Connect with us

News

CDC Issues Alert Over Virulent Mpox Strain; Low Risk of US Cases

The CDC still encourages US physicians to watch out for the more pathogenic mpox strain from Africa as the world seeks solutions to the worsening situation.


United States: The U. S doctors need to have alert on a more severe strain of mpox that is prevalent in some regions in Africa according to the federal health officials on Wednesday.

The alert was released by the U. S. Science centres for Disease Control and Prevention shortly after the WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu promised to assemble a panel of advisors to determine whether the mpox outbreak in Africa should be qualified as an international public health emergency, as reported by HealthDay.

Risk of Importation to the US

Despite the outbreak, the CDC said in its alert that no cases of what it termed as clade 1 strain of mpox have been found in areas outside central and eastern Africa. However, when noting the possibility of further spread the agency called on doctors in this country to consider this particular more lethal form of mpox in patients who had already traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or any of the neighboring countries namely: Angola, Burundi, Central Africa.

Still, “due to the limited number of travelers and lack of direct commercial flights from DRC or its neighboring countries to the United States, the risk of clade I mpox importation to the United States is considered very low,” the CDC added.

The current strain of mpox is different from the one that circled the globe in 2022 and predominantly impacted gay men. NBC News said that those cases have since reduced greatly in the United States.

Advertisement

Surge in Mpox Cases in Africa

However, mpox infection rates have risen by 160% in Africa this year primarily due to the absence of vaccines and available treatment for the disease.

Speaking in a press briefing last week, officials at the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said mpox has this year been identified in 10 countries across Africa, the latest being Congo. It has reported over 96% of all the reported cases and deaths globally. Worse still, 69% of the cases reported in Congo were from children below the age of 15 years, while children constituted 85% of mpox death.

Urgent Call for Vaccines

“There is a real risk of explosion, given the huge population movements in and out,” Dr. Louis Massing, the group’s medical director for Congo, said in a statement. “We can only plead … for vaccines to arrive in the country and as quickly as possible so that we can protect the populations in the areas most affected.”

For the year up to August, about 14,250 mpox cases have been estimated in Africa which is nearly equal to the figure that was reported in the whole of 2023. Compared to the first seven months of 2023, cases are 1. 6 times higher and deaths are 19% higher, reaching 456.

Two new countries, Burundi and Rwanda, confirmed mpox last week, while Kenya and the Central African Republic have declared mpox outbreaks, the Associated Press writes.

In may of this year, researchers announced that a new and more lethal strand of mpox appeared in a Congolese mining city. Sex is among the modes through which Mpox is transmitted as it is communicated through touch with affected individuals.

New Developments and Future Actions

On the other hand, a study of patients admitted from October to January in eastern Congo found that the recent genetic changes observed in the virus were caused by the virus’s spike in that country, as the AP reported.

Last month, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations revealed that it would launch a trial in Congo and other African countries next month, as it sought to establish the effectiveness of mpox shots among exposed individuals, with an aim of preventing severe illnesses and death, as reported by HealthDay.

According to the CDC, mpox symptoms can include: rash on the palms and soles, chest, face, mouth or around the genital area; fever; chills; enlarged glands; tiredness; muscle ache and back pain; headache; and feel unwell, with a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and cough.

News

FDA Approves Self-Injectable Vyvgart Hytrulo for gMG and CIDP 

FDA Approves Self-Injectable Vyvgart Hytrulo for gMG and CIDP 

United States: The U.S. FDA has approved Vyvgart Hytrulo’s (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc) self-administered form for treating adult gMG patients who carry anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies and adult CIDP patients, as reported by HealthDay. 

Fast and Easy Subcutaneous Injection 

The Vyvgart Hytrulo prefilled syringe now functions as an approved subcutaneous device that needs 20 to 30 seconds during patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional administration.  

Testing between the Vyvgart Hytrulo prefilled syringe, and the Vyvgart Hytrulo vial led to the approval of this product by the FDA. The human factors validation studies demonstrated that both gMG or CIDP patients, along with their caregivers, could execute acceptable prefilled syringe preparation and administration of Vyvgart Hytrulo safely and effectively, as reported by HealthDay. 

Designed for Independence and Flexibility 

“Today’s FDA approval provides a new self-injection option across both approved indications in the U.S. that is designed for patients who seek more independence with their treatment,” Luc Truyen, M.D., Ph.D., the chief medical officer at argenx, said in a statement. “Whether patients prefer to receive their treatment in a physician’s office, at home, or while traveling, they can experience treatment on their own terms and continue to benefit from Vyvgart Hytrulo’s favorable safety profile and strong efficacy.” 

Continue Reading

News

Quick Walking May Prevent Heart Rhythm Issues 

Quick Walking May Prevent Heart Rhythm Issues 

United States: A new research finds that individuals who walk vigorously for long periods reduce their chances of developing heart rhythm abnormalities. 

