Updates on Ebola Sudan in Uganda, CWD in Texas, and Nurses’ Health Risks
The WHO reported a second Ebola Sudan cluster in Uganda with three confirmed cases linked to a deceased child. In Texas, chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in deer for the first time, prompting quarantine measures. Additionally, a study revealed that sleep deprivation among nurses increases infection risk, accentuating the relevance of adequate sleep for overall health.
On March 8, the World Health Organization (WHO) provided an update concerning a second cluster of cases related to Uganda’s Ebola Sudan outbreak, which currently comprises three confirmed and two probable cases. The emergence of this cluster has heightened concerns regarding undetected transmission, prompting intensified monitoring efforts. All reported cases are associated with a 4-year-old boy, the tenth confirmed case, who succumbed to the virus on February 25.
The WHO’s African regional office disclosed that the boy’s mother had died shortly after giving birth, raising the alarm as her death occurred amidst acute illness, alongside that of her newborn. Notably, neither the mother nor the baby underwent testing for Ebola, causing both deaths to be classified as probable cases. They originated from Ntoroko district, located near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
It is pertinent to highlight that the mother exhibited symptoms starting January 22 and passed away on January 6; her child followed suit with death occurring on January 12. The WHO revealed that these unfortunate events were compounded by the fact that there were no supervised burials for these three fatalities. The investigation illustrates that the eleventh confirmed case involved a woman who had contact with the deceased boy, while the twelfth case pertains to a woman who engaged with the boy’s mother, with both currently receiving treatment.
As of March 2, 192 additional contacts linked to this second outbreak cluster have been identified and are under careful observation, predominantly located in Kampala and Wakiso Districts and extending to areas within Ntoroko. This outbreak represents Uganda’s sixth encounter with Ebola Sudan, with the case fatality rate currently standing at 29%, a significantly lower figure compared to previous outbreaks ranging between 41% and 70%.
In Kaufman County, Texas, chronic wasting disease (CWD) has made its inaugural appearance on a deer farm, as reported by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). A 20-month-old male and an 8-month-old female white-tailed deer both tested positive during mandatory CWD surveillance. This detection marks a critical point, particularly since Kaufman County is close to Dallas.
In an official release, TPWD clarified the regulatory framework wherein all deer breeding facilities are obliged to test all mortalities and perform ante-mortem testing on any deer before relocation. In light of this positive case, the facility has been placed under quarantine by the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to prevent any potential spread of the disease.
CWD is attributed to misfolded proteins known as prions, which can transmit between cervids through various bodily fluids. Once these prions are released into the environment, they display remarkable resilience against heat, radiation, and even formaldehyde, persisting for extended periods.
Since its discovery in Colorado in 1967, CWD has spread across 36 states and five Canadian provinces, with other reports emerging from international locations, solidifying its prevalence and potential threats to cervid populations.
A recent study conducted by Haukeland University Hospital in Norway has established a link between sleep debt and night work among nurses, corresponding to a heightened risk of contracting common infections. The findings were derived from a survey examining the sleep patterns and health of 1,335 nurses, comprising predominantly female participants averaging 41.9 years of age.
The research team noted that approximately 25% of the global workforce is engaged in shift work, which is essential for various services but poses serious health risks to workers. The study results, published in Chronobiology International, suggest that severe sleep deprivation can lead to nearly quadrupled risks of pneumonia.
Specifically, the connection between sleep debt and infections was demonstrated in a dose-dependent method, revealing that reduced sleep correlates with increased likelihood of ailments such as the common cold, pneumonia/bronchitis, sinusitis, and gastrointestinal infections.
In summary, the WHO has raised alarms regarding a second cluster of Ebola Sudan cases in Uganda, highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance amidst concerns of unrecorded transmission. Concurrently, CWD has been identified in a Texas deer farm, prompting immediate quarantine measures. Furthermore, a study indicates that sleep debt and night work among nurses correlate with increased infection risks, underlining the critical importance of adequate rest for health. These reports shed light on pressing health issues that require ongoing attention and action.
Original Source: www.cidrap.umn.edu
