Health

Mpox Outbreak In Congo Raises Concerns Of Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Communities

Published

11 months ago

December 30, 2023

Arsi2021

(CTN News) – As the Democratic Republic of the Congo grapples with its most significant outbreak of monkeypox, scientists are sounding the alarm about the potential exacerbation of the situation due to discrimination against gay and bisexual men on the continent.

In a November report, the World Health Organization revealed a noteworthy development in the transmission of monkeypox, also known as mpox, indicating its spread through sexual contact in Congo for the first time.

This represents a marked departure from previous occurrences, where the virus primarily affected individuals in close proximity to infected animals.

While monkeypox has been present in various parts of central and west Africa for decades, it wasn’t until 2022 that its transmission through sexual means was officially documented.

Strikingly, the majority of the approximately 91,000 people infected across approximately 100 countries that year were identified as gay or bisexual men.

In the African context, the reluctance to report symptoms could potentially drive the outbreak underground, warns Dimie Ogoina, an infectious diseases specialist at Niger Delta University in Nigeria.

This underreporting poses a significant challenge to effective containment and mitigation efforts, further emphasizing the need for inclusive and non-discriminatory public health strategies in addressing the monkeypox outbreak.

Dimie Ogoina, an infectious diseases specialist at Niger Delta University in Nigeria, highlighted a potential link between the prohibition of homosexuality by law in most parts of Africa and the hesitancy of individuals to come forward if they suspect they have been infected with mpox.

The World Health Organization (WHO) officials reported the identification of the first sexually transmitted cases of the more severe type of mpox in Congo last spring.

This discovery followed the arrival of a Belgian resident in Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, who identified as a man engaging in sexual relations with other men. Subsequently, five other individuals who had sexual contact with the man also contracted mpox.

Ogoina, along with his colleagues, had previously reported in 2019 that mpox might be spreading through sexual transmission. However, gaps in monitoring make it challenging to accurately estimate the number of mpox cases linked to sexual transmission.

Despite this, a significant number of mpox cases in Nigeria involve individuals with no known contact with animals.

Challenges in Addressing Mpox Outbreak in Congo: Limited Confirmations, Sexual Transmission, and Stigma

In Congo, where about 13,350 suspected cases of mpox have been reported, including 607 deaths as of the end of November, only around 10% of cases have been confirmed by laboratories.

The extent to which infections were spread through sexual contact remains unclear, but WHO noted that approximately 70% of cases are in children under 15.

During a recent assessment trip to Congo, WHO officials found a lack of awareness among health workers regarding the sexual transmission of mpox, leading to missed cases.

The health agency confirmed sexual transmission of mpox between male partners and simultaneously through heterosexual transmission in different parts of the country.

Mpox typically manifests symptoms such as fever, skin rash, lesions, and muscle soreness for up to one month. It is primarily spread through close contact, and most individuals recover without requiring medical treatment.

While mass vaccination programs were implemented in some countries during the 2022 international outbreak, experts suggest that replicating such programs in Africa may face challenges, including the stigma against gay communities.

Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an assistant professor of medicine in infectious diseases at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a similar demand for vaccines in Africa as seen in the West.

She emphasized the importance of finding ways to administer shots, if available, without stigmatizing the gay and bisexual communities most at risk of mpox.

FILE PHOTO: Vials of the JYNNEOS smallpox and monkeypox vaccine are placed on a table during a clinic offered by the Pima County Department of Public Health at Abrams Public Health Center in Tucson, Arizona, U.S., August 20, 2022. REUTERS/Rebecca Noble/File Photo

Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyemba, the general director of Congo’s National Institute of Biomedical Research, expressed concern about the emergence of clusters of mpox spread through sexual contact in two provinces of Congo.

This development is particularly troubling given the lack of a licensed vaccine in Congo, and obtaining a sufficient number of shots for a large-scale program is proving challenging.

The country is striving to acquire a Japanese mpox vaccine, but regulatory obstacles are complicating the situation.

On a global scale, only one vaccine against mpox has been authorized, produced by Denmark’s Bavarian Nordic.

However, the supply is extremely limited, and even if available, approval by the African countries or the World Health Organization (WHO) would be necessary for their use. So far, the vaccine has been accessible in Congo exclusively through research initiatives.

