the WHO, these were not yet variants that it was monitoring as of 14 April. So, is there reason to worry? Experts and the data say no. India's case load of 257 is a fraction of what we saw at the height of the pandemic. During the second wave in 2021, India was reporting 300,000-400,000 cases a day. Besides, the WHO says JN.1 causes only mild symptoms. Healthcare authorities globally have not found any evidence that the newest variant causes severe symptoms. Also read | Covid-19 resurgence: What is JN.1 variant of coronavirus? What are the symptoms? Then why is this spike of interest? Because influenza and related respiratory viruses typically spread in the winter, allowing healthcare systems to prepare for seasonal peaks and roll out annual vaccinations. However, this spike shows covid can surge across seasons. While this year's spike in Asia is happening in the summer months, last year's spikes occurred in late-summer, autumn and the winter months as well. Last June, the US Centres for Disease Control said covid could surge around the year and cause relatively more intense local outbreaks. What does this mean for public health? Experts in India, Singapore and China have asked people to observe basic precautions, including wearing a mask, or covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and keeping up to date with jabs. They have also asked people to stay at home and avoid travelling if they are unwell and wash their hands frequently. However, so far, healthcare authorities in India and abroad have not officially imposed any pandemic-era restrictions such as masks and social distancing. Also read | Covid cases in India: Mumbai, Pune, Chennai log fresh cases
The Age
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Age
This disease has infected America. Australia must remain immune
The toll of preventable chronic disease is rising fast. More than two-thirds of Australian adults are overweight or obese, putting them at increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Yet despite commitments to prevention – including plans to tackle obesity and chronic disease – governments haven't followed through. Australia's prevention spending remains well below the average among wealthy nations. Countries such as Canada and the UK allocate a much bigger share of their health budgets to prevention, recognising that long-term investment in public health saves lives and money. Loading As well as spending more, other countries have adopted taxes and regulations to promote healthy choices. These include taxes on sugary drinks (adopted in more than 100 countries), stricter limits on salt in manufactured foods, and bans on junk food advertising to children. Not only are we failing to introduce policies embraced by our peers, but policies we've had for decades are starting to fail us. Each year since 2020, vaccination rates for children in Australia have fallen. Too many older people are missing out on vital vaccines as well. Last winter, one in five aged care homes vaccinated less than half their residents against the flu. And now, new threats to public health are on the horizon. The ongoing bird flu outbreak across North America highlights the risk of another pandemic. The virus has been detected in many wild bird species, has spread to livestock, and has infected 70 people, resulting in one death. And as the climate gets hotter, new risks will follow from bushfires, heatwaves, and tropical diseases moving south into more populated parts of Australia. Despite longstanding and emerging threats, complacency reigns. Even the loudest wake-up call imaginable didn't work. A once-in-a-century pandemic that upended the country, killed tens of thousands, and left many more with ongoing symptoms. It has resulted in disappointingly little change. Some new pandemic preparedness measures have been announced, and we've seen progress on problems like vaping. But Australia's promised Centre for Disease Control hasn't been legislated or fully established, and there is no sign that governments are shifting their focus towards keeping Australians healthy. Loading That slide back into complacency after a crisis is a well-known problem in public health, called the 'panic-neglect cycle'. When political incentives, vested interests, and short-termism block policies that are in the national interest, independent institutions can help break the panic-neglect cycle. Election season is a great time to see them in action. As the campaign heats up, Australia's independent bodies are beavering away. The Australian Electoral Commission, the nation's most trusted public service body, is making sure the rules are followed and the election runs smoothly. The Parliamentary Budget Office will publish an independent costing of every election commitment, free from political spin. The next parliament will have a golden opportunity to establish a similarly independent, capable, and well-resourced Centre for Disease Control. The Coalition doesn't think we need one at all. But independent MPs – who could be an influential force in the next parliament – might advocate for this reform. The last time Australia had a minority government, independents fought for the creation of the Parliamentary Budget Office. In the current term, they were crucial in pushing for an independent National Anti-Corruption Commission. The chance to establish a truly independent Centre for Disease Control doesn't come often. Done right, it could safeguard Australians' health for generations – and finally break the panic-neglect cycle for good.
Sydney Morning Herald
01-05-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
This disease has infected America. Australia must remain immune
The toll of preventable chronic disease is rising fast. More than two-thirds of Australian adults are overweight or obese, putting them at increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Yet despite commitments to prevention – including plans to tackle obesity and chronic disease – governments haven't followed through. Australia's prevention spending remains well below the average among wealthy nations. Countries such as Canada and the UK allocate a much bigger share of their health budgets to prevention, recognising that long-term investment in public health saves lives and money. Loading As well as spending more, other countries have adopted taxes and regulations to promote healthy choices. These include taxes on sugary drinks (adopted in more than 100 countries), stricter limits on salt in manufactured foods, and bans on junk food advertising to children. Not only are we failing to introduce policies embraced by our peers, but policies we've had for decades are starting to fail us. Each year since 2020, vaccination rates for children in Australia have fallen. Too many older people are missing out on vital vaccines as well. Last winter, one in five aged care homes vaccinated less than half their residents against the flu. And now, new threats to public health are on the horizon. The ongoing bird flu outbreak across North America highlights the risk of another pandemic. The virus has been detected in many wild bird species, has spread to livestock, and has infected 70 people, resulting in one death. And as the climate gets hotter, new risks will follow from bushfires, heatwaves, and tropical diseases moving south into more populated parts of Australia. Despite longstanding and emerging threats, complacency reigns. Even the loudest wake-up call imaginable didn't work. A once-in-a-century pandemic that upended the country, killed tens of thousands, and left many more with ongoing symptoms. It has resulted in disappointingly little change. Some new pandemic preparedness measures have been announced, and we've seen progress on problems like vaping. But Australia's promised Centre for Disease Control hasn't been legislated or fully established, and there is no sign that governments are shifting their focus towards keeping Australians healthy. Loading That slide back into complacency after a crisis is a well-known problem in public health, called the 'panic-neglect cycle'. When political incentives, vested interests, and short-termism block policies that are in the national interest, independent institutions can help break the panic-neglect cycle. Election season is a great time to see them in action. As the campaign heats up, Australia's independent bodies are beavering away. The Australian Electoral Commission, the nation's most trusted public service body, is making sure the rules are followed and the election runs smoothly. The Parliamentary Budget Office will publish an independent costing of every election commitment, free from political spin. The next parliament will have a golden opportunity to establish a similarly independent, capable, and well-resourced Centre for Disease Control. The Coalition doesn't think we need one at all. But independent MPs – who could be an influential force in the next parliament – might advocate for this reform. The last time Australia had a minority government, independents fought for the creation of the Parliamentary Budget Office. In the current term, they were crucial in pushing for an independent National Anti-Corruption Commission. The chance to establish a truly independent Centre for Disease Control doesn't come often. Done right, it could safeguard Australians' health for generations – and finally break the panic-neglect cycle for good.
