π Argentina to make pneumococcal vaccine locally; BMI to hopefully be debunked; The WHO hopes to avoid being defunded
#549 | Mpox rises in Africa; Lessons on how to fight Marburg; Foot-and-mouth disease in bloom
Hello, and welcome back to what is a fairly short Kable this week.
The Africa CDC announced that in 2024, mpox jumped several rungs in the cause of disease ladder in Africa to reach the number three spot behind cholera and measles. And if a reminder were needed that mpox is still thriving in Africa, this week Sierra Leone reported its first mpox cases in two people with no travel history.
The Marburg outbreak in Rwanda which was so successfully quelled in such short time may have resonating effects elsewhere. The WHO reported earlier this week that 8 deaths reported from Tanzania were likely due to Marburg. Health officials in Tanzania, however, claim there is no indication of a Marburg outbreak in the country.
In a teeny-tiny bit of good news, PAHO has joined hands with Sinergium and Pfizer and the government in Argentina to localise manufacturing of Pfizer's 20-valent pneumococcal vaccine for Latin America and the Caribbean.
In other parts of the world, foot-and-mouth disease in cattle is kinda ruling the roost. After an outbreak was reported in Germany, France has upped checking while Germany says it has no new cases. Over in Indonesia, cases are still on the rise and authorities have launched vaccinations for livestock.
And bird flu? Well, in the US, at least one new human case was reported - in a child in San Francisco. The child showed minor symptoms and recovered successfully. Whether in response to this or whether they are in possession of other information, the US CDC announced new recommendations, including faster testing for bird flu in patients hospitalised with influenza. Over in China, three new cases of bird flu in humans were reported this week - two cases of H9N2 bird flu and one case of H10N3 bird flu. Out of an overabundance of caution, we're sure, Norway has secured an option for 11 million H5N1 bird flu vaccines, in case there's a pandemic, you know. The vaccines are expected to be delivered four to six months after a pandemic is declared.
And finally, having trouble sleeping at night? It might be your job with a new study in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology saying sedentary work is linked to a nearly 40% higher riskof insomnia-like symptoms. Get up, stand up, stand up for your nights.
Stories Of The Week
BMI? Screw that shit. BMI, long used as a simple measure of obesity based on weight and height, has been sorely misused as a definitive metric for assessing obesity and health. Experts argue itβs an imprecise tool that fails to account for critical factors like body composition and overall health impact, leading to misdiagnoses and inadequate care. A new framework endorsed by 76 medical organizations worldwide calls for a more nuanced approach, recommending obesity be classified as a spectrum with two categories: clinical obesity, where excess body fat is accompanied by reduced organ function or significant health issues, and pre-clinical obesity, characterized by excess body fat without immediate health impacts but posing long-term risks. This shift aims to refine diagnoses, better allocate healthcare resources, and clarify when interventions like GLP-1 drugs might be appropriate. Experts hope these changes will challenge outdated practices, encourage a broader understanding of obesity as a chronic condition, and inspire a shift in how health professionals and insurers address this complex issue. One can hope.
(The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology)
New year, new problems. The WHO this week launched a $1.5 billion appeal to address health emergencies affecting over 300 million people in 42 crisis zones, amid uncertainty over future US support as the Orange One prepares for a second term. Historically, the US has been the WHOβs largest donor, providing up to 50% of emergency funding and about 20% of its overall budget, but the Orange Oneβs previous moves to cut funding and withdraw from the agency raise concerns about a repeat. WHO documents warn that losing a major donor like the US would create an immediate, critical funding gap, jeopardising key programs. While the WHO remains hopeful for continued partnership, experts urge the agency to prepare for potential challenges under the new US administration.
(WHO)
Long reads
Seeing the back of Marburg. Gavi, in its VaccinesWork platform, has published a fascinating account of how Rwanda successfully squashed the recent outbreak of the Marburg virus over there. Excellent reading.
(Gavi)
Oh, and Gopal Nair doesn't want you to see this.