Latest news with #SARS-COV-2
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
US, Argentina launching new ‘alternative' to WHO
The top health authorities of the U.S. and Argentina are launching what they call an 'alternative international health system' separate from the World Health Organization (WHO). On the first day of his second term, President Trump signed an executive starting the yearlong process of withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO. In February, Argentinian President Javier Milei followed suit. In a joint statement Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Argentine Minister of Health Mario Lugones remarked on the decision to withdraw from the global health authority. 'The WHO's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed serious structural and operational shortcomings that undermined global trust and highlighted the urgent need for independent, science-based leadership in global health,' their statement read. 'There are well-documented concerns regarding the early management of the pandemic and the risks associated with certain types of research. Rather than ensuring timely transparency, the WHO failed to provide critical access to information, impairing countries' ability to act swiftly and effectively, with devastating global consequences.' Trump had started the process of withdrawing from the global health body during his first term, but former President Biden reversed the move before it took effect. On a post on the social platform X, Kennedy said he met with Milei to discuss the creation of an 'alternative international health system based on gold-standard science and free from totalitarian impulses, corruption, and political control.' The WHO was responsible for collecting and disseminating data about the spread of the coronavirus during the pandemic, but retrospective observations have identified areas where the international group fell short. The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, established by the WHO to derive lessons from past epidemics for the future, in a 2021 report identified missed steps to mitigate or potentially prevent the COVID-19 pandemic. Their report noted that despite consistent messaging and reporting on global preparedness before COVID-19, the majority or prior recommendations agreed upon by the WHO were never implemented. 'Although public health officials, infectious disease experts, and previous international commissions and reviews had warned of potential pandemics and urged robust preparations since the first outbreak of SARS, COVID-19 still took large parts of the world by surprise. It should not have done,' the independent panel found. 'The number of infectious disease outbreaks has been accelerating, many of which have pandemic potential. It is clear to the Panel that the world was not prepared and had ignored warnings which resulted in a massive failure: an outbreak of SARS-COV-2 became a devastating pandemic.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Govt. data confirms massive undercount of pandemic deaths
In 2021, an analysis of excess deaths — the increase in the death tally over expected numbers based on previous years (2015-2019) — shows that the number was nearly six times more than the reported COVID-19 death toll. This was the year when the delta variant of the SARS-COV-2 virus wreaked havoc across the country. Some States had a much higher multiple than the national average. For instance, the Gujarat government had officially reported only 5,812 COVID-19 deaths in 2021, but the excess deaths were 44 times this tally, the government data reveals. Similarly, the excess deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were a multiple of 19.5 times more than the reported toll. Chart 1 shows the total number of registered deaths in India over the years (in lakh). Over 1 crore registered deaths were recorded in 2021, a 27% increase compared to the previous year. The bump in 2021 is obvious on account of the pandemic. To estimate the multiple, we calculated excess deaths in 2021 using a three-step method. First, we analysed registered deaths in each State from 2015 to 2019 and extrapolated this trend to estimate expected deaths for 2020 and 2021. This gives a reasonable estimate of the expected number of deaths in these years, if not for an extraordinary event. Next, we compared these expected figures with the actual registered deaths revealed by the newly released data. The difference between the two gave the number of excess deaths. Most of these excess deaths are likely attributable to COVID-19 — the only major disruptive event during those years. Moreover, pandemic-related restrictions had significantly reduced deaths from other causes, such as road accidents, making it unlikely that non-COVID-19 factors were behind the surge. Chart 2 shows India's official COVID-19-related death count published by State governments in 2020 and 2021 compared to the excess deaths calculated based on the recently released reports. While the official COVID-19 death count in 2020 was about 1.5 lakh, about 3.8 lakh 'excess deaths' were recorded the same year. In 2021, while about 3.3 lakh COVID-19-related deaths were officially recorded, there were 21.5 lakh 'excess deaths' (6.5 times more). The Hindu had earlier reported on COVID-19 mortality, and had estimated an excess death multiple of 5.8 times in 11 States, based on the CRS data retrieved through RTI applications and official sources. This multiple was the highest among nations with the most recorded fatalities due to the virus. Charts 3 and 4 show the top 10 States with the highest multiple and the possible undercount (excess deaths minus reported death totals) in absolute terms. An analysis of the State-wise data shows that in 2021, COVID-19 deaths could have been undercounted by a factor of 44 in Gujarat, the highest such undercount in the country. That is, there were over 2.5 lakh excess deaths in Gujarat in 2021, whereas the State's official COVID-19 death count for that year was 5,812. In Telangana, the multiple was 18. In Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, the multiple was over 13. While all over India, over 18.2 lakh deaths, most of them due to COVID-19, were possibly not counted, U.P. has the highest number of such deaths on account of a large population. U.P. could have possibly not counted over 2.6 lakh COVID-19-related deaths in 2021. While the State had 2.8 lakh excess deaths in 2021, U.P.'s official COVID-19 tally for that year was only 14,551 deaths. Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu had undercounted over 2 lakh covid deaths in 2021, data shows. Source: Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner and The Hindu Centre for Politics and Public Policy Also read: Albanese re-elected by a country under economic and environmental stress
Fox News
01-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
HHS halts work at high-risk infectious disease lab following repeated safety violations
FIRST ON FOX: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) implemented a pause on research at one of the nation's most highly secure research labs, following repeated safety incidents that a source familiar told Fox News Digital have been occurring since the Biden administration. An HHS official confirmed the pause at Fort Detrick's Integrated Research Facility, which conducts risky research on deadly infectious diseases like SARS-COV-2 and the Ebola virus, began Tuesday at 5 p.m. The facility, which is one of only a handful across North America, is part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and is located at the U.S. Army base Fort Detrick, outside Washington, D.C. The research there studies treatment and prevention of deadly, "high-consequence" diseases such as Lassa Fever and Eastern equine encephalitis. According to the HHS official who was willing to speak on the matter under the condition of anonymity, the pause stemmed from a lover's spat between researchers at the facility, which resulted in one of the individuals poking holes in the other's personal protective equipment (PPE). That individual has since been fired, the official indicated. The HHS official added that the incident is just the latest example of safety incidents at the high-risk laboratory, which they blamed on a poor safety culture at the lab enabled by the previous Biden administration. "NIH and HHS take the safety of our facilities and research very seriously," HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said. "As soon as we found out about this incident, we took immediate action to issue the safety pause until we can correct the safety culture at this facility." The latest incident, according to HHS, was preceded by a separate incident that occurred as recently as November. The facility's director, Connie Schmaljohn, was placed on administrative leave following the incident. The HHS official familiar with the matter indicated Schmaljohn did not report the incident up the chain of command immediately, causing a delay in remedying the matter. During this temporary pause, all research at the facility will come to a halt and access will be limited to essential personnel. It is unclear how long the pause will remain in effect.
