Health

The COVID-19 Delta Variant is rapidly proving to become a far worse obstacle to manage than previously imagined, particularly among younger generations of individuals who are yet to be vaccinated, and that the rate of contagion has now surpassed any of their neighboring EU countries. For example, the 7-day rate of infection has nearly tripled, from 58/100,000 on the 29th of June, to now indexing 156 cases per 100,000 individuals.

Although Spanish authorities did-away with a majority of national COVID-19 restrictions in May 2021, they state that a surge in both public and private gatherings above predetermined capacity levels, as well as an increase in the number of excessive outdoor drinking festivities being organized by mostly younger individuals who do not practice safe alcohol consumption habits, as well as the increased mobility of individuals across the country during the country’s tourism season, are some of the primary factors that further contribute to this increase in contagion levels.

This is a matter of great concern for authorities here, as Spain’s economy is highly dependent on tourism, particularly during the months of July and August. While Spain’s tourism minister Reyes Maroto states that over 41% of its nation’s population have been vaccinated, Spain now remains a country that is a “safe tourist destination”. However, as per EU guidelines, Spain has been flagged as red, which implies that travel to-and-fro either of these countries are discouraged. Additionally, both Spain and Portugal are now repeatedly emphasizing that British tourists visiting either country are not physically responsible for this Delta Variant spike, despite the fact that the number of positive cases in the United Kingdom has also been on the rise as of late.

What Spanish authorities have been requesting their visiting British and other European counterparts to kindly share is, either a negative COVID-19 test or to furnish valid vaccination certification or documentation upon arrival for a less hassle-free entry process.

In 2020, amid the devastating COVID19 pandemic, the death rate in the US due to heart disease and diabetes has seen its highest increase in the last two decades. A report has shown that the rate of death due to heart disease that has been reducing for a long time has shot up by more than 3 percent in the US during the pandemic. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that the average death rate has been nearly 161.5 deaths per 100000 people in 2019. Now it has increased to 167 deaths per 100000 people in the US. As per the data, 32000 more people have lost their lives due to heart disease in 2020 in the United States as compared to 2019. The new report has shown that the rate of death due to diabetes has seen a 14 percent increase in the US during the pandemic. Experts have said that the death rate has increased from 21.6 deaths per 100000 people in 2019 to 24.6 deaths in the same population people in last year. They have claimed that the increase is equivalent to 13000 more deaths due to diabetes in 2020 as compared to before the pandemic.

The new report has also mentioned that the death rates linked to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, chronic liver disease, stroke, and high blood pressure as well have seen a major increase during the pandemic. The new report has noted that the rate of death due to Alzheimer’s disease has shot up by 8 percent last year. The death rate for Parkinson’s disease has seen an increase of 11 percent during the pandemic in 2020. The rate of mortality has shot up by 12 percent for high blood pressure amid the COVID19 pandemic. While the rate of death linked to stroke has increased by 4 percent in 2020 when the US has been struggling with the brunt of the pandemic. Health experts have said that the increase in the rates of death linked to non-COVID19 issues might be attributed to people who have been afraid to visit hospitals during the pandemic despite having severe symptoms of the specific disease. Experts have said that people have not been able to take care of them properly during lockdowns that have been put in place to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. People have been living a sedentary lifestyle during lockdown that has led them to gain more weight. Many people have skipped their blood pressure medications during the nationwide lockdowns.

The new statistics support the belief that the actual number of death during the pandemic directly or indirectly that is attributed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus might be far higher than what has been reported by the authorities. As per the CDC record, around 595000 people have lost their lives due to the COVID19 disease. On the other hand, the rate of mortality due to cancer has reduced during the pandemic. The rate of death due to cancer has reduced by 2 percent approximately last year, even though cancer screening and care have been disrupted due to the pandemic in 2020. This decline has been similar to the declines that have been reported from 2018 to 2019.

American pharmaceutical major Pfizer has announced to test a Covid-19 booster shot. The company said that it will explore the possibility of coadministration of its pneumococcal vaccine along with a jab of Covid vaccine. It will be the third dose of the Covid drug. The study will be conducted on older adults. Pfizer along with BioNTech has developed a vaccine that provides protection against Covid-19 infection. BioNTech is a German biotechnology company. The vaccine is being widely used in the US for inoculation exercise. Several other countries have also approved the vaccine. During the clinical trial, the vaccine showed an efficacy rate of 95 percent. The decision to explore pneumococcal jab with a booster shot of Covid vaccine comes amid reports that fully people vaccinated could require a third booster. Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine is a two-dose drug.

Pfizer said that those above 65 years and who have already taken the two doses of the Covid vaccine will be part of the study. Participants should have taken the second dose at least six months before joining the coadministration study. They will be given the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. This will be followed by a booster dose of the Covid vaccine. The objective is to study the safety of both vaccines when co-administered in a person. A follow-up study will be done after six months of vaccination. The firm will measure the immune responses of each of the vaccines in the recipients. Pfizer will divide the participants into three groups. The first group will be given 20vPnC and Covid booster shot. The second group will be given 20vPnC plus placebo. The third group will be administered the Covid booster plus placebo. 20vPnC is used for the prevention of invasive disease and pneumonia.

