Latest news with #PCV
CNBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Earnings playbook: Disney and Advanced Micro Devices lead another busy week of reports
The busiest week of earnings has passed, but there are still dozens of key reports still to come that could shake up Wall Street. About 120 S & P 500 companies are scheduled to post their latest earnings. Among them are Disney , Advanced Micro Devices and Dow Jones Industrial Average member Pfizer . Those come after investors last week got quarterly reports from megacap names including Microsoft , Apple , Amazon and Meta Platforms . Roughly two-thirds of the companies in the S & P 500 index have posted quarterly results, with more than 82% exceeding earnings expectations, according to FactSet. Take a look at CNBC Pro's breakdown of what to expect in this week's key reports. All times are ET. Tuesday Pfizer is set to report earnings before the bell. A call is scheduled for 10 a.m. Last quarter: PFE topped expectations as it expanded cost-cutting efforts . This quarter: Analysts expect the pharmaceutical giant to report a slight year-over-year earnings decline, according to LSEG. What to watch: Investors will look for guidance around President Donald Trump's push to lower drug prices — and how that could affect Pfizer's future earnings. The earnings call will likely focus on "RFK Jr and possible risks to vaccines; [and] obesity franchise aspirations and/or other early pipeline opportunities like PFE's next-gen PCV vaccines," BofA analyst Tim Anderson said last month, referring to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. What history shows: Pfizer has a strong track record of exceeding earnings estimates, with the company's bottom line beating expectations 87% of the time, according to Bespoke Investment Group. AMD is set to report earnings after the close, followed by a conference call at 5 p.m. Last quarter: AMD beat on earnings but said it would take a $1.5 billion revenue hit due to restrictions on sales of chips to China. This quarter: Analysts polled by LSEG expect a mixed quarter, with earnings forecast to have dropped nearly 30% year over year, while revenue is anticipated to have grown more than 25%. What to watch: "We see an upside bias for FQ2 (June) results driven by both PC and server" demand, wrote UBS analyst Tim Arcuri on July 28, who rates AMD a buy. "Investors should, however, not expect any quantitative data center GPU commentary for next year as it is probably still too early for AMD to talk about next year other than to say that it feels very good about growth," he added, referring to graphics processing units. What history shows: AMD has fallen after two of the last three earnings releases, including a 6.3% slide after Q4 results came out and an 11% slump following mixed Q3 figures. Super Micro Computer is set to report earnings postmarket. Management's conference call with analysts and institutional investors is slated for 5 p.m. Last quarter: SMCI issued weak guidance, citing " economic uncertainty and tariff impacts ." This quarter: The data center company is expected to post a steep, year-over-year decline in earnings, LSEG data shows. What to watch: JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee placed SMCI on "negative catalyst watch" ahead of these forthcoming earnings, noting "upside in relation to AI demand drivers is likely to be offset by margin pressures stemming from an increasingly competitive landscape, driving downside to the premium valuation multiple SMCI shares are currently trading at." What history shows: According to Bespoke, Super Micro only beats earnings estimates 64% of the time. However, the stock averages a 2.3% advance when the company reports its latest financials. Wednesday Disney is set to report earnings before the bell, followed by a call at 8:30 a.m. Last quarter: DIS climbed on a surprise uptick in streaming subscribers . This quarter: Analysts anticipate the theme park and media giant will report year-over-year earnings growth of about 7%, per LSEG. What to watch: Disney shares have struggled recently, losing more than 5% in the past month, while the S & P 500 is up slightly. Can this report put the House of Mouse back on track? What history shows: Disney earnings have topped earnings expectations in seven of the last eight quarters, per Bespoke. Thursday Eli Lilly is set to report earnings premarket, with a call slated for 8:30 a.m. Last quarter: LLY posted a 45% sales surge on strong demand for weight loss drugs. This quarter: Analysts polled by LSEG expect the Indianapolis-based drugmaker to reveal earnings growth of around 40%. What to watch: Investors will look for continued momentum out of Eli Lilly's Mounjaro weight loss drug. Last week, Lilly said Mounjaro has shown similar heart health benefits in a head-to-head trial with diabetes drug Trulicity, also made by Lilly. What history shows: Bespoke data shows Lilly beats Wall Street expectations 66% of the time. However, the stock doesn't perform well on earnings days, averaging a 0.2% decline.
