Articles tagged with Epidemics
A new study projects that the US drug overdose epidemic will peak at 50,000 annual deaths in 2017 before declining to 6,000 deaths in 2035. The researchers use Farr's Law to analyze the rise and fall of epidemics and predict a similar decline based on trends in prescription painkiller deaths.
Ebola survivors can donate blood, care for sick patients, and generate community-based responses. Employing trained survivors as caregivers could also provide a source of income.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that individuals buried as potential 'vampires' in 17th-18th century Poland were likely local residents. The research used radiogenic strontium isotope ratios to determine the origin of the individuals, and the results suggested a predominantly local population. This suggests that these burials may h...
A recent review reports on the devastating effects of the Syrian conflict on the healthcare system, including outbreaks of poliomyelitis, measles, and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Vaccination coverage has dropped dramatically, hampering efforts to combat these epidemics.
A new model developed at NYU School of Engineering aims to accurately predict the spread of epidemics by accounting for individual human behavior and contagion. The researchers hope this model will help determine who should be vaccinated or isolated first and what travel restrictions are most effective in preventing different epidemics.
A simple computer model of disease spread reveals that low-long distance jump events slow the spread, while high events lead to rapid spread like with SARS. The study's findings will help epidemiologists understand complex models and also apply to other phenomena such as cancer metastases and rumors.
Researchers recommend shifting from expanding to declining Ebola epidemic through hygienic funeral practices, case isolation, contact tracing, and better health worker protection. Achieving these goals at a success rate of about 60 percent could ultimately curtail the epidemic in Liberia.
A new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases predicts that the Ebola epidemic in West Africa will worsen unless international aid is significantly increased. The model developed by Yale researchers estimates tens of thousands of new cases and deaths by December 15 if current efforts are not intensified.
A new study predicts that current international efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak in Montserrado, Liberia, will not be sufficient to contain the epidemic. The research estimates that up to 170996 total cases and 90122 deaths are projected by December 15, 2014, without expanded control measures.
A new supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine addresses the need for a more effective public health workforce in the 21st century. Key findings include the importance of clear definitions of public health workforce challenges and the role of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in workforce development.
A new study by Brown University researchers estimates that increasing condom use among HIV-positive male sex workers could reduce the annual infection rate among their partners from 8% to 5.2%, while increasing antiretroviral therapy could slash the rate to 4.4%. The study also found that making interventions work, such as counteractin...
Researchers analyzed Ebola data to estimate case fatality rates and impact of control measures on epidemic size. They found that swift interventions can halt transmission and prevent outbreaks, with Nigeria's response being a successful example.
Penn Medicine bioethicists emphasize the duty to provide humanitarian assistance, global justice, and ethical requirements to combat the Ebola outbreak. The experts also discuss the importance of randomized clinical trials in advancing research and ensuring fair benefits for communities affected by the disease.
Researchers analyzed case counts to find consistent high transmission rates, with Liberia and Sierra Leone reporting one to two new cases for every existing case. The study suggests that controlling the epidemic could be achieved by preventing more than half of secondary transmissions.
A collaborative registry and community support approach could improve diabetes care in China, where 12% of adults have diabetes and half are at risk of prediabetes. The disease is linked to cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and cancer unless effective national intervention prevents it.
A new Comment in The Lancet calls for a Global Health Systems Fund to prevent future infectious disease crises and strengthen health infrastructure. The proposed fund would address human resource shortages and fragile health systems that contributed to the devastating Ebola outbreak.
Researchers have used next-generation sequencing to rapidly identify pathogens in the United States. A recent discovery of porcine enterovirus G highlights the importance of this technique in detecting viruses that can cause disease. The virus is thought to be benign but raises concerns about other viruses getting through borders.
A study by Michigan State University researchers found that sleep deprivation can lead to errors in memory, particularly in simulated crimes, with those getting less than five hours of sleep more likely to misremember event details.
Substantial levels of HIV transmission are emerging among people who inject drugs in the Middle East and North Africa, with an estimated 626,000 individuals infected. High rates of HIV infection and hepatitis C virus among this population highlight the need for expanded harm-reduction programs and surveillance systems.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have identified a new mutation in the chikungunya virus that could lead to more efficient transmission and infection. The mutation, which emerged in the Indian Ocean Basin, has the potential to spread to temperate regions where the Asian tiger mosquito thrives.
