Tag: PublicHealth

Police found 115 bodies at Colorado ‘green’ funeral home while investigating putrid smells

The awful smell seeped from a neglected building in a small Colorado town for days, followed by a report that made police take a closer look at the “green” funeral operator’s storage facility. Inside, they made a gruesome discovery: At least 115 decaying bodies.

Investigators were tight-lipped Friday about exactly what they found inside the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado, but their plans to bring in teams that usually deal with airline crashes, coroners from nearby jurisdictions and the FBI pointed to a grim mess.

A state document, meanwhile, alleged funeral home owner Jon Hallford tried to conceal the improper storage of corpses. He claimed he was doing taxidermy at the facility, according to the state suspension letter dated Thursday.

Hallford acknowledged that he had a “problem” at the property, the Colorado Office of Funeral Home and Crematory Registration letter said. The document did not elaborate on the taxidermy and alleged improper storage of remains, but the facility’s registration has been expired since November.

No one had been arrested or charged. Text messages to the funeral home seeking comment went unanswered. No one at the business picked up the phone and there was no working voicemail.

Funeral home officials were cooperating as investigators sought to determine any criminal wrongdoing, Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper said at a news conference where he called the scene inside the building “horrific.”

On Friday, a sour, rotten stench still came from the back of the building, where windows were broken. Coroner’s officials from Fremont County and nearby El Paso County parked their trucks outside and discussed among themselves as they walked around the building.

Some identifications would require taking fingerprints, finding medical or dental records, and DNA testing in a process that could take several months, Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller said. Families would be notified as soon as possible after body identification, he added.

Source : https://apnews.com/article/colorado-funeral-home-green-burials-investigation-4c77ec13d8dfb1394e61da8881426deb

 

Dengue will ‘take off’ in southern Europe, US, Africa this decade, WHO scientist says

Dengue fever will become a major threat in the southern United States, southern Europe and new parts of Africa this decade, the WHO’s chief scientist said, as warmer temperatures create the conditions for the mosquitoes carrying the infection to spread.

The illness has long been a scourge in much of Asia and Latin America, causing an estimated 20,000 deaths each year. Rates of the disease have already risen eight-fold globally since 2000, driven largely by climate change as well as the increased movement of people and urbanization.

Many cases go unrecorded, but in 2022 4.2 million cases were reported worldwide and public health officials have warned that near-record levels of transmission are expected this year. Bangladesh is currently experiencing its worst-ever outbreak, with more than 1,000 deaths.

“We need to talk much more proactively about dengue,” Jeremy Farrar, an infectious diseases specialist who joined the World Health Organization in May this year, told Reuters.

“We need to really prepare countries for how they will deal with the additional pressure that will come… in the future in many, many big cities.”

Farrar previously spent 18 years working in Vietnam on tropical diseases including dengue. He later headed up the Wellcome Trust global health charity and advised the UK government on its COVID-19 response before joining the WHO in May this year.

Farrar said the infection is likely to “take off” and become endemic in parts of the United States, Europe and Africa – all regions where there has already been some limited local transmission – as global warming makes new areas hospitable to the mosquitoes that spread it. That will put acute pressure on hospital systems in many countries, he warned.

“The clinical care is really intensive, it requires a high ratio of nurses to patients,” he said. “I really worry when this becomes a big issue in sub-Saharan Africa.”

Mosquitoes are seen on stagnant water on the roadside during countrywide dengue infection, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 24, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain/File Photo

Most people who get dengue do not have symptoms, meaning case rates are thought to be far higher than the reported numbers. Those who do can experience fever, muscle spasms and joint pain so severe it is known as “break-bone fever.” In severe cases – less than 1% – it can be fatal.

There is no specific treatment for dengue, although there is a vaccine available. Earlier this week, the WHO recommended Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ (4502.T) Qdenga vaccine for children aged 6 to 16 in areas where the infection is a significant public health problem.

Qdenga is also approved by the EU regulator, but Takeda withdrew its application in the United States earlier this year, citing data collection issues. Takeda said it was still in talks with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about the vaccine.

Preparing new regions of the world to deal with dengue means ensuring that any public health funds get spent in the right areas, Farrar said, including on the best way to control the mosquito.

