Thursday 21st January 2016- World Health Organisation: Zika virus infection – France – Saint Martin and Guadeloupe

‘On 18 January 2016, the National IHR Focal Point (NFP) for France notified WHO of the first laboratory-confirmed case of locally-acquired Zika virus in Saint Martin, an overseas department of France. On the same day, 1 autochthonous case of Zika virus infection was confirmed in Guadeloupe, another overseas department of France.’

‘The proximity of mosquito vector breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing the breeding of mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people. This can be achieved by reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled habitats that support mosquito larvae, reducing the adult mosquito populations around at-risk communities and by using barriers such as insect screens, closed doors and windows, long clothing and repellents. Since the Aedes mosquitoes (the primary vector for transmission) are day-biting mosquitoes, it is recommended that those who sleep during the daytime, particularly young children, the sick or elderly, should rest under mosquito nets (bed nets), treated with or without insecticide to provide protection.

During outbreaks, space spraying of insecticides may be carried out following the technical orientation provided by WHO to kill flying mosquitoes. Suitable insecticides (recommended by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme) may also be used as larvicides to treat relatively large water containers, when this is technically indicated.

Basic precautions for protection from mosquito bites should be taken by people traveling to high risk areas, especially pregnant women. These include use of repellents, wearing light colored, long sleeved shirts and pants and ensuring rooms are fitted with screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering.

WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restriction to France and the overseas departments of France based on the current information available.’

See:

Zika virus infection – France – Saint Martin and Guadeloupe

Sunday 17th January 2016- Pan American Health Organisation: Epidemiological Update: Neurological syndrome, congenital anomalies, and Zika virus infection

‘Given the increase of congenital anomalies, Guillain`Barré syndrome, and other neurological and autoimmune syndromes in areas where Zika virus is circulating, the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) recommends its Member States establish and maintain the capacity to detect and confirm Zika virus cases, prepare healthcare facilities to respond to a possible increase demand of specialized care for neurological syndromes, as well to strengthen antenatal care. In addition, Member States are urged to continue with their efforts to reduce the presence of mosquito vectors through an effective vector control strategy and communication to the public. ‘

‘From February 20141 to 17 January 2016, there are 18 countries and territories in the Americas that have confirmed autochthonous circulation of Zika virus (ZIKV) in 2015 and 2016: Brazil, Barbados, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Suriname, and Venezuela. Between November 2015 and January 2016, local transmission of the virus was detected in 14 new countries and territories.’

See:

Epidemiological Update: Neurological syndrome, congenital anomalies, and Zika virus infection; 17 January 2016 (pdf)

Thursday 1st October 2015- The Guardian: BSE [Mad Cow Disease] found in cow on Welsh farm

‘A case of BSE – so-called “mad cow disease” – has been found in an animal on a farm in Wales.

The case is the first in Wales since 2013 but the devolved government in Cardiff described it as isolated and said the animal had not entered the human food chain. There have been six cases in the UK since 2013.

However, the discovery will be a blow to the beef industry in Wales and farming in general. Opposition politicians called on the Welsh government to make sure farmers were supported and to provide more information about the case.

Rebecca Evans, Welsh government deputy minister for farming and food, said it was discovered as a result of strict control measures, which see all animals over four years old that die on a farm routinely tested for the disease.

Government scientists will now work on finding out what caused the infection in the animal, and other cows it came into contact with – plus any offspring – will be traced and destroyed.’

See:

BSE found in cow on Welsh farm

Tuesday 29th September 2015- The Independent: Junior doctors protest outside Downing Street over ‘unsafe and unfair’ contract changes

‘Hundreds of junior doctors descended upon Downing Street yesterday evening to protest against changes trainee contracts.

The proposed changes which will force young medics to work longer hours for no extra pay, have been branded “unsafe and unfair” for both patients and doctors by the British Medical Association (BMA).

Wearing scrubs, stethoscopes and holding placards with messages such as ‘don’t make us leave’ and ‘tired doctors make mistakes’, the trainee’s marched around Westminster before amassing at Downing Street.’

Related Articles:

Junior doctors protest outside Downing Street over ‘unsafe and unfair’ contract changes

Junior doctors’ protest explained in placards- BBC News

Friday 25th September 2015- The Independent: Tiny baby born four months early on cruise ship survives

‘A woman who unexpectedly gave birth on a cruise ship months before her due date says she wrapped towels around the 1 1/2-pound boy and, with the help of medical staff, managed to keep him alive until the ship reached port.

