Articles tagged with Epidemics
A new computer model assesses real-time Zika epidemic risk in US cities by combining population dynamics, historical infection rates, socioeconomics, and mosquito density. The model predicts that certain counties in Texas have the highest risk of Zika transmission, while others have nearly no risk.
Hepatitis C patients with substance use disorders face barriers to care, including lack of access to conventional healthcare and fear of stigmatization. Innovative approaches, such as integrated screening and treatment in methadone clinics and telehealth techniques, are being developed to improve outcomes for this population
An international effort analyzed 1,610 Ebola virus genomes from the 2013-2016 West African epidemic, revealing insights into factors that sped or slowed the outbreak. The study found that cities played a major role in the magnitude of the epidemic and that distance between cities was key to sparing nearby regions from severe epidemics.
A point/counterpoint debate examines two approaches to controlling the opioid epidemic: increasing regulation of physician prescribing practices or better educating patients and doctors. The discussion highlights the importance of finding a balance between regulating opioid use and providing alternative pain management options.
New estimates show a decline in smoking prevalence, but deaths attributable to smoking have increased by 4.7% globally, with over one in 10 deaths caused by smoking. Tobacco control programs are effective, but population growth has led to an increase in smokers worldwide.
A study from UC Berkeley found that Zika's decline before the Olympics was foreshadowed by seasonal patterns of similar diseases. Despite this, vulnerable populations in urban slums continue to be affected, highlighting the need for targeted public health efforts.
A new article explores how malnutrition and obesity are affecting obstetrical difficulties in women, leading to more difficult and dangerous births. The study highlights the importance of healthy nutrition in addressing this issue.
A study found that Medicaid expansion in 26 states led to a 70% increase in buprenorphine prescriptions and a 50% increase in Medicaid spending on the medication. The growth was largely driven by increased physician prescribing capacity, with each additional approved prescriber associated with a 45% boost in prescriptions.
A new study suggests that the virus may have been circulating silently in the South Pacific since a large epidemic in 1979-80. Researchers found that many people born after the epidemic had antibodies to the virus, indicating local transmission.
The PHIA Project's survey results reveal extraordinary progress in confronting the HIV epidemic in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia. The rate of new infections is stabilizing or declining, with more than half of all adults living with HIV having a suppressed viral load.
A new study found that Ebola superspreaders were responsible for infecting 61% of all cases in the 2014-15 outbreak. These superspreaders often fit into certain age groups and continue to spread disease after being placed in care facilities.
A study led by UC Santa Cruz researchers found that drought increases the severity of West Nile virus epidemics in the US, while populations that have experienced large outbreaks acquire immunity to limit subsequent epidemics. Drought is a key driver of transmission, particularly after large outbreaks.
A new method developed by Joana Goncalves-Sa's group can predict the onset of seasonal flu epidemics with accuracy, allowing health services to prepare and respond more promptly. The method integrates data from various sources, including official influenza incidence rates and Google searches, to identify changes in case numbers.
Research suggests that cannabinoids in medical marijuana could alleviate heroin withdrawal symptoms and cravings. A specific compound, cannabidiol, shows promise in reducing anxiety related to cravings and restoring neurobiological damage.
A global partnership, CEPI, aims to create vaccines for emerging infectious diseases with a $460m initial investment from governments and foundations. The Coalition will target MERS-CoV, Lassa, and Nipah viruses, as well as Ebola and Zika, to develop safe and effective vaccines that can be deployed rapidly to contain outbreaks.
Research using 20,000 virus samples and weather statistics found that cold weeks precede flu outbreaks. Cold and dry weather allows aerosol particles to remain airborne, increasing the spread of viruses.
A study found that over half of Brazilian women aged 18-39 avoided pregnancy due to the Zika epidemic. The authors urge the government to review reproductive health policies and improve access to safe and effective contraceptives.
A widely publicized initiative has placed over 95% of individuals with substance-use disorders into detoxification or treatment programs. The Gloucester Police Department's Angel Program has filled a needed gap in accessing substance-use treatment services, with 376 people seeking help in the first year.
Researchers developed algorithms to track Ebola epidemic spread, revealing that most infected individuals stayed within their districts. The study's findings suggest using this method could inform effective control measures for new emerging epidemics.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo developed a platform that analyzes clinical samples to diagnose infection by 416 viruses found in tropical regions. The tool is designed for reference laboratories and can detect pathogens with the potential to cause epidemics in humans.
