CDC Updates Zika Virus Transmission, Testing Guidelines Amid New Findings July 26, 2016 News Summary ABC News: Zika Virus Guidelines Updated for Pregnant Women in Wake of New Findings “Pregnant women should be tested for the Zika virus with 14 days of suspected exposure to the virus or if they exhibit viral symptoms, according to updated guidelines issued today by the U.S. Centers for Disease…
Brazil Researchers To Examine Possible Co-Factors In Zika-Related Birth Defects July 26, 2016 News Summary Nature: Brazil asks whether Zika acts alone to cause birth defects “Government researchers in Brazil are set to explore the country’s peculiar distribution of Zika-linked microcephaly — babies born with abnormally small heads. Zika virus has spread throughout Brazil, but extremely high rates of microcephaly have been reported only in…
Colombian Health Officials Announce End Of Zika Epidemic As New Case Numbers Fall July 26, 2016 News Summary The Guardian: Colombia declares end to Zika epidemic as spread of virus levels off “Colombia has declared an end to its Zika epidemic with the spread of the virus leveling off in the country after infecting nearly 100,000 people — even as it continues to sweep through other areas of…
Private Donations For Zika Response Not Forthcoming, U.S. News Reports July 26, 2016 News Summary U.S. News & World Report: Where Are the Private Donations for Zika? “When Ebola was drawing international headlines and alarming global health officials, several of the most famous U.S. billionaires came forward to offer financial support. … But that same outpouring of cash isn’t happening with Zika…” (Leonard, 7/25).
Small Risk Of Zika Infection Among Olympic Games Visitors, Up To 1.65M Women Of Childbearing Age In Americas At Risk Of Disease, Studies Project July 26, 2016 News Summary ABC News: Zika Virus Infection Risks Calculated for Pregnant Women, Olympic Attendees in New Studies “…Two studies published [Monday] help shed light on the virus that the World Health Organization has called a ‘global health emergency.’ Yale researchers modeled the risk for people attending the Olympics and found only a…
U.S. Science Envoy Peter Hotez Discusses How Links Between Disease, Conflict Could Affect U.S. Policy In Middle East July 26, 2016 News Summary National Interest: How War and Crisis Help Spread Diseases Like Zika “In 2009, President Barack Obama together with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton launched the U.S. Science Envoy Program following a landmark ‘new beginnings’ speech in Cairo. [Journalist Kip Whittington] sat down with the White House and State Department U.S.…
Cancer Patients In Uganda Face Late Diagnoses, Lack Of Treatment, IPS Reports July 26, 2016 News Summary Inter Press Service: Uganda Ill-Equipped for Growing Cancer Burden “…While the East African country had huge success in the battle against the HIV virus in the 1990s, cervical and other cancers are the new health crises gripping the developing nation. One in 500 Ugandans suffers from cancer. But only five…
WHO To Release New Viral Hepatitis Testing Guidelines In Recognition Of World Day July 26, 2016 News Summary U.N. News Centre: U.N. health agency to launch new hepatitis testing guidelines ahead of World Day “Ahead of World Hepatitis Day — observed annually on 28 July — the United Nations health agency has said it plans to release new testing guidelines for hepatitis B and C, among other action,…
Pit Toilets In India Could Be Contaminating Drinking Water Sources July 26, 2016 News Summary The Guardian: A toilet or safe drinking water? The stark choice facing many people in rural India “…The Swains, with their tiny toilet, which empties into a leach pit — a hole in the ground used to compost feces when there is no sewage system — are the face of…
Condom Policies In China Hinder HIV Prevention Efforts Among Sex Workers, Report Says July 26, 2016 News Summary Thomson Reuters Foundation: China’s condom policies to prevent HIV fail to protect sex workers: research “Chinese police cracking down on sex workers routinely look for condoms as evidence of illegal activity, hindering efforts to prevent the spread of HIV among sex workers, one of the biggest at-risk groups in the…