Tag: Chikungunya
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Rare Autoantibody Reactions Behind Brain Inflammation Linked to Live-Virus Vaccines: What This Means for Chikungunya and Yellow Fever Vaccines
Understanding the Findings: Autoantibodies and Brain Inflammation A recent study highlighted in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) identifies rare cases where brain inflammation occurred after administration of live-attenuated vaccines, specifically those for Chikungunya and yellow fever. In these cases, autoantibodies—proteins produced by the immune system that mistakenly target the body’s own…
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Autoantibodies Tied to Rare Brain Inflammation After Live Vaccines
What the new findings show In recent years, rare neurological reactions have surfaced as a reminder that vaccines, while overwhelmingly safe, can interact with unique immune profiles in a small subset of people. A study published in PNAS points to autoantibodies — immune proteins that mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues — as a potential…
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Global Chikungunya Surge and COVID-19 Testing Milestone: What It Means for 2025
Rising chikungunya cases cast a shadow over 2025 Global health authorities are bracing for a year marked by a sharp rise in chikungunya infections. By mid-2025, health agencies reported more than half a million chikungunya cases across several regions, a level not seen in recent memory and prompting renewed focus on vector control, diagnostic access,…
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Global Health Alert: Chikungunya Surges to Over 500,000 Cases in 2025 as WHO Prequalifies Two COVID-19 Rapid Tests
Chikungunya tops half a million cases in 2025: what the trend means The year 2025 is shaping up as a pivotal one for global infectious disease surveillance as health authorities report a sharp rise in chikungunya cases, surpassing half a million across multiple regions. While the illness is typically associated with mosquito-borne transmission in tropical…
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After the Storm: How Hurricane Melissa Turns into a Mosquito Nightmare in Cuba
Hurricane Melissa’s Aftermath: A Dual Battle With Nature When Hurricane Melissa tore across eastern Cuba, it left more than shattered roofs and flooded fields. The real challenge began in the days that followed, as stagnant water and weakened health systems created the perfect breeding ground for mosquito-borne illnesses. For farmers, families, and small communities, the…
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6 Things to Know About chikungunya Virus and Its Transmission in the U.S.
What is chikungunya? Chikungunya is a disease caused by the chikungunya virus, primarily spread through infected mosquitoes. First identified in 1952 during an outbreak in Tanzania, its name comes from a Makonde word meaning “that which bends up,” referring to the severe joint pain it can cause. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, and most…
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Six Things to Know About the Chikungunya Virus and Its Transmission in the U.S.
Overview: What chikungunya is and why the U.S. case matters Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted primarily by mosquitoes. In late August, a resident of Long Island, New York, tested positive after developing symptoms consistent with the illness while having traveled outside the region. The case is notable because it marks the first locally acquired…
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6 Things to Know About the Chikungunya Virus and Its Transmission in the U.S.
Introduction: A New Notable Case in the U.S. A recent report from New York State confirms a locally acquired chikungunya case on Long Island, the first since 2015 and the first ever documented in New York. The location underscores how mosquito-borne viruses can appear in places where they are not typically expected, especially when travelers…
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New York’s First Local Chikungunya Case: What It Means for Public Health
Overview: First Local chikungunya Transmission in New York in Six Years New York health officials have confirmed the state’s first locally acquired case of the chikungunya virus in Nassau County, Long Island. The discovery marks the first instance of transmission within the United States in six years, underscoring the evolving landscape of mosquito-borne illnesses. Officials…
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New York Detects Its First Locally Acquired Chikungunya Case in Years
New York Confirms First Locally Acquired Chikungunya Case in Six Years Health officials in New York have confirmed the state’s first locally acquired chikungunya virus case in six years. The infected individual lives in Nassau County on Long Island, and the case marks a rare instance of mosquito-borne transmission occurring within the United States without…