"It is therefore with great hope that I declare #COVID19 over as a global health emergency.

However, that does not mean COVID-19 is over as a global health threat.

Last week, COVID-19 claimed a life every three minutes – and that’s just the deaths we know about.

As we speak, thousands of people around the world are fighting for their lives in intensive care units. And millions more continue to live with the debilitating effects of post-#COVID19 condition.

This virus is here to stay. It is still killing, and it is still changing. The risk remains of new variants emerging that cause new surges in cases and deaths.

The worst thing any country could do now is to use this news as a reason to let down its guard, to dismantle the systems it has built, or to send the message to its people that #COVID19 is nothing to worry about.

What this news means is that it is time for countries to transition from emergency mode to managing #COVID19 alongside other infectious diseases.

I emphasise that this is not a snap decision. It is a decision that has been considered carefully for some time, planned for, and made on the basis of a careful analysis of the data.

If need be, I will not hesitate to convene another Emergency Committee should #COVID19 once again put our world in peril.

While this Emergency Committee will now cease its work, it has sent a clear message that countries must not cease theirs.

On the Committee’s advice, I have decided to use a provision in the International Health Regulations that has never been used before, to establish a Review Committee to develop long-term, standing recommendations for countries on how to manage #COVID19 on an ongoing basis.

The World Health Organization said Tuesday that fighters in conflict-ravaged Sudan had occupied the national public laboratory holding samples of diseases including polio and measles, creating an "extremely, extremely dangerous" situation.

Fighters "kicked out all the technicians from the lab... which is completely under the control of one of the fighting parties as a military base," said Nima Saeed Abid, the WHO's representative in Sudan.

He did not say which of the fighting parties had taken over the laboratory.

Abid said he had received a call from the head of the national laboratory in Khartoum on Monday, a day before a US-brokered 72-hour ceasefire between Sudan's warring generals officially came into effect after 10 days of urban combat.

"There is a huge biological risk associated with the occupation of the central public health lab," said Abid.

He pointed out that the lab held so-called isolates, or samples, of a range of deadly diseases, including measles, polio and cholera.

The director of the lab had also warned of the danger that "depleting stocks of blood bags risk spoiling due to lack of power," Abid said.

"In addition to chemical hazards, bio-risk hazards are also very high due to lack of functioning generators," he said.

The UN health agency also said that it had confirmed 14 attacks on healthcare during the fighting, killing eight and injuring two.

The fighting in Sudan has pitted forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against those of his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The Sudanese health ministry has put the number of deaths so far at 459, with a further 4,072 wounded, the WHO said Tuesday, adding that it had not be able to verify that number.

The UN refugee agency meanwhile said it was bracing for up to 270,000 people to flee Sudan into neighbouring Chad and South Sudan.

Laura Lo Castro, the UN refugee agency's representative in Chad, said some 20,000 refugees had arrived there since the fighting began 10 days ago.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva via video-link, she said the agency expected up to 100,000 "in the worst case scenario".

Her colleague in South Sudan, Marie-Helene Verney, meanwhile said that around 4,000 of the more than 800,000 South Sudanese refugees living in Sudan had returned home since the fighting began.

Looking forward, she told reporters that "the most likely scenario is 125,000 returns of South Sudanese refugees into South Sudan."

In addition, she said, UNHCR expected up to 45,000 Sudanese to flee as refugees into South Sudan.

Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health, says 746 Nigerians die annually from oral cancer complications in the country.

He said 1,146 cases were diagnosed in the country annually.

Dr Gloria Uzo-Igwe, Head of the Dentistry Division, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), represented Ehanire at a one-day oral cancer workshop in Abuja on Monday.

The training has the theme: “The use of artificial intelligence in the early detection of oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders,” and is organized by the Cleft and Facial Deformity Foundation.

The minister expressed worries that most people were not aware of the devastating effect of oral cancer in the country.

According to him, oral cancer is very critical because it can easily deface one’s face, you will not be able to talk, you can’t eat, and the mortality rate is very high. It is even higher than the rest of the cancers.

He said that FMOH is intensifying its awareness campaign to enlighten Nigerians about the dangers of cancer.

Ehanire disclosed that plans had been concluded to launch a policy on oral health in the country.

“We have a policy that we are going to launch in November on oral health. Our own is preventive, we go to communities and we raise awareness.

“We are training our community health workers because if you go to communities, there are no oral health workers there.

“Everybody wants to go to the town, there are no dentists in the communities. We don’t have dental experts in our rural communities, where oral cancers are more prominent.

“We go to communities to train health workers so that they can recognise early signs of oral cancer and refer the patients to the hospitals where dentists can get treatment.

“We don’t want it to get to the fourth stage or even third stage. As long as they will be able to recognise it and send the patient to the hospital for prompt action,” he explained.

He explained that the target of the policy should be able to map at least 50 per cent of the population in the rural areas and make sure that there were better professionals at the primary health care centres.

According to him, “We are aiming at what we call a comprehensive centre, at least there must be a dental clinic comprising a dentist, therapist, and hygienist in a comprehensive centre, at least, in the three geopolitical zones of every state.

Meanwhile, Dr Bello Alokun, a facial surgeon, said that artificial intelligence was an advancement in technology.

He said it involved the use of computers, and information obtained from a patient could be used to predict with more than 90 per cent accuracy, the fact that somebody could develop cancer in another 10 years.

Alokun said it was easier for practitioners to keep a better eye on such people, thereby picking oral cancer in its infancy when it is just developing.

He said that early detection meant that cancer could be cured in a particular victim.

“Artificial intelligence is actually in its rudimentary stage in Nigeria. Its use is being explored in different aspects of medicine and other aspects of science. Nigeria is close to zero level.

“We are collaborating to promote the links that can predict when one can develop oral cancer and to spread information among Nigerians about the use of artificial intelligence and oral cancer generally because early detection is the key,” he said.

In her presentation, the Prof Bukola Adeyemi of the University College Ibadan, said that oral cancer was not too prevalent in the country.

Adeyemi said that its impact was devastating.

She said that if over 1,000 cases of oral cancer were diagnosed every year and over 700 of that number died, “that means that over 50 per cent of people that are diagnosed die of oral cancer every year in the country.

“That is enormous because these are people that are very important to some people”.

She called for regular dental checks and encouraged early diagnosis.

