RESPIRATORY ILLNESS SURGE IN CHINA
In recent months, China has experienced a notable increase in respiratory infections, particularly in its northern regions. This surge has been largely attributed to the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus that causes flu-like symptoms. First identified in 2001, HMPV is a common pathogen that typically peaks during the winter months. It primarily affects young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include cough, fever, and runny nose, and in severe cases, it can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia.
The recent outbreak has led to overcrowded hospitals in northern China, with social media images depicting packed waiting rooms. While these images are unverified, they underscore the strain on healthcare facilities. Despite the surge, health experts emphasize that HMPV is a known virus and does not pose the same threat level as novel pathogens like COVID-19. There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for HMPV; management focuses on supportive care to alleviate symptoms.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that the increase in respiratory infections in China is within the expected range for the winter season. The WHO has not reported any unusual patterns or novel pathogens associated with this outbreak. Chinese health authorities have also stated that the rise in cases is due to improved detection methods and the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, which has led to increased circulation of common respiratory viruses.
To mitigate the spread of HMPV and other respiratory infections, health experts recommend standard preventive measures such as regular hand washing, wearing masks in crowded places, and maintaining good respiratory hygiene. Individuals experiencing severe or persistent symptoms are advised to seek medical attention promptly.
In summary, while the uptick in HMPV cases in China has placed a temporary strain on healthcare resources, it remains within the expected seasonal patterns. Ongoing monitoring and adherence to preventive health measures are essential to manage and reduce the impact of such respiratory outbreaks.
EBOLA VICTIMS
Stories from Liberia‚ Serra Leon and Guinea are depressing but the tragedies could have been prevented. This is why… It is a policy question! Just curious… where did the Ebola virus get its name? What is the shape of HIV/AIDS virus? If I told you that rabies is the most lethal virus so far‚ would you be shocked? I hope you make it to this Symposium for there is so much that you will not hear from the media or even CDC for us to share. We will put faces on Ebola and hopefully invite a speaker (Nurse) who returned from Liberia to answer your questions. As most of you know‚ there is always a political angle for some when dealing with a complex problem. Charges were being prepared for Duncan. You do not have to be an attorney to ask… charge him for what? We cannot wait for another Ebola. Act now!
A comprehensive approach for initiating and sustaining healthcare in Africa can be summed as preventive care‚ disease cure or treatment‚ health maintenance and sustainability using poverty reduction programs. Education and implementation of transparent changes in lifestyles to prevent or treat diseases are a way to embed the changes as new culture. From a Public and Global Health perspective‚ we should deconstruct the meaning neighborhoods since humans are careers of most infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and the Ebola. Literally speaking‚ an infected Ebola patient in Liberia is an infected Ebola patient living in a Boston neighborhood. If we are passive or think that Liberia is an ocean away from Boston we are making a grievous mistake. How we mitigate the spread of diseases such as Ebola‚ HIV/AIDS and other contagious diseases to protect our neighbors is an integral part of this presentation. The presentation uses economics‚ law‚ sociology‚ polity‚ health and healthcare literature reviews‚ and case study to propose new strategies for creating and solving health and healthcare problems of our neighboring African countries.
BREAK-THROUGH – HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS FOR AFRICA
It took three days to treat a malaria patient in Polyclinic Bonanjo Hospital in Douala‚ Cameroon because of the protocols put in place under my leadership as Company Administrative and Financial Director. Just three days in Polyclinic Bonanjo Hospital‚ a facility that I managed the day-to-day operations for more than four years. During my tenure‚ the death rate for malaria at the facility was zero. But in other African countries‚ CDC puts the death rate from malaria in these gloomy colorful words: “Every year more than a million people worldwide die as a result of malaria. Ninety percent of them occur in Sub-Saharan Africa”.
Unfortunately‚ many healthcare givers do not discern between treating a patient and building healthcare management systems with effective protocols‚ procedures and policies. Flawed response to the Ebola cases in Texas provided firsthand knowledge of how an effective hospital can loss a patient due to insufficient management systems. Most of African countries healthcare problems are tied to inadequate healthcare management systems and a propensity to create dependency mediation programs that end with the next crisis. The lack of resources are a factor for the healthcare problems facing African countries‚ but also resources cannot improve healthcare in Africa if healthcare strategic planning is an after-thought.
Modules from Africa‚ especially from rural regions and from Western Harvard Teaching hospitals provide abundant research material on how to create and sustain effective healthcare in Sub-Sahara African countries. The Ebola virus has grabbed recent media headlines as if the 5’ African countries in Africa are infected with the Ebola virus and other diseases have disappeared. The truth is that many Africans were and are still dying from diseases such as HIV/AIDS‚ malaria‚ malnutrition‚ heart attacks‚ strokes‚ tuberculosis‚ meningitis‚ cholera‚ typhoid and cancer.
Comparable to the malaria protocol employed at Polyclinic Bonanjo Hospital in Douala‚ Cameroon‚ my six years’ research provides a break-through for improving and sustainability healthcare in Africa. The Ebola is no different than meningitis that kills children in Northern Cameroon or an easily controlled cholera that continues to take several hundreds of lives in the same region. The tendency is to ignore these diseases and focus onto the Ebola until the next disease crisis arrives. African countries need healthcare sustainability programs that enable their citizens to be their first doctors instead of dependency programs such as the Chinese factories stationed in Cameroon to sew mosquito nets for the Government to distribute to some citizens‚ most who live in the two major cities.
In the United States‚ only one patient has died from the Ebola virus and the hustle and bustle from some Americans has been to ground some sectors of our economy due public anxiety. If the American people are calling for the United States Government to quarantine American citizens and to close borders even to American citizens‚ what rational are we giving African countries who need to collaborate during these healthcare challenging times?
The break-through research provides not only theoretical work based on best practices from other parts of the world but also a POC conducted in Cameroon with outstanding results. The question is if we can support the implementation of such programs in Sub-Sahara Africa. Supporting the programs is the “Peace of Mind” that Americans take such as the HR & Block when filing EOY taxes. African countries need strong healthcare management systems that remain strong. “The Tragedy of the Rabbits: A means to initiate and sustain healthcare in Africa” caps my research and provides the “Peace of Mind” the West and Africans need. Globalization has weaknesses too‚ since diseases no longer recognize country boundaries. Therefore most of the conventional methodologies designed and put into place ten to twenty years ago are obsolete and no longer working in the 21st century.
Northeastern University‚ Massachusetts USA in writing about my early research work noted that‚ “Agwo Tata is determined to improve healthcare in Africa. But cautioned that it is a tall tree”. You are invited to witness the Break-through of six years’ R&D and determine if Northeastern University and Boston Globe‚ NECN TV‚ VOA and many news outlets that published my story were woolgathering or they were expecting to see if I could conduct an effective research that would provide results.
BROWSE: CDC EBOLA UPDATES