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Tag: disease

  • [Video] Celine Dion cancels show due to incureable disease

    [Video] Celine Dion cancels show due to incureable disease

    54-year-old singer, Celine Dion, has revealed, that she is suffering from an incurable disease called, Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), which causes her muscles to tense uncontrollably.

    The condition leaves sufferers as “human statues” as it progressively locks the body into rigid positions, ultimately leaving people unable to walk or talk.

    While there is no cure for the condition, there are treatments to slow down the progression, with Celine revealing she is doing all she can to minimise symptoms.

    In a tearful Instagram post shared today, Celine revealed it has forced her to cancel her European show.

    Celine Dion said: “Hello everyone, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to reach out to you. I miss you all so much and can’t wait to be on stage talking to you in person.

    “As you know I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before but I’m ready now.

    “I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time and it’s been really difficult for me to face my challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through.

    “Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff person syndrome which affects one in a million people.

    “While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all the spasms I’ve been having.

    “Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal chords to sing the way I’m used to.

    “It hurts me to tell you today that this means I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.

    “I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children who are supporting me and giving me help.

    “I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again but I have to admit it’s been a struggle.

    “All I know is singing. It’s what I’ve done all my life and it’s what I love to do the most.

    “I miss you so much. I miss seeing all of you being on the stage performing for you. I always give 100 percent when I do my show but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now.

    “For me to reach you again I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment and I have hope that I’m on the road to recovery.

    “This is my focus and I’m doing everything I can to recuperate.

    “I want to thank you so much for your wishes and love and support on my social media. This means a lot to me. Take care of yourselves. Be well. I love you guys so much and I really hope I can see you again real soon.”

    Celine first hinted at her health woes in January when she cancelled the North American dates of her Courage world tour from March 9 to April 22.

    She was forced to scrap the shows by “severe and persistent muscle spasms,” according to a press release posted to her website.

    The announcement came three months after she had to cancel the start of her Las Vegas comeback residency over the same health issue.

    A statement on her website said that Celine “recently has been treated for severe and persistent muscle spasms which are preventing her from performing, and her recovery is taking longer than she hoped.”

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  • How to avoid 80% of heart-related diseases

    How to avoid 80% of heart-related diseases

    The Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) says 80 per cent of premature deaths from heart diseases can be addressed if tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, and air pollution are controlled.

    Addressing a news conference in Lagos on behalf of the NHF, Mrs Dolapo Coker, Member, Nutrition Committee of the foundation, stressed the need to address carbon emissions by the government to reduce cardiovascular diseases.

    The briefing was to commemorate 2022 World Heart Day.

    World Heart Day is marked annually on Sept. 20 to raise awareness about Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD), their management, as well as their toll on the society.

    The theme of the 2022 World Heart Day is ‘Use heart for every heart”.

    Coker, a former President of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, said that heart diseases remained the number one cause of death worldwide, claiming 18.6 million lives per year.

    She said that the World Heart Foundation (WHF) was calling for urgent action on climate change and health inequity, saying millions more lives now at risk from cardiovascular disease, “which is still the world’s biggest killer.”

    “The year 2022 has seen historic heat waves and, with climate change disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations, we can expect a further widening of the gap in global cardiovascular healthcare equity.

    “Climate change and related air pollution is already responsible for 25% of all deaths from cardiovascular disease, killing 7 million people annually.

    Quoting Prof. Fausto Pinto, President of WHF, Coker said: “Millions of already vulnerable people are doubly exposed to extreme weather events and limited access to healthcare.

    “World leaders must step up efforts on the two biggest threats of our time – climate change and global health inequity.”

    Coker said that working hand in hand with the World Health Organisation (WHO), WHF was calling on governments, civil society, and global industry to meet net-zero targets, to tackle global warming and curb air pollution, and deliver healthcare access for all.

    “A new global survey by WHF highlights the global concern surrounding the link between climate change and cardiovascular disease with climate change and air pollution ranked as the third most serious issues in relation to cardiovascular health among the respondents.

    “The survey also revealed that awareness of healthcare inequality is growing: in reply to a question about which global issues affected cardiovascular disease the most the second.

    “The second most common answer was social inequality and access to healthcare.

    “WHF is also urging healthcare providers to help improve cardiovascular health and prevent CVD mortality by issuing regular reminders to at-risk groups about the dangers of extreme weather events, including tips on managing excessive heat events.”

    She commended all partners in the fight against heart diseases and promotion of healthy lifestyles in Nigeria.