“This is because if a disease affects a single person in the population, the individual and the close friends are at a loss. We talk about early diagnosis, we talk about avoidance of established risk factors,” she said.

The Dentistry Professor said that the most important risk factors were tobacco and alcohol, noting that they altered the way the human body use to handle reactive oxygen species.

“Individuals that avoid these things give themselves a reduced risk of having oral cancer. I am not saying that it is only people exposed to these factors that are only ones having oral cancer, some people have some genetic anomaly within them and have aberrations.

“What we advise people is that they should avoid exposure to these agents.

“These days, some young people don’t smoke again, they use what they call e-smoking; they also use other gadgets called Shisha and the rest, are still dangerous.

“We try to advise people to avoid perverse ways of sexual behaviour such as MouthAction, avoidance of agents that have been associated with carcinogenesis,” she said.

She said another very important thing in society was the excessive use of foods that were prepared over naked flames, noting that they were dangerous, especially for individuals that were constantly being exposed to them.

“They include suya, roasted fish, and all those roasted things that are done over a naked fire. They contain what we call established carcinogenesis.

“So, we are not saying that we should not eat them, but things should be done in moderation. Moderation should be established in most of the things that we do.

“Another risk factor for oral cancer is continuous infection. We advise people to visit a dentist at least twice a year and when you can’t make it twice, at least visit your dentist once a year,” she said.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has responded to reports of diphtheria cases in Lagos and Kano States and is monitoring the situation in Osun and Yobe States where cases are now being picked up. In addition to clinically suspected cases, there have been laboratory-confirmed cases and the NCDC is working with State Ministries of Health and partners to enhance surveillance and response to the outbreak. This includes keeping the public informed on staying safe at home and in their communities.

ABOUT DIPHTHERIA

What is Diphtheria?

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat and sometimes, skin of an individual.

Who is at risk?

People most at risk of contracting diphtheria:

• Children and adults who have not received any or a single dose of the pentavalent vaccine (a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine).

• People who live in a crowded environment.

• People who live in areas with poor sanitation.

• Healthcare workers and others who are exposed to suspected/confirmed cases of diphtheria.

Transmission

Diphtheria spreads easily between people through;

• Direct contact with infected people

• Droplets from coughing or sneezing.

• Contact with contaminated clothing and objects.

Symptoms

The onset of signs and symptoms usually starts after 2 – 10 of exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms of diphtheria include;

• Fever 🤒

• Runny nose 🤧

• Sore throat

• Cough

• Red eyes (conjunctivitis)

• Neck swelling

• In severe cases, a thick grey or white patch appears on the tonsils and/or at the back of the throat associated with difficulty breathing.

Prevention

The Nigeria childhood immunisation schedule recommends three (3) doses of pentavalent vaccine (diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine) are recommended for children in the 6th-, 10th- and 14th -week of life.

NCDC’s Advice to Nigerians

To reduce the risk of diphtheria, the NCDC offers the following advice;

1. Parents should ensure that their children are fully vaccinated against diphtheria with three (3) doses of the pentavalent vaccine as recommended in the childhood immunisation schedule.

2. Healthcare workers should maintain a high index of suspicion for diphtheria i.e., be vigilant and look out for symptoms of diphtheria.

3. Individuals with signs and symptoms suggestive of diphtheria should isolate themselves and notify the local government area (LGA), state disease surveillance officer (DSNO) or the NCDC through our toll-free line (6232).

4. Close contacts with a confirmed case of diphtheria should be closely monitored given antibiotics prophylaxis and started on diphtheria antitoxin treatment when indicated.

5. All healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, support staff etc.) with higher exposure to cases of diphtheria should be vaccinated against diphtheria.

The Federal Government, on Monday, confirmed THEWILL’s earlier report, published last Friday, that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the suspension of all COVID-19 restrictions.

Following the approval, the Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19 (PSC), has directed the suspension of all pre-arrival or post-arrival COVID tests for air travellers in Nigeria.

The development was announced in a letter by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), dated December 12, 2022, and addressed to airline operators.

The letter, signed by Captain Musa S. Nuhu, Director General of Civil Aviation, also makes the wearing of face masks optional for passengers onboard aircraft.

The statement read: “The prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and most parts of the world has remained at a low level for a Sustained period.

“The Presidential Steering Committee on CoVID-19 (PSC) has, therefore, revised the COVID-19/Public Health guidelines as follows:

(A) Domestic Operations:

1. Mask Mandate:

a. The wearing of face masks inside Airport terminal buildings and onboard aircraft by airport workers, passengers, and crew members is no longer mandatory. Wearing face masks by passengers onboard aircraft or inside Airport terminal buildings is discretionary, but recommended.

b. Persons aged 60 years and above, immunocompromised (e.g. due to organ transplant, cancer, etc), those with comorbidities (e.g. Heart disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, etc), are advised to use facemasks, wash their hands with water and soap, Use hand alcohol-based sanitisers, and avoid large gatherings.

THEWILL EDITORIAL: APC And Recent Defections
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THEWILL EDITORIAL: APC And Recent Defections
2. Disinfection of bags at the entrance of terminal buildings is no longer required.

3. Airlines are, therefore, required to resume serving catering (meals and drinks) onboard aircraft.

4. Maintaining social distancing at airport terminal buildings is no longer mandatory.

5. Facilities and conveyances are advised to maintain good environmental hygiene, good ventilation, and encourage good hand and respiratory hygiene.

6. The use of alcohol-based sanitisers by passengers and airport workers is recommended.

7. Boarding and disembarkation protocols are to be maintained.

(B) International Operations:

1. All requirements in ‘A’ above shall apply.

2. COVID-19 Travel Testing: Pre-departure and Post-arrival COVID-19 PCR tests are no longer required for all passengers irrespective of vaccination status. PCR tests required for all passengers who are partial/not fully vaccinated have been suspended.

3. Health Declaration form. Permission to travel QR code is no longer required. A simplified Health NCAA Questionnaire form (non-COVID-19 specific) shall be completed by all passengers travelling to Nigeria preferably pre-departure on the Nigerian International Travel Portal (NITP). Passengers who fail to fill the health questionnaire on the NITP pre-departure will be required to fill the health questionnaire either onboard the aircraft prior to landing or at the Airport terminal building upon arrival.

