The Hinalayan Times

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WHO report: COVID likely 1st jumped into humans from animals

A joint World Health Organization-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is “extremely unlikely,” according to a draft copy obtained by The Associated Press.

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WHO: First fatal human case of H5N2 bird flu identified

GENEVA: The World Health Organization said Wednesday a person in Mexico had died in the first confirmed human case globally of infection with the H5N2 variant of bird flu. The patient, who died on April 24 after developing fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea and nausea, had “no history of exposure to poultry or other animals” […]

Khabarhub English बैशाख २०८१

What is the Marburg virus and how can it be avoided?

What is the Marburg virus? A cousin of the equally deadly Ebola virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Marburg virus, was first identified after 31 people were infected and seven died in simultaneous outbreaks in 1967 in: -Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany -Belgrade, Serbia The outbreak was traced to African green monkeys imported from Uganda. But the virus has been linked to other animals since then. And among humans, it is spread mostly by people who have spent long periods in caves and mines populated by bats. This is Ghana's first outbreak - but a number of African countries have had them, including: -the Democratic Republic of the Congo -Kenya -South Africa -Uganda -Zimbabwe A 2005 outbreak in Angola killed more than 300 people. But in Europe, only one person has died in the past 40 years - and one in the US, after returning from expeditions to caves in Uganda. Major outbreaks: -2017, Uganda: three cases, three died -2012, Uganda: 15 cases, four died -2005, Angola: 374 cases, 329 died -1998-2000, DR Congo: 154 cases, 128 died -1967, Germany: 29 cases, seven died Source: WHO What illness does it cause? The virus begins abruptly with: -a fever -severe headache -muscle pains This is often followed, three days later, by: -watery diarrhoea -stomach pain -nausea -vomiting The WHO says: "The appearance of patients at this phase has been described as showing 'ghost-like' drawn features, deep-set eyes, expressionless faces and extreme lethargy." Many people go on to bleed from various parts of the body and die eight to nine days after first falling ill, because of extreme loss of blood and shock. On average, the virus kills half those infected, the WHO says, but the most harmful strains have killed up to 88%. How is it spread? The Egyptian rousette fruit bat often harbours the virus. African green monkeys and pigs can also carry it. Among humans, it spreads through bodily fluids and bedding contaminated with them. And even if people recover, their blood or semen, for example, can infect others for many months afterwards. How can it be treated? There is no specific vaccine or treatments for the virus. But a range of blood products, drug and immune therapies are being developed, the WHO says. And doctors may be able to alleviate the symptoms by giving hospital patients plenty of fluids and replacing lost blood. How can it be contained? People in Africa should avoid eating or handling bushmeat, Gavi, an international organisation promoting vaccine access, says. People should also avoid contact with pigs in areas with an outbreak, the WHO says. Men who have had the virus should use condoms for a year after the onset of symptoms or until their semen twice tests negative. And those burying people who have died from the virus should avoid touching the body. With inputs from BBC

Ratopati English आषाढ २०७९

China calls COVID ‘lab leak’ theory a lie after WHO report

BEIJING (AP) — China on Friday attacked the theory that the coronavirus pandemic may have originated as a leak from a Chinese laboratory as a politically motivated lie, after the World Health Organization recommended in its strongest terms yet that a deeper probe is needed into whether a lab accident may be to blame. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian also rejected accusations that China had not fully cooperated with investigators, saying it welcomed a science-based probe but rejected any political manipulation. He also reiterated calls for an investigation into “highly suspicious laboratories such as Fort Detrick and the University of North Carolina” in the United States where China has suggested, without evidence, that the U.S. was developing the coronavirus as a bioweapon. “The lab leak theory is totally a lie concocted by anti-China forces for political purposes, which has nothing to do with science,” Zhao said at a daily briefing.“We always supported and participated in science-based global virus tracing, but we firmly opposed any forms of political manipulation,” he said, repeating China’s long-standing explanation for delaying or rejecting further investigations into the virus’s origins.Zhao said China has made major contributions toward virus tracing, sharing the most data and research results. That “fully reflects China’s open, transparent and responsible attitude, as well as its support for the work of the WHO and the advisory group,” he said. The WHO’s stance in a report released Thursday is a sharp reversal of the U.N. health agency’s initial assessment of the pandemic’s origins. It comes after many critics accused WHO of being too quick to dismiss or underplay a lab-leak theory that put Chinese officials on the defensive. Following a tightly controlled visit to China last year, the WHO concluded that it was “extremely unlikely” the coronavirus might have spread to humans from a lab in the city of Wuhan. Many scientists suspect the coronavirus jumped from bats to people, possibly via another animal. However, in the Thursday report, WHO’s expert group said “key pieces of data” to explain how the pandemic began were still missing. The scientists said the group would “remain open to any and all scientific evidence that becomes available in the future to allow for comprehensive testing of all reasonable hypotheses.” Identifying a disease’s source in animals typically takes years. It took more than a decade for scientists to pinpoint the species of bats that were the natural reservoir for SARS, a relative of COVID-19. The expert group also noted that since lab accidents in the past have triggered some outbreaks, the theory could not be discounted. They said China has not presented any studies to WHO that assessed the possibility of the coronavirus resulting from a laboratory leak. The new report is indicative of a more confrontational relationship between China’s authoritarian Communist leadership and the WHO, which had initially been accused of being overly deferential to Beijing, particularly by the former U.S. Trump administration.The coronavirus has killed more than 6.3 million people worldwide, forced dozens of countries into lockdown and upended the world economy. It was first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and was initially linked to a traditional market where wild animals were sold for food. China was accused of responding slowly and covering up the extent of the outbreak, before it locked down the entire city of Wuhan and surrounding areas in the first of a series of draconian measures labeled “zero-COVID” which continue today as much of the rest of the world is opening up again. Last month, the WHO called “zero-COVID” unsustainable, pointing to increased knowledge of the virus and the cost to the economy and civil rights. China rejected the criticism as “irresponsible.” China was also accused of leading a disinformation campaign, suggesting the virus was detected elsewhere before the Wuhan outbreak and putting forward other theories aimed at diverting attention from China. Investigations by The Associated Press found that some top WHO insiders were frustrated by China during the initial outbreak even as WHO heaped praise on Chinese President Xi Jinping. They were also upset over how China sought to clamp down on research into the origins of COVID-19. Zhao appeared to imply that China would reject any criticisms or suspicions of it. “Research on the origin of the virus must adhere to scientific principles and should not be subject to political interference,” Zhao said.

The Rising Nepal बैशाख २०७९

Monkeypox outbreak mostly in young men in London

JUNE 2: Although anyone can contract the virus, 111 of 183 cases in England are in men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with men. Monkeypox is not sexually transmitted but passed on through close contact - UK officials say no one factor linking the cases has been identified. LGBT groups and events are being urged to help share public health messages. People are being reminded to look out for new spots, ulcers or blisters on any part of their body, particularly if they have recently had a new sexual partner. They should also limit their contact with others and contact NHS 111 or their local sexual health service as soon as possible by phone. Symptoms are usually mild and clear up on their own within three weeks. Since the start of May, 183 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in England, four in Scotland, two in Northern Ireland and one in Wales - 190 in total. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has given more information on those affected in the current outbreak for the first time. The outbreak is unusual because not all cases are linked to travel with countries where monkeypox is always present, like west and central Africa. Instead, the virus is being passed from person to person in the UK. In England, 86% of those infected live in London and only two are women. Most are aged 20 to 49. The UKHSA said 18% of confirmed cases in England had recently travelled to a number of different countries in Europe, up to three weeks before they developed symptoms. Health officials are contacting people who may be high-risk contacts of those cases, and advising some to isolate at home for up to 21 days. A vaccine against monkeypox, called Imvanex, is also being offered to some close contacts, such as healthworkers, to reduce the risk of them developing the infection or becoming ill. Scientists are no clearer to understanding what is behind the recent outbreak of monkeypox cases, but there are suggestions the virus has been spreading from person to person for some time undetected. UKHSA said links to gay bars, saunas and the use of dating apps in the UK and abroad have been identified in some cases so far. It said it was working with the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and the British HIV Association, the Terrence Higgins Trust, Stonewall and dating app Grindr, to communicate with sexual health services and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. 'Risk of stigma' Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional director for public health said: "Monkeypox can affect anyone but we know that many of the most recent diagnoses are in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, many of whom live in, or have links to London. "We're reminding everyone of the symptoms of monkeypox, and especially gay and bisexual men in particular, to be especially aware and seek advice immediately by calling NHS111 or their local sexual health clinic if they have concerns. He added: "As with any new disease outbreak, the risk of stigma and uncertainty is great. "This is why we're working side by side with the NHS, sexual health, voluntary and community sector organisations in London to share accurate information about monkeypox - especially to people and groups at increased risk - through representative voices." Dr Meera Chand, from UKHSA, said she was "grateful to everyone who has come forward for testing". More than 30 countries worldwide outside of Africa have also been affected by similar outbreaks, and more than 550 confirmed cases of the viral disease have been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO emergencies director, Dr Mike Ryan, warned that climate change was changing weather conditions, which was having an impact on animal and human behaviour, including food-seeking habits. As a result, he said, diseases which typically circulate in animals are increasingly jumping into humans. "Unfortunately, that ability to amplify the disease and move it on within our communities is increasing - so both disease emergence and disease amplification factors have increased," Dr Ryan said. With inputs from BBC

Ratopati English बैशाख २०७९

WHO report says animals likely source of COVID-19

A joint WHO-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is “extremely unlikely,” according to a draft copy obtained by The Associated Press. The findings were large as expected and left many questions unanswered. The team proposed further research in every area except the lab leak hypothesis.

The Rising Nepal जेष्ठ २०७८

Coronavirus very likely of animal origin, no sign of lab manipulation: WHO

GENEVA, April 21: The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday that all available evidence suggests the novel coronavirus originated in animals in China late last year and was not manipulated or produced in a laboratory.

Republica चैत्र २०७६