Latest news with #IsabelOliver
Edinburgh Live
30 minutes ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Warning as virus that 'kills 40 per cent of people' found in Spanish holiday hotspot
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info UK nationals considering a trip to Spain are being alerted to a serious health threat, as a confirmed case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has been identified in the popular tourist destination of Salamanca. Travel Health Pro, a website managed by the Foreign Office, has verified the presence of the virus, which triggers a wide array of symptoms. At the milder end, this may involve experiencing fever and headaches, whereas at the more severe end, it can escalate to bruising, bleeding, shock and multi-organ failure. Some outbreaks of CCHF can prove incredibly deadly, hitting a mortality rate of up to 40 per cent, as indicated by the information available on Travel Health Pro. An official bulletin on 28 May 2025 declared: "On 28 May 2025, local health officials have reported a confirmed case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Salamanca. The case was exposed via a tick bite." READ MORE - Spain left red-faced as protests against UK tourists 'backfire spectacularly' READ MORE - TUI customer fumes as all-inclusive Corfu holiday 'has no English food' At the start of this year, the UK Health Security Agency pinpointed CCHF as a notable threat to public health. It is reported that approximately 10-15,000 individuals contract CCHF around the world every year, leading to roughly 500 fatalities, even though the actual incidence may be much higher as certain instances may pass undiagnosed. Primarily found across various locations, including Africa, southern Europe, the Middle East, and western and south-central Asia, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever first surfaced in Spain during 2013 and in Portugal last year. Travel Health Pro has highlighted the severe outcomes of certain infections, with "In fatal cases, death occurs from haemorrhage, multi-organ failure and shock. It is possible that many people who are infected do not have symptoms, making it difficult to know the true number of cases.", reports the Express. Aiming to direct scientific resources towards pertinent health threats, the UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) list of "priority pathogen" families guides research and expedites vaccine development. This pivotal directory includes 24 pathogen families, chosen not only for global impact but also for their relevance to the UK population. Dr Isabel Oliver, the chief scientific officer at UKHSA, commented on the modern challenges with infectious diseases: "We live at the time of increasing challenges and increasing risks from infectious diseases." Highlighting the balance between existing technology and ongoing needs, she added: "However, thanks to scientific advancements, we have better tools than ever to protect health against these threats. That being said, there are areas where we still need more or better diagnostics, vaccines, and medicines, and this tool has been designed to inform the work of government research funders, as well as our partners in industry and academia who are crucial to the development of these tools that we desperately need." The development of this essential instrument involved expert assessment of the potential pandemics and epidemics presented by each virus family, taking into account factors such as disease severity, ways of transmission, and the history of pandemics caused by known pathogens in each lineage. Every category received a designation of high, medium or low risk based on evaluations by scientists at UKHSA. The tool also explores whether risks are heightened by climate change, availability of vaccines, and the likelihood of transmission between humans. The register does not suggest that UKHSA views these pathogens as most probable to spark the next pandemic; rather, it highlights regions in need of intensified scientific research and increased funding. Dr Oliver remarked: "We haven't ranked because the situation is constantly evolving, as you can imagine, and one of the things that we do in the UKHSA is undertake surveillance and monitor threats." UKHSA's worries include shifting disease-spreading mosquito and tick distribution patterns owing to climatic and environmental alterations, noted Dr Oliver. She underlined that this involves observing variations in the presence of mosquitoes and ticks that carry viruses harmful to human and animal wellbeing. "The UKHSA maintains surveillance of mosquitoes and ticks, and we work with partners in local government and animal health and other sectors to really understand any changes that might potentially affect our health in the UK." The list referred to as UKHSA's "priority pathogen".
