Aus state warns of Japanese encephalitis virus infection among animals

positive samples reported in pigs last week, indicating the risk of JEV infection in the region is ongoing, according to the statement released by the state's Health Department.

JEV, transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, is a vaccine-preventable virus.

Washington, March 22 (IANS) The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned of a rapid rise and geographic spread of an emerging fungus called Candida auris (C. auris).

C. auris is considered as an urgent antimicrobial resistance (AR) threat, because it is often resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, spreads easily in healthcare facilities, and can cause severe infections with high death rates, Xinhua news agency quoted the CDC as saying. The fungus spread at an alarming rate in US healthcare facilities in 2020 to 2021, according to CDC

"Equally concerning was a tripling in 2021 of the number of cases that were resistant to echinocandins, the antifungal medicine most recommended for treatment of C. auris infections," the health body said.

The CDC said C. auris is not a threat to healthy people. But people who are very sick, have invasive medical devices, or have long or frequent stays in healthcare facilities are at increased risk for acquiring C. auris.

"The rapid rise and geographic spread of cases is concerning and emphasises the need for continued surveillance, expanded lab capacity, quicker diagnostic tests, and adherence to proven infection prevention and control," said CDC epidemiologist Meghan Lyman.

TB treatment time to be reduced

percentage develop severe illness including encephalitis (brain inflammation), which can lead to serious complications and death," she said, adding that anyone who develops a sudden onset of fever, headache, vomiting, seizures or disorientation should seek urgent medical attention.

Canberra, March 22 (IANS) Health authorities in Western Australia state have issued a warning to residents and tourists in the Kimberley region to avoid contact with mosquitoes, following an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in the area.

Positive samples were collected in February 2023 from chicken flocks in Kununurra and Wyndham in the region, along with other

Jelena Maticevic, the Department's acting director of communicable disease control, has warned of the significant risk that JEV poses to the human population, urging anyone with symptoms to seek urgent medical advice, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Most people infected will have no or very mild symptoms and will fully recover. However, a small

Since January 2021 in Australia, 45 cases of human JEV have been reported in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory, with seven deaths recorded. There have been no reported human cases of the mosquitoborne disease in the state of Western Australia.

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Canberra, March 22 (IANS) Health authorities in Western Australia state have issued a warning to residents and tourists in the Kimberley region to avoid contact with mosquitoes, following an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in the area.

Positive samples were collected in February 2023 from chicken flocks in Kununurra and Wyndham in the region, along with other positive samples reported in pigs last week, indicating the risk of JEV infection in the region is ongoing, according to the statement released by the state's Health Department.

JEV, transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, is a vaccine-preventable virus.

Jelena Maticevic, the Department's acting director of communicable disease control, has warned of the significant risk that JEV poses to the human population, urging anyone with symptoms to seek urgent medical advice, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Most people infected will have no or very mild symptoms and will fully recover.

However, a small percentage develop severe illness including encephalitis (brain inflammation), which can lead to serious complications and death," she said, adding that anyone who develops a sudden onset of fever, headache, vomiting, seizures or disorientation should seek urgent medical attention.

Since January 2021 in Australia, 45 cases of human JEV have been reported in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory, with seven deaths recorded.

There have been no reported human cases of the mosquitoborne disease in the state of Western Australia.

Lucknow, March 22 (IANS) The treatment period for patients of tuberculosis (TB) will soon be reduced from six-nine months to three-four months which will be possible after the addition of some new drugs, said experts at King George's Medical University (KGMU) here.

Prof Ved Prakash, head of the pulmonary critical care medicine (PCCM) department, said: "The trials of these new drugs have brought hope to reduce medication to three to four months."

Faculty of respiratory medicine, Prof RAS Kushwaha said: "Investing in research and development for TB can lead to the development of newer, more effective tools and treatments. The family members of TB patients, who are below 5 years of age or above 65 years or having immune-compromise conditions should start taking preventive medication after getting recommendation from doctor as it can prevent them from getting infected."

He said this way the transmission can be stopped and also informed that the PCCM department has adopted 24 children and one village for healthcare and overall development.

KGMU Vice Chancellor Bipin Puri said: "We should make sure that all the TB patients are reported and patients do not leave medicine courses so that TB can end before 2025."

Prof Rajendra Prasad, professor, respiratory medicine, Lucknow Medical College, said we can progress towards a single universal regimen in our fight against all kinds of TB.