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Tag: CDC

  • Tinubu approves establishment of Africa-CDC regional Centre in Nigeria

    Tinubu approves establishment of Africa-CDC regional Centre in Nigeria

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Regional Coordinating Centre (RCC) of the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa-CDC) in Nigeria.

    Tinubu is the African Union (AU) Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership.

    Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that the President’s approval of the siting of the Centre in Abuja is part of his larger effort to convey Nigeria’s commitment to regional and global health security.

    He said it was also to promote local economic opportunities in the health care delivery value chain and enhance Nigeria’s and West Africa’s capacity to respond to outbreaks.

    “The Centre will also bring with it enormous socio-economic benefits in the form of enhancing aggregate national productivity and reversing human capacity drain, even as the ability of indigenous medical professionals and scientists will be bolstered to respond adequately to old, recent, and emerging diseases, not only in Nigeria, but across the continent.”

    The President has also approved the upgrade of the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu to a full-fledged University of Allied Health Sciences.

    Ngelale said this was part of Tinubu’s dedicated efforts to build robust human resources for the health and social welfare sector.

    He said it would now be known as the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

    The Presidential spokesman said that the directive came at a time when Tinubu was taking revolutionary initiatives in reforming the health sector in the country.

    The initiatives include the training of 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide within 16 months, doubling the number of primary health facilities in local communities from 8,800 to over 17,000 over the next three years.

    He said the President is also doubling the number of health personnel graduating from accredited nursing and midwifery institutions over the next three years in order to meet the aspirations of Nigerians for accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services across the nation.

    NAN also reports that the on March 13, 2016,the AU said on Saturday Nigeria will host one of Africa’s Centre for Disease Control, CDC.

    Nigeria was favoured to host one of the region’s CDC after AU experts appraised the effectiveness of the Nigerian government in managing the Ebola scourge in 2014, as well as the recent outbreak of Lassa Fever.

    In 2014, the Heads of states and government of the African Union at a Special summit on HIV, TBN and malaria, decided upon the need for an African Centre for Disease Control that will conduct life saving research, that will also have the capability for disease detection, surveillance and response.

    In January 2015, the Assembly also reaffirmed and asked the AU to get to work; even though they gave clear instructions on the nature of the Africa-CDC that is to be setup..

    The concept approved by the African leaders in January 2015, was to have a coordinating office inside the AU headquarters in Addis-Ababa with five regional collaborating centres, each bringing certain capabilities, asset and values to the work of the African-CDC.

  • Malaria outbreak in the US after two decades raises concerns

    Malaria outbreak in the US after two decades raises concerns

    Health officials in the United States have issued a warning following the identification of five cases of malaria in Florida and Texas, involving individuals with no recent travel history overseas.

    This development has sparked concerns about the potential for local transmission of the life-threatening disease within the country.

    The cases have been concentrated in Sarasota County, Florida, where four instances of locally transmitted malaria have been confirmed since May. Another case has been identified in Cameron County, Texas.

    These occurrences mark the first instances of local transmission within the US since 2003, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reassured the public that all affected patients have received appropriate treatment and are currently in the recovery phase.

    However, investigations are underway to determine any potential links between the cases in Florida and Texas after it was discovered that at least two individuals, one in Florida and another in Texas, had spent extended periods outdoors, raising concerns about possible exposure to infected mosquitoes.

    Furthermore, the CDC has issued a warning about the heightened risk of “imported malaria cases” as the summer travel season unfolds.

    Travellers are urged to exercise increased vigilance and take preventive measures to reduce the chances of infection.

    Malaria, a dangerous yet curable disease, is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites from infected mosquitoes carrying the malaria parasite.

    However, it can also be transmitted through infected blood during transfusions, organ transplants, or from a pregnant mother to her fetus.

    The five cases reported in Florida and Texas involve the P. vivax malaria strain. While this strain is generally associated with milder infections compared to other strains, it can lead to recurring episodes of malaria as the parasites lay dormant in the liver and reemerge months or even years later.

    An associate professor of pathology and international health at Case Western Reserve University Brian Grimberg, emphasized the need for heightened awareness without succumbing to panic.

    Malaria is typically not a concern for Americans unless they travel abroad, although the disease was once a significant public health issue in the United States before its official eradication in 1970.

    To mitigate the risk of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases, the CDC has urged the public to take preventive measures such as applying insect repellent, installing screens on windows and doors, and regularly eliminating stagnant water sources.

    Travellers heading overseas are advised to pack bug spray and consider accommodations with appropriate protection, such as air conditioning, window and door screens, or mosquito nets.

    Additionally, the CDC recommends that hospitals maintain access to malaria tests and stock up on treatments, while public health officials should devise comprehensive plans for rapid identification, prevention, and control to effectively respond to any potential outbreaks.

  • BREAKING: Fully vaccinated, twice-boosted US President Biden down with COVID-19

    BREAKING: Fully vaccinated, twice-boosted US President Biden down with COVID-19

    U. S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and isolated, Physician to the President, Kevin O’Connor has said.

    On questioning, President Biden said he is currently experiencing mild symptoms, mostly rhinorrhea (or “runny nose”) and fatigue, with an occasional dry cough, which he said started yesterday evening.

    O’Connor said Biden would be administered PAXLOVID treatment given that he meets U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) criteria for such treatment.

    The President’s physician in a statement explained that early use of PAXLOVID, in this case, provides additional protection against severe disease.