4. All other CoviD-19 quarantine/travel requirements are hereby made optional.

This AOL supersedes previous AOLs issued on COVID-19 for domestic and international operations.

All Aviation Service Providers are hereby required to comply with the above requirements.

Non-compliance by any Aviation Service provider with this AOL shall attract appropriate sanctions.

This AOL shall be effective immediately.

World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, has said the African region continues to be most affected out of the 25.6 million people living with HIV worldwide.

She said this in her message to commemorate the World AIDS Day which is celebrated globally every December 1, adding that, WHO support people living with HIV and remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS.

“This year, the theme is “Equalise ” urging each one of us to address the inequalities driving the epidemic and holding back progress in ending AIDS,” she said.

She added that ending inequalities and getting on track to end AIDS by 2030, the heads of state and government are committed to end all inequalities faced by people living with and affected by HIV in communities and countries, which are barriers to ending AIDS.

Dr. Moeti added that progress has been made over the past decade, reducing new infections by 44% and reducing AIDS-related deaths by 55%.

WHO representative said: “This progress was made because WHO and partners advocated for and supported the expansion of new HIV prevention and treatment technologies; provided guidance on combination HIV prevention, testing and treatment; built capacity in countries to improve data availability and quality; increased access to affordable medicines, diagnostics and health technologies and supported national HIV treatment catch up plans in west and central Africa.”

Monkeypox is to be rebranded as ‘mpox’ after global health experts said the name had racist connotations and could lead to stigmatisation.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the term monkeypox would be phased out over the coming year.

It follows a forum in the summer in which two families of monkeypox - the Congo Basin and West African clades - were renamed as Clade I and Clade II.

At the time, the WHO said the decision was to ‘avoid causing offence to any cultural, social, national, regional, professional, or ethnic groups, and minimise any negative impact on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare.’

In a statement about the move to ‘mpox’, the international health body said: “When the outbreak of monkeypox expanded earlier this year, racist and stigmatising language online, in other settings and in some communities was observed and reported to WHO.

“Following a series of consultations with global experts, WHO will begin using a new preferred term 'mpox' as a synonym for monkeypox. Both names will be used simultaneously for one year while 'monkeypox' is phased out.”

WHO will 'very exceptionally' rename conditions

Human monkeypox was first given its name in 1970 after the virus that causes the disease was discovered in captive monkeys in 1958.

The WHO is responsible for naming new diseases and ‘very exceptionally’ will rename existing conditions.

In 2015, it released new guidelines entitled “Best Practices for the Naming of New Human Infectious Diseases,” in which it advised that diseases should no longer be named after places, specific people such as “Creutzfeld-Jakob disease’ or Alzheimer’s, occupations, such as Legionnaires disease, or animals, such as swine flu.

During the pandemic, the body renamed several variants, including the Kent variant, which became Alpha, the South African variant, which became Beta, and the Indian Variant, which became Delta.

Some 3,720 cases have been identified in the UK since the start of May, although the UK Health Security Agency has said it is seeing fewer and fewer cases reported.

NHS England said some 68,000 people have been inoculated against the disease with the smallpox vaccine since the outbreak began in May.

It is now launching a campaign offering a second vaccination to those eligible who have already had their first jab.

Common signs of infection include the development of a new rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, and swollen lymph nodes.

Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has slammed Nigerian artistes who glorify the abuse of drugs and substances in their songs.

Marwa lamented how the drug-promoting lyrics from songs have become a buzzword among youths, noting how the young population, on the strength of these songs, have come to see drug abuse as a ‘grand idea of leisure’.

The NDLEA boss who was represented by Dr. Segun Oke said this during the 2nd edition of the Vanguard Mental Health Summit held in Lagos on Thursday with the theme being: ‘Mental Health in a Distressed Economy’.

According to Marwa, drug abuse is a ‘serious’ problem in the country, revealing that 10.6 million Nigerians abuse cannabis.

He stated that the agency has continued to put measures in place to curb the abuse of drug and substances in the country.

“The “high syndrome” is so entrenched among young people it has become a sort of self-prescription therapy for dealing with some of life’s issues. For some, it is the grand idea of leisure. It is a buzzword in their everyday life and a motif in popular music. Offhand, I can give you three quick examples of hit songs that glorify the abuse of psychoactive substances in the name of “getting high”.

” ‘I just want to be high’, ‘I need Igbo and Shayo’, ‘Sometimes food no dey give man joy, but Canadian loud, the feeling is different.’ These street anthems motivate young people to abuse alcohol, cannabis and other illicit substances. It is now commonplace for young people to organise cannabis parties.

Marwa lauded Vanguard Newspapers for putting together the summit, emphasizing how silence, passivity and complacency have contributed to the rise in the level of drug abuse in the country.

“Our silence, passivity and complacency in the past is what led us to where we are today. That is why every effort to now salvage the situation, including this summit, is welcome and laudable and most importantly, must be decisive and sustained.

Monica Eimunjeze, a director in the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), has been appointed as the acting director-general of the agency.

Mojisola Adeyeye, the former director-general, is said to have commenced her retirement leave.

In an internal memo dated November 17 and seen by TheCable, Augustine Oboli, an assistant director, said the management is in receipt of a letter appointing Eimunjeze as acting director-general.

Oboli, who copied 27 directors in the memo, said Eimunjeze’s appointment took effect from November 12.

“The management is in receipt of a letter appointing Dr Monica Eimunjeze as the acting director-general of NAFDAC with effect from 12th November 2022,” the letter reads.

“I am therefore directed to bring this development to you for information and guidance.”

Until her appointment, Eimunjeze was the director of registration and regulatory affairs for the agency.

Before then, she served as the technical assistant to the director-general of NAFDAC and as the director, drug evaluation and research.

Eimunjeze graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1986 and went on to obtain a doctorate in pharmacy from Mercer University, Georgia, USA.

NDLEA alerts on plot to introduce lethal synthetic opioid, fentanyl to Nigerian market

. Asks parents, other stakeholders to spread awareness among loved ones

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says it has uncovered plans by some unscrupulous elements to introduce a lethal synthetic opioid, Fentanyl, which is 100 times stronger than Tramadol into the Nigerian market, warning that the illicitly manufactured drug is capable of causing mass casualty among the youth population being targeted by the cartels.

