Latest news with #vaccination
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
NI farmers can now vaccinate cattle against bluetongue virus
Farmers in Northern Ireland may now vaccinate their livestock against an insect-borne disease that has been detected in cattle and sheep in England. Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) is carried by biting midges that are found in Northern Ireland, although no cases of the disease have ever been confirmed here. It can have a severe economic impact on rural communities through reduced productivity, movement restrictions, and fatalities. The pre-emptive vaccination permission brings Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK. The Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) Minister Andrew Muir said he was making the announcement to give "farmers and livestock keepers an additional safeguard", alongside surveillance, prompt detection and control. "It aims to provide an additional tool to help protect their flocks and herds." BTV-3 does not have any impact on human beings, but the disease has been described as one element of a "triple threat" to agriculture and the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland. While vaccination does not prevent infection or transmission of the virus, it does reduce the severity of its clinical signs. They include a raised temperature, a drop in milk production and drooling. Vet group warns outbreak 'seems inevitable' The Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI) had written to the department calling for vaccination to be introduced. AVSPNI President Melanie Spahn said there was "a strong case" for vaccinating now, before "an outbreak that seems inevitable" might happen. "Now is the time when midges are most prevalent and active but the characteristics of the vaccines themselves mean that it is also important to vaccinate before the breeding season is underway. "The window of opportunity for action is closing fast and farmers must remain vigilant, looking for BTV signs." The disease has spread across Europe since it was detected in the Netherlands in 2023. It affects cattle and sheep as well as goats, deer and llamas. The spread of the midge that carries the virus depends on temperature and wind patterns. A Bluetongue Disease Control Framework has been published, which highlights the "heightened disease risk" given the detection of the virus in Great Britain. Bluetongue Disease Control Framework Northern Ireland Movement controls brought in over bluetongue virus Bluetongue rules 'devastating' warning Deadly livestock virus restrictions futile - farmers
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Bluetongue: NI cattle can now be vaccinated against virus
Farmers in Northern Ireland may now vaccinate their livestock against an insect-borne disease that has been detected in cattle and sheep in virus (BTV-3) is carried by biting midges that are found in Northern Ireland, although no cases of the disease have ever been confirmed can have a severe economic impact on rural communities through reduced productivity, movement restrictions, and pre-emptive vaccination permission brings Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK. The Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) Minister Andrew Muir said he was making the announcement to give "farmers and livestock keepers an additional safeguard", alongside surveillance, prompt detection and control."It aims to provide an additional tool to help protect their flocks and herds."BTV-3 does not have any impact on human beings, but the disease has been described as one element of a "triple threat" to agriculture and the agri-food sector in Northern vaccination does not prevent infection or transmission of the virus, it does reduce the severity of its clinical include a raised temperature, a drop in milk production and drooling. Vet group warns outbreak 'seems inevitable' The Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI) had written to the department calling for vaccination to be President Melanie Spahn said there was "a strong case" for vaccinating now, before "an outbreak that seems inevitable" might happen."Now is the time when midges are most prevalent and active but the characteristics of the vaccines themselves mean that it is also important to vaccinate before the breeding season is underway."The window of opportunity for action is closing fast and farmers must remain vigilant, looking for BTV signs."The disease has spread across Europe since it was detected in the Netherlands in affects cattle and sheep as well as goats, deer and spread of the midge that carries the virus depends on temperature and wind patterns.A Bluetongue Disease Control Framework has been published, which highlights the "heightened disease risk" given the detection of the virus in Great Disease Control Framework Northern Ireland
