The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is rapidly worsening, with the death toll now exceeding 2,000 and nearly 4,500 confirmed cases reported.

The World Health Organization has warned that the outbreak could potentially surpass the deadliest Ebola epidemic ever recorded if the spread is not brought under control. The virus has now reached five provinces, with Ituri remaining the epicentre of the crisis.

The speed of transmission has raised serious concerns. According to health officials, it took around nine weeks for the outbreak to reach its first 1,000 deaths, but the death toll doubled within just three weeks. Authorities are racing to strengthen surveillance, contain transmission and expand medical responses, but conflict, limited healthcare access and the absence of an approved vaccine or specific treatment for this Ebola virus species are making the response extremely challenging.

Ebola Outbreak Explodes In DR Congo, Death Toll Tops 2,000 Across Five Provinces

Superbugs are a big health hazard resulting in 4.95 million deaths on average per year. Now, a superbug named Candida Auris has spread to 23 U.S. states. It has come under lens as it can hide in a person's hair follicles for months without any symptoms.

Superbug That Can Hide in Your Hair Spreads to 23 U.S. States | GRAVITAS 

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the second-largest on record, with confirmed cases surpassing 4,000 and more than 1,800 deaths. Health authorities and the WHO are racing to contain the virus as infections continue to spread across multiple provinces. The Africa CDC has launched emergency vaccination efforts while researchers accelerate work on treatments for the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccine. Here's everything you need to know about the worsening health crisis in DR Congo.

DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Worsens |Cases Cross 4,000, Death Toll Tops 1,800 |WHO Issues Urgent Warning

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing its fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record, with more than 3,800 confirmed cases and over 1,700 deaths reported since the epidemic was declared in May.

Health officials say the Bundibugyo strain has spread across multiple provinces, with nearly 90% of cases concentrated in Ituri Province. The World Health Organization (WHO) has fast-tracked clinical trials for experimental vaccines and treatments as the crisis continues to worsen.

Canada has approved a Phase 1 clinical trial for an experimental mRNA vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain, becoming only the second country after the UK to authorize human testing.

DR Congo's Ebola Outbreak Explodes: 3,800 Cases, 1,700 Deaths | WHO Warns Crisis Worsening

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is battling its fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record, with more than 3,800 confirmed cases and over 1,700 deaths reported since the epidemic was declared in May.

Health officials say the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has spread across multiple provinces, with nearly 90% of infections concentrated in Ituri Province. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa CDC have warned that the outbreak continues to worsen due to armed conflict, attacks on healthcare facilities, funding shortages, and low community trust.

With no approved vaccine or treatment available for the Bundibugyo strain, experimental vaccines and therapies have been fast-tracked into clinical trials. Canada has approved a Phase 1 human trial of an mRNA vaccine specifically targeting this Ebola variant, becoming only the second country after the United Kingdom to authorize such testing.

DR Congo Faces Worst-Ever Ebola Outbreak | Over 3,800 Cases, WHO Rushes Experimental Vaccine Trials

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is spreading largely undetected, with four out of five new cases having no known link to existing patients. According to the latest government data, the Bundibugyo strain has infected 1,792 people and claimed 625 lives. WHO officials say the true scale of the outbreak could be two to four times higher than reported due to underreporting and ongoing community transmission.

DR Congo ebola outbreak worsens | who warns many cases going undetected  | ebola news

A new deadly infection called Scrub Typhus has raised alarm&nbsp;in parts of India. It has caused unexpected deaths in the Indian states of Odisha and Himachal Pradesh. Odisha, till now, has reported five deaths while Himachal’s Shimla has reported a total of nine deaths.

According to Odisha’s Bargarh Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer, Sadhu Charan Das, out of the five persons who died due to the deadly infection, two cases were from Sohela block, while the rest were from Attabira, Bheden, and Barpali blocks of Bargarh district.

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He further informed that four other people were also found to be positive for Scrub Typhus,&nbsp;however, they have been treated.

Meanwhile, in Shimla, the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) hospital has been witnessing a considerable increase in patients with symptoms of the deadly infection. As per the officials, a total of 295 cases of the infection have been confirmed in the district.

<h2>What is Scrub Typhus? All you need to know about deadly infection &nbsp;</h2>

Scrub Typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a bacterial disease caused by Orienta tsuysugamushi. It is spread to people through the bite of infected chiggers (larval mites). Chiggers are tiny mites that feed on the skin of animals and humans. They are found in warm, humid areas with dense vegetation, such as forests, bushlands, and grasslands.

The causative agent of scrub typhus, the bacterium O. tsutsugamushi, is primarily a parasite of certain mites, of which two closely related species, Leptotrombidium (Trombicula) akamushi and L. deliense, are the carriers of the disease. During their larval stage, these mites acquire the infection from wild rodents or other small animals. The infection is passed to humans when a mite larva bites a person.

