Latest news with #Haemophilusinfluenzae
Al-Ahram Weekly
14-07-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
No evidence 4 siblings died of Meningitis in Minya: Health Ministry - Health
The Ministry of Health and Population affirmed in its statement on Sunday that claims about the simultaneous death of four siblings in Minya Governorate in Upper Egypt due to Meningitis disease are unfounded and scientifically unverified. On Saturday evening, several social media reports alleged that four children from the same family died of meningitis in Minya Governorate. According to those reports, the children arrived at a hospital showing symptoms including high fever, headache, neck stiffness, irritability, vomiting, and sensitivity. They died shortly after. Fears of a meningitis outbreak among children quickly spread on social media. The ministry clarified in its statement that meningitis is a disease caused by inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (the meninges). It can be caused by microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites), or by non-microbial causes such as tumors, medications, surgeries, or accidents. In response to these claims, the ministry stated that there is no medical evidence supporting the occurrence of simultaneous deaths in infectious diseases. It emphasised that non-infectious causes, such as food or chemical poisoning, must be excluded before confirming the cause of death. The ministry explained that in cases of household outbreaks, deaths typically occur within a few days, not simultaneously. It added that the body's response to infection varies depending on age, immunity, and viral load, making the simultaneous death of four siblings medically illogical. In this context, the ministry also noted that Egypt has successfully controlled the contagious bacterial type of meningitis since 1989, due to effective surveillance and preventive vaccination, with the incidence rate dropping to 0.02 cases per 100,000 people. It confirmed that no epidemic cases of bacterial types A and C have been recorded among school students since 2016 due to the strategic use of vaccinations. According to its statement, the ministry confirmed that it annually provides 6.5 million doses of the bivalent A and C vaccine for first-year students across all educational stages. It also offers 600,000 doses annually of the quadrivalent vaccine for travellers to high-risk countries or for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Additionally, the Haemophilus influenzae vaccine has been included in the national immunisation schedule at 2, 4, and 6 months of age since February 2014, alongside the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine for the prevention of tuberculous meningitis. The ministry said that its health surveillance system works on two levels. The first is daily monitoring from all hospitals, where cases are quickly diagnosed and treated, results are recorded electronically, and preventive medicine like Rifampicin is given to close contacts for 10 days. The second involves testing spinal fluid samples in 12 selected fever hospitals. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily News Egypt
13-07-2025
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
Health Ministry denies claims of meningitis-related deaths among siblings
Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population on Sunday dismissed recent reports alleging the simultaneous deaths of four siblings from meningitis, describing the claims as 'unfounded and scientifically unsupported.' In an official statement, the ministry explained that meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which can result from infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites—or from non-infectious factors such as tumors, certain medications, surgeries, or trauma. The ministry stressed that Egypt has successfully controlled the infectious bacterial type of meningitis since 1989, reducing infection rates to just 0.02 cases per 100,000 people. It confirmed that no outbreaks of bacterial strains A or C have been reported among school students since 2016, attributing this progress to comprehensive vaccination campaigns and continuous disease surveillance. Egypt's surveillance system includes routine daily reporting from healthcare facilities, alongside advanced monitoring at 12 fever hospitals where cerebrospinal fluid samples are tested using WHO-accredited PCR techniques. The ministry also noted that immediate care is provided for suspected cases, including diagnosis, treatment, and preventive antibiotics for close contacts. To support these efforts, Egypt distributes around 6.5 million doses of the A&C meningitis vaccine annually to first-year students across all educational stages, in addition to 600,000 doses of the quadrivalent vaccine for travelers heading to high-risk regions. The national immunization schedule also covers vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae and tuberculosis-related meningitis. Refuting the viral rumor, the ministry emphasized that there is 'no medical basis' for claims that four siblings could die simultaneously from a contagious disease like meningitis. It described such an event as highly implausible, highlighting that immune responses differ from person to person and that other potential causes—such as chemical exposure or food poisoning—must be thoroughly investigated before drawing conclusions. The ministry concluded by urging the public to rely on official health statements and refrain from circulating unverified medical information that could lead to unnecessary public concern or panic.
