Articles tagged with Disease Control
In a Hong Kong hospital, proactive infection control measures implemented since March 2013 successfully controlled the spread of Avian flu (A H7N9), with only two patient cases and no staff infections reported. The integrated approach utilized active surveillance, rapid molecular diagnostic testing, and hand hygiene protocols.
A study of 411 patients found that economic insecurity is associated with poor diabetes control and increased healthcare use. Material need insecurities, such as food insecurity and cost-related medication underuse, were significant predictors of poor diabetes control.
New studies suggest that MERS-CoV is unlikely to reach epidemic status due to effective infection control measures. The virus exhibits a high mortality rate, but hospital-acquired infections dominate the epidemiology. Prolonged infection control measures are crucial in severely ill patients with MERS-CoV.
A new study by Georgia State University and CDC finds that US taxpayers spend $45 billion on Medicare, $39.9 billion on Medicaid, and $23.8 billion on other government-sponsored insurance programs each year due to smoking-related diseases. Smoking accounts for 8.7% of annual healthcare spending in the US.
A Kansas State University research project developed a simulation model to assess the impact of vaccination strategies and livestock herd types on foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks. The study found that effective control methods can be implemented while minimizing harm to the livestock industry.
People diagnosed with diabetes in midlife experience significant memory and cognitive problems over the next 20 years, aging their minds five years faster. Controlling blood sugar levels at age 50 can help prevent this decline and delay dementia.
A review of 252 papers identified 11 cases of MERS-CoV transmission among healthcare workers, highlighting lapses in infection control. The virus can survive on hospital surfaces for up to 48 hours and is transmissible through vomit and diarrhea.
Medical experts call for radical improvements in UK liver disease treatment and detection, citing a 'postcode lottery' for patients. The commission recommends increasing specialist centers and improving primary care services to address excessive alcohol use and obesity.
A randomized, controlled trial showed that providing detainees with wash cloths treated with chlorhexidine gluconate significantly decreased S. aureus colonization. The use of plain water wash cloths also effectively reduced S. aureus hand and/or nose carriage.
A recent study found a significant decrease in vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) infections in southeastern Michigan. The prevalence of VRSA precursor organisms decreased by 2009, coinciding with the last reported case in Michigan.
UTMB professors Scott Weaver and Slobodan Paessler received national awards from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. They are making significant contributions to understanding and controlling tropical diseases, including Ebola, mosquito-borne illnesses, and influenza.
Researchers analyzed vaccine failures and found that leaky vaccines lead to higher infection rates in the long run. The study also showed that all-or-nothing and waning vaccines have distinct dynamics following mass vaccination, providing an alternative explanation for disease resurgence.
The study found that more than half of US adults with high blood pressure now have readings below 140/90 mmHg. Despite progress, nearly half of those with hypertension remain uncontrolled, highlighting the need for increased efforts to prioritize blood pressure management at every medical visit.
Researchers found high genetic diversity in thousand cankers disease fungus, making it harder to control. The fungus is native to the US and has mutated readily, leading to an explosion in its impact on host trees.
QUT researchers have developed a system that can predict dengue fever outbreaks in China by combining internet search metrics with environmental factors. The system achieved a 99.8% success rate in detecting outbreaks within three days, highlighting the potential for early warning systems to reduce the impact of infectious diseases.
A new study found that child-mortality rates declined the fastest among the poorest families in developing countries, resulting in a narrowing gap between wealth groups. The study also identified four factors contributing to this convergence: government effectiveness, rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
A new study recommends five steps for businesses and Americans to benefit from workplace disease prevention programs. The program could positively influence the health of 155 million working-age Americans while financially benefiting their employers by reducing healthcare costs.
Only one in two young adults with hypertension receive lifestyle education to lower their blood pressure. A study found that exercise and quitting smoking were the most common topics addressed.
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.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has received a $783,000 grant to support national efforts to reduce chronic diseases and promote healthier lifestyles. The program will focus on improving access to healthy foods and safe locations for physical activity in Hidalgo County.
