China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
The 1918 Influenza A Pandemic
Published in Patricia G. Melloy, Viruses and Society, 2023
The H5N1 studies and similar studies using synthetic viruses represent what are known as “gain of function” studies, where an existing virus is manipulated or allowed to evolve in the laboratory to see if it gains new properties like changes in transmission (Lostroh 2019). In Chapter 9, we will talk about science communication and the responsibilities of scientists to communicate their work to the public. What rights do the public have in terms of being informed of controversial influenza research, and what are the responsibilities of scientists to report it and have it vetted? Who vets the research? Are any scientific topics off limits because of national or international concerns? If a society wants to place limits on influenza research, what then is the best way to anticipate the next pandemic, trying to be at least one step ahead of an emerging virus?
Urbanisation and Globally Networked Cities
Published in Kezia Barker, Robert A. Francis, Routledge Handbook of Biosecurity and Invasive Species, 2021
In this chapter, I focus on the complex interrelation between urban environments and infectious disease risks as posed by the unwanted mobility of biological agents and organisms (see Barker et al., 2013). Interestingly, not all infectious agents are problematised as biosecurity risks, and even those that are classified as such constitute a very heterogeneous group. From a social science perspective, no infectious agent is a biosecurity risk in itself until it is classified as such (see also Lupton, 1997). It is in this context that some pathogens have come under close scrutiny (prominent examples include H5N1, anthrax and smallpox). Their routes of transmission and their genetic make-up have been analysed. They are embedded in political rationales and transnational surveillance systems. Following Mary Douglas’s famous account, an emerging virus within urban environments represents ‘matter out of place’ (Douglas, 2011 [1966]) and therefore elicits a wide range of socio-technical, political and biomedical countermeasures. Pathogens such as H5N1 are moved into the domain of the biosecurity apparatus. Other pathogens, however, have the potential to pass unnoticed as they are neither classified as emerging nor diagnosed or made visible to surveillance systems (for example, Chagas disease or Leishmaniasis).
Torovirus
Published in Dongyou Liu, Handbook of Foodborne Diseases, 2018
Ziton Abdulrida Ighewish Al-Khafaji, Ghanim Aboud Al-Mola
Toroviruses are emergent viruses with a potential of zoonotic transmission that can cause enteric disease and diarrhea in various animal species and in humans. The equine torovirus, known as BEV, is the only one that has been adapted to grow in cultured cells, and is therefore the model used to study different aspects of torovirus biology. Specific molecular and serological diagnostic assays were developed for the epidemiological situation of toroviruses in Spain. They carried out a large seroepidemiological survey that included adult and young animals from 100 farms distributed throughout Spain. The overall serological pattern indicates continuous spread of the virus, suggesting that chronically infected adult animals could act as reservoirs. The impact of this high PToV seroprevalence in pig production remains unknown.
Identifying the cycles in COVID-19 infection: the case of Turkey
Published in Journal of Applied Statistics, 2023
Yılmaz Akdi, Yunus Emre Karamanoğlu, Kamil Demirberk Ünlü, Cem Baş
Corona virus, which affected the whole world, has also changed the understanding and conditions of life of people. To protect their own citizens and prevent the spread of the epidemic, many countries have literally hit the border gates. Changes were made in office working conditions, and working from the office has become more widespread. People started to work from their own homes and flexible working practices were introduced in state institutions. The importance of cargo and courier companies has increased. Travels are prohibited, collective events, especially sports, concerts, shows, etc. events have been cancelled. Especially in Europe, where public transportation is used extensively, people have stopped using public transportation and have started to avoid crowded environments (restaurants, shopping malls, etc.) [7]. This emerging virus has once again revealed how sensitive human beings are. Whereas man believes that it is modern and invincible. For this reason, COVID-19 opened an academic field that should be carefully studied.
Global distribution of respiratory syncytial virus A and B infections: a systematic review
Published in Pathogens and Global Health, 2022
Karla Cantú-Flores, Gerardo Rivera-Alfaro, Juan Carlos Muñoz-Escalante, Daniel E. Noyola
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory illness worldwide [1]. While children are affected most notably by this virus, reinfections occur throughout life, and it is also a major cause of severe respiratory illness in elderly adults [2,3]. RSV is classified into two major antigenic and genetic groups (RSV A and B) based on the characterization of the G protein gene; in addition, multiple genotypes have been identified within each of these groups [4,5]. A notable feature of currently circulating strains is the presence of a partial duplication of the G protein gene both in RSV A (described originally as ON1 genotype) and RSV B (described originally as BA genotype) [6,7]. Overall, RSV A viruses are detected more frequently among patients with acute respiratory infections compared to RSV B viruses, although seasonal and regional variations in the predominance of viruses of each group have been reported [8]; however, the global pattern of RSV A and B circulation has not been assessed previously. In addition, the impact of the emergence of new genotypes on the relative contribution of RSV A and B as a cause of respiratory illness has not been defined. To better understand the interaction between RSV A and RSV B circulation, we carried out a systematic review to describe the contribution of each group to respiratory infections on a global, hemispheric, and continental scale. Finally, we identified the predominant genotype during each year, based on sequences available in GenBank, to assess the impact of emergent viruses on the predominance between RSV A and RSV B viruses.
Lessons for hospital care from the first wave of COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada
Published in Hospital Practice, 2021
Hospitals in Canada were generally able to manage the first wave of COVID–19, despite confusion and chaos. The most important enablers of success were the reduction in hospital occupancy, relatively strong infection prevention and control teams and policies that had been mandated after SARS in 2003-2004 [17], and timely public health measures, which reduced the number of patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. Based on lessons learned from the first wave, hospitals became better prepared for future waves of COVID-19. Wards and care teams were reorganized to care for patients with COVID-19. Hospital surge and staffing plans were established, PPE supply chains became more secure, and disease transmission, testing, and treatment became better understood. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 prioritized healthcare workers in an effort to protect the workforce. However, acute care capacity remains a critical potential failure point. Surges in demand related to COVID-19 may place untenable strain on both physical infrastructure and a workforce that has experienced high rates of burnout. Lessons from Ontario are relevant for many other jurisdictions who have experienced similar cyclical waves of COVID-19. Emerging virus variants, which are more transmissible and severe [19], may exacerbate the pressures on acute care hospitals. Research devoted to understanding how to manage hospital operations during the pandemic should remain an important priority, and communities of practice to support knowledge exchange may help strengthen the hospital pandemic response.