<h2>Symptoms of Scrub Typhus</h2>

A person falls ill with scrub typhus about 10 to 12 days after being bitten by an infected mite. A reddish or pinkish lesion appears at the site of the mite bite, and the person begins to experience headache, fever, chills, and general pains, along with swollen lymph glands. About one week after the start of the fever, a pinkish rash develops over the skin of the trunk and may extend to the arms and legs. While the course of the fever may end in two weeks, it is not unusual for it to last three or even four weeks.&nbsp;

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A more or less extensive pneumonitis is common, and abnormalities in the heart, lungs, and blood may also arise, leading to impairment of heart function and circulatory failure.

The symptoms of infection include-

High fever with chills

Severe headache

Dry cough

Body aches and muscle pain

Dark scab-like wounds at the site of chigger bite

Enlarged lymph node

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Red spots or rashes on the body

Red eyes

Gastrointestinal problems

Liver and spleen enlargement&nbsp;

People engaged in gardening and outdoor activities are at high risk of getting infected with Scrub Typhus.

<h2>Prevention</h2>

There is no vaccine available to prevent scrub typhus. The only way to reduce the chances&nbsp;of getting scrub typhus is to avoid contact with infected chiggers.&nbsp;

One can prevent getting infected by focusing on rodent control, cleanliness, and maintaining hygiene; being cautious while handling pets, applying mite repellents to exposed skin, and regular cleaning of surroundings including removal of shrubs and low vegetation.

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If you have a baby or a child-

Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, and cover the&nbsp;crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.

Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, or mouth or on cuts or irritated skin.

It is recommended that adults spray insect repellent onto their hands and then apply it to the child’s face.

<h2>Diagnosis</h2>

To detect the infection, the patients go through an ELISA test to Scrub Typhus if one’s fever continues for several days. The test is easily available at the public health laboratory of all district headquarter&nbsp;hospitals in the state. It diagnoses early, the disease can be treated effectively.&nbsp;

<h2>Treatment</h2>

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Centre for Disease Control (CDC), scrub typhus should be treated with the antibiotic doxycycline. Doxycycline can be used on persons of any age.&nbsp;

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For Scrub Typhus, antibiotics are most effective if given soon after symptoms begin. People who are treated early with doxycycline usually recover quickly.&nbsp;

<h2>History of Scrub Typhus</h2>

Scrub typhus occurred in Southeast Asia and its associated archipelagos, in northern Australia, and in Japan, where the disease was first described in 1899. It was systematically investigated from 1906-32. During World War II, scrub typhus killed or incapacitated thousands of troops who were stationed in rural or jungle areas in the Pacific theatre.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A new deadly infection called Scrub Typhus has raised alarm in parts of India. It has caused unexpected deaths in the Indian states of Odisha and Himachal Pradesh.

