Vaccine :: Importance of immunization – a back-to-school review
Even though you may think of whooping cough as one of those ailments from Grandma?s day, the truth is it?s still around and plaguing people of all ages.
Infection
HIV :: HIV and Syphilis Prevalence Survey Report, South Africa
The annual Antenatal Survey of women attending public health facilities, which is designed to give general trends in HIV infection over time, shows that in 2006, there are pleasing signs of changes in the right direction even though HIV remains an important public health challenge in South Africa.
Marburg Disease :: UN helps Uganda respond to case of deadly Marburg disease
The UN is helping the Government of Uganda in outbreak response and containment activities following a confirmed case of Marburg virus disease, a rare but highly fatal haemorrhagic illness with epidemic potential, but there is at present no indication of a need to restrict travel or trade with the East African country.
HIV :: Abstinence from sex programs ineffective to cut HIV infection risk
In the developing world the contribution of the ?ABC? message (abstinence, be faithful, use a condom) remains unknown. Programmes that exclusively encourage abstinence from sex do not seem to affect the risk of HIV infection in high income countries, finds a review of the evidence in this week?s BMJ.
West Nile Virus :: DCHHS confirms second human case of West Nile Virus
Dallas County Health and Human Services has confirmed its second human case of West Nile virus for the 2007 season. The patient, residing in zip code 75206, has been diagnosed with West Nile Encephalitis and is recovering. DCHHS previously reported a case of West Nile fever diagnosed in a patient residing in zip code 75104. For medical confidentiality and personal privacy reasons, DCHHS is not providing additional information. DCHHS has notified the City of Dallas.
West Nile Virus :: Tests confirm first human case of West Nile virus in Pennsylvania
State Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson today reported this year?s first confirmed human case of West Nile virus in Pennsylvania. The individual, a 56-year-old Clearfield County man, is recovering and has been discharged from the hospital.
Tuberculosis :: TB vaccine could provide improved protection against tuberculosis
Using a novel approach, researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have developed a prototype vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) that works better in animal models than the only TB vaccine now available. In this era of multi-drug resistant TB and growing numbers of people with active TB due to coinfection with HIV, the advance could herald a needed breakthrough against one of the world?s leading killers.
HIV :: Abstinence programs fail to cut risk of HIV infection
Sexual abstinence only programs to prevent HIV infection in high income countries. Programmes that exclusively encourage abstinence from sex do not seem to affect the risk of HIV infection in high income countries, finds a review of the evidence in this week?s BMJ.
Bird Flu :: Culling operations continue in Manipur, India
30 teams have been deployed for culling operations in 0-5 kms zone in the bird flu affected area of Manipur, India. As on 31st_July 2007, 2.35 lakh birds have been culled including 50,000 birds culled on 31st July.
Immunity :: Immune mechanism could help explain transient immune suppression often seen in acute infections
Scientists have discovered that at the same time the immune system is vigorously attacking invading viruses or bacteria, it is unexpectedly reducing its production of a particular type of factor that directs the movement of immune cells.