Latest news with #malaria
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Health advocates urge Carney not to delay pledge for UN Global Fund fighting AIDS, TB
A health worker administers the malaria vaccine R21/Matrix-M to a child at the comprehensive Health Centre in Agudama-Epie, in Yenagoa, Nigeria, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) OTTAWA — AIDS activists are urging the federal government to quickly renew Canada's support for fighting infectious diseases abroad, warning delays will further hinder global efforts to combat key illnesses. 'While some of the other nations around the world are retreating right now from investing in global health, Canada can and should be stepping forward swiftly, to save lives,' said Justin McAuley, a director with the Canadian branch of the ONE Campaign. His group is among 24 Canadian civil society organizations that asked the government to allocate $1.37 billion over three years for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The fund is affiliated with the United Nations, and it supports developing countries in limiting and treating the three preventable illnesses, which in many regions are among the leading causes of death. Canada is one of the world's top supporters of the fund, which makes up the largest chunk of Ottawa's global health spending. Canada has contributed nearly $5 billion to the Global Fund since 2002, and the fund estimates it has saved 65 million lives in that time. Countries replenish the fund every three years, with their contributions usually rising over time as health-care systems build more capacity to treat and prevent these diseases. In each cycle, civil society groups issue what they call a fair-share metric to reflect how much each wealthy country can reasonably pledge to help the fund reach its goals. The office of Randeep Sarai, secretary of state for international development, referred questions about the $1.37 billion request to Global Affairs Canada. 'Canada looks forward to working together as part of the Global Fund partnership to secure a successful eighth replenishment of the fund this year,' the department wrote in a statement. 'Discussions regarding Canada's pledge are ongoing.' McAuley said he hopes Ottawa announces its pledge soon, to build momentum for other countries to follow suit. 'Canada has a unique role and legacy to play in the global health space,' he said. 'Our momentum will mean something on the world stage — if we come out early, and don't wait for the last minute.' Results Canada, another group asking Ottawa to meet the civil society target, noted the G7 summit that Canada hosted in Alberta 'focused on trade, conflict and climate — but overlooked two of the most powerful tools for global stability: health and education.' That has put the legacy of the Global Fund 'under threat,' the group argued in an email campaign. 'As countries cut international assistance, decades of hard-won gains hang in the balance.' UNAIDS reported on July 10 that HIV infections and deaths continue to drop, but sudden cuts by the United States and others 'threaten to reverse years of progress in the response to HIV.' U.S. Republicans recently reversed plans to cut PEPFAR, the world's largest HIV program, but Washington is still on track to slash its contribution to the Global Fund. Countries normally make pledges at an organized conference, such as the last cycle when prime minister Justin Trudeau visited the United Nations in New York in 2022. This year, there is no pledging conference, though McAuley expects leaders of large economies to make pledges before visiting South Africa for the G20 summit in November. He said global health is already under pressure from armed conflicts, climate-related events and the ongoing recovery of health systems from cutbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rich countries are cutting back on foreign aid as they increase military spending. Prime Minister Mark Carney promised in last spring's election to not cut foreign aid spending or development financing, though this was before he launched a review of government spending and committed to large amounts of military-related spending. McAuley said Carney ought to meet the metric outlined by civil society, or he'll be offside with his two last predecessors. 'Both Harper and Trudeau repeatedly stepped up and did Canada's fair share,' he said. 'Is Carney going to break that pattern now and step back?' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
West Midlands named worst for common travel-related illness and reason why
The West Midlands has been named the worst place for cases of a common travel-related sickness bug. The region recorded the highest number of travel-related gastrointestinal (GI) infections in England, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). There were 477 cases in the West Midlands, representing 17.6% of the total cases in England. READ MORE: Tragedy as man's body found in West Bromwich canal Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join The UKHSA said the main bugs causing these infections include cryptosporidium, giardia and salmonella – generally picked up from infected water and food. However the region also recorded the second highest rate of enteric fever (typhoid/paratyphoid) nationally, with 67 cases. These illnesses are caused by things like salmonella bacteria, which is more common in countries with less developed sanitary facilities. They can be spread through food and drink, including shellfish affected by sewage entering drinking water. However infections are preventable in all of these cases. Meanwhile, malaria also remains a significant risk for people travelling to endemic areas, with the West Midlands accounting for around 9% of UK cases in 2023 (181 out of 2,106), an increase of 27% on 2022. The reasons for travelling cited by UK cases were visiting friends and relatives (74%), travelling for holiday (20%) and travelling for work (6%). Elsewhere, travel-related measles cases have increased significantly since 2022, reflecting global trends of the disease and increasing levels of travel following the pandemic, with children