    In his goodwill message, Mr Foluso Ogunwale, the Chief Executive Officer, I Fitness, who described the heart as most important organ in the body, decried prevalence of harmful lifestyles and physical inactivity among many Nigerians.

    “If the heart is that much important, it means that at one point we need to match the brake and examine how we live over lives so that we can perhaps live a happy and healthier life.

    “The issue of physical health, physical exercise, and the issue of nutrition and harmful lifestyles that potentially cause heart diseases can be addressed,” Ogunwale said.

    Another NHF’s partner, Quest Oil Group, said that the issue of heart health was a concern to the firm, hence the commitment to address carbon emissions to reduce heart risks.

    Its Corporate Communications and Branding Manager, Mr. Gerald Moore, said: “For us at Quest Oil, we believe that good health is good business and that is why we innovatively changed the energy mix that we provide our customers.

    “We now have different systems that can change from fuel to gas. We have gas as our transition fuel. We also provide LPG which is cleaner fuel.

    “We also started something innovative in our stations, which is to replace the existing fuel generators with the solar power system.

    “We believe that will significantly reduce the carbon emissions and give out stakeholders the opportunity for a better health,’ Moore said.

    In her remarks, wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said it was extremely important that people desist from unhealthy lifestyles to build heathy population which in turn would enhance productivity in the state.

    Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Mrs Patience Ogunnubi, Member, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, said that the increase in the statistics of cardiovascular disease called for comprehensive approach and strategy.

    “This is to ensure that people are aware of the serious threat that the disease posed.”

    She advised people to embrace deliberate lifestyles and choice that can help to address the trend.

    NHF has outlined a month-long activities to mark the 2022 World Heart Day which includes bike a Heart Route (cycling rides), medical health talks and checks, walks, mini health exhibitions, distribution of fliers and i Fitness exercise.

    NAN

  • NCDC confirms additional 13 new cases of Lassa fever

    NCDC confirms additional 13 new cases of Lassa fever

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has confirmed 13 additional new cases of Lassa fever in seven days from five states,which were; Ondo, Edo, Kogi, Ebonyi and Imo.

    The NCDC in its epidemiological report made available on Monday, said that, since the beginning of 2022, 70 per cent of infections had come from three states: Ondo (31 per cent), Edo (26 per cent), and Bauchi (13 per cent).

    Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus. People usually become infected with the Lassa virus through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected rats – present in several West African countries where the disease is endemic.

    The virus could also be spread through infected bodily fluids.

    The public health agency said that the country had recorded 165 deaths in 17 states.

    The agency said,” In week 31 (Aug. 1 to 7), the number of new confirmed cases increased from 10 in week 30, 2022 to 13 cases. These were reported from Ondo, Edo, Kogi, Ebonyi and Imo states.

    “Cumulatively from week 1 to week 31, 2022, 165 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.8 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (23.1 per cent).

    “In total for 2022, 25 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 100 Local Government Areas.

    “Of all confirmed cases, 70 per cent are from Ondo (31 per cent), Edo (26 per cent), and Bauchi (13 per cent) States,”.

    The NCDC stated that the predominant age group affected were 21-30 years (Range. zero to 90 years, Median Age: 30 years.

    It said that the male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases was 1:0.8.

    “The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021.

    “No new Healthcare worker affected in the reporting week 31,” it said.

    The NCDC, however, said that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) had continued to coordinate the response activities at all levels.

    Recall that the number of suspected cases had increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021.

    Meanwhile, the agency did not state if there were any new Healthcare workers affected in reporting week 31.

    Lassa fever was first discovered in Nigeria when two missionary nurses became ill with the virus in 1969. Its name is derived from the village of Lassa, where it was first documented.

    Lassa fever is a viral infection carried by the multimammate rat Mastomys natalensis (M. natalensis).

    This is one of the most common rodents in equatorial Africa, found across much of sub-Saharan Africa.

    Lassa fever mainly occurs in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria. However, the Mastomys rat is common in neighbouring countries, so these areas are also at risk.

    Once a Mastomys rat is infected with the virus, it can excrete trusted sources of the virus in its faeces and urine, potentially for the rest of its life.

    As a result, the virus can spread easily, especially as the rats breed rapidly and can inhabit human homes.

    The most common method of transmission is by consuming or inhaling rat urine or faeces. It can also be spread through cuts and open sores.

    The rats live in and around human habitation, and they often come into contact with foodstuffs. Sometimes people eat the rats, and the disease can be spread during their preparation.

