BLOG 10 : Beijing

BLOG 10:  BEJING

            A new factor has been discovered about the bird flu H7N9 that showed up in China during the winter. A four-year-old boy who displayed no symptoms is adding to the unknowns about the latest outbreak that caused 63 confirmed cases and about 14 deaths.  The boy tested positive for the H7N virus and is considered carriers of the strain and has been placed under observation to see if he develops symptoms. The boy was found in contact with a seven year old girl who was confirmed as Beijing’s first case of the H7N9. A neighbor of the boys bought chicken from the girl’s family. This is making the virus even more difficult to detect but it could also mean that cases with mild or no symptoms do not get seriously ill and recover much more quickly making the virus less deadly than it appears.

            The boy’s case puts another spin to the already weird and indifferent new bird flu.  The bird flu originally couldn’t be transferred between bird and human but quickly the tables changed and humans began getting the virus now humans we have seen that humans can carry the virus. This makes the virus even harder to keep up with.  This virus is much different than any seen before because of how hard it is to trace.  However it is reassuring to know that health specialist are on constant research of the new strain and that some are getting lighter strains of the virus. Because of these new factors the virus could be less deadly than the world is imagining and all we can do is hope! People in Beijing are beginning to wear facemask because of the uncertainty of how they could catch this flu. People are working around the clock to keep the spread of the H7N9 from heavily populated areas where it could spread like wildflowers!

BLOG 9 - Cambodia

China isn’t the only country currently dealing with a deadly strain of bird flu; Cambodia is fighting a H5N1 strain that is baffling experts a decade after the major outbreak that began in Asia. Currently this year eight people have died, including six children, regardless that over 13,000 chickens have been culled or died from the highly contagious illness.  Cambodia is also watching China’s new H7N9 strain that had not previously been transmitted from birds to humans, but now 7 have died from the flu. This is Cambodia’s worst outbreak ever, accounting for nearly a third of its 27 human deaths from H5N1 since 2005.  Experts believe that the country is very vulnerable because of how close proximity humans are to the chickens, and a high rate of transportation of birds. Most birds here are kept in rural gardens versus close confined areas. The people know about the bird flu but refuse to throw the dead birds away because they are poor. Officials are working diligently to prevent new cases to keep the spreading of H5N1 from traveling to other countries.

This is perfect example of why it is so important to educate the world. By educating the poor people, this bird flu could have already killed less people or even not even come about in the first place. People don’t understand how important sanitation is to keep from having a pandemic similar to that of SARS.  These people wouldn’t be so poor they couldn’t keep their birds in a healthy environment or had to eat the dead birds. The world’s mission should be to first handle the current outbreak and then educate the people so they can keep from having so many different strains of bird flu going around. We can see how there are much fewer cases of bird flu in the developed countries.

http://www.france24.com/en/20130409-cambodia-fights-bird-flu-surge

Natalie White

April 9, 2013

5:35 pm

BLOG 8 : China

There is a new bird flu that has just recently broken out in China within the last two months. Health officials are already currently working on seed strains so they can make vaccines quickly should they be necessary. The bird flu has already killed 6 of the 16 people who have gotten it. This is a 37% mortality rate that is scaring public health officials. They have named the strain H7N9 and it appears to be transmitted directly from poultry. Chinese officials are trying to help stop the spread of the strain by slaughtering more than 20,000 birds in a Shanghai poultry market.  According to public health officials there is no evidence that the virus is being transmitted between people and there are not current cases in the United States. However high aggressive surveillance has become paramount to keep from having a case like SARS.  The biggest concern about H7N9 is that it is a new strain that hasn’t been seen in humans before, but it appears the only way to get the bird flu is to be in close contact with sick poultry.