    The statement reads: “This morning, as part of our routine screening program for the President, the SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected by antigen testing. This result was subsequently confirmed via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing.

    “On questioning, President Biden is currently experiencing mild symptoms, mostly rhinorrhea (or “runny nose”) and fatigue, with an occasional dry cough, which started yesterday evening.

    “Given that he meets U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) criteria for PAXLOVID, I have recommended initiating such treatment.

    “The President is fully vaccinated and twice-boosted, so I anticipate that he will respond favourably, as most maximally protected patients do. Early use of PAXLOVID in this case provides additional protection against severe disease.

    “He will isolate in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. I will keep your office updated with any changes in his condition or treatment plan”.

  • U.S. confirms 1st human case of H5 bird flu

    U.S. confirms 1st human case of H5 bird flu

    The United States has confirmed the first known human case of H5 bird flu in a person in the western state of Colorado.

    The U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement that the person who tested positive for avian influenza A (H5) virus was involved in the culling of poultry presumed to have had H5N1 bird flu.

    The patient reported fatigue for a few days as the only symptom and had since recovered.

    According to the CDC, the patient is being isolated and treated with the influenza antiviral drug oseltamivir.

    “This case does not change the human risk assessment for the general public, which CDC considers to be low,’’ the agency said.

    CDC had been monitoring for illness among people exposed to H5N1 virus-infected birds since these outbreaks were detected in U.S. wild birds and poultry in late 2021.

    To date, H5N1 viruses have been found in U.S. commercial and backyard birds in 29 states and in wild birds in 34 states, according to the CDC.

    The agency has tracked the health of more than 2,500 people with exposure to H5N1 virus-infected birds and this is the only human case that has been found to date.

    It is the second human case worldwide associated with this specific group of H5 viruses that are currently predominant.

    The first case was reported in Britain in December 2021.

  • U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris tests positive for COVID-19

    U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris tests positive for COVID-19

    U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris tested positive for Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Tuesday after returning from a weeklong trip to California.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Vice President is, however, asymptomatic but did not participate in a scheduled briefing at the White House as a result of the infection.

    “Today I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms, and I will continue to isolate and follow CDC guidelines. I’m grateful to be both vaccinated and boosted,” Harris tweeted on Tuesday.

    Meanwhile, Kirsten Allen, the Vice President’s press secretary had in an earlier statement said Harris tested positive for Covid-19 on rapid and PCR tests.

    Harris “will isolate and continue to work from the vice president’s residence,” Allen said, adding: “She has not been a close contact to the President or First Lady due to their respective recent travel schedules.

    “She will follow CDC guidelines and the advice of her physicians. The Vice President will return to the White House when she tests negative”.

    Harris had been scheduled to receive her intelligence briefing on Tuesday at the White House alongside President Joe Biden, according to daily guidance sent to reporters Monday evening.

    She did not participate in any events or meetings at the White House on Tuesday, according to a White House official.

  • Africa’s COVID-19 cases near 10.9m – Africa CDC

    Africa’s COVID-19 cases near 10.9m – Africa CDC

    A total of 10,896,302 COVID-19 cases were reported in Africa as of Saturday evening, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said.

    The specialised healthcare agency of the African Union said the COVID-19 death toll across the continent stands at 241,112, and 9,917,757 patients have recovered from the disease so far.

    South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Ethiopia are among the countries with the most cases on the continent, said the Africa CDC.

    In terms of caseload, southern Africa is the most affected region in Africa, followed by the northern and eastern parts of the continent, while central Africa is the least affected region, said the Africa CDC.

  • WHO vaccinates 4 million children in north-eastern Nigeria

    ImageFile: WHO vaccinates 4 million children in north-eastern NigeriaThe World Health Organization (WHO) has said it is kicking off a mass vaccination campaign to protect more than 4 million children against a measles outbreak in conflict-affected states in north-eastern Nigeria this week.

    The two-week campaign, which starts on 13 January, will target all children aged from 6 months to 10 years in accessible areas in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

    “This measles vaccination campaign is an emergency intervention to protect more than 4 million children against a highly contagious and sometimes deadly disease,” says Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu, WHO Representative in Nigeria.

    From early September to 18 December 2016, WHO-established Early Warning, Alert and Response System (EWARS) reported more than 1500 suspected measles cases in Borno State alone. More than 77% of children aged less than 5 years in Borno State have never received the measles vaccine and this is the age group where most cases have occurred, the EWARS report stated.

    “Massive disruption to health services in conflict-affected areas for many years has deprived these children of essential childhood vaccinations. In addition, many of them have severe malnutrition, making them extremely vulnerable to serious complications and death from measles,” the Nigerian WHO representative said.

    WHO is supporting the 3 state Primary Healthcare Development Agencies (PHCDA) to prepare for the campaign; working with partners including UNICEF, the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other health nongovernmental organizations.

    The Borno State Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and partners, has already vaccinated more than 83,000 children aged 6 months to 15 years living in camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) where measles cases had been reported, with WHO saying these campaigns have started to show results, with a reduction of measles cases around the camps.

    Measles is a highly contagious, serious disease that is one of the leading causes of death in young children. In 2015, there were more than 134,000 measles deaths globally; most of them were in children aged less than 5 years.

    The humanitarian crisis caused by conflict in Borno State has resulted in more than 1.4 million IDPs living in more than 100 camps, amongst a host population of about 4.3 million people.

    During 2000-2015, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 20.3 million deaths making measles vaccination one of the best buys in public health.