Latest news with #virus
ABC News
6 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
Second Australian case of new mpox strain detected in south-east Queensland
The second Australian case of a new strain of mpox virus has been detected in south-east Queensland. Queensland Health confirmed yesterday a patient with the clade 1 mpox strain — known to cause more severe illness — was being treated in the Metro South Hospital and Health Service area, centred on Brisbane's south. In a statement, the department said there was a low danger of the virus spreading. "The community can be assured that exposure to members of the community has been very limited and the public should not be concerned," it said. "Mpox does not spread easily between people and is mainly spread through very close or intimate contact with someone infected." The department said the infection was acquired overseas. Mpox is a viral infection with typically mild symptoms, including fever, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash or lesions. It does not spread easily and is mainly acquired through close or intimate contact. High-risk groups, including all sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, and their partners, are eligible for free vaccines through sexual health clinics and general practitioners. The virus was first detected in Australia in 2022, with the first case of the clade 1 strain confirmed in New South Wales in May this year. Last year, Queensland recorded 127 cases of mpox. Anyone who suspects they may have the virus should call ahead before attending health facilities so appropriate safety measure can be put in place.
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
New study surveys mosquitos and their potential diseases
Vancouver Watch A small number of virus cases in B.C. last year has triggered a study in the Sea-to-Sky region of mosquito populations and the diseases they may carry.
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Mosquito study underway in B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region after scattering of severe illness
A small number of virus cases in B.C. last year has triggered a study in the Sea-to-Sky region of mosquito populations and the diseases they may carry. A small number of virus cases in B.C. last year has triggered a study in the Sea-to-Sky region of mosquito populations and the diseases they may carry. A small-scale mosquito surveillance project is being launched in B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region to better understand the mosquitos in the area and what diseases they may be carrying. The project, launched by Vancouver Coastal Health in collaboration with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, Líl̓wat Nation, Squamish Nation and the University of B.C., was prompted after a spate of mosquito-borne illness was reported in the region late last year. 'Late last year in the fall, we were notified of a small cluster of individuals who were diagnosed with an illness known as California Serogroup, and they had all presented with severe neurological symptoms of encephalitis,' said Dr. Moliehi Khaketla, medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health. Encephalitis is an autoimmune response that leads to a swelling of the brain. According to Khaketla, the majority of people who contact the virus show 'mild to no symptoms' and it is only 'a very small proportion' of individuals that have these severe neurological presentations. While the specific infection was not new to the province, it was notable that four cases occurred over the course of one summer and that the severity of those cases meant the infected required hospitalization, said Khaketla. Prior to these four cases, there had been only three cases of California Serogroup reported since 2009. 'We decided to investigate to better understand if these individuals had acquired this illness while traveling to another area, or if they had stayed locally in B.C., and we determined that they had all likely acquired this new emerging pathogen locally in the Sea-to-Sky region, which was new,' said Khaketla. The project, due to last three months, may be extended to allow surveys of other regions in B.C. if new cases arise. 'Because this is an emerging pathogen, this is our first step to being able to better understand this problem,' Khaketla said. 'Depending on how these results go, and if we see new additional cases this summer of this illness, it may prompt other regions across B.C. to conduct something similar.' As the study gets underway, VCH is highlighting the importance of preventing mosquito bites and the various ways that they can be protected against. Khaketla recommends wearing mosquito repellents, wearing clothing that covers more skin – like full-length pants or long-sleeved shirts – installing screens on windows and avoiding being outdoors during times when mosquitoes are more active, typically around dusk and dawn. Removing sources of stagnant water, where mosquitos can breed, may also remove the risk, he said. 'That could be simple things like removing the water under saucers or flowerpots, or changing bird baths, or unblocking your rain gutters, things like that,' he said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Bluetongue outbreak endangers UK livestock – what you need to know about the virus
A tiny midge, no bigger than a pinhead, is bringing UK farming to its knees. The culprit? A strain of the bluetongue virus that's never been seen before. As of July 1, the whole of England has been classed as an 'infected area' due to bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3). There are movement restrictions and testing in place in Scotland, Wales and the island of Ireland. No animals from England – or that have passed through England – are allowed to attend this year's Royal Welsh Show on July 21-24, for example. