Category: Infection

Two Connecticut residents died over the summer due to infections linked to bacteria found in raw shellfish or seawater, health officials said Tuesday. The state Department of Public Health said that three people there are known to have been infected with the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. However, the state Bureau of Aquaculture said earlier this month that Connecticut shellfish have never been associated with such infections and that the bureau tests commercial oysters statewide and has not detected it in any samples. Two of the three cases were wound infections not associated with seafood. The third was in a Connecticut resident who consumed raw oysters not harvested from Long Island Sound at an out-of-state establishment. NEW COVID SUBVARIANT, ERIS, IS NOW MOST COMMON AND FASTEST-SPREADING IN US: ‘NEVER GOING AWAY’ Two Connecticut residents have died this summer from infections linked to bacteria found in raw shellfish, the state Department of Public Health said Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) All three were between the ages of 60 and 80. The two deaths occurred in July, and the health department said it was the first time Connecticut has seen a Vibrio case in three years. Five cases were reported there in 2020. Vibrio vulnificus has never been found in state waters, it noted, with the majority of infections linked to shellfish from much warmer waters. Nearly a decade ago, the state added requirements to cool oysters to the point where such bacteria cannot survive. Vibrio vulnificus can cause life-threatening wound infections. (BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) CONNECTICUT MAN SEEN BRUTALLY ATTACKING POLICE OFFICER WITH HAMMER ON BODY CAMERA In high-risk areas, harvested oysters are immediately placed in an ice slurry. For lower-risk areas, harvesters must refrigerate or ice all oysters within five hours of harvest. Notably, the bacterium does not make an oyster look, smell or taste any different from usual. Infections can result in severe illness, including bloodstream infections. It can also cause wound infections, and people who become infected can get seriously ill and need intensive care or limb amputation. Vibriosis causes an estimated 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths in the United States every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) About one in five people die from this type of infection, with the elderly and those with weakened immune systems most at risk. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “People should consider the potential risk of consuming raw oysters and exposure to salt or brackish water and take appropriate precautions. Particularly during the hottest months of the summer, bacteria are more likely to overgrow and contaminate raw shellfish,” Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said in a July release. “Given our current heat wave, this may be a time to exercise particular caution in what you consume.” The Associated Press contributed to this report. Julia Musto is a reporter for Fox News and Fox Business Digital.

Mandatory cookies are used on our website www.aa.com.tr in order to provide you with a better service. These cookies cannot be disabled via the “Cookie Control Panel”. You can view the cookies used on our site via the “Cookie Control Panel” and change your preferences. Necessary Cookies This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots. This is beneficial for the web site, in order to make valid reports on the use of their web site. Functional Cookies Remembers the user’s selected language version of a website. Performance/Analytical Cookies Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.Used by Google Analytics to throttle request rate. Advertising/Marketing Cookies This cookie is used to collect information on consumer behavior, which is sent to Alexa Analytics. (Alexa Analytics is an Amazon company.)