Pfizer said that the company is ready to explore the boosters and new versions of Covid vaccine candidates against the variants. Its CEO Albert Bourla has already announced that vaccine recipients will probably require a third dose anytime between six and 12 months after receiving the two doses. It is also conducting tests on a third booster on people who are fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, another pharmaceutical major Moderna has said that a third dose rapidly increases the level of antibodies and prepares the body to fight off the infection. Moderna is also an American pharmaceutical firm. Its Covid vaccine is also being used to inoculate Americans.

In San Diego County, increased overdose deaths linked to the COVID19 pandemic have triggered a behavioral health crisis. The county has seen around 457 fentanyl-linked drug overdose deaths last year during the COVID19 pandemic. Experts have said that there has been around a 202 percent increase in just one year. While only 151 overdose deaths have been reported in 2019. The County Health Department has recently decided to start providing nasal Naloxone to the public to save more people from dying due to drug overdose. Health officials have said that nasal Naloxone will be available at many community-based clinics and locations across the region. Naloxone is a drug that is used to reverse a condition of an opioid overdose. The medication can rapidly reinstate normal breathing and alertness among people who suffer from overdose. Public Health Officer of the County, Dr. Wilma Wooten has joined hands with Supervisor of San Diego’s Fourth District Nathan Fletcher and County Director of Behavior Health, Luke Bergmann to sign a Naloxone standing order that will allow community groups to make the drug available for general people.

Health experts have said that the overdose reversal drug will be available free of cost and without prescription. Any person who is at risk of an overdose or a family member or a friend, who is willing to administer the medicine can avail the drug. The officials from the county have said that the expanded distribution of this drug is a part of a harm reduction strategy. Soon it will be presented at the Board of Supervisors meeting that will take place next month. Health officials from San Diego County have said that the county has made Naloxone accessible to law enforcement several years ago. However, like CPR, the drug is quite critical for this time, as many patients who deal with drug overdose require immediate intervention to enhance their chances of survival. Experts have said that in some cases, patients struggling with overdose need such interventions immediately to survive. As per the report, an overdose due to opioids might take several hours to cause deaths but other drugs such as fentanyl can lead to death in a just few minutes. Health experts have said that nasal Naloxone is a prefilled, needleless device, which does not need assembly. It is quite easy to use as well. It needs to be sprayed into one of the nostrils of the patients who are dealing with drug overdose while they lay on their back.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has specified some of the symptoms of drug overdose to spot if someone is dealing with overdose from heroin or any prescription opioid pain drugs. The agency has said that limp body, pale or clammy skin, Bluish fingernails or lips, small or pinpoint pupils, vomiting or gurgling sound, unconsciousness, difficulty in speech, and slow breathing are some of the symptoms of overdose. Health experts have said that San Diego County provides multiple prevention and treatment programs for patients who are dealing with substance abuse across the region. The authorities have set up helpline numbers to make resources available for people, who are dealing with drug abuse round the clock. Since the COVID19 pandemic has hit the US, the rate of drug overdose deaths as well has shot up. People have been reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental issues while being socially disconnected during nationwide lockdowns that have been imposed last year due to the pandemic. People have been consuming high amounts of alcohol and other drugs during the COVID crisis, said the experts.

A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed that the rate of hospitalization and death due to COVID19 is much higher in rural areas of the US. The vaccine coverage in the countryside as well is lagging behind cities. The director of the CDC Rochelle Walensky has said that nearly 60 percent of people who are 18 years or above have been vaccinated at least with the first dose of the vaccine in the US. She has said that it is a landmark achievement for the country. On the other hand, health experts have said that the country requires vaccinating at least 70 to 85 percent of its population to achieve herd immunity. In such a case, rural America is far behind, said the experts. As per the report, in the first week of April, the vaccine coverage in rural areas of the US has been around 39 percent as compared to 46 percent vaccine coverage in urban areas of the US. The data has been taken from the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Experts have said that COVID cases in rural counties have been quite higher as compared to urban cities in September 2020. The officials of the CDC have said that making vaccine available to people who are living in rural areas of the US is quite hard. They have said that around 80 percent of such people from rural America reside in regions that are nominated as medically underserved by the US government. Experts have said that easy access to health care is quite hard for people living in these areas.

Health experts have said that vaccine hesitancy as well is a big problem in rural counties of the US. A survey that has been done by the Kaiser Family Foundation has found that there has been a persistent resistance to the COVID19 vaccine in rural areas of the US. In the survey, around 3 out of 10 people have said that they will not take the COVID19 vaccine. The percentage of vaccine hesitancy is greater in rural areas as compared to urban or suburban areas, said the experts. The officials from the agency have said that people who are living in rural areas are more susceptible to COVID19 due to lack of access to health care than people who reside in urban areas. Experts have said that people who are living in rural areas are identified with more underlying health issues as well. A handful of people living in rural counties have medical insurance. Over the last century, people have been moving from rural areas to big cities but still, around 60 million people reside in rural areas of the US. It constitutes around a fifth of the US population. Many health experts have said that if low vaccine coverage in rural areas remains like this, it will surely derail the country’s effort to put an end to the COVID19 pandemic. The report has clearly said that as people from rural areas are at a higher risk of severe COVID19 disease and death, the disparity between the vaccine coverage in urban and rural areas of the country might have a negative impact on efforts to stop the spread of the virus.