A new deadly infection called Scrub Typhus has raised alarm in parts of India. It has caused unexpected deaths in the Indian states of Odisha and Himachal Pradesh. Odisha, till now, has reported five deaths while Himachal’s Shimla has reported a total of nine deaths. According to Odisha’s Bargarh Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer, Sadhu Charan Das, out of the five persons who died due to the deadly infection, two cases were from Sohela block, while the rest were from Attabira, Bheden, and Barpali blocks of Bargarh district. Also Read | 75 years of Indian Parliament, clearing pending bills: Govt lists agenda for special session He further informed that four other people were also found to be positive for Scrub Typhus, however, they have been treated. Meanwhile, in Shimla, the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) hospital has been witnessing a considerable increase in patients with symptoms of the deadly infection. As per the officials, a total of 295 cases of the infection have been confirmed in the district. What is Scrub Typhus? All you need to know about deadly infection Scrub Typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a bacterial disease caused by Orienta tsuysugamushi. It is spread to people through the bite of infected chiggers (larval mites). Chiggers are tiny mites that feed on the skin of animals and humans. They are found in warm, humid areas with dense vegetation, such as forests, bushlands, and grasslands. The causative agent of scrub typhus, the bacterium O. tsutsugamushi, is primarily a parasite of certain mites, of which two closely related species, Leptotrombidium (Trombicula) akamushi and L. deliense, are the carriers of the disease. During their larval stage, these mites acquire the infection from wild rodents or other small animals. The infection is passed to humans when a mite larva bites a person. Symptoms of Scrub Typhus A person falls ill with scrub typhus about 10 to 12 days after being bitten by an infected mite. A reddish or pinkish lesion appears at the site of the mite bite, and the person begins to experience headache, fever, chills, and general pains, along with swollen lymph glands. About one week after the start of the fever, a pinkish rash develops over the skin of the trunk and may extend to the arms and legs. While the course of the fever may end in two weeks, it is not unusual for it to last three or even four weeks. Also Read | India demands strong action as US cop jokes about death of Indian student A more or less extensive pneumonitis is common, and abnormalities in the heart, lungs, and blood may also arise, leading to impairment of heart function and circulatory failure. The symptoms of infection include- High fever with chills Severe headache Dry cough Body aches and muscle pain Dark scab-like wounds at the site of chigger bite Enlarged lymph node Also Read | DGCA permits IndiGo to wet lease A320 planes to tackle persistent Pratt & Whitney engine woes Red spots or rashes on the body Red eyes Gastrointestinal problems Liver and spleen enlargement People engaged in gardening and outdoor activities are at high risk of getting infected with Scrub Typhus. Prevention There is no vaccine available to prevent scrub typhus. The only way to reduce the chances of getting scrub typhus is to avoid contact with infected chiggers. One can prevent getting infected by focusing on rodent control, cleanliness, and maintaining hygiene; being cautious while handling pets, applying mite repellents to exposed skin, and regular cleaning of surroundings including removal of shrubs and low vegetation. Also Read | India and Russia to explore new maritime routes for trade expansion If you have a baby or a child- Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, and cover the crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting. Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, or mouth or on cuts or irritated skin. It is recommended that adults spray insect repellent onto their hands and then apply it to the child’s face. Diagnosis To detect the infection, the patients go through an ELISA test to Scrub Typhus if one’s fever continues for several days. The test is easily available at the public health laboratory of all district headquarter hospitals in the state. It diagnoses early, the disease can be treated effectively. Treatment As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Centre for Disease Control (CDC), scrub typhus should be treated with the antibiotic doxycycline. Doxycycline can be used on persons of any age. Also Read | I.N.D.I.A. alliance to start process for determining seat-sharing, says KC Venugopal For Scrub Typhus, antibiotics are most effective if given soon after symptoms begin. People who are treated early with doxycycline usually recover quickly. History of Scrub Typhus Scrub typhus occurred in Southeast Asia and its associated archipelagos, in northern Australia, and in Japan, where the disease was first described in 1899. It was systematically investigated from 1906-32. During World War II, scrub typhus killed or incapacitated thousands of troops who were stationed in rural or jungle areas in the Pacific theatre. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | What is Scrub Typhus? Deadly mite-borne infection claims 14 lives in India

There is a link between climate hazards and infectious diseases. A new study says flooding, heat waves and droughts have multiplied 58 percent of the known infectious diseases.

WION Climate Tracker | Rising heat & floods trigger spread of infectious diseases

The monkeypox outbreak, which has afflicted nearly 16,000 individuals in 72 countries, was deemed a global health emergency by the World Health Organization on Saturday. This is the highest alarm it can issue.

Monkeypox is an uncommon disease caused by a monkeypox virus infection. Monkeypox virus is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. Variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus are all members of the Orthopoxvirus genus.

Monkeypox was initially found in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease in groups of monkeys utilised for the study occurred.&nbsp;

The monkeypox virus is no longer transmitted by monkeys, despite its name.&nbsp;

Monkeypox is thought to be spread by small rodents and squirrels in Africa's rainforests, though additional research is needed.

More information on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and dissemination of monkeypox can be found here.

Types of Monkeypox Virus

The monkeypox virus is divided into two types: central African and west African.

The central African monkeypox virus is more likely to cause serious illnesses and death than the west African monkeypox virus.

Symptoms and Signs of Monkeypox

The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox, however, they are usually milder.&nbsp;

Monkeypox symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle discomfort, and weariness.

Lymph nodes swollen

After one to three days, a rash would appear. The rash usually begins on the face and extends to other regions of your body, such as the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. The rash begins as flat, red pimples that eventually evolve into blisters that fill with pus.

After several days, the blisters may crust over and fall off.

Spread of Monkeypox

Monkeypox can spread for a variety of causes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

When a person comes into contact with an infected animal or human, monkeypox is disseminated. Animal-to-human transmission occurs when an infected animal's blood, body fluids, or pox lesions come into contact with broken skin, such as bites or scratches.

Monkeypox can also pass from person to person, but this is uncommon. When you come into contact with virus particles from an infected person, this is known as person-to-person transmission. Coughing, sneezing, and airborne droplets can all spread the infection. You can potentially become infected by touching an infected person's sores.

Treatment

Although there are no specific therapies for monkeypox infection at present time, outbreaks can be controlled.

A monkeypox outbreak can be controlled with the smallpox vaccine, cidofovir, ST-246, and vaccinia immune globulin (VIG).&nbsp;

The best available information about the benefits and dangers of smallpox vaccination and medicine used for the prevention and management of monkeypox and other orthopoxvirus infections was used to establish CDC guidance.

The monkeypox outbreak, which has afflicted nearly 16,000 individuals in 72 countries, was deemed a global health emergency by the World Health Organization on Saturday.