Associated Press
25-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Introducing TraxIt, a Wearable Thermometer for Children That Monitors Temperatures for 48 Hours
Designed for continuous 48-hour monitoring, TraxIt provides accurate temperature tracking for children, making it the ideal thermometer for pediatric care 'TraxIt is a simple way for caretakers to monitor a child's temperature for up to 48 hours without the hassles of trying to get a child to keep a thermometer under their tongue or having to wake them.' — Ajey Atre, CEO of Medical Indicators TRENTON, NJ, UNITED STATES, March 25, 2025 / / -- Medical Indicators, one of the largest global manufacturers of single-use medical thermometers, today announced the launch of TraxIt ®, a continuous monitoring thermometer designed to comfortably and accurately track a child's temperature for up to 48 hours. TraxIt meets the needs of little patients and is the perfect resource for parents, pediatricians, and caregivers who need to monitor a child's health closely. The United States is in the midst of a ' quademic ' of influenza, RSV, norovirus, and SARS-COV-2, with the highest levels of flu in six years. Parents and caregivers must be prepared to take multiple temperatures as a result, which can be a challenge for several children in a household with only one digital thermometer. A human body temperature above 98.6°F (37°C) can indicate a fever, often a sign of infection or illness. Normal body temperature can vary based on factors such as the time of day, activity level, and individual differences. However, a consistent elevation can suggest the body is fighting off an infection, inflammation, or other health issues. TraxIt provides a consistent and accurate temperature reading with no hassles for up to 48 hours. Families don't need to use the same digital thermometer and hope everyone uses the probe cover properly. Parents affix TraxIt and can check their child's temperature as needed. Families widely used unreliable infrared forehead thermometers during the COVID-19 pandemic. TraxIt gives them a new and better option. Designed to Help Pediatricians, Nurses and Parents. Medical Indicators' thermometers utilize an innovative, proprietary chemistry system — Precision Phase Change Technology (PPCT) — to measure body temperature safely and accurately. PPCT is used in a dot matrix that is comprised of heat-sensitive crystals. The crystals contain a unique formulation of chemistry that is designed to react or change color at a specific temperature. TraxIt is easy to use; simply peel the thermometer from the pack and place it high in the patient's underarm. Lower the arm and wait three minutes for the initial reading. After the initial reading, a simple lift of the child's arm will provide a clinically accurate, continuous temperature reading for 48 hours — while sleeping, changing clothes and even bathing the child. TraxIt features and benefits include: – Unsurpassed Accuracy: Clinical precision to ±0.2°F or ±0.1°C/ via TraxIt Liquid Crystal Technology™ that changes from green to black when a fever is present – Gentle and Safe: Clinically tested for ages six months and up, and won't irritate skin – Superior Design: Lightweight, compact and waterproof; made with medical grade adhesive and without natural rubber latex – Convenient: No batteries, cords, probe covers, or cleaning required – Eco-Friendly: 182% less waste compared to alternative thermometers; TraxIt can be disposed of in the regular trash – Versatile Options: Available in Fahrenheit and Celsius – Infection Control: Single-use, hygienic design eliminates cross-contamination – Affordable: Saves more than 95% annually, with no additional costs for batteries, covers or cleaning – Certified: FDA Class 1 device, CE 2797 marked and UKCA certified 'Medical Indicators is committed to restoring the human touch to temperature taking, and with TraxIt we help parents and caregivers take better care of children,' said Ajey Atre, CEO of Medical Indicators. 'TraxIt is a simple way for parents, doctors, and nurses to monitor a child's temperature for up to 48 hours without the classic hassles of trying to get a child to keep a thermometer under their tongue or having to wake them. Respiratory viruses are common everywhere - particularly during the winter - and TraxIt offers a simple and more accurate way to care for every little patient and continuously monitor their temperature.' Medical Indicators offers trusted technology built with uncompromising accuracy and has helped hospitals control outbreaks via single-use sterile thermometers for decades, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact [email protected] or learn more at About Medical Indicators Medical Indicators Inc. is one of the largest single-use medical thermometer manufacturers. Its products aid healthcare facilities such as hospitals, dialysis clinics, national health systems, and blood collection centers in reducing the incidence of Healthcare-Acquired Infections (HAIs). All Medical Indicators thermometers are non-hazardous, non-toxic, natural rubber latex-free, and manufactured in a United States FDA-registered facility. Founded in 1984, Medical Indicators manufactures its products in the USA and is a privately held company based in New Jersey. Mindy Hull Mercury Global Partners +1 415-889-9977 X LinkedIn Instagram Legal Disclaimer:
