All articles tagged with #containment measures
A study published in BMJ Public Health reveals that excess death rates have remained high in 47 Western countries for three consecutive years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the implementation of containment measures and the availability of vaccines. Researchers call for a thorough investigation into the underlying causes of this persistent excess mortality.
Four deer in Jefferson County, West Virginia, have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), making it the sixth county in the state with positive cases. The low prevalence of CWD in Jefferson County suggests that the infection outbreak was likely found early, but history shows that prevalence tends to increase over time. Emergency restrictions on feeding and baiting of deer were already in place due to the county's high risk, and additional rules prohibit the transport of certain deer anatomy out of the containment zone.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is spreading in Texas, posing a significant threat to the state's cervid population. The disease has been detected in both free-ranging and captive deer, with no clear explanation for its spread. Wildlife officials are struggling to contain the outbreak, as infected deer themselves may not be the primary source of transmission. The disease's presence in deer breeding facilities has raised concerns about the industry's role in facilitating its spread. Efforts to contain the disease include live testing before transferring captive deer and slaughtering infected herds, but facing opposition from deer breeders. The future of the Kerr Wildlife Management Area research facility, where CWD was recently detected, remains uncertain.
The southern state of Kerala in India has implemented measures to curb the spread of the rare and deadly Nipah virus, including the closure of schools, offices, and public transport. Two people have died from the virus, and authorities are focusing on tracing contacts and isolating individuals with symptoms. The virus is spread through direct contact with infected bats, pigs, or people. Strict isolation rules have been adopted, and medical staff are being quarantined after direct contact with infected individuals. Three federal teams, including experts from the National Virology Institute, are set to arrive for further testing. Kerala has experienced previous outbreaks of the Nipah virus in 2018, 2019, and 2021.
A fresh wave of COVID-19 is spreading through China, reaching trading floors and raising concern of an impact to trading volume. COVID-19 swept through trading floors in capital Beijing and the financial hub of Shanghai in December just as China was reopening its economy after three years of stringent containment measures, with illness and absence thinning trading volume and forcing regulators to reschedule meetings. Traders said they expected less impact this time. In China's interbank market, average daily U.S. dollar/yuan trading volume has slowed only slightly.