Researchers have found a strong association between El Niáo-Southern Oscillation conditions and observed weather in Sri Lanka, leading to exacerbated dengue epidemics. The study used the Oceanic Niño Index to quantify data associations and found an increasing relative risk of dengue with increasing rainfall and temperatures.
A Stanford-led study identified 14 individuals in Sierra Leone who had Ebola antibodies but no symptoms, contradicting previous assumptions about the disease's severity. The research suggests that 25% of Ebola infections were minimally symptomatic, and public health efforts may not have been effective in containing the virus.
A new study from Oxford University reveals that the first month after infection is crucial in controlling drug-related HIV spread. Researchers found that needle exchange programmes and harm reduction measures are essential in targeting transmissions within this period.
The use of prescription opioids in Canada has increased steadily over the past 20 years, leading to a rise in overdose deaths and addiction. Experts propose several interventions, including guidelines for prescribing, limited dosages, electronic monitoring systems, and access to evidence-based treatment.
Researchers discovered a non-virulent variant of Vibrio cholerae O1 strain in Haitian aquatic environments dating back to the 1500s, sparking concerns about its potential virulence through gene transfer with toxigenic strains. The study sheds light on the history of the pathogen and highlights the need for increased surveillance.
The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health recommends distributing naloxone to inmates upon release from jail and improving overdose data collection to combat the opioid epidemic. The policy focuses on vulnerable populations such as veterans, inmates, and school children.
Researchers reconstructed the origins of the AIDS pandemic in unprecedented detail by recovering genetic material from 40-year-old serum samples. The study suggests that HIV emerged in New York City around 1970 and spread rapidly across North America, with the city serving as a critical hub for the epidemic.
A new study proves that Gaétan Dugas was one of many thousands infected in the years before HIV was recognized. The term 'Patient Zero' was created inadvertently in the earliest years of investigating AIDS, and Dugas's global defamation is attributed to this mistake.
A recent survey of US adolescents found that most teens vape for flavorings rather than nicotine in e-cigarettes. The study suggests that efforts to curb vaping among teens focusing on nicotine may be ineffective and that alternative approaches may be more effective.
Researchers cloned an epidemic strain of Zika virus, creating a model to test strategies for stopping the pandemic. The clone is used for developing a live but attenuated vaccine to create long-term immunity.
Researchers in Delaware are using geo-mapping to identify neighborhoods with high rates of fentanyl and opiate prescriptions, finding that women and people over 50 years old are prescribed these medications at higher rates than men. These 'hot spots' tend to be rural areas, suggesting a shift away from the urban drug problem narrative.
A new Brown University study projects that treating 2,000 Rhode Islanders for hepatitis C virus infection per year could reduce cases by 90 percent and prevent over 70 percent of expected liver-related deaths by 2030. The analysis found that doubling the number treated annually could reduce death rates by less than 20 percent.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that maternal health services in rural Liberia suffered a significant impact during the Ebola epidemic, with facility-based deliveries decreasing by approximately 8%. The researchers noted that fear of transmission in health facilities was a major factor contributing to this decline.
A new study shows that substituting sick workers with healthy ones can explosively accelerate the spread of some epidemics, contradicting standard mass-action models. The researchers' dynamic network model indicates that a sudden reduction in replacement rates can lead to a significant increase in disease prevalence.
The Ebola epidemic led to a significant decline in child and maternal health in Liberia, with a 30% reduction in facility-based deliveries. The study found that fear of Ebola transmission in healthcare facilities was the primary factor contributing to this decline.
Researchers propose that women in Zika-affected countries can safely conceive during the 'trough' of low mosquito activity, reducing the risk of birth defects. This approach could prevent thousands of cases per year, especially in Brazil and Puerto Rico.
The yellow fever virus, transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, is a significant public health threat to the Americas. The recent resurgence of YFV in Africa and Asia, combined with vaccine shortages, highlights the need for urgent measures to prevent infection and control its spread.
Researchers project up to 93 million people at risk of Zika infection, including 1.6 million childbearing women, due to herd immunity. The projections highlight the potential scale of the epidemic and emphasize the importance of addressing it before it spreads too far.
Researchers estimate that up to 90 million infections could result from the initial stages of the spread of Zika in Latin America and the Caribbean. The team's projections suggest Brazil is expected to have the largest total number of infections due to its size and suitability for transmission.
