Tag: Zoonotic Diseases
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Avian Flu Fast Facts: What You Need to Know
What is avian flu? Avian influenza, commonly called avian flu or bird flu, is an illness that primarily affects birds. It is caused by influenza viruses that circulate in bird populations. While most infections occur in birds, some strains can infect humans and other animals, prompting health authorities to monitor outbreaks closely. How many strains…
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Science History: Patient Zero and the SARS Outbreak—The Older Cousin of COVID
Introduction: A Disease with a Cautionary Tale In late 2002 and early 2003, the world stood at the edge of a new era in infectious disease. A mysterious form of pneumonia, later identified as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), surfaced in Guangdong province, China, quickly spreading through hospitals and travel networks. Scientists soon learned that…
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Adapting the One Health Evaluation Framework for Municipal Health in Fukuoka, Japan
Introduction: Bridging Global Concepts to Local Action The One Health approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. In Fukuoka, Japan, city authorities and academic partners are translating this global framework into a practical municipal tool. The goal is to strengthen local workflows, surveillance, and decision-making so that health threats—whether emerging infections, food…
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Bats and Dangerous Viruses: New Insights from Nature
Introduction: Rethinking Bat-Virus Relationships A recent study published in Nature Communications Biology offers a fresh perspective on how bats interact with dangerous viruses. Led by researchers at the University of Oklahoma, the work challenges some long-held assumptions about bats as universal reservoirs for high-risk pathogens. Instead, the study emphasizes context, behavior, and ecology as key…
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Vaccination Developments Against Nipah Virus for Animals
Understanding the Nipah Virus The Nipah virus, a zoonotic pathogen, poses significant health risks to both humans and animals. Initially identified in the late 1990s in Malaysia, this virus is primarily transmitted from bats to pigs, and subsequently to humans, causing serious illnesses characterized by fever, headaches, and respiratory problems. The mortality rate ranges dramatically…