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Milk Testing Begins as Bird Flu Hits U.S. Dairies 

United States: On Friday, the US gave a federal order ordering that the national milk supply be tested for bird flu. Vilsack of Agriculture told Reuters that authorities are desperate to deal with an equally increasing rate of the virus among dairy herds, as reported by Reuters. 

Bird Flu Outbreak Hits U.S. Dairy Herds 

The outbreak of Bird flu has affected over 500 dairy herds in top milk state California and more than 700 in the United States since March as per the U.S Department of Agriculture raising concerns about the effects it has on farmers and the available milk supply as well as the chances it poses to human health as it continues to spread. 

More than 50 people have been affected by the deadly virus since April, and most of the workers handling poultry and dairy industries have affected farms, the U.S Center for Disease Control confirmed. The symptoms have been rather mild, and CDC officials have stated that the threat of bird flu is not high for ordinary citizens. 

The USDA had said it would formally start national milk testing in October, following pressure from industry and vet groups for increased surveillance of the virus, but had yet to specify exactly what shape the plan would take. 

Milk Testing Begins as Bird Flu Hits U.S. Dairies. Credit | Getty Images
Milk Testing Begins as Bird Flu Hits U.S. Dairies. Credit | Getty Images

USDA Implements Comprehensive Milk Testing Plan 

The testing plan, which calls for sampling from the bulk milk tanks at least monthly, and from the dairy processors at least weekly, will first be implemented in California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Oregon, Vilsack said. 

The last three states have not disclosed bird flu in dairy cattle. 

“It gives us the opportunity to get potentially a heads up about potentially new virus in areas of a state that currently has the virus, or new states,” Vilsack said of the testing. 

The agency will start the testing on Dec. 16, Vilsack said. 

The rate at which testing is conducted will depend on whether the virus is found on initial screening, according to Rosemary Sifford USDA’s chief veterinarian. 

New Requirements for Farms and Processors 

The order has compelled farms and processors into offering raw milk for sampling alongside farm owners who have positive results of the virus to report to the agency on animal movement and many others. 

https://twitter.com/AGCanadadotcom/status/1865088011840491651

The USDA currently only mandates testing of lactating dairy cattle crossing state lines, a provision it has in its only other federal avian flu order established in April. 

The two federal orders will continue indefinitely, Vilsack said, and the testing plan was constructed in cooperation with industry groups and veterinarians, state officials. 

California issued a recall of milk and cream products made by raw milk company Raw Farm this week after bird flu was detected in its retail products and bulk milk. 

California Takes Action Amid Dairy Outbreak 

The Food and Drug Administration frowns at the consumption of raw milk for the purpose of drinking because the milk may contain pathogens such as bird flu, but there is no harm in taking milk products that have been pasteurized because pasteurization kills those pathogens, as reported by Reuters. 

There are roughly 1,100 dairies in the state, according to the California Milk Advisory Board, which indicates that 44% of them have been affected by bird flu. 

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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.” 

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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.” 

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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. 

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