Latest news with #DepartmentofLaboratoryMedicineandPathology
Global News
4 days ago
- Health
- Global News
Alberta health experts say wastewater testing may offer early detection of measles
Health experts embraced it as a valuable tool to help track the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic. Now, those same experts say it may also help health officials get the jump on preventing measles outbreaks in places like Alberta, a province that now has the notorious reputation of having surpassed the entire United States for the number of lab-confirmed cases of the highly-infectious virus. 'I think surveillance is best when you have a number of different ways of following the disease and molecular testing of wastewater proved its worth during COVID,' said Alberta's former chief public health officer, Dr. James Talbot. 'It identifies when a virus has moved into new territory. It can be the earliest signal for that. It tells you whether the situation is getting better or worse, which is very important to know,' added Talbot. Story continues below advertisement 'And finally, when you're taking measures to control it, that kind of surveillance can tell you whether the measures are working or not.' 2:09 Data from wastewater helps ease Alberta's pandemic data problem Dr. Xiaoli Pang, a professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Alberta, has been testing wastewater from 12 treatment plants across Alberta, once a week, since April 1. 'We never can replace clinical testing, because we are not able to detect who is infected, how many people are infected — we are just, through the community, (doing) population-based monitoring,' said Pang. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Because the incubation period for measles can be up to three weeks — from exposure to the appearance of symptoms — Pang said the testing may be able to provide health officials with early detection of where outbreaks could occur, providing them with valuable information on where to focus their vaccination and education efforts. Story continues below advertisement The testing can also distinguish between the disease strain of measles and the strain used to produce the vaccine — which means it might also be useful to help determine how much of the population in a particular region has already been vaccinated. 'This disease is a predictable disease. If you apply a vaccine, you get protected, so that is important information for public health,' added Pang. One of the shortcomings of the wastewater testing is it likely does not accurately reflect the infection rate in babies or young children who may still use a diaper. According to the Alberta government, about a third of the people in the province infected with measles are under 5 years of age. But many health experts claim use of the existing system of clinical testing is likely also underestimating the size of the measles problem in Alberta. 'The surveillance system that's in place right now is likely to be undercounting the number of cases,' said Talbot, 'particularly in the summer, because there's so many opportunities during the summer for the measles virus to spread, as kids go to sports camps, Bible camps, family gatherings, summer camps and big events too, like the Calgary Stampede.' View image in full screen A special computerized device, installed over a modified manhole in Calgary, was used to help test for the Covid-19 virus during the pandemic. Global News Despite the promising results, however, Pang said the wastewater testing program is short on funding. Story continues below advertisement 'I'm only able to plan to monitor measles until end of this year,' said Pang. 'I believe this virus is (going to) continue to cause a huge problem and we may not be able to continue. 'So that is a challenge.' 2:05 COVID-19: What is wastewater testing, and how effective is it? Global News asked the Alberta government if it plans to use wastewater testing to help in the fight against measles. The Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services provided a written statement that said, 'public health officials are reviewing this data to determine its relevance during the current outbreak. However, because measles is a notifiable disease with clear, recognizable symptoms, the vast majority of cases are identified through routine public health surveillance.' The statement continued, 'At this stage, measles wastewater surveillance is considered an exploratory tool and is not anticipated to support earlier case detection, as public health already has a clear understanding of where cases are occurring and how the virus is spreading.' Story continues below advertisement Talbot, however, who has been highly critical of the province's efforts to prevent the spread of measles, believes wastewater testing could be another valuable tool for the province to use. 'You know, the provincial government is fond of saying that getting immunized is a personal decision, which of course it is,' said Talbot. 'But they never go on to make the second point, which is that although it's a personal decision, it has consequences for other people.'
Qatar Tribune
11-06-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
HMC performs Qatar's first transfusion using frozen red blood cells
QNA Doha Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (DLMP), Division of Transfusion Medicine, has successfully performed its first-ever transfusion using Frozen Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC) for a patient with complex transfusion needs. The patient, diagnosed with Thalassemia Major and multiple immunohematological challenges, responded exceptionally well to the transfusion. There were no adverse reactions, and the patient showed marked clinical improvement, including stabilized hemoglobin levels, enhanced organ function, and overall wellbeing. This achievement was made possible through the use of cryopreserved blood from HMC's newly established frozen PRBC inventory. Cryopreserved red blood cells are specially processed and stored at ultra-low temperatures, enabling long-term preservation - up to 30 years - of rare and hard-to-match blood types. Before transfusion, these units are carefully thawed and washed to remove the cryoprotective agent, allowing for a safer and more precise match for patients with rare blood groups or antibodies. Dr Einas Al Kuwari, Chair of Clinical Services DLMP at HMC, said this was a significant step forward in providing cutting edge treatments for patients. 'This milestone reflects our commitment to delivering cutting-edge medical services,' Dr Al Kuwari said. 'The ability to provide frozen PRBCs addresses long-standing challenges in transfusion medicine, particularly for patients with rare or complex immunohematological profiles. It ensures that life-saving blood support is available precisely when needed, with maximum safety'. 'The successful implementation of the transfusion marks a major step forward in personalized and precision-based transfusion therapy in Qatar,' Dr Al Kuwari said. 'It underscores HMC's role as a regional leader in innovative, patient-centered healthcare solutions.'
Qatar Tribune
11-06-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
HMC achieves milestone with first successful transfusion using Frozen Packed Red Blood Cells
DOHA: Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (DLMP), Division of Transfusion Medicine, has successfully performed its first-ever transfusion using Frozen Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs) for a patient with complex transfusion needs. The patient, diagnosed with Thalassemia Major and multiple immunohematological challenges, responded exceptionally well to the transfusion. There were no adverse reactions, and the patient showed marked clinical improvement, including stabilized hemoglobin levels, enhanced organ function, and overall wellbeing. This achievement was made possible through the use of cryopreserved blood from HMC's newly established frozen PRBC inventory. Cryopreserved red blood cells are specially processed and stored at ultra-low temperatures, enabling long-term preservation - up to 30 years - of rare and hard-to-match blood types. Before transfusion, these units are carefully thawed and washed to remove the cryoprotective agent, allowing for a safer and more precise match for patients with rare blood groups or antibodies. Dr Einas Al Kuwari, Chair of Clinical Services DLMP at HMC, said this was a significant step forward in providing cutting edge treatments for patients. 'This milestone reflects our commitment to delivering cutting-edge medical services,' Dr Al Kuwari said. 'The ability to provide frozen PRBCs addresses long-standing challenges in transfusion medicine, particularly for patients with rare or complex immunohematological profiles. It ensures that life-saving blood support is available precisely when needed, with maximum safety'. 'The successful implementation of this transfusion marks a major step forward in personalized and precision-based transfusion therapy in Qatar,' Dr Al Kuwari said. 'It underscores HMC's role as a regional leader in innovative, patient-centered healthcare solutions.'
