Preparing for Biological Threats: Are We Ready to Prevent a Global Catastrophe?
Biological threats — whether naturally occurring, deliberate, or accidental — can kill millions and pose catastrophic risks to a country’s security, economics, and communities. This interactive infographic explains the possibility of a global pandemic and the importance of global prepardness.
Backyard chooks could be a biosecurity time bomb
Stephanie Smail
Infectious disease experts have warned of a potential biohazard, literally in our backyards. CSIRO research director for Health and Biosecurity Paul De Barro said there was a growing risk your humble chicken, pig or goat could contract a zoonotic disease, which can be deadly to humans. Pets, particularly on the outskirts of towns and cities, are exposed to wild animals, like bats, that carry diseases such as the Hendra or Nipah virus.
No new cases of H5N1 bird flu in humans reported since 2014
Việt Nam had reported no new human cases of avian influenza A/H5N1 and the country had successfully controlled outbreaks of the H5N1 strain over the past five years.
Remain vigilant to keep dengue at bay
Edward Rajendra
All it takes is 10 minutes a week to check for mosquito breeding grounds in one’s surrounding, says the Selangor Health Department. Its deputy health director (Public Health) senior consultant Dr B. Venugopalan has reminded Selangor residents to be constantly vigilant about the dengue menace during the current rainy season.
Is Sri Lanka’s health system ready to respond to the population shift?
Universal Health Coverage is a fundamental goal rooted in the human rightto health. It ensures that every person, no matter who they are or where theylive – has access to quality health services without suffering financialhardship. Achieving universal health coverage will accelerate efforts to endextreme poverty, achieve gender equality and increase health security, so thatno one is left behind.
ADB project to improve health care in disadvantaged areas in Vietnam
Anh Quan
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today approved $100.6 million in financing to support the Government of Vietnam’s reform effort to improve health service delivery and the quality of health care providers, especially in poor and border crossings.
Mass drug administration leads to rapid, partial reduction of malaria
Chaeuea V et al.,
Mass drug administration with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine was able to rapidly interrupt malaria transmission in four villages in Myanmar where the prevalence of asymptomatic infection was high, but researchers reported that infections from a common malaria parasite recurred within months, demonstrating the importance of asymptomatic infections to malaria transmission in Southeast Asia.
Provinces take steps to control avian flu outbreak
Authorities in provinces in the southern part of the country are taking necessary measures to prevent disease in poultry and transmission to humans. The weather in the south is now in a transition period, which is creating favourable conditions for the development of disease if effective measures are not taken.
Alarm over plans to store samples of deadly diseases in Tokyo
Julian Ryall
Japanese scientists are planning to import samples of some of the world's deadliest viruses in a bid to understand them better amid fears of an influx of foreign visitors. Samples of the five viruses – Ebola, Marburg, Crimean-Congo, Lassa and Zika – will be stored at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Musashimurayama, a suburb to the west of central Tokyo.
70 years of human rights in global health: drawing on a contentious past to secure a hopeful future
Lawrence O Gostin et al.,
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted on Dec 10, 1948, established a modern human rights foundation that has become a cornerstone of global health, central to public health policies, programmes, and practices. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of this seminal declaration, we trace the evolution of human rights in global health, linking the past, present, and future of health as a human right.
Pages