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. The virus, which causes illness and death in sheep, cattle, goats and other ruminants, is spread by biting midges. Although it poses no risk to humans and can't be transmitted from one animal to another, the latest outbreak is more severe than previous ones. And it could cause lasting damage to UK farming. Bluetongue isn't new to the UK, however. A different strain, BTV-8 was detected in 2007 and contained. But BTV-3 is a different story. First detected in the Netherlands in late 2023, it was quickly spotted in the UK, where an early containment effort initially appeared successful. But the virus made a comeback in autumn 2024 – and this time it spread. On its second attempt, the virus was able to circulate and caused an outbreak. With little existing immunity, BTV-3 has now established itself, prompting concerns about animal welfare, food production and farming livelihoods. What does the disease do? Sheep tend to be the most severely affected, though all ruminants are at risk. Clinical signs are species-specific but can include swelling of the face, congestion, nasal discharge, ulcers in the mouth and nose, difficulty breathing and abortion or birth deformities. Bluetongue can cause the animal's tongue to swell. It can also turn blue from lack of blood flow – although this is somewhat rare. Bluetongue disease causes suffering in animals, and while there is a vaccine, there is no treatment for the disease once it's contracted. BTV-3 appears to be more lethal than earlier strains. In the Netherlands, vets report that BTV-3 is causing more severe symptoms than BTV-8 did. Vets in England reported that in some herds 25-40% of cows failed to get pregnant, and there was a high rate of birth defects and stillborn calves. One farm in Suffolk started the calving season with 25% of their cows not pregnant and ended with just 48 calves from 97 cows. Belgium has seen a fall in calf births, reduced milk deliveries and higher mortality in small ruminants compared to the previous three years. How is it spread? Bluetongue virus is transmitted by midges from the Culicoides genus. These are tiny, biting insects that thrive in mild, wet conditions. Multiple midges can bite the same animal, and it only takes one of them to carry BTV before that animal becomes a host for further transmission. When animals are transported long distances, infected individuals can be bitten again and introduce the virus to previously uninfected midge populations. Climate change is making outbreaks like this more likely. Milder winters and cooler, wetter summers are ideal for midges, increasing both their numbers and their biting activity. While there's no danger to human health, the consequences of BTV-3 are far-reaching. Limitations on movement, exports and imports are being imposed to help prevent the spread of the disease, but this could also hamper farming practices and trade. The disease and its associated restrictions pose another source of stress for farmers, 95% of whom have ranked mental health as the biggest hidden problem in farming. Genetic pick and mix One of the reasons bluetongue is so tricky to manage is its ability to evolve. It has a segmented genome, meaning its genetic material, in this case RNA, is split into ten segments. This characteristic is exclusive to 'reassortment viruses' and means that they can easily exchange segments of RNA. It's like a genetic pick and mix with ten different types of sweets that come in an unlimited number of flavours. This allows BTV to create new, genetically distinct 'serotypes', which may have a selective advantage or a disadvantage. Those with an advantage will emerge and spread successfully, while those with a disadvantage will not emerge at all. This process, known as 'reassortment', is partly responsible for the numerous influenza pandemics throughout history and has even allowed diseases to jump the species barrier. Although bluetongue doesn't affect humans directly, its spread poses a growing threat to the UK's livestock sector and food supply. It's important to learn from other countries that are further along in the BTV-3 outbreak so that the likely effects can be anticipated in the UK. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Cate Williams does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Times
From the archive: Found — the virus that causes cancer
From The Times: July 17, 1925 It can now be stated that the discovery of the virus believed to be the cause of cancer, which was made by Dr Gye and Mr Barnard FRS, has been investigated and confirmed by Dr Murray, of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, to whom the matter was referred by the Medical Research Council. This fact is, of course, of first-rate importance, since it testifies to the validity of the results obtained. It was, of course, inevitable that attempts would be made to immunize animals against the new germ. Considerable progress has been achieved already in this direction. This work must on no account be confused with 'cure', to which it bears no relationship. The possibility of a successful vaccination against cancer has, however, now appeared on the scientific horizon. The Lancet this week publishes the complete paper of Dr Gye and Mr Barnard. It is important to notice that the new work effects a reconciliation between two schools of opinion which, only a week ago, seemed to be irreconcilable: the view that cancer is due to a parasite or germ and the view that it is due to some change in the body, as a consequence of which certain cells turn traitor or rebel, and, defying the law of the body, seek their own exclusive welfare. This last view held the field and had the support of the most distinguished authorities. They pointed to a long chain of discoveries and observations, all of which seemed to support their conclusion. Thus cancer could be caused by employing tars and paraffins as 'irritants'; it could be caused by parasitic worms; and it could be caused by X-rays and radium. Further, it assuredly was caused by chronic irritation from, for example, a sharp tooth, a gall stone, a betel nut held in the cheek, a 'fire basket' carried round the waist, and so forth and so on. • The Times view: It is time to be optimistic about cancer It appeared that a disease capable of being produced by factors so widely different and so diverse could not possess any one 'cause'. Gye has solved the riddle by showing that both views of cancer — the germ theory and the growth theory — are right. Cancer is caused by a germ; but the germ cannot grow of itself. It requires a 'third partner', a 'growth-producing substance', to prepare the ground for its activity. Explore 200 years of history as it appeared in the pages of The Times, from 1785 to 1985:
