Latest news with #IsabelShaw
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Bird flu outbreak spreads to farm in new UK region as chickens set to be culled & study finds chilling virus feature
BIRD flu has been detected in an English farm, it's been announced. A case of the H5N1 bird flu was found in poultry in West Yorkshire. 3 A protection zone has been set up around the site Credit: Getty 3 The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled." A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone has been declared around the site near Ravensthorpe, Kirklees. It comes after a new animal study from the US Centres for Disease Control found that bird flu is capable of spreading through the air. In January, The government said all poultry on the infected site, in East Yorkshire, was humanely culled after a strain of the H5N1 bird flu virus was detected. It was the 16th outbreak of the HPAI H5N1 strain in kept birds in 2024, according to the Nation Farmers Union (NFU) In December, the Bird flu, or avian influenza, has killed millions of birds worldwide. Most read in Health The highly contagious bug is now spreading to mammals, raising fears it could trigger another pandemic through potential human-to-human transmission. In December, an animal sanctuary in Shelton, Washington, announced that twenty exotic cats, including a Bengal tiger, four cougars, a lynx and four bobcats, have died after contracting bird flu. What you need to know about Avian Influenza or Bird Flu So far, there is no evidence that H5N1 can spread between humans. But this increase in transmission gives the virus lots of opportunities to mutate - a process where a pathogen changes and can become more dangerous. Experts Scientists at Scripps Research in San Diego tested various genetic mutations on virus material from infected cattle. Bird flu: Could it be the next human pandemic? By Isabel Shaw, Health Reporter The H5N1 bird flu is running rampant in wildlife around the world and is now spreading in cows. In recent months, it infected people in Canada and the US leaving them severely unwell. This increase in transmission has given the virus lots of opportunities to mutate - a process where a pathogen changes and can become more dangerous. Scientists fear it's only a matter of time before one of these mutations makes it better at spreading among mammals - and Experts recently discovered that H5N1 is already just one mutation away from developing the ability to transmit person-to-person communication. So far, there is no evidence that H5N1 can spread between humans. But in the hundreds of cases where humans have been infected through contact with animals over the past 20 years, the mortality rate is high. From 2003 to 2024, 889 cases and 463 deaths caused by H5N1 have been reported worldwide from 23 countries, according to the World Health Organisation. This puts the case fatality rate at 52 per cent. Leading scientists have already warned an The prospect of a flu pandemic is alarming. Although scientists have pointed out that vaccines against many strains, They found that the Q226L mutation enhanced the virus's ability to attach to human-like cell receptors, giving bird flu the potential to behave like other human flu viruses. A recent case of bird flu suggests the virus might have already mutated to better spread among humans. The case, spotted this month in a hospitalised Louisiana man, is the first "severe" bird flu case in the US, amid its rapid spread through cows this year. Tests show the case involved a mutated version of H5N1 that helps it bind to human upper respiratory cells. This could make it easier to spread between people through coughing or sneezing, raising concerns the virus is adapting to infect humans more effectively. Bird flu viruses do not typically bind to a cell receptor in human upper airways, which helps explain why H5N1 rarely infects people or spreads between them. Bird flu is spread by close contact with an affected bird. This includes touching or petting an infected bird, touching droppings or bedding, or killing or preparing infected poultry for cooking. Read more on the Irish Sun However, bird flu cannot be caught through eating fully cooked poultry or eggs, even in areas with an outbreak of bird flu. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the human risk remains low, but urges countries to share information quickly for monitoring and preparedness as the virus spreads. 3 So far, there is no evidence that H5N1 can spread between humans Credit: Getty
