Tag

Zoonotic

All articles tagged with #zoonotic

science1 month ago•23 min saved

Animal origin most likely for COVID-19, new review finds

Nature reports that, after years of work, SAGO’s independent assessment finds most peer‑reviewed evidence supports a zoonotic origin for SARS‑CoV‑2, with early transmission linked to the Huanan market, while there is no conclusive evidence for a lab‑leak. Four hypotheses were evaluated (animal spillover, import via goods, accidental lab-related event, deliberate manipulation); the lab‑leak option remains unsupported by decisive data, but substantial information is still needed. The report calls for enhanced data sharing, ongoing global surveillance, and rigorous science to resolve the virus’s origins beyond speculation.

via Nature|

#lab-leak #origins #sago

health2 months ago•323 min saved

Two Nipah cases in India spotlight a deadly, vaccineless virus

Two Nipah virus cases were confirmed in eastern India, according to the WHO. Nipah is a highly deadly zoonotic virus that can spread from animals (bats, pigs) and, with close contact, between people. Incubation is about 4–14 days and many patients can progress from flu‑like symptoms to severe neurological disease; there is no vaccine or specific treatment, so prevention focuses on reducing animal‑to‑human transmission and strict infection control. Nipah outbreaks occur mainly in parts of Asia, with Bangladesh often most affected, and globally there have been about 754 reported cases as of 2024.

via CNN|

#health #india-outbreak #nipah-virus

health-disease-outbreak2 years ago•2 min saved

"Rising Concern: Bird Flu Outbreaks Prompt Urgent Action"

The World Health Organization has expressed deep concern over the spread of H5N1 bird flu to new species, including humans, with an "extraordinarily high" mortality rate. The virus has infected tens of millions of poultry, wild birds, and even cows and goats, posing a global zoonotic animal pandemic. While there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission, the mortality rate for those infected is 52 percent. Efforts are underway to develop vaccines and therapeutics, and there is a call for enhanced monitoring and equitable access to medical resources.

via Barron's|

#bird-flu #h5n1 #health-disease-outbreak

health2 years ago•2 min saved

"First Human Death from Alaskapox Virus Linked to Stray Cat Exposure"

An elderly man in Alaska has become the first reported fatality from Alaskapox, a recently discovered virus related to smallpox, cowpox, and mpox. The man, who had a suppressed immune system due to cancer treatment, lived in a remote area and had no recent travel history or close contacts with similar illnesses. The virus may be zoonotic, potentially transmitted from animals to humans, and health officials found evidence of infection in small mammals in the area. While the virus's transmission remains unclear, health authorities recommend precautions such as covering skin lesions, washing hands thoroughly, and following federal health guidelines when around wildlife to prevent potential infections.

via The Hill|

#akpv #alaskapox #elderly-man

health2 years ago•4 min saved

"Alaskapox: Understanding the First Human Fatality from the Novel Virus"

An elderly man in Alaska has become the first recorded patient to die from Alaskapox, a virus belonging to the orthopoxvirus family that is thought to spread from small rodents to humans. Symptoms include skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes, and joint and muscle pain, with no documented human-to-human transmission. The man, who was immunocompromised, was thought to have been infected after being scratched by a stray cat. Health officials recommend covering lesions, practicing good hand hygiene, and avoiding sharing cloth and linen with others. The virus is confined to Alaska, but the recent fatality suggests it may have spread more widely within the state.

via Daily Mail|

#alaska #alaskapox #health

health2 years ago•2 min saved

"First Reported Death from Alaskapox Virus in Alaska"

An elderly man in Alaska has become the first reported fatality from the recently discovered Alaskapox virus, with symptoms related to smallpox, cowpox, and mpox. The man, who had a suppressed immune system due to cancer treatment, lived in a remote area and had no recent travel history. It is suspected that the virus may be zoonotic, potentially transmitted from animals to humans, with evidence of infection found in small mammals in the area. Health officials recommend precautions such as covering skin lesions, washing hands thoroughly, and following federal health guidelines when around wildlife to prevent potential Alaskapox infections.

via The Associated Press|

#akpv #alaskapox #elderly-man

health2 years ago•9 min saved

"Unveiling the Next Pandemic: 4 Lethal Viruses and Global Preparedness"

A new study published in the British Medical Journal warns that deaths from zoonotic viruses, which spill over from animals to humans, are projected to increase 12-fold by 2050 due to climate change and habitat encroachment. The study focuses on four lethal viruses: filoviruses (Ebola and Marburg), SARS, Nipah virus, and the Machupo virus. These viruses have the potential to cause the next pandemic and are responsible for a combined death toll of over 15,000 annually by 2050. The researchers emphasize the need for urgent action, including early detection and intervention, as well as maintaining and improving surveillance systems built during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also highlight the importance of individual actions to reduce climate change and mitigate the risk of future pandemics.

via Fortune|

#climate-change #health #pandemic