SHA urges residents to catch up on immunizations - DiscoverHumboldt.com

During Immunization Awareness Week in Canada, the intent is to highlight the importance of protecting yourself from vaccine preventable diseases. 

David Freeman, Communications Consultant for the Saskatchewan Health Authority, said that there has been a decrease in immunizations over the last several years. 

“What has happened in the last few years, with all the attention that has gone to COVID and all the things that that transpired there, like being in lockdowns, we've noted a slowdown in our immunizations, especially childhood immunizations but even adult immunizations,” he elaborated. “This has resulted in much lower rates of immunization of our population and as you may be aware, the higher the rate of immunization of our population, the better protection we have.” 

Freeman added that herd immunity plays a significant role in the way viruses or diseases can spread. 

When the majority of individuals are protected, the potential for the disease to spread decreases, however, when immunization rates are low, it becomes easier for diseases to spread. 

“In southeast Alberta, right next to us, they have an outbreak of whooping cough or pertussis that is affecting mostly kids between the ages of one and nine who are not immunized, or not up to date with the immunizations,” he added.  

He noted that last week, the SHA was notified of increasing cases of whooping cough in children that are not up to date with their vaccinations and the World Health Organization recently acknowledged that the decrease in immunizations is a global phenomenon. 

“There's been a tremendous slowdown, which means that there's higher potential and they're already seeing more and more cases of vaccine preventable diseases coming up,” he continued. “Measles cases are increasing, whooping cough is increasing and and a number of other vaccine preventable diseases.  

“So, the whole aim is really let's get back on track, let's protect our populations and avoid these diseases, which can be pretty nasty from coming back into our communities. These diseases that are vaccine preventable.” 

Freeman also noted that multiple factors contributed to the decrease in immunizations, such as, limited movement and misinformation. 

“We've used [these vaccines] for a long time, they keep on getting improved.,” he stated. “They are safe and certainly do a lot in protecting our populations. Part of the the the danger you face when you have such good immunization is people forget what the actual impact of these diseases are. Many people don't know what whooping cough is like. It's not like your everyday common cold, it's not a five day event. Whooping cough goes on for weeks and it is agonizing for children and it is agonizing for parents because it's 24 hours of extreme coughing, extreme distress, and extreme fatigue.  

“We have forgotten the actual impact of these diseases and sometimes we need a reminder that we need to keep that protection otherwise we're going to see pretty nasty illnesses out there.” 

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Facing terminal cancer, Halifax woman focuses on 'blessing' she's been given - CBC.ca

Logging long hours as a housekeeper at the emergency department of the Halifax Infirmary in spring 2021, Maria Valverde noticed she was having trouble breathing.

The Halifax woman figured the cause might be COVID-19, or maybe it was the personal protective equipment she was wrapped in.

But it was terminal lung cancer.

"I should have died in the fall of 2021, for sure," she said. "That's how bad it was. I couldn't even breathe. I mean, the chemo wasn't working."

But her fate changed when she qualified for Tagrisso, a drug that comes with a $13,000 monthly cost.

Valverde's painting, The Fall of the Empire, is shown. Some of the things shown in the painting are empty store shelves, high gas prices and people living in tents. (Richard Woodbury/CBC)

"It gave me an extra amount of time to be able to kind of sort everything out," said Valverde.

"And so in that moment I realized, 'Wait a minute, you know, I'm not ready to die yet. I'm ready to do what I was destined to do, which is to be an artist.'"

A former Nova Scotia College of Art and Design student, Valverde has always made art, but it was never a career.

Now on long-term disability, Valverde's focus is art. Her exhibit Celestial Hunger opened Thursday at Zwicker's Gallery in downtown Halifax.

The exhibit's inspiration comes from searching the word pandemic while on break at work early on in the pandemic. The searches yielded results about The Black Death, the bubonic plague that killed up to an estimated 200 million people beginning in the mid-1300s.

"I thought, 'Wow, that's so uncanny,'" said Valverde. "In the medieval ages they had that and look what we're dealing with now."

The exhibit's paintings reflect life in Halifax during the pandemic.

Part of Valverde's painting, The Plague, is shown. (Richard Woodbury/CBC)

While places such as Point Pleasant Park, The Salvation Army on Gottingen Street and the Robie Street Esso are easy to identify in the paintings, the poverty in the city is also present, whether it be people living in tents or the rapid increase in homelessness.

The paintings also have phrases that conjure up images of the pandemic, including "Stay the blazes home," "quarantine" and "CERB."

In the painting The Plague, there's a hospital housekeeper at work.

"Art is about responding to something that is happening," said Fiona Valverde, Maria's sister. "I think that's very personal in many ways. And this is sort of her story and her journey."

Fiona Valverde called her sister inspiring.

"It's all how you decide to choose to see the world and to handle what you are dealt with," said Fiona Valverde.

"It's not like it's been a bed of roses, make no mistake. But she's really dug deep and she's resilient, she is a strong human being and she has a fight for life."

Valverde speaks at the opening of her exhibit on Thursday, April 27, 2023. (Richard Woodbury/CBC)

Some of the proceeds from the sale of the works in Celestial Hunger will go to Shelter Nova Scotia and an Art Gallery of Nova Scotia fund named after her father, artist Jose Antonio Valverde Alcalde.

After Celestial Hunger, Valverde's next exhibit, Alter Egos, will open later this year.

She said her health is stable, but she gets tested every three months to see if the cancer has spread.

"Once it starts to spread, that's it for me," she said.

But for now, Valverde is focusing on the positives.

"I've always wanted to be an artist full time ... but it wasn't until I got my diagnosis that I realized, 'Oh my gosh, what a blessing this is. Because now I can actually do it as much as I want,'" she said.

