Best Cancer Prevention

Health researchers forecast and call for immediate action against cancer prevention which was projected to rise by 50% before the year 2040.

It was noted that millions of these future cases could be prevented through effective interventions targeting key risk factors such as reducing tobacco and alcohol use, expanding vaccination programmes, improving air quality, and ensuring workplace safety. 

This call comes in response to research from the World Health Organization (WHO), which reveals that four in 10 cancer cases worldwide are preventable. 

The study from the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) analysed data across 185 countries, identifying 30 modifiable risk factors behind cancer development.

The analysis shows a massive, missed opportunity: in 2022 alone, roughly 7.1 million of the 18.7 million new global cancer diagnoses could have been prevented through lifestyle changes, robust public health policies, and environmental improvements.

“Millions continue to develop cancers that need never have occurred,” the report states, highlighting a critical pathway for health systems to reduce suffering and save lives through targeted prevention.

Tobacco remains the leading cause, responsible for 15 per cent of all new cancers globally, signalling a need for even stronger control measures. 

It is followed by infectious agents at 10 per cent, and alcohol consumption at three per cent.

The research marked a significant advancement by incorporating infectious causes alongside behavioural and environmental factors for the first time in a global cancer analysis. 

This holistic approach revealed that viruses and bacteria play a substantial role in cancer development, particularly in regions with limited access to vaccines and treatments to prevent the infections.

Three cancer types accounted for the majority of preventable cases. 

Lung cancer, primarily driven by smoking and air pollution, topped the list. 

Stomach cancer, largely caused by Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection, ranked second. 

Cervical cancer, overwhelmingly linked to human papillomavirus infection, came third.

Each of these cancers has well-established prevention pathways that remain underutilised in many parts of the world.

Men bear a significantly higher load, with 45 per cent of their new cases deemed preventable compared to 30 per cent for women. 

Smoking alone drives roughly 23 per cent of all new cancer cases in men. 

For women, infections are the leading preventable cause (11 per cent of cases), 

dominated by HPV-related cervical cancer, a disease that vaccination could virtually eliminate.

Regional variations highlighted how different populations face distinct cancer risks based on their environments, behaviours, and access to preventive services, underscoring the need for tailored prevention strategies rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.

Kenya recorded 44,726 new cancer cases in 2022, with breast, cervical, prostate, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers being the most common.

Notably, nine women die every day from cervical cancer, a disease that could be virtually eliminated through HPV vaccination and screening programmes. Women face disproportionate cancer risk in Kenya, and reproductive cancers account for nearly a quarter of all cancer deaths in the country.

Beyond the major risk factors, the study identified additional modifiable causes, including excess body weight, physical inactivity, ultraviolet radiation exposure, air pollution, and occupational hazards such as asbestos exposure. Each represents an actionable target for intervention.

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How To Get Rid Of Your Asthma Attack

Asthma attack, also called an Asthma exacerbation, the airways become swollen and inflamed. 

The muscles around the airways contract and the airways produce extra mucus, causing the breathing (bronchial) tubes to narrow.

During an attack, you may cough, wheeze and have trouble breathing. 

Symptoms of a minor Asthma attack get better with prompt home treatment. 

A severe Asthma attack that doesn't improve with home treatment can become a life-threatening emergency.

Symptoms

Asthma attack signs and symptoms include:

• Severe shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, and coughing or wheezing
• Low peak expiratory flow (PEF) readings, if you use a peak flow meter
• Symptoms that fail to respond to use of a quick-acting (rescue) inhaler

Causes

An overly sensitive immune system makes your airways (bronchial tubes) become inflamed and swollen when you're exposed to certain triggers.  Common Asthma attack include:

• Pollen, pets, mold and dust mites
• Upper respiratory infections
• Tobacco smoke
• Inhaling cold, dry air
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Stress

For many people, Asthma symptoms get worse with respiratory infections, such as those caused by the Common.

Some people have Asthma flare-ups caused by something in their work environment. 

Sometimes, there isn't an apparent cause for an Asthma attack.