Al-Ahram Weekly
23-07-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
INTERVIEW: Nothing in medicine as cost effective as vaccination - Professor Jaime Fergie - Health - Life & Style
In an interview with Ahram Online, Professor Jaime Fergie, Director of Paediatric Infectious Diseases at Driscoll Children's Hospital, USA, expressed his concern about the rebound of several infectious diseases. Speaking to Ahram Online during his visit to Cairo, Professor Fergie pointed out that many people around the world are vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections as they did not receive their routine vaccinations during the pandemic. AhramOnline (AO): What is the purpose of your visit to Egypt, and what are the main themes you'll be discussing with Egyptian paediatricians? Jaime Fergie: I'm here to speak with colleagues about the importance of using the newer pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) to protect children from both invasive and mucosal pneumococcal infections. The US introduced the first conjugate PCV in 2000, starting with a vaccine that covered seven strains. We've since progressed to broader vaccines covering 13, and now 20 of the most relevant pneumococcal types. The aim is to expand protection for both children and adults. AO: Do PCV types vary between high-income and low-to middle-income countries? JF: There are slight regional differences, but overall, the top 20 types included in the newer vaccines cover the most important strains globally. AO: How has paediatric infectious disease evolved, especially post-pandemic? JF: During the pandemic, infections like RSV, flu, and pneumococcus dropped due to social distancing. Post-pandemic, we've seen a sharp rebound. A major concern is the number of children who have missed routine vaccinations, leaving them vulnerable. We're still working to catch up. AO: What are the main challenges in diagnosing infectious diseases in children compared to adults? JF: Young children often can't describe symptoms, so we rely on caregivers. Early symptoms—such as fever, fatigue, and poor appetite—can appear similar across various infections. Differentiating between viruses and bacterial infections can be tricky. Additionally, children's conditions can deteriorate rapidly, making early intervention and prevention through vaccination crucial. Vaccination remains the most cost-effective tool in paediatrics. AO: Why is it important to vaccinate children with cancer? JF: Ideally, children should be vaccinated before any cancer diagnosis. But even during early treatment stages, vaccination remains vital. Cancer weakens the immune system, making infections more dangerous. Pneumococcal infections, in particular, can lead to severe outcomes such as meningitis and pneumonia. Therefore, protection is critical. AO: What other high-risk groups face threats from infectious diseases? JF: Children with HIV, sickle cell disease, immune deficiencies, or no spleen are at high risk. Similarly, those with cochlear implants, kidney disease, or asthma. These children are more vulnerable to severe infections. The best approach is to include vaccines like the PCV in national immunisation programmes. I've seen firsthand how vaccination has reduced the incidence of serious diseases such as meningitis and pneumonia in the US. AO: What is the best paediatric immunisation strategy for low-and middle-income countries? JF: The WHO recommends key vaccines for all national programmes, including those for rotavirus, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and measles. Pneumococcal vaccines are also essential. Recently, vaccines for RSV have been introduced, given to pregnant women to protect newborns. While some vaccines, such as meningococcal, are less common globally, they're vital in specific settings, such as during pilgrimage travel. Immunisation should ideally start at two months of age. Financial barriers can be addressed by working with the WHO and organisations like Gavi, which help low-income countries access vaccines. AO: What would you say to people still sceptical about vaccines? JF: It's frustrating, considering how far we've come in preventing disease. Vaccines go through rigorous testing before being approved. While mild side effects like fever or soreness are possible, vaccines prevent illnesses we no longer see thanks to immunisation. The evidence for safety and effectiveness is overwhelming. AO: Finally, what's your message to parents, paediatricians, and policymakers? JF: To parents: Vaccines are safe, effective, and life-saving. I vaccinated my children and want the same protection for all. To paediatricians: Use the best tools available—the latest vaccines offer broader protection. To policymakers: You hold the power to improve children's health. Prioritising vaccination saves lives and is one of the wisest investments a country can make. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
The Advertiser
06-07-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
Ruffling feathers: should you be feeding the birds in your backyard?