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The 8 signs of highly-contagious parasite infection that struck 28 after petting lambs in UK farm
Isabel Shaw, Health reporter Published: Invalid Date, AT least 28 people who attended a farm have been struck with violent vomiting and diarrhoea after visiting. Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Wales, which offers cuddles with lambs and calves for family visits, is being investigated for a potential outbreak of a bug called cryptosporidium. 2 2 Cryptosporidium is a highly contagious parasite that causes the infection cryptosporidiosis, which can affect both people and farm animals. Though anyone can get the bug, it tends to infect children younger than five. The main symptoms of cryptosporidium infection according to the NHS include: Watery diarrhoea Stomach pains or cramps Nausea Vomiting Mild fever Loss of appetite Weight loss Dehydration Symptoms usually start two to 10 days after infection and can last for around two weeks once they appear Sometimes the illness may seem to improve as symptoms ease, but they can return before full recovery. Due to the bug's highly infectious nature people with symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting are told to stay off work or school until they have been free from these symptoms for at least 48 hours. For people with weak immune systems, like those with cancer or untreated HIV, it can be life-threatening. Touching infected poo and then putting your unwashed hands near your mouth is a common way of catching cryptosporidios. This is because the bug lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals and is passed out in their poo. How diarrhoea illness Cryptosporidium or Cryptosporidiosis is caused and how it's sometimes found in swimming pools In a since-deleted Facebook post, the farm team said they had closed the feeding experiences "due to unforeseen circumstances". They also apologised to people who had booked, adding a full refund could be obtained. Just last month health chiefs issued a warning to families planning to visit farms this spring, as a rise in temperatures could also see an increase in "harmful" pathogens. Petting zoos in particular can expose visitors to gastrointestinal infections, they said. Public Health Wales (PHW) said the shop had voluntarily stopped the feeding and petting sessions and was cooperating with the investigation. It is investigating along with Cardiff and Vale health board and Vale of Glamorgan council. Su Mably, PHW consultant in health protection, said: "We are working closely with partners to investigate these cases and to understand if there is a wider risk to the public. "We would advise anyone who has visited the farm, particularly those who attended feeding or petting sessions, and who is now experiencing symptoms to contact their GP." How can I protect myself against cryptosporidiosis? The cryptosporidium parasite can be found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals, according to UK Health Security Agency. It may contaminate lakes, streams and rivers, swimming pools, untreated or poorly treated water and food - like raw milk and fresh produce - as well as objects such as farm gates and outdoor boots and clothing. "Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been linked to drinking or swimming in contaminated water and contact with infected lambs and calves during visits to open farms," UKHSA said. You can get cryptosporidiosis from another person or animal by touching faeces, for example when changing a nappy or petting a lamb and putting your hands near or in your mouth without washing them thoroughly. You can also get the bug from swimming in or drinking contaminated water. Occasionally, you can be infected by eating contaminated food, including unwashed or unpeeled vegetables or salads or drinking contaminated raw milk. Children aged one to five are those most commonly infected with the bug and people with weak immune systems are likely to be more seriously affected. Sufferers will usually be struck down with mild to severe watery diarrhoea. Last year the UKHSA issued a warning about the risk of cryptosporidium infection from farm visits. In May 2024, more than 100 people were also infected by cryptosporidium in Brixham, Devon. The outbreak was believed to be linked to water contaminated with infected faeces making its way into the drinking supply. Whole streets in the town were infected, with victims forced to endure days of diarrhoea and agonising stomach cramps, with one sufferer even comparing them to 'childbirth'.