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Eli Lilly releases more data for new obesity drug, moving toward fast-track approval - GPB News

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Another 19 Nova Scotians hospitalized with COVID-19 - Saltwire

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS

Another 19 Nova Scotians were admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in the week ending April 24.

Provincial numbers show that was also the new total for people in hospital as of April 25. Four of those patients are in the intensive care unit.

The province reported no deaths from the virus during the reporting period.

Nova Scotia Health reported that as of Thursday there were 53 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in people who had been admitted to hospital for something else, and another 25 people in hospital contracted the virus after being admitted. Those numbers do not include the IWK hospital in Halifax.

There were 35 Nova Scotia Health employees off work on Thursday, April 27 because they had tested positive for COVID-19, were awaiting results of testing, or were exposed to a member of their household who tested positive.

Despite the fact that there are thousands of NSH employees, it said that because at least one health-care zone had fewer than five people off on Thursday it would not breakdown the numbers by zone to protect workers’ privacy.

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Sask. to transition to monthly reporting of COVID-19 cases - iHeartRadio.ca

The Community Respiratory Illness Surveillance Program (CRISP) report will transition to monthly reporting statistics, according to the Saskatchewan government.

The move was announced in the latest edition of the bi-weekly report which contains COVID-19-related statistics, such as confirmed cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

“We're still making sure we’re encouraging people to get out and get the vaccination and do their own personal risk assessment in saying that a monthly report is what we've done in the past,” Saskatchewan's health minister Paul Merriman told reporters on Friday.

Merriman said the change is based on a recommendation by Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab.

The CRISP report, released on Thursday, showed confirmed cases of COVID-19 have dropped in the province falling from 208 positive cases a week to 191, the report said.

Most cases are in patients 65 years and older (61.3 per cent) with just 28.1 per cent of those 20 to 64 having the virus in the last few weeks, the CRISP report said.

However, ICU admissions increased to 16 from 11, the report said. Four COVID-19 deaths were reported in the last two weeks.

Since, the start of the year, more than 100 people have died in Saskatchewan following a COVID-19 diagnosis.

According to the report, outside of of Regina, less than 50 per cent of the population is up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccine booster doses. Regina's rate is sitting at 52 per cent.

"Having a COVID-19 booster in the last six months (October 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023) reduces the risk of a COVID-19 death four times compared to unvaccinated individuals and over two times compared to those without a booster dose," the report says.

The province says 12 per cent of those five and older have received a booster dose in the last six months.

Only 21 per cent of the population has received a bivalent booster dose, according to the province.

The bivalent booster is tailor-made to help fight the dominant Omicron variant which is responsible for almost all new COVID-19 infections in the province.

INFLUENZA

Influenza activity across the province fluctuated at low levels with type B activity accounting for most cases, the government said.

There were six cases reported in those aged 20 to 64 years, four cases for school-age children and two cases in preschool-age patients. One influenza-related death was reported in the past four weeks, the report said.

Twenty-seven per cent of the provincial population has received the influenza vaccine. That represents a nine per cent drop in doses compared to last year, the province says.  

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Weight-loss data positions Eli Lilly's tirzepatide for 2023 obesity approval - MM+M Online

Eli Lilly says its incretin drug tirzepatide is on track for approval in obesity later this year, following release of Phase 3 results which solidify its weight-loss profile. 

Lilly announced data from its SURMOUNT-2 study of tirzepatide in obese diabetics Thursday, with the study showing about 16% weight loss. That equates to more than 34 pounds over nearly 17 months, the company said.

Weight loss in this late-stage study was expected to fall below the 21% seen in the earlier SURMOUNT-1 study, which included similar subjects without diabetes. Following the trial, Lilly said it will complete an application to the Food and Drug Administration for fast-track approval of tirzepatide in obesity over the coming weeks. Regulatory approval is expected by year’s end. 

“We believe addressing obesity could make an enormous difference in millions of people’s lives, significantly impact public health and reduce health care costs,” Lilly CEO David Ricks said during a Thursday afternoon call to review the company’s first-quarter results, released yesterday as well. “We are encouraged by this important next step in the journey to redefine obesity care.”

FDA awarded tirzepatide fast-track designation last fall which, in addition to a rolling submission, should help to expedite the review. However, Lilly isn’t taking chances. It’s using a priority review voucher (PRV), which shaves four months from the review time.

“While we think the FDA will act quickly with the fast-track designation, we want to remove any uncertainty,” explained Mike Mason, president of Lilly Diabetes, during the earnings call. “We will be using a PRV and expect that we’ll get approval as early as the end of this year.”

The company’s obesity filing in the EU is already complete and approval there is expected in the first half of next year.

Tirzepatide, approved to treat type 2 diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro and launched in Q2 2022, was also a highlight of the quarter. Mounjaro generated sales of $569 million, beating Wall Street’s consensus by $135 million. The drug’s access picture improved, with roughly 55% of scripts reimbursed in the quarter versus 40% in the last three months of 2022.

Mounjaro sales are forecast to hit $3.7 billion this year, increasing to $8.1 billion in 2024, according to an estimate by J.P. Morgan Chase. Meanwhile, the company’s total incretin franchise is projected to reach nearly $40 billion by the mid-2030s. 

“With unprecedented demand for the GLP-1 category, we expect production capacity to be a key gating factor for sales growth,” JPM’s Chris Schott wrote in a note to investors Thursday. 

To that end, the company’s new manufacturing facility in North Carolina, set to double capacity, is coming on-line later this year and should help in that regard. Intermittent shortages, compounded by widespread off-label use, have made Mounjaro and other drugs in the GLP-1 class – namely Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic – hard to get.

