Tag

Eradication

All articles tagged with #eradication

health4 months ago•5 min saved

U.S. Reports First Human Cases of Flesh-Eating Screwworms and Bacteria

A rare case of flesh-eating screwworm in the U.S. has been reported in a traveler returning from Central America, but health officials say the risk to the public is very low due to the parasite's limited presence and effective containment measures. The screwworm, a fly whose larvae can cause severe tissue damage, mainly affects livestock but can infect humans through open wounds. Ongoing efforts in Central America and Mexico aim to control outbreaks, and the U.S. has prepared response plans to prevent further spread.

via PBS|

#eradication #health #parasite

health6 months ago•3 min saved

U.S. Launches $8.5M Initiative to Combat Devastating Screwworm Invasion

A parasitic fly known as the New World screwworm, previously eradicated from North and Central America, is re-emerging and spreading, threatening livestock, humans, and pets, prompting international efforts to control its population through sterile insect techniques and increased surveillance amid concerns about climate change and cattle movement.

via ScienceAlert|

#eradication #flesh-eating-fly #health

science-and-environment1 year ago•11 min saved

The Great Wall's Unexpected Battle Against the 'Man Devourer'

The new world screw worm, a parasitic fly that lays eggs in the wounds of warm-blooded animals, is resurging in Central America, threatening livestock and human health. Despite decades of eradication efforts using sterile male flies, the pest has reappeared in countries like Costa Rica and Panama, prompting calls for more advanced genetic solutions like gene drives. Factors such as climate change, deforestation, and migration may be contributing to the screw worm's comeback, challenging scientists and farmers to find effective control measures.

via The Telegraph|

#central-america #eradication #gene-drive

health1 year ago•10 min saved

"New Polio Vaccines Drive Global Eradication Efforts"

New polio vaccines are crucial for preventing outbreaks and achieving global eradication. While two of the three wild poliovirus serotypes have been eradicated, challenges remain with the last serotype and vaccine-derived polioviruses. Improved vaccines, testing, and sanitation efforts are essential to overcome these hurdles and protect children from this debilitating disease.

via Our World in Data|

#eradication #health #outbreaks

gaming1 year ago•2 min saved

"Helldivers 2: Uncovering the Truth Behind the Automaton Democracy"

In the latest Helldivers 2 Major Order, players noticed strange behavior from the Automatons, with some robots choosing not to fight and instead following players. This has sparked debate among players about whether the robots are attempting diplomacy or simply trying to survive eradication. Some players see it as a form of betrayal, while others speculate it could be an intended part of the game's lore. Regardless, players are advised to remain cautious and prepare with the best weapons and armor to ensure the liberation of planets from the Automatons.

via Video Gamer|

#automatons #eradication #gaming

health-history1 year ago•11 min saved

"Smallpox Victory's Lessons for 2024 Public Health Threats"

The improbable victory over smallpox, the last recorded case of naturally occurring variola major smallpox in 1975, holds lessons for health threats in 2024. Dr. Céline Gounder, a physician and epidemiologist, traveled to India and Bangladesh to capture the history of the smallpox eradication campaign, highlighting the stories of South Asian public health workers and survivors. The eradication leaders' unwarranted optimism and moral imagination, along with the need to respect local culture and address immediate needs, offer valuable lessons for confronting current public health challenges. The article emphasizes the importance of meeting people's basic needs and building trust to effectively respond to future health crises.

via NPR|

#epidemic #eradication #health-history

health-global-health1 year ago•4 min saved

"UK Urged to Maintain Funding as Global Polio Eradication Nears"

The world is on the brink of eradicating polio, with no confirmed cases of wild polio reported so far this year. Efforts to vaccinate and secure funding must continue to ensure the complete eradication of the disease, with the last cases reported on the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The UK government is urged to maintain funding for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, as the absence of confirmed cases is "really encouraging" but the campaign needs to aggressively close any immunization gaps. Failure to eradicate polio in these last two endemic countries could lead to a global resurgence, with the potential for 200,000 new cases annually within 10 years.

via The Guardian|

#eradication #funding #global-health

health2 years ago•6 min saved

The Truth About Mosquitoes: Why Killing Them All Isn't the Solution

Mosquitoes are responsible for spreading diseases such as malaria, West Nile, Zika, and dengue, making them the world's deadliest animal. However, completely eradicating all mosquitoes is not feasible or advisable due to the diverse ecological roles they play and the potential adverse effects on ecosystems. Instead, experts suggest targeting specific disease-transmitting species, such as Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex, while preserving non-disease-transmitting species that fill ecological niches. Control strategies include specialized techniques like Wolbachia infection and gene editing, as well as non-chemical options like introducing fish to eat mosquito larvae. Education about mosquito control and responsible use of repellents is also crucial. Eliminating the worst mosquito species is possible but will require time and further research to develop effective and affordable tools. In the meantime, individuals should stay informed about mosquito-borne risks and take preventive measures to protect themselves.