The officials from the CDC have said that public health leaders need to join forces with doctors and health influencers in rural areas to address the issue of vaccine hesitancy and equal vaccine access. It will motivate people to take the COVID19 vaccine. The CDC director Rochelle Walensky has said that the agency is committed to reaching out to every corner of the US and will work towards bridging these gaps. Walensky has said that crucial to make efforts to make vaccine coverage equal regardless of where people live in rural areas or urban areas. She has said that the government’s vaccination and testing effort in association with the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama National Guard at Talladega Superspeedway is the latest example of such efforts. The senior advisor from the White House COVID19 Response Team, Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith has said that such efforts are known to make a difference. Around 51 percent of people from black and other ethnic groups have been vaccinated in the past two weeks in the US. These communities account for 40 percent of the general population of the US. The Biden government has been pushing through to get more federal vaccination sites online that are run by Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and to make vaccines available in the community health centers of the federal government. With this effort, many people of color have been able to get the COVID19 vaccine.

Since the COVID19 pandemic has hit the world, many scientists have been putting their best foot forward to discover effective treatment and vaccines for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The SARS-CoV-2 virus leads to COVID19 illness. Many COVID19 shots such as Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna have been authorized for emergency use by drug regulators around the world. Recently, a team of experts in the UK has found that delaying the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines further than the suggested gap of three weeks in the clinical trials of the vaccines might induce a more robust antibody response in elderly people. Soon after these shots have been authorized for emergency use, health officials from the UK have advised that the second dose of the vaccines should be given 12 weeks after the first dose. This decision has been taken in order to protect more people with the first dose of the vaccine. At that time, the UK has been reeling through the wrath of the COVID19 pandemic. A study has looked at 175 elderly people who have been in the age range of 80 to 99 years. These people have been given the second dose of the vaccine 12 weeks after the first jab instead of the recommended gap of three weeks as recommended by the companies. Experts have said that these people have been found to have 3.5 times greater antibody response as compared to people who have been given the second dose of the vaccine after a gap of three weeks.

Scientists have said that antibodies are just one part of the immune system that fights against foreign pathogens. Experts have said that the peak of T cell responses has been found to be higher in the people who have been given the second dose three weeks after the first dose of the vaccine. Experts who have been involved in the study have compared immune responses of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine from the three weeks dosing schedule that has been tested in clinical trials and the extended 12 weeks gap that has been suggested by the British authorities. The British officials have extended the dosing schedule to quickly provide some protection to people who are more susceptible to the virus. However, the companies Pfizer and BioNtech have said that there is no data available to prove that extending the dosing schedule will be able to provide enough immunity to people. The authors of the study have said that the study has observed how a delay impact COVID19 antibody levels and it will be beneficial for other countries to take a decision on vaccine scheduling that are facing vaccine shortages right now. One of the authors of the study, Helen Parry has said that there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that the decision taken by the UK government to delay the second dose has been beneficial. Most COVID19 vaccines are given to people in two doses, the first dose triggers an immune response, and the second one strengthens it further, said the experts.

There are currently three vaccines in the UK that are being used in the vaccine rollout program. Most of these vaccines feature a three to four weeks gap between both doses. However, in some vaccines, a longer gap between the first and second doses might result in a stronger immune response. The authors of the study have said that halting the COVID19 booster shot might shoot up partial immunity in a larger population as compared to a shorter dosing schedule. In the study, experts have calculated the levels of antibodies of the participants against the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They as well have assessed how immune cells that are known as T cells can help maintain the same antibody levels over time. The authors of the study have said that though the T cell response in the people who have been given the second dose 12 weeks after the first dose has been lower but it has not reduced the antibody levels more quickly over the nine weeks. The findings of the study are more specific to the Pfizer vaccine that is not available in low-income countries as of now. Therefore, countries need to find out whether variants spreading in their specific region might increase the rate of infection due to the extended gap between the first and the second dose.  The study has not been peer-reviewed yet. The authors of the study have said that people should not draw any conclusions on how much protection they have based on which dosing schedule they have been given the vaccine.

There have been talks about the mixing of Covid-19 vaccinations. A new study carried in Lancet has said that mixing Covid doses is absolutely safe. It, however, warned of frequent side effects. Mixing doses mean taking the second dose from a manufacturer than the first. It added this could raise the risk of serious side effects. Side effects like fever or chill, a headache could be severe in those taking doses of two different vaccines. Researchers from the University of Oxford conducted a study on the effects of mixing doses. The preliminary findings suggest that mixing doses will not cause serious trouble or lead to death. The study was conducted at a time when questions are being asked whether it is safe to mix vaccine doses.

The study involved investigating the effects of different doses of two Covid-19 vaccines. This included Oxford-AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccines. These two are among other vaccines that are being currently given to people to develop an antibody against the virus. Researchers examined the effect on more than 800 adults. All were above 50 years. The participants had received mixed vaccine doses. The doses were given at an interval of four weeks. They observed that participants experienced frequent reactions after the second dose. The mixing schedule involved giving Pfizer’s dose followed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and vice-versa. They said that side effects were more frequent in mixed doses than vaccines given in non-mixed schedules.