Lilly would not confirm whether tirzepatide will be marketed for weight loss in the U.S. under a different brand name, similar to the way Novo splits branding for Wegovy and Ozempic, intended for obesity and diabetes, respectively.

Some analysts think the company is leaning toward distinct branding. Asked about the pros and cons of each, Mason cited the two-brand scenario’s “access benefits” and the ability to have “an empty vessel” for the unique promotion of an obesity indication. Merging the two makes for a more efficient supply chain and manufacturing.

Due to unforeseen high product demand and short-term manufacturing issues, Novo faced supply constraints for Wegovy that disrupted its launch. The Danish company said earlier this year that all dosage strengths of Wegovy were back in stock, which allowed the resumption of commercial activity.

“There’s just a tremendous unmet need in the obesity market,” said Mason, adding, “We’re not surprised by Wegovy’s uptake after the resupply and relaunch.” 

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No COVID-19 ICU admissions reported in Waterloo region for the second week in a row - CTV News Kitchener

For the second week in a row, Region of Waterloo Public Health is reporting no one is in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) relating to COVID-19.

The region’s COVID-19 dashboard update on Friday shows ICU admissions remained at zero throughout the week.

Last week was the first time in months hospitals in Waterloo region didn’t have COVID-19 patients in their ICUs.

The number of hospitalizations relating to COVID-19 remained stable at 20, which is one less than reported last week.

When it comes to hospitalizations, the region has seen some ebbs and flows over the month of April, but the number of hospitalizations is nearly half of what it was at the start of the month.

The Regnion of Waterloo Public health COVID-19 dashboard on Friday, April 28, 2023. (ROWPH)

There were no new deaths associated with COVID-19 reported this week, according to the dashboard.

Since the start of the pandemic, the region has reported 518 deaths linked to COVID-19.

The number of active outbreaks in high-risk settings dropped by two with just three outbreaks remaining.

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VIDO and VFI collaborate to strengthen pandemic preparedness - USask News

The agreement enhances an established alliance between the two organizations on COVID-19 and will support a rapid and unified response to future pandemics.

VFI, located in Geneva, Switzerland, develops vaccine adjuvants and formulations under open-access terms, to advance global vaccine development. VIDO, located in Saskatoon, Canada, is a global leader in infectious disease research and vaccine development and has commercialized eight vaccine technologies, six of which were world firsts. This collaboration aims to develop and test novel vaccine formulations for emerging pathogens, including developing the next generation of adjuvants to help drive protective immune responses.

VFI Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Nicolas Collin said, “International collaborations are of paramount importance during responses against outbreaks. We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with VIDO to develop affordable vaccine technologies that can be made accessible to all.”

The announcement strengthens VFI’s partnership with VIDO, which includes a project funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to create broadly protective coronavirus vaccines. VFI also co-developed with Seppic (France) the Sepivac SWE™ adjuvant, a key component in the formulation of COVAC-2, VIDO’s COVID-19 subunit vaccine candidate currently being evaluated in clinical studies.

VIDO Director and CEO Dr. Volker Gerdts stated, “Preparing for future pandemics requires a co-ordinated, international effort. We are delighted to further our partnership with VFI. The technologies developed will help ensure a rapid response to the next emerging infectious disease.”

The research agreement was announced during VFI’s Adjuvants and Formulations for the Future Symposium, held in Geneva on April 27, 2023, which celebrated the organization’s 10th year since its creation in 2012.

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USask scientists recognized for international vaccine leadership - SaskToday.ca

SASKATOON – Scientists at the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) have been recognized by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for their international leadership in vaccine research for infectious diseases.

Drs. Darryl Falzarano (PhD) and Alyson Kelvin (PhD) received CIHR Leadership Awards for Excellence in Vaccine Research for Infectious Diseases of Epidemic Potential. In total CIHR funded six awards, with five in partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).  

The funding from CEPI is part of a new partnership with the CIHR announced during a virtual event to celebrate National Immunization Awareness Week. CIHR and CEPI will provide $2.7 million in grant funding to support Canadian scientists pursuing projects to prepare for epidemic and pandemic threats. 

“The commitment and dedication of our team to help stop the COVID-19 pandemic has been incredible,” said VIDO Director Dr. Volker Gerdts (DVM). “Drs Falzarano and Kelvin are two key team members in this effort, and it is gratifying to see them receive this recognition.” 

A new vaccine adjuvant for rapid deployment during future outbreaks

CIHR awarded Falzarano $200,000 to advance the development of a novel combination adjuvant―a component added to vaccines that helps promote the right kind of immune response. 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Falzarano and his team developed a protein subunit vaccine candidate formulated with this combination adjuvant. Preclinical research demonstrated this adjuvant boosted the immune response and importantly was able to provide protection in the upper respiratory tract―a characteristic that could help reduce virus transmission. 

“This project will identify vaccine formulations that will optimize immune responses, stability, and ultimately protection,” said Falzarano. “It will advance the commercial readiness of a promising new vaccine adjuvant and help ensure it is available for the rapid deployment of future infectious disease threats.” 

Falzarano will use synchrotron technology at USask’s Canadian Light Source to advance the characterization. 

Universal vaccine approaches for COVID-19 variants and future coronaviruses

Kelvin will receive $200,000 from CIHR and an additional $200,000 from CEPI to develop a universal coronavirus vaccine. Creating a universal vaccine to protect against multiple coronaviruses (SARS-CoV variants of concern, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, future coronaviruses, etc.) will help control future potential pandemics. 

Kelvin will identify similarities in the immune responses triggered by multiple coronaviruses to develop a universal coronavirus vaccine. The project includes collaborators in Rwanda and Bangladesh. 