Dengue is spread by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which behave differently to the malaria-carrying kind. For example, they bite people indoors, and they bite all day rather than overnight. They also breed in very shallow water.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/dengue-will-take-off-southern-europe-us-africa-this-decade-who-scientist-says-2023-10-06

Sunak proposes raising smoking age every year to create ‘smoke-free’ generation

Rishi Sunak has proposed raising the smoking age every year in a move welcomed by health charities but criticised by those in the tobacco industry.

PM: Smoking age to rise every year

Rishi Sunak has pledged to raise the legal age for buying cigarettes in England by one year every year in a crackdown on smoking.

The prime minister said the proposed legislation would mean a “14-year-old today will never legally be sold a cigarette and that they and their generation can grow up smoke-free”.

He said the changes will be subject to a vote in parliament but this will be a free vote, as was the ban on smoking in public places and raising the smoking age to 18.

“There will be no government whip. It is a matter of conscience,” he said.

Addressing the annual Tory party conference today, Mr Sunak also promised to restrict the availability of vapes under plans to “put the next generation first”.

On smoking, he said it would not be fair “to take away the rights of anyone to smoke who currently does”.

However, he said more could be done to stop teenagers taking up cigarettes in the first place.

“I propose that in future we raise the smoking age by one year every year,” he told party delegates in Manchester.

“That means a 14-year-old today will never legally be sold a cigarette and that they and their generation can grow up smoke free.”

He added: “People take up cigarettes when they’re young – four in five smokers have started by the time they’re 20.

“Later the vast majority try to quit. But many fail because they’re addicted and they wish they had never taken up the habit in the first place.

“And if we could break that cycle, if we could stop the start, then we would be on our way to ending the biggest cause of preventable death and disease in our country.”

Downing Street said it expects that the plans will mean up to 1.7 million fewer people smoking by 2075.

On vapes, the prime minister said: “As any parent or teacher knows, one of the most worrying trends right now is the rise in vaping amongst children – one in five children have used vapes.

“We must act before it becomes endemic.

“So we will also bring forward measures to restrict the availability of vapes to our children, looking at flavours, packaging displays and disposable vapes.”

Ministers have faced repeated calls to ban vapes to help protect children and reduce the significant environmental impact of the single-use products.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/sunak-proposes-raising-smoking-age-every-year-to-create-smoke-free-generation-12976625

Bed bugs: Eurostar on alert as Paris grapples with infestation

The blood-sucking tiny creatures have been spotted in homes, cinemas, hospitals and trains – but a government minister has insisted there is “no outbreak” on Paris’s public transport network.

image of bed bugs on the skin covered with blanket
Bed bugs are seen in the seams of a sofa bed in L’Hay-les-Roses near Paris

Eurostar staff are on alert due to a bed bug infestation in Paris, which has hit the French capital in recent days.

The blood-sucking tiny creatures have been spotted in homes, cinemas, hospitals and trains – but a government minister has insisted there is “no outbreak” on Paris’s public transport network.

Amid fears the critters could spread in the UK, Eurostar said it has extra cleaning measures to help disinfect its cross-Channel trains if required.

blue train running on track with green scenery around
Eurostar said the presence of bed bugs on its trains was ‘extremely rare’. File pic

A Eurostar spokesperson told Sky News: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is always our number one priority and the presence of insects such as bed bugs on our trains, is extremely rare.

“The textile surfaces on all of our trains are cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis and this involves hot-water injection and extraction cleaning, which has proven highly effective in eliminating bugs.

“Any reports on hygiene matters are taken very seriously and our cleaning teams, in addition to the usual cleaning, will also disinfect a train on request or as soon as there is the slightest doubt.”
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/bed-bugs-eurostar-on-alert-as-paris-grapples-with-infestation-12977030

WHO says no new cases of Nipah virus detected since Sept 15

Staff members install a sign reading “Nipah isolation ward, entry strictly prohibited” at a hospital where a ward is being prepared for suspected Nipah virus patients in Kozhikode district, Kerala, India, September 12, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights

No fresh cases of the deadly Nipah virus have been detected since Sept. 15 in India’s southern state of Kerala, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

In its sixth outbreak in the country since 2001 this year, the virus, known for its 70% mortality rate, has claimed two lives out of the six who were infected in a span of few days in September, sending the state government scrambling to contain the spread.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-says-no-new-cases-nipah-virus-detected-since-sept-15-2023-10-03/

In Hospital Where 31 Died In 48 Hours, MP Makes Dean Clean Filthy Toilet

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MP Hemant Patil is seen spraying water into the toilet as the dean cleans it with a wiper.