Al-Ahram Weekly
13-07-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
No evidence of 4 siblings dying simultaneously of Meningitis in Egypt's Minya Governorate: Health Ministry - Health
The Ministry of Health and Population affirmed in its statement on Sunday that claims about the simultaneous death of four siblings in Minya Governorate in Upper Egypt due to Meningitis disease are unfounded and scientifically unverified. On Saturday evening, several social media reports alleged that four children from the same family died of meningitis in Minya Governorate. According to those reports, the children arrived at a hospital showing symptoms including high fever, headache, neck stiffness, irritability, vomiting, and sensitivity. They died shortly after. Fears of a meningitis outbreak among children quickly spread on social media. The ministry clarified in its statement that meningitis is a disease caused by inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (the meninges). It can be caused by microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites), or by non-microbial causes such as tumors, medications, surgeries, or accidents. In response to these claims, the ministry stated that there is no medical evidence supporting the occurrence of simultaneous deaths in infectious diseases. It emphasised that non-infectious causes, such as food or chemical poisoning, must be excluded before confirming the cause of death. The ministry explained that in cases of household outbreaks, deaths typically occur within a few days, not simultaneously. It added that the body's response to infection varies depending on age, immunity, and viral load, making the simultaneous death of four siblings medically illogical. In this context, the ministry also noted that Egypt has successfully controlled the contagious bacterial type of meningitis since 1989, due to effective surveillance and preventive vaccination, with the incidence rate dropping to 0.02 cases per 100,000 people. It confirmed that no epidemic cases of bacterial types A and C have been recorded among school students since 2016 due to the strategic use of vaccinations. According to its statement, the ministry confirmed that it annually provides 6.5 million doses of the bivalent A and C vaccine for first-year students across all educational stages. It also offers 600,000 doses annually of the quadrivalent vaccine for travellers to high-risk countries or for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Additionally, the Haemophilus influenzae vaccine has been included in the national immunisation schedule at 2, 4, and 6 months of age since February 2014, alongside the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine for the prevention of tuberculous meningitis. The ministry said that its health surveillance system works on two levels. The first is daily monitoring from all hospitals, where cases are quickly diagnosed and treated, results are recorded electronically, and preventive medicine like Rifampicin is given to close contacts for 10 days. The second involves testing spinal fluid samples in 12 selected fever hospitals. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Los Angeles Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: Vaccines save millions of lives. Don't let Robert F. Kennedy Jr. diminish them
To the editor: For Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be our secretary of Health and Human Services is not only having the fox guard the chicken coop — the fox is invited right into the chicken coop. His unfitness for the job and danger to the health of our citizens was beautifully laid out by columnist Robin Abcarian in her article on the critical role of vaccines and the dangers we face because he belittles their validity and importance ('RFK Jr. is dismantling trust in vaccines, the crown jewel of American public health,' June 29). During my pediatric residency decades ago, some of the 'old-timers' occasionally brought in patients who had diseases that we rarely saw anymore because of vaccines, including measles. One night, a toddler came into the emergency room and we admitted her immediately to the intensive care unit because we could see she had a grave infection. She died the next day. The infection she had, Haemophilus influenzae type B, is now part of the vaccination schedule. That vaccine alone is estimated to have saved 2.85 million lives from 1989 to 2024. There is little that prevents infant mortality like vaccines. Even though the insurance industry has followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for vaccines, paying for the ones recommended by the CDC Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, I recommend and hope they will pivot to following the recommendations of professional medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics. Our children and others receiving vaccines deserve this protection. Linda Randolph, Los Angeles .. To the editor: Operation Warp Speed was a great success that enabled testing and widespread distribution of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of the first pandemic year, 2020. According to one study, in just the first seven months of 2021, the vaccines saved approximately 279,000 U.S. lives. Now, as Abcarian discusses, we have a Health secretary who tells Americans to eat healthy while he feasts on junk science that erroneously claims that COVID vaccines, along with other vaccines, are harmful. We should all be concerned about our nation's transition from Operation Warp Speed to what I call 'Operation Warped Mind' — a foolish opposition to vaccines — and the risks that this poses to our health. And we should all question why the president nominated an unqualified person to be the Health secretary and why all Republican senators except Mitch McConnell voted to confirm him. It's notable that McConnell, a survivor of childhood polio, explained his position by saying, 'I will not condone the relitigation of proven cures, and neither will millions of Americans who credit their survival and quality of life to scientific miracles.' David Michels, Encino
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
The impact and driving force behind India's National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination mission