“New variants continue to lengthen the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is a constant threat of other emerging coronaviruses,” said Kelvin. “This project brings together an international team to develop a universal coronavirus vaccine that will have a global impact, especially for people in low- and middle-income countries.” 

— Submitted by USask Media Relations

 

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What Happens To Your Body If You Quit Sugar For 30 Days - BOXROX

What happens to your body if you quit sugar for 30 days? Here is what you can expect.

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate that is naturally present in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. It is also commonly added to many processed foods and drinks to enhance their taste, texture, and shelf life.

The most common types of sugar include glucose and fructose. Glucose is the primary source of energy for the body’s cells and is found in many types of carbohydrates, including starchy foods like bread and pasta. Fructose is a type of sugar found naturally in fruits, honey, and some vegetables.

As you will see below from Dr. Sten Ekberg, we will also consider polysaccharide as sugar, or more commonly referred to as starch, the most abundant sugar found in carbs such as bread, potatoes and corn.

While sugar can provide energy to the body, consuming too much sugar can have negative health effects, including weight gain, tooth decay, and an increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Source: Lucie Liz on Pexels

So who decided to see what happens to your body if you quit sugar for 30 days? That would be, as we mentioned above, Dr. Sten Ekberg. He is a holistic natural health doctor from Sweden, an Olympic decathlete, specialised in education in nutrition, physiology and functional medicine. He has a YouTube channel with over 2.8 million subscribers where he uploads videos talking all about health and wellbeing.

Here is what he had to say on the matter.

What Happens To Your Body If You Quit Sugar For 30 Days

Sten Ekberg divides what happens to your body if you quit sugar for 30 days into three categories with special emphasis on what happens to the brain:

• Short term
• Mid-term
• Long-term

Short Term

The very first thing that happens is you get some cravings. “It might get a little worse before it gets better,” he says, stating that it might take 3 days to adapt where you will be feeling strong cravings.

• Withdrawal

Sugar and carbs are an addiction, Ekberg says, since they feed into a reward pathway in the brain that has to do with dopamine. Ekberg explains further why it is difficult to break out of the routine of eating sugar regularly and why some people are more addicted to it and some are less.

Mid-Term

• Less cravings

If you make it through the first few days, it will get better and easier. There will be less cravings and your blood sugar will stabilise.

• Less hunger

You will feel less hunger partially because of the stable blood sugar, but also because of lower insulin levels. “With less insulin, now you can start accessing that fat, it allows fat burning and access to that body fat.”

This is when you start seeing real weight loss.

Source: Anna Tarazevich on Pexels

• Improvements in the brain

Your mood will get better and you have a lower tendency for depression and anxiety. There is also improved mental clarity and focus, you get more things done.

• More energised

With the stability of blood sugar, with insulin dropping and fat-burning enzymes increasing, you will feel more body energy.

• Taste changes

Your brain beings being rewired and you notice your taste buds changing. You get a whole new appreciation for real food. “You’ll find flavours that you never noticed before because they were all dulled by fast food and sugar.”

And if there is a birthday or a big celebration with sweets that you feel like you have to eat and you do, what can happen? You likely will think it is too sweet and won’t even like it any longer.

Long-Term

If you reach 30 days, Dr. Sten Ekberg begs you not to stop. If will notice and can quantify scientifically how much healthier you have become.

• Blood work

Blood glucose drops, AC1 has dropped (this is your 3-month average glucose), and triglycerides are lower. This last one is the amount of fat in your blood.

Your cholesterol will improve, with HDL higher and the ratio between your total cholesterol and your HDL will probably have dropped. “That’s one of the most important indicators for heart disease risk.”

You will also have lower inflammation and your blood pressure has come down.

• Lower disease risk

You will start burning through liver fat, type 2 diabetes (you can even reverse it quickly). Reduce kidney failure, blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and dementia.

According to Ekberg, you will decrease your chances of having cancer and will boost your immune function.

Click on the video below for a deeper explanation by the doctor himself.

7 Warning Signs You Are Eating Too Much Sugar

What Sugar Does to Your Body

I Quit Sugar for 30 Days… This Happened

What Happens If You Eat ZERO Carbs and Sugar for 1 Week?

Why Does Sugar Lead to Weight Gain?

Consuming too much sugar can lead to weight gain for several reasons:

High in calories: Sugar is a calorie-dense food, which means that it contains a lot of calories relative to its volume. Consuming large amounts of sugary foods and drinks can quickly add up in terms of calories and lead to weight gain.

Affects appetite: Consuming sugary foods and drinks can affect our appetite by not providing the feeling of fullness and satiety that we get from other types of foods, such as protein and fibre-rich foods. This can lead to overconsumption of calories and eventual weight gain.

Causes spikes in blood sugar: Consuming large amounts of sugar can cause spikes in blood sugar levels, which can lead to increased insulin secretion by the pancreas. Over time, the body can become less responsive to insulin, leading to insulin resistance, a condition that has been linked to obesity.

Affects metabolism: Consuming large amounts of sugar can also affect our metabolism by increasing the storage of fat in the body, particularly in the abdominal area. This can lead to increased body fat and weight gain.

Can Fruit Make You Fat?

The Easiest Way to Get Lean (From 30% to 10% Body Fat)

What is the Glycemic Index for Foods?

The glycemic index (GI) is a scale that measures how quickly and how much a particular food raises blood sugar levels. It ranks carbohydrates on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher numbers indicating that the food will cause a more rapid rise in blood sugar levels.

Foods with a high glycemic index are quickly broken down and absorbed by the body, leading to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. This can be problematic for people with conditions such as diabetes, who may struggle to regulate their blood sugar levels.

