Zika Virus: Global Health Emergency

The massive onset of the Zika virus, which the World Health Organization recently declared a global health emergency, may lead to the first cancellation of the Olympic Games since 1944.

Zika has a short cycle, lasting less than a week, and symptoms include joint pain, fever, rash and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Most people who contract Zika have no idea they have it, and we still don’t know all the effects, which WHO official Bruce Aylward says makes the virus “much more insidious, cunning and evil” than Ebola. Additionally, women who are or may be pregnant are at a greater risk because the virus is linked to the rare birth defect microcephaly, which causes head and brain abnormalities. Zika has also been linked to Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes paralysis.

More than 1.5 million Brazilians have been infected since early 2015, and Brazil recorded more than three times the annual average rate for cases of microcephaly between October and February. On February 11, Brazil noted its third Zika-related death. According to a recent health bulletin, there are 31,555 cases of Zika in Colombia, and 5,013 of those infected are pregnant women. Zika isn’t just in South America—the virus has spread up Central America to Mexico and has also been detected in the Caribbean, Pacific Islands and Cape Verde. Additionally, there have been more than 50 cases of Americans infected abroad.

At the moment, there is no vaccine for Zika. Over the weekend, more than 200,000 soldiers were deployed across Brazil to combat the virus, spreading information and precautions to the public. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have labeled Zika a Level 1 threat. The CDC urges pregnant women to avoid infected areas altogether, and travelers should take precautions to avoid bug bites such as wearing long sleeves and applying an insect repellent that contains at least 20% DEET. It might also help to consult travel insurance policies. Although it’s mainly associated with the Aedes mosqiuto, Zika can also be transmitted sexually, so abstain or use a condom.

While Olympic officials say this summer’s ceremonies are still on, a number of athletes have voiced their fears. The potential loss in Olympic revenue could cripple Brazil’s economy even further. The Olympic Games are scheduled to run from August 5 to 21 in Rio de Janiero.

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Be aware of Swine flu.

The CDC says that a good way to prevent any flu disease is to avoid exposure to the virus; this is done by frequent hand washing, not touching your hands to your face (especially the nose and mouth), and avoiding any close proximity to or touching any person who may have flu symptoms. Since the virus can remain viable and infectious for about 48 hours on many surfaces, good hygiene and cleaning with soap and water or alcohol-based hand disinfectants are also recommended. Some physicians say face masks may help prevent getting airborne flu viruses (for example, from a cough or sneeze), but others think the better use for masks would be on those people who have symptoms and sneeze or cough.

In general, preventive measures to prevent the spread of flu are often undertaken by those people who have symptoms. Symptomatic people should stay at home, avoid crowds, and take off from work or school until the disease is no longer transmittable (about two to three weeks) or until medical help and advice is sought. Sneezing, coughing, and nasal secretions need to be kept away from other people; simply using tissues and disposing of them will help others. Quarantining patients is usually not warranted, but such measures depend on the severity of the disease. 

The CDC recommends that people who appear to have an influenza-like illness upon arrival at work or school or become ill during the day be promptly separated from other people and be advised to go home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100 F [37.8 C] or greater), or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications. The novel H1N1 swine flu disease takes about seven to 10 days before fevers stop, but research data suggests waiting until the cough is gone since many people are still infectious about one week after fever is gone. However, the CDC did not extend their recommendations to stay home for that extra week

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Swine Flu and Its symptoms

Swine Flu and Its symptoms

The cause of the 2009 swine flu was an influenza A virus type designated as H1N1. In 2011, a new swine flu virus was detected. The new strain was named influenza A (H3N2) only a few people (mainly children) were first infected, but officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported increased numbers of people infected in the 2012-2013 flu season. Currently, there are not large numbers of people infected with H3N2v. Unfortunately, another virus termed H3N2 (note no "v" in its name) has been detected and caused flu, but this strain is different from H3N2v. In general, all of the influenza A viruses have a structure similar to the H1N1 virus; each type has a somewhat different H and/or N structure.

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to most influenza infections: fever(100 F or greater), cough, nasal secretions, fatigue, and headache, with fatigue being reported in most infected individuals. Some patients may also get a sore throat, rash, body aches, headaches, chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In Mexico, many of the initial patients infected with H1N1 influenza were young adults, which made some investigators speculate that a strong immune response, as seen in young people, may cause some collateral tissue damage. The incubation period from exposure to first symptoms is about one to four days, with an average of two days. The symptoms last about one to two weeks and can last longer if the person has a severe infection.

Some patients develop severe respiratory symptoms and need respiratory support (such as a ventilator to breathe for the patient). Patients can get pneumonia(bacterial secondary infection) if the viral infection persists, and some can develop seizures,  Death often occurs from secondary bacterial infection of the lungs appropriate antibiotics need to be used in these patients. The usual mortality (death) rate for typical influenza A is about 0.1%, while the 1918 "Spanish flu" epidemic had an estimated mortality rate ranging from 2%-20%. Swine (H1N1) flu in Mexico had about 160 deaths and about 2,500 confirmed cases, which would correspond to a mortality rate of about 6%, but these initial data were revised and the mortality rate worldwide was estimated to be much lower. Fortunately, the mortality rate of H1N1 remained low and similar to that of the conventional flu (average conventional flu mortality rate is about 36,000 per year; projected H1N1 flu mortality rate was 90,000 per year in the U.S. as determined by the president's advisory committee, but it never approached that high number).

Fortunately, although H1N1 developed into a pandemic (worldwide) flu strain, the mortality rate in the U.S. and many other countries only approximated the usual numbers of flu deaths worldwide. Speculation about why the mortality rate remained much lower than predicted includes increased public awareness and action that produced an increase in hygiene (especially hand washing), a fairly rapid development of a new vaccine, and patient self-isolation if symptoms developed.