The study noted that adverse reactions were short-lived. There were no other safety concerns seen in the participants. Researchers didn’t tell if the immune response will be affected by mixing doses. The findings suggest it is important to consider before planning inoculating healthcare professionals. The final data related to the efficacy of vaccines will be released in June. Researchers will also assess if taking paracetamol early or regularly can help in reducing reactions. They said that since the participants were above 50 years of age, chances are high that reactions could be more prevalent in younger people.

The Covid-19 vaccine developed by Novavax is one of the many drugs that have raised hopes during the difficult times. The vaccine has suggested 100 percent result during the clinical trial. The drug is effective against the South African variant of the virus. Novavax is a biotechnology firm. It is based in Maryland in the US. It has developed a vaccine that is effective against the B1351 variant. The variant in the question was identified in the African continent. According to the findings of the Phase 2b trial, the vaccine protects against severe infection caused by the African variant. The placebo-controlled trial was conducted by Wits VIDA in South Africa itself. The vaccine develops immunity in healthy adults to fight against the virus.

During the initial phase, Novavax vaccine showed an overall efficacy of 49 percent. In healthy adults without HIV, its efficacy was found to be 60 percent. In the subsequent complete analysis, it showed an efficacy of 55 percent. According to the guidelines set by the WHO, vaccine that shows an efficacy rate of minimum 50 percent can be allowed for use. The drug regulators of respective countries can grant approval. At 90 days of follow-up among placebo recipients, it was found that the illness rate in seronegative participants was 8 percent. The same was found to be 5.9 percent in seropositive participants. The findings make a compelling case for using Novavax in areas where the B1351 variant is dominant. The variant is mostly found in the southern region of Africa.

Novavax’s Covid vaccine also cuts the risk of mild infection by the virus. Besides, it also guards against severe infection. Novavax’s vaccine candidate is called NVX-CoV2373. It gives protection against SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 causes Covid infection. It is a protein-based vaccine. The biotechnology firm said that NVX-CoV2373 is engineered from the genetic sequence of the first strain of the virus. It is one of two vaccines that are undergoing trials in South Africa. The company said that it will soon apply with the FDA seeking emergency use authorization in America. Meanwhile, the phase-3 trial being conducted in the UK indicated that the vaccine is 96.4 percent effective against the original Covid strain.

On one front, the US government has been trying hard to get as many people vaccinated against COVID19 as possible. On the other front, scientists have been working hard on the form of the next-generation vaccines that should be introduced. As per the latest, they are trying to blend the next-generation vaccines with the seasonal flu vaccine. They might introduce these COVID boosters in the form of a pill or a patch. Scientists are hopeful that these vaccines might protect people from many other viruses that can lead to many other pandemics in the future other than the SARS-CoV-2 virus. At present, experts have been evaluating whether or not people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID19 will require these booster shots. These booster shots will be nearly identical to the first doses of the first generation of vaccines. These additional shots will be given to protect people against the risk of waning immunity and other mutants of the virus. Some new variants of the virus have been a huge matter of concern for many health experts. Three companies that already have vaccines approved by the US government, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson are planning to develop such booster shots. As per the report, these companies have already started testing a booster shot. The booster shots will be quite similar to the first-generation vaccines but they might come in smaller doses.

Dr. David Kessler, who is a chief science officer for the COVID19 Response team of the administration, has said that experts have seen over the years that many vaccines need a boost after a certain time period like after 9 months or 12 months. Moderna is planning to test booster shots that will be combined with the seasonal flu shots. The company has informed that it has started the trial of these boosters. Many other combinations of vaccines are used to protect children against many diseases. However, the officials from the administration have said that they have not decided on how these booster shots will be used or if they will be even required. Health experts have said that though booster shots restore the body’s immunity to the virus by imitating parts of the original strain that has been first found in China, scientists have been working hard to modify the doses to target new variants of the virus as well. Experts have claimed that some new strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been spreading quite fast and they might lead to severe infection. They have assured that this phenomenon is not an uncommon thing, seasonal flu vaccines are regularly modified to target mutations that are found in viruses across the world. Dr. John Mascola, who is the head of the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy And Infectious Diseases, has said that federal scientists are trying to understand multiple mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has said that some experts are trying to study the effects of these mutations on the efficiency of vaccines. A couple of scientists are trying to understand and track the epitope spots of the virus.

Moderna and Pfizer are planning to develop their booster shots that will be adjusted for the strain that has been identified in South Africa known as B.1.351. However, research has shown that their first-generation vaccines might be most effective against this mutant. A study has found that the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine that has not been approved in the US offers very little protection against the South African variant. Dr. John Mascola has said that drug makers are focusing on this strain as among all the variants of concern (VOCs) in the world, the South African strain has been found to be the most antigenically diverse. He has said that developing a booster shot with the South African strain might offer more immunity. Scientists are planning to come up with booster shots that do not require needles and syringes. As per the report, the record demand for such equipment has exhausted the global supply chain during various vaccination programs. A booster shot that does not rely on needles and syringes will be more cost-effective, said the experts. For example, an inhaler booster shot will be convenient to store.