Foods with a low glycemic index, on the other hand, are digested and absorbed more slowly, causing a slower and more sustained increase in blood sugar levels. This can be beneficial for people who need to regulate their blood sugar levels, as it helps to prevent spikes and crashes.

Some examples of foods with a high glycemic index include white bread, potatoes, white rice, sugary drinks, and candy. Foods with a low glycemic index include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes.

It’s important to note that the glycemic index is just one factor to consider when making dietary choices. Other factors, such as nutrient content and overall calorie intake, should also be considered when making food choices.

Is Sugar Making You Fat?

6 Signs You Are Suffering From Protein Deficiency

What happens to your body if you only eat 1 meal a day for 30 days?

10 Bad Morning Habits that Stop You Losing Fat

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USask scientists recognized for international vaccine leadership - SaskToday.ca

SASKATOON – Scientists at the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) have been recognized by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for their international leadership in vaccine research for infectious diseases.

Drs. Darryl Falzarano (PhD) and Alyson Kelvin (PhD) received CIHR Leadership Awards for Excellence in Vaccine Research for Infectious Diseases of Epidemic Potential. In total CIHR funded six awards, with five in partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).  

The funding from CEPI is part of a new partnership with the CIHR announced during a virtual event to celebrate National Immunization Awareness Week. CIHR and CEPI will provide $2.7 million in grant funding to support Canadian scientists pursuing projects to prepare for epidemic and pandemic threats. 

“The commitment and dedication of our team to help stop the COVID-19 pandemic has been incredible,” said VIDO Director Dr. Volker Gerdts (DVM). “Drs Falzarano and Kelvin are two key team members in this effort, and it is gratifying to see them receive this recognition.” 

A new vaccine adjuvant for rapid deployment during future outbreaks

CIHR awarded Falzarano $200,000 to advance the development of a novel combination adjuvant―a component added to vaccines that helps promote the right kind of immune response. 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Falzarano and his team developed a protein subunit vaccine candidate formulated with this combination adjuvant. Preclinical research demonstrated this adjuvant boosted the immune response and importantly was able to provide protection in the upper respiratory tract―a characteristic that could help reduce virus transmission. 

“This project will identify vaccine formulations that will optimize immune responses, stability, and ultimately protection,” said Falzarano. “It will advance the commercial readiness of a promising new vaccine adjuvant and help ensure it is available for the rapid deployment of future infectious disease threats.” 

Falzarano will use synchrotron technology at USask’s Canadian Light Source to advance the characterization. 

Universal vaccine approaches for COVID-19 variants and future coronaviruses

Kelvin will receive $200,000 from CIHR and an additional $200,000 from CEPI to develop a universal coronavirus vaccine. Creating a universal vaccine to protect against multiple coronaviruses (SARS-CoV variants of concern, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, future coronaviruses, etc.) will help control future potential pandemics. 

Kelvin will identify similarities in the immune responses triggered by multiple coronaviruses to develop a universal coronavirus vaccine. The project includes collaborators in Rwanda and Bangladesh. 

“New variants continue to lengthen the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is a constant threat of other emerging coronaviruses,” said Kelvin. “This project brings together an international team to develop a universal coronavirus vaccine that will have a global impact, especially for people in low- and middle-income countries.” 

— Submitted by USask Media Relations

 

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Pertussis outbreak now zone-wide in AHS South Zone - Lethbridge News Now

File photo of Lethbridge Community Health Centre. 146 cases of Pertussis have been confirmed in the South Zone. April 27, 2023 (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Apr 27, 2023 | 11:22 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – An outbreak of Pertussis (whooping cough) in the Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) South Zone now has 146 identified cases.

This represents an increase from 126 as of April 20, 2023. AHS said the newly-reported cases indicate the outbreak is now present in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, as well as smaller communities in the zone.

Cases have been identified at schools and other community locations such as churches and sites where children gather to take lessons.

The majority of cases are among children aged one to nine years old, but some adults have also been affected.

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"Catch up with confidence" during national immunization week - iHeartRadio.ca

The Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark District Health Unit is informing local residents that April 24th to 30th is national immunization week. The Health Unit explains that over the past few years, many people missed out on seeing the people we love and partaking in the activities, in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19. During this time, many also missed out on staying up to date on routine immunizations.

Many routine immunization programs had to stop and people were unable to receive the vaccines they needed. The Health Unit says this has not only put people behind in their routine immunizations but has also left the door open for a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and whooping cough. 

As people continue to live alongside COVID-19, the Health Unit says they are regaining the opportunity to catch up with friends and family, catch up on their hobbies, and catch up on the vaccines that have been missed. 

The theme of this year's national immunization week is "Catch up with confidence", the Health Unit says that people can do that knowing they are safe and protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. 

For reliable information about vaccines information or to make an appointment check out the Health Units sources:

- Visit the website www.healthunit.org (go to health information and look for Immunization (Immunization - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit)
- Call 1-844-369-1234 (open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m to 4:00 p.m.)
- Follow LGLHealthunit on Facebook and Twitter or lglhealthunit.z on Instagram

With files by CFRA's Connor Ray

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Annual reminder to be aware of hantavirus while spring cleaning - 620 CKRM.com

Spring cleaning is underway, and Saskatchewan residents are being reminded to be mindful of hantavirus.

Infection is caused by breathing in contaminated airborne particles from the droppings, urine and saliva of infected deer mice. It can cause a rare, but potentially fatal, lung disease known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, cough, headaches, nausea, and vomiting, usually start one to six weeks after exposure; seek medical attention immediately if you have a cough, fever and shortness of breath.

