Health

Scientists in Canada Await Updates on H5N1 Situation

Published

6 months ago

2024-05-15

H5N1 proteins require further testing: Getty Images

As the H5N1 avian influenza virus spreads among poultry and cattle in the US and infects a dairy worker in Texas, public health and infectious diseases experts in Canada eagerly await surveillance updates to better understand North American risks.

On May 3, Canadian health and food agencies announced increased livestock and milk testing and surveillance. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported that pasteurized milk, properly cooked chicken, and eggs are safe against the highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Our time is undetermined. We must be concerned that H5N1 was likely in US cattle for a few months before it was recognized and before cow movement controls were put in place “Scott Weese, DVM, professor of pathobiology at the Ontario Veterinary College and director of the University of Guelph’s Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, told Medscape Medical News.

He replied, “We have no proof of it, but we need to study and take more time to determine if it’s made it here.

As of May 14, the CDC had found H5N1 in 46 dairy herds in nine states, including new cases in Colorado, Idaho, and Michigan on May 7 and 8. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, researchers reported that numerous household cats died in March after consuming raw milk from sick cows on a north Texas dairy farm. In a preprint report, California and Georgia researchers found viral growth at 59 wastewater treatment plants nationwide.

H5N1 transmission

On May 8, the CDC said current flu surveillance systems can detect H5N1 transmission and early alterations, adding that the “current risk to the general public remains low.” Close or long exposure to diseased birds or livestock increases the risk of respiratory infection, the government stated.

“We only have incomplete US data. Weese said the US Department of Agriculture is communicating more but has big testing gaps. “Farms’ unwillingness to let workers test limits on-farm surveillance. Confirmation of surveillance in Canada was welcome.”

The CFIA, Health Canada, and PHA launched a program to monitor retail milk samples. Per Medscape Medical News, CFIA laboratories will use polymerase chain reaction to evaluate milk samples, with the first findings expected by mid-May. The CFIA website will post the results.

“There is currently no evidence that food, including milk and meat, can transmit avian influenza to humans,” the CFIA media team reported. “Canada has strong food safety regulations in place to protect the Canadian food supply.”

Canadian agencies now require negative test results for US-imported lactating dairy cattle and volunteer testing of cows without clinical indications of the virus.

Transparency and data sharing

The CFIA is also broadening its advice for private vets collecting and submitting cow samples for voluntary testing. Updates will be “available in coming days,” the FDA informed Medscape Medical News.

“I hope we’re taking a proactive approach — if we wait and see, we’ll always be left behind,” Isaac Bogoch, MD, University of Toronto associate professor of medicine and University Health Network infectious diseases expert, said.

“With any outbreak response, transparency and data sharing are important, as well as working with any groups that are impacted, such as building trust with the farming community,” stated.

“What are the motivations for screening cattle, and what may be the economic impact of a positive test? We must consider agricultural screening incentives and remuneration.”

Bogoch said public health professionals are concerned about the increased burden of H5N1 infection in mammals, especially since infectious diseases specialists have tracked it for years since it was found in geese in China in 1996 and infected 18 people in Hong Kong in 1997.

“H5N1 has been known to be an infection of pandemic potential for over 25 years,” stated. “This is the prototype virus that people who work in emerging and reemerging infectious diseases have been looking at for decades, and when you see more of the virus around and it’s doing things it wasn’t doing before, it raises a red flag to say we should get on this.”

Novel flu strains

Due to its unsuitability for people, Weese said most infectious disease and animal health experts aren’t worried about this flu strain spreading from person to person. Instead, they’re worried about more flu viruses.

“The more circulation and the more species that are involved, the greater the chance for more adaptation and recombination with other flu viruses,” stated. “Whether it’s cattle, cats, or other species, we don’t want novel flu strains in circulation, especially in domestic animals that we have contact with.”

Infected Texas dairy worker contracted a slightly different flu strain than in US cattle outbreaks, raising questions about virus mutation, mammal-to-mammal spread, and mammal-to-human adaptation, said Allison McGeer, MD, University of Toronto professor of laboratory medicine and pathobiology and Sinai Health System infectious diseases specialist.

“We’ll see in the next couple of weeks what the surveillance shows here,” said. “It’s a good thing for those of us in Canada that the US has identified this and is moving on it as quickly as possible, and we’ll keep our fingers and toes crossed that it hasn’t crossed the border.”

In the interim, experts advised considering human trials. McGeer highlighted that combined viral testing kits in Canada may detect COVID-19, flu strains, and respiratory syncytial virus, but H5N1 proteins require further testing. In addition, sick patients may not request testing or contact a doctor.

“The human surveillance aspect is OK but not brilliant, and that’s what everybody in every jurisdiction seems to be feeling,” said. “We’re watching, and adding to the current efforts takes time, energy, and resources, so it’s hard to judge right now what to do and how quickly and how far to move.”