Researchers have uncovered a massive campaign that delivered proxy server apps to at least 400,000 Windows systems. The devices act as residential exit nodes without users’ consent and a company is charging for the proxy traffic running through the machines.. Residential proxies are valuable to cybercriminals because they can help with deploying large-scale credential stuffing attacks from fresh IP addresses. They also have legitimate purposes like ad verification, data scraping, website testing, or privacy-enhancing rerouting. Some proxy companies sell access to residential proxies and offer monetary rewards to users who agree to share their bandwidth. In a report today, AT&T Alien Labs says that the 400,000-node proxy network was built by using malicious payloads that delivered the proxy application. Despite the company behind the botnet claiming that users gave their consent, the researchers discovered that the proxy installed silently on the devices. “Although the proxy website claims that its exit nodes come only from users who have been informed and agreed to the use of their device, Alien Labs has evidence that malware writers are installing the proxy silently in infected systems,” AT&T Alien Labs “In addition, as the proxy application is signed, it has no anti-virus detection, going under the radar of security companies,” the researchers added. The same company controlled exit nodes created by a malicious payload called AdLoad that targeted macOS systems, which AT&T reported last week. In fact, the two Go-based binaries (for macOS and Windows) appear to originate from the same source code, however, the Windows proxy client evades antivirus detection due to using a valid digital signature. Proxyware infection The infection starts with the execution of a loader hidden in cracked software and games, which downloads and installs the proxy application automatically in the background without user interaction. The malware authors use Inno Setup with specific parameters that hide any indicators of the installation process and all typical user prompts. During the installation of the proxy client, the malware sends specific parameters, which are also relayed to the command and control (C2) server so that the new client can be registered and incorporated into the botnet. Installation and establishing persistence (AT&T) The proxy client establishes persistence on the infected system by creating a registry key to activate it when the system boots and a by adding a scheduled task that to check for new client updates. “The proxy then continuously gathers vital information from the machine to ensure optimal performance and responsiveness,” explains the AT&T report. “This includes everything from the process list and monitoring CPU to memory utilization and even tracking battery status.” Data collection taking place on the infected device (AT&T) How to protect AT&T recommends looking for a “Digital Pulse” executable at “%AppData%” or a similarly named Registry key on “HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun.” If any are present, the researchers recommend removing them. The name of the scheduled task is “DigitalPulseUpdateTask” and should also be deleted to eliminate the chance of the client update mechanism re-introducing the infection. Finally, avoid downloading pirated software and running executables sourced from dubious locations like peer-to-peer networks or site offering premium software free of charge. Signs of proxyware infection include performance and internet speed degradation, unexpected network traffic patterns, frequent communication with unknown IPs or domains, and system alerts.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is reporting the first human infections in 2023, caused by West Nile Virus (WNV). Over the last month, evidence of WNV activity has increased across the state and is now considered to be widespread, the state health department reports. Positive mosquito pools have been identified in many regions of the state, and human infections have occurred in central, south central and southeast Oklahoma, according to the health department. WNV spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito. In Oklahoma, WNV is primarily spread by the Culex mosquito, which feeds on infected birds and then spreads the virus when biting humans, horses, and some other mammals. This type of mosquito increases in abundance during mid to late summer when temperatures are high, and the weather pattern is dry. “We expect human cases of WNV every year,” said Jolianne Stone, the State Epidemiologist. “Typically, summertime is the beginning of the WNV season in Oklahoma, so with more people participating in outdoor activities there are increased opportunities for encountering infected mosquitoes.” OSDH officials are reminding the public to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites as mosquito surveillance pools in the state show continued WNV activity. Tips to avoid mosquito bites and prevent WNV: Use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin and clothing when going outdoors, particularly between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are more likely to bite. Insect repellent with permethrin should be used on clothing only. Repair or install window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of the home. Prevent items such as buckets, cans, pool covers, flowerpots, children’s toys and tires from holding water to prevent providing mosquitoes a place to breed. Empty pet’s outdoor water bowl and refill daily. Scrub and refill bird baths every three days. Clean leaves and debris from rain gutters regularly to ensure they are not clogged. While the vast majority of individuals with WNV will likely never experience symptoms following an infection, those with symptoms, are often mild and may include sudden fever, headache, and body and joint pain. Recovery typically occurs within one to three weeks. People older than 50 years, diabetics, or those experiencing uncontrolled hypertension are at a greater risk of developing severe neurologic disease from WNV infection. When the disease affects the nervous system, it can cause confusion or disorientation, loss of consciousness, paralysis, neck stiffness or coma. Long lasting complications of WNV disease can include difficulty concentrating, migraines, headaches, extreme muscle weakness and tremors, and paralysis of a limb. There is no vaccine or treatment drug for this illness. The best defense is taking steps to avoid mosquito bites. For more information on WNV, including historical reported cases, click here.