The anti-narcotics agency in a statement on Friday said every step must be taken to ensure that the drug which is currently responsible for over 70% overdose deaths as well as a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the US is not allowed to circulate in Nigeria because of its lethality and the current drug abuse prevalence of 14.4% in the country.

We are not unaware of desperate efforts by some drug cartels to introduce to the Nigerian market, Fentanyl, which according to the CDC, is 80 times as potent as morphine and 100 times more potent than heroin. This, they plan to do either in liquid or powder form and/or with misleading labels to target our youth population. This they may also mix with other prescription drugs. The illegally manufactured fentanyl in its liquid form can come in nasal sprays, eye drops, or small candies.

“As a result, parents and other stakeholders are advised to be vigilant, alert and warn their young ones against attempting experimenting with this illicit substance. Symptoms for fentanyl exposure and/or overdose include pinpoint pupils, falling asleep or losing consciousness, slow and shallow breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, limp body, and pale, blue, or cold skin, the NDLEA stated.

The Agency wishes to assure the public that all necessary assets have been deployed to monitor the cartels involved in this latest threat to public health with a view to frustrating their criminal plot and make them face the wrath of the law.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Tuesday 8th November 2022

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says Nigeria is at high risk of importing Ebola from Uganda.

Uganda had declared an outbreak of Ebola after a 24-year-old male exhibited symptoms of the disease, tested positive, and later died.

As of September 29, 2022, the Ugandan ministry of health has reported 54 cases (35 confirmed and 19 probable) and 25 deaths (seven confirmed and 18 probable).

The World Health Organisation, on Thursday, said Nigeria currently has the highest monkey pox death toll and confirmed cases in Africa.

The organisation’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, disclosed this during a virtual press briefing tagged, ‘Road to defeating Meningitis by 2030.’

Moeti said the majority of monkeypox cases are in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana.

She said, “For monkeypox, there are now 524 confirmed cases and 12 deaths across 11 African countries.

“The majority of cases are in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ghana. Of the 12 deaths, six occurred in Nigeria, four in Ghana, and two in the Central African Republic.

“Although no single monkeypox vaccine has been administered to any high-risk group in any of the African countries reporting cases, WHO has provided 39,000 test kits to countries, enabling improved testing rates.”

Monkeypox is a rare viral zoonotic infectious disease (i.e. an infection transmitted from animals to humans) that occurs sporadically, primarily in remote villages of Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, the exact reservoir of monkeypox is unknown although African rodents are suspected to play a part in transmission.

The latest data from the NCDC showed that as of August 14, there were 530 suspected cases with 220 confirmed cases in the country.

A medical expert, Dr Julian Ojebo, in an interview with The PUNCH, said there was a need for increased awareness about the disease across the country.

Ojebo said, “The government should increase awareness in the print and broadcast media; they should increase awareness campaign everywhere, including the rural areas using the traditional and leaders.

“People should know the signs and symptoms; they should increase the surveillance rate for early detection. There should also be treatment centres dedicated to the disease to avoid stigmatisation.” Also, a medical laboratory scientist at the Department of Microbiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Obinna Chukwudi, said, “The health system is weak and the government should strengthen it by investing resources into the health sector.

“When all is made available, it will be easier in combating epidemics effectively.”

China became the first country to approve a needle-free, inhaled version of a Covid-19 vaccine made by Tianjin-based CanSino Biologics Inc., pushing the company’s shares up as much as 14.5% Monday morning in Hong Kong.

China’s National Medical Products Administration approved CanSino’s Ad5-nCoV for emergency use as a booster vaccine, the company said in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Sunday.

The vaccine is a new version of CanSino’s one-shot Covid drug, the first in the world to undergo human testing in March 2020 and which has been used in China, Mexico, Pakistan, Malaysia and Hungary after being rolled out in February 2021. The inhaled version can stimulate cellular immunity and induce mucosal immunity to boost protection without intramuscular injection, CanSino said.

Companies are looking into developing inhaled versions of vaccines to stimulate antibodies in nasal and airway tissues to defend against coronavirus. They are needle-free and can be self-administered, broadening their appeal to vaccine-hesitant people and potentially easing pressure on health-care resources.

CanSino’s initial one-shot vaccine was found to be 66% effective in preventing Covid-19 symptoms and 91% effective against severe disease, but it trails vaccines from Sinovac Biotech Ltd. and state-owned Sinopharm Group Co. in use outside China. Those two companies account for most of the 770 million doses China has sent to the rest of the world.

The vaccine, which uses a modified cold-causing virus to expose the immune system to the coronavirus, is similar to those developed by AstraZeneca Plc and Johnson & Johnson.

Joe Biden tests positive again, days after testing negative

BREAKING NEWS: Spain has reported its first monkeypox-related death in what is Europe's first known death and the second outside of Africa in the current outbreak.

The Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Rulwanu Mohamed, has confirmed that two cases of suspected Monkeypox disease have been recorded in Bauchi State, North East Nigeria.

“A month ago, I convened the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations to assess whether the multi-country #monkeypox outbreak represented a public health emergency of international concern”

"At that meeting, while differing views were expressed, the committee resolved by consensus that the [#monkeypox] outbreak did not represent a public health emergency of international concern."

"At the time, 3040 cases of #monkeypox had been reported to WHO, from 47 countries.
Since then, the outbreak has continued to grow, and there are now more than 16 thousand reported cases from 75 countries and territories, and five deaths."

"In light of the evolving [#monkeypox] outbreak, I reconvened the committee on Thursday of this week to review the latest data and advise me accordingly. I thank the committee for its careful consideration of the evidence, and issues."

"On this occasion, the committee was unable to reach a consensus on whether the [#monkeypox] outbreak represents a public health emergency of intl concern.
The reasons the committee members gave for & against are laid out in the report we are publishing today."

"Under the International Health Regulations, I am required to consider five elements in deciding whether an outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern."

"First, the information provided by countries – which in this case shows that this [#monkeypox] virus has spread rapidly to many countries that have not seen it before."

"Second, the three criteria for declaring a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations, which have been met."

"Third, the advice of the Emergency Committee, which has not reached consensus."

"Fourth, scientific principles, evidence and other relevant information – which are currently insufficient and leave us with many unknowns."

"Fifth, the risk to human health, international spread and the potential for interference with international traffic."

"WHO’s assessment is that the risk of #monkeypox is moderate globally and in all regions, except in the European region where we assess the risk as high."