Getting to know the native birds in your backyard is a beloved pastime for most Aussies, but should we be feeding our feathered friends? Bird feeding is a common practice worldwide, but in Australia, it remains a contentious issue, with government agencies and wildlife organisations strongly discouraging and in some cases prohibiting the practice. Urban ecologist Professor Darryl Jones changed his mind about bird feeding when he found that, despite being publicly shunned, most Australians feed birds. "Between a third and a half of Australians anywhere in Australia are at any one time feeding birds," Professor Jones said. "I realised that people were not going to stop feeding birds, that in some cases, they were inadvertently, without even knowing, feeding them the wrong things, "There's no information because if you asked the local authorities or went to the council or the rangers or anybody and said 'What do you think I should feed the magpies?', you would get the absolute without a doubt, they would say 'You shouldn't be feeding them at all!''' This inspired Professor Jones to write a bird feeding guide for Australians, 'Feeding the birds at your table'. "I really do think you can feed birds in Australia as long as you're careful and feed the right things," he said. Click the map below to see the law in your state or territory. In Western Australia and the Northern Territory, it is illegal to feed native birds. The maximum penalty in WA for feeding fauna is a $20,000 fine. In most other states and territories, it is illegal to feed native birds and wildlife in national parks and reserves (ACT, VIC, QLD, and TAS). Some local councils prohibit bird feeding, usually when it has become a nuisance, and they can issue fines. Australia's largest rescue organisation, WIRES (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service), strongly implores people to never feed wildlife. WIRES is licensed in NSW to rehabilitate injured, sick and orphaned protected animals by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. As a WIRES wildlife emergency responder, Kyana McPherson witnesses the consequences of bird feeding on a daily basis. "Although it can be tempting to feed wildlife, particularly birds, it's usually best to avoid this practice," she said. "Some foods, such as bread and mince, can cause health impacts for birds and nutritional deficiencies. It also brings birds closer together and can potentially spread infectious diseases. One such disease is bird and feather disease, also known as psittacine circovirus (PCV), which has high death rates and currently has no effective treatment. "It's quite prevalent in rainbow lorikeets and cockatoos, and it's highly contagious and can be spread on surfaces," Ms McPherson said. Professor Jones agrees that infectious diseases are a risk, which is why he emphasises the importance of cleaning bird feeders daily. Feeding native birds can change the balance of their diet, increase aggression, encourage dependency and cause sicknesses and deformities, according to WIRES. "I know we all want to help our birds and wildlife, [but bird feeding] generally does more harm than good," Ms McPherson said. "If we do want to help, we can look into planting some native shrubs in our garden." Queensland authorities continue to warn people not to feed cassowaries due to both the risk to humans and the impact on the endangered species. A man in his seventies was kicked in the leg by a cassowary in his Cardwell backyard in April 2025 and treated for a cut to his leg. In Queensland, feeding dangerous wildlife, such as cassowaries is illegal. Cassowaries have sharp, three-toed claws, including a middle dagger-like claw that can grow up to 10cm long and is used in self-defence. "When cassowaries associate humans with food, they can become impatient and aggressive, particularly when accompanied by chicks," wildlife ranger Jeff Lewis said in a statement. One of the most common birds being fed is magpies, according to Professor Jones' research. Unfortunately, most people feed magpies minced meat, which can be seriously harmful to them. "We really have to stop feeding any bird's mince. It just doesn't have enough calcium," Professor Jones said. "No bird just eats eat all the parts of the animal's body." Until Australians can easily purchase an artificial worm or invertebrate, Professor Jones recommends dry cat or dog food for magpies. He recommends purchasing bird seeds manufactured by a reputable pet food company instead of the cheaper supermarket versions. When feeding birds, Professor Jones said it should be considered a snack, equivalent to approximately a cup of food. "It's not a whole meal. It's just a snack. So just a little bit, and when it's all gone, that's fine. You don't need to put any more out," he said. Bird feeding is not necessary for birds except during extreme weather events like the Black Summer 2019-20 bushfires, Professor Jones explained. "We're putting out food for us to enjoy the birds. The birds don't need it." While bird feeding may be contentious, most government and wildlife organisations agree that leaving water out for wildlife is a good idea. The South Australian Department for Environment and Water discourages people from feeding or providing water to wildlife. "Water can be a great lifeline, specifically on hot days," WIRES wildlife emergency responder, Kyana McPherson, said. "I would suggest using a very shallow dish and cleaning it regularly, and also placing something like a stick or a rock into the water, so any small animal that may fall into the water can climb back out