Precautionary tips while cleaning buildings and vehicles include:

• ventilate the building by opening doors and windows, and then leave the area for at least 30 minutes before cleaning;
• avoid using dry cleaning methods such as dusting, sweeping, vacuuming or air-hosing;
• use wet mopping methods and wear rubber or plastic gloves;
• wear goggles and a well-fitting N-95 type filter mask when cleaning areas contaminated by droppings;
• dampen areas contaminated with rodent droppings with bleach disinfectant and remove droppings with a damp mop or cloth;
• steam clean, shampoo or spray upholstered furniture with a detergent, disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water; and
• wash exposed clothes and bedding with detergent in hot water.

Prevention measures include:

• block openings that might allow rodents to enter a building;
• store human and animal food, water and garbage in pest-proof/resistant containers with tightly-fitted lids; and
• move woodpiles or other potential hiding places for mice away from your home.

There have been 37 cases of hantavirus in Saskatchewan between 1994 and 2022, 13 of which were fatal.

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Toronto health unit investigating measles case, warns of possible public exposure - Global News

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is investigating a travel-related measles case and has released a list of places where the public may have been exposed to the virus earlier this month.

TPH announced in a statement Wednesday that it is investigating a lab-confirmed case of measles in an adult.

“Residents are reminded that the measles virus is circulating in many countries and that they should check to ensure they are protected against measles by getting vaccinated before travelling,” the statement said.

The disease is “highly contagious,” TPH said, and noted that anyone who hasn’t had two doses of a measles vaccine or hasn’t had it in the past is at risk of infection.

Pregnant women, infants under one year old, and people with weakened immune systems can get very ill from the virus, the health unit said.

TPH said it is in the process of contact tracing the confirmed measles case.

The health unit also released the following list of places where the public may have been exposed:

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• April 14: Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst St., Emergency Department Ambulatory waiting room, between 11:15 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.
• April 15: Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst St., Emergency Department Ambulatory Area, between 1:40 a.m. and 5:40 a.m.
• April 18: Harbourfront Apple Tree Medical Clinic, 8 York St., Unit # 4, between 12:30 and 5 p.m.
• April 19: Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth St., Emergency Department Rapid Assessment Centre, between 10 p.m. and 12:45 a.m.
• April 20: Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth St.: Tropical Diseases/Liver/Immunodeficiency Clinic waiting room, between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
  Blood Collection/Diagnostic Test Centre, and the pre-admission clinic waiting room between 2:45 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• April 21: Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth St.: Tropical Diseases Liver/Immunodeficiency Clinic waiting room, between 9:50 a.m. and 11:50 a.m.
  Blood Collection/Diagnostic Test Centre, and the pre-admission clinic waiting room between 11:35 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.

Those who may have been exposed are encouraged to check their vaccination records. TPH said two doses of a measles vaccine are recommended for those born after 1969, while those born before 1970 are generally considered protected.

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Those who may have been exposed and are up to date on measles vaccinations are still encouraged to watch for symptoms, including a high fever, cold-like symptoms, red eyes or a sensitivity to light, and a rash lasting four to seven days, TPH said.

Anyone experiencing symptoms should avoid going to work or school and, if they are concerned and seek medical attention, should advise their health-care provider that they may have been exposed to the virus.

Individuals at highest risk of becoming very ill from measles who were at the locations listed above during those time periods were encouraged to contact TPH.

1:57 Health officials investigating measles case in Halifax area

&copy 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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MedSafer wins 1st Jury Prize in Acfas Génies en affaires competition - McGill University Health Centre

Designed by MUHC physicians and researchers, MedSafer is an application that helps reduce drug prescriptions in a safe manner.

On March 29, the final round of the Acfas Génies en affaires competition was held. The 1^st Jury Prize, awarded to students for an innovation stemming from public research, was given to Émilie Bortolussi-Courval and Gregory Gooding, from McGill University, and Sara Bortolussi-Courval, from the University of British Columbia, for their project aimed at integrating MedSafer, a deprescribing software, into Quebec's electronic medical records. The team was mentored by Dr. Emily McDonald, a scientist in the Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and the co-creator of MedSafer.

The Génies en affaires competition gives students the opportunity to test their innovation commercialization projects with professionals and the general public, to showcase their qualities as innovators and their will to change society, and to benefit from mentoring. The first prize consists of a $10,000 scholarship plus $20,000 in consulting services.

"We are proud and happy to have won this award because we believe deeply in the potential of MedSafer," says Émilie Bortolussi-Courval, who is a nurse clinician and a doctoral student at the RI-MUHC. "Integrating MedSafer into Quebec's electronic medical records could improve the health of Quebec seniors, since 40 per cent of them take five or more medications on a regular basis, which increases the rate of premature death and hospitalization."

MedSafer provides physicians and pharmacists with a digital roadmap to guide clinical staff through the deprescribing process. Its effectiveness has been tested in various studies. In the largest study published to date, MedSafer safely reduced potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in elderly inpatients at 11 acute care hospitals across Canada. The results of this clinical trial were published in January 2022, in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

"Many older adults are taking far too many medications and it can be quite challenging to have any kind of meaningful impact on this growing societal problem. Deprescribing is a complex task, it’s time-consuming, and how to stop medications isn’t emphasized in the medical curriculum," adds Dr. McDonald, who developed the application with Dr. Todd Lee, also a scientist at the RI-MUHC and a physician at the MUHC. “We would like to congratulate Émilie, Gregory and Sara for this award and for their commitment to sharing the full potential of MedSafer”.

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Toronto confirms adult measles case, lists locations of potential exposure - CityNews Toronto

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

1. Toronto confirms adult measles case, lists locations of potential exposure  CityNews Toronto
2. Toronto health unit investigating measles case, warns of possible public exposure  Global News
3. Toronto Public Health investigating case of measles  CBC.ca
4. Toronto Public Health confirms adult case of measles  CP24
5. View Full Coverage on Google News

Toronto confirms adult measles case, lists locations of potential exposure - CityNews Toronto
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Take precautions against hantavirus - StrathmoreNow.com

A reminder for producers and anyone doing some spring cleaning to take precautions against Hantavirus.