CONNECTICUT — The second of the three Connecticut residents who were exposed to a very rare flesh-eating bacteria has been reported dead. The three patients were between 60-80 years of age, and all were hospitalized earlier this summer. Both deaths occurred in July, according to DPH spokesperson Chris Boyle. The first was reported July 28, the second this week. The bacteria Vibrio vulnificus can cause severe infections when in contact with saltwater, brackish waters or contact with raw or undercooked shellfish. Two of the three infections reported in Connecticut were wound infections not associated with seafood. The third infection was a Connecticut resident that consumed raw oysters not harvested from Long Island Sound at an out-of-state establishment. No Connecticut shellfish have ever been associated with Vibrio vulnificus illnesses, according to state Department of Agriculture spokesperson Rebecca Eddy. The department’s Bureau of Aquaculture routinely monitors oyster harvest areas statewide for vibrio levels during the summer months. Samples are screened for levels of total vibrio bacteria and then Vibrio vulnificus and pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus levels, according to the bureau. People with a Vibrio vulnificus infection can get seriously ill and need intensive care or limb amputation. About one in five people with this type of infection die. People at greatest risk for illness from the infection are those with weakened immune systems and the elderly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some Vibrio vulnificus infections lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection in which the flesh around an open wound dies, inspiring the “flesh-eating bacteria” moniker. The necrotizing fasciitis can be caused by more than one type of bacteria, according to the CDC. Watery diarrhea, often accompanied by stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever For bloodstream infection: fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure, and blistering skin lesions For wound infection, which may spread to the rest of the body: fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, and discharge (leaking fluids). To reduce your chance of getting this type of infection, the CDC suggests following these precautions: Don’t eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish. If you have a wound (including from a recent surgery, piercing, or tattoo), stay out of saltwater or brackish water, if possible. This includes wading at the beach. Cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if it could come into contact with saltwater, brackish water, marine life, or raw or undercooked seafood and its juices. This contact can happen during everyday activities, such as swimming, fishing, or walking on the beach. Wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water after they have contact with saltwater, brackish water, marine life, raw seafood, or its juices.

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email People with lung infections are being encouraged to keep eating vegetables such as Brussels sprouts and cabbage in a bid to ease their illness. Scientists said that cruciferous vegetables, which include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, horseradish and turnips, contain a molecule which helps to maintain a healthy “barrier” in the lung which may in turn ease lung infections. Researchers from the Francis Crick Institute examined a protein called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), which can be activated by natural molecules in this type of vegetable. The effect AHR has on immune cells is well understood but now scientists have found that it also plays a role in endothelial cells lining blood vessels in the lung. The lung has a barrier made up of two layers, one of endothelial cells and one of epithelial cells, which allow oxygen to enter. But the barrier has to be kept strong to ward off pollution, viruses and bacteria. It’s a good idea to eat lots of cruciferous vegetables anyway, but this shows it’s even more important to continue eating them when you’re ill Andreas Wack The research team from the Crick conducted a series of experiments on mice which found that AHR plays an important role in helping maintain a strong barrier. Mice with flu were found to have blood in air spaces between their lungs because it had leaked across a damaged barrier. But AHR appeared to stop the barrier from leaking as much. They found that when AHR was “overactivated” there was less blood in lung spaces. The scientists also found that mice with enhanced AHR activity did not lose as much weight when infected with flu, and were able to better fight off a bacterial infection on top of the original virus. When AHR was prevented from being expressed in lung endothelial cells of mice, there was greater damage to the barrier, according to the study published in the journal Nature. Meanwhile, infected mice did not eat as much food when ill so their intake of foods which activated AHR was reduced, which appeared to lead to more lung damage. Mice on a diet rich with cruciferous vegetables were found to have healthier lung barriers and suffered less lung damage when infected with flu. Andreas Wack, group leader of the Immunoregulation Laboratory at the Crick, said: “Until recently, we’ve mainly looked at barrier protection through the lens of immune cells. “Now we’ve shown that AHR is important for maintaining a strong barrier in the lungs through the endothelial cell layer, which is disrupted during infection. “People may be less likely to maintain a good diet when they’re ill, so aren’t taking in the molecules from vegetables which make this system work. It’s a good idea to eat lots of cruciferous vegetables anyway, but this shows it’s even more important to continue eating them when you’re ill.” Commenting on the study, Dr John Tregoning, reader in respiratory infections at Imperial College London, said: “This study is important because it shows how the cells that line the lungs protect against damage following viral infection and that protection from infectious disease is not the sole reserve of the immune system. “The study shows that a compound derived from broccoli (and other cruciferous vegetables) can improve protection against viral lung damage. “The study is well performed and the conclusions in the mouse model are well backed up. “How this study translates into people during lung infection needs further work.”