again." Getting to know the native birds in your backyard is a beloved pastime for most Aussies, but should we be feeding our feathered friends? Bird feeding is a common practice worldwide, but in Australia, it remains a contentious issue, with government agencies and wildlife organisations strongly discouraging and in some cases prohibiting the practice. Urban ecologist Professor Darryl Jones changed his mind about bird feeding when he found that, despite being publicly shunned, most Australians feed birds. "Between a third and a half of Australians anywhere in Australia are at any one time feeding birds," Professor Jones said. "I realised that people were not going to stop feeding birds, that in some cases, they were inadvertently, without even knowing, feeding them the wrong things, "There's no information because if you asked the local authorities or went to the council or the rangers or anybody and said 'What do you think I should feed the magpies?', you would get the absolute without a doubt, they would say 'You shouldn't be feeding them at all!''' This inspired Professor Jones to write a bird feeding guide for Australians, 'Feeding the birds at your table'. "I really do think you can feed birds in Australia as long as you're careful and feed the right things," he said. Click the map below to see the law in your state or territory. In Western Australia and the Northern Territory, it is illegal to feed native birds. The maximum penalty in WA for feeding fauna is a $20,000 fine. In most other states and territories, it is illegal to feed native birds and wildlife in national parks and reserves (ACT, VIC, QLD, and TAS). Some local councils prohibit bird feeding, usually when it has become a nuisance, and they can issue fines. Australia's largest rescue organisation, WIRES (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service), strongly implores people to never feed wildlife. WIRES is licensed in NSW to rehabilitate injured, sick and orphaned protected animals by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. As a WIRES wildlife emergency responder, Kyana McPherson witnesses the consequences of bird feeding on a daily basis. "Although it can be tempting to feed wildlife, particularly birds, it's usually best to avoid this practice," she said. "Some foods, such as bread and mince, can cause health impacts for birds and nutritional deficiencies. It also brings birds closer together and can potentially spread infectious diseases. One such disease is bird and feather disease, also known as psittacine circovirus (PCV), which has high death rates and currently has no effective treatment. "It's quite prevalent in rainbow lorikeets and cockatoos, and it's highly contagious and can be spread on surfaces," Ms McPherson said. Professor Jones agrees that infectious diseases are a risk, which is why he emphasises the importance of cleaning bird feeders daily. Feeding native birds can change the balance of their diet, increase aggression, encourage dependency and cause sicknesses and deformities, according to WIRES. "I know we all want to help our birds and wildlife, [but bird feeding] generally does more harm than good," Ms McPherson said. "If we do want to help, we can look into planting some native shrubs in our garden." Queensland authorities continue to warn people not to feed cassowaries due to both the risk to humans and the impact on the endangered species. A man in his seventies was kicked in the leg by a cassowary in his Cardwell backyard in April 2025 and treated for a cut to his leg. In Queensland, feeding dangerous wildlife, such as cassowaries is illegal. Cassowaries have sharp, three-toed claws, including a middle dagger-like claw that can grow up to 10cm long and is used in self-defence. "When cassowaries associate humans with food, they can become impatient and aggressive, particularly when accompanied by chicks," wildlife ranger Jeff Lewis said in a statement. One of the most common birds being fed is magpies, according to Professor Jones' research. Unfortunately, most people feed magpies minced meat, which can be seriously harmful to them. "We really have to stop feeding any bird's mince. It just doesn't have enough calcium," Professor Jones said. "No bird just eats eat all the parts of the animal's body." Until Australians can easily purchase an artificial worm or invertebrate, Professor Jones recommends dry cat or dog food for magpies. He recommends purchasing bird seeds manufactured by a reputable pet food company instead of the cheaper supermarket versions. When feeding birds, Professor Jones said it should be considered a snack, equivalent to approximately a cup of food. "It's not a whole meal. It's just a snack. So just a little bit, and when it's all gone, that's fine. You don't need to put any more out," he said. Bird feeding is not necessary for birds except during extreme weather events like the Black Summer 2019-20 bushfires, Professor Jones explained. "We're putting out food for us to enjoy the birds. The birds don't need it." While bird feeding may be contentious, most government and wildlife organisations agree that leaving water out for wildlife is a good idea. The South Australian Department for Environment and Water discourages people from feeding or providing water to wildlife. "Water can be a great lifeline, specifically on hot days," WIRES wildlife emergency responder, Kyana McPherson, said. "I would suggest using a very shallow dish and cleaning it regularly, and also placing something like a stick or a rock into the water, so any small animal that may fall into the water can climb back out