Risk factors

Anyone who has Asthma is at risk of an Asthma attack. You may be at increased risk of a serious Asthma attack if:

• You've had a severe Asthma attack in the past
• You've previously been admitted to the hospital or had to go to the emergency room for Asthma
• You've previously required intubation for an Asthma attack
• You use more than two quick-acting (rescue) inhalers a month
• Your Asthma attacks tend to sneak up on you before you notice symptoms have worsened
• You have other chronic health conditions, such as sinusitis or Nasal Polyps, or cardiovascular or chronic lung disease

Complications

Asthma attacks can be serious. They can:

• Interrupt everyday activities such as sleep, school, work and exercise, causing a significant impact on your quality of life — and can disrupt the lives of those around you.
• Send you to the emergency room, which can be stressful and costly.
• Lead to respiratory arrest and death.

Prevention

The best way to avoid an Asthma attack is to make sure your Asthma is well controlled.

While you may not be able to eliminate your risk of an Asthma attack, you're less likely to have one if your current treatment keeps your Asthma under control. 

Take your inhaled medications as prescribed in your written Asthma plan.

These preventive medications treat the airway inflammation that causes Asthma signs and symptoms. 

Taken on a daily basis, these medications can reduce or eliminate Asthma flare-ups and your need to use a quick-acting inhaler.

See your doctor if you're following your Asthma action plan but still have frequent or bothersome symptoms or low peak flow readings.

These are signs your Asthma isn't well controlled, and you need to work with your doctor to change your treatment.

If your Asthma symptoms flare up when you have a cold or the flu, take steps to avoid an asthma attack by watching your lung function and symptoms and adjusting your treatment as needed. 

Be sure to reduce exposure to your allergy triggers, and wear a face mask when exercising in cold weather.

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Measles Vaccine Likely To Be Ineffective In Children Born By Caesarean Section - New Study

Measles is an acute viral respiratory illness. It is characterized by a prodrome of fever (as high as 105°F) and malaise, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis -the three “C”s -, a pathognomonic enanthema (Koplik spots) followed by a maculopapular rash. The rash usually appears about 14 days after a person is exposed.

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Major Causes Of Chronic Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease which affect most people of all ages. It is usually caused by inflammation and muscle tightening around the airways which causes difficulties in breathing. 

Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Despite a wealth of available treatments to control the symptoms of chronic asthma, the lung disease has no cure. The discovery of an unexpected cause of asthma could change that.

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Consuming Watermelon Can Eradicate Diabetes

Watermelon contains more of natural sweetened components which is surely usually safe for someone with diabetes to consume as part of their diet.

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Causes And Treatment Of Consistent Stomach Aches

It's of no more concern when you have stomach upset because it's often a norms to take normal medication to stop the slight upset. 

But when the aches is becoming quite often then it can be a sign that something inside your body is not functioning properly.

The cause can be anything from gas or a pulled muscle or an internal infection. 

If you get stomach upset often, or they hurt a lot or don’t go away, you may need to see your doctor.

Likely Symptoms With Stomach Aches

Always be mindful of your consumption, watch what you take or eat. When you notice a consistent in your stomach upset within the period of 24 to 48 hours, then you need to immediately see your doctor.

When you have the symptoms of the following 

• Chest pain (get medical attention immediately)
• Bloating that lasts more than a few days
• Bloody or dark stools
• Vomiting blood or dark sticky materials
• Unexpected weight loss
• Difficulties in swallowing
• Diarrhea for more than five days
• Prolonged vaginal bleeding
• Fever over 100 degrees
• Burning sensation when you urinate or frequent urination

Any of the afformentioned conditions could indicate a more serious underlying cause that requires immediate medical attention.

Common Causes of Stomach Upset

The most common causes of stomach upset can be classified into three categories: digestive problems, inflammation and female reproduction.

• Digestive problems: If you experience abdominal pain after you eat, you may have indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, food allergies or food poisoning.
• Inflammation: Painful irritation or infection in your organs can be caused by inflammation from the stomach flu, a peptic ulcer, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), gallstones, pancreatitis or a urinary tract infection.
• Female reproduction: Female abdonimal pain related to the reproductive cycle could be from menstrual cramps, ovulation or inflammation in the reproductive organs

Ways to prevent stomach pain

Some stomach pains are unavoidable because they can be a symptom of a serious medical condition that’s developed over time.

When you know the pain is related to eating or physical activity, you can take steps to prevent it. 

