Latest news with #Zika
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Zika Virus Is Back After 6 Years in One of the Most Popular U.S. Tourist Destinations
The Hawaii Department of Health is warning about a case of Zika virus on the island of Oahu — the first case since 2019 Typical symptoms include rash, fever, headache, joint pain, and pink eye; the virus is more dangerous for pregnant women because it can be transmitted to the fetus Residents are warned to use insect repellent and remove standingThe Hawaii Department of Health has confirmed at least one case of Zika on the island of Oahu, with two other suspected exposures to the virus. Zika is spread when a mosquito bites someone who is infected — but it can also spread through sex, the Cleveland Clinic explains. One in five people infected with Zika will develop symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms may include an itchy rash, fever, headache, joint pain, and pink eye. This year, Hawaii's first case of Zika was travel-related — meaning, it was not acquired on the island — the HDOH said in a May 27 statement, where it asked for help in controlling the mosquito population and reducing the risk of bites. Zika is especially dangerous for pregnant women because it can be transmitted to the fetus, causing microcephaly (a smaller head), improper brain development, and cerebral palsy. There is also risk of the fetus developing a condition called Congenital Zika Syndrome, which is a combination of severe conditions including a collapsed skull, severe microcephaly, a reduction in brain tissue, as well as problems with eyes, joints, and muscles. Hawaiians and visitors are urged to use insect repellent — specifically, 'products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency that contain 20–30% DEET' or picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535.' Property owners are urged to make sure screens are intact, doors are left closed and to remove standing water that may encourage mosquitoes to breed. This is Hawaii's first case of Zika since 2019, the statement says, noting that the state has Aedes species of mosquitos that carry the Zika virus. The HDOH said they've dispatched "vector control teams" to the areas of most concern, which include including Waialua and the popular surfer destination of Haleʻiwa on the North Shore of Oʻahu. The island is home to nearly 1 million residents, and is the location of popular destinations like Honolulu, Waikiki and Pearl Harbor — and most recently is where the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie was filmed. Read the original article on People
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
From pandemic to endemic: Do you know what these terms mean?
For many of us, the year 2020 might have been the first time we were introduced to epidemiological terms such as 'pandemic', 'epidemic', and even 'endemic', as Covid-19 began to spread its devastating effect around the world. You may vaguely understand that these terms refer to infectious illnesses, but what do they really mean and what differentiates these terms? Key terms defined 'Pandemics', 'epidemics' and 'endemic diseases' are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) based on the rate of disease spread. What makes an epidemic and a pandemic different is not the severity of the disease, but the scale of its spread. Hence, a pandemic is not necessarily worse than an epidemic or an endemic disease. Pandemics do have the largest potential to cause worldwide disruption, but this depends on the specific disease and how we manage it collectively. Here are the definitions of these terms: An endemic disease is consistently present in a specific region or population with a fairly stable prevalence or frequency. This makes the spread of the disease predictable. For example, malaria is endemic to some parts of Africa due to the continent's higher average temperature, while dengue fever is endemic to tropical and subtropical regions like Malaysia. Another example is hepatitis B, which is endemic worldwide, with higher endemicity in Africa and Asia. An epidemic is a sudden and rapid increase in the number of disease cases above what is normally expected in a specific region or population. It can happen when a new disease appears in the population or when an endemic disease becomes more prevalent or widespread. An epidemic disease is not necessarily contagious and may refer to other diseases or health issues with a prevalence higher than the projected occurrence in a population. Examples include the Zika virus epidemic in Brazil (2015-2016), the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa (2014-2016), and the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States due to the increasing use of opioids and overdose cases in the past decades. A pandemic happens when a disease spreads across multiple countries or continents, impacting a large number of people. A disease may be declared as a pandemic if it spreads at a very fast rate, with more new cases reported every day. An ongoing epidemic may turn into a pandemic if it spreads beyond the originating region or population. Properties of the pathogen, population immunity or severity of the disease are not factors in determining whether or not a disease is a pandemic. Examples include the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (2020-2022), and the swine flu (2009) and 1918 influenza pandemics (also known as the Spanish flu pandemic, 1918-1920), both caused by the H1N1 influenza virus. Other important terms There are also other terms that may be used to describe the spread of disease in a population, such as: This is when a disease happens rarely or occasionally. Examples include tetanus, which tends to happen only in unvaccinated individuals, or foodborne illnesses such salmonella or Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) infections. This is when there is a persistent presence of a disease at a higher level in a population compared to other populations. For example, in parts of Africa, as many as one in five adults has HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), hence the disease is considered hyperendemic in those places. This is when a disease occurs at a higher rate in a specific geographical area or time period, but the exact cause may be uncertain. For example, a cluster of cancer cases that arises after a chemical contamination event or a nuclear plant accident. This has the same meaning as an epidemic, but is typically used to describe a disease spread that is more limited geographically. Is Covid-19 endemic? This