Latest news with #diseaseSurveillance
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Chief medical officer ‘anxious' about US leaving World Health Organisation
Scotland's chief medical officer has said he is 'anxious' about the US withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and what it could mean for disease surveillance. Sir Gregor Smith said the Donald Trump administration's decision to pull out of the global health body leaves a 'gap' in how experts understand emerging diseases. Mr Trump withdrew the US from the WHO on the first day of his second term in office, claiming it had mishandled the pandemic. Sir Gregor and other officials discussed Scotland's pandemic preparedness in front of MSPs on Tuesday, including what lessons were learned from Covid-19. Conservative MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane asked about the relationship with Washington after US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jnr said he believes debunked medical theories of vaccines being linked to autism. Sir Gregor said the US relationship with other countries is 'perhaps not as strong as it used to be', adding: 'I think the withdrawal of the US from the WHO does create a significant gap in our surveillance systems globally. 'Not just in the United States, but actually with the funding that comes with US membership of the WHO there is a risk that global systems are undermined rather than strengthened. 'So it's certainly an area I am anxious about.' Sir Gregor also faced questions on Scotland's preparedness for any future pandemics or similar civil contingencies. He said the health system now has stockpiles of 12 weeks' worth of PPE, while ICU capacity and contact increased capabilities can be surged if necessary. Sir Gregor also said public health officials are keeping an eye on a new strain of coronavirus, called NB1.8.1, which is now the dominant strain in China and has also been detected in the UK. Dr Jim McMenamin of Public Health Scotland noted new developments in the field of metagenomics is improving the rapid identification and understanding of viruses.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Deadly West Nile virus found in UK mosquitoes. What you need to know
For the first time, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected signs of the West Nile virus in mosquitoes within the UK, prompting increased disease surveillance. While the risk to the public remains "very low," the UKHSA has confirmed that surveillance and control measures are being intensified. This development comes as experts warn that climate change is driving the spread of mosquito-borne diseases to new regions. The UKHSA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said 'fragments of West Nile Virus genetic material' were found in some Aedes vexans mosquitoes collected in wetlands on the River Idle at Gamston, near Retford in Nottinghamshire, in July 2023. What is the West Nile virus? West Nile virus is usually found in birds, and usually circulates through bird-biting mosquitoes. In rare cases mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans or horses. While there have been no cases of West Nile Virus acquired in the UK, seven cases linked to travel have been identified since the year 2000. The UKHSA said there is 'no evidence to suggest ongoing circulation of the virus in birds or mosquitoes in the UK'. But it said that 'disease surveillance and control activities are being enhanced in light of the findings'. And it is issuing advice to health workers so that patients with encephalitis – or swelling of the brain – of an unknown cause can be tested as a precaution. Dr Meera Chand, from the UKHSA, said: 'While this is the first detection of West Nile virus in mosquitoes in the UK so far, it is not unexpected as the virus is already widespread in Europe. 'The risk to the general public is currently assessed as very low. 'Vector research of this kind is designed to give us early warning of potential threats so that we can enhance our disease surveillance and control activities and ensure patients receive appropriate testing.' What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus? West Nile Virus, which typically causes flu-like symptoms but can lead to severe illness, is endemic in various parts of the world and experts said that the 'geographic range' has expanded in recent years to more northerly and western regions of mainland Europe. The UKHSA said that as temperatures warm due to climate change, tick and mosquito species not currently native to the UK will begin to find the UK's climate more 'bearable'. Other types of mosquito can arrive in the UK by various means including becoming trapped in cars and lorries crossing borders and in shipping containers. Dr Arran Folly, from the APHA, added: 'The detection of West Nile virus in the UK is part of a wider changing landscape where, in the wake of climate change, mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas. 'Our primary focus is to understand how viruses move into the country and how they are transmitted. 'Combined, this can help us identify areas that may be at increased risk of outbreaks.' Dr Jolyon Medlock, from the UKHSA, added: ' Mosquitoes in the UK are also commonly found in wet woodland areas and various aquatic habitats, including ponds, ditches, marshes, and even garden water butts or cisterns. 'To avoid being bitten by a mosquito when in these types of areas, wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs, use insect repellent on your skin (ideally one that contains the ingredient DEET), close windows and doors whenever possible, or use blinds or screens.'