    Person-to-person contact is possible via blood, tissue, secretions or excretions, but not through touch. Sharing needles may spread the virus, and there are some reports of sexual transmission.

    Lassa fever can also be passed between patients and staff at poorly equipped hospitals where sterilisation and protective clothing are not standard.

    Meanwhile, a new vaccine shows promise to fight the Lassa virus.

    Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have achieved success with a new vaccine developed to fight Lassa Virus, a pathogen that causes Lassa fever.

    Lassa fever is lethal in humans and nonhuman primates with a mortality rate as high as 70 per cent in hospitalized cases.

    As many as 500,000 people are infected each year in West Africa. Lassa fever may also induce serious long-lasting effects in survivors.

    As many as one-third of those infected suffer hearing loss or other neurological complications.

    The study, “A recombinant VSV-vectored vaccine rapidly protects nonhuman primates against heterologous lethal Lassa fever,” was published July 19 in Cell Reports.

    NAN

  • Lagos has highest cases of monkeypox in the country – NCDC

    Lagos has highest cases of monkeypox in the country – NCDC

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed 157 cases of Monkeypox across 26 states with Lagos having the highest number of cases in the country.

    This piece of information was made available by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in its latest Monkeypox situation report for week 30.

    The disease is endemic in Nigeria according to statistics by NCDC.

    Monkeypox is a rare viral zoonotic infectious disease transmitted from animals to humans that occur sporadically, primarily in remote villages of Central and West Africa near tropical rainforests.

    According to statistics made available by the agency ,January 1 to July 31, 2022, four deaths were recorded from four states – Delta (1), Lagos (1), Ondo (1) and Akwa Ibom (1).

    The report also revealed that there are at least 413 suspected cases of the disease in the country.

    It read in part, “There were 56 new suspected cases reported in Epi week 30, 2022 (July 25 to July 31, 2022) from 19 states – Ondo (13), Plateau (8), Lagos (6), Adamawa (4), Abia (3), Borno (3), Delta (2), Kano (3), Anambra (2), Bayelsa (2) , Kwara (2), Akwa Ibom (1), Gombe (1), Imo (1), Nasarawa (1), Osun (1), Oyo (1), Rivers (1) and Taraba (1).

  • I lived with a sickness no one around me understood – Adekunle Gold reveals

    I lived with a sickness no one around me understood – Adekunle Gold reveals

    Popular Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold has revealed he battled with sickle cell anemia from birth and how frustrating and painful it was at some point in his life.

    In an intimate letter to fans, Adekunle stated that at a stage, his family couldn’t afford the hospital bills so he had to endure the pain.

    He wrote: “It feels liberating to finally be able to share this part of my life with you, to finally be able to speak my truth. When I talk about how I struggled to get to where I am today, I need you to know that my struggle was real. I was born with sickle cell disease. It was life and death, it was physical, mental, financial, you name it and I went through it all. It was tough, painful, and frustrating. I lived with a sickness no one around me understood, I lived with restrictions all my childhood.

    “I wasn’t able to join some of the most minor child play and liberating activities like going out in the rain. The times when I insisted and rebelled against my parent’s orders and went out in the rain, I would end up having a crisis. The nights were painful and lonely, nights that no one could help me get through. It was just me, God, and my mind. The pains and shivers were unbearable.

    “They always came in the night, when my family had no means to transport me to a hospital. We simply couldn’t afford the constant hospital bills so I had no choice but to endure the pain.

    “My mum wanted me to be well, she did her best. She took me to all the churches she could find, I’m grateful for her because she saw a future for me.

    “A future where no illness or sickness could hold me back from my purpose. From the life, I was destined to live.

    “Sickle cell disease took away my freedom, my childhood. I lost friends, a lot of them. Some didn’t understand the restrictions and rules I had to live by, some just didn’t want to deal with my Illness or thought it was a nasty or contagious disease that they could catch. I was a burden for some. Living with sickle cell is far from living a normal life.

    “One of the most intense crises I had was at the age of 20, I remember laying in my bed in the middle of the night asking for an end to it all. I begged God to take my life away because I couldn’t understand what I did to deserve the pain my body and mind were under. As usual with sickle crisis after some days, the pain subsided and God asked me; “That end you begged me for, do you still want it?” Of course, I said no and that’s when everything changed for me. That’s when I realized that I had been given another opportunity to live my dreams and to show those that mocked me that sickle cell anemia was never going to end me, that it was never going to hold me back from my dreams and aspirations.