Hantavirus is caused by breathing in contaminated airborne particles from the droppings of infected deer mice. 

It can cause a rare, but potentially fatal lung disease,  exposure most often occurs when cleaning up old grain bins, sheds, barns, garages, cabins, or vehicles after the winter.

When cleaning make sure to ventilate buildings, and use wet mopping methods instead of sweeping,  vacuuming, or using an air hose.

Be sure to wear rubber or plastic gloves, goggles, and a well-fitting N-95 type filter mask, and be sure to dampen any areas contaminated with rodent droppings with bleach disinfectant before removing droppings with a damp mop or cloth.

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Allergy season is getting more intense with climate change - Japan Today

If you’re feeling the misery of allergy season in your sinuses and throat, you’re probably wondering what nature has in store for you this time – and in the future.

Pollen allergies affect over 30% of the global population, making them a significant public health and economic issue as people feel ill and miss work. Our research shows that, as greenhouse gases warm the planet, their effects are driving longer and more intense pollen seasons.

To help allergy sufferers manage their symptoms in our changing climate, we’re building better pollen forecasts for the future.

As atmospheric scientists, we study how the atmosphere and climate affect trees and plants. In a 2022 study, we found that the U.S. will face up to a 200% increase in total pollen this century if the world continues producing carbon dioxide emissions at a high rate. Pollen season in general will start up to 40 days earlier in the spring and last up to 19 days longer than today under that scenario.

While most studies focus on pollen overall, we zoomed in on more than a dozen different types of grasses and trees and how their pollen will affect regions across the U.S. in different ways. For example, species like oak and cypress will give the Northeast the biggest increase, but allergens will be on the rise just about everywhere, with consequences for human health and the economy.

Why pollen is increasing

Let’s start with the basics. Pollen – the dustlike grains produced by grasses and plants – contains the male genetic material for a plant’s reproduction.

How much pollen is produced depends on how the plant grows. Rising global temperatures will boost plant growth in many areas, and that, in turn, will affect pollen production.

Warmer temperatures will extend the growing season, allowing plants to grow and emit pollen for longer periods. But temperature is only part of the equation. We found that a potentially greater driver of the future pollen increase will be rising carbon dioxide emissions from sources such as vehicles and power plants. Carbon dioxide fuels photosynthesis, leading to increased growth and the potential for more pollen production.

Pollen changes will vary by region

We looked at 15 different pollen types, rather than treating all pollen the same as many past studies have. Our study found that the amount of pollen increase in a specific region depends on the types of vegetation.

Typically, pollination starts with leafy deciduous trees in late winter and spring. Alder, birch and oak are the three top deciduous trees for causing allergies, though there are others, like mulberry. Grass pollen becomes more prevalent in the summer, followed by ragweed in late summer. In the Southeast, evergreen trees like mountain cedar and juniper (in the cypress family) start in January. In Texas, “cedar fever” is the equivalent of hay fever.

We found that in the Northeast, pollen seasons for a lot of allergenic trees will increasingly overlap as temperatures and carbon dioxide emissions rise. For example, it used to be that maple trees would release pollen first, and then birch would pollinate. Now we see more overlap of their pollen seasons.

In general, pollen season changes are greater in the northern United States than in the South, because of larger temperature increases in northern areas in future climate projections.

Southeastern regions, including Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, can expect large grass and weed pollen increases in the future. The Pacific Northwest is likely to see peak pollen season a month earlier because of the early pollen season of alder.

Allergy problems are already on the rise. A study in 2021 found that the overall pollen season was already about 20 days longer in North America than it was in 1990 and pollen concentrations were up about 21%.

Silver lining: We can improve pollen forecasting

Most pollen forecasts right now provide a very broad estimate of where and when pollen counts will be high. Part of the problem is that there aren’t many observing stations for pollen counts. Most are run by allergy clinics, and there are fewer than 200 of these stations distributed across the country. Michigan, where we live, doesn’t have any that are currently operating.

It’s a very labor-intensive process to measure different types of pollen. As a result, current forecasts have a lot of uncertainties. These likely are based in part on what a station has observed in the past and the weather forecast.

Our model, if integrated into a forecasting framework, could provide more targeted pollen forecasts across the country.

We can estimate where the trees are from satellite data and on-the-ground surveys. We also know how temperature influences when pollen comes out – what scientists call the phenology of the pollen. With that information, we can use meteorological factors like wind, relative humidity and precipitation to figure out how much pollen gets into the air, and atmospheric models can show how it moves and blows around, to create a real-time forecast.

We’re currently working with a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration lab about ways to integrate that information into a tool for air quality forecasting. Our next step is to evaluate these forecast tools and make information available to the public.

There are still some unknowns when it comes to long-term pollen projections. For example, scientists don’t fully understand why plants produce more pollen in some years than others, and currently we cannot include these changes in our models. It’s also not fully clear how plants will respond if carbon dioxide levels go through the roof. Ragweed and residential trees are also hard to capture. There are very few ragweed surveys showing where these plants are growing in the U.S., but that can be improved.

Yingxiao Zhang is a PhD candidate of Climate Sciences at the University of Michigan. Allison L Steiner, is a professor of Climate and Space Sciences Engineering at the University of Michigan.

The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.

© The Conversation

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Take steps to reduce hantavirus risk during spring cleaning: Health ministry - 650 CKOM News Talk Sports

Spring cleaning is underway around Saskatchewan, but the provincial health ministry is warning cleaners to be aware of the risk of hantavirus while working in enclosed spaces.