The monkeypox outbreak, which has afflicted nearly 16,000 individuals in 72 countries, was deemed a global health emergency by the World Health Organization on Saturday. This is the highest alarm it can issue. Monkeypox is an uncommon disease caused by a monkeypox virus infection. Monkeypox virus is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. Variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus are all members of the Orthopoxvirus genus. Monkeypox was initially found in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease in groups of monkeys utilised for the study occurred. The monkeypox virus is no longer transmitted by monkeys, despite its name. Monkeypox is thought to be spread by small rodents and squirrels in Africa's rainforests, though additional research is needed. More information on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and dissemination of monkeypox can be found here. Types of Monkeypox Virus The monkeypox virus is divided into two types: central African and west African. The central African monkeypox virus is more likely to cause serious illnesses and death than the west African monkeypox virus. Symptoms and Signs of Monkeypox The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox, however, they are usually milder. Monkeypox symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle discomfort, and weariness. Lymph nodes swollen After one to three days, a rash would appear. The rash usually begins on the face and extends to other regions of your body, such as the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. The rash begins as flat, red pimples that eventually evolve into blisters that fill with pus. After several days, the blisters may crust over and fall off. Spread of Monkeypox Monkeypox can spread for a variety of causes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): When a person comes into contact with an infected animal or human, monkeypox is disseminated. Animal-to-human transmission occurs when an infected animal's blood, body fluids, or pox lesions come into contact with broken skin, such as bites or scratches. Monkeypox can also pass from person to person, but this is uncommon. When you come into contact with virus particles from an infected person, this is known as person-to-person transmission. Coughing, sneezing, and airborne droplets can all spread the infection. You can potentially become infected by touching an infected person's sores. Treatment Although there are no specific therapies for monkeypox infection at present time, outbreaks can be controlled. A monkeypox outbreak can be controlled with the smallpox vaccine, cidofovir, ST-246, and vaccinia immune globulin (VIG). The best available information about the benefits and dangers of smallpox vaccination and medicine used for the prevention and management of monkeypox and other orthopoxvirus infections was used to establish CDC guidance.

Monkeypox Explained: Types, symptoms, causes, and treatment

The Sars-CoV-2 virus, within 20 minutes of becoming airborne, loses its ability to infect others, as per a recent study. The UK-based study suggests that the most loss occurs in the first five minutes. The findings of the study reaffirm the importance of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. In an environment where humidity is lower than 50 percent, the virus becomes half as infectious within five seconds. In a more humid environment, the decline is significantly slower.

What happens to Covid within 20 minutes of being airborne? Study reveals

Public Health officials in UK's North Wales said two cases of monkeypox had been reported in the region.

After one of them contracted monkeypox while abroad, Public Health Wales (PHW) confirmed that two members of the same family had developed the disease, which causes pains, fever, and a scabby rash.&nbsp;

Both Public Health Wales and Public Health England are keeping track of the two people's hospitalisation in England.&nbsp;

"Confirmed cases of monkeypox are a rare event in the UK, and the risk to the general public is very low. We have worked with multi-agency colleagues, following tried and tested protocols and procedures, and identified all close contacts. Actions have been put in place to minimise the likelihood of further infection," said Richard Firth, PHW's consultant in health protection.

What is Monkeypox?&nbsp;

According to the World Health Organization, the monkeypox virus causes an illness with symptoms that are comparable to smallpox but are less severe (WHO).

Fever, rash, and enlarged lymph nodes are common symptoms of the infection.

It is primarily transmitted to humans by wild animals such as rats and monkeys, although it can also be passed from person to person. It’s possible that up to a tenth of those infected with the virus will die.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Public Health officials in UK's North Wales said two cases of monkeypox had been reported in the region. After one of them contracted monkeypox while abroad, Public Health Wales (PHW) confirmed that two members of the same family had developed the disease, which causes pains, fever, and a scabby rash.

Public Health officials in UK's North Wales said two cases of monkeypox had been reported in the region. After one of them contracted monkeypox while abroad, Public Health Wales (PHW) confirmed that two members of the same family had developed the disease, which causes pains, fever, and a scabby rash. Both Public Health Wales and Public Health England are keeping track of the two people's hospitalisation in England. "Confirmed cases of monkeypox are a rare event in the UK, and the risk to the general public is very low. We have worked with multi-agency colleagues, following tried and tested protocols and procedures, and identified all close contacts. Actions have been put in place to minimise the likelihood of further infection," said Richard Firth, PHW's consultant in health protection. What is Monkeypox? According to the World Health Organization, the monkeypox virus causes an illness with symptoms that are comparable to smallpox but are less severe (WHO). Fever, rash, and enlarged lymph nodes are common symptoms of the infection. It is primarily transmitted to humans by wild animals such as rats and monkeys, although it can also be passed from person to person. It’s possible that up to a tenth of those infected with the virus will die. (With inputs from agencies)

Monkeypox outbreak in the UK: Two treated for rare viral infection in North Wales

France Parliament declares State health emergency in this pandemic situation. Lockdown in France, Spain and Italy may extend for two weeks more.

