infection

EU health commissioner urges equal treatment for HIV patients

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EU health commissioner urges equal treatment for HIV patients

Stella Kyriakidou, the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, expressed the need to break prejudice and stigma surrounding HIV-positive individuals and their families at a pan-European level. She visited the Gregorio Pneumonological Clinic at Larnaca General Hospital and emphasized the importance of providing access to services and job market opportunities for HIV-positive individuals. Kyriakidou also highlighted the importance of daily information and awareness to address prejudice and stigma towards HIV-positive individuals.

Orangutan, ’s use of medicinal plant to treat wound intrigues scientists

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Orangutan, ’s use of medicinal plant to treat wound intrigues scientists

In June 2022, a male Sumatran orangutan named Rakus sustained a facial wound below the right eye during a fight with another male orangutan at the Suaq Balimbing research site in Indonesia. Rakus treated the wound using a plant called Akar Kuning, known for its pain-relieving and wound-healing properties. The wound did not show signs of infection and closed within five days. This behavior suggests that orangutans may have cognitive capacities for wound treatment with plants, similar to humans.

Seven children die from bacterial infection at Trinidad hospital

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Seven children die from bacterial infection at Trinidad hospital

Seven infants died in four days from a bacterial infection at Trinidad’s Port of Spain General Hospital. The outbreak occurred in the neonatal intensive care unit and the children who died were premature babies. The bacteria found in the ward were Serratia marcescens, ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Klebsiella aerogenes. Despite administering high-dose antibiotics and intensive care support, some of the babies did not survive. The ward has been treated with chemicals to kill the bacteria, and there have been no new deaths since April 7th. The Trinidad government has asked the Pan American Health Organization to assist in the investigation.

Peru’s dengue deaths triple as climate change swells mosquito population

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Peru’s dengue deaths triple as climate change swells mosquito population

Deaths caused by dengue disease have tripled in Peru this year, prompting the government to implement an emergency decree to combat the outbreak. The mild symptoms of dengue include nausea, rashes, and body pains, while a severe form can cause internal bleeding and be fatal, especially for infants and pregnant women. The Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which carries the disease, has been spreading to new areas due to climate change. Peru has seen a significant increase in both cases and deaths compared to previous years, with the highest numbers recorded in coastal and northern regions.

Cyprus sees increase in measles cases

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Cyprus sees increase in measles cases

Clusters of measles cases have been reported in Cyprus, with a high risk of more cases emerging. The Ministry of Health is urging healthcare professionals to cooperate and monitor the situation closely to prevent further spread. Measles is highly contagious and spreads easily through respiratory secretions. Vaccination with two doses of MMR vaccine is recommended for those born after 1974 to prevent the disease.

Cyprus lifts final Covid restriction, masks in hospitals

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Cyprus lifts final Covid restriction, masks in hospitals

Cyprus has lifted the last COVID-19 restriction, which was mandatory testing for visits to hospitals and care homes, on the fourth anniversary of the coronavirus reaching the island. The decision was announced by Health Minister Michalis Damianou after a Cabinet meeting. The change will take effect on Friday, with the amended decree to be published in the government’s Official Gazette. However, wearing a mask will still be required in hospitals, care homes, and other closed structures. This decision comes as the positive test results were a few hundred out of 80,000 samples, and hospitalizations were minimal. The coronavirus has taken 1,365 lives in Cyprus to date.

Miracle baby, miracle mother

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Miracle baby, miracle mother

Childbirth complications, including pre-eclampsia and obstructed labour, affect millions of women globally each year, with approximately 810 women dying daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO also estimates that for every woman who dies in childbirth, about 20 more suffer severe complications, leading to long-term health issues or disabilities. Baiba Deiko, a 33-year-old woman from Latvia residing in Cyprus, experienced a severe childbirth complication leading to an emergency cesarean section at 31 weeks due to a ruptured placenta, a 1cm perforation in the posterior wall of her stomach, and subsequent life-threatening conditions including sepsis and a complete blockage of the pylorus. Her son, Noah, was taken to Makarios hospital’s ICU, the only one in the country that can house babies under 32 weeks. Baiba’s condition required her to be transported via an ambulance plane to Rafael hospital in Israel for specialized treatment, facilitated by ILMedicare, a private medical service in Limassol, Cyprus. After her final surgery, Baiba returned to Cyprus two weeks later and was reunited with her son after a month of separation.

COVID19: Masks, tests are back as elderly cases rise

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COVID19: Masks, tests are back as elderly cases rise

The mandatory use of face masks and 48-hour tests has been introduced in Cyprus for staff and visitors at hospitals, nursing homes, and dental clinics due to a rise in Covid-19 cases, particularly among the elderly. The increase in infections is attributed to the JN.1 sub-strain of the Omicron-2 variant. Weekly inspections and tests will resume at care homes and shelters, and mobile vaccination units will be deployed to increase vaccination rates among the elderly. The new measures include a negative rapid or PCR test valid for 48 hours, and the use of masks is mandatory for anyone over 12 years old. Makarios hospital for children has experienced a high bed occupancy rate due to respiratory infection cases, primarily caused by the RSV virus. The number of coronavirus patients is higher compared to previous weeks, indicating community transmission. The hospitalized patients are mainly elderly, with some cases coming from nursing homes. Other infections are within expected limits, with an increase in RSV and mild cases of the flu.

Surge in viruses pushes children, ’s hospital to limits

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Surge in viruses pushes children, ’s hospital to limits

The Makarios hospital for children in Nicosia has a bed occupancy rate exceeding 90% due to an influx of respiratory infection cases, primarily caused by the RSV virus. Over half of the hospitalized children are under 12 months old, and lower respiratory infections are the second most prevalent ailment. The Director of the hospital’s paediatrics department predicts an increase in cases after the reopening of schools. Currently, four children are admitted with COVID-19. Additionally, around 60 elderly patients with COVID-19 are hospitalized in public hospitals, indicating community transmission. The spokesperson for the State Health Services’ Organization mentions that there is an increase in viral and bacterial infections, including RSV, but they are within expected limits. The flu is expected to pick up from mid-January to the end of February.