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Study reveals: majority of women are unaware about safe abortion in Nepal

As many as 62 per cent of women in Nepal have no idea about the safe abortion, a study reveals.

At a program organized here today by Asia Safe Abortion Partnership (ASAP), Youth Champion Advocacy Network (Youth CAN) and Media Advocacy Group (MAG), it shared that although services on safe abortions were rendered in the country since 2002, majority of the women still lacked adequate information about it.

Ananda Tamang, Director of CREHPA, an NGO working in the field of environment, health and population, shared that the unsafe abortions were mostly found to have done in 13 districts, including Kaski, Tanahu, Kavrepalanchowk and Bhaktapur.

Chairperson Tamang believed that women opting abortion no longer have to endure pain during the termination of the pregnancy as various researches were being carried out to manufacture pain killer medicines for the same.

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What is Zika Virus? Where did it come from?

Zika virus  (ZIKV) is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus, transmitted by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegyptia and A. albopictus. Its name comes from the Zika Forest of Uganda, where the virus was first isolated in 1947. Zika virus is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses.

Zika virus had been known to infect humans from the results of serological surveys in Uganda and Nigeria. A serological survey of 84 people of all ages showed 50 had antibodies, with all above 40 years of age being immune.

It was not until 1954 that the successful isolation of Zika virus from a human was published. This came as part of a 1952 outbreak investigation of jaundice suspected to be yellow fever. It was found in the blood of a 10 year old Nigerian female with low grade fever, headache, and evidence of malaria, but no jaundice, who recovered within three days. Blood was injected into the brain of laboratory mice, followed by up to 15 mice passages. The virus from mouse brains was then tested in neutralization tests using rhesus monkey sera specifically immune to Zika virus. In contrast, no virus was isolated from the blood of two infected adults with fever, jaundice, coughs, diffuse joint pains in one and fever, headache, pain behind the eyes and in the joints. Infection was proven by a rise in Zika virus specific serum antibodies. A 1952 research study conducted in India had shown a "significant number" of Indians tested for Zika had exhibited an immune response to the virus, suggesting it had long been widespread within human populations.

Is  Nepal under the threat of Zika virus?

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Today's Health Tips: Benefits of walnut

Walnuts are among the oldest tree foods grown by man, with their importance being highlighted back in 7000 B.C. Today, due to diet restrictions and several disbelief people avoid eating walnuts considering that they are calorie-rich and fat dense in nature. However, the fact that walnuts are immensely rich in nutrition and their benefits ranging from metabolism to heart health and beauty cannot be overlooked. Here are top 10 reasons walnuts must be included as a part of healthy diet.

1.    Help to reduce weight: Contrary to what people believe, walnuts can form a part of weight management diet. Several studies have suggested that regular consumption of walnuts is unlikely to cause weight gain or obesity. In fact, an ounce of walnuts contains 2.5g of omega 3 fats, 4g of protein and 2g of fiber that help provide satiety. Any successful weight management plan must include satiety factor; so walnut is undoubtedly the right food to consider if you are into a weight management program. Despite being ‘dense in calories, walnuts can be an important tool in helping you lose weight.

2.       Induces sleep: Walnuts contain a compound called melatonin, responsible for conveying messages regarding the cycle of light and dark to the body. Since melatonin is already synthesized by the body, consumption of walnuts increases the blood levels of melatonin, thereby inducing sleep. That’s why eating walnuts can be a great way to improve sleep.

3.       

Great for your hair: Walnut is a good ‘hair food’ too. This is because walnuts contain biotin (Vitamin B7) that helps strengthen hair, reduce hair fall and improve hair growth to certain extent. In addition to walnuts, you can try these foods to prevent hair loss.

4.   

Prevents heart disease: Among all the dietary plants and nuts, walnuts contain the highest amount of antioxidants. Around 100 g of walnuts will give more than 20 mmol antioxidants, which makes them extremely effective in combating heart disease by their ability to destroy free radicals. They are also loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that lowers bad cholesterol and increases the production of good cholesterol making it a great snack to keep your heart in great health

5.   

 Boost your sperm quality: Eating 2.5 ounces of walnuts per day improves semen quality in healthy young men, researchers say. According to a study by UCLA researchers, eating 75 grams of walnuts a day improves the vitality, motility, and morphology of sperm in healthy men aged 21 to 35.

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Breast cancer: Symptoms and Prevention

Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue. Breast cancer is one of the common and leading causes of cancer related death in females and account for 29% of all cancers diagnosed each year worldwide. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that forms in the cells of the breast. There are a number of symptoms associated with breast cancer, but the first noticeable symptom is often a lump or area of thickened breast tissue. A lump in the breast does not necessarily mean you have cancer - most breast lumps are not cancerous. However, it is always best to have them checked by your doctor. Treatment for breast cancer may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy or bone-directed therapy.

Breast cancer rates are much higher in developed nations compared to developing ones. There are several reasons for this, with possibly life-expectancy being one of the key factors - breast cancer is more common in elderly women; women in the richest countries live much longer than those in the poorest nations. The different lifestyles and eating habits of females in rich and poor countries are also contributory factors, experts believe.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in Nepal. Even though the evaluation and treatment of patients is done as per western guidelines, there are considerable variations in risk factors, presenting stage and prognostic factors such as receptor status.

Some of the possible early signs of breast cancer

Symptoms of  breast cancer

A symptom is only felt by the patient, and is described to the doctor or nurse, such as a headache or pain. A sign is something the patient and others can detect, for example, a rash or swelling.

The first symptoms of breast cancer are usually an area of thickened tissue in the woman's breast, or a lump. The majority of lumps are not cancerous; however, women should get them checked by a health care professional.

Prevention's

Some lifestyle changes can help significantly reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.

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