The Health Ministry warns of the risk of serious eye infections from swimming in the Sea of Galilee. In a statement, the ministry says at least three cases have been reported in recent days of inflammation of the cornea and corneal scarring, caused by microsporidia, a fungal parasite in the water. This fungus can enter the body via the soft tissue around the eye while a person swims. The ministry urges those who intend to enter the lake to wear goggles. Those who are experiencing symptoms are urged to seek medical help immediately.

ByZarafshan Shiraz, New Delhi Aug 16, 2023 07:31 PM IST Share Via Copy Link There are a large number of people who are detected with hepatitis A and E during the rainy season. Here are its causes along with treatment and prevention tips Gastrointestinal problems, including liver diseases, surge during the monsoon season owing to factors such as contaminated water and food hence, there are a large number of people who are detected with hepatitis A and E during the rainy season. People should take precautionary measures to keep liver problems at bay and lead a healthy life and avoid eating unclean raw food and vegetables, give up on street food as it can be made with contaminated water, get vaccinated for hepatitis and take medication prescribed by the doctor only. Causes of increased hepatitis risk in monsoon, tips for a healthy liver (Photo by Twitter/AbeDan14) In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Harshad Joshi, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Apollo Spectra in Mumbai, shared, “Monsoon is synonymous with a host of gastrointestinal problems including hepatitis infection. From children to adults to senior citizens, anyone can suffer from liver problems. “Contamination during rainy seasons leads to stomach infections. The common stomach infections are dysentery and diarrhea causing stomach pain, loose motions, and nausea. Typhoid is a serious bacterial infection causing High fever, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Hepatitis A and Jaundice can also give one a tough time. Hepatitis A means inflammation (swelling) of the liver. Poor sanitation, and water and food contamination raise the chances of dysfunction. One will suffer from jaundice leading to yellow eyes, yellow urine, white stools and stomach pain.” Dr Vikas Pandey, Gastroenterologist at Zynova Shalby Hospital, highlighted, “Liver infections or hepatitis cases are on the rise during monsoon owing to A and E viruses. One gets hepatitis A or E because of contaminated food or water or from close contact with an infected person. Eating food available on the streets or opting for pre-cut fruits that may be washed with contaminated water, drinking juices, and having pani puris, gola, sherbet made from contaminated water or ice, unclean raw food, and vegetables can make one prone to hepatitis. In 2021, 110 people suffering from liver and gastrointestinal diseases were treated during monsoon. In 2022, the number of patients increased to 326 patients. This year, when the rainy season has just started, 220 patients suffering from liver problems and gastrointestinal diseases have been found. Water intake is greatly reduced during monsoons. It increases liver and stomach-related disorders. So it is very important to drink enough water irrespective of the season.” Dr Vikram Raut, Director of Liver Transplantation and HPB Surgery at Medicover Hospitals in Navi Mumbai, revealed, “Hepatitis A and E can take a toll on one’s overall well-being. It can steal one’s peace of mind as if left untreated, they can damage the liver. Hepatitis A and E presents as jaundice when the skin and the eyes turn yellow. One’s condition can worsen when he/she doesn’t seek timely treatment leading to acute liver failure and ultimately liver transplantation.” Talking about the treatment and preventive measures, Dr Harshad Joshi suggested, “The treatment will be based on symptoms and differ from one-person-to-another. Take the medication prescribed by the doctor only. Avoid eating raw food and vegetables or street food and boil the water before drinking. Juices and other drinks are a strict no-no as they may contain contaminated ice, do not eat pre-cut fruits available at roadside stalls, wash hands from time to time.” Topics Treatment Stomach Pain Hepatitis A Vaccination Hepatitis C Hepatitis B Monsoon Health Fitness Rain Rains Rainfall Liver