Experts from the US have done a study to understand the efficiency of the first generation vaccines in preventing different variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They have enrolled people who have been infected with the virus in the past in their study. The SARS-CoV-2 virus leads to COVID19 disease. The virus has claimed the lives of around 3.91 million people across the world. The virus continues to be a threat to global health. The team of experts has tested the levels of neutralizing antibodies against different strains of the virus before and after two doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine in ten people who have been diagnosed with the disease before vaccination. Experts have compared neutralizing titers with the neutralizing titers of people who have not been infected with the virus before vaccination. Scientists from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland have shown that vaccination has been able to shoot up pre-existing levels of antibodies by 10 fold in people who have been infected earlier as compared to people who have not been diagnosed with the disease. The spike protein in the SARS-CoV-2 virus helps it to infect host cells. The spike protein attaches to the human host cell receptor angiotensin-converting-enzyme 2 (ACE2) through its receptor-binding domain (RBD). RBD is the main target point of neutralizing antibodies that are developed after an infection or vaccination.

The study has shown that vaccination has shot up the level of neutralizing antibodies in people who have been infected earlier against the original strain and three other strains of the virus. Experts have seen that neutralizing titers in people with past infection have been five times higher against the B.1.1.7 strain that has been found in the UK for the first time. Neutralizing titers in people with past infection have been more than six times higher against the B.1.351 strain that has been found in South Africa. It has been more than four times potent against the strain that has been found in Brazil known as P.1. Since the COVID19 pandemic has started in 2019, many experts have come up with a wide range of vaccines that can protect people against the deadly virus. These vaccines have been proven to be effective in their clinical trials. These vaccines have been approved for emergency use in many countries.

With the large fraction of many communities gaining natural immunity against the virus via prior infection, the vaccination plans have raised the odds that a high level of herd immunity might be achieved soon. However, the surfacing of various strains of concern (VOCs) of the virus has created a doubt in experts’ minds. These strains have spike mutations that can shoot up the binding ability of the virus to host cells and its ability to spread. Experts have noted that there has been no major change between the post-vaccination neutralizing antibody titers against the B.1.351 variant of the virus in people who have been diagnosed with the disease earlier and those against the original strain in people who have not been infected ever. The study has shown that the first generation COVID19 vaccines have been quite effective against some deadly strains of the virus when it has been given after the first infection.

Health officials in Florida are going to release thousands of genetically altered mosquitoes to fight against some disease-spreading species of bugs. The project is a part of an initiative to reduce those species of insects that spread harmful pathogens and germs. This program is called the buzzy project. It is sponsored by a British biotech company called Oxitec. Experts have said that the project has been designed to curb the population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that are responsible for spreading ailments such as Zika and dengue fever. Health officials have genetically alerted male mosquitoes to mate with non-modified female mosquitoes that bite to infect humans. Experts have used a death mechanism that will prevent the survival of any resulting female mosquito offspring.

The company has said that the project will curb the survival of female mosquito offspring born out of genetically modified male and non-modified female mosquitoes. Therefore, the population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes will stay in control. The officials of the company have said that altered pests will be released from six locations in the Florida Keys. Around 12000 modified pests will be released each week for the next 12 weeks. This project has been authorized by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Sunshine State, and the local mosquito control district’s board, said the company officials.

There are some local environmentalists who are not in favor of this initiative.  They have been protesting against the project for many years. They have said that such a project will harm people and the environment. Mara Daly, who is a resident of Key Largo, has said that the company should perform a simple test to convince locals who are going to be a part of the project trial that the project will not harm the environment and human beings. This project has been approved after years of debates and reviews. The modified pests are expected to be released from six location locations, two on Cudjoe Key, one on Ramrod Key, and three on Vaca Key. Ultimately, the plan is to release hundreds of millions of genetically modified pests. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that genetically altered mosquitoes will carry two types of genes a fluorescent marker gene and a self-limiting gene.

The fluorescent marker gene is the one that shines in red color light and the self-limiting gene prevents female mosquito offspring from surviving further. Experts have said that later, mosquitoes at the target location will be compared with the ones at untreated sites under an Environmental Protection Agency-Approved Project. The evaluation of the project will be done by the CDC and the University of Florida’s Medical Entomology Laboratory. The company Oxitec has said that the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes contribute to 4 percent of the mosquito population in the Keys. The class of mosquitoes is virtually responsible for all mosquito-borne ailments that can be transmitted to humans.

‘The officials have said that mosquitoes have developed a resistance to other control methods; therefore there is a need for new tools to fight against such deadly species of mosquitoes. The executive director of the Mosquito Control District in the Florida Keys, Andrea Leal has said that these tools need to be safe, target-specific, and environment friendly. Nearly more than 7300 cases of dengue have been reported in the US from 2010 to 2020. The CDC has said that largely the transmission has occurred outside the US for most cases. The agency has said during the summer of 2016, around 29 people have been diagnosed with Zika virus within a six-block that has forced officials to aerially spray to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. The EPA has approved the project of the company in 2019 stating that there will be no major effects on humans and the atmosphere.

The company has claimed that a trial of their tool in Brazil has been quite successful. The officials have said that the findings have shown that the tool has not caused any harm to beneficial insects. A similar trial in the Cayman Islands has been delayed in 2016 as many people have protested against the project. Some ecologists are still skeptical about the efficiency of the new tool developed by Oxitec. They have said that the project looks like Jurassic Park Experiment. A non-profit digital science magazine has claimed that Oxitec has been trying to push a trial in Key haven and Key West but the authorities have rejected the plea due to the lack of more safety data. Experts from Oxitec have said that altered gene makes female pests dependent on the antibiotic called tetracycline. Later, they die in the early larval stages due to the lack of this antibiotic.