She noted that monitoring effluent samples and asymptomatic cattle while waiting for Canadian preliminary results is crucial.

“Then we need to brace ourselves and think about the next steps, depending on what we find,” he said. “Outbreak control measures can be expensive and difficult, so we need to think about how to support the dairy industry and make sure they’re getting through this as safely and effectively as possible.”

Source: Medscape

Geoff Thomas

Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.

See Full Bio

Health

Growth Hormone Why Athletes Take HGH

Published

5 days ago

2024-11-03

PR News

The risks of taking human growth hormone can be significant to an athlete's health trying to enhance their performance.

Growth hormone is a protein synthesized, secreted, and released by somatotropes (cells in the anterior pituitary gland) and transported through the bloodstream to target tissues, stimulating growth. It has a variety of functions, from promoting growth and tissue repair to producing immune function and controlling mood.

More recently, HGH has also been shown to have anabolic effects on the body. When given biologically at levels not typically found in humans, it can make muscles grow faster and more robust.

Growth hormone raises insulin-like growth factor levels in blood and tissues, directly contributing to increased muscle size and strength during exercise. According to the Mayo Clinic, growth hormone is often referred to as “the fountain of youth” because it is thought to be responsible for long-term health and fitness.

Why does someone need extra prescribed growth hormone?

The most common reasons someone would take HGH prescribed by a doctor are:

1. People with a deficiency of natural Growth hormone. This is where the body has completely lost its ability to produce growth hormone or has lost the power of some or most of its growth-producing glands to make enough growth hormone.

2. Aging adults have a decreased ability to produce growth hormones. In both aging children and adults, the pituitary gland in the brain decreases its ability to make enough growth hormone.

3. Athletes who want to improve their performance in their chosen sports use Growth hormones as a performance-enhancing drug (PED). Athletes wish to HGH because it enables them to exercise harder for longer, with better recovery times, and train harder for more hours daily. HGH also helps to increase the number of muscle fibers, the body’s natural protein booster.

4. People with severe medical conditions. People need HGH prescribed by a doctor if they have been diagnosed with a disorder where their bodies do not produce enough natural growth hormone or if their pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone for them to live life normally – for example, with kids needing growth hormones due to pituitary gland surgery or after chemotherapy.

Benefits of Human growth hormone.

With a prescribed HGH regimen, you may find some or all of the following benefits:

1. Increased energy, improved mood, and better sleep patterns can help you feel better and improve your overall health. But remember that you should always talk to your physician or a healthcare provider before taking HGH for any reason.

2. Reduced recovery times between workouts, athletic practices, and events, allowing you to work out harder and longer. You should have increases in lean muscle mass, endurance, and overall strength with human growth hormone use over time.

3. Increased adrenaline levels result in a faster and more intense workout or an increased ability to push yourself.

4. Improved mood and increased motivation. HGH can enhance mood, helping you feel happier and easier going. You may also be able to get out of bed in the morning feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day after taking HGH instead of over-the-counter sleep aids.

5. Improve sexual drive, motivation, and performance, which can help you enjoy intimacy with your partner

6. Increases in muscle mass and strength.

7. If you cannot participate in physical activities due to health issues or a lack of strength, taking HGH may make it possible to participate in what you love. In some cases, people who use HGH with good results can continue participating in sports even after their growth hormones are stopped.

8. Increased bone density can help protect your body from fractures during athletic activity.

Why Are Athletes Using HGH?

Why do athletes use Growth Hormones? The main reasons are as follows:

1. Increased Muscle Growth and Tissue Repair:

2. When athletes use HGH, they can increase their muscles’ size more quickly than expected, leading to more explosive movements that result in faster and more powerful athletics.

3. HGH Helps to Speed Up How Quickly Your Body Recovers: HGH can speed up muscle growth and help your body recover from the damage caused by exercise and training more quickly. This allows athletes to train harder and longer every week.

4. Increased Fat Burning:

5. HGH can boost your body’s natural fat-burning process so that you will burn fat more quickly than average. This can lead to a leaner physique, ideal for athletes looking to achieve their weight class.

HGH side effects on athletes can be dangerous without the control of a medic because it is impossible to hide from the cheaters, who compare notes on improving their efficiency with their colleagues or rivals.

The increased muscle mass achieved by taking human growth hormone for athletes has side effects, including tumor growth, varying sugar levels, and an increased risk of diabetes.

Why can HGH be Dangerous?

1. HGH can be hazardous. This is especially true when used by athletes not following medical advice. HGH on athletes can cause a variety of things like diabetes, enlarged heart, failure of organs and tissue, abnormal blood pressure and high blood pressure, hardening of blood vessels, kidney problems, and thyroid cancer.