    “My body caves in once in a while, and some symptoms come back but what this disease has taught me is resilience. Sickle cell anemia gave me hope, made me tough, gave me the discipline I needed to be who I am today, and built my character. I mean I went through a whole 5 weeks of back-to-back performances and didn’t fall sick. Grace.

    “My mind and body were challenged and I’m stronger, more determined, and ready to take on the world. I’m ready for Adekunle Gold Supremacy, I’m ready to live and enjoy the 5 Star life that I deserve, that my body toiled for.

    “I’m sharing my testimony with you because I hope that you can find strength in my truth. Some ailments hold us back but I’m thankful this hasn’t. I want to encourage you in whatever it is you’re going through, know that there is hope. You are strong and you must not give up. YOU CAN DO THIS!

    “Victory lies at the end for you just as it did for me.

    “If you know anyone going through any struggle, physical, health, or mental. Be kind, and show compassion. In fact, be kind to everyone, you just never know what they’re dealing with privately. Be supportive, be gentle, and love endlessly.

    “If you are a sickler, know that the disease does not define you. Don’t allow it to limit your dreams or cap your potential. Spread your wings and dream big! Hope to see you soaring in the big skies.

    “All my love.”

  • MonkeyPox: Nigeria records 10 additional cases in 7 days – NCDC

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC ) has recorded 10 additional Monkeypox cases in the last seven days in the country.

    The NCDC disclosed this via it’s official website, in its latest monkeypox situation report released on Friday.

    As global monkeypox cases continue to rise, public-health officials and researchers are questioning whether the current outbreaks can be contained.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the situation was unlikely to escalate into a full-blown pandemic.

    But, there are now more than 1,000 confirmed infections, in nearly 30 countries where outbreaks do not usually occur.

    Countries including Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States have begun implementing a strategy called ‘ring vaccination,’ to try to halt the spread of the virus.

    This involves administering smallpox vaccines — which are thought to be effective against monkeypox, because, the viruses are related to people who have been exposed to monkeypox through close contact with an infected person.

    The Agency said that this was reported in epidemiological week 22, from  May 29 to June 5, 2022, in the country.

    It stated that between January 1 and June 5, the country had confirmed a total of 31 cases in 12 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The NCDC  also confirmed that no fewer than 110 suspected cases of the disease had been reported in the country, up from the previous 66 suspected cases.

    “From January 1 to 5 June, 2022, there have been 110 suspected cases in total and 31 confirmed cases from 12 states.

    They are: Adamawa 5, Lagos 6, River 3, Cross River 2, FCT 2, Kano 2, Delta 2, Bayelsa 2, Edo 2, Imo 2, Plateau 2, and Ondo 1.

    “One death was recorded in a 40-year old man, with co-morbidity that was receiving immunosuppressive drugs.

    “There were 10 new positive cases in Epi week 22, 2022, from six states – Edo 2, Rivers 2, Plateau 2, Lagos 2, Ondo 1 and Imo 1,” it said.

    Recall that cases of monkeypox,  a rare, little-known disease, are being investigated in European countries, including the UK, as well as in the US, Canada and Australia.

    In the UK, there have been more than 300 confirmed cases in recent weeks.

    Infections are usually mild and the risk to the general population is low, but the UK government has bought stocks of smallpox vaccine to guard against monkeypox.

    Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox, although it is much less severe and experts say chances of infection are low.

    It occurs mostly in remote parts of central and west African countries, near tropical rain forests.

    In those regions, there have been more than 1,200 cases of monkeypox since the start of the year.

    Two main strains of the virus, west African and Central African, are known to exist, and it’s the milder one from west Africa which is now circulating in other regions of the world.

    The unusually high numbers of people infected with monkeypox outside of Africa, with no travel links to the region, means the virus is now spreading in the communities.

  • Strange disease kills 6 in Kano

    Strange disease kills 6 in Kano

    The Kano state government on Monday confirmed that six persons died of a strange disease in Minjibir Local Government Area of the state.

    The Commissioner for Health of the state, Dr Aminu Ibrahim-Tsanyawa, who confirmed this said 46 other affected persons had been hospitalised.

    Ibrahim-Tsanyawa said the disease broke out in Gandun Koya village on May 7, and spread to adjourning communities.

    “The cause of the outbreak can be attributed to open defacation and poor sanitation in the communities.

    “The patients presented symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.

    “Six persons died of the disease, 28 were discharged and 18 others are still on admission,” he said.

    Ibrahim-Tsanyawa said the ministry had begun investigation to unravel the cause of the disease.

    While reiterating the commitment of the state government to awareness creation and preventive tips, Ibrahim-Tsanyawa, urged the people to keep a clean environment and maintain personal hygiene to control the disease.