"There is also a clear risk of further international spread, although the risk of interference with international traffic remains low for the moment."

"So in short, we have an outbreak that has spread around the world rapidly, through new modes of transmission, about which we understand too little and which meets the criteria in the International Health Regulations."

"For all of these reasons, I have decided that the global #monkeypox outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern."

"Accordingly, I have made a set of recommendations for four groups of countries:

First, those that have not yet reported a case of #monkeypox, or have not reported a case for more than 21 days."

"Second, those with recently imported cases of #monkeypox and that are experiencing human-to-human transmission. This includes recommendations to implement a coordinated response to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups."

"To engage & protect affected communities;
To intensify surveillance & public health measures;
To strengthen clinical management & infection prevention & control in hospitals & clinics"
"To accelerate research into the use of vaccines, therapeutics & other tools;
And recommendations on intl travel."

"The third group of countries is those with transmission of #monkeypox from animals to humans."

"And the fourth is countries with manufacturing capacity for vaccines and therapeutics.
My full recommendations are laid out in my statement."

"I thank the Emergency Committee for its deliberations and advice. I know this has not been an easy or straightforward process, and that there are divergent views among the members."

"The International Health Regulations remains a vital tool for responding to the international spread of disease.
But this process demonstrates once again that this vital tool needs to be sharpened to make it more effective."

"I’m pleased that alongside the process of negotiating a new intl accord on pandemic preparedness & response, WHO’s Member States are also considering targeted amendments to the [IHR], incl. ways to improve the process for declaring a [PHEIC].

"Although I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern, for the moment this is an outbreak that is concentrated among men who have sex with men, especially those with multiple sexual partners."

"That means that this is an outbreak that can be stopped with the right strategies in the right groups."

"It’s therefore essential that all countries work closely with communities of men who have sex with men, to design & deliver effective information & services, and to adopt measures that protect both the health, human rights & dignity of affected communities."

"Stigma and discrimination can be as dangerous as any virus."

"In addition to our recommendations to countries, I am also calling on civil society organizations, including those with experience in working with people living with HIV, to work with us on fighting stigma and discrimination."

"But with the tools we have right now, we can stop transmission and bring this [#monkeypox] outbreak under control."

The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes the launch by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, of the landmark opportunity for countries to apply for funding to introduce, or further roll-out, the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine. This international support of nearly US$ 160 million from 2022-2025 will facilitate increased vaccine access to children at high risk of illness and death from malaria, starting with Ghana, Kenya and Malawi, the three African countries that began pilot introduction of the vaccine in 2019, and then expanding to other eligible endemic countries.

Malaria remains a primary cause of childhood illness and death in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2020, nearly half a million African children died from malaria – or 1 child died of malaria every minute.

Since the world’s first malaria vaccine was introduced in 2019, it has been well accepted in African communities after a relatively short period of time. Demand is high even in the context of COVID-19: vaccination performance for the first dose is reaching between 73% to over 90% coverage, depending on the country, with no major disruptions during the pandemic. To date, about 1.3 million children have benefitted from the vaccine in the three African pilot countries.

“Gavi’s new funding opportunity brings us one step closer to reaching millions more children across Africa with the lifesaving RTS,S malaria vaccine,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Throughout the pandemic, when routine health services faced myriad challenges, parents and caregivers diligently brought their children to clinics and health posts to get the malaria vaccine. They know all too well that lives are being lost to malaria every day and are eager to protect their children from this deadly disease.”

Following WHO’s recommendation in October 2021 for widespread use of the RTS,S malaria vaccine among children in regions with moderate to high Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission, a number of malaria-endemic countries have expressed interest in adopting the vaccine and are expected to apply for Gavi support to introduce the vaccine. The RTS,S vaccine works specifically against Plasmodium falciparum, which is the deadliest malaria parasite and the most prevalent on the African continent. Where the vaccine has been introduced, there has been a substantial drop in children being hospitalized with severe malaria and a drop in child deaths in the age group that is eligible for the vaccine.

Gavi has indicated that the first application deadline in September 2022 is reserved for countries currently piloting the vaccine and for which continuity of the vaccine programme is a priority. A second window open to other eligible malaria-endemic countries will close in January 2023. Countries can already submit expressions of interest during the first funding window for inclusion in this round.

“Malaria has devastated communities for far too long in Africa. We know that initially, supply will not meet demand, nevertheless, we look forward to working with countries and our partners to introduce and scale this new tool in our fight against malaria, which could save the lives of thousands of children across the continent,” said Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director of Country Programmes at Gavi. “Gavi is proud to support this vaccine, and we hope this is just the beginning of a broader rollout that will see populations across the continent increasingly protected against this deadly disease.”

Like with many new vaccines, the supply of the malaria vaccine is limited as vaccine production ramps up.

“The long-awaited malaria vaccine for children is a breakthrough for science, child health and malaria control. It is projected that – at scale – using this vaccine could save tens of thousands of young lives each year, but we will need an increased supply of the vaccine so Africa can reap the benefits of this additional tool for malaria prevention,” said Professor Rose Leke, a malaria disease expert from the University of Yaounde in Cameroon, and co-chair of the expert group that advised WHO on a framework to allocate the currently limited malaria vaccine supply.

Over the next few years, the supply of the RTS,S malaria vaccine will be insufficient to meet the needs of over 25 million children born each year in areas where the vaccine is recommended, according to a WHO-commissioned global market study. Should a second malaria vaccine complete clinical development successfully and be approved for use, the period of constrained supply could be shorter. The demand is estimated to range from 80 to 100 million doses annually.

In response to the supply situation, WHO has developed, with expert advice, a framework to guide vaccine allocation decisions at global and country levels that ensures children at highest risk across endemic countries are prioritized to receive the vaccine. The framework also aims to ensure that childhood vaccination services started in the three pilot countries continue without disruption, until supply fully meets demand.

“Now is the time for African countries and communities to call out their interest – to donors, health leaders and manufacturers – in early access to this vaccine. Lives are at stake, every day,” added Dr Moeti. “This situation underlines once again why expanded local production of vaccines is essential for meeting health needs in Africa. We’ve seen encouraging first steps in that direction in recent months, and we are committed to supporting further efforts to expand vaccine production in Africa.”