The Sun
23-04-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I lost over 4st on Mounjaro after embarrassing yo-yo dieting weight regain had me hiding from friends
Isabel Shaw, Health reporter Published: Invalid Date, CHRISTINA Park had struggled with yo-yo dieting for years - trapped in a vicious cycle of losing 4 to 8lb, then putting on 6 to 11lb. 'I felt like I had let myself down, but I also felt incredibly embarrassed that I had let this happen after raving about my weight loss so much," she said. 6 6 6 The 38-year-old mum from Dorset shed 5st 5lb to get to her dream weight – then put it all back on again. 'I hid from many social situations and made excuses to avoid meeting friends I hadn't seen for a long time,' she added. 'I was weighed down mentally as well as physically.' Everything changed in April last year when Christina's partner popped the question. While thrilled, the thought of being the centre of attention filled her with dread. 'I was happy, of course – but the idea of having hundreds of photos taken and standing in front of everyone terrified me,' she said. Desperate to feel confident on her big day, she opened up to her bridesmaids. One mentioned Mounjaro – a weekly injection designed to help regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite. 'I'd never considered weight loss medication before,' Christina said. 'But after doing a lot of research and speaking to my maid of honour, who was keen to try it too, I decided to give it a go.' Julia Hartley-Brewer slams government plan for NHS to offer free 'fat jabs' to tackle obesity crisis She started the treatment in August 2024 through Oushk Pharmacy. At 15st 8lb (99kg), she set herself a goal: to feel comfortable in her skin again by her wedding day in August this year. Since then, Christina has lost 4st 1lb (26kg) and dropped from a size 18–20 to a 12–14. 'I feel like a different person,' she said. 'I'm incredibly proud of myself. I'm more active, my habits have changed, and my confidence is growing every day.' She even enjoyed wedding dress shopping – something she'd been dreading. Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. 'I found my dream dress and fitted into every single one beautifully,' she explained. 'It was honestly the best experience ever.' Christina, who shared her journey on TikTok, said her struggles with food began in childhood. 'My dad would always set restrictions on certain drinks or food I could have,' she said. 'But he would always want me to finish my plate and eat what was in front of me whether I liked it or not. 'My mother always allowed me open access to all kinds of food. "She was a great cook and served big portions, which were mostly very rich. "We would also often have takeaways on the nights my dad wasn't around – he was a policeman working different shifts.' 6 6 After the birth of her son, Christina joined Slimming World weighing 15st 10lb (100kg). She lost 5st 5lb in 13 months, but slowly gained it back over four years. 'Then Covid hit and I was back to square one weighing more than I did in 2014,' she said. This time feels different. Christina now uses a walking pad and has built exercise into her routine. She has even started jogging - something she couldn't manage for more than 30 seconds five months ago. 'I have a new relationship with food,' she said. 'Once the food noise is silent you just see it all so differently and make so many better choices. 'I've found a growing confidence, wellness, energy and overall life quality, new friends and a growing support network. 'My friends and family are super proud and incredibly happy that I have made such amazing changes to my life that have improved my life quality and happiness. 'My mother has been so amazed that she started her own Mounjaro journey a month ago.' 6 Christina added: 'Remember that obesity is an illness and addiction that is very hard to control. "If 'eat less and exercise more' was so easy, we all would have done it and be slim. 'Don't let people tell you you are lazy and choosing the easy way out. You are looking out for yourself and taking charge of your life again for a better future. 'Mounjaro isn't a magical pen, but it's a tool that can aid us to change our lives for the better.' How to blast belly fat WITHOUT going to gym or dieting Chew your food This mindfulness trick is used to focus your brain on the food you are eating - how it tastes and feels - rather than scoffing it in a hurry. If the brain does not register that you have eaten, you'll soon crave more food. Avocado a day Eating avocado every day can fight visceral fat in women, which collects around the organs in the stomach and can lead to diabetes, heart attack, and some cancers, according to a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study of 105 people. Avoid fizzy drinks Losing belly 'fat' may just be a case of preventing bloating, which can be onset by fizzy soft drinks. Instead, keep hydrated with water. Reduce alcohol Alcohol does no favours at all for our health or figures. It is 'empty calories', meaning it contributes to your calorie intake without giving any nutritional benefit. Hangovers can also lead you to eat more fatty foods, while putting you off exercising. Sleep more Various studies have shown that if you're not sleeping well, it can cause weight gain. People are more likely to crave junk food when they are sleep deprived because, not only are they in need of an energy boost, but their appetite hormones are all over the place. Reduce stress Stress causes an imbalance of hormones, particularly cortisol. This hormone has been linked with obesity and excess belly fat. Find ways to reduce your stress to avoid the so-called 'stress belly'.