On the other hand, the EPA has said that the trial will not take place within 500 meters of commercial citrus growing fields or wastewater treatment sites.  Contrary to the company’s claim, some experts from Yale University have said that Oxitec’s Brazil trial has shown that some female mosquito offspring of the genetically altered pests have been able to survive to adulthood. However, the officials of the firm have refuted such claims.

A report has revealed that women are at a higher risk of having side effects after being immunized with COVID19 vaccines. Allen Country Health Commissioner, Dr. Matthew Sutter as well has confirmed the report that women have been seen having more side effects as compared to men after being vaccinated for COVID19. He has said that women have a stronger immune system response to the vaccine as compared to men. Dr. Matthew Sutter has noted that as women tend to have a more robust stronger immune response to the vaccine, they might be at a greater risk of developing autoimmune diseases. Women who are in the age range of 18 to 50 years are more likely to have such autoimmune diseases. Health experts have said that side effects start to show up as the immune system starts reacting to the vaccine. Sutter has said that it is beneficial for the immune system to trigger a robust response to vaccines, as the SARS-CoV-2 virus is quite risky for the human system. He has said that a stronger immune response helps the body to fight against the infection in the future. As per the experts, the majority of people who have been having side effects after vaccination will have minor issues only.

Scientists have said that many people might have a sore arm after vaccination. Many people might suffer from fatigue or body aches. Some people feel low-level fever as well the day after being vaccinated. They have said that these side effects typically last for a day or two and then completely fade away. In some cases, there have been severe reactions to COVID19 vaccines. Some people have suffered rare blood clotting disorders after being vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson vaccine; however, these cases are quite rare. As per the report, this side effect is found in one in 200000 doses. Experts have said that it is risky but not as big as not getting the vaccine at all. Dr. Matthew Sutter has said that COVID19 is a severe disease even for the people who have survived the disease.

The death risk not zero percent, even for those people who are at low risk or under 40 years of age. The death rate is much higher than the risk of side effects from COVID19 vaccines. Experts have said that if people are trying to adjust for risk, it is much safer to get the vaccine than getting the infection. While women are at a higher risk of having side effects from the vaccines, men are at a greater risk of death due to viral infection. This happens because women are less nervous about taking the shots. Dr. Matthew Sutter has said that statistics of other vaccines have not been assessed as much as COVID19 vaccines; therefore, there is no real model for women having side effects from other vaccines.

The silent transmission of Covid-19 has made the situation worse. The virus is wreaking havoc globally. According to a new assessment carried in the popular medical journal The Lancet, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is predominantly transmitted through the air. The SARS-CoV-2 virus causes Covid-19 disease. It said that strong evidence and data are available that show that the virus is transmitted through the air. Several past studies suggested that Covid-19 infection may spread through the air. However, it could not be confirmed as studies were inconclusive. The latest claim is based on an analysis made by six experts from the US, Canada, and Britain. They said that measures failing to treat the infection are only leaving people unprotected and allowing the virus to spread.

Back in July 2020, more than 200 scientists from 32 nations had written to the World Health Organization that there is evidence available suggesting Covid-19 is airborne. They submitted that smaller particles too pose a serious threat and can infect people. It noted that WHO and other world agencies should urgently take note of scientific evidence and focus on mitigation. It called for tough measures to reduce airborne transmission. The assessment added that transmission of virus multiplies indoors than outdoors. It said that transmission from people not showing symptoms like sneezing and coughing accounts for 40 percent of all transmission. This makes the infection a serious threat for healthy people and affects mass.

Researchers find no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 spreads easily through large droplets. They said that large droplets fall through the air quickly and make the surface contaminated. They cited long-range transmission between people in adjacent rooms in hotels. They said that the virus even affects people who were never in touch. Researchers said that robust measures should be implemented without any delay to check the airborne transmission. They said that hand hygiene and surface cleaning are important but the emphasis should be on airborne measures because inhalation of the virus will only give a rise to infection. They added that covering the face with a mask can prevent droplets from traveling through air, but not all masks are effective.

A new study has revealed that people who reside in sunnier areas might be at a lower risk of death due to COVID19. The study has been conducted in the US and has been repeated in Italy and England as well. Scientists have compared deaths related to COVID19 with ultraviolet levels of different areas. They have found that areas that are sunnier are linked to fewer deaths due to COVID19. The new study has found that the ratio between the risk of death in a certain group of people and the risk of mortality for all other groups of people has reduced in the US by 29 percent for every 100 kilojoules per square meter increase in average daily ultraviolet light. Experts have said that there has been a combined decline of 32 percent in the risk of mortality due to COVID19 in Italy and England. At present, health experts are trying to find out a correlation between sunlight and reduced risk of death due to COVID19. As per the experts, nitrate oxide is secreted from the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Some studies have revealed that nitrate oxide reduces the ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to multiply further. The findings of the study have been released in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Experts have said that other studies have revealed that elevated exposure to sunlight is linked to a low risk of heart attack and lower blood pressure. Both these aspects might be able to reduce the risk of mortality due to COVID19. Experts who have been involved with the new study have said that the reduced risk of death linked to COVID19 cannot be explained by vitamin D levels in the local population. The study has been based in regions where UVB (type B ultraviolet) levels are too less to produce major vitamin D levels in the body.  The study has accounted for other known risk parameters linked to exposure and an elevated risk of death due to COVID19 including age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, rate of infection in the area, air pollution, and temperature. As the study has been observational, it has not been able to show cause and effect.