again." Getting to know the native birds in your backyard is a beloved pastime for most Aussies, but should we be feeding our feathered friends? Bird feeding is a common practice worldwide, but in Australia, it remains a contentious issue, with government agencies and wildlife organisations strongly discouraging and in some cases prohibiting the practice. Urban ecologist Professor Darryl Jones changed his mind about bird feeding when he found that, despite being publicly shunned, most Australians feed birds. "Between a third and a half of Australians anywhere in Australia are at any one time feeding birds," Professor Jones said. "I realised that people were not going to stop feeding birds, that in some cases, they were inadvertently, without even knowing, feeding them the wrong things, "There's no information because if you asked the local authorities or went to the council or the rangers or anybody and said 'What do you think I should feed the magpies?', you would get the absolute without a doubt, they would say 'You shouldn't be feeding them at all!''' This inspired Professor Jones to write a bird feeding guide for Australians, 'Feeding the birds at your table'. "I really do think you can feed birds in Australia as long as you're careful and feed the right things," he said. Click the map below to see the law in your state or territory. In Western Australia and the Northern Territory, it is illegal to feed native birds. The maximum penalty in WA for feeding fauna is a $20,000 fine. In most other states and territories, it is illegal to feed native birds and wildlife in national parks and reserves (ACT, VIC, QLD, and TAS). Some local councils prohibit bird feeding, usually when it has become a nuisance, and they can issue fines. Australia's largest rescue organisation, WIRES (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service), strongly implores people to never feed wildlife. WIRES is licensed in NSW to rehabilitate injured, sick and orphaned protected animals by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. As a WIRES wildlife emergency responder, Kyana McPherson witnesses the consequences of bird feeding on a daily basis. "Although it can be tempting to feed wildlife, particularly birds, it's usually best to avoid this practice," she said. "Some foods, such as bread and mince, can cause health impacts for birds and nutritional deficiencies. It also brings birds closer together and can potentially spread infectious diseases. One such disease is bird and feather disease, also known as psittacine circovirus (PCV), which has high death rates and currently has no effective treatment. "It's quite prevalent in rainbow lorikeets and cockatoos, and it's highly contagious and can be spread on surfaces," Ms McPherson said. Professor Jones agrees that infectious diseases are a risk, which is why he emphasises the importance of cleaning bird feeders daily. Feeding native birds can change the balance of their diet, increase aggression, encourage dependency and cause sicknesses and deformities, according to WIRES. "I know we all want to help our birds and wildlife, [but bird feeding] generally does more harm than good," Ms McPherson said. "If we do want to help, we can look into planting some native shrubs in our garden." Queensland authorities continue to warn people not to feed cassowaries due to both the risk to humans and the impact on the endangered species. A man in his seventies was kicked in the leg by a cassowary in his Cardwell backyard in April 2025 and treated for a cut to his leg. In Queensland, feeding dangerous wildlife, such as cassowaries is illegal. Cassowaries have sharp, three-toed claws, including a middle dagger-like claw that can grow up to 10cm long and is used in self-defence. "When cassowaries associate humans with food, they can become impatient and aggressive, particularly when accompanied by chicks," wildlife ranger Jeff Lewis said in a statement. One of the most common birds being fed is magpies, according to Professor Jones' research. Unfortunately, most people feed magpies minced meat, which can be seriously harmful to them. "We really have to stop feeding any bird's mince. It just doesn't have enough calcium," Professor Jones said. "No bird just eats eat all the parts of the animal's body." Until Australians can easily purchase an artificial worm or invertebrate, Professor Jones recommends dry cat or dog food for magpies. He recommends purchasing bird seeds manufactured by a reputable pet food company instead of the cheaper supermarket versions. When feeding birds, Professor Jones said it should be considered a snack, equivalent to approximately a cup of food. "It's not a whole meal. It's just a snack. So just a little bit, and when it's all gone, that's fine. You don't need to put any more out," he said. Bird feeding is not necessary for birds except during extreme weather events like the Black Summer 2019-20 bushfires, Professor Jones explained. "We're putting out food for us to enjoy the birds. The birds don't need it." While bird feeding may be contentious, most government and wildlife organisations agree that leaving water out for wildlife is a good idea. The South Australian Department for Environment and Water discourages people from feeding or providing water to wildlife. "Water can be a great lifeline, specifically on hot days," WIRES wildlife emergency responder, Kyana McPherson, said. "I would suggest using a very shallow dish and cleaning it regularly, and also placing something like a stick or a rock into the water, so any small animal that may fall into the water can climb back out