France Declares State Health Emergency

*By:&nbsp;Olivier Telle

Human societies have seen a significant decrease in mortality from infectious diseases over the past century.

However, we must still struggle with ongoing pathologies we once thought were under control (cholera, tuberculosis, plague, etc.) as well as the new ones that have emerged over the last 30 years (HIV/AIDS, Ebola, dengue, West Nile virus, H1N1, etc.).

The vast scale of the global epidemics provoked by these viruses forces us to look more closely at the territories where they emerge.

In India, there has been an accelerated spread of dengue and chikungunya, both transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, which is particularly well adapted to urbanised areas.

For example, the annual number of new dengue cases is estimated at more than 30 million, while the number of chikungunya cases is believed to have increased by 390 per cent over the last three years.

Recent estimates indicate that India is the country with the highest prevalence of these two diseases.

Cities, and disease, on the rise

The rise of these infectious diseases is often described in terms of biological processes, but they cannot be reduced to just this dimension.

A range of factors plays a role, in particular, increasing urbanisation and human mobility. The trains connecting Mumbai to its periphery move more than 7 million travellers a day, and New Delhi’s metro system caters to 2.5 million daily commuters.

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<h6>Daily life for millions of Mumbai’s inhabitants.</h6>

The growing attention paid to the epidemiology of these viruses can hence be clearly seen as a direct result of the urban transition taking place in India over the last 30 years.

Collaborative studies conducted by the CNRS, the Institute Pasteur and the National Institute of Malaria Research show that nearly 40 per cent of the population of New Delhi have been infected by the dengue virus at least once in their lifetime.

In addition, we were able to highlight an epidemiology of the virus. Because all parts of the city are now hyper-connected, emerging diseases such as dengue affect both privileged and more deprived areas, be they in the centre or peripheral or rural zones.

The social and spatial ubiquity of the disease demands a reevaluation of the geographical models that we use to understand public health problems, as no one knows how, or even where, to counter these diseases that affect not just countries such as India, but the entire planet.

<img alt="file-20180312-30969-1v7gdg5_0.png" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="257" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/sports/file-20180312-30969-1v7gdg5_0.png" width="754" />

<h6>Density of dengue cases recorded in New Delhi in 2008, 2009 and 2010 (Telle et al., 2016). Olivier Telle, Author provided.</h6>

While urban development is the matrix for emerging infectious diseases, one also expects these territories to be resilient to these new viruses, with better communication, sanitation and healthcare, among other attributes. But they do not seem to have been able to adapt: not only do the pathogens continue to spread, but they also emerge and spread more quickly.

How to tackle an invisible disease

The problem of managing these diseases arises along with the practices that have led to this lack of resilience. What we mainly find is an inequality in disease management, particularly in large cities and the zones between them.

In New Delhi, more than 35 hospitals record the number of patients suffering from dengue or chikungunya. Based on the data compiled, New Delhi is officially the most affected city in India due to higher numbers of hospitals that register the diseases. Because of the careful record-keeping, the numbers are seven times higher than in Mumbai or Chennai, which – officially at least – are little affected.

New Delhi’s monitoring network functions most efficiently at the city’s core, and thus infectious diseases are far better managed there than in peripheral municipalities, which are nonetheless an integral part of the metropolitan fabric. Despite the fact that 40 per cent of the urban population lives in towns with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants, small- and medium-size towns are excluded from this monitoring system.

Territories and infectious diseases are thus caught in a sort of “local globalisation” that requires us to question the concepts of borders, mobility and a spread of the specific urban model.

This process works against an effective management of epidemics: the more widespread diseases become, the more fragmented their management, and the greater their dependence on national, regional and urban health policies.

Adaptability and a reduction of inequalities

At present, the question of the management of infectious diseases is relatively absent in health/urban studies, all the more so when they are approached from a municipal perspective.

While local municipalities are at the forefront of efforts to contain the spread of infectious diseases, they are largely ignored by scientists and international organisations when it comes to adopting effective solutions.

While the emergence of these new diseases is the result of complex phenomena – including the rise in local and international mobility, accelerating climate change and the emergence of new viruses – the resilience of the territories lies precisely in their ability to maintain a measure of spatial and social equity.

Indeed, dispersed management efforts inexorably lead to these viruses spreading locally, regionally and internationally, even in what should be less-vulnerable spaces. The main challenge for India, and all the countries that face these risks, is thus to make the diseases that are currently invisible more visible where they exist. At the international level, the only way to do this is through sustainable cooperation.