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Brits heading to Spain on alert as '40 per cent deadly' virus found
The Foreign Office-run website Travel Health Pro reported a case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has been discovered in Spain's most populous region Brits planning to jet off to Spain are warned as a potentially fatal disease causing multi-organ failure has been detected in the tourist haven of Salamanca. The Foreign Office-run website Travel Health Pro flagged up a case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), sparking fears for holidaymakers' health. The disease can manifest with no symptoms, or progressively worse conditions such as fever, headaches, diarrhoea and vomiting, eye soreness, confusion, bleeding, bruising, and ultimately, multi-organ failure and shock. Alarmingly, for those unlucky enough to catch the illness, the fatality rate can soar to a stunning 40%, as observed by Travel Health Pro. In a critical update, Travel Health Pro announced: "On 28 May 2025, local health officials have reported a confirmed case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Salamanca. The case was exposed via a tick bite." Earlier this year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) classified CCHF as a significant hazard to public wellness. Globally, an estimated 10-15,000 human cases occur each year, with around 500 fatalities, and experts believe these figures are underreported, as numerous instances likely remain unidentified. This disease is predominantly present in Africa, southern regions of Europe, the Middle East, and certain parts of Asia. The first reported case was in Spain in 2013, followed by Portugal in 2024. According to Travel Health Pro, "In fatal cases, death occurs from haemorrhage, multi-organ failure and shock. It is possible that many people who are infected do not have symptoms, making it difficult to know the true number of cases." The UK Health Security Agency has created a "priority pathogen" list designed to guide scientists and researchers in focusing their efforts and accelerate vaccine development when necessary. This list encompasses 24 pathogen families and is the first to address global health risks alongside those specific to the UK populace. Chief Scientific Officer for UKHSA, Dr Isabel Oliver, stated: "We live at the time of increasing challenges and increasing risks from infectious diseases. "But at the same time we have got, thanks to scientific advancement, better tools than we've ever had to protect health against these threats. Having said that there are areas where we still need more or better diagnostics, vaccines and medicines and therapeutics, and this tool has been designed to help inform the work of government research funders, but also our partners in industry and academia who are critical to the development of these tools that we so desperately need." Experts have developed a new tool to assess the pandemic and epidemic potential of viral families, considering factors like disease severity, transmission routes, and historical pandemics. Each viral group has been assigned a risk level of high, medium, or low by UKHSA scientists, with additional details on climate change sensitivity, vaccine availability, and human-to-human transmission likelihood included in the assessment. The list isn't an indicator of the most probable cause for the next pandemic but highlights areas needing more research and investment, as explained by Dr Oliver: "We haven't ranked because the situation is constantly evolving, as you can imagine, and one of the things that we do in the UKHSA is undertake surveillance and monitor threats." Dr Oliver also expressed concern over the shifting distribution of disease-carrying mosquitoes and ticks due to climate and environmental changes. She elaborated on the risks posed by vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks, which are being closely monitored by the UKHSA for their potential impact on both human and animal health. "The UKHSA maintains surveillance of mosquitoes and ticks, and we work with partners in local government and animal health and other sectors to really understand any changes that might potentially affect our health in the UK." The UKHSA has released a "priority pathogen" list. VIRUSES Adenoviruses Arenaviruses (Lassa fever) Calciviruses (norovirus) Coronaviruses (Covid-19) Filoviruses (Ebola, Marburg, Sudan virus) Flaviviruses (Dengue, zika, hepatitis C) Hantaviruses Nairoviruses (Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever) Orthomyxoviruses (flu) Paramyxoviruses (Nipah virus) Peribunyaviruses (Oropouche fever) Phenuviruses (Rift Valley fever) Picornaviruses (Polio) Pneumoviruses (human metapneumovirus/hMPV) Poxviruses (mpox) Togaviruses (Chikungunya) BACTERIA Bacillaceae (anthrax) Coxiellaceae (Q fever) Enterobacteria (plague) Francisellacae (tularaemia) Moraxellaceae (pneumonia and UTIs) Neisseriaceae (gonorrhoea) Staphylococcaceae (cellulitis, pneumonia) Streptococcaceae (meningitis, scarlet fever, septicaemia)
Euronews
26-03-2025
- Health
- Euronews
24 dangerous pathogen groups are posing serious health risks, UK experts warn
ADVERTISEMENT Pathogens that cause the bird flu, COVID-19, and a bat-borne virus that causes brain swelling pose a risk to public health and could lead to the next pandemic, biosecurity experts in the United Kingdom have warned. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified 24 pathogen families as a health risk for one of several reasons: either they are highly contagious or cause serious disease, they do not have enough vaccines or treatments to combat them, or they could be exacerbated by climate change or antibiotic-resistant superbugs. They include the pathogen groups behind illnesses like mpox, coronavirus, norovirus (or the winter vomiting bug), the flu, gonorrhoea, Ebola, Zika, Lassa fever, and Nipah virus, which is mainly spread by fruit bats and can cause brain swelling. Related How EU countries compare on readiness for the next health crisis Eight of these pathogen families are at high or medium risk of causing a pandemic, the agency said. While there are vaccines and treatments available for some of them, many are still in clinical trials. UKHSA officials called for more research and investment to keep the pathogens from spiralling into a bigger problem. "We hope this will help to speed up vaccine and diagnostics development where it is most needed, to ensure we are fully prepared in our fight against potentially deadly pathogens," Dr Isabel Oliver, the UKHSA's chief scientific officer, said in a statement. Related EU's medicine stockpiling strategy challenged by national security concerns Pathogen list 'a double edge sword' Independent experts said the list could help streamline the UK's efforts to prepare for looming infectious disease threats. It follows an update from the World Health Organization (WHO) last year that named 33 "priority pathogens" as pandemic-level risks. However, Jose Vazquez-Boland, chair of infectious diseases at the University of Edinburgh, warned that the priority list could be a 'double-edged sword,' raising attention to high-risk pathogens but potentially undercutting research on those that did not make the cut. Related How well are countries in Europe dealing with health issues? New report shows progress is stagnating Meanwhile, Emma Thomson, who directs the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, urged the UKHSA to regularly update the priority list when new risks appear. "It is essential that this list remains dynamic and responsive to emerging threats," Thomson said in a statement. "History has shown that pandemic risks can arise from unexpected sources".
