A disease transmitted by mosquitoes — the Oropouche virus, also known as sloth fever — has been detected in the United States.

Travelers returning to the U.S. from Cuba contracted the virus in recent months, as reported by The Associated Press. No fatalities have been reported.

The Oropouche virus is endemic in the Amazon basin and has also been reported in South America and the Caribbean.

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More than 8,000 cases were reported globally between Jan. 1 and Aug. 1, 2024, including two deaths and five cases of transmission from mother to fetus, the CDC noted in an Aug. 16 advisory.

Sloth fever has been reported in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Cuba. 

So far, 11 cases have been identified in travelers returning from Cuba and Brazil, the CDC stated.

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"Although travel-associated cases have been identified in the United States, no evidence of local transmission currently exists within the United States or its territories," the agency said.

"As testing and surveillance for Oropouche virus disease increase in the Americas, reports of cases from additional countries are expected."

The Oropouche virus first emerged in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955. 

Since then, it has had "limited circulation" in regions of South America, particularly in forested areas, according to the CDC.

The disease is typically spread through bites from mosquitoes and midges (small flies, particularly the Culicoides paraensis species).

Three-toed sloths and birds have been identified as "natural reservoirs" for Oropouche, which means they act as hosts of the disease.

"The virus doesn't spread from person to person," Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, confirmed to Fox News Digital.

"There is some risk to the fetus in terms of birth defects."

Oropouche, classified as an arbovirus, is often mistaken for other similar viruses, like Zika, dengue, chikungunya and malaria, according to the CDC.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, muscle aches, stiff joints and chills.

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Some may develop a rash that begins on the torso and spreads to other body parts.

Symptoms usually begin within four to eight days of being bitten, and last for three to six days.

"Symptoms can abate and reoccur," Siegel noted.

In severe cases, patients may develop meningitis, encephalitis or other "neuroinvasive" diseases, the CDC stated.

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For those patients, symptoms can include intense headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, lethargy, stiff neck and involuntary eye movements. 

"Around 4% of patients develop [neurologic symptoms] after the first febrile illness," Siegel said.

Most people who contract Oropouche will recover on their own without any long-term effects, the CDC stated.

"There are no vaccines for prevention and no treatments," Siegel said.

The best means of prevention is to avoid bites from midges and mosquitoes, according to experts.

"People are advised to take preventive measures, including the use of repellents, clothing that covers legs and arms, and fine mesh mosquito nets, and to take extra precautions during outbreaks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women," the Pan American Health Organization advised in an alert.

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Supportive care can include rest, fluids and medication to reduce fever and alleviate pain.

"Patients who develop more severe symptoms should be hospitalized for close observation and supportive treatment," the agency stated.

Those who are experiencing symptoms and have risk factors can contact their local health department for testing.

"Clinicians in these areas where importation has occurred may not be familiar with this infection and need to be alert to its possibility," Dr. Amesh Adalja, M.D., an infectious disease expert at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore, told Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC for comment.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a public health advisory on Wednesday addressing the mental health and well-being of parents.

The advisory, which is reserved for "significant public health challenges that require the nation’s immediate awareness and action," discussed various factors that cause stress for parents and noted an urgent need for support.

"Parents have a profound impact on the health of our children and the health of society," Murthy wrote in a statement posted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

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"Yet parents and caregivers today face tremendous pressures, from familiar stressors such as worrying about their kids’ health and safety and financial concerns, to new challenges like navigating technology and social media, a youth mental health crisis, and an epidemic of loneliness that has hit young people the hardest," he went on. 

"As a father of two kids, I feel these pressures, too."

In the 30-page advisory, Murthy called for a "fundamental shift" in prioritizing the mental health and well-being of parents. 

"I am also outlining policies, programs and individual actions we can all take to support parents and caregivers," he said.

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Thirty percent of parents reported high levels of stress in the past month, compared to 20% of other adults, according to the advisory.

Severe stress can have "a deleterious effect," Murthy wrote — as 41% of parents reported that most days, they experience so much stress that they cannot function, while 48% said their stress is "completely overwhelming" on most days.

The COVID-19 pandemic was cited as a contributor to stressors among parents and caregivers, as well as financial stability, concerns for health and safety, management of tech and social media, parental loneliness, cultural pressures and their children’s future.

School safety concerns among parents are particularly high, as firearm-related injury has become the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the U.S.

Many parents also face circumstances such as family or community violence, poverty, and racism and discrimination, all of which can impact mental health.

"Both maternal and paternal mental health conditions are shown to impact the well-being of children," the advisory noted. 

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"Maternal mental health conditions have been found to significantly impact a child’s well-being and environment, and can serve as a critical determinant of child outcomes."

The surgeon general intends to "take steps to mitigate stress at every stage" for parents and caregivers, he said. 

Murthy’s advisory encouraged governments and employers to establish programs to ensure that parents have access to affordable mental health care, paid family and medical leave, and other family services.

The surgeon general also encouraged schools and communities to provide support services and groups to help parents manage stress.

Robin Hilmantel, senior director of editorial strategy and growth at What to Expect, part of Everyday Health, told Fox News Digital that this advisory "feels like a long-overdue acknowledgment of what has been obvious for a while now: Parents are struggling."

A What to Expect survey of more than 3,000 women found that more than two-thirds of moms (68%) experience anxiety, while 79% of Gen Z moms reported the same.

"There are a lot of reasons why being a parent today is so challenging — parenthood is isolating, as 76% of moms say they don’t have enough support in the form of a 'village,'" said Hilmantel, who is based in North Carolina.

"There’s also a culture of comparison for today’s parents — 83% of Gen Z moms say they feel pressure to be a perfect parent," she added. 