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Aussie travellers warned to be vigilant as deadly disease causes alarm in Bali
Tourists heading to Bali are being warned to be vigilant after a rise in rabies cases has sparked panic at popular holiday hotspots. Authorities believe the disease has been spread by several rabid dogs in tourist-heavy areas, such as South Kuta and parts of the Mengwi District, including tourist favourites like Canggu's Pererenan Beach and Seseh, and red zones have been declared following a number of dog bite incidents. Australian vet Will Maginness works closely with Bali-based rescue organisation Mission Paws'ible. He told Yahoo News tourists should "definitely be vigilant around stray animals" since the hotspots are "where many Australians travel". However, the ongoing situation doesn't mean Aussies should avoid travelling to Bali completely. "Just keep your distance from all street dogs, and be aware that it currently is there, at the hotspots, and to be safe. But I wouldn't avoid travelling to Bali," he told Yahoo. Balinese authorities believe up to five dogs have caused spread Anak Agung Brahmi Witari, Acting Head of Animal Health, told local reporters the location of the cases has likely exacerbated the issue as South Kuta has many bushes used "as a nest by wild dogs". "The case is at least one or two dogs, no more than five," he said. Mass vaccination efforts launched immediately, and authorities are reportedly working with local animal welfare organisations to sterilise and vaccinate dogs in tourist hotspots.. "Vaccination is protection for us and pets," Witari said. From January to March alone, there's reportedly been 13,000 rabies cases and 25 people have died in Bali after being bitten by the infected animals, 7News reported this week. While dogs are usually the main threat of rabies in Bali, other animals, such as monkeys, also pose a risk. This was the case for Aussie traveller Jami Groves, who forked out $6,000 for rabies shots after a monkey bit her last year at Monkey Forest in Ubud. Advice for travellers to protect against rabies virus Maginness allayed concerns that the recent spike in rabid dogs in Bali could be a threat to canines here in Australia. He urged travellers to worry about their own health first and foremost, and said there was no risk for pets. "The rabies virus is spread through saliva, and it needs an open wound to be able to transmit to humans or dogs. We're very fortunate here in Australia that, to this point, rabies does not exist, so our dogs are safe. We are very blessed," he said. 🤫 Aussies forced to remain indoors as Bali comes to 'standstill' 👀 1.5 million travellers warned of hidden health risk in Bali 🦇 Australian man dies from 'extremely rare' bat bite virus The best way for travellers to safeguard themselves against rabies is to get the vaccination prior to travel, and to seek medical attention immediately after being bitten by a potentially rabid dog. Those heading to the country are advised to familiarise themselves with post-exposure protocols, which can be found here. The virus is 100 per cent fatal once symptoms are present, however death is preventable with prompt post-exposure prophylaxis, which stops it from reaching the central nervous system. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Zawya
a day ago
- Health
- Zawya
Eritrea: Training on Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination
The Ministry of Health branch in the Southern Red Sea Region organized training on Hepatitis B vaccination for 70 members of its branch office. The training took place in the port city of Assab on 18 and 19 July. Dr. Ali Halo, head of the Ministry of Health branch in the region, stated that the training aimed to enhance understanding of the Hepatitis B vaccination program, which is set to be implemented nationwide. The meeting included extensive discussions on the upcoming vaccination campaign, which will be conducted in collaboration with various partners. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Look at the rise of measles in England and ask yourself: have we learned a single thing from Covid?