is a question that has been asked many times since the world started reopening after the Covid-19 pandemic. To answer this, we need to understand what it means for Covid-19 to be endemic. For Covid-19 to be considered endemic, its continued presence in the population must be at a certain predictable level or trend. The closest example is influenza, which is typically present at an expected level throughout the year in Malaysia. Yet, being endemic is not necessarily a good thing as the disease can still have severe effects on patients. Plus, it is possible for an endemic disease to turn into a pandemic again. Covid-19 is no longer categorised as a pandemic and was officially considered as having become endemic in Malaysia on May 1 (2025) after a three-year transition period that began on April 1, 2022. Regardless, continued surveillance and vigilance are necessary to prevent another pandemic from happening. Other than practising personal hygiene, taking Covid-19 vaccine booster doses is also part of the preventive measures recommended to everyone, especially high-risk groups such as the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions or weakened immune systems. Whether it's endemic or an epidemic or pandemic, let's continue to prioritise our health and safety! Datuk Dr Musa Mohd Nordin is a consultant paediatrician and neonatologist, and Dr Husna Musa is a paediatrician. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association's Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email starhealth@ The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader's own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
HHS cancels funding for bird flu vaccine development because of RNA concerns
The Department of Health and Human Service is pulling millions of dollars in funding for a human bird flu vaccine developed by Covid vaccine-maker Moderna. Before President Donald Trump took office for his second term, the Biden administration had awarded $766 million to the Massachusetts-based drugmaker. They invested $176 million last summer, and tacked on another $590 million in January. "While the termination of funding from HHS adds uncertainty, we are pleased by the robust immune response and safety profile observed in this interim analysis of the Phase 1/2 study of our H5 avian flu vaccine and we will explore alternative paths forward for the program," Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said in a statement. "These clinical data in pandemic influenza underscore the critical role mRNA technology has played as a countermeasure to emerging health threats." HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon assured The Independent that the decision was made after a 'rigorous review.' 'This is not simply about efficacy — it's about safety, integrity, and trust,' he said. 'The reality is that mRNA technology remains under-tested, and we are not going to spend taxpayer dollars repeating the mistakes of the last administration, which concealed legitimate safety concerns from the public.' Nixon also said that the move signals a 'shift in federal vaccine funding priorities with better-established safety profiles and transparent data.' The department said Moderna's project does not meet the scientific standards or safety expectations required for continued federal investment, and that the decision reflects broader concerns about mRNA use. It noted that there are three other avian flu contracts under the National Prepandemic Influenza Vaccine Stockpile program. Researchers have been studying and working with mRNA vaccines for decades, for flu, Zika, rabies, and cytomegalovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccines work by using mRNA, a type of RNA, that is created in a laboratory to teach our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. The news comes amid the continued and pervasive spread of H5N1 bird flu, which has killed millions of birds, mammals, and other animals across the U.S. in recent years. In response to infections that resulted in a nationwide egg shortage, the Trump administration's Department of Agriculture included vaccine investments in its $1 billion-dollar plan, allocating up to $100 million for research in that area. 'USDA will be hyper-focused on a targeted and thoughtful strategy for potential new generation vaccines, therapeutics, and other innovative solutions to minimize depopulation of egg laying chickens along with increased bio-surveillance and other innovative solutions targeted at egg laying chickens in and around outbreaks,' it said. Of course, that proposal came before vaccine-skeptic and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., made his own: mass infections. Experts said that was a bad idea. Since then, however, reports of new human cases have stopped. That's been puzzling to experts. To date, 70 people have been infected, most of whom are farm workers. 'We just don't know why there haven't been cases,' Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, told NPR. 'I think we should assume there are infections that are occurring in farmworkers that just aren't being detected.' It may also be tied to seasonality, with cases peaking in the fall and winter as bird migrate. So, the need for a vaccine for humans, such as Moderna's mRNA-108, likely remains. The administration's decision comes as Moderna announced positive interim results from an early-stage trial of the vaccine. "What we learned clearly during the last influenza pandemic is there are only a few companies in the world that make flu vaccines, which means in a pandemic there won't be enough to go around,' Nuzzo said, reacting to the news. 'If the U.S. wants to make sure it can get enough vaccines for every American who wants them during a pandemic, it should invest in multiple types of vaccines instead of putting all of our eggs in one basket." With reporting from The Associated Press
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
Traveling to Hawaii? What you need to know about recent health warnings
