EU agencies track bird flu virus variants on increasing threat to humans Premium

European regulators monitor bird flu variants; 20% of South Asian women miss daily activities during periods; weather affects Salmonella outbreaks.

Two European regulators said they were tracking variants of the bird flu virus due to the threat of the pathogen adapting to spread between humans and triggering future pandemics. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority also issued recommendations drawing on genetic analyses and human case studies to outline current risks from the virus. ECDC said its experts identified 34 genetic mutations that might increase the potential of avian influenza viruses spreading to humans. Reuters

Periods ‘keep 20% of S Asian females from daily activities’

Nearly 20% of women and girls in south Asia abstain from regular daily activities during periods, according to a study published in The Lancet Global Health journal. Researchers, including those from the University of Melbourne, Australia, found that girls aged 15-19 years are the most affected.

They suggested that missing daily activities during menstruation can interfere with a woman’s quality of life and contribute to gender inequalities. The researchers also found that using contraceptives, especially hormonal methods, reduced absences during menstruation for women of all ages, suggesting that symptoms such as heavy bleeding or pain could be keeping women away from pursuing daily activities. The findings provide new evidence to inform future menstrual health research and public health interventions, the authors said. PTI

Weather linked to heightened risk of Salmonella outbreaks: study

According to new research from the University of Surrey, climate change has an impact on Salmonella spread. Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Salmonella can cause diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps, and it is most prominent in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene.

In the study, published in the Journal of Infection, researchers found warmer temperatures (above 10 degrees Celsius), relative humidity, dewpoint temperature (between 7-10 degrees Celsius), and longer days (over 12-15 hours) were identified as key weather factors associated with an increase in Salmonella cases, irrespective of geographical location.