It is very wonderful to see how proactive the government and health officials are being about this bird flu, H7N9.  The world certainly doesn’t want to see it spread like SARS did. However the Chinese are being much more open about the bird flu unlike 10 years ago when they were very secretive and the world’s health community was very frustrated.  If the case was to change and the bird flu could be transmitted from person to person, we have more assurance that it wouldn’t spread quite as far or quickly because strains of the bird flu are currently being reproduced.  It is very important that it be contained because it could cause a world crisis killing off much of the population.  The world is to thank the Chinese for being proactive.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2013/04/05/us-watching-chinese-bird-flu-outbreak/2056577/

Natalie White

April 5, 2013

2:25 p.m.

BLOG 7- Nigeria

BLOG 7: Nigeria

An online article written by Chioma Obinna and Monsur Olowoopejo published on the Codewit World News page, explains the struggles that Nigeria is having with maternal deaths. According to this page the society of gynecology and obstetrics of Nigeria said yester that no fewer than 11,600 maternal deaths were recorded in Nigeria in the last three months, adding that 45 cases were recorded daily.  The Lagos State Governor is promising that the state would establish emergency toll-free lines that will be designated for maternal cases only. Nigeria currently accounts for 10 percent of the global maternal deaths. This is a lot considering that this country is much smaller than most. This rate puts them ranked as the second highest country in the world after India. The major causes of such a high mortality rate in Nigeria is due to hemorrhage infection, hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, obstructed labor and anemia.  The root problem for such a high amount of maternal deaths is the delay in seeking health care.          

This article explains well why the economy and overpopulation are at such a risk as time goes on. These women having children can’t afford to see a doctor and some are having babies that don’t survive while others, such as these from Nigeria, are loosing their own lives. This also shows the importance of needing to educate people in developing countries so we can reduce the amount of maternal deaths and deaths of children.  By mothers dying at such a rapid rate that is leaving children with no one to take care of them and no means of being fed. This reduces the amount of working people in the world. I think that it is very honorable that the Lagos State Governor’s wife is trying to get the government to do something about the issue for these women, however it is going to take more than just an emergency information line. 

Natalie White

March 22, 2013

12:40 pm 

http://www.codewit.com/general-health/6472-nigeria-records-11-600-maternal-deaths-in-3-months 

BLOG 6- Haiti

According to an article written by Ian Birrell of The Guardian, people in Haiti are suffering from an outbreak of cholera. Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that causes lots of watery diarrhea and dries out the body, makes skin shrivel and sinks in the eyes.  In 2010, UN peacekeepers went to Haiti to try and protect stability and prevent the spread of disease following a devastating earthquake. However, instead Nepalese soldiers imported the infection cholera. This condition hasn’t been evident in Haiti in more than a century. They then spread the condition by dumping sewage into a river. Over 8,000 Haitians have died and another 647,00 people are infected.  The UN refuses to take responsibility for the events, Haitian victims have filed for compensation but they rejected their request for redress. Not many nations have suffered as much in their history as Haiti. Nearly three times the amount of people have died then those who were slaughtered in the9/11 attacks.

            This is a terrible thing that is occurring in Haiti. Haiti can’t catch a break from some sort of disaster constantly occurring. They allow people to come in to help them get back on their feet and yet it only hurts them more than before. It is impossible for them to find hope when they get nothing but disaster. It is sad that the UN won’t even compensate these people for what they have been and what they are going through. The people of Haiti need to stay strong and build back their community from the strength they have left and try and keep from being vulnerable when they are down so low. That is what has brought them to such a low place in life that they have lots of sickness and pain.  As a World we should be more accountable for what we do and less hateful.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/03/haiti-un-conscience-cholera-responsibility 

Natalie White

March 6, 2013 5:20 p.m.  