The below guide you to prevent it

Change your eating habits

• Eat more slowly
• Take smaller bites
• Have several small meals throughout the day instead of one or two large meals
• Avoid eating things that upset your stomach such as spicy foods, dairy products or foods that cause gas
• Drink plenty of clear fluids, especially if you’re prone to urinary tract infections, constipation or kidney stones

Use good judgment when you exercise

• See your doctor before beginning any new exercise program
• Always stretch before and after physical activity
• Start slow and know your physical limitations
• Build up your pace and intensity gradually over time
• Stay hydrated before, during and after exercise

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New Analysis Confirms World To Experience Upsurge of Cholera Outbreak

Cholera still remains one of the dangerous disease in the human environment.

The inadequate cases reported to WHO in the previous years were more than double of those in 2021. 

Forty-four countries had reported cases, a 25% rise from the 35 countries that reported cases in 2021.

There were more outbreaks, but the outbreaks were larger than expected. 

Seven countries, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Nigeria, Somalia, Syrian Arab Republic have each reported over 10,000 confirmed cases. 

The larger the outbreak, the harder it is to place under control.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that spreads through contaminated Food and Water containing the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. 

It is closely linked to the lack of adequate safe water and sanitation, due to underdevelopment, poverty and conflict. 

Climate change is also a factor in this upsurge as extreme climate events like floods, droughts etc trigger new outbreaks and doubled the existing ones.

Current data for 2023 suggest that this global upsurge is continuing if not quickly addressed. 

Twenty-four countries are currently reporting active outbreaks, with some countries in the midst of acute crises.

The increased demand for cholera materials has been a challenge for disease control efforts globally. 

Since October 2022, the International Coordinating Group (ICG) has suspended the standard two-dose vaccination regimen in cholera outbreak response campaigns, using instead of a single-dose approach.    

WHO is supporting countries to respond to cholera outbreaks on an emergency footing through the strengthening of public health surveillance, case management, and prevention measures; providing essential medical supplies; coordinating field deployments with partners; and supporting risk communication and community engagement.

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Tunisia Head Coach Mondher Kebaier, Captain Wahbi Khazri, 11 Others Test Positive For COVID

The Eagles of Tunisia will likely be forced to play team B against the Super Eagles of Nigeria when both country face each other on Sunday’s round of 16 match at the ongoing African Cup of Nations.

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How to know if You Are Omicron Variant Positive or Delta Variant Positive

The sudden emergence of the coronavirus variants have wreaked havoc than expected. The presence of the COVID's Delta variant was one of the sole reasons behind the second wave in some countries,

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Mutant Covid-19 Variant Emerge in Australia

A second case of the South African Covid-19 variant has been confirmed in a recent returnee overseas traveller in Queensland.

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First Covid Vaccine Approved by China

China approves its first coronavirus vaccine for the general public, it was developed by an affiliate of the state Sinopharm, although the pharmaceutical giant has not publicly released its detailed efficacy data.

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How To Keep Safe From Getting Infected With The New Variant Virus

 

 

In case you have forgotten, Remember Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease which is caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.

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Russia Hits Third-Worst Covid-19 Death Toll

 Close to 200 thousand Russian citizens have died due to Coronavirus, this indicate a surge of triple figure as earlier reported.

 

 

Coronavirus death toll has triple the previous number reported earlier which makes it higher, making the country have the third-largest number of fatalities.

In the previous months, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has boasted about Russia’s low fatality rate from the virus, saying earlier this month that it had done a better job at managing the pandemic than western countries.

But since early in the pandemic, some Russian experts have said the government was playing down the country’s outbreak.

On Monday, Russian officials admitted that was true. The Ros-stat statistics agency said that the number of deaths from all causes recorded between January and November had risen by 229,700 compared with the previous year.

“More than 81% of this increase in mortality over this period is due to Covid,” said the deputy prime minister, Tatiana Golikova, meaning that more than 186,000 Russians have died from Covid-19.

Russian health officials have registered more than 3m infections since the start of the pandemic, putting the country’s caseload at fourth-highest in the world.

But they have only reported 55,265 deaths – a much lower fatality rate than in other badly hit countries.

Russia has been criticised for only listing Covid deaths where an autopsy confirms the virus was the main cause.

Alexei Raksha, a demographer who left Rosstat in July, told AFP last week that the Russian health ministry and the consumer health ministry falsify coronavirus numbers.

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Rosstat’s new figures mean that Russia now has the world’s third-highest Covid-19 death toll behind the US with 333,140 and Brazil with 191,139, according to an AFP count.

Russian authorities are holding out against reimposing a nationwide lockdown. The Kremlin hopes to buttress the struggling economy even as the country is battered by a second wave of infections.

