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Urgent measures need to be taken to protect the public from contaminated blood transfusions

In the Western Pacific Region, transmission of HIV/AIDS and other infections such as hepatitis B and C through blood transfusion remains a serious threat. It is particularly acute in areas where prevalence of these diseases is high and access to safe blood is limited.

16 Sep 2004

WHO urges Member States to act now to avoid a major HIV/AIDS epidemic

Dr Shigeru Omi, World Health Organization Regional Director for the Western Pacific, has warned of the danger of HIV "bridging" into the general population from infected individuals with high-risk behaviour unless countries and areas in the Region act now to avoid a major HIV/AIDS epidemic.

16 Sep 2004

A new vector of malaria in Africa called Oveng form

Malaria affects around 600 million people in the world and leads to an annual death toll of over 2 million. It is the world’s most widespread parasitic disease.

16 Sep 2004

WHO calls for effective partnerships to tackle zoonoses

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to improve their capacity to respond to emergencies posed by natural, accidental and intentional contamination of food.

16 Sep 2004

New diagnostic tests for bird flu

On the final day of the recent HPA conference, delegates heard about work that the Agency is carrying out to prepare for an avian flu pandemic.

16 Sep 2004

Severe infections with flesh-eating bacteria are considerably more common than expected

In an EU project covering 11 countries, headed by Lund University in Sweden, it was calculated that some 1,000 cases would be found over an initial 1½-year period. Fully 5,000 were identified.

16 Sep 2004

Bush AIDS plan is using expensive, brand name drugs, rather than keeping its promise to use the lowest cost drugs available

Global AIDS Alliance reacted today to the statement of the Bush Administration regarding its global AIDS programs.

14 Sep 2004

WHO calls enhanced preparedness for SARS and avian influenza

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to put in place preventive measures and enhance preparedness ready for the possible re-emergence of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and avian influenza A (H5N1) in humans.

14 Sep 2004

New insights into the international burden of malaria

Malaria research scientists from around the globe have published new insights into the international burden of malaria and what can be done about it.

14 Sep 2004

Serious concerns about spa pools and jacuzzis being a cause of Legionnaires’ disease

A new study by Britain's Health Protection Agency has raised serious concerns about spa pools and jacuzzis being a cause of Legionnaires’ disease because they are not managed or maintained properly.

14 Sep 2004

One of Australia's largest hospitals has suspected case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

The Royal Melbourne Hospital, one of Australia's largest hospitals, has contacted 1056 patients today after a man died of a suspected case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.

13 Sep 2004

Growing global threat from avian influenza

"Unless intensive efforts are made, a pandemic is very likely to occur," Dr Shigeru Omi, WHO's Regional Director for the Western Pacific, told a news conference in Shanghai.

13 Sep 2004

World Health Organisation's strategy to control the worldwide rise of tuberculosis has not worked

The World Health Organisation's (WHO) strategy to control the worldwide rise of tuberculosis (TB) has not worked, say Harvard researchers in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. It is time to go beyond simply treating people with active disease, which has been the cornerstone of its strategy, they say.

12 Sep 2004

Enterovirus-71 case confirmed in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection has confirmed a case of enterovirus-71 involving a two-year-old girl.

10 Sep 2004

Early success of the meningococcal B immunisation programme celebrated

Experts in science and medicine will focus on New Zealand's Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme today and tomorrow at an Immunisation Conference in Rotorua.

10 Sep 2004

John Reid has announced further developments concerning variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

He told MPs in a written ministerial statement that an exercise has begun to notify some recipients of blood products about the results of a risk assessment exercise carried out by the Health Protection Agency.

10 Sep 2004

Secrecy and silence clouds the true picture of AIDS related deaths among doctors in South Africa

A culture of 'secrecy and silence' clouds the true picture of AIDS related deaths among doctors in South Africa, says Dr Dan Ncayiyana, editor of the South African Medical Journal, in this week's BMJ.

9 Sep 2004

Health claim for omega-3 fatty acids should help consumers reduce risk of coronary heart disease

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the availability of a qualified health claim for reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) on conventional foods that contain eiscosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids.

8 Sep 2004

50 year old frozen smallpox vaccines are nearly 100 percent effective

Diluted doses of a smallpox vaccine, originally manufactured in the 1950s and stored as a frozen preparation, are nearly 100 percent effective, allowing for expansion of the current stockpile if needed, according to an article in the September 8 issue of JAMA.

8 Sep 2004

Scientists have traced the first steps in the way some new diseases emerge

Scientists have traced the first steps in the way some new diseases emerge, and how harmless bacteria living in insects become dangerous disease-causing bugs which can affect humans, like the plague or anthrax.

8 Sep 2004

Disease/Infection News

Urgent measures need to be taken to protect the public from contaminated blood transfusions

WHO urges Member States to act now to avoid a major HIV/AIDS epidemic

A new vector of malaria in Africa called Oveng form

WHO calls for effective partnerships to tackle zoonoses

New diagnostic tests for bird flu

Severe infections with flesh-eating bacteria are considerably more common than expected

Bush AIDS plan is using expensive, brand name drugs, rather than keeping its promise to use the lowest cost drugs available

WHO calls enhanced preparedness for SARS and avian influenza

New insights into the international burden of malaria

Serious concerns about spa pools and jacuzzis being a cause of Legionnaires’ disease

One of Australia's largest hospitals has suspected case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Growing global threat from avian influenza

World Health Organisation's strategy to control the worldwide rise of tuberculosis has not worked

Enterovirus-71 case confirmed in Hong Kong

Early success of the meningococcal B immunisation programme celebrated

John Reid has announced further developments concerning variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Secrecy and silence clouds the true picture of AIDS related deaths among doctors in South Africa

Health claim for omega-3 fatty acids should help consumers reduce risk of coronary heart disease

50 year old frozen smallpox vaccines are nearly 100 percent effective

Scientists have traced the first steps in the way some new diseases emerge

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