The Independent
25-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Health experts reveal 24 infectious diseases that could pose major threat to public health
Ebola, plague and bird flu have been added to a watchlist of 24 infectious diseases that could pose a future threat to public health, experts have said. Some viruses on the list have the potential to cause a global pandemic, like Covid, while others have no existing treatments or are thought to cause serious harm to health. Mosquito-spread illnesses and avian flu are on the list because they may become more common as temperatures rise due to climate change, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. The list has been created by UKHSA as a reference tool to help steer scientists into making new tests, vaccines and medication in preparation for a future possible outbreak. Dr Isabel Oliver, Chief Scientific Officer for UKHSA, said: 'We hope this will help to speed up vaccine and diagnostics development where it is most needed, to ensure we are fully prepared in our fight against potentially deadly pathogens.' The list is set to be updated at least once a year in hopes to avoid a repeating mistakes that were made early in the Covid pandemic. 'When Covid arrived, it took too long to adjust our response to a different threat, which was part of the reason we ended up in lockdown,' Mark Woolhouse, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, and Director of the Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa, University of Edinburgh, said. 'Since the pandemic, there have been many initiatives to better understand the diversity of pandemic threats that the UK and the world may face in the coming years. The UKHSA's pathogen prioritisation exercise is a welcome contribution to this global effort,' he added. Viruses on the list includes those in the Filoviridae family, such as Marburg and Ebola haemorrhagic fevers and Flaviviridae which includes mosquito-borne viruses' dengue and Zika. Viruses that cause Covid-19 and avian flu are also on the list. Some bacteria also feature, including those such as gonorrhoea where resistance to existing antibiotic treatments is becoming an issue. One family of viruses on the list is Paramyxoviridae, which includes measles. This is a virus health-agencies around the world are most concerned about. Professor Woolhouse added: 'A novel measles-like virus would pose a threat far worse than Covid. Such a virus would have a much higher R number than the original variants of Covid – making it impossible to control by even the strictest lockdown. 'It would also be considerably more deadly, and (unlike Covid) it would be a threat to children. This is the kind of pandemic that public health agencies around the world are most concerned about.' The list of 24 diseases or pathogens: Adenovirus Lassa fever Norovirus Mers Ebola (and similar viruses, such as Marburg) Flaviviridae (which includes dengue, Zika and hepatitis C) Hantavirus Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever Flu (non-seasonal, including avian) Nipah virus Oropouche Rift Valley fever Acute flaccid myelitis Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) Mpox Chikungunya Anthrax Q fever Enterobacteriaceae (such as E. coli and Yersinia pestis, which causes plague) Tularaemia Moraxellaceae (which cause lung, urine and bloodstream infections) Gonorrhoea Staplylococcus Group A and B Strep
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The four viruses that pose the biggest threat of a new pandemic in the UK
Health officials in Britain have published a first-of-its-kind list of the disease-causing viruses they believe pose the greatest risk to humans - including four viruses highlighted as pandemic risks. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) released a 'priority pathogen list' including deadly organisms such as monkeypox, ebola and norovirus. Scientists analysed the potential of the organisms to cause an epidemic (a regional outbreak) or a pandemic (a global outbreak). The idea of the new tool is to encourage scientific research and speed up vaccine development, with climate change creating new disease risks, alongside resistance to antibiotics. The UKHSA hopes to see scientific strides made on pathogen families including the coronavirus family, the norovirus family and the family of viruses which includes avian flu, alongside a virus family which includes Nipah virus. 'We live at the time of increasing challenges and increasing risks from infectious diseases," Dr Isabel Oliver, chief scientific officer for UKHSA, said. "But at the same time we have got, thanks to scientific advancement, better tools than we've ever had to protect health against these threats. 