Innovating with the cities

The other challenge is scientific. After having studied all the factors that affect the disease – from a pluridisciplinary perspective, necessarily – methods to contain them need to be developed that take into account the complexity of the cities. In particular, it is impossible to act everywhere in megalopolises.

<ul>
	<li>In India, an emerging project associating virologists, entomologists, geographers and political scientists, supported by the CNRS, the Centre for Policy Research and NIMR proposes a twofold action plan.</li>
	<li>First, suggest and develop innovative methods to control mosquitoes that can be implemented by municipalities.</li>
</ul>

Second, using big data, analyse the mobility patterns of millions of citizens and comparing them with the spread of viruses, and thus identify the spaces that need to be monitored. By closely targeting such systems, they may well have an impact beyond the local level. Nonetheless, containment only seems viable in the short term.

To control these diseases in a more sustainable manner, the health of the inhabitants has to become a key factor in urban development. This involves reforming the management of diseases, and hence of urban centres, developing more equitable urban infrastructures, and most of all, developing inclusive cities. In short, investments are required.

However, if the task is important, new approaches and new programmes – for example, smart cities or sustainable towns – may be a means of better containing these epidemics.

It is essential to ensure that these programmes do not remain concentrated in the most privileged areas, as they will have only a limited impact. These epidemics are a scourge, but also an opportunity: in a context where these infectious diseases do not recognise administrative frontiers, much less social ones, they may finally have a positive impact on urban development and encourage the development of more inclusive cities

*Olivier Telle is a Research scientist at CSH, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS)

(This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/emerging-infectious-diseases-in-india-the-scourge-that-could-boost-urban-development-95076">original article</a>.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Nearly 40 per cent of the population of New Delhi have been infected by the dengue virus at least once in their lifetime

*By: Olivier Telle Human societies have seen a significant decrease in mortality from infectious diseases over the past century. However, we must still struggle with ongoing pathologies we once thought were under control (cholera, tuberculosis, plague, etc.) as well as the new ones that have emerged over the last 30 years (HIV/AIDS, Ebola, dengue, West Nile virus, H1N1, etc.). The vast scale of the global epidemics provoked by these viruses forces us to look more closely at the territories where they emerge. In India, there has been an accelerated spread of dengue and chikungunya, both transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, which is particularly well adapted to urbanised areas. For example, the annual number of new dengue cases is estimated at more than 30 million, while the number of chikungunya cases is believed to have increased by 390 per cent over the last three years. Recent estimates indicate that India is the country with the highest prevalence of these two diseases. Cities, and disease, on the rise The rise of these infectious diseases is often described in terms of biological processes, but they cannot be reduced to just this dimension. A range of factors plays a role, in particular, increasing urbanisation and human mobility. The trains connecting Mumbai to its periphery move more than 7 million travellers a day, and New Delhi’s metro system caters to 2.5 million daily commuters. × Daily life for millions of Mumbai’s inhabitants. The growing attention paid to the epidemiology of these viruses can hence be clearly seen as a direct result of the urban transition taking place in India over the last 30 years. Collaborative studies conducted by the CNRS, the Institute Pasteur and the National Institute of Malaria Research show that nearly 40 per cent of the population of New Delhi have been infected by the dengue virus at least once in their lifetime. In addition, we were able to highlight an epidemiology of the virus. Because all parts of the city are now hyper-connected, emerging diseases such as dengue affect both privileged and more deprived areas, be they in the centre or peripheral or rural zones. The social and spatial ubiquity of the disease demands a reevaluation of the geographical models that we use to understand public health problems, as no one knows how, or even where, to counter these diseases that affect not just countries such as India, but the entire planet. Density of dengue cases recorded in New Delhi in 2008, 2009 and 2010 (Telle et al., 2016). Olivier Telle, Author provided. While urban development is the matrix for emerging infectious diseases, one also expects these territories to be resilient to these new viruses, with better communication, sanitation and healthcare, among other attributes. But they do not seem to have been able to adapt: not only do the pathogens continue to spread, but they also emerge and spread more quickly. How to tackle an invisible disease The problem of managing these diseases arises along with the practices that have led to this lack of resilience. What we mainly find is an inequality in disease management, particularly in large cities and the zones between them. In New Delhi, more than 35 hospitals record the number of patients suffering from dengue or chikungunya. Based on the data compiled, New Delhi is officially the most affected city in India due to higher numbers of hospitals that register the diseases. Because of the careful record-keeping, the numbers are seven times higher than in Mumbai or Chennai, which – officially at least – are little affected. New Delhi’s monitoring network functions most efficiently at the city’s core, and thus infectious diseases are far better managed there than in peripheral municipalities, which are nonetheless an integral part of the metropolitan fabric. Despite the fact that 40 per cent of the urban population lives in towns with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants, small- and medium-size towns are excluded from this monitoring system. Territories and infectious diseases are thus caught in a sort of “local globalisation” that requires us to question the concepts of borders, mobility and a spread of the specific urban model. This process works against an effective management of epidemics: the more widespread diseases become, the more fragmented their management, and the greater their dependence on national, regional and urban health policies. Adaptability and a reduction of inequalities At present, the question of the management of infectious diseases is relatively absent in health/urban studies, all the more so when they are approached from a municipal perspective. While local municipalities are at the forefront of efforts to contain the spread of infectious diseases, they are largely ignored by scientists and international organisations when it comes to adopting effective solutions. While the emergence of these new diseases is the result of complex phenomena – including the rise in local and international mobility, accelerating climate change and the emergence of new viruses – the resilience of the territories lies precisely in their ability to maintain a measure of spatial and social equity. Indeed, dispersed management efforts inexorably lead to these viruses spreading locally, regionally and internationally, even in what should be less-vulnerable spaces. The main challenge for India, and all the countries that face these risks, is thus to make the diseases that are currently invisible more visible where they exist. At the international level, the only way to do this is through sustainable cooperation. Innovating with the cities The other challenge is scientific. After having studied all the factors that affect the disease – from a pluridisciplinary perspective, necessarily – methods to contain them need to be developed that take into account the complexity of the cities. In particular, it is impossible to act everywhere in megalopolises. In India, an emerging project associating virologists, entomologists, geographers and political scientists, supported by the CNRS, the Centre for Policy Research and NIMR proposes a twofold action plan. First, suggest and develop innovative methods to control mosquitoes that can be implemented by municipalities. Second, using big data, analyse the mobility patterns of millions of citizens and comparing them with the spread of viruses, and thus identify the spaces that need to be monitored. By closely targeting such systems, they may well have an impact beyond the local level. Nonetheless, containment only seems viable in the short term. To control these diseases in a more sustainable manner, the health of the inhabitants has to become a key factor in urban development. This involves reforming the management of diseases, and hence of urban centres, developing more equitable urban infrastructures, and most of all, developing inclusive cities. In short, investments are required. However, if the task is important, new approaches and new programmes – for example, smart cities or sustainable towns – may be a means of better containing these epidemics. It is essential to ensure that these programmes do not remain concentrated in the most privileged areas, as they will have only a limited impact. These epidemics are a scourge, but also an opportunity: in a context where these infectious diseases do not recognise administrative frontiers, much less social ones, they may finally have a positive impact on urban development and encourage the development of more inclusive cities *Olivier Telle is a Research scientist at CSH, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Emerging infectious diseases in India — the scourge that could boost urban development