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Deadly West Nile virus found in UK mosquitoes for the first time
Health officials have stepped up disease surveillance efforts after finding signs of the West Nile virus in mosquitoes in the UK for the first time. While the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the risk to the public is 'very low', it said that surveillance and control activities are being 'enhanced' in light of the findings. Experts said mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas due to climate change. The UKHSA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said 'fragments of West Nile Virus genetic material' were found in some Aedes vexans mosquitoes collected in wetlands on the River Idle at Gamston, near Retford in Nottinghamshire, in July 2023. West Nile virus is usually found in birds, and usually circulates through bird-biting mosquitoes. In rare cases mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans or horses. While there have been no cases of West Nile Virus acquired in the UK, seven cases linked to travel have been identified since the year 2000. The UKHSA said there is 'no evidence to suggest ongoing circulation of the virus in birds or mosquitoes in the UK'. But it said that 'disease surveillance and control activities are being enhanced in light of the findings'. And it is issuing advice to health workers so that patients with encephalitis – or swelling of the brain – of an unknown cause can be tested as a precaution. Dr Meera Chand, from the UKHSA, said: 'While this is the first detection of West Nile virus in mosquitoes in the UK so far, it is not unexpected as the virus is already widespread in Europe. 'The risk to the general public is currently assessed as very low. 'Vector research of this kind is designed to give us early warning of potential threats so that we can enhance our disease surveillance and control activities and ensure patients receive appropriate testing.' West Nile Virus, which typically causes flu-like symptoms but can lead to severe illness, is endemic in various parts of the world and experts said that the 'geographic range' has expanded in recent years to more northerly and western regions of mainland Europe. The UKHSA said that as temperatures warm due to climate change, tick and mosquito species not currently native to the UK will begin to find the UK's climate more 'bearable'. Other types of mosquito can arrive in the UK by various means including becoming trapped in cars and lorries crossing borders and in shipping containers. Dr Arran Folly, from the APHA, added: 'The detection of West Nile virus in the UK is part of a wider changing landscape where, in the wake of climate change, mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas. 'Our primary focus is to understand how viruses move into the country and how they are transmitted. 'Combined, this can help us identify areas that may be at increased risk of outbreaks.' Dr Jolyon Medlock, from the UKHSA, added: ' Mosquitoes in the UK are also commonly found in wet woodland areas and various aquatic habitats, including ponds, ditches, marshes, and even garden water butts or cisterns. 'To avoid being bitten by a mosquito when in these types of areas, wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs, use insect repellent on your skin (ideally one that contains the ingredient DEET), close windows and doors whenever possible, or use blinds or screens.'
Zawya
18-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
New Advisory Group on Surveillance to Boost Africa's Health Security
Improvements in the forecasting, monitoring, identification, and reporting of diseases are expected to take hold following the establishment of the Continental Surveillance Advisory Group (CSAG), aimed at bolstering Africa's disease surveillance capabilities. This was among the key outcomes of a meeting hosted from 23 to 25 April 2025 by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which brought together surveillance directors from 47 African Union Member States. The meeting led to the identification of priority pathogens, including emerging and re-emerging diseases like mpox and cholera, as well as other diseases targeted for eradication. It also resulted in the development of a roadmap to strengthen indicator-based surveillance at Africa CDC. These initiatives support Africa CDC's core mandate to monitor public health events across the continent, driving informed and timely public health actions. They also represent a significant step in evolving the institution's surveillance system, focusing on proactive surveillance, intelligence gathering, and early warning systems, key elements of its five-year strategic roadmap. The CSAG will play a crucial role in guiding Africa CDC's development and implementation of this enhanced surveillance strategy. 'Data quality, timeliness, and completeness remain major challenges in Africa, posing serious limitations to countries and regional institutions in making better analyses or informed decisions and allocating resources,' said Dr Merawi Aragaw, Head of the Surveillance and Disease Intelligence Division at Africa CDC. To address these challenges, efforts are underway to strengthen surveillance systems on multiple fronts, including coordination, disease forecasting, monitoring, evaluation, and leveraging data for targeted public health actions and optimised resource allocation. Despite progress in event-based surveillance, case-based and indicator-based systems remain underdeveloped at the continental level, highlighting the critical need for a more integrated and resilient surveillance infrastructure. Dr Allan Muruta, the newly elected CSAG Chairperson and Commissioner of Integrated Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Public Health Emergencies for Uganda, emphasised the importance of collaboration. 'During my term, advocating for the implementation of surveillance standards and advancing digitalisation and health information exchange will be central to our efforts in fostering a healthy and prosperous Africa,' he said. Africa CDC will continue collaborating with surveillance experts across the continent and the CSAG to develop a strategic framework that guides improvements in indicator-based surveillance. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