Russia’s government predicts the economy will shrink by 3.9% this year, while its central bank expects an even deeper decline.

During his end-of-year press conference earlier this month, Putin rejected the idea of imposing the kind of lockdown many European countries introduced going into the Christmas holidays.

“If we follow the rules and demands of health regulators, then we do not need any lockdowns,” he said.

While strict measures have been imposed in some big cities, authorities in many regions have limited restrictions to mask-wearing in public spaces and reducing mass gatherings.

But many Russians flout social distancing rules, and in recent weeks the country’s outbreak has overwhelmed poorly funded hospitals in the regions.

Russia has instead pinned its hopes on corralling its outbreak by vaccinating people with its Sputnik V jab, named after the Soviet-era satellite.

The country launched a mass vaccination programme earlier this month, first inoculating high-risk workers aged 18-60 without chronic illnesses.

Over the weekend, the over-60s got the green light to receive the shot.

On Monday, Sputnik V’s developer, the state-run Gamaleya research centre, said that around 700,000 doses had so far been released for domestic use.

However, Russia has not said how many people it has vaccinated so far, and according to recent surveys by state-run polling company VCIOM and the Levada polling agency only 38% of Russians plan to get the shot.

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United States Missed Chances To Slow Covid19

The United States government undestimate how much the coronavirus was spreading from Europe, which had helped to drive the speed of outbreaks across, a top health official said Friday.

The limited testing and delayed travelling alerts for areas outside China contributed immensely to the rise in the U.S. cases, starting in late February, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, the No. 2 official at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We clearly didn’t recognize the full importations that were happening,” Schuchat told The Associated Press.

The coronavirus was first reported late last year in China, the initial epicenter of the global pandemic. But the U.S. has since become the hardest-hit nation, with about a third of the world's reported cases and more than a quarter of the deaths.

The CDC on Friday published an article, authored by Schuchat, that looked back on the U.S. response, re-capping some of the major decisions and events of the last few months. It suggests the nation’s top public health agency missed opportunities to slow the spread. 

Some public health experts saw it as important assessment by one of the nation's most respected public health doctors.

The CDC is responsible for the recognition, tracking and prevention of just such a disease. But the agency has had a low profile during this pandemic, with White House officials controlling communications and leading most press briefings.

“The degree to which CDC’s public presence has been so diminished ... is one of the most striking and frankly puzzling aspects of the federal government’s response,” said Jason Schwartz, assistant professor of health policy at the Yale School of Public Health.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly celebrated a federal decision, announced on Jan. 31, to stop entry into the U.S. of any foreign nationals who....... CONTINUE READING

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How Three Airline Crew ‘Disappeared’ From Quarantine Centre

Three out of the 17 pilots and flight attendants who flew the 14 Medical Chinese doctors and the medical supplies from China to Nigeria on Wednesday have boycotted the Lagos quarantine centre provided by the Lagos State Government, investigations by Sunday PUNCH have revealed.

The crew, who flew Air Peace Boeing 777-200ER jumbo jet from China, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The 17 pilots and flight attendants were on Wednesday proceeded to Lagos to be quarantined by the Lagos State Government in line with agreement with the Ministry of Health and the carrier’s management. 

The Chinese medical personnel were quarantined in Abuja.

Air Peace partnered the Federal Government to ferry the 14-member Chinese medical team and medical supplies from China to Nigeria.

The Chinese team brought about 16 tons of test kits, ventilators, disinfecting machine, disposable medical masks, 95 masks, medications, gloves, protective gowns, goggles, face shields, infra-red thermometers and others.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who was at the airport to receive the Chinese doctors and their supplies, said the team would be quarantined for two weeks.

He said, “They knew that before they came and have undergone tests before they left their country.

“Nevertheless, they will be in quarantine for 14 days. The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control has gone to see where they will be quarantined.”

Ehanire added: “The equipment (they brought) will assist a lot to fill some existing gaps. We now have 50 more ventilators.”

However, Sunday PUNCH investigation showed that the flight crew members disagreed with Port Health Services officials on duty at Lagos airport over the 14-day compulsory quarantine.

Port Health Services is a unit of the Ministry of Health that screens arriving and departing passengers of infectious diseases especially COVID-19.

On arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 10pm on Wednesday, the flight crew initially refused to be quarantined.