Key Insights from Experts on Mpox Outbreak in Africa

Oyewale Tomori, a Nigerian virus expert affiliated with several WHO advisory boards, suggested that African governments might hesitate to seek assistance from the U.N. health agency or donors for vaccine procurement due to numerous competing priorities.

He emphasized that, in Africa, mpox is likely considered a low-priority concern.

Instead, he advocated for strengthening monitoring systems, expanding laboratory networks, and ensuring better availability of diagnostic supplies as more practical measures for the continent than vaccines.

Dimie Ogoina warned that without increased efforts to halt the outbreaks in Africa, mpox is likely to continue infecting new populations.

He cautioned that the disease could potentially lead to outbreaks in other countries, reminiscent of the global emergency declared by WHO last year.

Ogoina drew parallels with the initial stages of the HIV pandemic, which started among gay and bisexual men in the global north. At the time, Africa perceived it as a distant problem, but eventually, the virus spread to the continent, affecting heterosexual populations.

Currently, women of reproductive age account for over 60% of new HIV infections in Africa, raising concerns that a similar scenario might unfold with mpox unless proactive measures are taken to address the outbreaks in the region.

Ogoina emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges to prevent the recurrent resurgence of the virus.

Health

Report Causes Pfizer Stock to Climb Approximately $1 Billion Acquired by Starboard

Published

1 month ago

October 7, 2024

Salman

(VOR News) – According to a rumor that activist investor Pfizer Starboard Value has taken a holding in the struggling pharmaceutical business that is expected to be worth around one billion dollars, the stock of Pfizer (PFE) is on the increase in premarket trading on Monday.

This comes after the report was made public. The report was made available to the general public following this. Starboard Value was successful in moving forward with the acquisition of the position.

Starboard is said to have approached Ian Read, a former chief executive officer of Pfizer, and Frank D’Amelio, a former chief financial officer, in order to seek assistance with its goals of boosting the performance of the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read and D’Amelio are both former Pfizer executives.

The purpose of this is to facilitate the accomplishment of its objectives, which include enhancing the overall performance of the firm.

In their previous jobs, D’Amelio and Read were chief financial officers.

It is stated in the report that the hedge fund is of the opinion that Pfizer, which is currently being managed by Albert Bourla, who succeeded Read as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2019, does not demonstrate the same level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) discipline that Read did. Bourla took over for Read in 2019. Read was succeeded by Bourla in the year 2019.

Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical conglomerate, has made substantial investments in the acquisition of more companies that are involved in the research and development of cancer medicines.

These businesses have been acquired for billions of dollars. The biotechnology company Seagen, which was acquired by Pfizer in the previous year for a price of $43 billion, is included in this category. One of the businesses that can be classified as belonging to this category is Seagen.

In spite of the fact that the S&P 500 Index experienced a 21% increase in 2024.

No major trading occurred in Pfizer stock that year.

Due to the fact that the demand for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines fell after the firm reached its pandemic peak in 2021, the share price of the corporation has decreased by over fifty percent since that time.

This drop has occurred ever since the company’s shares reached their maximum peak, which was during the time that this decline occurred. Not only have they not changed at all, but they have also remained essentially stable. This is in contrast to the S&P 500, which has gained 21% since the beginning of this year.

Recently, the corporation was forced to take a hit when it decided to recall all of the sickle cell illness medications that it had distributed all over the world.

Fears that the prescription could lead patients to experience severe agony and possibly even death were the impetus for the decision to recall the product. In spite of the fact that Pfizer’s stock is increasing by almost three percent as a result of the news that followed the company’s decision, this is the circumstance that has come about.

SOURCE: IPN

Health

New Study Reveals Drinking Soda Pop Increases the Risk of Stroke

Published

1 month ago

October 6, 2024

VORNews

If you drink too much soda, fruit juice and coffee, beware!

A recent report from global research indicates that excessive consumption of coffee or soda pop is associated with an increased risk of stroke, although the intake of black and green tea is correlated with a reduced risk. Excessive consumption of soda pop or coffee warrants caution!

Recent research indicates that it may substantially elevate the risk of stroke.

Consuming four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke, according to studies, although ingesting 3-4 cups of black or green tea daily typically offers protection against stroke. Additionally, consume more coffee; it may reduce your risk of mortality.