According to the Ministry of Health, hantavirus infection is caused by breathing in airborne particles that are contaminated by the droppings, urine or saliva of deer mice. The risk is highest in enclosed spaces, the ministry noted, and the particles can lead to a rare but possibly fatal lung disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Between 1994 and 2022, the ministry said 37 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome were reported in the province, and 13 of those had a fatal outcome.

Dr. Julie Kryzanowski, Saskatchewan’s deputy chief medical health officer, explained that exposure is most common while cleaning sheds, barns, garages, cabins or cars after the winter months.

“Particles can become airborne after sweeping, but it’s also possible to get the virus by touching something that has been contaminated, and then touching your nose, mouth or eyes,” Kryzanowski said in a statement.

The ministry said symptoms typically develop one to six weeks after exposure, and can include fever, achy muscles, cough, headaches, nausea and vomiting.

The good news is there are a few simple steps that can be taken to reduce the risk from hantavirus.

The ministry recommended ventilating buildings by opening windows and doors for at least 30 minutes before cleaning and avoiding dry cleaning methods such as dusting and sweeping in favour of wet mopping methods while wearing rubber or plastic gloves. Goggles and a well-fitting N-95 filter mask can help reduce the risk while cleaning areas contaminated by droppings, the ministry added.

Any mouse droppings should be dampened with bleach disinfectant and removed with a damp mop or cloth, the ministry said. Furniture in those areas should be steam cleaned, shampooed or sprayed with detergent, disinfectant or a bleach mixture, and exposed clothes and bedding should be washed with detergent in hot water.

The ministry also recommended preventative methods to keep deer mice out of enclosed spaces. Those steps include blocking any openings that a mouse could use to enter, storing any food, water and garbage in pest-proof containers with tightly sealed lids, and moving woodpiles or other places where mice like to hide away from homes.

More information on hantavirus can be found on the provincial government’s website.

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Children, First Nations are key focus of Immunization Awareness Week in Sask. - battlefordsNOW

As part of the campaign for the week, Ndbuka said they are raising awareness by communicating directly with First Nations band offices, businesses, radio stations and through social media.

This year’s Immunization Awareness Week comes at a time when anti-vaccine rhetoric, especially with the COVID-19 vaccines, continues to grow. Ndbuka said he has heard all those concerns and believes many people are being misinformed.

“We have heard all of those myths in terms of vaccines not working, not effective but the fact remains that vaccines are important,” he said.

“Fully immunized children are less likely to get sick and spread the disease to those who are too young or to be immunized or immunocompromised.”

He added the events of the last three years during the pandemic highlighted the importance of vaccines not just to individual health but the entire health system.

“We have seen how it has played a critical role in getting us to where we are today,” he said. “Vaccines are safe and they’re effective. It can prevent diseases; it can help reduce the risk of spread between persons and within communities.”

In the end, he said vaccines won’t just protect the person but others in the community, especially children who are either immunocompromised, too young for vaccines, or are allergic to substances in the vaccine.

National Immunization Awareness Week runs from now until April 30.

—

panews@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow

by paNOW Staff

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Sneezing and sniffling? Spring allergies are intensifying with climate change - MPR News

Spring allergies can sneak up on people. If you’ve been rubbing your eyes, sniffling and sneezing, you could be suffering from allergies. 

When spring comes to Minnesota, trees pop with pollen and melting snow releases mold spores into the air. Both of these are common allergens that can trigger an overactive immune system response. 

One in every four adults and one in five children have seasonal allergies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For people with allergies, symptoms can also include a sore throat, coughing, fatigue and even wheezing for people who have allergy-triggered asthma. 

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to get allergies under control. And, that will only become more important as climate change lengthens the pollen season and makes some plants produce more pollen. 

Coming up at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what’s happening with allergies and how to manage symptoms. 

Guests: 

• Dr. Pramod Kelkar is an allergy and asthma specialist with Allina Health who practices in Blaine, Maple Grove and Woodbury. 

• Kenneth Mendez is president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, a national patient organization for people with asthma and allergies, which is involved in support, advocacy, education, and research. 

  Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS. 

Public media is independent, community-supported media for the public good.

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Health unit urges adults to 'catch up' on routine immunizations - OrilliaMatters

Due to disruptions caused by the pandemic, many adults across the region need to catch up on routine immunizations, according to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

This week, April 24 to 30, marks National Immunization Awareness Week in Canada, the health unit says. 

This year’s theme is “catch up with confidence.”

The theme is a reminder that it is vital for adults to get caught up with the routine, publicly funded vaccines they need to stay healthy, the health unit said in a news release.

“The protection offered by some immunizations only lasts for a certain amount of time, so it is important to receive booster doses in adulthood to keep yourself and those around you safe from vaccine preventable diseases like tetanus and pertussis,” said Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s associate medical officer of health Dr. Colin Lee.

“A person may also need other vaccines like shingles at different life stages based on their age, health conditions, job, lifestyle, or travel habits," he added.

New babies are vulnerable to infections, so it's important that parents, grandparents and others are fully vaccinated against potentially dangerous diseases.

Make sure your Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) is up to date, the health unit says – you need a booster if you haven't had one in the past 10 years, as well as during each pregnancy.

Adults when they turn 65 are also eligible to receive pneumococcal vaccine to prevent certain types of pneumonia.  For those between 65 and 70 who have never received the shingles vaccine, publicly funded shingles vaccines are available.

You can learn more about what other vaccines that may be recommended for you by talking to your healthcare professional, the health unit notes.

If you don’t have a healthcare provider, you can access publicly funded vaccines through the health unit.

For more information, visit smdhu.org or call Health Connection weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520.

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