Across parts of the country this week, nursery workers will don plastic aprons and gloves. With more than 500 confirmed cases of a life-threatening virus in England so far this year, and one child in Liverpool having died this month, many nurseries are introducing emergency infection control measures such as PPE and social distancing. Stop me if you're getting a rush of deja vu. It is striking how news of the current rise in measles cases, and the early response to it, could easily be describing the coronavirus pandemic. Except, unlike at the start of Covid, when our only defence was lockdowns, a safe and effective vaccine – the MMR jab – has long existed for measles. The problem is, many of those at risk – about one in six children aged five and under – have not had one or both doses. Watching nurseries bring back their Covid hygiene protocols while health professionals urge more people to get vaccinated, it feels as if we are blindly going over an old routine, desperately scrubbing surfaces with disinfectant and denial. There is already a debate brewing again over whether the unvaccinated should be allowed to use some public services, with Melanie Pilcher of the Early Years Alliance recently stating that nurseries shouldn't turn away children who are not vaccinated against measles because it is 'a parental choice'. Squint a bit and you can practically see yourself in your front garden banging a pot and pan for the NHS. There was a period, somewhere between stockpiling toilet rolls and Boris Johnson declaring everything was back to normal, when we had plans to learn lessons from Covid. Vaccine creators and scientists were going to be lauded. The social safety net would be valued; the NHS and key workers finally appreciated. There was some progress. For example, the Labour government brought in sick pay for 1.3 million low-paid workers. But in many ways, the good intentions were chucked away along with the banana bread, not least when it came to public health. The infection control methods we learned during Covid – think regular inoculations, testing, air filters and masks in high-risk settings – have not been continued, and on some level, things are actually worse now. With school absences up, the last Conservative government actively encouraged students to go to class with mild (but potentially infectious) coughs and sore throats. Meanwhile, vaccine take-up has plummeted. Last winter, the number of NHS staff agreeing to the flu jab to protect patients crashed to its lowest level since 2010 (37.5%) – the fourth consecutive year these immunisation rates have fallen since the pandemic. At the same time, efforts to eradicate cervical cancer in England by 2040 are under threat as the number of pupils getting vaccinated against HPV has dropped by 17 percentage points since before the pandemic. This is in part a clear sign of the 'vaccine fatigue' that the pandemic accelerated. Coupled with the rise in misinformation online and distrust of 'elites', the push to get vaccinated after being legally mandated to stay at home for months left a lasting distaste for – and distrust of – public health diktats. For some, the Covid rules were not a lesson in how collective action saves lives, but in how the state can control them. It is notable, though, that child immunisation rates were falling for several years before Covid hit, with the UK remarkably now failing to meet the World Health Organization's target of 95% coverage for herd immunity for any routine childhood jabs. The issue with vaccine uptake is not simply hesitancy but longstanding issues with access. Many low-income parents are unable to take time off work to get their child vaccinated, or can't afford the transport to get there. There is also a lack of GP appointments in the first place. Meanwhile, aslyum seekers and other marginalised groups can be reluctant to engage with official health services. This makes it even more frustrating that funding has not been maintained for outreach efforts that were effective during the height of the pandemic, such as translators and community engagement. 'The reality is we failed to learn from Covid about the investment needed for NHS teams and local authorities to do outreach in a ways that work and to sustain it when needed,' Ben Kasstan-Dabush, an assistant professor and medical anthropologist at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, told me. 'Recent plans for integrated care boards to slash their operational costs by as much as 50% will only place further obstacles to vaccine coverage recovery.' Seeing nurseries adopt infection control strategies in recent days therefore feels at once entirely sensible and a dodgy sticking plaster. Since the 1980s, we have known a quick injection is the real solution to the scourge of measles. We also know the way to achieve it: a public health campaign for immunisation; vaccinations in the community (as recommended in the government's recent 10-year plan for NHS England); and a culture of collective responsibility to protect one another. That last one is something we are not supposed to say out loud, lest we intrude on individual liberties. But it is nonetheless a vital piece of any conversation about vaccines. Herd immunity, after all, is at its heart an acknowledgment that 'personal choice' about vaccination has consequences – sometimes deadly – for the rest of society. Children with suppressed immune systems, for example, can still fall seriously ill with measles even if they have had the MMR jab. They rely on everyone else doing the right thing and helping them keep safe. Again, stop me if you've heard this one before. Perhaps the real lesson does not come from Covid but from the long fight against measles. Public health is not a single victory. One day there is joy in the invention, the next a backlash against it. The great irony of vaccines is that populations become complacent about a disease and the need for immunisation largely because a successful vaccine made it feel as though the threat was consigned to the past. As a nation, we still remember coronavirus patients gasping for air in the ICU. Let us hope it does not take more dead children for the public to be reminded of the danger of measles. Frances Ryan is a Guardian columnist. She is the author of Who Wants Normal? The Disabled Girls' Guide to Life