Emily Morgan, of Ogden, Utah, said Thursday that doctors didn’t expect her son Haiden to live, but thanks to strong lungs, a makeshift incubator and an early arrival in Puerto Rico, the baby made it. He’s now receiving care at a neonatal intensive care unit in Miami.’

See:

Tiny baby born four months early on cruise ship survives

Thursday 24th September 2015- BBC News: Paralysed man moves legs using brain-reading device

‘A paralysed man has regained some control over his legs using a device that reads his brain, scientists say.

Brainwaves were interpreted by a computer, which then controlled the electrical stimulation of his leg muscles.

The US study, in the Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation, showed he was able to walk just under four metres with support.

Experts said maintaining balance was an issue that needed to be addressed.

A spinal cord injury prevents the flow of messages from the brain. However, the brain is still able to create messages and the legs are still capable of receiving them.

The researchers at the University of California, Irvine, used a brain-computer interface to bypass the damage in a man who had been paralysed for five years.’

Related Articles:

Paralysed man moves legs using brain-reading device

Man paralysed in both legs helped to walk again thanks to electrodes in his knees- The Independent

Paralysed man uses mind control to walk again- New Scientist

Monday 21st September 2015- The Independent: Arthritis drug could soon reverse Alzheimer’s symptoms after successful tests on mice, say scientists

‘A painkiller widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis has been shown to reverse the symptoms of dementia in the brains of laboratory mice, raising hope that there may soon be an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, scientists have said.

The drug, salsalate, is a licensed pain killer but in mice with a form of dementia similar to Alzheimer’s it reversed the changes to a key protein in the brain that builds up in patients with the debilitating neurological disease, they found.

The researchers said it is the first time any drug has been shown to have an effect on the “tau” protein that accumulates in the brain of people with Alzheimer’s and a range of similar dementias known as “tauopathies”. It could lead to an effective therapy even for patients in the later stages of disease, the researchers said.

“We identified for the first time a pharmacological approach that reverses all aspects of tau toxicity,” said Li Gan, PhD of the Gladstone Institutes, a non-profit research organisation affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco.’

See:

Arthritis drug could soon reverse Alzheimer’s symptoms after successful tests on mice, say scientists

Friday 18th September 2015- BBC News: 3D printed windpipe improves girl’s operation

‘A 3D-printed windpipe has been used to practise delicate surgery before an operation on a six-year-old girl at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.

It meant doctors could pick the correct tools needed to wash her lungs.

And as a result, Katie Parke, from Northern Ireland, needed to spend less time under anaesthetic and being ventilated.

Doctors at the hospital say the technology could also be used to train other doctors.

Katie has pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, which means grainy deposits build up in the microscopic air sacs in her lungs making it hard to breathe.

Regularly washing the lungs with saltwater is the only way to remove the deposits.

During Katie’s operation one of her lungs needed to be ventilated while the other was cleaned.

Normally, surgeons waste time on the operating table trying multiple combinations of different-sized tubes in order to perform the delicate surgery.

The team at Great Ormond Street Hospital used a CT scan of Katie to print out a 3D rubber model of Katie’s trachea. They could then select the tools they needed ahead of the operation.’

See:

3D printed windpipe improves girl’s operation

Thursday 17th September 2015- The Telegraph: Pancreatic cancer patients denied life-extending drug by spending watchdog

‘The only new pancreatic cancer drug licensed for 17 years will not be funded in England, the drug rationing watchdog announce today.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has ruled that Abraxane is too expensive to be given alongside gemcitabine despite being shown to double life-expectancy in some cases. It was also shown to double two year survival rate.

Cancer charities and oncologists said it was a serious backwards step for patients and clinicians in England.

The drug was also recently removed from the Cancer Drugs Fund, meaning that it cannot be prescribed in England at all. Patients in Scotland and Wales will still be able to benefit.

Dr Harpreet Wasan, Clinical Medical Oncologist, London said: “The decision by NICE not to recommend Abraxane in combination with gemcitabine for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer is extremely disappointing and will no doubt be distressing news to pancreatic cancer patients and their families across England.’

See:

Pancreatic cancer patients denied life-extending drug by spending watchdog

Saturday 12th September 2015- The Telegraph: Assisted suicide bill passed in California

‘The California legislature on Friday approved a bill to legalise physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients despite opposition from religious and disability rights groups, sending it to Democratic Governor Jerry Brown for his approval or veto.

The bill would allow mentally competent patients to request a prescription that would end their lives if two doctors agree the patients have only six months to live.

The measure, based on a similar law in Oregon, passed the state Senate on Friday on a vote of 23-14, after passing the Assembly on Thursday.’

See:

Assisted suicide bill passed in California