Malaria cases in the state of Maharashtra are currently concentrated in Mumbai and Gadchiroli (followed by Thane and Nagpur). Mumbai experienced a 2-fold increase in infections between June and July, while the increase over last year’s case numbers is up to four times greater in the tribal areas of Gadchiroli, which has a predominance of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. This week, the country’s prime minister cautioned the population over tropical and vector-borne diseases during peak monsoon season and the ongoing ’battle against the coronavirus disease’. Read more
A FURTHER 55,000+ COVID-19 cases were registered in India over the last 24 hours, according to covidly.com, taking its total to just over 2.7 million. However the Americas still has the highest burden of infections and deaths – the PAHO director noted yesterday that the region has ‘approximately 13% of the world’s population, but 64% of officially reported global deaths’. More recently a rise in new infections has been seen in Peru, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago. Dr Etienne spoke at some length about the mental health crisis, ‘a perfect storm in every country‘.
While daily updates will continue on the WHO global COVID-19 dashboard, the agency’s Situation Reports will cease, replaced by COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Updates (starting on Aug 17 with #1).
In other related news:
The breakdown of the COVID-19 symptom profile for Australian cases as detailed in the fortnightly CDI epidemiology report on Aug 2 (published Aug 18) was ‘consistent with a mild respiratory infection in the majority of cases … cough (42%), fever (30%), sore throat (27%) and headache (20%). Other symptoms reported include malaise, lethargy or fatigue (20%) and loss of taste or smell (10%).’ With the current historically low levels of influenza in the community, advice from some state health authorities is to get tested in the event of suffering flu-like symptoms, ‘it is most likely you have COVID, not flu’. Read more
Covid-19 Is Creating a Wave of Heart Disease Read more
Don’t just look at covid-19 fatality rates. Look at people who survive — but don’t entirely recover. Read more
Seven months later, what we know about Covid-19 — and the pressing questions that remain Read more
Researchers found a way to clean N95 masks for reuse — in a common electric cooker Read more
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.