Health
Vaccine demand easing in Huron-Perth while hospital services slowly resuming – Clinton News Record
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The public health unit in Huron and Perth counties is preparing to scale back its COVID-19 vaccination clinics next month.
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The region’s medical officer of health, Dr. Miriam Klassen, told reporters about the decision during a press conference on March 2.
“We’re not seeing a lot of new people start a vaccine series,” she said.
Huron Perth public health noted a drop in demand for the jabs in January. Klassen said many factors could be contributing, but officials don’t believe access to clinics has been a problem.
“We have worked really hard with lots of wonderful partners to ensure that people have access,” she said. “There’s been a lot of outreach to ensure everybody who wants a vaccine can have one.”
Instead, Klassen suggested the region’s strong vaccination rates are more telling.
Nearly 85 per cent of Huron-Perth residents older than five have at least one dose while 81 per cent are fully vaccinated, health unit figures show.
Slightly more than 60 per cent of adults 19 and older have received a booster, including more than 93 per cent of residents 70-plus.
Among Huron-Perth youth between the ages of five and 11, the slowest demographic to become eligible for vaccinations, 48 per cent have received one dose and 28 per cent are fully vaccinated.
“Thank you, Huron-Perth, for making it a priority to get vaccinated,” Klassen said. “By doing that, you have really helped interrupt chains of transmission. You have helped to keep hospitalizations manageable. You have helped to save lives.”
Huron Perth public health has recently been organizing more clinics in the region’s smaller communities. Those efforts will continue through March, Klassen said.
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Afterwards, the health unit won’t be scrapping their vaccination clinics entirely. Shots will also continue to be available through pharmacies and primary-care providers.
“We are going to continue to promote vaccination going forward, and we are going to make sure everybody is very informed if there’s a new variant … or newer vaccines,” Klassen said. “We know that this virus isn’t going away. It’s going to be with us for a while and so I continue to encourage everyone that can to be vaccinated. It’s the best way to develop immunity without risking severe outcomes from infection.”
Although Ontario relaxed another chunk of public-health measures on March 1, Klassen said the virus is still circulating “at pretty high levels” and warned that health-care capacity still hasn’t fully recovered from the pandemic’s Omicron wave.
“Hospitals are working to ramp surgeries back up and work to clear backlogs, but there are still high staff absenteeism rates across the health-care sector,” she said. “We’re still not back to controlled transmission.”
Andrew Williams, chief executive of the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance, confirmed that his hospital group – which includes Stratford, St. Marys, Clinton and Seaforth – has recently been allowed to increase service levels to about 70 per cent of its pre-pandemic volume.
About 40 hospital workers were off the job on March 2 due to COVID.
“We’re being cautious,” Williams said. “We’re excited like everybody is to see the measures being eased, but we need to be responsible and continue to focus on putting safety first.”
Health
What Is Sloth Fever, and Can You Catch It in Canada?
Health
Sloth Virus Spreads to Europe: Oropouche Fever Emerges as Global Health Threat
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An insect-transmitted virus that can infect sloths, primates, and birds is spreading at an “unprecedented” rate, according to global health officials. Oropouche fever, a potentially fatal zoonotic disease, is now emerging in parts of the world where it has never been detected before, including Europe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the virus, transmitted by tiny flies called midges and mosquitoes, is spreading beyond its traditional stronghold in Central and South America.
Oropouche fever, which is part of the same family of diseases as Zika and dengue fever, has traditionally circulated in Central and South America. However, recent research published on August 8 in The Lancet indicates that the virus has also been detected in new locations, including Cuba, Italy, and Spain.
The research paper noted that “Arboviral infections have hit South America heavily in the past decade…. In addition, the region is now facing the re-emergence of another little-known arbovirus, Oropouche virus, on an unprecedented scale.” As of August 1, 2024, there have been 8,078 confirmed cases in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, compared to just 832 cases reported in 2023. The first deaths linked to Oropouche fever were reported in late July, involving two young women in Brazil with no underlying medical conditions.
In response to the virus’s spread, both the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have issued warnings. In June and July, Europe reported its first 19 cases of Oropouche virus disease, with Spain (12 cases), Italy (five cases), and Germany (two cases) being affected. The majority of these cases were linked to travel to Cuba, with one case connected to Brazil.
Dr. Isaac Bogoch, a Toronto-based infectious diseases specialist, expressed concern over the virus’s potential spread to Canada, especially given the rise in cases in popular travel destinations like Cuba. “There’s a giant knowledge gap,” Bogoch said, highlighting that many healthcare professionals and the general public may be unaware of the virus, which could lead to underreporting.
