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Grenada Strengthens Disease Surveillance with New Online National Guidelines

Grenada Strengthens Disease Surveillance with New Online National Guidelines

Grenada has significantly enhanced its disease surveillance capabilities by introducing new online Integrated Health Surveillance Guidelines. This initiative, supported by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the Pandemic Fund Project for the Eastern Caribbean, involved a three-day national end-user workshop that trained 45 health workers from across Grenada's health system and partner sectors. The guidelines consolidate essential information for health workers, including case definitions, notification pathways from facility to national level, reporting timelines, laboratory confirmation procedures, and the roles of various units. By presenting these guidelines on an online platform, the Ministry of Health can centrally update content, ensuring all facilities access the most current version. The system is designed to align national practices with the International Health Regulations (2005) and adopts a 'One Health' approach, integrating human, animal, and environmen...

Prosper Global, formerly Mercy Corps, Launches Small Grants Challenge to Boost Caribbean Economic Growth

Prosper Global, formerly Mercy Corps, Launches Small Grants Challenge to Boost Caribbean Economic Growth

Prosper Global, previously known as Mercy Corps, has initiated a small grants challenge through its Strengthening Caribbean Economic Growth (SCEG) program. This initiative aims to provide funding to organizations that are actively working to foster economic development across the Caribbean region. Up to 12 selected organizations will each receive grants of up to $50,000 USD. The projects eligible for this funding must focus on expanding employment opportunities, strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and improving access to demand-driven inputs and services. The application period for these grants is from February 9th to February 23rd, with projects expected to last up to 12 months. Eligible organizations must be registered and based in or operating across Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. This program reflects Prosper Global's commitment to supporting communities in overcoming economic hardship and building lasting progress.

Maryland Residents Face Severe Mosquito Swarms, Prompting Calls for State Intervention

Maryland Residents Face Severe Mosquito Swarms, Prompting Calls for State Intervention

Residents in parts of southern Dorchester County, Maryland, particularly in areas like Crapo, are experiencing an overwhelming mosquito infestation, making it impossible to step outdoors for weeks. Mike Calder, a resident of Crapo, reported that he and his wife have temporarily left their home due to the severity of the swarms, describing the situation as a 'horror show.' Other residents have resorted to purchasing protective suits to prevent bites. Dorchester County Council member Rob Kramer stated that the county no longer handles mosquito spraying, directing residents to the state for assistance. The Maryland Department of Agriculture had previously issued information about aircraft mosquito-control work in other county areas in August, but Crapo and nearby Toddville were not initially included, though they were later added to a prospective spraying list for late August.

Florida Reports Surge in Travel-Related Chikungunya Cases and Local West Nile Virus

Florida Reports Surge in Travel-Related Chikungunya Cases and Local West Nile Virus

Florida has reported 60 travel-related cases of chikungunya fever, alongside two locally acquired human cases of West Nile virus in Alachua and Walton counties. This comes as the state is already experiencing a significant increase in mosquito-borne illnesses, leading the nation in dengue cases with 270 reported this year. Of these, 111 are locally acquired in six Florida counties, with 95 concentrated in Hillsborough County. Mosquito control experts note that peak dengue season typically runs from July through September. The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito species, identifiable by their dark bodies and white-striped legs, are responsible for transmitting dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya. These mosquitoes are daytime biters, most active just after sunrise and before sunset. County workers across Florida are intensifying efforts to combat mosquito populations through trapping and targeted spraying, particularly in areas with confirmed cases. For instance, Palm Beach County is under a ...

Arizona Republic

A person with measles was at this drug store in metro Phoenix

A person with measles was at this drug store in metro Phoenix

A person with measles visited a Scottsdale Walgreens this month. People who were there at the same time need to watch for symptoms. What to know.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Florida dengue numbers surge again, with 152 in latest update

Florida dengue numbers surge again, with 152 in latest update

Dengue infections continue rising in Florida. See where cases are being reported and what symptoms to watch for.