WHO, Gavi and partners are working to accelerate RTS,S supply by exploring approaches to increase manufacturing capacity, market-shaping and facilitating the development of other first-generation and next-generation malaria vaccines.

Dr Moeti spoke during a virtual press conference today. She was joined by Mr Maphosa and Professor Leke.

Also on hand from WHO Regional Office for Africa to respond to questions were: Dr Akpaka Kalu, Team Lead, Strategic planning and Policy, Communicable and Noncommunicable diseases Cluster, Dr Opeayo Ogundiran, Epidemiology Pillar Lead for the Regional COVID-19 Response; Dr Phionah Atuhebwe, Medical Officer, New Vaccines and Dr Solomon Woldetsadik, Emergency Response Officer.

Four suspected cases of Monkeypox, a viral disease, have been reported in Borno State, officials say.

Commissioner for Health Prof Mohammed Arab confirmed the presence of the disease to reporters in Maiduguri, the state capital, on Monday.

State Director of Public Health Dr Lawi Mshelia said three of the four samples collected have tested positive for Monkeypox. This means there are three confirmed cases.

“At the moment, we have four suspected cases of Monkeypox and three positive cases,” he disclosed

He said one of the confirmed cases was in Biu, in southern Borno, while the other two were discovered at Gwoza, southeast of the state capital. Both areas share close boundaries with neighbouring Adamawa State which has recorded more cases so far.

The official said that patients are recuperating at the hospital, assuring the people of the state of government’s determination for its containment.

He said the state ministry of health has activated its surveillance and preventive activities by conducting regular training for health workers at the local government level.

“There are local government surveillance officers and we do training for our health workers for disease detection and surveillance,” he disclosed.

He asked people to look out for rashes, fever or malaria as symptoms among others. He said the disease is not as deadly as people assume.

Katsina State has confirmed its first monkeypox case, with the patient treated and discharged.

The Commissioner for Health, Yakubu Danja, made the confirmation during the launch of the distribution of medicare and free medicines to the 34 local government areas and call centres.

He said the government has proactively activated all emergency response teams, to curtail further spread in the state.

According to the Health Commissioner, the state has about 15 suspected cases, whose samples have been taken to Abuja, and are awaiting the results.

He added that to proactively deal with the disease, as well as cholera and other rainy season-related diseases, the state government has decided to distribute medicines to the 34 local government areas.

The Commissioner also inspected the fully equipped Emergency Operations Centre, called the ‘Call Centre’, and the 140 Solar Direct Drive Vaccine Refrigerators, donated by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, to ensure vaccine potency, and to reduce the cost of distribution.

The Executive Secretary of Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Shamsudeen Yahaya, said all the interventions, especially the distribution of medicare in the state, are to be readily proactive against any unforeseen circumstances, especially with the setting in of the rainy season.

The commissioned Call Centre will serve as a mechanism, to log field or community reports on suspected diseases or deaths, and enhance the ability for the early detection, prevention and response to disease outbreaks, or other events of public health importance.

Isyaka Mamman (16/10/36) of Cumberland Drive, Royton, was today (Tuesday 5 July 2022) sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to three years imprisonment after pleading guilty, at an earlier hearing, to the manslaughter by gross negligence of one of his patients.

Prosecutors told the court that the 48-year-old female patient had died shortly after a diagnostic procedure performed by Mamman in the Haematology Unit of a hospital on Monday 3 September 2018.

Following her death, a consultant provided an expert opinion that the procedure had been inappropriately and incompetently performed.

Detective Inspector Rachel Smith, of GMP's Major Incident Team, said: "It is tragic that someone who attended the hospital for a diagnostic procedure to plan their treatment and, ultimately, make them feel better ended up dying at the hands of a doctor. Our thoughts remain with the victim's family and loved ones.

"The vast majority of doctors are highly qualified professionals with the skills required to provide excellent care to their patients. Mamman, on the other hand, completely disregarded the basic and in-depth knowledge expected of a medic.

"I would like to use this opportunity to publicly thank our partners in the NHS for their cooperation and assistance whilst our investigation was ongoing. This prosecution, on which we worked closely with the CPS, will ensure that, going forwards, no patients are put at risk of harm by Mamman."

A case of Monkeypox disease has been recorded in Anambra State.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said the victim is a resident of Anambra East local government area of the State where he contracted the disease.

He said that the victim was being attended to in an isolated treatment ward at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, (NAUTH) in Nnewi.

Obidike said the state’s preparedness and response team had been on alert mode since the alarm was raised about the outbreak of the disease in some parts of the country early this year.

He added that the surveillance team of the state’s preparedness and response team had about two weeks ago received information about two suspected cases of Monkeypox disease, explaining that while one suspect is a resident of Anambra East local government area, the other was reported around the Oyi and Onitsha local government areas.

He said that the two suspected cases were consequently isolated, and that the one from Anambra East local government area eventually tested positive on Thursday.

He said, “Few weeks ago, two suspected cases of monkeypox were reported in Anambra East, Onitsha and Oyi Local Government Areas, out of which the case from Anambra East LGA was confirmed positive.

“The case is currently at the isolation centre of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, where he is receiving treatment and recovering.

“In light of the above, Governor Charles Soludo immediately declared the incident an outbreak and an emergency preparedness and response committee meeting was immediately convened on Wednesday.

“The meeting was attended by relevant stakeholders including World Health Organisation team and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). They are providing necessary assistance to the state

“Planning for immediate response to the outbreak and surveillance, Laboratory, Case management, Risk Communication and Community Engagement, Infection Prevention and Control and Safe Burial pillars, were activated.”

Obidike said the state government had commenced the training of health personnel and response officers on enhanced active case search, sample collections and Monkeypox management as well as intensified public awareness.

He urged residents not to panic and report to the hospital for proper examination whenever they notice rashes on their skin.

“Once it is established at the hospital, the patient will be taken to our Isolation centres for treatment. We have activated all our Isolation centres in the state.

“We urge residents to remain calm and stay safe as we mitigate this outbreak of Monkeypox in the state. We shall overcome again,” he added.

Also speaking, Dr. Adamu Abdulnasir, Anambra State Coordinator, WHO, said the organisation would support the state in terms of outbreak response, surveillance and capacity building.

“Since we heard about the two suspected cases, WHO has supported in the areas of sample collection and taking the sample to the lab. When the results came out, we carried out contact tracing as well as case and risks management.