Mumbai: A dirty toilet in a government hospital in Maharashtra’s Nanded, where 31 people have died in 48 hours, was cleaned by no less than the dean after an MP from the ruling Shiv Sena instructed him to do so.
After the deaths made national headlines, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MP Hemant Patil visited the Shankarrao Chavan Government Hospital on Tuesday and took stock of the situation there. On spotting a filthy toilet, Mr Patil caught hold of the hospital’s dean, Shyamrao Wakode, and asked him to clean it.

Videos show the MP standing and holding a pipe as the dean empties the toilet, putting a container, a bottle, and a toilet brush on a window. Mr Patil can then be seen spraying water into the toilet as Mr Wakode, armed with a wiper, directs streams of dirty water into the commode.

On Monday, the hospital had reported 24 deaths in 24 hours and the number rose to 31 in 48 hours on Tuesday. The condition of 71 patients is said to be critical.

Mr Wakode had, on Monday, rejected allegations of medical negligence and said there was no shortage of medicines or doctors. He had said the patients were given proper care, but did not respond to the treatment.

The opposition has trained its guns on the Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra, which is composed of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), the BJP and the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

“The BJP government spends thousands of crores on publicity, but there is no money to buy medicines of children,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge posted in Hindi on Monday, “The news of the death of 24 patients, including 12 infants, in a civil hospital in Nanded, Maharashtra, is extremely painful, serious and worrying. It is being said that these patients died due to a lack of medicines and treatment. A similar incident took place in a government hospital in Thane in August 2023, in which 18 patients lost their lives.”

The Congress chief demanded a detailed investigation and strict punishment for the culprits.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nanded-hospital-deaths-maharashtra-hospital-in-hospital-where-31-died-in-48-hours-mp-makes-dean-clean-filthy-toilet-4445671

Paris Crawling With Bedbugs As French Capital Prepares To Host Olympics Next Year

Despite the concerns, Paris’ deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said that there is “no threat to the Olympic Games”.

Videos of bedbugs in Paris Metro have gone viral on social media.

France’s capital Paris is battling an invasion of bedbugs, just 10 months before the 2024 Summer Olympics. The tiny pests were first spotted in hotels and rental apartments across the city during the summer. Then, moviegoers were disgusted by these bugs in theatres and now, social media users have reported bedbugs crawling around on seats in high-speed trains and Paris Metro. Photos and videos of bedbugs in the Metro train are going viral on X (formerly) with passengers warning others to pay attention before sitting on a seat or dropping their bags.

France24 said in a report that country’s transport minister Clement Beaune has vowed to “protect” the public from the menace by holding a meeting of public transport operators.

Bedbugs had disappeared from daily life in France in 1950s, but their resurgence is mostly due to high population density and more mass transit.

Paris city hall has urged President Emmanuel Macron to take measures to check the infestation, including creating a dedicated task force, said the outlet.

But despite these voices, Paris’ deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said that there is “no threat to the Olympic Games”, and urged everyone to work together to solve the issue. “Bedbugs existed before and they will exist afterward,” he added.

Transport operators have said they will remain “extremely vigilant” and The Local France said there have been no more recent sightings since the one caught on camera by a passenger last week.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/paris-crawling-with-bedbugs-as-french-capital-prepares-to-host-olympics-next-year-4444777 

 

Nipah alert sounded in Kerala after two ‘unnatural’ deaths: All you need to know

The first-ever Nipah virus outbreak in south India was reported from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in 2018.

Deaths due to Nipah virus infection were reported in Kozhikode district in 2018 and 2021.(PTI FILE)

The Kerala health department on Monday night sounded a health alert in Kozhikode after two people who died due to “unnatural” deaths in the district were suspected to have been infected with the Nipah virus (NiV). According to state health minister Veena George, the relatives of one of the deceased are also admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), reported news agency PTI.

The two deceased were admitted at a private hospital in the Kozhikode district, said reports.

Earlier on Monday, the state health minister held a high-level meeting and reviewed the situation in the district.