Health experts have said that there is a need for further studies to find out the cause and effect and if cause and effect are established, sunlight can act as an effortless public health intervention. The corresponding author of the study, Dr. Richard Weller, who is also a consultant dermatologist and reader at the University of Edinburgh, has said that the findings of the study show sunlight exposure as one of the effective ways of reducing the risk of death due to COVID19. Health experts have said that the results of the study might be quite relevant to Israel. Israel is a sunny nation with high levels of the UV index.

A new study has shown that a majority of children who have been diagnosed with the rare and severe inflammatory disease might have had COVID19 infection initially with no symptoms or have had a mild infection. The study has noted that odd post-infection conditions have been seen to be milder in children, who have been down with COVID19. However, more than half of kids who have been affected by the condition have been given intensive hospital care. The study has been done by experts from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The findings of the study have been released in JAMA Pediatrics. The study has analyzed the cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in kids across the US and the evidence of bolsters that is a stalled immune response to COVID19.

The study has looked at nearly 1800 cases that have been reported to the CDC from March 2020 to mid-January 2021. The majority of kids have been below 15 years but experts have included those who have been up to 20 years of age. Experts have found that a surge in MIS-C cases has been seen two to five weeks after COVID19 peaks. Experts have said that these cases have followed the transmission of initial infection from urban to rural areas. The CDC data has shown that there is a rising surge in the pediatric issue that has been consistent with that trend.

The CDC has reported there have been a total of 3185 cases of this pediatric condition in the US. There have been around 36 deaths among children due to the condition. The authors of the study have said that state reports are not on time always; therefore, it is unclear how many children might have been diagnosed with this condition in the US since the study has completed. They have said that most kids who have been diagnosed with   COVID19 are not diagnosed with the post-infection disease. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association have released their data that have shown that nearly 3.5 million children and teenagers have been diagnosed with COVID19.

The first case of this pediatric condition (MIS-C) has been reported in late winter and spring last year in Europe. Experts have said that in some cases that do not show any symptoms and have undiagnosed COVID19 infections can be mistaken for Kawasaki disease. Kawasaki disease is a rare condition that can lead to red skin, swelling, and heart problems.

Dr. Sean O’Leary, who is the vice-chairperson of the Pediatrics’ Academy’s Infectious Disease Committee, has said that inflammatory condition makes kids very ill quite faster. However, most of them respond to the treatment quite well and get better completely. This condition can be treated by steroids and other medications, which can treat inflammation, said the experts. The authors of the study have said that the condition can be prevented by keeping COVID19 infection at bay. They have noted that vaccination might be a good way to prevent COVID19 infection. Experts have said that there are many clinical trials that are underway to test the COVID19 vaccines for children. The CDC authors of the study have said that fever has been the most common symptom of this condition among children.

Around half of the kids who have been dealing with this condition and have been enrolled in this study have reported having abdominal pain, red rashes, vomiting, and diarrhea. Nearly one-third of patients have complained of having heart inflammation and other cardiac issues. The authors of the study that has been conducted by the CDC have said that these symptoms have been least common in kids who have been up to 4 years of age. These kids have at a lower risk of being admitted to intensive care as compared to older children.

Scientists have come up with a blood test that can detect bipolar disorder and depression. At present, currently available diagnosis and treatment methods are largely based on trial and error. Newly developed blood test aims at a precision medicine method to treatment. The study has been done by experts from Indiana University. It sheds light on the genetic basis of mood disorders. The study has been led by Dr. Alexander B. Niculescu, who is a Professor of Psychiatry at Indiana University School of Medicine. This study is based on Dr. Niculescu’s previous work on blood biomarkers that keep a track of suicidality, pain, post-traumatic disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease as well. Dr. Alexander B. Niculescu has said that his team has led the way for precision medicine in psychiatry over the last 20 years.

He has said that with the new findings, experts have brought psychiatry from the 19th century into the 21st century. As per the experts, with their constant efforts, the field of psychiatry has become like other modern fields such as oncology. The aim of the new blood test is simply to improve the quality of life of many patients, said the experts. The findings of the study have been released in the prestigious journal called Molecular Psychiatry. Experts have said that the blood test is composed of RNA biomarkers that can easily detect how fatal a person’s depression is. It as well can identify the risk of being diagnosed with severe depression in the future. The blood test will be able to diagnose the risk of developing the bipolar or manic-depressive disorder in the future.

Health experts have said that the test notifies about the modified medication options for patients. The study has continued for over four years. Nearly 300 patients have been enrolled in the study from the patient population at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. The team of experts has followed a four-step method of discovery, prioritization, validation, and testing. First, experts have followed participants over time and analyzed them in both high and low mood states. The team of experts has used a huge database obtained from other studies in the field of psychiatry to cross-validate and prioritize their outcomes. After that, experts have validated the top 26 candidate biomarkers in autonomous cohorts of people with severe depression or bipolar disorder.