BLOG 5- Australia

According to an article published by Radio National written by Stan Correy there are major health risk involved with diesel fuel and underground miners. Last June the World Health organization raised the status of diesel engine exhaust to a Grade 1 Carcinogen, after concluding that long-term exposure to the fume was a cause of lung cancer.  A ruling has been made followed by a court decision in Quebec concerning the case of mine electrician Claude Fortin that has taken over seven years to resolve. Fortin contracted lung cancer from his long-term exposure to disease exhaust and he was not a smoker. This is a serious issue because it is showing that mind safety inspectors have been ignoring the long-term effects of the fumes.  According to the deputy director of United Steen Workers in Quebec a government inspector had been called in at least six times regarding the air quality in the mines where Fortin had been working. The emissions from the diesel didn’t exceed the standard however they were always present.  Despite the World Healthy Organizations ruling that the diesel exhaust caused a serious health threat, Western Australia government decided to close its compulsory mine healthy surveillance program.

            This article should be an eye opener not just to Western Australia but to the world because diesel engines are being used daily for all kinds of jobs.  Therefore putting all of that exhaust into the atmosphere.  If it is possible for a miner electrician to develop lung cancer from breathing the exhaust so much, then it is possible for every person in the world to develop it. We can only imagine how this is causing destruction of the atmosphere. I believe this article puts out good evidence of how the world isn’t doing enough to keep a healthy environment and workplace for people.  I believe the article should explain how important it is for us to cut down on the amount of fossil fuel burning we do because it is slowly killing us.  

 http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/dangerous-diesel/4545656

Natalie White

March 1, 2013 1:37 pm

BLOG 4-EUROPE

According to an article written in, The Washington Post about Europe by Kathy Lally, Moscow Europe is in serious danger of their population dropping to severely low numbers by 2050.  The decline in population is a direct result of unhealthy habits such as smoking, alcohol, and being overweight.  After the inauguration in last May of Moscow’s president, Vladimir Putin, there was a signed decree ordering the government to increase Russian life expectancy to 74 years by 2018, and last year their life expectancy was at 66.5 years.  Russia believes that most of there population is dying from tobacco related diseases and deaths linked to alcohol.  They blame the prices of cigarettes for the deaths of tobacco use.  Currently the price of a pack of cigarettes is $1.00 and that is with tax included. Volunteer groups are need to try and get people to understand how important a healthy lifestyle is and encouraging them to change their behavior.

The people of Moscow are not realizing they are killing themselves in a matter of time, and really more quickly than is realized. It is important for the people to be aware of the situation in order to increase their life expectancy as well as their health. I think the article does a wonderful job of making us aware of a problem happening in the world, but they fail to mention any way for us to take action about the situation.  The tell use volunteer groups are needed, but what can we do as individuals to help people be more aware? Obviously an important factor and the biggest influence is on the government, but as people wanting to help others what is something we can do?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-tries-to-improve-life-expectancy-with-laws-curbing-drinking-smoking/2013/02/20/7ad5c290-77ab-11e2-95e4-6148e45d7adb_story.html 

Natalie White

February 22, 2013

9:45 am

BLOG 3 - China

According to an article written by Emily Steiner in BDlive the Chinese have found that a mushroom they have been using for years as a traditional medicine may have more benefits than they ever believed. These mushrooms are called Reishi mushrooms and they have now been researched and tested to be able to prevent cancer, lower the rates obesity, as well as prevent liver disease.  However Reishi mushrooms used to be rare and expensive but with new advances they have learned to cultivate them and make them more readily available.  Reishi mushrooms are so beneficial to many different aspects of health for many different reasons. Some of these reasons include protect cellular DNA from oxidant damage that causes ageing and cancer, protects kidney tubule cells from oxidant damage that leads to kidney failure, it increases expression of a key longevity gene and promotes and increased life span in species ranging from yeasts, to primitive worms, to mammals such as mice.  The most beneficial part about these mushrooms is they have the ability to prevent cancer.  Reishi mushrooms do this by identifying then it attacks the cancer cells.  Reishi compounds also trigger the programmed cell death called apoptosis that is suppressed in malignant cells.