Ministry of Health sources confirmed that the pilots and cabin crew members claimed their management did not inform them of the 14-day compulsory quarantine.

As such, the flight personnel initially refused to follow the port health officials to the quarantine centre provided by the Lagos State Government.

There was subsequently a heated exchange that lasted for about three hours over the 14-day compulsory quarantine between the crew and the port health officials.

After several calls by the port health officials on duty to top officials of the Ministry of Health in Abuja as well as top officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the crew members bowed to pressure and agreed to go to the quarantine centre at about 1am.

On arriving the Scholars Lodge at the University of Lagos where the state government had prepared for the crew to be quarantine around 2am, another debate ensued over the type of the apartment provided.

The crew members insisted that they wanted a single-user apartment for each member of the crew instead of the two-bedroom apartment meant to be shared by two persons which the state provided.

Top health officials told Sunday PUNCH the crew asked officers on duty to take them to another facility as the apartments were not the type they wanted.  This debate, it was learnt, went on for another three hours till about 5 am before the crew finally agreed to stay at the centre.

Meanwhile, before the crew departed the Lagos airport, one of the 17 crew members had escaped and left apparently for his house, unknown to the port health officials.

This was not discovered until Thursday evening when a head count was conducted at the quarantine centre.

It was also at this time officials discovered that two out of the 16 crew members brought to the Scholars Lodge had also escaped.

Findings by Sunday PUNCH revealed that the Ministry of Health and Lagos State Government had reached out to the management of the airline over the whereabouts of the two crew members.

As of the time of filing this report, it had yet to be ascertained where the two crew members were.

When contacted on Friday, the Director, Port Health Services, Ministry of Health, Dr Morenike Alex-Okoh, in her reaction, said she was not authorised to speak on the matter. She directed our correspondent to the minister of health or the health ministry’s permanent secretary.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Abdullahi Mashi, confirmed the development but noted that the cabin crew members who left the quarantine centre had returned to the facility, saying “they are back now.”

Asked further about the health risks of the crew leaving the quarantine, having met several other contacts during that period, Mashi said, “They are back, it is left for the Lagos State surveillance team to work on that. They will do the needful. The important thing is that they are back.”

Air Peace also confirmed the development but did not explain the reasons the crew members left the facility.

The Chief Operating Officer, Air Peace, Mrs Toyin Olajide, in a terse message to Sunday PUNCH said, “All crew are back in the quarantine facility, including the engineer.”

Asked when the crew members returned to the facility, she said “Friday afternoon.”

She did not give reasons the crew left the quarantine facility.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogunye, when contacted on the matter, confirmed the development but noted that all the 17 pilots and flight attendants were back in the facility.

Ogunye, who spoke through the spokesperson for the state health ministry, Mr Tubosun Ogubanwo, said, “The state government has reached out to all the 17 pilots and flight attendants through the Epidemiology and Surveillance Team on COVID-19. So, all 17 of them are now together.”

Asked further on the health implications of the crew leaving the quarantine centre and returning after about 24 hours, Ogunye said, “What I want you to know is that the state government has reached out to them and necessary action has been taken. I believe the team is in charge of it.”

CREDIT:

PUNCH

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Top Myth To Note On Coronavirus (COVID-19)

There are different myths that exist on the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) causing serious havoc globally.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on its website and Twitter shatters 15 of such myths.

Here are the top myth stated by WHO

Myth 1:

COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates.

From the evidence so far, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather. Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

Myth 2

Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new coronavirus.

There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather. The most effective way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is by frequently cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water.

Myth 3

Taking a hot bath does not prevent the new coronavirus disease.

Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

Myth 4

The new coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito bites.

To date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Also, avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.

Myth 5

Are hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus?

No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the 2019-nCoV. To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.

Myth 6

Can an ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the new coronavirus?

UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.

Myth 7

How effective are thermal scanners in detecting people infected with the new coronavirus?

Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature) because of infection with the new coronavirus.

However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever. This is because it takes between 2 and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.

Myth 8

Can spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kill the new coronavirus?

No. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.

Myth 9

Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus?

No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.

The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts.

Although these vaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.

Myth 10

Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?

No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.

There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.

Myth 11

Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?

Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

Myth 12
Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible?

People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.

WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.

Myth 13

Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?

No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.

The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.

However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.

Myth 14

Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus?

To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care. Some specific treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range or partners.