A study published in mBio suggests that the virulent US fish epidemic emerged from an Asian source, with the bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila causing serious infections in catfish. Researchers identified a common ancestor responsible for the virulent strains of A. hydrophila affecting both China and the United States.
A new review by the American Cancer Society concludes that inexpensive food is a key factor in rising obesity rates in the US. The study finds that Americans are spending less on food than ever before, yet consuming more calories, contributing to the growing obesity epidemic.
Scientists have developed an early warning system to predict dengue infections for Brazil's 553 microregions during the football World Cup. The system estimates little risk of dengue outbreaks in southern and central capitals, but predicts a moderate risk in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.
Nearly 4 million Americans may be infected with hepatitis C virus, with one in six inmates having the disease. Implementing hepatitis C treatment programs in US prisons and jails could save lives and reduce costs.
A new study by University of South Carolina anthropologist Sharon DeWitte provides insights into how the plague shaped population demographics and health for generations. The findings suggest that survivors of the Black Death experienced improvements in health and longevity, with many people living to ages of 70 or 80 years.
A study by Sharon DeWitte suggests that survival may have improved following the Black Death, with post-epidemic populations having a higher proportion of older adults and lower mortality risks. This could indicate enhanced survival and decreased mortality after the epidemic.
Children conceived during a severe epidemic show increased resistance to later diseases, a phenomenon known as functional trans-generational effect. This discovery suggests that parents can prepare their children for future diseases, and the underlying mechanism may be linked to an optimized immune response in high-pathogen environments.
Research warns of a potential catastrophic epidemic in the Americas due to chikungunya's high transmission rates. The FIFA World Cup is expected to bring more people together, increasing the risk of disease spread.
Research finds that HIV transmissions within communities are often facilitated by sexual contact with partners from outside the community. The study, conducted in Uganda, analyzed data from 46 communities and found that most new infections occur through sex with an outsider.
A recent study by New York University researchers found that programs for people who use drugs, such as syringe exchange and treatment, are associated with lower rates of AIDS incidence and death among heterosexuals. The study highlights the importance of addressing HIV epidemics in one population to reduce risks in other populations.
A study by World Health Organization found that keeping vaccines at ambient temperatures during campaigns could cut storage and transportation costs in half. The approach significantly reduces the workloads of health workers and extends vaccines to remote areas without access to electricity.
A new study by University of Illinois professor Ruopeng An found that the prevalence of adult obesity has been slowing, but only slightly, with increases seen in those classified as morbidly obese. The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to analyze BMI trends between 2000 and 2012.
A systematic review of literature found narrow dietary interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in overweight children are unlikely to achieve long-term change. Broad public health strategies targeting nutritional education, parental support, and physical activity are necessary to tackle childhood obesity.
Researchers found that internet-based surveillance can detect infectious diseases like Dengue Fever and Influenza up to two weeks earlier than traditional methods. This early detection enables timely public health responses, potentially reducing the spread of epidemics.
A new mathematical theory helps reconstruct outbreak origins with higher confidence and forecasts epidemic-spreading speed. The approach uses effective distances computed from air transportation network traffic intensities to visualize geographic spread of past diseases.
The Los Alamos National Laboratory team has developed a novel approach to estimating epidemic dynamics, capturing the full infection history and social network interactions. The model allows for realistic simulation of epidemics with known parameters of human interactions.
Researchers identify Chinese strain as origin of emerging US swine virus with high mortality rates, emphasizing the need for strict biosecurity and sanitation procedures on farms. The study found that the US strains share 99.5% of their genetic code with their Chinese counterpart, indicating a possible evolutionary origin from bats.
A mass vaccination campaign of over 300,000 people in Guinea demonstrated the feasibility of using an oral cholera vaccine during a cholera outbreak. The campaign achieved high coverage rates and was well accepted by the local community.
Researchers used viral sequence data to estimate HIV transmission rates, death rates, and susceptible population sizes within clusters, gaining insight into rapid spread and slowdowns. The model can predict future changes in infected and susceptible individuals, guiding public health strategies.
A new study finds no improvement in pain treatment with rising opioid prescriptions, despite efforts to increase awareness and alternative treatments. Non-opioid analgesics have plateaued or declined in many cases.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a group of viruses associated with the coral epidemic 'white plague,' which has killed 70-80% of some reefs. The study suggests that viral diversity is higher in diseased corals, highlighting the need for further research to prevent this disease.
