Latest news with #healthalert
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
'Danger to life' warning as two deadly diseases caused by mosquitoes strike tourists in Europe
A health alert has been issued for tourists traveling to Europe this summer as two potentially fatal diseases have been detected. In Italy, health authorities have reported the first locally acquired cases of dengue and chikungunya, mosquito-borne viruses that are typically found in tropical regions such as South America and India. Both were considered primarily imported diseases, found in individuals who had contracted them abroad. However, the two new cases indicate that the viruses were caught within the country, according to the British Foreign Office-backed Travel Health Pro. Dengue fever cases have seen a significant rise globally, reaching a record high in 2024 with over 14 million reported cases, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. In June of this year, Australian holidaymakers were issued a warning after The Cook Islands, a nation in the South Pacific, declared the most recent outbreak of the disease after 19 cases, including two active cases, were recorded. Case counts have also been increasing in Samoa, Tonga, French Polynesia, Fiji and Kiribati. In July, Italy reported the first locally acquired case of dengue for the year, specifically in the Emilia-Romagna region, while 82 imported cases of the virus were recorded in several regions. Italian health officials also reported the first locally acquired case of chikungunya for the year, again found in the Emilia-Romagna region. An additional 50 imported cases of the virus were recorded across a number of regions. Earlier this month, holidaymakers jetting off to France were warned they were at risk of contracting chikungunya after eight local cases were recorded. The chikungunya outbreak has occurred far earlier in the year than is typical, and this could indicate the mosquitoes that carry chikungunya are becoming increasingly at home in France thanks to climate change, the warning said. Though not fatal, chikungunya can cause a range of effects, which are primarily marked by a sudden onset of fever and severe joint pain, while other common symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. While the acute phase of the illness usually resolves within a week or two, the joint pain can persist for weeks, months, or even years in some individuals. Meanwhile, dengue fever can cause a range of effects, including mild flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever and joint pain. However, in some cases, infections can progress to severe dengue, which can cause potentially life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding and organ damage, and death. Holidaymakers are urged to contact a local health professional immediately if they suspect they have been bitten by a mosquito during their travels.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Officials sound alarm over the spread of deadly insect-borne disease after first person dies
Health experts are sounding the alarm over the rise of a deadly insect-borne disease following America's first death from the virus this year. An unnamed individual in Maricopa County, Arizona, was diagnosed with West Nile Virus, which is becoming more prevalent in the US due to a warming climate. They were among the one percent of patients who develop a severe form of the virus, which causes dangerous swelling of the brain. This occurs when the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier and infects the brain and/or spinal cord, leading to conditions like encephalitis, meningitis, or paralysis. Officials revealed the victim was an older adult with underlying health conditions. They were the 17th human case of the West Nile virus in the Maricopa County area and among the 51 human cases nationwide. While West Nile virus typically causes mild symptoms, individuals with certain medical conditions - such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants - are at greater risk of serious health complications. Currently West Nile virus activity appears to be at a relatively stable level, but the presence of the virus in places it typically doesn't appear is raising concerns among experts. This is because higher temperatures shorten the time it takes for the virus to incubate within the mosquito and become infectious. Additionally, warmer temperatures can enhance mosquito survival and reproduction rates, further amplifying the spread of the virus. Maricopa County's chief medical officer Dr Nick Staab said: 'This tragic loss is a reminder that West Nile virus can be serious, especially for older adults and those with existing health conditions. 'Monsoon season brings much-needed rain, but it also creates ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed.' The most cases have been recorded in Arizona (17 cases), followed by Louisiana (seven), Oklahoma and Texas (five) and Tennessee (three). Other states with human cases of West Nile virus are California, Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia. So far this year, there have been 51 human cases of West Nile virus in the US, including 24 severe or 'neuroinvasive' cases. Last year, there were 748 human cases of the virus recorded, including 515 neuroinvasive cases. The worry among experts is that West Nile virus is spreading to new areas, and mosquitoes carrying the virus are being found in previously unaffected regions. This is partly due to climate change, which is expanding the range of mosquito-borne diseases. It is currently the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the US. Recently, West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in New York City, but no human cases have been reported. Once a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, It generally takes between three and 14 days for the disease to develop. Around 80 percent of infected people are asymptomatic (no symptoms), but 20 percent will develop fever, headache, and body aches. In rare cases - about 1 in 150 - the virus can cause severe complications as it spreads to the brain - like encephalitis or meningitis - which may lead to paralysis, long-term disability, or death. People over the age of 60 are at greater risk for severe illness if they are infected, as are those with with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease. There is no specific treatment for the virus or vaccine, but 80 percent of cases are mild, where sufferers may experience flu-like symptoms or rashes. In more severe cases, patients have reported paralysis and memory loss. Prospero Rangel, 78, beat cancer but was left relearning how to walk after contracting West Nile virus last year. He was outside his home in Brazos County, Texas, when he was bitten and immediately began feeling 'so itchy '. Over the following days he began suffering body aches, joint pain, weakness and a fever before being admitted to hospital a week later. Rangel's daughter, Sara Salzer, said following his diagnosis: 'We've been told that there are going to be some symptoms that are going to stay with him for a while. 'We were even told that he may have to do outpatient therapy for the next year.' The CDC states that the best way to prevent West Nile is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Bite prevention tips include using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and using mosquito repellent devices outside and around the home. Following the first human death, residents in Maricopa County are being encouraged to remove standing water while ensuring that lawn irrigation and onsite sewage systems are properly maintained. Larvicide can also be used to treat any areas where mosquitoes could lay eggs. WHAT IS WEST NILE VIRUS West Nile virus is a disease spread by mosquitoes, which carry it from birds. It was first isolated in a woman in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937 and spread to New York State in 1999. It generally takes between three and 14 days for the disease to develop. The West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-spread disease in the continental US, with a median of over 2,200 cases being reported every year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. About 1,000 people are hospitalized each year with the most severe form of the disease, which if it spreads to the brain and nervous system, can cause brain swelling, brain damage and death with a 3-15 percent mortality rate. There is no specific treatment for the virus or vaccine, but 80 percent of cases are mild, where sufferers may experience flu-like symptoms or rashes.