U.S. Health Officials Report Rise in 'Flesh-Eating' Bacteria Cases and Deaths

U.S. Health Officials Report Rise in 'Flesh-Eating' Bacteria Cases and Deaths

Health officials across the U.S. are issuing warnings regarding an increase in infections and deaths linked to Vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as 'flesh-eating' bacteria. This rare bacterium naturally occurs in warm saltwater and brackish water. Infections can occur through direct contact with contaminated water, especially for individuals with open wounds or broken skin. Another common route of infection is consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. So far this year, Florida has reported four deaths from 21 cases, and Louisiana has reported six deaths from 17 cases. South Carolina has also reported three cases, with one related death. While healthy individuals typically experience mild illness, the bacteria poses a significant risk to those with weakened immune systems, chronic liver disease, or other underlying health conditions. Severe infections can lead to intensive care, limb amputations, and a fatality rate of about one in five, sometimes within 24 to 48 hours of illness onset.

IFRC and Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance Assess Senegal's Heat Early Warning System

IFRC and Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance Assess Senegal's Heat Early Warning System

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance have jointly published a case study evaluating Senegal's heat early warning system. The study, titled 'Heat early warning system in Senegal: current status and recommendations,' examines how heat risk is understood, monitored, and how warnings are issued, communicated, and acted upon by various institutions in the country. It highlights that Senegal has a national impact-oriented heat-health early warning system operational since 2022. Key strengths identified include the system's use of context-specific heat metrics, locally differentiated thresholds, vulnerability-informed risk analysis, layered warning dissemination, and strong cross-sector collaboration. However, the report also points out significant challenges such as gaps in impact data, preparedness, formal links between warnings and trigger actions, and long-term sustainability.

Durham Water Feature Identified as Likely Source of Fatal 'Brain-Eating' Amoeba Infection

Durham Water Feature Identified as Likely Source of Fatal 'Brain-Eating' Amoeba Infection

A state investigation has identified a water feature at El Futuro, a nonprofit mental health organization in Durham, North Carolina, as the most likely source of a rare 'brain-eating' amoeba infection that resulted in the death of a teenager. While the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) cannot definitively confirm the exact location of exposure, epidemiological, laboratory, and environmental findings strongly suggest the water feature was the source. Investigators believe the teen splashed water on his face in the clinic's outdoor green space on August 13. He was admitted to the emergency room on August 21 with severe headaches and died on August 31. El Futuro has released a statement expressing sorrow and confirming the closure of the water feature since being contacted by county officials. Durham County health officials closed the water feature on August 28 for CDC testing, which detected non-viable Naegleria fowleri DNA in water from the fountain's storage tank. The NCDHHS i...

Air Pollution and Pneumococcal Subtypes Influence Disease Risk, Study Finds

Air Pollution and Pneumococcal Subtypes Influence Disease Risk, Study Finds

A new study published in *Nature Microbiology* reveals that the subtype of *Streptococcus pneumoniae* (pneumococcus) and exposure to air pollution significantly influence the rate and timing of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Researchers examined approximately 59,000 IPD cases over 19 years from South Africa’s national GERMS-SA surveillance program. They found that different pneumococcal subtypes respond uniquely to higher air pollution exposure. For instance, subtypes 14, 19A, and 8 were linked to the greatest risk of IPD following exposure. The study also noted variations in the timing of disease risk, with some subtypes causing immediate infection within the same week of exposure (e.g., subtypes 4, 8, 23F, and 19F), while the highest risk generally peaked about two weeks after exposure. Older adults and young children were identified as more vulnerable during periods of high air pollution. The team accounted for other factors like temperature, humidity, and population density, and observed that hig...

Pennsylvania measles-associated deaths climb to four as outbreak grows

Pennsylvania measles-associated deaths climb to four as outbreak grows

By Sriparna Roy and Kamal Choudhury Sept 15 (Reuters) - The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Tuesday reported two more measles-associated deaths, both in unvaccinated individuals, bringing the state's total fatalities linked to the disease outbreak to four.

A fourth measles death is reported in Pennsylvania

A fourth measles death is reported in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania officials are reporting a fourth measles-associated death