Recent findings from global research studies co-led by the University of Galway and McMaster University, alongside an international consortium of stroke researchers, indicate that soda, encompassing both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened variants such as diet or zero sugar, is associated with a 22 percent heightened risk of stroke. The risk escalated significantly with the consumption of two or more of these beverages daily.

Stroke Risk Fizzy Drinks and Soda Pop

The correlation between fizzy drinks consumption and stroke risk was most pronounced in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Women exhibit the most elevated risk of stroke from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) associated with fruit juice beverages. Consuming over 7 cups of water daily diminishes the likelihood of stroke due to a clot.

Researchers observed that numerous items advertised as fruit juice are derived from concentrates and have added sugars and preservatives, potentially negating the advantages often associated with fresh fruit and instead elevating stroke risk.

Fruit juice beverages were associated with a 37 percent heightened risk of stroke resulting from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage). Consuming two of these beverages daily increases the risk thrice.

Consuming over four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke by 37 percent, although lower consumption levels do not correlate with stroke risk. Conversely, tea consumption was associated with an 18-20 percent reduction in stroke risk. Additionally, consuming 3-4 cups daily of black tea, such as Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, excluding green and herbal teas, was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of stroke.

Consuming 3-4 cups of green tea daily was associated with a 27 percent reduction in stroke risk. Notably, the addition of milk may diminish or inhibit the advantageous effects of antioxidants present in tea. The lower risk of stroke associated with tea consumption was negated for individuals who added milk.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational reasons and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical counsel. Consistently consult your physician regarding any inquiries pertaining to a medical problem.

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Health

Following a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, What Else Should You Know?

Published

1 month ago

October 5, 2024

Salman

(VOR News) – Even though breast cancer affects one in eight American women, receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel isolated.

Experts in breast cancer from the American College of Physicians (ACS) advise patients on how to manage their disease so that they may better cope with this awful information.

First, the kind and stage of breast cancer dictates the course of your care.

In addition to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, there are various surgical options available for the treatment of breast cancer.

Women of African descent are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely aggressive form of the disease that has never proven easy to treat.

According to the American Cancer Society, pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy, has been shown to be helpful when combined with chemotherapy and is currently the recommended course of treatment for certain combinations of triple-negative breast cancer.

In her presentation, Dr. Katharine Yao said, “It’s really important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values when deciding what type of treatment to pursue and that they have an honest, individualized discussion with their care team.”

She is currently responsible for developing breast cancer treatment recommendations for more than 575 hospitals and institutions nationwide in her role as chair of the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Institutions (NAPBC).

Yao, vice chair of research at Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals in New York, pointed out that each decision made about a patient’s treatment plan should take her preferences and diagnosis into consideration.

She ought to think about whether she would prefer a mastectomy—a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire breast with or without reconstruction—or a lumpectomy, which involves a surgical procedure that spares part of the breast tissue.

She stated that “the breast cancer you have may be very different from the breast cancer you hear about in your neighbor, colleague, or friend” in a press release issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Consider that while discussing breast cancer with others.”

Throughout your journey, it is critical that you look after your emotional health because having breast cancer may have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis does not mean that everything in your life stops to be normal.” Director of the Fellowship in the Diseases of the Breast program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas and state head of the American Cancer Society Commission on Cancer for Arkansas, Dr. Daniela Ochoa She thinks adding the burden of a cancer diagnosis and treatment to all the other pressures in life may be taxing.

“Managing stress and emotional health is vital component of a treatment plan.”

Ochoa recommends clinically trained psychologists and social workers who have assisted people in coping with cancer to anyone receiving treatment. Learning coping techniques might also be facilitated by joining cancer support groups or cancer wellness initiatives.

Breast cancer specialists say your care team is crucial.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines comprehensive care as having support at every stage of the procedure from surgeons, oncologists, patient navigators, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, women should see a surgeon or medical oncologist to explore their options; nevertheless, treatment shouldn’t be discontinued after just one appointment or after surgery is over.

Additionally, you can ask trustworthy friends or family members to accompany you to appointments and aid you with research or notes. They could serve as a network of support for you.

Yao stated in his talk that “one of the most important things is that patients should search out a team they have confidence in, that they trust will have their back when they need it, and a team they feel they can get access to and that will help them when they are in need.”

SOURCE: MP