A five-year national initiative has shown promising results in reducing diabetes health disparities among African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans. The Alliance model improves chronic disease management by strengthening care coordination, patient self-management, and community engagement.
Researchers are investigating the effects of aspirin and statins on preventing cardiovascular disease in people with long-term HIV infections. The study aims to reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel health in participants.
A Michigan State University study of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic offers insights into infection control measures for the flu and other epidemic diseases. The research found that locations close to an entry point will have extremely short windows of time to deal with a virulent pathogen, emphasizing emergency management.
Researchers developed an automated system to track vaccine status of staff, sending reminders and allowing supervisors to access updates through the intranet. This system increased compliance by over 98% and reduced overtime hours for occupational health personnel by 56%.
A study found associations between dopamine receptor agonist drugs and serious impulse control disorders, including pathological gambling and hypersexuality. The medications were prescribed for Parkinson disease and restless leg syndrome, but the reports showed mostly male patients, median age of 55, primarily in the US.
Researchers found that Lactobacillus species in the guts of mouse models correlated with reduced lupus symptoms, while Clostridia increased. Probiotics containing Lactobacillus may help alleviate lupus flares, suggesting a potential new treatment approach.
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.
A study found that hospital patients washed their hands only 30% of the time following a bathroom visit, highlighting the need for patient-centric hand hygiene protocols. Hand hygiene is crucial in preventing the spread of infections in hospitals.
A new review article published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics found that internet-based diabetes self-management education can lead to better glycemic control and enhanced diabetes knowledge. The study compared the effectiveness of various methods of delivering diabetes education via the internet and concluded that this method i...
A large-scale roll-out of the combination treatment for kala-azar in Eastern Africa has shown a high efficacy and safety profile, with a 95% cure rate among treated patients. The treatment aims to replace traditional therapies due to toxicity levels and cost concerns.
Australia's lack of preparedness for Ebola is highlighted by experts who call for a national disease control centre to coordinate risk assessments and response plans. The current outbreak in multiple regions of five countries underscores the need for such a centre.
Rates of intestinal superbug C. difficile infections rose from 4.5 to 8.2 discharges per 1,000 hospitalizations between 2001 and 2010, despite no improvement in patient mortality rates. Antibiotic exposure remains the leading risk factor for CDI incidence.
Researchers have developed a surface micropattern called Sharklet that mimics shark skin's natural texture, reducing bacterial contamination by up to 94% compared to smooth surfaces. This technology could potentially curb the spread of MRSA and MSSA in hospital settings.
A web-based training program, RealConsent, was found to reduce sexually violent behavior and increase the likelihood of male students intervening to prevent sexual assault. The study involved over 700 male undergraduate students, who showed improved behavior after completing the training.
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 study found that healthcare workers' adherence to hand hygiene is improved when other workers are present, with a 7% higher rate of hand hygiene compliance. The results suggest the importance of social environment in healthcare settings and have implications for understanding disease spread within hospitals.
A new inherited neuromuscular disorder has been identified, resulting from a genetic mutation disrupting nerve-muscle communication. The condition affects multiple generations and is associated with mutations in the synaptotagmin 2 protein.
A new series published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology finds that the growing global diabetes epidemic is hampering progress in controlling and eliminating tuberculosis. With over 1 million cases annually, diabetes-associated TB cases are expected to offset the present downward trend in global TB cases by 8% or more by 2035.
A literature review found inadequate adherence to infection prevention protocols in emergency departments, with varying rates of compliance. The study highlights the need for more standardized practices and improved surveillance to prevent hospital-acquired infections.
A global snapshot of infectious canine cancer shows that strong dog control policies and sterilization programs can help curb its spread. Researchers found that countries with strict dog quarantine policies had lower rates of the disease, which is spread by living cancer cells between dogs during sex.