again." Getting to know the native birds in your backyard is a beloved pastime for most Aussies, but should we be feeding our feathered friends? Bird feeding is a common practice worldwide, but in Australia, it remains a contentious issue, with government agencies and wildlife organisations strongly discouraging and in some cases prohibiting the practice. Urban ecologist Professor Darryl Jones changed his mind about bird feeding when he found that, despite being publicly shunned, most Australians feed birds. "Between a third and a half of Australians anywhere in Australia are at any one time feeding birds," Professor Jones said. "I realised that people were not going to stop feeding birds, that in some cases, they were inadvertently, without even knowing, feeding them the wrong things, "There's no information because if you asked the local authorities or went to the council or the rangers or anybody and said 'What do you think I should feed the magpies?', you would get the absolute without a doubt, they would say 'You shouldn't be feeding them at all!''' This inspired Professor Jones to write a bird feeding guide for Australians, 'Feeding the birds at your table'. "I really do think you can feed birds in Australia as long as you're careful and feed the right things," he said. Click the map below to see the law in your state or territory. In Western Australia and the Northern Territory, it is illegal to feed native birds. The maximum penalty in WA for feeding fauna is a $20,000 fine. In most other states and territories, it is illegal to feed native birds and wildlife in national parks and reserves (ACT, VIC, QLD, and TAS). Some local councils prohibit bird feeding, usually when it has become a nuisance, and they can issue fines. Australia's largest rescue organisation, WIRES (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service), strongly implores people to never feed wildlife. WIRES is licensed in NSW to rehabilitate injured, sick and orphaned protected animals by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. As a WIRES wildlife emergency responder, Kyana McPherson witnesses the consequences of bird feeding on a daily basis. "Although it can be tempting to feed wildlife, particularly birds, it's usually best to avoid this practice," she said. "Some foods, such as bread and mince, can cause health impacts for birds and nutritional deficiencies. It also brings birds closer together and can potentially spread infectious diseases. One such disease is bird and feather disease, also known as psittacine circovirus (PCV), which has high death rates and currently has no effective treatment. "It's quite prevalent in rainbow lorikeets and cockatoos, and it's highly contagious and can be spread on surfaces," Ms McPherson said. Professor Jones agrees that infectious diseases are a risk, which is why he emphasises the importance of cleaning bird feeders daily. Feeding native birds can change the balance of their diet, increase aggression, encourage dependency and cause sicknesses and deformities, according to WIRES. "I know we all want to help our birds and wildlife, [but bird feeding] generally does more harm than good," Ms McPherson said. "If we do want to help, we can look into planting some native shrubs in our garden." Queensland authorities continue to warn people not to feed cassowaries due to both the risk to humans and the impact on the endangered species. A man in his seventies was kicked in the leg by a cassowary in his Cardwell backyard in April 2025 and treated for a cut to his leg. In Queensland, feeding dangerous wildlife, such as cassowaries is illegal. Cassowaries have sharp, three-toed claws, including a middle dagger-like claw that can grow up to 10cm long and is used in self-defence. "When cassowaries associate humans with food, they can become impatient and aggressive, particularly when accompanied by chicks," wildlife ranger Jeff Lewis said in a statement. One of the most common birds being fed is magpies, according to Professor Jones' research. Unfortunately, most people feed magpies minced meat, which can be seriously harmful to them. "We really have to stop feeding any bird's mince. It just doesn't have enough calcium," Professor Jones said. "No bird just eats eat all the parts of the animal's body." Until Australians can easily purchase an artificial worm or invertebrate, Professor Jones recommends dry cat or dog food for magpies. He recommends purchasing bird seeds manufactured by a reputable pet food company instead of the cheaper supermarket versions. When feeding birds, Professor Jones said it should be considered a snack, equivalent to approximately a cup of food. "It's not a whole meal. It's just a snack. So just a little bit, and when it's all gone, that's fine. You don't need to put any more out," he said. Bird feeding is not necessary for birds except during extreme weather events like the Black Summer 2019-20 bushfires, Professor Jones explained. "We're putting out food for us to enjoy the birds. The birds don't need it." While bird feeding may be contentious, most government and wildlife organisations agree that leaving water out for wildlife is a good idea. The South Australian Department for Environment and Water discourages people from feeding or providing water to wildlife. "Water can be a great lifeline, specifically on hot days," WIRES wildlife emergency responder, Kyana McPherson, said. "I would suggest using a very shallow dish and cleaning it regularly, and also placing something like a stick or a rock into the water, so any small animal that may fall into the water can climb back out again."