In the end, they have tested these biomarkers in further autonomous cohorts to find out how effective they have been at identifying who is having these disorders and who are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with these diseases in the future. With this method, scientists have been able to show how to match patients with medications. They as well have been able to discover a new possible medication to cure depression. The lead author of the study, Dr. Alexander B. Niculescu has said with the new study, his team has developed a blood test that can differentiate between depression and bipolar disorder. It is able to match patients with their suitable treatment as well. He has said that biomarkers are essential tools to diagnose such disorders when self-report by the patients and clinical notions of health care professionals are not very reliable.

In the new study, experts have found that mood disorders are highlighted by circadian clock genes. These genes control seasonal, day-night, and sleep-wake cycles. This might be the reason why some patients go through a hard time with seasonal changes and the sleep alterations that can take place in mood disorders. The lead author of the study has said that the findings should be converted into clinical practice and these findings can help develop new drug therapy for such patients. Experts who have been involved in the study have said that the new work is essential in enhancing the quality of life for many patients, who are dealing with depression or bipolar disease.

Dr. Alexander B. Niculescu has said that blood biomarkers provide real-time clinical practice benefits. He has said that as the brain cannot be examined in real-time, his team has worked for years to find out blood biomarkers for neurological diseases. As per the report, at least one in four people is identified with a clinical mood disorder. The study has been backed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Many people might be excited to ditch off their winter clothes as summer is around the corner. However, it might be hard for people who are dealing with body acne. Dr. Rekha Tailor, who is a leading non-surgical cosmetic expert in Surrey, has shown why people develop black spots on their bodies and how such spots can be treated at home for hot months. She has said that people who are dealing with this issue should give up on sugary foods. Such people should opt for a Mediterranean diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. Dr. Tailor has said that people suffering from body acne can try out chemical exfoliation and should ensure that they are using the right product to wash their body. She has said that people should be careful while choosing fabric for clothing. These people should avoid wearing tight clothes and opt for natural fabrics such as cotton or silk. Cotton and silk are the best fabrics for air circulation around the skin.

Proper air circulation around the skin during summer is essential to prevent build-up in the pores. Dr. Rekha Tailor has said that controlling oil production in the skin and removing dead skin effectively are two important steps to treat acne at home. People should ensure that they are using products that are oil-free. Most importantly, they should avoid using serum as oil present in such products can worsen acne. People dealing with body acne should use non-foaming cleansers, as these products will reduce oil production. Products should be non-comedogenic that will help the skin to breathe properly and prevent pore blockage as well. She has said that if symptoms are severe, then, people should consult their dermatologists who can prescribe a suitable treatment plan. Professionals might prescribe combined treatments such as laser therapy with clinically tested skincare products.

There are a number of home remedies available that can be used to treat acne at home, said the expert. Dr. Tailor has said that topical retinoids might work well on the skin. Topical retinoids clean dead skin cells on the surface of the epidermis, improve turnover, and prevent them from building up in hair follicles.  She has said that it is crucial to see a professional for the right skincare regimen as per individual needs. Using antibiotic cream or tablets that are prescribed by a professional as well can be helpful, said the expert. For example, topical benzoyl peroxide is an antibiotic medicine that can reduce the bacteria on the skin and help reduce inflammation. Azelaic acid as well is a good treatment option for mild hormonal and cystic acne.

Dr. Rekha Tailor has said that products that have azelaic acid are effective in reducing swelling and inflammation as well. Such products help open up blocked pores and kill acne-causing microbes. These products are safe to use during pregnancy as well. Therefore, pregnant women who are dealing with acne or rosacea can easily opt for this skincare option. Doctors advise that people who are dealing with acne should avoid touching it again and again. Touching acne spreads the microbes and it leads to severe acne issues.  People should keep the acne area clean and wear more breathable fabrics such as cotton.

Health experts have said that people should eat a healthy balanced diet to avoid acne problems. They should reduce intake of alcohol, caffeine, and sugar as well. These factors dramatically affect the skin, said the experts. People should avoid processed foods and unhealthy snacks. Eating a Mediterranean diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, healthy fat, and rich sources of protein such as fish with complex carbohydrates might help prevent acne.  Experts have said that by making some changes in eating habits, people can avoid frequent rises in blood sugar and insulin levels that can trigger breakouts of acne. A healthy and balanced diet offers a range of added benefits that will improve the health and texture of the skin.

Dr. Rekha Tailor has noted that there are two forms of exfoliation such as manual and chemical. She has said that chemical exfoliation is a better option as compared to manual as people tend to over scrub their skin at times that leads to damage of the skin. People should use products that have chemicals like glycolic, lactic, and malic and salicylic acids to have glowing skin, said the expert.  She has advised that people should use an exfoliator at least two or three times a week to have the utmost benefits of removing dead skin without over scrubbing the skin and causing damage to the skin. People should keep cleaning their backs regularly and use a loofah to unclog the pores and reduce the chances of acne breakouts. People should maintain regular hygiene by cleaning their pillow covers bedding, undergarments, and towels to avoid acne-causing bacteria.