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ACT Project Publishes Survey to Enhance AMR Awareness Among Food Producers

ACT Project Publishes Survey to Enhance AMR Awareness Among Food Producers

The Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project has released two survey templates aimed at increasing awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among key stakeholders in the food production industry. These templates, available in English and Spanish, target animal producers, veterinarians, plant/crop producers, and technicians. The survey, developed by the ACT Regional Team in Latin America with contributions from Bolivia's SENASAG and Colombia's ICA, has been successfully implemented in Bolivia and Colombia. The initiative aims to guide communication strategies and training efforts to reduce antimicrobial use in food production, addressing AMR as a global health threat.

Scientists Discover Fossil in Egypt, Challenging East Africa's Role in Human Origins

Scientists Discover Fossil in Egypt, Challenging East Africa's Role in Human Origins

A fossil named Masripithecus moghraensis has been discovered in the Wadi Moghra region of northern Egypt, dating back approximately 17 to 18 million years. This finding challenges the long-standing focus on East Africa as the primary region for early human evolution. The fossil suggests that the evolutionary tree of early hominoids might have deeper roots in northern Africa than previously thought. The research team, led by Shorouq Al-Ashqar, used a Bayesian tip-dating method to place this species on the evolutionary tree, indicating it could be one of the closest known relatives to the lineage that led to all living apes.

Experts Warn Against Risks of Consuming Bagged Lettuce

Experts Warn Against Risks of Consuming Bagged Lettuce

Experts Warn Against Risks of Consuming Bagged Lettuce

The Latest: Face-to-face negotiations between US and Iran begin amid war's fragile ceasefire

The Latest: Face-to-face negotiations between US and Iran begin amid war's fragile ceasefire

The United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations Saturday in Pakistan, days after a fragile, two-week ceasefire was announced

Epic Introduces County-Level Health Alerts to Monitor Rising Illness Rates

Epic Introduces County-Level Health Alerts to Monitor Rising Illness Rates

Epic, a major electronic health record company, has launched a new feature designed to monitor health trends at the county level and issue alerts when elevated rates of illness are detected. This initiative, developed by Epic Research, utilizes statistical models applied to real-world medical records to identify when the rate of a health condition exceeds expected levels. The alerts are reviewed by a team of clinicians and data scientists to ensure they are clinically meaningful before being published. The tool has already flagged increased rates of conditions such as acute bronchiolitis, measles, and strep throat in various states including Illinois and Missouri. The alerts are based on data from Epic's Cosmos platform, which contains records for 300 million patients.

Hawaii's North Shore Flooding Raises Concerns Over Pesticide Contamination

Hawaii's North Shore Flooding Raises Concerns Over Pesticide Contamination

Residents of Hawaii's North Shore are facing challenges after severe flooding, with concerns about potential exposure to toxic farm chemicals. The flooding, caused by Kona low storms, resulted in significant mud and debris, raising fears of pesticide contamination from upstream agricultural operations. Although the state is awaiting test results, experts suggest that the floodwaters likely diluted pesticides beyond hazardous levels. The greatest risk identified is bacterial contamination, with pathogens such as E. Coli and salmonella detected in sediment testing. The flooding has also impacted organic farming practices, threatening the ability of farms to maintain their organic certification.

Study Highlights Wildlife Trade as Significant Risk for Human Disease Transmission

Study Highlights Wildlife Trade as Significant Risk for Human Disease Transmission

A recent study published in Science has revealed that mammals involved in the wildlife trade are approximately 1.5 times more likely to be sources of human diseases compared to non-traded animals. The research, led by Colin Carlson, a disease ecologist at Yale University, emphasizes the heightened risk of zoonotic diseases stemming from the wildlife trade, which includes the sale of wild animals for food, pets, and traditional medicine. The study highlights that the longer humans have interacted with a species, the more viruses they share, particularly in illegal markets and live animal settings. This research builds on past incidents, such as the 2003 mpox outbreak in the U.S., which was linked to imported African rodents. The study underscores the need for global awareness and regulation to mitigate the risk of future pandemics.

Rabies Cases in Tuolumne County Rise with Three More Skunks Testing Positive

Rabies Cases in Tuolumne County Rise with Three More Skunks Testing Positive

Tuolumne County has reported three additional cases of rabies in skunks, following two cases last month. The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office Animal Control and Public Health Department confirmed the locations near Sonora High School, Canyonview Drive, and Pack Trail Road. One dog exposed to a rabid skunk received a booster vaccination and is doing well. Rabies, a fatal viral disease affecting the nervous system, remains active in wildlife populations. County officials emphasize the importance of vaccinations and reporting unusual animal behavior to prevent the spread of rabies.

Hawaii's North Shore Flooding Raises Concerns Over Pesticide Dilution

Hawaii's North Shore Flooding Raises Concerns Over Pesticide Dilution

Recent flooding on Hawaii's North Shore has raised concerns about potential exposure to toxic farm chemicals. The heavy rains from the Kona low storms are believed to have significantly diluted any pesticides present, according to state officials. However, residents and small farmers remain anxious about the long-term impact on food safety and organic farming practices. The state Department of Health is conducting tests for pathogens and legacy pesticides in the affected areas, with results expected in the coming weeks.

Gilead Sciences Limits Global Access to HIV Drug Lenacapavir, Affecting Millions

Gilead Sciences Limits Global Access to HIV Drug Lenacapavir, Affecting Millions

Gilead Sciences Limits Global Access to HIV Drug Lenacapavir, Affecting Millions

Analysis-Iran war leaves crisis-scarred countries counting the cost

Analysis-Iran war leaves crisis-scarred countries counting the cost

By Marc Jones, Uditha Jayasinghe and Ariba Shahid LONDON/COLOMBO/ISLAMABAD, April 10 (Reuters) - Sanoj Weeratunge thought this would finally be the year his tour firm put Sri Lanka's spate of crises behind it.

Study Highlights Wildlife Trade's Role in Disease Outbreaks, Calls for Increased Oversight

Study Highlights Wildlife Trade's Role in Disease Outbreaks, Calls for Increased Oversight

A recent study published in the journal Science has highlighted the significant role of the global wildlife trade in amplifying the transmission of pathogens between animals and humans. The study, which analyzed four decades of international trade data, found that 41% of traded wild mammals share at least one pathogen with humans, compared to 6.4% of non-traded species. The research underscores the risk posed by the wildlife trade, particularly in markets where live animals are bought and sold. The study's authors call for better surveillance and oversight to mitigate the risk of future zoonotic disease outbreaks. The wildlife trade, encompassing exotic pets, trophy hunting, and materials used in fashion, creates pathways for disease spread, with new species entering the trade expected to increase the risk of future outbreaks.