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
NHS Lanarkshire advising locals UK childhood vaccination schedule is being updated from July 1
Key changes include the removal of the Hib/MenC (Menitorix) vaccine at 12 months. NHS Lanarkshire is advising locals that, from tomorrow, July 1, the UK childhood vaccination schedule is being updated. Key changes include the removal of the Hib/MenC (Menitorix) vaccine at 12 months; adjustments to the timing of MenB and PCV (pneumococcal) vaccines; and the introduction of a new 18-month appointment for a fourth dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today A more detailed breakdown follows below: Phase 1 Changes to the one-year appointment: Hib/MenC (Menitorix): The combined Hib/MenC vaccine, given at the one-year appointment, is being discontinued. MenB and PCV: The second dose of MenB vaccine will be moved from 16 weeks to 12 weeks, while the first dose of PCV vaccine will move from 12 weeks to 16 weeks. Selective Neonatal Hepatitis B programme: The monovalent hepatitis B vaccine dose at one year will be discontinued for children in this program. Phase 2 Introduction of an 18-month appointment from January 1, 2026: A new 18-month appointment will be introduced for a fourth dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB). This fourth dose will replace the Hib component of the previously given Hib/MenC vaccine. The second dose of MMR vaccine may be moved from three years, four months to 18 months at this appointment. The rationale for the changes is that the Hib/MenC vaccine is being discontinued because the sole brand, Menitorix, is no longer produced and stocks are being depleted. Adjusting the timing of the MenB and PCV vaccines is intended to provide better protection against MenB during the period when most cases occur (one-to-three months). The fourth 6-in-1 dose at 18 months ensures continued strong immunity to diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, and Hib. And moving the second MMR dose to 18 months may improve uptake and reduce measles outbreaks. Parents or carers who have questions about the changes can speak to their health visitor and should continue to attend their vaccination appointment as scheduled.
Medscape
12-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Managing Complex Acute Otitis Media Infections
Most acute otitis media (AOM) infections resolve without complications, whether treated with antibiotics or observed under 'watchful waiting.' In recent years, these infections have been termed uncomplicated AOM. However, some children have more serious infections, and these infections have been termed complex AOM. Michael E. Pichichero, MD Children with complex AOM have become a focus of investigation by those doing research in the otitis media field, driven by the recognition that these children experience greater consequences from infections, and their medical management accounts for more than half the costs of care associated with AOM. Complex AOM may be defined according to five differing clinical presentations: 1) recurrent AOM (defined as children with three AOM episodes within 6 months or = 4 AOM episodes within 12 months), ie, otitis prone; 2) treatment failure (second AOM episode occurring within 14 days from an initial AOM visit); 3) relapsed AOM (second AOM episode occurring > 2 weeks from the initial AOM visit but < 1 month from an initial otitis media episode; 4) eardrum rupture; and 5) AOM with local or systemic complications such as mastoiditis, intracranial abscess, or facial nerve palsy. The frequency of the complex AOM types above are ranked from most to least frequent in the US and other high-income countries. In low- and middle-income countries — where AOM is infrequently diagnosed by clinicians — the frequency of presentation is quite different, with the more common being eardrum rupture and AOM with complications. My group recently reported results of an 18-year longitudinal study of uncomplicated and complex AOM, spanning 2006-2023, during the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) era and throughout the 13-valent PCV (PCV13) era. We enrolled 1537 children prospectively, usually at 6 months old, and followed them to 36 months. When clinicians made the clinical diagnosis of AOM, tympanocentesis was performed for middle ear fluid culture in most cases. We used the electronic medical records retrospectively to identify uncomplicated AOM and complex AOM episodes. As an inclusion criterion, all children were