Author: Claudinne Miller
SARS-CoV-2 is associated with changes in brain structure in UK Biobank
(Nature) There is strong evidence of brain-related abnormalities in COVID-191,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13. However, it remains unknown whether the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection can be detected in milder cases, and whether this can reveal possible mechanisms contributing to brain pathology. Here we investigated brain changes in 785 participants of UK Biobank (aged 51–81 years) who were imaged twice using […]
Mar 14, 2023
8 dead skunks found in Vancouver and Richmond test positive for avian flu
CBC The skunks may have contracted influenza by scavenging wild birds, B.C. government says. Eight skunks found dead last month in Vancouver and nearby Richmond, B.C., have tested positive for avian flu. The B.C. government says it is the same strain of avian influenza associated with the outbreak that began in April 2022. The skunks were found […]
Mar 14, 2023
Too Little Sleep Could Make Vaccination Less Effective
(Neuroscience News) How strongly a vaccine protects you may depend on getting enough sleep in the days before and after inoculation, finds a new meta-analysis examining the relationship between sleep duration and the body’s response to vaccination. Link to study Sleeping fewer than six hours per night around the time of vaccination was associated with […]
Mar 14, 2023
Chile: The Ministry of Agriculture confirms the first case of avian influenza in a production plant
Chile Ministry of Agriculture The Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela, specified that it is“a confirmed case in a commercial premises in the western sector ofthe Rancagua commune. The SAG has proceeded to control the area and inaddition, immediately and in compliance with the highest standards,the World Organization for Animal Health (OMSA) has been informed and,therefore, […]
Mar 14, 2023
Can you catch a hidden virus from a dog kiss or a cat cuddle?
NPR “Get ready for a silly question,” one reader wrote in response to our series on “hidden viruses” that jump from animals to people. “I love my pups very much – and I think they love me too because I get lots of kisses. Is that bad from a spillover virus perspective – for me […]
Mar 14, 2023
The mystery of Alice in Wonderland syndrome
(BBC) A surprising number of people experience symptoms of this curious condition, which is named after Lewis Carroll’s heroine, who changed size after eating and drinking Nine-year-old Josh Firth was in the car with his parents when he noticed something strange happening to the buildings on either side – they seemed to be getting bigger. […]
Mar 14, 2023
Flu Outbreak in China Intensifies as Infection Rises for Sixth Week
Bloomberg An influenza outbreak in China picked up intensity over the past week as a major city prepared to enforce pandemic-style lockdowns to curb the surge in infections. The positivity rate for flu jumped to 41.6% in the week beginning March 5 from 25.1% the previous week, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention […]
Mar 14, 2023
Cameroon Situation Update on Marburg
DOWNLOAD Marburg Virus Disease (MVM) Situation Report No. 3 HIGHLIGHTS Machine Translated AREAS OF INTERVENTION 1. MONITORING 1.1 Alert management Alerts come from health facilities (71.4%), calls from the community (21.4%) and investigation teams (7.2%). 1.2 Surveillance at points of entry In total 285 Disembarked, 285 Screened, 285 Sensitized and no suspected cases 2. CONTACT INVESTIGATION […]
Mar 14, 2023
Marburg virus outbreaks are increasing in frequency and geographic spread – three virologists explain
(The Conversation) The World Health Organization confirmed an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus disease in the central African country of Equatorial Guinea on Feb. 13, 2023. To date, there have been 11 deaths suspected to be caused by the virus, with one case confirmed. Authorities are currently monitoring 48 contacts, four of whom have developed symptoms and […]
Mar 14, 2023
How to Handle the Bird Flu
(Foreign Affairs) In 2005, U.S. President George W. Bush stood at a podium in Bethesda, Maryland, to make an important announcement. He was joined by five members of his cabinet, two senators, three congressmen, and multiple international guests. It was an unusual show of force for a press conference, and with two unpopular wars underway […]
Mar 14, 2023