via CNN|

#control-strategies #disease-control #ecosystem

agriculture2 years ago•1 min saved

Invasive Oriental Fruit Fly Detected in Santa Clara County

Agriculture officials in California are working to eradicate the oriental fruit fly, a non-native bug that poses a threat to the state's crops. The fly, which is native to Asia, has been found in Santa Clara County and has the potential to cause billions of dollars in damage to fruits and vegetables. Officials are treating the affected areas with bait and pesticide, and are urging people not to move infested fruit to prevent the spread of the fly. Bringing fruit from outside the state into California is strongly discouraged to prevent further infestations.

via NBC Bay Area|

#agriculture #california #crop-damage

environment2 years ago•11 min saved

Predator Eradication: New Zealand's Plan to Save Native Birds.

New Zealand aims to eradicate rats, stoats, weasels, ferrets, and possums by 2050 to protect its unique ecology and save its native birds. The government has marked these predators for eradication, and Predator Free 2050 Ltd has been set up to channel government and private money into local projects to test eradication strategies. The most ambitious of them is Predator Free Wellington, which aims to kill off a range of pests, notably rats, which thrive in urban environments. The project's 36-strong team has turned amateur rat-catchers into proper exterminators.

via BBC|

#biodiversity #conservation #environment

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

Florida Quarantines Due to Giant African Snail Invasion

Three counties in Florida are under quarantine due to sightings of giant African land snails, an invasive species that can carry diseases and parasites. The snails have a not-so-strict diet and can lay up to 2,500 eggs a year, making them dangerous to Florida's climate and agriculture. The state agricultural department has issued an eradication order and will release boric acid granules to eradicate the population. The snails are often brought to the U.S. by smugglers to sell as delicacies or pets.

via Deseret News|

#african-land-snails #environment #eradication

health2 years ago•1 min saved

Belize declared malaria-free by WHO.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Belize as being free from malaria, marking success for the Central American country after 70 years of continuous efforts to eradicate the disease. Belize has worked with the Belize Vector Ecology Center to analyse data on the density and distribution of malaria-carrying mosquitoes. It has encouraged the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and trained community workers to give more timely diagnosis and treatment. The WHO has so far certified 42 countries and one territory as having managed to eradicate malaria.

via AOL|

#belize #eradication #health

agriculture2 years ago•2 min saved

"Giant African Land Snail Triggers Quarantine in South Florida"

A section of Broward County in Florida has been placed under quarantine after a giant African land snail was spotted in the area. The quarantine order makes it illegal to move the snail or any regulated article within or outside of the quarantine area without first obtaining a compliance agreement. The snail poses significant threats to vegetation and carries a parasite that can cause meningitis in humans. Eradicating the snail can take years, and Florida's agriculture department has only recorded two instances where the snail was fully eradicated since infestations were first reported in the state in the 1960s.

via CBS News|

#agriculture #eradication #florida

health2 years ago•5 min saved

The Threat of Vaccine-Derived Polio to Eradication Efforts.

While wild polio cases have decreased, vaccine-derived polio cases have increased with 665 cases reported in the past year across 23 countries. Researchers have developed two new oral polio vaccines that reduce the likelihood of vaccine-derived outbreaks occurring for poliovirus types 1 and 3. However, the rise in cases is due to under-immunized communities, disasters, conflicts, and the COVID-19 pandemic hindering vaccination campaigns and surveillance. The transition of polio management from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to national control must not undermine eradication, and advances in science need to go hand-in-hand with comprehensive public-health initiatives.

via Nature.com|

#eradication #health #polio

health2 years ago•3 min saved

Advancements in Stopping Sleeping Sickness Parasite.

Sleeping sickness, caused by Trypanosoma parasites, is a neglected tropical disease that can lead to death if left untreated. A new oral drug, tested in clinical trials, is 95% effective at curing the disease and only needs to be taken once. The World Health Organization aims to eradicate sleeping sickness by 2030, and this new drug could be a saving grace for hundreds of people in Africa who continue to get diagnosed with this harrowing illness each year.

via ScienceAlert|

#africa #eradication #health