Faster Walking, Healthier Heart 

The research in the Heart journal revealed that individuals walking over 4 miles per hour had a decreased chance of 43% developing heart rhythm abnormalities compared to walkers moving less than 3 miles per hour, as reported by HealthDay. 

According to researchers, the duration of movement together with average or brisk pace walking worked to decrease heart rhythm issues by 27%. 

Duration and Pace Matter 

“These new findings reinforce the promotion of faster walking pace in physical activity recommendations,” concluded the research team led by Jill Pell, chair of public health with the University of Glasgow in the U.K. “Walking at a brisk pace may have a role in … prevention of cardiac arrhythmias.” 

Inside the Research 

Study data originated from the UK Biobank health study, which encompassed 421,000 participants, with accelerometer-wearers representing 82,000 individuals who tracked their walking pace. 

A brisk walking pace existed in 41% of study participants, whereas an average walking pace occurred in 53%, and a slow pace was observed in less than 6%. 

The study results revealed that walking swiftly reduced heart rhythm issues by 43% or walking moderately reduced them by 35%. 

Atrial Fibrillation Risk Also Drops 

Analysis of data from UK Biobank demonstrates that brisk or average-paced walkers experienced a 46% and 38% decrease in atrial fibrillation risk rates, which elevates stroke risks, as reported by HealthDay. 

Quick Walking May Prevent Heart Rhythm Issues 
Quick Walking May Prevent Heart Rhythm Issues 

The connection between heart rhythm problems and walking pace appears to be shaped by 36% through inflammation alongside metabolic factors, according to expert estimation. 

What’s Behind the Benefits? 

Research from the past supports these findings because brisk walking leads to lower obesity levels and better blood sugar control, in addition to preventing diabetes and lowering high blood pressure, according to scientists. 

“This study is the first to explore the pathways underpinning the association between walking pace and arrhythmias and to provide evidence that metabolic and inflammatory factors may have a role,” researchers concluded. “Walking faster decreased the risk of obesity and inflammation, which, in turn, reduced the risk of arrhythmia.” 

Continue Reading

News

Smart Shirt Technology Monitors Heart Health in Real Time 

Smart Shirt Technology Monitors Heart Health in Real Time 

United States: The “smart shirt” coupled with an electrocardiogram (ECG) device enables researchers to detect people with elevated cardiovascular risks, according to recent study findings. 

The wearable shirt measures heart rate recovery after workouts, so it tracks how long it takes for the heart to stabilize, as reported by HealthDay. 

“The heart’s response to exercise provides us with an early indicator of changes in health, in particular cardiovascular function and mortality,” senior researcher Manuel Hernandez, a professor of biomedical and translational sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said in a news release. 

How It Works: Tracking the Heart’s Response to Exercise 

Researchers employed smart shirts developed by Carré Technologies based in Quebec for their investigation. Continuous heart performance measures are collected using sensors attached to the smart shirt that record heart rate and electrical cardiac activity. 

Study Participants Show Promising Insights 

The research team selected 38 participants from 20 to 76 years old to complete treadmill walking exercises. The seven participants underwent medical examinations, which revealed high blood pressure as their diagnosis. 

Sounds from the laboratory tests enabled researchers to establish risk prediction systems for targeting heart disease in individuals. 

Researchers declared the investigation kickstarts the development of heart health risk understanding for individuals. 

“We want to use it to provide us with some greater insight in terms of our underlying cardiovascular function,” Hernandez said. “And we want to make something that’s clinically actionable.” 

According to a co-author, wearable technology should give physicians access to a wealth of helpful data. 

A Game-Changer for Rural and Remote Healthcare 

“One would like to have a whole bunch of data from wearables, and then that data is transmitted to a doctor’s office, and the doctor can interpret it,” said co-researcher Richard Sowers, a professor of industrial & enterprise systems engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.  

Based on Sowers’ statement in the news release, these wearable devices would benefit most people who live in rural areas and places where medical resources are scarce. 

Future investigations plan to extend study participant numbers and monitor their progress longitudinally, according to researchers. 

Research groups investigate various applications of the “smart shirt” technology. 

Global Use Cases Emerging 

During the European Association of Urology conference a month ago, scientists from Italy introduced a new tracking system using smart shirts to monitor the vital signs of patients after hospital discharge, as reported by HealthDay. 

“Our patients found the T-shirt easy to use, and over 90% reported it allowed them to feel safe and cared for while recuperating at home,” lead researcher Dr. Antonio Pastore, an associate professor of urology at Sapienza University of Rome in Italy, said in a news release. 

Continue Reading

Sign Up for Our Newsletter


Join our subscribers list to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly in your inbox.


Trending