All you need to know about the Nipah virus and the outbreak in Kerala:

  1. The first-ever Nipah virus outbreak in south India was reported from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in 2018. The district has since witnessed another massive outbreak in 2021.
  2. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness that is transmitted via animals to humans, and can also be transmitted via contaminated food or directly between people and is caused by fruit bats. The virus is not only fatal for humans, but for animals as well. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers, WHO said.
  3. Although the Nipah virus has caused only a few known outbreaks in Asia, it infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease and death in people, the WHO said on its website.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nipah-alert-sounded-in-kerala-after-two-unnatural-deaths-all-you-need-to-know-101694479958878.html

Dengue crosses 700-mark in Uttarakhand, Dehradun worst hit

DMC workers fogged various wards

Dengue cases are constantly spiraling upward in the state and the toll has crossed the 700-mark on Thursday evening. On Thursday, 32 fresh cases of dengue were recorded, a dozen fresh cases surfaced in Dehradun and Haridwar, seven in Nainital and one in US Nagar.
A total of 724 cases were recorded here, of which the maximum cases were from Dehradun (458) which has almost 63% of the cases compared to other districts. Dehradun district administration has also swung into action and came up with a toll-free number on Wednesday for people’s convenience to know about availability of beds, platelets, etc. at the hospitals.
While both Naintial and Haridwar are also witnessing a surge, since July, both districts have noted 103 cases each. Meanwhile, Pauri, US Nagar, and Chamoli have 50, six, and four cases respectively. Health department’s latest dengue data as of today mentions a single death due to dengue while residents are claiming otherwise. The Department stated that 631 people have recovered while 92 are active dengue cases. To strengthen the overall health system, the department has also hired 24 specialist doctors under ‘you quote, we pay’ scheme on Thursday. Most of them are deployed at US Nagar, Haridwar, Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Pauri.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/dengue-crosses-700-mark-in-uttarakhand-dehradun-worst-hit/articleshow/103261166.cms?from=mdr

Delhi Battles Worst Dengue Outbreak in 5 Years; Govt. Issues Advisory To Curb Spread

In response to this alarming situation, the Delhi government has taken proactive measures to curb the virus’s spread, facing the highest dengue tally in five years with 187 reported cases until July 22.

As the dengue virus continues to spread, Delhi faced its highest dengue tally in five years, with 187 reported cases until July 22. In response to this alarming situation, the Delhi government has taken proactive measures to curb the virus’s spread. Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj announced a series of campaigns to educate schools and the public about dengue prevention.

Dengue, a viral infection transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, has been a growing concern in the capital city. The government plans to make hospitals fully prepared to handle dengue cases to bolster its response. Discussions have been held with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to coordinate efforts in tackling the outbreak.

The fear of a potential dengue outbreak arose amid the recent flood-like situation in Delhi due to the overflowing of the Yamuna River caused by incessant monsoon rains in hilly regions.

Genome sequencing of positive samples revealed that the prevalent strain is type-2, known for its severity and risks to patients. In light of this, the government has increased fines for mosquito breeding to discourage the spread of the virus. The 1031 helpline, previously dedicated to Covid-19 cases, will also address dengue-related concerns.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/delhi/delhi-battles-worst-dengue-outbreak-in-5-years-govt-issues-advisory-to-curb-spread-article-102251045

‘Conjunctivitis Surge an Epidemic’: Doctors Say Infections Likely to Peak Soon | All You Need to Know

India’s largest public hospital, AIIMS, New Delhi, is recording more than 100 cases of conjunctivitis daily. (Representational image: Shutterstock)

Watery discharge, irritation, itching, swelling of the lids, redness and pain in the eyes – these are the top complaints of the majority of patients visiting emergency departments of hospitals and eye clinics in northern India.

Blame the heavy monsoon and humid weather conditions. Doctors are calling the surge in eye infections an “epidemic”, which is likely to peak in the next few days or possibly in the next one week.

India’s largest public hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, is recording more than 100 cases of conjunctivitis every day. Similarly, on Monday (July 24), the Holy Family multi-specialty hospital in the national capital recorded 40 to 42 cases of conjunctivitis out of almost 72 patients who walked into its ophthalmic out-patient department (OPD).

“In early July, we started seeing almost 60 patients with conjunctivitis each day; this number rose to 80. Now, we are noticing almost 100 patients with the same diagnosis every day,” Dr JS Titiyal, the chief of Dr RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences at AIIMS, told News18.

“Right now, the cases are surging and it may exceed 100. It could be labelled as an epidemic of conjunctivitis,” the doctor added.

Dr Titiyal said this year, the cases were “slightly more” than previous years, which could be due to heavy rains and flooding. “This epidemic is expected to hit the peak soon and cases will start going down by the first week of August,” he added.