under 10 most affected. Recent outbreaks have been seen in several other European countries including Romania, France, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands. Katie Spence, UKHSA Regional Deputy Director West Midlands, said: "The West Midlands is a central transport hub and has a diverse population, so there is a lot of international travel, increasing risk of travel-related infections. "The main infections we are seeing in the region are gastrointestinal and enteric fever, which are preventable, with risk greatly reduced by practicing good hand hygiene and making sure fresh food is rinsed well in clean water. "Measles remains an ongoing risk, both in England and abroad, particularly for children, so it's important to make sure everyone is up to date with their MMR vaccines. "Certain countries also require specific vaccinations, so you should arrange these with your GP surgery in good time before travelling. "The Travel Health Pro website, has detailed country-specific information, including what vaccines to get, any important medication such as malaria tablets, and how to avoid traveller's diarrhoea and other serious gastrointestinal infections. "We want everyone in the West Midlands to enjoy a safe and healthy holiday season, whether at home or abroad. "So whether you're visiting family and friends, taking a mini-break, going somewhere you know well or a more exotic location, there are simple steps you can take before, during and after travel to reduce your risk of picking up an unwanted infection, ruining your trip and having to take time off work or school when you get back. "From vaccinations to basic hygiene, practising safe sex, and being aware of symptoms, there are easy ways to stay well."
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Malaria ‘back with a vengeance' in Zimbabwe as number of deaths from the disease triple
Zimbabwe's efforts to control malaria have been dealt a huge blow as experts say the disease has returned 'with a vengeance' after US aid cuts, with 115 outbreaks recorded in 2025 compared with only one last year. The sharp rise in cases comes six months after Donald Trump halted critical funding for US research and national response programmes. The cuts in January, which included funding for tuberculosis, HIV/Aids and malaria programmes, crippled the Zimbabwe Entomological Support Programme in Malaria (Zento) at Africa University in Mutare, which provides the country's National Malaria Control Programme with scientific research to combat the disease. Cumulative malaria cases increased by 180% in the first four months of 2025, according to the health ministry, while the number of malaria-related deaths increased by 218%, from 45 in the same period in 2024 to 143 in 2025. As of 26 June, the number of malaria cases had risen to 119,648, with 334 deaths, according to the Zimbabwean health ministry. The distribution of essential control methods, such as mosquito nets, was also disrupted, leaving hundreds of thousands of people exposed to mosquito bites across the country. The health ministry said in May that 1,615,000 insecticide-treated nets were being distributed but that there was a shortfall of 600,000 due to the withdrawal of US funding. Itai Rusike, director of Zimbabwe's Community Working Group on Health, said funding shortfalls were jeopardising the country's significant gains against malaria over the past 20 years. 'Sustained domestic funding is critical to keep prevention and treatment efforts on track,' he said. 'If mosquito nets and preventive medicines for pregnant women are unavailable, lives will be lost. When the supply of test kits and first-line treatments is disrupted, malaria cases and deaths will spiral.' Children under the age of five account for 14% of total malaria cases. Zimbabwe has set out to eliminate malaria by 2030, in line with the ambitious goal set by the African Union, using various strategies such as raising community awareness, preventing mosquito bites with insecticide-treated nets and spraying, as well as improving surveillance systems. Dr Henry Madzorera, a former health minister, said Zimbabwe should mobilise its own resources to bridge the funding gap. 'We have a lot of taxes earmarked for the health sector – let us use them wisely for health promotion and disease prevention,' he said. 'People must be treated early for malaria. 'The country should not rely on donors to do malaria-elimination activities,' Madzorera added. In 2024, USAID disbursed $270m for health and agriculture programmes in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's deputy health minister, Sleiman Kwidini, admitted the funding gap left by the US cuts had disrupted the provision of mosquito nets. 'We are now taking over the procurement of those nets after the US withdrew funding. We have just been disturbed, but our vision is to eliminate malaria by 2030,' he said. Prof Sungano Mharakurwa, director of Africa University's Malaria Institute, said it would take time to recover lost ground but added: 'If we get funding, we can hit the ground running and promptly return to scoring successes again, until we beat this deadly scourge that is malaria.' He said that since the Zento mosquito surveillance programme began in Manicaland province, there had been a marked reduction in malaria cases and it was about to be extended when the US cuts came. 'Working with the National Malaria Control Programme, it had just been expanded,' Mharakurwa said. 'It was poised to run for five years with national coverage when it was abruptly terminated.' Africa University data shows that Manicaland recorded 145,775 malaria cases in 2020 but just 28,387 after Zento was introduced in 2021. Malaria cases in the province had been further reduced to 8,035 by 2024 before more than trebling to 27,212 the following year, when US funding was cut. Mharakurwa said: 'The malaria was back with a vengeance straight after, and [numbers of] cases that were waning rebounded in 2025, surpassing levels that had ever been seen since the beginning of the project.' Above-normal rains this year, which aided malaria transmission, had worsened the situation, he added.