Oropouche fever is a zoonotic disease first identified among forest workers in Trinidad in 1955, and later in a sloth in Brazil in 1960. Since then, more than 500,000 cases have been reported in the Americas, though the true extent of the virus’s spread may be underestimated. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected midge or mosquito, with no direct human-to-human transmission documented so far.
Symptoms of Oropouche fever can resemble those of dengue fever and Zika virus, including fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, sensitivity to light, and pain behind the eyes. In rare cases, the virus can lead to severe complications such as aseptic meningitis, which involves inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain.
The spread of Oropouche fever has been linked to climate change, urbanization, and deforestation. A study from 2017 examined an outbreak in Peru and found a significant connection to deforestation, which may displace the virus’s animal hosts and increase the likelihood of midges feeding on humans. Extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall and flooding, which create ideal breeding conditions for midges, have also been identified as contributing factors.
Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for Oropouche fever. Prevention is the best defense, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending the use of insect repellent, window and door screens, and fans to keep midges and mosquitoes at bay. Since midges are smaller than mosquitoes, traditional mosquito nets may not be effective.
“Good insect repellent works extraordinarily well,” Bogoch advised, recommending repellents containing 30% DEET or 20% picaridin for the best protection.
The Canadian government has also issued travel precautions, advising those traveling to regions with Oropouche fever outbreaks to take extra care, particularly pregnant women, due to the potential risk of transmission from mother to fetus.
As the virus continues to spread, health officials urge travelers and healthcare providers to remain vigilant and report any symptoms that could be related to Oropouche fever. The situation highlights the growing threat of infectious diseases in a rapidly changing global climate.
Health
Achieving Your Fitness Goals: A Comprehensive Guide to Nutritional Support
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Starting a fitness regimen calls for proper nutrition. Fitness calls for a healthy, well-planned diet tailored to your needs, not only exercise. The major nutrition elements that can improve your fitness potential will be covered in this all-inclusive book.
Understand your nutritional needs.
Maximizing results depends on knowing your body’s dietary requirements. Age, gender, weight, degree of exercise, and fitness goals all affect one’s needs. A balanced diet should also call for carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. While dietitians and nutritionists can offer advice, basic concepts can get you going.
Do you need supplements?
Although they can be a great addition to a good diet, supplements shouldn’t be taken as replacements. Nutritional deficits can be filled in part with multivitamins, protein powders, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D pills. Before adding any premium vitamins to your regimen, though, you should see a medical practitioner. This stage guarantees that you are making wise judgments catered to your requirements and health condition, giving you confidence in your choices.
Some exercise supplements are supposed to improve performance and recovery. Products for muscular development and endurance exist from numerous reputable sources, like flexpharma.is. Researching and choosing supplements that meet your goals and degree of fitness is essential to make sure they will offer the expected results.
Macronutrients’ role
Macronutrients and diet components help in many ways in supporting fitness goals. Your regular workouts and activities depend on carbohydrates for energy. For nutrients and energy, choose complex carbohydrates including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Proteins are needed for muscle development and repair Among the lean proteins that help muscle development and recovery are chicken, fish, tofu, and lentils. Moreover, proteins satisfy you, reducing the need for continuous unhealthy dietary intake.
Though perspectives vary, fats are vital for controlling hormones and general health. Moderately ingested good fats can have benefits. Avocado, almonds, seeds, and olive oil give long-lasting energy and support cellular activity vital for fitness.
Hydration and micronutrients
Although macronutrients are vital, vitamins and minerals are just as critical. These components support immune response, bone health, and energy generation. To satisfy your micronutrient requirements, load many vibrantly coloured fruits and vegetables.
Nutritional support calls for hydration as well. Every cellular function—body warmth, joint lubrication, nutrient transfer—depends on water. Eight glasses of water a day—more if you exercise vigorously. Liquids high in electrolytes can help with mineral replacement following demanding workouts.
Sustainable eating plan
One diet you can stick to without feeling hungry or anxious is sustainable. Set realistic diet goals and gradually change. Reduce sugary processed foods and increase nutrient-dense foods. Food preparation and planning will help you eat well all week.
Listen to your body, too. Consider how diet affects energy and performance. Everyone reacts differently, so what works for one may not work for another. A diet should reflect your growth and experiences.
Conclusion
Fitness requires nutrition. Know your nutritional needs, balance macronutrients, get appropriate micronutrients, and keep hydrated to perform well. A good diet and the utilization of supplements will determine your success. Consistency and diet are key to fitness. Start now and let diet affect your workouts.
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