Echoing a similar trend, Sumit Ray, medical director at Holy Family Hospital, said, “At least half of the patients in our ophthalmic OPD are coming in with similar complaints. Every second patient is diagnosed with conjunctivitis.”

In eye care chains, too, there is a similar trend. “Our outpatient department (OPD) is observing an average of 10 to 15 conjunctivitis patients daily,” said Dr Sanjiv Gupta, director, New Delhi-based iCare Centre.

WHY THERE IS A SURGE IN INFECTION CASES
Experts said the increase in cases can be linked to the higher and early rainfall this year as compared to the last two to three years. Additionally, in the previous years, people were taking more precautions due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic that could have helped in reducing the spread of conjunctivitis.

According to Dr Nilesh Giri, consultant ophthalmologist and eye surgeon at Surya Mother and Child Super Specialty Hospital in Pune, the current outbreak is primarily caused by the adenovirus, which is a common virus responsible for conjunctivitis.

“Adenoviral conjunctivitis is a self-limiting condition, and no specific antiviral medications are effective against it,” Dr Giri said.

Ray further said while the viral infection of the eyes settles on its own in a few days, sometimes, secondary bacterial infection can also occur. “In such cases, doctors advise the use of antibiotic eye drops,” he added.

While such infections are contagious and can swiftly travel from one person to another, people generally take five to six days to recover. “In some cases, where infections are topped up by bacteria or other complications, it takes around two weeks to get well,” said Dr Titiyal.

HOW TO EXERCISE CAUTION?
Experts said conjunctivitis is typically self-resolving and rarely causes permanent damage to the eye. But, in some cases, the cornea can be affected and needs treatment.

Doctors advise avoiding touching eyes along with maintaining hand hygiene. “Refrain from sharing towels to minimise the risk of transmission and use medications as prescribed by your doctor and avoid self-medication with over-the-counter drugs,” said Dr Gupta.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/conjunctivitis-surge-an-epidemic-doctors-say-infections-likely-to-peak-soon-all-you-need-to-know-8434555.html

UK probes Novo’s Ozempic, weight-loss drug Saxenda over suicidal, self-harming thoughts

The logo of Danish multinational pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk is pictured on the facade of a production plant in Chartres, north-central France, April 21, 2016. REUTERS/Guillaume Souvant///File Photo

Britain is reviewing a class of drugs used in a diabetes medicine and a weight-loss treatment sold by Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO) after some patients reported suicidal or self-harming thoughts, two weeks after similar action by the European Union.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said in a statement to Reuters late on Tuesday it was reviewing safety data on a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

This includes Novo’s Ozempic, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide and is approved to treat Type 2 diabetes.

Another drug being reviewed is Novo’s Saxenda, which contains the active ingredient liraglutide and is approved as a weight-loss treatment. Saxenda is Novo’s older GLP-1 drug and has lower effectiveness than its newer obesity treatment Wegovy, which contains semaglutide.

Novo told Reuters it had received a request on Monday from the MHRA about the agency’s review of potential suicidal and self-harming thoughts related to GLP-1 drugs.

“The review is ongoing and a response will be provided within the requested timelines,” it said in a statement.

The MHRA said AstraZeneca’s GLP-1 drug for type 2 diabetes, called exenatide and marketed as Bydureon, was also included in the review. AstraZeneca did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

The MHRA said two other GLP-1 drugs, Sanofi’s (SASY.PA) lixisenatide and Eli Lilly’s (LLY.N) dulaglutide, were also included.

Sanofi told Reuters it is aware that the MHRA is conducting the review.

“We are working with the MHRA,” it said. “Sanofi confirms our continuous patient safety and pharmacovigilance monitoring system has not identified any safety concerns.”

“We are aware of the MHRA’s review,” Eli Lilly said in a statement to Reuters. “Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority, and we will respond to the review regarding safety signals related to dulaglutide (Trulicity) as part of our routine regulatory review processes.”

GLP-1 receptor agonists were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. They mimic a gut hormone that suppresses appetite, promoting a feeling of fullness.

The MHRA told Reuters that its review was initiated on July 12. The agency said it could not specify when it would conclude or what the results might be.

It said the review would consider safety data including adverse drug reactions reported by patients and clinicians to the MHRA and other medicines regulators that it did not name.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/uk-probing-novos-ozempic-weight-loss-drug-saxenda-over-suicidal-self-harming-2023-07-26/

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