Some other top parental stressors, according to the survey, include safety, lack of time for themselves, finances and children's development.

"Remember that you’re not alone if you feel overwhelming stress; other parents are dealing with their own stressors," Hilmantel said. 

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"What you see on social media is often a highlight reel, so you definitely shouldn’t feel bad about your parenting based on anything you see online."

The expert suggested that parents should try to "cultivate a network of friends, family and acquaintances."

"Parents can add people to their village by attending in-person meetups where they can connect with other new parents, and by joining online communities where parents can openly discuss anything they’re struggling with," she said.

Hilmantel added that there is "no shame in directly asking family and friends for help."

So grab that cup of stimulation and get started. Our flavor today is pumpkin spice, for those tracking our habits. Now, though, the time has come to get busy. So please grab your own cup and dig in to the items of interest assembled below. We hope you have a wonderful day, and please do keep in touch. …

Delaware’s highest court agreed to hear an appeal by GSK and other drugmakers seeking to end more than 70,000 lawsuits claiming discontinued heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer, Reuters writes. GSK, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Boehringer Ingelheim are asking the court to overturn an order by a lower court judge allowing plaintiffs in the lawsuits to offer expert testimony on the alleged cancer link, which the companies argue is not supported by sound scientific methods. Without that testimony, the lawsuits cannot go forward. The drugmakers won a significant victory in 2022, when a federal judge in Florida rejected the plaintiffs’ expert witnesses in about 50,000 cases on the grounds that they did not use reliable scientific methods. Some of the Florida cases are being appealed, and the vast majority of the remaining cases are in Delaware.

Neurocrine Biosciences reported that the lowest dose of an experimental pill for schizophrenia reduced psychosis reported by patients in a mid-stage study, but higher doses of the drug also tested were ineffective, STAT informs us. The company said the study results supported advancing the medicine into Phase 3 studies next year. Investors viewed the mixed data with more concern, sending Neurocrine stock down 18% in early trading. The drug belongs to an emerging class of neuropsychiatric medicines that target muscarinic receptors in the brain. This type of drug has garnered a lot of attention due to the acquisitions of Karuna Therapeutics ($14 billion) and Cerevel Therapeutics ($8.7 billion) by Bristol Myers Squibb and AbbVie, respectively.

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…

This advanced technology promises to revolutionise cancer treatment, offering patients more precise, effective, and potentially life-saving care, according to Paula Agbowu, the hospital’s director of engineering services.

“Coming up is the acquisition of a linear accelerator machine that will be used to help treat some of our oncology cases,” Christine Greenidge, the hospital’s chief operating officer, said during this week’s Pulse Radio programme.

The new linear accelerator, expected to be operational by year’s end, represents a significant upgrade from the hospital’s current cobalt-based technology. It will enable oncologists to deliver highly targeted radiation therapy, potentially improving outcomes and reducing side effects for cancer patients, according to Agbowu.

The director of engineering services highlighted the transformative impact this acquisition will have on patient care.

“The actual linear accelerator will mean that the kind of treatment that we will be able to afford our patients will be much more enhanced than the treatment that we had before,” she stated. “This is an upgrade and a step up from what we had in place before.”

The installation of this sophisticated equipment is part of a broader £130 million investment in the hospital’s infrastructure and technology. This substantial funding, announced earlier this year by the Ministry of Health, underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services across the island. The first tranche of funding is expected to be released in the coming weeks, Agbowu revealed.

The hospital is undertaking comprehensive infrastructure improvements, including modifications to the treatment bunker, electrical systems, and IT infrastructure. Crucially, the QEH is investing in its staff to ensure they can maximise the potential of this new technology. Physicists, radiographers, and oncologists are already engaged in intensive training programmes to familiarise themselves with the linear accelerator’s advanced capabilities.

Meanwhile, the QEH is undertaking an ambitious initiative to transform healthcare delivery, making it more accessible and efficient for patients.

At the heart of this overhaul is an expansion of telehealth services, allowing remote monitoring of patients with chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure. This innovative approach enables medical staff to track vital signs from patients’ homes, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits and allowing for timely interventions.

QEH is also transitioning to electronic medical records, streamlining appointment management and granting patients easier access to their health information. The comprehensive upgrade extends to health information systems, enhancing both patient care and data protection. These initiatives are part of the $130 million capital expenditure programme designed to acquire new technology and upgrade existing systems at the hospital.

The post QEH on track to revolutionise cancer care with linear accelerator appeared first on Barbados Today.

The product is a generic equivalent of Alphagan P Ophthalmic Solution, 0.1%, of AbbVie Inc. It will be manufactured at Lupin's Pithampur facility in India.

Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.1% is an alpha adrenergic receptor agonist indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

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Open-Angle Glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, leading to vision loss. This damage is often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure), though normal-pressure glaucoma can also occur.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that Lupin Limited had received USFDA nod for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for Travoprost Ophthalmic Solution USP, 0.004%(Ionic Buffered Solution). Travoprost Ophthalmic Solution USP, 0.004%, is indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

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Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution (RLD Alphagan P) had an estimated annual sales of USD178.5 million in the U.S. (IQVIA MAT June 2024).

Lupin Limited is a global pharmaceutical Company headquartered in Mumbai, India, with products distributed in over 100 markets. Lupin specializes in pharmaceutical products, including branded and generic formulations, complex generics, biotechnology products, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The company has a presence in India and the U.S. across multiple therapy areas, including respiratory, cardiovascular, anti-diabetic, anti-infective, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and women’s health. Lupin has 15 state-of-the-art manufacturing sites and 7 research centers globally.

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