Rhinosinusitis should be considered the primary cause of TSS when another site of infection has not been identified. – Rhinosinusitis (infection and inflammation in the sinus passages surrounding the nose) appears to be a primary factor in about one-fifth of toxic shock syndrome cases in children.
SA HIV epidemic has stabilised – Third national HIV survey shows SA’s epidemic has stabilised, with promising signs of a declining epidemic among children and teenagers. – South Africa’s HIV epidemic has levelled off at a prevalence of 10.9% for people aged two years and older, with 5.2 million people estimated to be living with HIV in 2008.
World now at the start of 2009 influenza pandemic, says WHO. – On the basis of available evidence and expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. The Director-General of WHO has therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6.
FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Skin Products Made by Clarcon Due to Bacterial Contamination Risk – Products marketed under various names. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc. of Roy, Utah, is voluntarily recalling some skin sanitizers and skin protectants marketed under several different brand names because of high levels of disease-causing bacteria found in the product during a recent inspection.
H1N1 update as on 9th June 2009 – eleven have been tested positive for novel Influenza A [H1N1]. – In India health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is continuing in 21 International airports. 44489 passengers have been screened on 9.6.2009.
H1N1 update as on 8th June 2009 – 25,288 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 infection from 73 countries. – The 60 year old mother of the positive case [reported at Delhi on 7.6.2009] complained of mild symptoms and also tested positive. She got the infection from her son. They are on oseltamivir. All their contacts have been put on chemoprophylaxis.
One step closer to turning off cancer genes with gene silencing technology for cervical cancer patients and also with no hair loss. – Researchers at The University of Queensland have developed a way to deliver drugs which can specifically shut down cancer-causing genes in tumour cells while sparing normal healthy tissues.
H1N1 update as on 7th June 2009 — ten have been tested positive for novel Influenza A [H1N1]. – In India, 176 persons have been tested of which ten have been tested positive for novel Influenza A [H1N1]. The rest of the samples have been found negative for the novel virus.
Middle-aged women experience more stress but have lower blood pressure – Both blood pressure and serum lipid levels have improved in Swedish middle-aged women during the past 30 years. Levels of perceived mental stress, however, have increased significantly. These are the of a thesis presented at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Stem cells cultured on a simple contact lens to restore sight to sufferers of blinding corneal disease. – In a world-first breakthrough, University of New South Wales (UNSW) medical researchers have used stem cells cultured on a simple contact lens to restore sight to sufferers of blinding corneal disease.
Penn study demonstrates new way to boost immune memory — Cancer vaccine efficacy enhanced using anti-diabetic drug metformin. – University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine researchers have found that a common anti-diabetic drug might enhance the effectiveness of vaccines. The findings are described this week in an advanced online publication of Nature.
Government of Canada announces funding for research to further protect Canadians from the H1N1 flu virus – The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, is pleased to announce another measure to address the H1N1 flu virus. The Government of Canada will fund a national influenza research network focused on pandemic vaccine evaluation.