Myth 15

COVID-19 is airborne

No. The coronavirus is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.

To protect yourself: keep one metre distance from others, disinfect surfaces frequently, wash/rub your Open hands and avoid touching your Eyes

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Coronavirus: Cameroon Records First Death

Cameroon’s government on Tuesday announced the country’s first death due to coronavirus, saying the victim had returned from Italy and was already infected on his arrival.

“Unfortunately we have registered our first death due to COVID-19,” Health Minister Malachie Manaouda said on Twitter.

The official count of coronavirus cases in the Central African nation has risen to 66. But the figures are restricted by the limited laboratory capacity for testing.

Throughout Africa, more than 2,000 coronavirus cases had been declared at 1700 GMT Tuesday, according to an AFP toll.

The Cameroon government has already taken measures to stem the spread of the virus, closing schools, restaurants, and bars but has not so far sought to confine residents to their homes.

Italy is the worst-hit country with over 6,000 deaths attributed to coronavirus.

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Spain Turns Ice Rink Into a Morgue as Coronavirus Deaths Increase

 

Bodies of people who have died of Covid-19 are now being transported by the country's emergency military unit to the Palacio de Hielo, or Ice Palace, in Madrid's Hortaleza neighborhood, the Madrid regional president's office told CNN on Tuesday.

The regional government said this was a "temporary and extraordinary measure" designed to "lessen the pain of the families of the victims and the situation that's being recorded in Madrid's hospitals."

Spain has the fourth highest number of confirmed cases worldwide -- after China, Italy and the US and the third highest number of deaths. The country has confirmed 39,673 cases and 2,696 deaths, the prime minister's office said Tuesday.

The Madrid municipal funeral service, a major provider in the city, announced in a statement on Monday it would stop collecting the bodies of Covid-19 victims, because its workers don't have sufficient protective material. The service manages 14 cemeteries, two funeral parlors and two crematoriums in Madrid.

The funeral service said that cremations, burials and other services for coronavirus victims would continue as normal, but only if the bodies are "sent by other funeral services businesses in a closed coffin."

Madrid is one of the epicenters of the epidemics in Spain. The president of the Madrid region, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, said last week that the city expects 80% of its population to get Covid-19. "They will have mild symptoms," she told a local radio, but added that the illness will be a problem for the city's vulnerable population, which is around 15% of people.

Members of the Spanish army's military emergency unit disinfect the Palacio de Hielo.

Spain has been locked down and in a state of emergency since Friday March 13. The period was initially expected to last 15 days, but Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Sunday that the state of emergency could be extended for further 14 days. The parliament will debate the motion on Wednesday.

Emergency hospitals have been set up across the country, while residents have been ordered to stay indoors apart from for essential trips, and normally busy streets are deserted.

A new government order has come into effect on Tuesday, ordering senior citizens homes to inform the government if they have any deceased people that they are unable to move out of the residence.

The order appeared to be issued in reaction to reports in Spanish media that quoted the country's defense minister as saying that a care home for elderly citizens was found to have a body or bodies that weren't being moved out.

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Results For Potential Coronavirus Treatments Expected in 3 Weeks, WHO Says

Preliminary results from two clinical trials testing potential treatments for the COVID-19 coronavirus are expected in three weeks, the World Health Organization said Thursday.

One trial combines HIV drugs Lopinavir and Ritonavir, while the other is testing U.S.-based biotech Gilead Sciences’ antiviral Remdesivir, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Thursday at a news conference at the agency’s headquarters.

“Even if people are infected, having better outcomes, saving their lives, is really key,” Tedros said.

There are currently no proven therapies for the new virus, which has killed at least 2,130 people and sicked more than 75,700 worldwide, Dr. Janet Diaz, lead for clinical case management in the WHO Health Emergencies program, said Thursday.

Some scientists had claimed that anti-malaria drug Chloroquine could be a potential treatment for the new virus, but currently, there is “no proof” that it is effective, Diaz told reporters.

Local authorities in China have been using Gilead’s Remdesivir, which was tested as a possible treatment during the Ebola outbreak, to fight infections. Some authorities are also using antiviral drug Kaletra, a combination of lopinavir and ritonavir, on a compassionate basis.

In the meantime, scientists are also working quickly to produce a vaccine candidate to be ready for human clinical trials.

U.S. health officials are fast-tracking work on a coronavirus vaccine, hoping to start an early-stage trial within the next two and a half months, the Trump administration said earlier this month.

Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s emergencies program, said on Feb. 13 that there could be new information on possible vaccine candidates in “weeks.”

Hopes to get a vaccine to market are high, but doctors want expectations to be low for how quickly it can happen. Developing, testing and reviewing any potential vaccine is a long, complex and expensive endeavor that could take months or even years, global health experts say.

SOURCE: CNBC

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Wuhan’s Topmost Doctor Dies Of Coronavirus

Liuu Zhiming, the director of Wuhan Wuchang hospital, died at 10.30am this morning after resuscitation efforts failed,” reported the China Central Television’s microblog.

Confirmation also emerged of the death of Xu Depu, the former director of the Ezhou city Chinese medicine hospital in Hubei province, from the virus on Thursday last week. A nurse at the hospital on Tuesday confirmed his death, as reported in Red Star news, an outlet under state newspaper Chengdu Commercial Daily.

The deaths came as state media reported new house-to-house checks in Wuhan, a city of 11 million people at the centre of the outbreak, that aimed to seek out and “round up” all infected patients. State media said anyone suspected of having the virus would face mandatory testing and anyone who had close contact with virus patients would be put under quarantine.

According to Chutian Daily, a Wuhan newspaper, 10 quarantine centres similar to the makeshift Fangcang hospital will be set up across eight districts in the city, providing over an additional 11,400 beds for people showing mild symptoms. Buildings in factories, industrial estates and transport centres were being converted into make shift centres for housing patients.

The reports said all communities and villages would be placed under around-the-clock “closed-off” management, in effect putting them under lockdowns. From Tuesday, anyone who buys cough medicine or treatments to bring down a fever in chemists or online will need to use their ID card, state-funded site The Paper reported.

The citywide inspection campaign indicates an escalation of the situation in Wuhan, where former officials have been blamed for a cover-up that led to the rapid spread of the virus. Health officials have reported nearly 50,000 confirmed cases in Hubei alone.

The draconian measures come after two of the city’s top leaders were sacked last week. Wuhan’s new Communist party chief, Wang Zhonglin, issued the new decree, according to the Global Times, an English-language state newspaper.

Officials would carry out the inspection with the help of big data and artificial intelligence, it said, without giving details.

An order on Monday from the Wuhan city legislature on “winning the coronavirus war” warned that people who refused mandatory measures such as reporting cases of fever and cough to their local residential committees or going into quarantine if they were sick would be subject to “coercive measures”.

The order also said those who delayed reporting cases, or “fabricate and spread false information on the epidemic” would be punished.

Footage circulated on the website of the Changjiang Daily, a paper run by Wuhan’s Communist party, showing officers in protective clothing knocking on people’s doors and checking their temperatures.

“We’re racing with time. This is a heated war of annihilation, not a relaxed protracted war,” a narrator says. “It’s a painful process but the fight must be fought imminently. The temporary lockdown is for the sake of our reunion in the near future. Wuhan will be bustling again soon.”

Wuhan residents complained about the draconian lockdown on social media. “We’re not allowed to go out at all, we’ve lost our most basic human rights. The guards are like prison guards, abusing the little bit of power they have. We’re guaranteed personal freedoms under the constitution!” said one in a post on microblogging site Weibo.

Another social media user also said “it feels like being in prison” as she was barred from going out, even going out for a stroll in the neighbourhood.

The death of whistleblowing doctor Li Wenliang, who alerted colleagues over a mysterious disease that turned out to be the coronavirus, this month unleashed an outpouring of anger and grief across the nation. Wuhan police detained and censured him last month for “spreading false rumours”.

As in the case of Li’s death, there was initial confusion in China about Liu’s condition. On Monday night, the Communist party propaganda department of the Hubei Health Commission wrote in a social media post that Liu had died. It then said in a subsequent post that Liu was alive.

“According to Liu’s relative, the hospital is still trying its best to resuscitate him,” the commission said in the second post, adding that the previous misinformation was from a good friend of Liu who was not aware of the latest situation.

Although the number of people contracting coronavirus outside Hubei province has dropped for 13 consecutive days, the situation inside Hubei continues to be serious, reported Global Times.

Restrictions were tightened further in Hubei on Sunday with vehicles, apart from those delivering essential services, banned from the roads and companies told to stay shut until further notice. The notice also included locking down all residential communities in urban and rural areas, and closing all non-essential public places.

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