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Malaria ‘back with a vengeance' in Zimbabwe as number of deaths from the disease triple
Zimbabwe's efforts to control malaria have been dealt a huge blow as experts say the disease has returned 'with a vengeance' after US aid cuts, with 115 outbreaks recorded in 2025 compared with only one last year. The sharp rise in cases comes six months after Donald Trump halted critical funding for US research and national response programmes. The cuts in January, which included funding for tuberculosis, HIV/Aids and malaria programmes, crippled the Zimbabwe Entomological Support Programme in Malaria (Zento) at Africa University in Mutare, which provides the country's National Malaria Control Programme with scientific research to combat the disease. Cumulative malaria cases increased by 180% in the first four months of 2025, according to the health ministry, while the number of malaria-related deaths increased by 218%, from 45 in the same period in 2024 to 143 in 2025. As of 26 June, the number of malaria cases had risen to 119,648, with 334 deaths, according to the Zimbabwean health ministry. The distribution of essential control methods, such as mosquito nets, was also disrupted, leaving hundreds of thousands of people exposed to mosquito bites across the country. The health ministry said in May that 1,615,000 insecticide-treated nets were being distributed but that there was a shortfall of 600,000 due to the withdrawal of US funding. Itai Rusike, director of Zimbabwe's Community Working Group on Health, said funding shortfalls were jeopardising the country's significant gains against malaria over the past 20 years. 'Sustained domestic funding is critical to keep prevention and treatment efforts on track,' he said. 'If mosquito nets and preventive medicines for pregnant women are unavailable, lives will be lost. When the supply of test kits and first-line treatments is disrupted, malaria cases and deaths will spiral.' Children under the age of five account for 14% of total malaria cases. Zimbabwe has set out to eliminate malaria by 2030, in line with the ambitious goal set by the African Union, using various strategies such as raising community awareness, preventing mosquito bites with insecticide-treated nets and spraying, as well as improving surveillance systems. Dr Henry Madzorera, a former health minister, said Zimbabwe should mobilise its own resources to bridge the funding gap. 'We have a lot of taxes earmarked for the health sector – let us use them wisely for health promotion and disease prevention,' he said. 'People must be treated early for malaria. 'The country should not rely on donors to do malaria-elimination activities,' Madzorera added. In 2024, USAID disbursed $270m for health and agriculture programmes in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's deputy health minister, Sleiman Kwidini, admitted the funding gap left by the US cuts had disrupted the provision of mosquito nets. 'We are now taking over the procurement of those nets after the US withdrew funding. We have just been disturbed, but our vision is to eliminate malaria by 2030,' he said. Prof Sungano Mharakurwa, director of Africa University's Malaria Institute, said it would take time to recover lost ground but added: 'If we get funding, we can hit the ground running and promptly return to scoring successes again, until we beat this deadly scourge that is malaria.' He said that since the Zento mosquito surveillance programme began in Manicaland province, there had been a marked reduction in malaria cases and it was about to be extended when the US cuts came. 'Working with the National Malaria Control Programme, it had just been expanded,' Mharakurwa said. 'It was poised to run for five years with national coverage when it was abruptly terminated.' Africa University data shows that Manicaland recorded 145,775 malaria cases in 2020 but just 28,387 after Zento was introduced in 2021. Malaria cases in the province had been further reduced to 8,035 by 2024 before more than trebling to 27,212 the following year, when US funding was cut. Mharakurwa said: 'The malaria was back with a vengeance straight after, and [numbers of] cases that were waning rebounded in 2025, surpassing levels that had ever been seen since the beginning of the project.' Above-normal rains this year, which aided malaria transmission, had worsened the situation, he added.