2. It is also dangerous for people who use HGH for bodybuilding. The opportunity of having severe health problems is excellent. In some cases, the growth of facial features may become uneven, causing a person to have a p

3. protruding forehead, long nose, and thin lips. Other reported side effects directly resulting from HGH include headaches, nervousness, and joint pain.

The risks of taking human growth hormone can be significant to an athlete’s health trying to enhance their performance. While taking HGH and getting benefits without unwanted side effects is still possible, only a doctor will know if you are a good candidate for this treatment.

PR News

See Full Bio

Health

Walking Pneumonia Cases Among Children On the Rise in Canada

Published

7 days ago

2024-11-01

Geoff Thomas

According to medical professionals, there has been an unusual rise in the number of severe and complex cases of walking pneumonia that are afflicting patients who are significantly younger in hospitals throughout Canada.

The division director of pediatric infectious diseases stated that the disease is prevalent in children and typically manifests as a benign form of pneumonia. However, a greater number of children are developing a severe form of the disease.

According to physicians, mycoplasma pneumonia is prevalent among school-aged children. It is informally referred to as walking pneumonia.

They also noted that individuals who exhibit more severe symptoms, such as respiratory difficulties, may necessitate treatment for the contagious pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist, stated that Canada is likely experiencing the same trends as the United States, with infections being most prevalent in the autumn.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) does not monitor this specific disease; however, it does monitor other respiratory illnesses in Canada and reports the trends in the Respiratory Virus Detection Surveillance System Report, the FluWatch+ Surveillance Program, and the COVID-19 epidemiology update.

Rubin stated that conducting experiments is challenging. His discussions with his colleagues have provided him with anecdotal information regarding the observed trends. Doctors have reported a backlog in tests and delays in receiving results due to increased cases.

Health specialists have indicated that patients may undergo various diagnostic procedures, including blood tests, nose swabs, throat swabs, physical examinations, measurement of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, and chest X-rays.

Specialized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are more frequently accessible to patients in the hospital.

Walking Pneumonia Cases in British Columbia

According to data provided by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and B.C. Children’s Hospital, the number of walking pneumonia infections in B.C. is higher than in previous years, with the highest incidence among individuals under 20.

They referenced BCCDC’s Public Health Laboratory data, the Canadian Sentinel Practitioner Surveillance Network, and B.C. Children’s Hospital.

Walking Pneumonia Cases from other regions of Canada

A prominent women’s and children’s hospital in Halifax has also reported an increase in the number of cases of walking pneumonia. It increased from 11 last year to 113 as of September.

Dr. Karen Gripp, the emergency department’s medical director at HSC Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg, has reported that the number of pediatric patients in the emergency department with pneumonia this autumn has increased by a “significant amount.” However, the specific type of pneumonia is still uncertain.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority emergency departments, including Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, have not yet reported any reports that suggest the illness is pervasive.

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau Promotes Mental Health Awareness

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau Promotes Mental Health Awareness

Geoff Thomas

See Full Bio

Health

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau Promotes Mental Health Awareness

Published

1 week ago

2024-11-01

Ana Wong

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, the wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, recently underlined the crucial need for mental health awareness and support. Grégoire Trudeau spoke at a community gathering in Toronto on her personal experiences with mental health issues.

Grégoire Trudeau, an advocate for a variety of social problems, emphasized the importance of mental health alongside physical health. “We must break the stigma surrounding mental illness,” she said, urging people to seek assistance and support without fear of being judged.

Her frank discussion struck a chord with many guests, creating an environment where people felt empowered to share their difficulties and tales. The event included a panel of mental health professionals who examined the rising prevalence of anxiety and depression, particularly among young people.

They stressed the importance of having access to mental health resources and the value of community support in supporting well-being.

Grégoire Trudeau reiterated these thoughts, urging governments and organizations to spend more on mental health services and programs. Her speech also emphasized the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in Canada.

She stated that isolation and uncertainty have aggravated existing mental health difficulties, making it critical for society to emphasize mental well-being.

“We are all in this together, and we need to look out for one another,” she told us.

The program finished with a call to action, asking participants to start conversations about mental health in their communities.

Grégoire Trudeau’s dedication to this subject mirrors a larger trend to de-stigmatize mental health concerns and create a supportive atmosphere for individuals who suffer from them.

As mental health remains a major issue in Canada and worldwide, Grégoire Trudeau’s activism highlights the significance of compassion, empathy, and proactive measures in dealing with this vital part of health.

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau Releases a New Book “Closer Together”

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau Releases a New Book “Closer Together”

Ana Wong

Ana Wong is a sharp and insightful journalist known for her in-depth reporting on tech and finance. With a knack for breaking down complex topics, she makes them accessible for everyday readers.

See Full Bio