“In Nigeria so far, we have recorded 41 cases of Monkeypox with one death. The Government is taking proactive measure to bring this outbreak to a stop and sensitise people on how to prevent and protect themselves,” Abdulnasir stated.

I have tested positive for COVID-19. Grateful to be one of the privileged to have been vaccinated as I think of the millions still without protection. Let us continue to push for vaccines leaving no one behind.

Happy to continue online in isolation, my full commitment to the #TransformingEducation Pre-Summit.

On 26th May 2022, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) activated a national multisectoral Emergency Operations Centre for Monkeypox (MPX-EOC) at level 2 to strengthen and coordinate ongoing response activities in-country while contributing to the global response. This was based on the report of a preliminary risk assessment done by a group of Subject Matter Experts from the NCDC, relevant government Ministries Departments and Agencies and partner agencies.

This year, as at 29th May 2022, a total of 21 confirmed cases with one death have been reported from 9 states and the FCT - Adamawa (5), Lagos (4), Bayelsa (2), Delta (2), Cross River (2), FCT (2), Kano (2), Imo (1), Rivers (1). The death was reported in a 40-year-old patient who had underlying co-morbidity and was on immunosuppressive medications. Genomic surveillance is ongoing at NCDC’s National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and so far all of the cases have been confirmed to be caused by West Africa clade Monkeypox virus. The May 2022 Monkeypox situation report can be assessed via https://ncdc.gov.ng/themes/common/files/sitreps/fe6bfb6b22289ff41303bcee6a93eefc.pdf

Among the 21 cases reported in 2022 so far, there has been no evidence of any new or unusual transmission of the virus, nor changes in its clinical manifestation documented (including symptoms, profile and virulence).

Prior to the activation of the MPX-EOC, a multi-agency Technical Working Group (TWG) coordinated at the NCDC led Nigeria’s efforts to improve the detection, prevention and control of Monkeypox. Nigeria’s national surveillance system, the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS) was first deployed in response to the 2017 Monkeypox outbreak to improve the timeliness and completeness of case reporting, as well as facilitate the overall response (access relevant publication here – http://hdl.handle.net/10033/622144). In addition, this pilot project informed the nationwide scale-up of SORMAS to enable real-time reporting of surveillance data for prompt public health response to infectious disease outbreaks including COVID-19.

Following the detection of the index case on September 22, 2017 and the effective containment of the 2017 outbreak in Nigeria, the NCDC through the Monkeypox TWG worked on various interventions to gain a better understanding of the epidemiology of the virus to inform preparedness and response in-country (access NCDC-affiliated Monkeypox publications via https://ncdc.gov.ng/research).

The TWG coordinated the development of national Monkeypox guidelines, capacity building of healthcare workers and surveillance officers on case detection, sample collection, laboratory testing for confirmation and sequencing of the virus at NCDC’s National Reference Laboratory and intensified public awareness through risk communication. The national Monkeypox response guidelines can be accessed via - https://ncdc.gov.ng/themes/common/docs/protocols/96_1577798337.pdf.

Furthermore, a national One-health risk surveillance and information sharing (NOHRSIS) group has been inaugurated to facilitate timely information exchange on all prioritised zoonotic diseases. NOHRSIS will also strengthen the collaborative efforts of the One health/IHR Unit at the Point of Entry to intensify surveillance for the disease in animals as well as ensure minimal contact with suspected animals.

In addition, the One Health Animal Surveillance team including Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Environment, National Veterinary Research Institute and partners commenced operational research on Monkeypox virus prevalence in small mammals at the human-animal interface since October 2018. This research has been completed in 7 states with a planned roll out in all other states to commence soon.

Although Nigeria’s risk of exposure to the Monkeypox virus is high based on the recent risk assessment conducted at NCDC, the current situation in-country and globally has shown no significant threat to life or the community that can result in severe disease or high case fatality rate. The EOC will continue to monitor the evolving situation to inform public health action accordingly.

Symptoms of monkeypox include sudden fever, headache, body pain, weakness, sore throat, enlargement of glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and under the jaw, followed by the appearance of a rash (often solid or fluid-filled at the onset) on the face, palms, soles of the feet, genitals and other parts of the body. The Monkeypox public health advisory can be accessed via – https://ncdc.gov.ng/news/367/public-health-advisory-on-monkeypox.

The NCDC emphasises that members of the public should remain aware of the risk of Monkeypox and adhere to public health safety measures - specifically, report to the nearest health facility if you notice the known signs and symptoms of the disease. Healthcare workers are to maintain a high index of suspicion for Monkeypox and report any suspected case to the relevant state Epidemiology Team for prompt public health intervention including sampling for confirmatory testing.

UK reports 2 new cases of monkeypox, raising total to 9, with latest cases occurring predominantly in men who have sex with men, officials say

Spain reports 7 confirmed cases of monkeypox, as many as 40 suspected cases

Portugal reports 9 new confirmed cases of monkeypox, raising total there to 14

Canada reports 13 suspected cases of monkeypox, all in Montréal

A Massachusetts resident has tested positive for monkeypox, health officials confirmed Wednesday, making it the first case of the rare virus detected in the United States this year.

According to a release from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the patient is an adult male who recently traveled to Canada. The department completed initial testing Tuesday and was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The case poses no risk to the public, and the individual is hospitalized and in good condition," MDPH stated in a press release. "DPH is working closely with the CDC, relevant local boards of health, and the patient’s health care providers to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patient while he was infectious."

It comes after four more cases of monkeypox were identified in the U.K recently, bringing the nationwide total to nine since the beginning of May.

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus. The first case among humans was recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970, and the illness has since spread to several other nations, mostly in central and western Africa.

It can transmit from animals to humans when an infected animal -- such as a rodent or a primate -- bites or scratches a person. The CDC said humans can also be infected when hunting wild animals or preparing bush meat for consumption.

The disease can also spread from person to person via large respiratory droplets in the air, but they cannot travel more than a few feet, so two people would need to have prolonged close contact.

The most common symptoms are fever, headache, fatigue and muscle aches.

Very few cases of monkeypox have been identified among Americans.

According to the CDC, the disease does not naturally occur in the U.S. Infections are usually identified among people who recently traveled to countries where monkeypox is more commonly found.