CBC
a day ago
- Health
- CBC
Measles exposure alert issued for Alberta Children's Hospital emergency room
Alberta Health Services has issued a measles exposure alert for the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary after a person with a confirmed case of measles visited the hospital's emergency department while infectious. The exposure period is between 10:08 a.m. and 2:14 p.m. on July 13. If you were in the emergency department at that time, and you were born after 1969, and you've had fewer than two documented doses of measles vaccine, health officials warn that you may be at risk for developing measles and should self-monitor for symptoms. "Measles is an extremely contagious disease and the virus spreads easily through the air," AHS said in a statement. Symptoms of measles include: Fever of 38.3 C or higher; and Cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and A rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, usually beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs. The rash appears red and blotchy on lighter skin colours. On darker skin colours, it can appear purple or darker than the skin around it, or it might be hard to see. "Complications of measles can include ear infections, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, premature delivery, and rarely death," AHS said in the statement. "Persons who are pregnant, less than five years of age, or have weakened immune systems are at greatest risk." If you do develop symptoms of measles, you are advised to stay home and call the province's measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before visiting a hospital, doctor's office or pharmacy. Alberta has seen 1,454 cases of measles so far this year, the most since 1979.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
'Danger to life' warning issued as two deadly diseases detected at popular holiday destination
A health alert has been issued for British tourists travelling to a popular European destination this summer as two potentially fatal diseases have been detected. In Italy, health authorities have reported the first locally acquired cases of both dengue and chikungunya, mosquito-borne viruses that are typically found in tropical regions like South America and India. Both were previously considered primarily imported diseases, found in individuals who had contracted them abroad. However, the two new cases indicate that the viruses were caught within the country, according to the Foreign Office-backed Travel Health Pro. Dengue fever cases have seen a significant rise globally, reaching a record high in 2024 with over 14 million reported cases, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. In June of this year, Australian holidaymakers were issued a warning after The Cook Islands, a nation in the South Pacific, declared the most recent outbreak of the disease after 19 cases, including two active cases, were recorded. Case counts have also been increasing in Samoa, Tonga, French Polynesia, Fiji and Kiribati. In July, Italy reported the first locally acquired case of dengue for the year, specifically in the Emilia Romagna region, while 82 imported cases of the virus were recorded in several regions. Italian health officials also reported the first locally acquired case of Chikungunya for the year, again found in the Emilia-Romagna region. An additional 50 imported cases of the virus were recorded across a number of regions. Earlier this month, holidaymakers jetting off to France were warned they were at risk of contracting chikungunya after eight local cases were recorded. The chikungunya outbreak has occurred far earlier in the year than is typical, and this could indicate the mosquitoes that carry chikungunya are becoming increasingly at home in France thanks to climate change, the warning said. Though not fatal, chikungunya can cause a range of effects, which are primarily marked by a sudden onset of fever and severe joint pain, while other common symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. While the acute phase of the illness usually resolves within a week or two, the joint pain can persist for weeks, months, or even years in some individuals. Meanwhile, dengue fever can cause a range of effects, including mild flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever and joint pain. However, in some cases, infections can progress to severe dengue, which can cause potentially life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding and organ damage, and death. Holidaymakers are urged to contact a local health professional immediately if they suspect they have been bitten by a mosquito during their travels. It comes as Hawaii health officials are asking visitors to ensure they are vaccinated against whooping cough as cases reach an all-time high in the state. Earlier this week, the state's Department of Health reported 108 cases of the Victorian-era disease — dubbed the 100-day cough — a stark increase from last year's 84 total cases. According to data from the CDC, about 10,000 cases of the coughing malady and nearly a dozen deaths have already been reported across the country this year.
NHK
2 days ago
- Health
- NHK
Whooping cough cases in Japan hit new high for 4th straight week
Weekly cases of whooping cough in Japan have hit a new high for the fourth straight week. The Japan Institute for Health Security says medical institutions across the country reported 3,682 patients in the week through July 13. That was 104 more than in the previous week and the highest since the current method of recordkeeping began in 2018. By prefecture, Tokyo had the most, with 273 patients. It was followed by 236 in Saitama, 198 in Gunma, 175 in Kanagawa, 169 in Niigata, 167 in Ibaraki, 153 in Chiba and 152 in Hyogo. The cumulative number of patients so far this year stands at 48,073. Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that affects mainly children and is characterized by severe persistent coughing. Infants can become seriously ill or die if infected. As of the end of June, at least four infants up to the age of four months have died in Tokyo and three other prefectures. Medical institutions in many regions have been reporting infections that are resistant to drugs. The Japan Pediatric Society is calling on parents to vaccinate their babies as soon as they are two months old.