required to receive the full primary series of PCV7 or PCV13 immunizations according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention schedule (doses at 2, 4, and 6, months; booster dose between 12 and 15 months). Classification of complex AOM was made on an episode basis. If the child met the definition of recurrent AOM, all AOM episodes with middle ear fluid collection were included in the complex AOM group for analysis purposes. One hundred ninety-two children were vaccinated with PCV7 during 2006-2009. Children who received PCV13 immunizations were divided into two groups: 404 children in what we called the early PCV13 era (2010-2014), and 525 children in what we called the late PCV13 era ( 2015-2023). Among the 1537 enrolled children, the first thing we found is that 591 never had an AOM episode (No OM group, 53%). In the 1980s, 80% of young children were said to have at least one AOM, compared to our new result of 53%. Whether the surprisingly low frequency of AOM was due to PCVs, or changes in the clinical diagnostic criteria for AOM promulgated by the American Academy of Pediatrics in their AOM guidelines, or because parents decreased the frequency of how often they sought care for ear pain in their children, is unknown. Of the 530 children with at least one episode of AOM, we found that 53% had uncomplicated AOM, 34% had complex AOM, and 13% had both uncomplicated AOM and complex AOM. To our knowledge, this was the first comprehensive report from primary care practices in the US of this distribution of cases of uncomplicated vs complex AOM. Risk factors for complex AOM compared with uncomplicated AOM were male sex, family history of AOM, and daycare attendance. We found that the frequency of isolating pneumococci from middle ear fluid in episodes of complex AOM decreased over time, between 2006 and 2023. The frequency of isolating Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis did not change over time. Since pneumococci isolation went down and H influenzae isolation stayed the same, H influenzae became the predominant organism causing complex AOM throughout both PCV13 timespans we studied. Among uncomplicated episodes of AOM, pneumococcal isolation from middle ear fluid remained the same, whereas isolation of H influenzae went up and M catarrhalis went down. Isolation of H influenzae was 44% more likely in children with complex AOM vs uncomplicated AOM. This is consistent with the association between H influenzae and complex AOM, particularly recurrent AOM, as previously reported. PCV13 significantly reduced the isolation from middle ear fluid strains of pneumococci-expressing various capsular polysaccharide serotypes, throughout the entire timespan that PCV13 was used. The result was consistent with our earlier report in Lancet Child and Adolescent Health , when we studied the effectiveness of PCV13 shortly after its introduction in 2010. However, consistent with a wide literature, over time, pneumococci-expressing PCV13 serotypes were replaced by organisms expressing other serotypes not in the vaccine, especially serotype 35B in the late PCV13 era. In terms of antibiotic susceptibility, the odds of antibiotic nonsusceptibility of pneumococci to penicillin were 2.65 times higher in children with complex AOM compared to children experiencing uncomplicated AOM. The proportion of H influenzae that was beta lactamase-producing (amoxicillin resistant) increased during the PCV13 eras compared to the PCV7 era. Key Points: Risk factors for developing complex AOM and uncomplicated AOM are similar. PCV13 significantly reduced complex AOM and penicillin nonsusceptibility associated with pneumococci driven by near complete elimination of strains expressing serotype 19A. H influenzae is the dominant cause of complex AOM. is the dominant cause of complex AOM. Although non-PCV13 pneumococcal serotypes emerged in the late PCV13 era, the lower level of complex AOM caused by pneumococci remained lower compared to the PCV7 era. Rochester General Hospital Research Institute was the study sponsor/co-funder and Pfizer provided additional funding for the study analysis that resulted in this paper: N Fuji et al. Eighteen-year longitudinal study of uncomplicated and complex acute otitis media during the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine era, 2006-2023. The Journal of Infectious Diseases , 2025. Funding was provided by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the collection of middle ear samples leading to the publication.