A new study from Imperial College London predicts that the current Zika epidemic in Latin America will burn itself out within two to three years due to herd immunity. The team's analysis also concludes that large-scale transmission is unlikely to restart for at least another ten years.
A recent model-based study suggests that the current Zika epidemic in Latin America will likely peak within three years, with subsequent herd immunity preventing future outbreaks. The authors also emphasize the importance of targeted mosquito control measures, which may actually hinder herd immunity.
A new study suggests that despite advances in HIV treatment, the epidemic continues among gay men globally due to inadequate access to preventive measures like PrEP. Stigma and discrimination also play a significant role in the spread of the disease.
Researchers found that microcephaly screening alone is insufficient to detect all cases of Zika virus in newborns. The study suggests that signs and symptoms of brain abnormalities should also be included in screening criteria.
The 1976 Ebola outbreak highlighted the importance of rapid clinical recognition, international notification, and specimen provision. Researchers recommend strengthened preparation, detection, response, control mechanisms, and international cooperation to manage future outbreaks promptly.
Researchers found that Zika virus infection can persist for up to 70 days in pregnant monkeys, whereas non-pregnant animals clear the virus within 10 days. The study suggests that immune systems of mothers-to-be may be compromised, allowing the virus to linger.
States with robust prescription drug monitoring programs saw a significant reduction in opioid-related overdose deaths, with an average of 1.55 fewer deaths per 100,000 population compared to states without such programs. Implementing these programs could prevent over 600 additional overdose deaths nationwide.
The prevalence of obesity in the US has increased among women, with a significant rise between 2005 and 2014, while rates for men have remained stable. Obesity affects over 38% of adults in the US, with class 3 obesity affecting around 7.7% of both sexes.
A new tool by Japanese researchers predicts the risk of Zika virus importation and local transmission for 189 countries, identifying subtropical and tropical nations as high-risk. Countries with a history of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases face the greatest risk of infection.
The WHO has convened an emergency committee due to the risk of a YF outbreak in unvaccinated populations in Asia. The World Health Organization is concerned about the limited supply of vaccine, but experts warn that this poses a strong risk of epidemics.
A global early warning system for infectious diseases is proposed to use computer models to forecast disease risk and inform targeted responses. This system could shift the paradigm from reactive to pre-emptive management of risk, minimizing damages and improving global health security.
A study published in Virus Evolution found that unconventional transmission routes like semen and breast milk contributed to the tail-end of the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone. The research used real-time sequencing of Ebola virus genomes to track the source of infection for some final cases.
A global health emergency is looming due to the rapid spread and potential future outbreaks of yellow fever, say Georgetown University professors. The ongoing epidemic, particularly in Angola, has led to a significant shortage of vaccines and calls for an urgent international response.
Research suggests that climate change and resulting water shortages are linked to an increase in chronic kidney disease caused by dehydration and heat stress. The study found that rural hot communities are disproportionately affected, with risks increasing for cognitive dysfunction, malnutrition, and other conditions.
The 2013-2014 sea star wasting epidemic had a significant impact on the Oregon coast population, with up to 80% of sea stars dying during the outbreak. However, by spring 2015, the population was recovering in numbers, with study sites having up to 300 times as many new sea stars as in 2014.
The California sudden oak death epidemic cannot be stopped, but its impact can be reduced by starting control measures earlier. Mathematical modeling shows that targeting the 'wave-front' of the disease and 'front-loading' the budget are more effective methods of control.
A team of doctors analyzed brain scans of 23 babies born with microcephaly associated with Zika, revealing severe brain damage and abnormalities. The study found extremely severe brain calcification, malformations of cortical development, and delayed myelination in most cases.
A warming climate is expanding Europe's seasonal window for mosquito-borne dengue fever, posing a significant global health concern. The study found that increased temperatures will intensify the ability of Aedes mosquitoes to transmit the disease, putting much of Europe at risk of seasonal outbreaks by the end of the century.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge found that diagnostic tests are crucial for forecasting major epidemics. The study shows that precise estimates of infected individuals cannot be inferred from data based on symptomatic cases alone, highlighting the need for reliable diagnostic tests to detect presymptomatic infections.
Researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to analyze the Zika virus strain isolated from an infected patient in French Polynesia. The analysis revealed that Zika's structure is similar to other flaviviruses, but with a slight difference in a region important for binding to antibodies and host receptors.
Researchers found Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in over half of hospitalized children with pneumonia in Beijing, predicting an ongoing epidemic. The study may help clinicians slow the spread of the disease.