The Independent
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Heading on holiday? These are the concerning symptoms you shouldn't ignore
Summer is synonymous with adventure, with millions flocking to exotic destinations to experience different cultures, cuisines and landscapes. But what happens when the souvenir you bring back isn't a fridge magnet or a tea towel, but a new illness? International travel poses a risk of catching something more than a run-of-the-mill bug, so it's important to be vigilant for the telltale symptoms. Here are the main ones to look out for while away and when you return. Fever Fever is a common symptom to note after international travel – especially to tropical or subtropical regions. While a feature of many different illnesses, it can be the first sign of an infection – sometimes a serious one. One of the most well-known travel-related illnesses linked to fever is malaria. Spread by mosquito bites in endemic regions, malaria is a protozoal infection that often begins with flu-like symptoms, such as headache and muscle aches, progressing to severe fever, sweating and shaking chills. Other signs can include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), swollen lymph nodes, rashes and abdominal pain – though symptoms vary widely and can mimic many other illnesses. Prompt medical attention is essential. Malaria is serious and can become life-threatening. It's also worth noting that symptoms may not appear until weeks or even months after returning home. In the UK, there are around 2,000 imported malaria cases each year. Travellers to at-risk areas are strongly advised to take preventative measures. This includes mosquito-bite avoidance as well as prescribed antimalarial medications, such as Malarone and doxycycline. Although these drugs aren't 100 per cent effective, they significantly reduce the risk of infection. Aside from malaria, other mosquito-borne diseases can cause fever. Dengue fever, a viral infection found in tropical and subtropical regions, leads to symptoms including high temperatures, intense headaches, body aches and rashes, which overlap with both malaria and other common viral illnesses. Most people recover with rest, fluids and paracetamol, but in some instances, dengue can become severe and require emergency hospital treatment. A vaccine is also available, but is only recommended for people who have had dengue before, as it provides good protection in this group. Any fever after international travel should be taken seriously. Don't brush it off as something you've just picked up on the plane – please see a doctor. A simple test could lead to early diagnosis and might save your life. Diarrhoea Few travel-related issues are as common – or as unwelcome – as diarrhoea. It's estimated that up to six in ten travellers will experience at least one episode during or shortly after their trip. For some, it's an unpleasant disruption mid-holiday; for others, symptoms emerge once they're back home. Traveller's diarrhoea is typically caused by eating food or drinking water containing certain microbes (bacteria, viruses, parasites) or their toxins. Identifying the more serious culprits early is essential – especially when symptoms go beyond mild discomfort. Warning signs to look out for include large volumes of watery diarrhoea, visible blood in the stool or explosive bowel movements. These may suggest a more serious infection, such as giardia, cholera or amoebic dysentery. These conditions are more common in regions with poor sanitation and are especially prevalent in parts of the tropics. Some infections may require targeted antibiotics or antiparasitic treatment. But regardless of the cause, the biggest immediate risk with any severe diarrhoea is dehydration from copious fluid loss. In serious cases, hospital admission for intravenous fluids may be necessary. The key message for returning travellers: if diarrhoea is severe, persistent or accompanied by worrying symptoms, see a doctor. What starts as a nuisance could quickly escalate without the right care. And if you have blood in your stool, make sure you seek medical advice. Jaundice If you've returned from a trip with a change in skin tone, it may not just be a suntan. A yellowish tint to the skin – or more noticeably, the whites of the eyes – could be a sign of jaundice, another finding that warrants medical attention. Jaundice is not a disease itself, but a visible sign that something may be wrong with either the liver or the blood. It results from a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow pigment that forms when red blood cells break down, and which is then processed by the liver. Several travel-related illnesses can cause jaundice. Malaria is one culprit, as is the mosquito-borne yellow fever. But another common cause is hepatitis – inflammation of the liver. Viral hepatitis comes in several forms. Hepatitis A and E are spread via contaminated food or water – common in areas with poor sanitation. In contrast, hepatitis B and C are blood-borne, transmitted through intravenous drug use, contaminated medical equipment or unprotected sex. Besides jaundice, hepatitis can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, nausea, fatigue, vomiting and abdominal discomfort. A diagnosis typically requires blood tests, both to confirm hepatitis and to rule out other causes. While many instances of hepatitis are viral, not all are, and treatment depends on the underlying cause. As we've seen, a variety of unpleasant medical conditions can affect the unlucky traveller. But we've also seen that the associated symptoms are rather nonspecific. Indeed, some can be caused by conditions that are short-lived and require only rest and recuperation to get over a rough few days. But the area between them is decidedly grey. So plan your trip carefully, be wary of high-risk activities while abroad – such as taking drugs or having unprotected sex – and stay alert to symptoms that develop during or after travel. If you feel unwell, don't ignore it. Seek medical attention promptly to identify the cause and begin appropriate treatment. Dan Baumgardt is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience at the University of Bristol.