In just over a year since its launch, India's National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission (NSCEM) is already demonstrating a notable impact in the nation's fight against Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). This public health initiative, active in 278 districts across the country, has rapidly transformed the approach to both diagnosis and management of SCD. With a focus on tribal populations which are more susceptible to the disease and an ambitious target to eliminate SCD as a public health problem by 2047, the mission has achieved unprecedented reach, which is evident in its screening numbers. The initiative aims to eliminate Sickle Cell Disease by 2047. According to government statistics, more than 42 million people were screened for SCD in the first year. This figure, in comparison, is over 10 times the annual number of babies screened in the universal new born screening program in the United States (approximately 3.6 million) and 70 times more. This daily identification rate is roughly equivalent to the total number of new births affected over an entire year in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, approximately 2,500 carriers of the sickle cell trait are identified daily. While these individuals do not present immediate clinical concerns, their identification is critical for future prevention. These carriers are informed about the disease and offered premarital screening and genetic counselling to help prevent the transmission of SCD to future generations. All screened individuals are given a standardised, color-coded identity card that visually indicates their sickle cell status and reproductive risk in an accessible format. The mission's multi-pronged approach extends beyond screening to encompass comprehensive care and counselling and also future research. This includes: Prevention strategies Prevention of serious infections has played a key role in SCD management. Immunisations against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae have improved survival rates and brought down deaths caused by the pneumococcal disease. The government is also carrying out mass screenings and those at high-risk are being counsel Prenatal screening For couples at risk, prenatal screening for SCD using advanced techniques like chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis, is made available at Government of India's expense. This empowers families to make informed decisions. Efforts are being made to improve access to these services in geographically remote areas also. Social support and legal protection Recognising the challenges faced by individuals with SCD, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act of 2016 includes thalassemia, haemophilia, and SCD among the three haematological disorders covered. This act provides vital protections and entitlements for those with 40 per cent or more disability, including: · Accommodations at school and work, such as flexible timings and extra leave to allow for medical care · Relaxation in attendance requirements and additional time for timed examinations · Financial assistance for medical expenses · Consideration for employment opportunities in proximity to comprehensive care facilities The Act also mandates non-discrimination, upholds the right to equality and life with dignity, offers incentives for employers to hire individuals with disabilities, and provides preferences in admission to higher education courses. Advancements in disease-modifying therapies Hydroxyurea: A widely used disease-modifying therapy, Hydroxyurea (HU) has been used in patients with SCD in India since 2008. HU is dispensed free of charge through government health systems and is commercially available at low cost. It is manufactured domestically by several pharmaceutical companies, ensuring ready availability. An oral liquid formulation, stable at room temperature is also being manufactured in India, offering a significant advantage for treating children in remote, tropical regions. HU has proven effective in reducing painful episodes, blood transfusion needs, and hospitalisation rates. It is currently being given to all patients with sickle cell disease starting at two years of age. Research is ongoing to assess the efficacy of different dosages and dose escalation strategies. Advancements in curative therapies Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT), often referred to as bone marrow transplant, has been gaining popularity in India over the past four decades. The country now has 114 HCT centres, with 89 reporting results to a bone marrow transplant registry. Clinical research India is emerging as a hub for SCD clinical trials, with approximately 47 trials registered in the Clinical Trial Registry India for SCD. These trials encompass a range of interventions, including HU, haploidentical transplant conditioning regimens, and novel drug candidates pyruvate kinase activator, fetal haemoglobin (HbF) inducers. With large numbers of patients with SCD and medical services in private and academic hospitals, India has the potential to serve as a source for conducting interventional clinical trials. Looking into the future Announced by PM Narendra Modi in 2023, NSCEM is a comprehensive effort to improve the care of all SCD patients and lower disease prevalence. Some of its core pillars include: · Increasing awareness for SCD and pre-marital genetic counselling · Prevention via universal screening and early detection · Providing continuous care across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels · Strengthening tertiary and quaternary healthcare facilities · Encouraging community adoption and providing support systems The progress of the mission is meticulously tracked and updated in real-time on a public online portal, guiding resource allocation at district, state, and national levels. Furthermore, recognising the potential of transformative therapies, the Government of India has made significant investments in research to develop gene therapies for SCD domestically. While concerns about feasibility and cost in low and middle-income countries remain, India's proactive research support comes as a glimmer of hope for future curative solutions. Note to the Reader: This article has been produced on behalf of the brand by HT Brand Studio and does not have the journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. The information provided does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a registered medical practitioner for health-related concerns.