In 2003, 47 confirmed and probable cases were reported in six U.S. states, the first human cases reported outside of Africa.

All the infections occurred after coming into contact with pet prairie dogs, which in turn became infected "after being housed near imported small mammals from Ghana," the CDC stated.

Since then, just two other cases have been detected in the U.S., both associated with travel.

In July 2021, a case was confirmed in a Texas resident who had recently returned from Nigeria and in November 2021, another case was found in a Maryland resident who had also traveled to Nigeria.

I've tested positive for COVID. I'm experiencing mild symptoms and am following the experts' advice by isolating until I'm healthy again.

I'm fortunate to be vaccinated and boosted and have access to testing and great medical care.

The Gates Foundation is coming together today for the first time in two years, and I am lucky to be on Teams to see everyone and thank them for their hard work.

We will continue working with partners and do all we can to ensure none of us have to deal with a pandemic again.

A German woman has been jailed for sneakily poking holes in her lover’s condoms in an underhanded attempt to get pregnant.

“We have written legal history here today,” Judge Astrid Salewski told the court of the act of contraceptive sabotage, which was committed by an unnamed 39-year-old woman against her 42-year-old partner, DW reported.

Known as “stealthing,” the seed-y practice occurs when someone surreptitiously removes a condom during sexual intercourse.

The perpetrator had reportedly been involved in a “friends with benefits”-style relationship with the victim since 2021, and would regularly meet up for hanky panky. However, she soon craved a deeper connection, a feeling that was not shared by her bed buddy, who preferred their casual arrangement.

That’s when she decided to perforate her partner’s prophylactics without his consent.

The sperm burglar never became pregnant, however, she sent him a WhatsApp message claiming she was and also admitted to tampering with his rubbers, DW reported.

The woman’s husband responded by pressing chargers, whereupon she admitted to “stealthing” in court.

However, despite agreeing that she’d committed a crime, the judges were initially undecided on what charges to levy against her due to the lack of historical precedents. In other words, there were a lot of holes in the knowledge base.

After mulling a rape charge, the lawmakers reduced it to sexual assault after reviewing the crime of “stealthing” in a law doc.

Judge Salewski reasoned that while the crime is usually committed by men, the “provision also applies in the reverse case.”

“The condoms were rendered unusable without the man’s knowledge or his consent,” she declared. “No means no here as well.”

Despite the relative obscurity of “stealthing,” the nonconsensual trend has been on the rise in recent years with porous prophylactic advocates — both gay and straight — encouraging the practice as they believe it’s a man’s right to spread their seed.

In October California became the first state to outlaw “stealthing,” making it a civil offense to remove a rubber without the partner’s consent.

Women should always have the right to choose when it comes to their bodies and their health. Restricting access to #abortion does not reduce the number of procedures — it drives women and girls towards unsafe ones. Access to safe abortion saves lives.

News of women in Lagos having intercourse with dogs has been popular lately but it has serious health risks.

The reason for this act is unknown, some speculate that they do it for pornographic content, others think it is some form of money ritual, and for the rest, it is recreational.

1. Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease from dogs that is fatal in humans. It is transmitted from the saliva of dogs, horses and cats. Immediately after the symptoms set in, the human has little chance of survival if not treated.

2. Echinococcosis
This is a parasitic tapeworm found in the faeces of dogs, cats and sheep. This disease is asymptomatic and would not manifest until after a few years. These worms would cause cysts to develop in the kidneys, heart, spleens and brains of the person so affected. If not treated, it can lead to death.

3. Injury
The reproductive organs of these animals are not made to fit into that of a woman or man and have caused a lot of injuries, some men have had ruptured rectum from sex with pigs and others have experienced head injuries from sex with horses.

The reproductive organ of an aroused dog is like a light bulb, and that would injure a vagina. Let's not even imagine the size of a horse's reproductive organ. It can cause serious tears and injuries.

4. Allergic reaction
Receiving the semen of a dog or horse can trigger allergic reactions because it is a foreign substance the body tries to expel.

Imagine a person with a peanut allergy eating peanuts, and not getting treated immediately. A woman in Ireland who had sex with a dog died from anaphylaxis.

According to Mayo Clinic, "Anaphylaxis causes the immune system to release a flood of chemicals that can cause you to go into shock — blood pressure drops suddenly and the airways narrow, blocking breathing. Signs and symptoms include a rapid, weak pulse; a skin rash; and nausea and vomiting."

5. Leptospirosis
This disease is gotten from the urine of animals like dogs and cats. When it is in the human system, it can lead to meningitis, and 10% of the time, meningitis is deadly.

Apart from the fact that it is a crime against nature and an actual crime, bestiality can be fatal and deadly.

China has confirmed the first known human case of the H3N8 strain of avian flu, but health authorities say there is a low risk of widespread transmission among people.

H3N8 is known to have been circulating since 2002 after first emerging in North American waterfowl. It is known to infect horses, dogs, and seals, but has not previously been detected in humans.

China’s National Health Commission on Tuesday said a four-year-old boy living in central Henan province tested positive for the strain after being hospitalised earlier this month with a fever and other symptoms.

The boy’s family raised chickens at home and lived in an area populated by wild ducks, the NHC said in a statement.

The boy was infected directly by birds and the strain was not found to have “the ability to effectively infect humans”, the commission said.

It added that tests of the boy’s close human contacts found “no abnormalities”.

The NHC said the boy’s case was a “one-off cross-species transmission, and the risk of large-scale transmission is low”.

It warned the public to nevertheless stay away from dead or sick birds and seek immediate treatment for fever or respiratory symptoms.

Avian influenza occurs mainly in wild birds and poultry. Cases of transmission between humans are extremely rare.

The H5N1 and H7N9 strains of bird flu, detected in 1997 and 2013, respectively, have been responsible for most cases of human illness from avian influenza, according to the US Centers for Disease Control.

Human infections of zoonotic, or animal-borne, influenzas are “primarily acquired through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments, but do not result in efficient transmission of these viruses between people”, according to the World Health Organisation.

In 2012, H3N8 was blamed for the deaths of more than 160 seals off the northeastern coast of the United States after it caused deadly pneumonia in the animals.

BREAKING: Vice Pres. Kamala Harris tested positive for COVID-19 via rapid and PCR tests on Tuesday, according to her office.

"She has exhibited no symptoms," her office says.