Vibriosis, a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection that can cause skin breakdown and ulcers, has been identified in a recently deceased individual from Suffolk County, New York. Fatal cases of vibriosis have also been identified in Connecticut. Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday urged New Yorkers to learn how to avoid exposure and to take appropriate precautions, as the New York State Department of Health reminded providers to consider vibriosis when diagnosing wound infections or sepsis of unknown origins. Vibriosis is caused by several species of bacteria, including the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, which occurs naturally in saltwater coastal environments and can be found in higher concentrations from May to October when the weather is warmer. Infection with vibriosis can cause a range of symptoms when ingested, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever and chills. Exposure can also result in ear infections and cause sepsis and life-threatening wound infections. The death in Suffolk County is still being investigated to determine if the bacteria was encountered in New York waters or elsewhere. In the meantime, the New York State Department of Health this week reminded healthcare providers to consider vibrio vulnificus when seeing individuals with severe wound infections or sepsis with or without wound infections. While anyone can get vibriosis, those with liver disease, cancer, or a weakened immune system or people taking medicine to decrease stomach acid levels may be more likely to get an infection or develop complications when infected. To help prevent vibriosis, people with a wound, such as a cut or scrape, a recent piercing or tattoo, should avoid exposing skin to warm seawater in coastal environments or cover the wound with a waterproof bandage. In addition, those with compromised immune systems should avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish, such as oysters, which can carry the bacteria. Wear gloves when handling raw shellfish and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water when finished. More information about vibriosis can be found here (https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/vibriosis/index.htm). Get the top stories on your radio 24/7 on Finger Lakes News Radio 96.3 and 1590, WAUB and 106.3 and 1240, WGVA, and on Finger Lakes Country, 96.1/96.9/101.9/1570 WFLR.

Antibiotic use and infections are closely associated with late-onset atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a study published in Annals of Dermatology. The researchers explained that recent studies have suggested that varying onset times of AD may differ by patient risk factors. Consequently, they conducted a nationwide population-based case-control study to investigate potential differences in the influence of antibiotic use or infections on AD risk according to patients’ onset ages. They analyzed data of patients with AD from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The researchers identified patients with AD as those who visited medical institutions with an AD principal diagnostic code (L20, L20.0, L20.8, and L20.9 in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision) more than twice in 6 months, defining AD onset as the patient’s first visit date. For comparison, the researchers created an age- and sex-matched control group for each patient with AD. Similarly, the researchers identified patients’ infection episodes as their visits to medical institutes with a principal diagnostic code for infectious diseases. Also, they calculated the number of infection episodes and categorized them by organ involvement (eg, respiratory, gastrointestinal, otology, genitourinary, cutaneous, hematologic). Additionally, the researchers defined antibiotic cycles as a prescription of antibiotics, calculating the number of antibiotic cycles and the use duration. white pills spilling from orange bottle | Image credit: neirfy – stock.adobe.com. The study population consisted of 244,805 children with AD and an equal amount of sex- and age-matched healthy children. The researchers divided the patients according to onset age; the early-onset group consisted of patients who developed AD at younger than 2 years and the late-onset group consisted of those who developed AD at 2 years or older. Of the population, 216,563 (88.5%) developed AD before age 2 years. The analysis showed that infections had a positive association with AD risk in both groups, but it was greater in those with late-onset AD (odds ratio [OR], 15.81; 95% CI, 12.40-20.17; early-onset group: OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.54-1.59). Through further analysis, the researchers found that the association was strongest after skin infections in the early-onset group (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.91-1.99) and respiratory infections in the late-onset group (OR, 15.57; 95% CI, 12.44-19.49). Antibiotic use was also positively associated with AD risk in both groups, with the association stronger in the late-onset group (OR, 8.78; 95% CI, 7.42-10.40; early-onset group: OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.06-1.09). Through their findings, the researchers concluded that the degree of association between the risk of AD and infection or antibiotic use was different as they found it to have a greater influence on late-onset AD. They also found that respiratory infections strongly affected late-onset AD development. “Abnormal epithelial barrier or immune regulation can be the common underlying risk factors for AD and respiratory infection,” the authors wrote. “These immune responses may explain the strong association between respiratory infection and AD identified in this study.” The researchers acknowledged their study’s limitations, one being that they could not find information on confounding factors like environmental influences or a personal or family history of atopic disorders. Despite these limitations, they concluded by noting that “the prevention of infections can be a way to reduce the risk of AD, especially late-onset AD.” Reference Choi CW, Yang BR, Suh DI, et al. Infections and exposure to antibiotics may affect the development of late-onset rather than early-onset atopic dermatitis. Ann Dermatol. 2023;35(4):325-328. doi:10.5021/ad.21.240