As Bay Area families prepare for summer trips to Hawaii with the school year coming to a close, health officials on the islands are urging visitors and residents to remain vigilant against several contagious diseases. On Monday, the Hawaii Department of Health confirmed a travel-related case of Zika virus on Oahu — the first in over five years — prompting renewed warnings about the mosquito-borne illness. The infected individual had visited the North Shore beach towns of Waialua and Haleiwa, popular for their quieter beaches and hiking trails. While the virus was not contracted locally, officials said, 'Travelers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites during their trips, and for three weeks after returning.' Zika virus poses particular risks to pregnant travelers because of potential birth defects. To reduce risk, the department recommends using EPA-approved insect repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants during daylight hours when mosquitoes are active, and staying in screened or air-conditioned accommodations. The Department of Health reported 108 cases so far this year, surpassing the 84 recorded in all of 2024, and said recent infections 'have increased at a worrying rate.' 'Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease spread through the air via the coughs or sneezes of an infected person,' the department said. Officials emphasize the importance of up-to-date vaccinations, noting that Hawaii's vaccination rates have declined since 2019. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases are on the rise on the islands as summer travel picks up. More than 200 new cases were confirmed last week, though officials believe many go unreported. The rapid spread of a highly contagious new omicron variant, NB.1.8.1, detected in Hawaii and six other states, has raised concerns, even though experts say it is unlikely to cause more severe illness. On Monday, Governor Josh Green criticized U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent announcement that healthy children and pregnant women would no longer be routinely recommended for COVID-19 vaccination under the Trump administration. 'By removing the capacity to vaccinate people under age 65 for the most part, you're going to see more spread,' said Green, a physician, calling the policy a 'big mistake.' 'You want to make it easier for people to choose. I'm not mandating anything. Choose what vaccinations you want. So, I'm gonna have to fight that,' Green added. He also warned, 'these guys are going to kill Americans by making it harder to get vaccinated. And then there's going to be a lot of hell to pay, because innocent people who can't get the vaccine if they want it, I think they're going to have the right to sue the federal government, in my opinion.'
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Trio of killer viruses to hit UK 'any time now' - and there's no treatment
Experts are warning that the UK could soon be at risk of dangerous mosquito-borne viruses, with the tropical diseases set to take hold in Britain for the first time Infectious disease experts are warning that it's a matter of when, not if, climate change will see serious mosquito-borne viruses hit the UK for the first time. Rising temperatures have already created ideal conditions for the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) to spread in London and the southeast - currently the country's warmest regions. This means that diseases once limited to warmer climates - such as dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika - could soon take hold in Britain for the first time. According to the UK Health Security Agency, have already detected eggs in the UK on eight occasions, and Professor Steven Sinkins, an expert in microbiology and tropical medicine at Glasgow University, warns transmission could be right around the corner. "It could happen any time," he told the i Paper. "It is possible that over a hot summer the mosquitoes reach sufficient numbers for transmission to occur. Eggs of this mosquito have been detected in Kent and London in the last few years, and the climate in southern England is suitable for it to become established. If that happens it will both cause biting nuisance and also probably transmit viruses such as dengue and chikungunya in the summertime. "There is growing concern that it will eventually become established in the UK and cause outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya, as is being seen in France and Italy. "Dengue can be fatal and chikungunya can cause long-term joint pain and disability." Symptoms of the diseases typically include fever, headache, fatigue, nausea, and joint or muscle pain. These illnesses can prove fatal, particularly for those with pre-existing medical conditions or a compromised immune system. Chikungunya fever (CHIKV) is a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes. It cannot be passed from human to human. Its name means "to become contorted" or "stooped walk," referring to the intense joint and muscle pain it causes. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no treatment. The majority of people infected with CHIKV develop a sudden fever and severe pain in multiple joints. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Symptoms typically appear 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. These symptoms typically resolve within 7 to 10 days, and most patients make a full recovery. However, in some cases joint pain and arthritis may persist for several months or even years. Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints. While a chikungunya vaccine has been approved in the UK, there is currently no specific treatment for the infection. The vaccine contains a form of the virus that has been weakened in the laboratory so it cannot multiply. The vaccine works by training the immune system (the body's natural defences) to recognise CHIKV and it is then able to produce specific antibodies which attack the virus. Most people recover within a few weeks, but for some, joint and muscle pain can persist for months or even years after the initial infection. The warning follows news that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently detected West Nile virus in mosquitoes in the UK for the first time. This is believed to be linked to a rise in Aedes vexans mosquitoes - another species capable of transmitting the virus - due to warmer conditions. The UKHSA emphasized that the public risk remains 'very low,' as there is no evidence any infected mosquitoes have bitten humans. The virus was found during routine mosquito surveillance, and is thought to have come from a UK mosquito biting a migratory bird carrying the virus—not from an established local transmission. Currently, West Nile virus is not circulating in the UK. However, if it were to become established, it could spread among birds and mosquitoes, significantly increasing human infection risk. Scientists say this detection highlights the broader concern: as the UK climate warms, the threat from mosquito-borne diseases is growing - and with it, the need for ongoing vigilance and public health preparedness.