Florida authorities on Friday reported the first sign of local Zika transmission in the continental United States, concluding that mosquitoes likely infected four people with the virus that can cause a rare but serious birth defect. 
 
Governor Rick Scott said the state believed active transmission of the virus was occurring within an area of Miami about the size of 2.6 square kilometres. Testing showed that one woman and three men had been infected, Scott said. 
 
While health officials have yet to identify mosquitoes carrying the virus, the state has ruled out other means of transmission, including travel to another country with a Zika outbreak, and sexual contact. 
 
&quot;This means Florida has become the first state in the nation to have local transmission of the Zika virus,&quot; Scott said at a press conference. 
 
Zika appears to pose the greatest risk when it infects pregnant women, given its ability to cause microcephaly in babies, a condition defined by small head size that can lead to developmental problems. The current outbreak was first detected in Brazil last year and has since spread rapidly through the Americas. 
 
Florida Surgeon General Celeste Philip said that health officials are not advising pregnant women to move out of the suspected transmission area. 
 
&quot;We do not believe there will be ongoing transmission,&quot; Philip said at a press conference in Orlando, citing daily efforts to control the mosquito population in the area. 
 
The local health department is searching for other potential infections, with more than 2,300 people tested so far in the state, is ramping up mosquito control programs and is distributing Zika protection kits to pregnant women at their doctors&#39; offices, Florida officials said. 
 
Federal authorities have already begun to treat the Florida cases as a sign of local transmission. On Wednesday, the US Food and Drug Administration ordered blood banks in Florida&#39;s densely populated Miami-Dade County and Broward County to stop collecting blood until they can test each unit or incorporate technologies that can kill blood pathogens. 
 
Residents in the trendy Miami neighbourhood thought to harbour Zika said the local spread of the virus had been inevitable, given the large numbers of tourists from other countries with outbreaks. 
 
Damian Jose Delgado, a 35-year-old father of two, said news of Zika&#39;s arrival would make him think twice about expanding his family. 
&quot;I think I might be done having kids,&quot; Delgado said. 
 
Federal scientists kept at arm&#39;s length 
 
The state of Florida is yet to invite a dedicated team of the federal government&#39;s disease hunters to assist with the investigation on the ground, health officials told Reuters. 
 
