Categories
Science

UK’s bird flu fears laid bare as death risk to humans unveiled

Bird flu could become better adapted to mammals and spill over to other animals and even humans. This is the warning of experts from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), who have raised particular concern over recent infections in mink farms. The close proximity of the animals in these settings, they warned, exacerbates the […]

Categories
Science

Expert warns concerning bird flu crisis could herald the next

An expert has warned that a “really concerning” outbreak of bird flu could “herald the next pandemic” if just two more mutations occur. Dr Justine Butler, head of research at Viva!, has raised the alarm over the UK’s worst-ever outbreak of bird flu, which has already killed millions of birds. She warned it could cause serious […]

Categories
Science

Alarming Spread of Bird Flu Continues as More Species Infected

Experts have warned that the recent detection of bird flu in mammals including foxes, otters, minks, seals, and even grizzly bears is concerning but emphasized that the virus would have to significantly mutate to spread between humans. Since late 2021, Europe has been gripped by its worst-ever outbreak of bird flu, with North and South […]

Categories
Health

Excess deaths hit two-year high as flu cases rocket

Some 17,381 deaths were registered in the week to January 12 – 2,837 more than average for the time of year. The number of deaths over those usually expected was the highest since the second wave of Covid in February 2021, according to the Office for National Statistics. The virus accounted for just five percent […]

Categories
Health

Hope for hospitals as flu cases fall and ambulance delays improve

An average of 3,447 influenza patients were on wards in England last week, down from 5,262 in the seven days to January 8, NHS data showed. It was the second week in a row that beds occupied by flu victims had fallen, after admissions hit the highest level in 10 years during the week before […]

Categories
Pets

Canine flu found in McHenry County pets, Animal Control reports

Canine influenza, a contagious respiratory disease that easily spreads among dogs, was identified in McHenry County pets this month, McHenry County Animal Control reported. Almost all dogs are susceptible to dog flu infection, and virus infection tends to spread among dogs housed in kennels and shelters, the agency said in a news release Tuesday. Canine […]

Categories
Canada

Canada’s flu season is winding down, data shows, but it may be

While the early months of the year often mark the peak of flu season, Canada is starting 2023 already through the worst — though physicians are now bracing for more hospitalizations ahead, largely due to a potential spike in COVID-19. The latest figures from multiple provinces show a steady drop in influenza cases in the weeks leading into the […]

Categories
Health

Menthol crystals may offer relief for cold and flu symptoms

The shortage includes not only branded medications but also simple drugs like throat lozenges, cough mixtures and painkillers, particularly ones that are soluble. Abbas Kanani, from MRPharmS, noted that the shortage in pharmacies has led people to look online as an alternative option to buying from stores. The expert said: “With stocks running low, people […]

Categories
Health

Public urged to wear face masks to combat flu outbreak

People have been advised to wear face masks if they are feeling unwell in new guidance designed to stop the spread of flu. Health officials are becoming concerned that increasing levels of flu, Covid and Strep A could overwhelm hospitals, particularly due to the ongoing staff shortages and NHS industrial action. There have already been […]

Categories
Science

Warning issued as Strep A, Covid and flu cases expected to soar

Parents are set to hit reality tomorrow after the Christmas break with a strong reminder that dangerous and potentially deadly winter bugs are still “circulating at high levels.” That’s in a message from the UK Health Security Agency which expects cases of Strep A, Scarlet fever, flu and Covid to carry on surging throughout January. […]