Respiratory infection control measures for Ebola patients are unnecessary and may contribute to public panic, according to a new letter published in The Lancet. Excessive precautions could reinforce the view that some lives are more valuable than others, exacerbating the spread of infection.
A study of 2342 patients with eating disorders found an increased risk of autoimmune diseases, with 8.9% diagnosed compared to 5.4% in the general population. The findings suggest a link between immune-mediated mechanisms and development of eating disorders.
The Penn Medicine team found that targeted automated alerts in electronic health records significantly reduced urinary tract infections in hospital patients with urinary catheters. Simplifying the alert design increased the rate of catheter removals, leading to a dramatic decrease in infections.
Researchers at the University of Surrey have discovered a new mechanism for controlling bladder contractions and regulating the body's clock genes. This finding has implications for understanding the pathology and development of new treatments for overactive bladder and irritable bowel syndrome.
Leading infectious disease experts argue that screening and isolating infected patients may not be effective in preventing MRSA spread. Instead, they recommend a broader approach focusing on reducing all hospital-acquired infections.
A new study identifies a novel gene, Inpp4b, that controls nerve conduction velocity and is linked to multiple sclerosis. The researchers found that polymorphisms in this gene affect nerve conduction speed in both mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and humans with MS.
A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that fist-bumping transmits significantly fewer bacteria than handshaking or high-fiving. The research suggests that adopting the fist bump as a greeting could substantially reduce the transmission of infectious diseases between individuals.
A new study found that genetic variations, particularly imprinted genes, play a significant role in determining the age of puberty in girls. The research analyzed DNA data from over 180,000 women and identified six imprinted gene variants associated with earlier or later menstrual cycles.
A cross-disciplinary team proposes using gene drives to manage ecosystems, potentially combating malaria and other diseases. Gene drives can spread specified genetic alterations through targeted wild populations over many generations.
Researchers have successfully used computer models to locate and eliminate high numbers of tsetse flies in Senegal, resulting in a 99.6% reduction. The eradication effort aims to control the devastating disease that affects humans, livestock, and wildlife.
A new study reports a significant increase in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) cases in community hospitals across the Southeastern US. The rise is attributed to factors such as increased antibiotic use, transmission between facilities, and inadequate laboratory detection protocols.
The new document highlights basic prevention strategies for adult patients, including avoiding intubation and minimizing sedation. For pediatric and neonatal patients, the guidance emphasizes regular oral care and elevating the head of the bed to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Researchers found more than twice as much coral disease at dredging sites compared to control sites, highlighting a direct link between dredging and coral disease. Dredging impacts corals by reducing light for photosynthesis and interfering with feeding, leading to chronic stress and increased disease prevalence.
The US CDC is building scientific capacity to detect and respond to novel health threats, with a focus on resilience and preparedness. The organization supports global health programs, including those aimed at combating infectious diseases, strengthening health systems, and improving disaster response.
The OpT2mise trial found that insulin pumps result in better blood sugar control than multiple daily injections in people with type 2 diabetes. The study showed that patients using the pumps achieved a significantly greater reduction in average blood sugar levels and spent less time in hyperglycaemia.
Researchers found that patients treated with proton therapy had significantly higher disease-free survival rates (72% vs. 50%) compared to those receiving intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Tumor control also improved at the longest follow-up for proton therapy-treated patients (81% vs. 64%).
Half of US adults suffer from at least one chronic condition, with a quarter having two or more. The report highlights the need for coordinated action to reduce the chronic disease burden, including promoting health and healthy behaviors, effective prevention services, and stronger links between healthcare and community services.
Researchers adapt mathematical tool for geographic profiling to target infectious disease breeding sites, reducing search areas from 300km to just 10.7km. The new model has the potential to identify sources of TB, cholera, and Legionnaires' disease, offering a promising solution for public health control.
A susceptibility gene for type 1 diabetes has been found to regulate self-destruction of the cell's energy factory. Researchers discovered that this pathway could be targeted for prevention and control of type-1 diabetes and may extend to treatment of other metabolic-associated diseases.