In its plans to fight Zika nationwide, CDC stressed that such teams would help local officials track and contain the virus. Similar teams were sent to Utah earlier this month to solve how a person may have become infected while caring for a Zika-infected patient, before local officials went public with the case, and quickly joined an effort to contain an Ebola case in Dallas in 2014. 
 
&quot;Should we need additional assistance, we will reach out,&quot; Gambineri said in an email. She did not reply to questions about why the state decided not to bring in a CDC team. 
 
Coordination with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since the state reported possible local Zika transmission on July 19 has been conducted largely at a distance, they said. That is surprising to some infectious disease experts, who say a less robust response could lead to a higher number of infections. 
 
CDC spokesman Tom Skinner said the agency has several teams ready for when states request help with Zika, including Florida. 
&quot;If invited, we&#39;ve got a team ready to go,&quot; he said. 
 
While Florida has a strong record of battling limited outbreaks of similar mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue and chikungunya, the risk of birth defects caused by Zika adds greater urgency to containing its spread with every available means, they say. Other states have quickly called in CDC teams to help track high-profile diseases. 
 
&quot;You only have a small window. This is the window&quot; to prevent a small-scale outbreak from spreading, said Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, who expressed impatience with the pace of the Florida investigation. 
 
The current Zika outbreak was first detected last year in Brazil, where it has been linked to more than 1,700 cases of the birth defect microcephaly, and has since spread rapidly through the Americas. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Governor Rick Scott said the state believed active transmission of the virus was occurring within an area of Miami

Florida authorities on Friday reported the first sign of local Zika transmission in the continental United States, concluding that mosquitoes likely infected four people with the virus that can cause a rare but serious birth defect. Governor Rick Scott said the state believed active transmission of the virus was occurring within an area of Miami about the size of 2.6 square kilometres. Testing showed that one woman and three men had been infected, Scott said. While health officials have yet to identify mosquitoes carrying the virus, the state has ruled out other means of transmission, including travel to another country with a Zika outbreak, and sexual contact. "This means Florida has become the first state in the nation to have local transmission of the Zika virus," Scott said at a press conference. Zika appears to pose the greatest risk when it infects pregnant women, given its ability to cause microcephaly in babies, a condition defined by small head size that can lead to developmental problems. The current outbreak was first detected in Brazil last year and has since spread rapidly through the Americas. Florida Surgeon General Celeste Philip said that health officials are not advising pregnant women to move out of the suspected transmission area. "We do not believe there will be ongoing transmission," Philip said at a press conference in Orlando, citing daily efforts to control the mosquito population in the area. The local health department is searching for other potential infections, with more than 2,300 people tested so far in the state, is ramping up mosquito control programs and is distributing Zika protection kits to pregnant women at their doctors' offices, Florida officials said. Federal authorities have already begun to treat the Florida cases as a sign of local transmission. On Wednesday, the US Food and Drug Administration ordered blood banks in Florida's densely populated Miami-Dade County and Broward County to stop collecting blood until they can test each unit or incorporate technologies that can kill blood pathogens. Residents in the trendy Miami neighbourhood thought to harbour Zika said the local spread of the virus had been inevitable, given the large numbers of tourists from other countries with outbreaks. Damian Jose Delgado, a 35-year-old father of two, said news of Zika's arrival would make him think twice about expanding his family. "I think I might be done having kids," Delgado said. Federal scientists kept at arm's length The state of Florida is yet to invite a dedicated team of the federal government's disease hunters to assist with the investigation on the ground, health officials told Reuters. In its plans to fight Zika nationwide, CDC stressed that such teams would help local officials track and contain the virus. Similar teams were sent to Utah earlier this month to solve how a person may have become infected while caring for a Zika-infected patient, before local officials went public with the case, and quickly joined an effort to contain an Ebola case in Dallas in 2014. "Should we need additional assistance, we will reach out," Gambineri said in an email. She did not reply to questions about why the state decided not to bring in a CDC team. Coordination with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since the state reported possible local Zika transmission on July 19 has been conducted largely at a distance, they said. That is surprising to some infectious disease experts, who say a less robust response could lead to a higher number of infections. CDC spokesman Tom Skinner said the agency has several teams ready for when states request help with Zika, including Florida. "If invited, we've got a team ready to go," he said. While Florida has a strong record of battling limited outbreaks of similar mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue and chikungunya, the risk of birth defects caused by Zika adds greater urgency to containing its spread with every available means, they say. Other states have quickly called in CDC teams to help track high-profile diseases. "You only have a small window. This is the window" to prevent a small-scale outbreak from spreading, said Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, who expressed impatience with the pace of the Florida investigation. The current Zika outbreak was first detected last year in Brazil, where it has been linked to more than 1,700 cases of the birth defect microcephaly, and has since spread rapidly through the Americas. (Reuters)

Florida cases seen as first sign of local Zika transmission in US

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