  • NAFDAC unravels cause of strange disease in Kano State

    NAFDAC unravels cause of strange disease in Kano State

    The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has presented a preliminary result of clinical test it conducted of the substances that caused strange illnesses recently in the state.

    Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director General, presented the findings to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, on Wednesday in Kano.

    A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Abba Anwar, said Adeyeye informed the governor that some of the five substances tested were poisonous.

    She also said two of the five substances were not registered and were brought into the country illegally.

    “Some of those substances are poisonous. When one takes them, he or she would find it very difficult to breath normally. That is close to death.”

    Adeyeye said that the Agency was investigating the matter with all seriousness and had placed the operation of two companies on hold.

    “There are six directorates on the issue, engaged in trying to define coherent and scientific explanation to it. The substances have Citric Acid.

    “We also went to two companies that have the registered substances with them, though their substances are registered, but we still put them on hold to avoid certain things, until after our examination,” she added.

    The director general assured that when the final result is out, they would present it to the state government.

    She commended the State Consumer Protection Council for its unrelenting commitment in fighting the marketing of poisonous substances, fake and counterfeit drugs in the state.

    Adeyeye revealed that agency would establish a Coordinated Wholesale Centre for drugs, and is uilding a state office and a well equipped laboratory in Kano.

    In his remarks, Gov. Ganduje assured that the state government would partner with NAFDAC to keep the state and the country safer and healthy.

    “We appreciate your effort in working hand in hand with us in taming this strange illness in the state.

    “For now the source of those substances are known to the authorities: while we arrested many consignments, we are still combing our markets thoroughly,” he said.

    Ganduje said he was happy that the process of examining the substances was hastened by NAFDAC.

    The governor disclosed that state government is building a drug market at the new Dangwauro Modern market, to sanitise the drug procurement system.

    “The drug market there is almost completed. We have put in place at the drug market, offices of NAFDAC, NDLEA, Customs and Excise, among other relevant agencies.

    “We will not relent in our effort to control the drug market in the state,” he said.

    The NAFDAC boss was accompanied by the agency’s Director of Enforcement and Kano State Coordinator, as well as former President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ahmed Ibrahim-Yakasai, among others.

    The director general also presented an Award of Excellence to the governor for his commitment to the war against drug abuse in the state.

  • Lagos to build international infectious disease research centre

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled plans to construct an International Infectious Disease Research Centre at the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, as part of his administration’s response and infectious diseases preparedness in post-pandemic era.

     

    Sanwo-Olu stated this at the official inauguration of 150-bed Mainland Infectious Disease Isolation Centre donated by Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) to the state.

     

    The governor said his administration would also erect a purpose-built doctors’ quarters and permanent isolation wards to ramp up capacity for any infectious disease outbreak as part of the global master plan for the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba.

    Sanwo-Olu, however, noted that beyond putting up isolation facility for COVID-19 case management, it is important for citizens to understand the need to take responsibility against the pandemic.

     

    Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi clarified that the facility has a fully contained PCR laboratory, a routine laboratory, a bouquet of administrative and ancillary facilities, a water treatment plant, a waste management system and three power generators for case management.

     

    Managing Director Access Bank Plc Herbert Wigwe hailed the government and the governor for the timely and good response against the COVID-19 pandemic.

     

    Sanwo-Olu on Monday announced the discharge of 93 more Covid-19 patients from Lagos facilities to reunite with the society.

     

    They include 16 females and 77 males of which 11 are foreign nationals.

  • 15 feared dead as strange disease hits Benue

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it is investigating the outbreak of an unknown disease in Benue state.

    Chikwe Ihekweazu, director-general of NCDC, told NAN on Saturday the agency is taking steps to effectively manage the disease which is said to have killed 15 persons.

    Abba Moro, a senator from Benue, had reported the casualty figure at the floor of the senate. He also said more than 100 persons have been infected by the disease.

    Ihekweazu said water samples from affected areas have been been sent to the federal ministry of water resources for further analysis.

    He said samples tested at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory came out to be negative for major viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs), which refer to a group of diseases caused by viruses such as Ebola and Marburg, Lassa fever, and yellow fever.

    The NCDC DG also asked health workers to be on the alert over the disease while investigation continues.

    The disease was said to have been reported first on January 29 in Oye, Obi local government area of Benue.

    Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, had said medical examinations have not detected the exact ailment, “but there are indications suggesting that the chemical substance being used for fishing in the affected community could be responsible”.