A new meningitis vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of all cases of meningitis by 94% and carriage prevalence of the epidemic strain by 98%, according to a recent study. The vaccine was found to be highly effective in vaccinated regions, with no cases of serogroup A meningitis identified.
The study found that between 2006 and 2010, HIV/AIDS deaths increased in 98 countries, with a growing share of the burden shifting from Eastern Africa to Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. Meanwhile, countries where HIV/AIDS is not the leading cause of disease burden saw a larger share of the overall burden.
A significant outbreak of eastern equine encephalitis occurred in Panama in 2010, marking a change in the virus's behavior in Latin America. The outbreak confirmed 13 human cases and one dual infection case, with a low case-fatality rate compared to US standards.
A new study finds that obesity is responsible for 18% of deaths among Black and White Americans aged 40-85, nearly triple previous estimates. The condition's impact on mortality varies by age, birth cohort, sex, and race.
A new MIT study finds that even moderate mobility restrictions can decrease infection rates by up to 50% in highly interconnected areas. The researchers used data from the US census to simulate the flow of contagion and developed a quantitative measure called the price of anarchy.
A study analyzed West Nile virus epidemics in Dallas County, Texas, finding that they begin early after warm winters and are predicted by the mosquito vector index. The analysis also revealed higher incidence rates of neuroinvasive disease in recent years compared to previous decades.
A Pitt simulation found that universal access to paid sick days reduces flu cases in the workplace by nearly 6%, more effective for small workplaces. Giving employees one or two flu days resulted in a 25-40% decrease in influenza infections due to workplace transmission.
A new study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that most youth football player concussions occur during games, not practice sessions. Players aged 11-12 years were almost three times more likely to suffer a concussion than those aged 8-10 years.
Tobacco deaths can be reduced in the USA with new regulations and public health efforts. In Asia, controlling the tobacco epidemic is crucial to prevent devastating loss of life and illness. European countries face challenges in implementing effective tobacco control measures, highlighting opportunities for improvement.
The altered El Tor strain has acquired two additional signature mutations that may further increase virulence and is evolving to be more like an 1800s version of cholera. This unique pattern of infection accounting for the severity of disease noted during the Haiti cholera outbreak may be triggered by these genetic changes.
A systematic review confirms HIV self-testing is effective in removing fear and stigma associated with testing, leading to higher acceptability rates. Self-tests are non-invasive, convenient, and can provide results within 20 minutes, paving the way for early detection and treatment.
A recent NIH study found a strong association between cold-dry and humid-rainy climates and seasonal influenza epidemics worldwide. The research used a climate-based model to map influenza activity globally, accounting for diverse seasonal patterns in temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions.
A University of Michigan researcher has developed a new early warning system that can predict malaria epidemics in northwest India up to four months in advance using sea surface temperature forecasts. The system improves public health by increasing lead time for disease prevention strategies.
Researchers discover that defective viruses, once thought useless, increase the spread of disease by 'hitchhiking' with functional viruses. The presence of a defective DENV-1 virus may have led to large increases in dengue fever cases in Myanmar in 2001 and 2002.
The Gulf region is expected to experience a massive wave of cardiovascular disease in the next 10-15 years, driven by high obesity rates and diabetes prevalence. Prevention services are lacking, but experts call for a public health strategy to promote physical activity and healthy diets.
The global response to NCDs can benefit from the successful integration strategies of HIV/AIDS and TB treatment. Building on these partnerships and investments will be crucial in addressing the rising NCD burden, which will overwhelm health systems due to multimorbidity.
A new study finds that extra-couple transmission accounts for 30% of new HIV infections in men and 10% in women within stable partnerships. Targeting all heterosexual routes of transmission with test-and-treat strategies could be key to fighting the epidemic.
Daniel Callahan proposes a controversial approach to fighting obesity by stigmatizing overweight individuals in a way that minimizes the risk of discrimination. He suggests that 'stigmatization lite' could be an effective strategy, as people who are overweight consider the threat of discrimination as a danger to be avoided.
Researchers have identified two strains of Clostridium difficile responsible for the global epidemic, highlighting the ease and rapidity of transmission across continents. The study shows that fluoroquinolone resistance played a key role in the spread of these strains.