Latest news with #Eurosurveillance
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bottles of "Holy Water" Contaminated With Cholera Send European Tourists to the ICU
Researchers are warning that bottles of "holy water" from a well in Ethiopia could be laced with dangerous bacteria that could cause cholera. As detailed in a new report published in the journal Eurosurveillance and spotted by Ars Technica, three German and four British tourists developed a nasty case of cholera, a bacterial disease spread through contaminated water and food, after drinking or splashing their face with holy water from plastic bottles they had brought back to Europe after visiting the Quara district of Ethiopia. The bottles of holy water were absolutely teeming with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae, per the report, with an estimated 100,000 to 100 million "colony forming units," which allowed the bacteria to remain "viable at ambient temperature during the flight and in Europe." Two of the tourists required intensive care, but all eventually recovered from the unfortunate ordeal. Per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cholera can cause severe diarrhea, dehydration, and in extreme cases death, if it goes untreated. Infection can be prevented by washing hands with soap, drinking treated water, and getting vaccinated against cholera. The water was taken from a "holy well" called "Bermel Giorgis," near the border between Ethiopia and Sudan. The local Orthodox church claims the well is a revered holy site that "offers an unparalleled spiritual experience where visitors often gain clarity, healing, and a deeper connection to faith," according to a travel website. But considering the nasty bacterial infection the tourists experienced, drinking the well's water appears to have some less-than-angelic side effects as well. And according to a bulletin by the CDC published last month, more visitors could be at risk. "Travellers to Ethiopia intending to visit the well, as well as friends and family who may be gifted bottles of water from the well, remain at risk until the source of contamination has been addressed," the bulletin reads. Complicating matters is an ongoing armed conflict in the area, which could render "interventions to address the source of contamination currently challenging," per the CDC. Worse yet, cholera deaths are back on the rise, according to the World Health Organization. The number of reported cases increased by 13 percent and deaths by 71 percent in 2023 compared to 2022. Over 4,000 people died from the disease in 2023, despite the widespread availability of highly effective treatments. And the Trump administration's massive cuts to USAID have already made it more difficult for vulnerable people worldwide to access treatment for cholera. As Al Jazeera reported this week, eight people, including five children, died in South Sudan after walking for three hours in extreme heat to seek treatment for the disease. Their local USAID health facilities were forced to close due to the agency's budget cuts. More on cholera: 'Zombie' Deer Disease Could Spread to Humans, Experts Warn
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts issue urgent warning about dangerous infections on the rise: 'There is growing concern'
Scientists have confirmed cases of a dangerous brain infection called tick-borne encephalitis in U.K. residents with no travel history, sparking concerns among the public. According to News Medical, a new study by U.K. researchers found that the virus, which spreads by the bite of an infected tick, has become more prevalent in recent years. The team analyzed confirmed cases between 2015 and 2023 and determined that 21 TBE cases were diagnosed in the United Kingdom. From 2022-23, doctors diagnosed 12 patients with the virus, three of whom acquired it locally. Previously, the consensus among scientists was that tick-borne encephalitis was confined to mainland Europe and parts of Asia and that the risk in the U.K. was very low. Until recently, TBE cases in the U.K. had only been observed in residents who have traveled to places where the virus is endemic. "However, the first probable U.K.-acquired cases were reported in 2019 and 2020, and with the virus now present in local tick populations, there is growing concern that the U.K. could see an increase in domestic cases of TBE," the News Medical article explained. While most infections don't cause symptoms, the disease can progress to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), which can lead to neurological damage, memory loss, and even death in rare cases. Since TBE can cause severe cognitive issues and lifelong health complications, the fact that it's being diagnosed in more patients is concerning, especially since the virus didn't exist in the U.K. until recently. TBEV infections can be more challenging to diagnose than Lyme disease, which may lead to delayed treatment, increasing the risk of long-term health problems. The research team believes our warming planet could be contributing to the spread of tick-borne encephalitis in the U.K. since milder winters allow ticks to survive in larger numbers and expand their geographic range. "Climate change could impact the tick proliferation rate, duration of questing season (and hence transmission) and human behavior among other potential factors," the researchers wrote in the study, published in the journal Eurosurveillance. Rising global temperatures have led to the emergence of other tick-borne illnesses, such as the Heartland virus — a rare disease spread by the lone star tick in America. Two cases of Powassan virus, a disease spread by the black-legged tick, were confirmed last year in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. While not nearly as common as Lyme disease, experts say cases have increased in recent years because of warmer weather. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. If you plan on traveling to a country where TBE is endemic, make sure to get vaccinated before you leave. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also advises wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, applying insect repellent, and treating your clothing and gear with permethrin — a synthetic insecticide — if you're engaging in outdoor activities, especially in forested areas. To repel ticks in your backyard without harmful chemicals, you can try planting herbs such as lavender, basil, and oregano. The study authors said that since 2023, TBEV testing has been expanded to all undiagnosed encephalitis cases, even if patients have no exposure to ticks or recent travel history. They suggested further surveillance of ticks and deer across the U.K. to gain more insight on how and where the virus is spreading. If you live in the U.K. or other countries where tick-borne diseases are increasing, keeping tabs on case numbers in your area and other critical climate issues that may impact your health is important. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers make concerning discovery after examining sheep feces found on lettuce crops: 'Increasing impacts on our health and food security'
While investigating the causes of a sizable E. coli outbreak that occurred in the United Kingdom in 2022, a team of researchers revealed some surprising potential connections between climate change and food contamination. After the 2022 outbreak that saw 259 reported cases of Shiga-toxin producing E. coli, or STEC, researchers traced the contamination back to lettuce that was tainted with sheep feces. As noted in their findings published by the journal Eurosurveillance, the team pinpointed a heavy rainfall event that may have washed the sheep feces onto a lettuce grower's land. Leveraging archived weather data, the researchers were able to connect the dots. "Using new techniques, we were able to use weather data (rainfall and temperature), information about how land is used and information about the location of sheep to better understand the events that led to the outbreak and the location of the lettuce grower," the report states. The researchers used the historic data to evaluate whether climate change may have played a role in the outbreak. Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently and more intensely due to rising global temperatures, so any connection there could be a public health concern."Climate change will have increasing impacts on our health and food security," the researchers wrote. "We expect to see more heavy rainfall events. The lettuce incriminated in this outbreak may have been contaminated by heavy rainfall and flooding, transporting STEC from animal faeces to crops in fields. Our new techniques could help to predict and prevent future outbreaks and inform risk assessments and risk management for farmers growing fresh produce for people to eat." According to the study, this specific region in the U.K. saw over four inches of rain on Aug. 16, 2022. This was preceded by a period of unusually dry weather — another potential factor in the spread of contamination. The research here suggests climate change may have been a significant driver of the E. coli outbreak. And anomalies in weather patterns could contribute to future contaminations, posing a challenge to the food supply and overall well-being. With global temperatures continuing to rise, it's expected that weather patterns will be further altered. The Environmental Protection Agency warns that higher temperatures will lead to an increase in severe weather events, jeopardizing human life and whole ecosystems. Do you worry about pesticides in your food? All the time Sometimes Not really I only eat organic Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. We are certainly already feeling the effects of climate change, but these researchers say their study could be invaluable to the prevention of future climate-related E. coli outbreaks. "Our new techniques could help to predict and prevent future outbreaks and inform risk assessments and risk management for farmers growing fresh produce for people to eat," the researchers wrote. And, by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, it's possible that we may be able to cool down our planet and mitigate the effects of global warming. The dramatic increase of temperatures can be linked to human activity since the 1800s, per NASA — so humans can do something about it. You can help in several different ways by making small changes at home. By switching to an electric vehicle and opting for renewable energy sources, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. 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 planet.