 Reishi mushrooms could be the medicine to save the world. People are constantly researching to find a way to cure cancer, maybe the real answer is not to find the cure but rather find a way to prevent the disease all together.  There is still lots of research to be done on Reishi mushrooms, but from what the Chinese have already found out about them is ground breaking. Without a way to prevent cancer the whole world could end up dying from it because of how fast it is developing.  Even with Reishi mushroom being able to allow people to be healthier in so many different ways, it is important for people to live healthier lifestyles to keep from our bodies being susceptible to diseases.  

 http://www.bdlive.co.za/life/health/2013/02/13/how-a-mushroom-can-beat-the-illness-of-old-age

Natalie White
February 13, 2012
3:16 pm

BLOG 2: Syria

In an U.S. article on the Reuters page written by Stephanie Nebehay, she tells of how diseases such as hepatitis A are spreading all over Syria because the water is unsanitary. There is so much fighting and bombs that large majorities of the population have bad burns that need to be treated. However they are unable to treat them because of the infected water. These aid groups had been using chlorine gas to purify the water but they are having to find alternatives because they fear chlorine gas will be misused as a chemical weapon.  They are also in a shortage of serum to help the trauma patients.  There is a factory close by that has lots of serum but they are unable to get to it because the opposition is controlling the road 2 miles between the factory and the city.  They also can’t use planes because the planes are being shot down.  Another issue Syria is faced with is a lack of ambulances because they are either dysfunctional or being used to transport fighters around both by sides.

This problem is already a big issue but can become an enormous issue over time. Many innocent people are losing their lives because of a lack of health care. There aren’t enough supplies and surgeons to save the Syrian people’s lives.  With water carrying water-born diseases, there is a potential to wipe out the entire country of Syria. The only bright side that surgeons and health staff can see that people are being cared for in their homes because many come up asking for supplies such as medicine and anti-biotics. This warfare issue has become not only a political issue but a societal as well because it is affecting everyone’s lives by putting them in danger. We can also see that Syria has a lower social stratification than some places in the world. We see this by how they are unable to hold their ground and instead their people are being killed rapidly.  Unless Syria can find a way to overcome their opposition, things will only continue to decline. 

 http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/05/us-syria-crisis-health-idUSBRE91411G20130205

  

Natalie White
February 7, 2013
3:45 PM

BLOG 1 - Nigeria- Health/Disease

BLOG 1:  Nigeria- Health/Disease

Health and disease is something the whole world faces. In some places health and diseases are more worse than others, but regardless the degree it will still forever exist. According to the article, issued on January 24, 2013 of All Africa, written by Muazu Elazeh women in Nigeria are facing a major health problem, Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).   They have estimated that between 400,000 and 800,000 women are living with this burden (All Africa). The Katsina state government has provided treatment for many of these women, however the problem still exists. The Katsina state first lady has also put her nongovernmental organization, Service to Humanity, into providing support as well as trying to eliminate the problem.  Even though many other countries in the world are affected by this health issue Nigeria’s cases account for 40% of the cases worldwide (All Africa).  The article goes on to explain how the prevention of VVF remains solely on health services as well as participation and knowledge. 

Vesico Vaginal Fistula is a health concern that affects women during childbirth or rape.  According to author John Spurlock, MD of Medscape, “ VVF is an abnormal fistulous tract extending between the bladder and the vagina that allows the continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault.” This is a big issue concerning not only the women but also society. It emotionally hurts women especially those who have VVT from being raped. It causes no one to want to be around them because of the awful odor they have.  As a direct result from women having an odor it keeps them from being able to work jobs.   This in return causes a lot of poverty amongst Nigeria. The world already suffers from poverty because of the lack of jobs.  This creates not only a social issue but also an economic issue. 

Natalie White

1/25/13

1:11 pm

http://allafrica.com/stories/201301240090.html?viewall=1

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/267943-overview

Health/ Disease

I have chosen health and disease because anything directly related to the health field is very interesting to me. I believe there will be many interesting articles to read about disease and health all over the world considering many countries around the world have very poor health. Health is something I am very passionate for learning about which is why I am majoring in nursing.