'Having said that there are areas where we still need more or better diagnostics, vaccines and medicines and therapeutics, and this tool has been designed to help inform the work of government research funders, but also our partners in industry and academia who are critical to the development of these tools that we so desperately need.'The 'Coronaviridae' family, which includes the virus that sparked the COVID-19 pandemic, still holds 'high' pandemic potential, researchers warn. The report warns of the risk of animal-to-human transmission, with a particular focus on the Middle East. 'Of the highest priority pathogens identified by the UKHSA, no one could argue with the inclusion of coronaviruses," Prof Mark Woolhouse, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, and Director of the Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa, University of Edinburgh, said. 'A key recommendation of the UK COVID Inquiry's Interim Report for Module 1 (Preparedness) was that prior to 2020 the UK was overly focussed on the risk of an influenza pandemic. When COVID arrived, it took too long to adjust our response to a different threat, which was part of the reason we ended up in lockdown. 'Since the pandemic, there have been many initiatives to better understand the diversity of pandemic threats that the UK and the world may face in the coming years. The UKHSA's pathogen prioritization exercise is a welcome contribution to this global effort.' The flu family (or 'Orthomyxoviridae') includes influenza viruses, as well as viruses that primarily infect birds, pigs and cattle. The flu family is described as high risk for both pandemics and epidemics. The report warns that the risk from the viruses is likely to increase due to climate change, and that Asia poses a particular risk in geographical spread. Prof Emma Thomson, Director of the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, said: "From a scientific perspective, the list is particularly helpful in identifying gaps in our current understanding of high-risk pathogen families and the areas where new research and countermeasure development are most urgently needed. "Many of the listed families—such as orthomixidae — are already recognised as significant threats, but the tool also highlights less well-characterised families where pandemic or epidemic potential remains underexplored." The Paramyxoviridae family of viruses includes diseases such as measles as well as Nipah virus. The UKHSA warns that the risk of such viruses is likely to grow in our warning climate, highlighting Asia as a particular risk. Nipah virus was highlighted among these viruses: the virus spreads among bats, and kills up to 75% of infected humans. While there is an effective virus against measles, immunisation rates need to be at 95% for it to work, which has seen outbreaks in areas in the U.S. high in anti-vaccine sentiment. The risks of such viruses are increasing as humans live in proximity to animals. The Picornaviridae includes virsues including the rhinovirus which is the main cause of the common cold, and enterovirus which causes polio, as well as the virus behind hepatitis A. The UKHSA report highlights that such viruses can spread through food and water as well as through breath. Picornaviridae are spread worldwide. Of particular concern is that there are few vaccines or therapeutic treatments for the viruses, with just one candidate vaccine in trial at present. The new UKHSA tool will be updated annually, but government scientists warn it represents a 'snapshot in time' and must be used alongside other information sources. But other experts have warned that focusing on 'known' threats may pose its own problems. Prof Jose Vazquez-Boland, Chair of Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh described prioritising well-known diseases as a "double-edged sword". Other experts suggested that there needs to be more focus on emerging threats - including 'Disease X', a new virus that may emerge from wildlife. Prof Emma Thomson, Director of the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, said: 'It is essential that this list remains dynamic and responsive to emerging threats. History has shown that pandemic risks can arise from unexpected sources. For example, coronaviruses and retroviruses were not widely regarded as major threats before SARS-CoV-1 and HIV-1 emerged, respectively. "The concept of Disease X also remains critical in this context. There are an estimated 320,000 undiscovered viruses in wildlife that could have spillover potential. Enhanced technologies for virus discovery and characterisation—such as unbiased metagenomic sequencing and improved surveillance—will be essential to ensure that novel pathogens are rapidly identified and assessed for pandemic potential."
