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Alberta Health Services (AHS) is warning the public about a lab-confirmed case of measles in the Calgary area, adding that the public may have been exposed. On Tuesday evening, AHS said an individual with a lab-confirmed case of measles had been in public areas while infectious. The agency said the infected person was on Air Canada flight AC206 from Vancouver on Nov. 23. The flight landed in Calgary at 12:45 p.m. and the patient then spent two and a half hours in the domestic arrivals area of the Calgary International Airport. The individual then checked into the emergency room at the Alberta Children’s Hospital at 4 p.m. on Nov. 24 where they spent five and a half hours in the waiting room before leaving. AHS says the patient returned to the hospital on Nov. 27 at 1:15 p.m., and spent an additional three hours in the waiting room. Health officials say the patient is now being monitored, but everyone who may have been in the above areas during the indicated times should take precautions. “Anyone who attended these locations at these times are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records and call HealthLink 811 for advice,” AHS said in a statement. “Anyone who attended these locations at these times who either were born after 1970, or have less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, may be at risk for developing measles.” Anyone who exhibits symptoms of measles, which include a fever of 38.3 C or higher, cough, runny nose/and or red eyes and a red blotchy rash that appears between three to seven days after fever, should stay home and call 811 for advice instead of visiting their health care provider. “Measles is an extremely contagious disease and is spread easily through the air. There is no treatment for measles; however, it can be prevented through immunization,” AHS said. Immunization for measles is offered to Albertans at no cost and is typically first administered to children at 12 months old, with a second dose given to them between four and six years old. AHS says anyone who believes they may have been exposed to this case of measles may also be able to receive immunizations. “Exposed people who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine, who are pregnant, under one year of age, or have a weakened immune system are encouraged to contact Health Link as they may be eligible for medication to prevent measles.” Further details about Alberta’s childhood immunization program can be found online.

Dame Jenny said it was ‘appropriate’ to release Covid-infected into care homes She told the Covid inquiry advice wasn’t ‘an invitation’ to discharge patients By Emily Craig Deputy Health Editor For Mailonline Published: 08:47 EST, 29 November 2023 | Updated: 10:49 EST, 29 November 2023

Video Credit: Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, can significantly weaken the immune system and compromise blood vessels, amplifying the challenges of combatting viral respiratory infections. In the second episode of Know Plan Go: Protect Yourself from Respiratory Infections, by Gulf News in partnership with Pfizer, Dr Sara Abdelmgeed breaks down different aspects of hypertension, highlighting its impact on blood vessels. She also discusses the ideal blood pressure readings and emphasises the need for consistent monitoring, especially at home, considering that over 40 per cent of hypertensive individuals might be unaware of their condition. Due to the greater susceptibility of individuals with hypertension to complications from common colds and flu, Dr Sara underscores the importance of seeking immediate medical attention in case of flu-like symptoms. “In the long term, hypertension will affect the wall of the blood vessels and it can lead to complications in different organs. It makes it a challenge for the immune system to fight and kill viruses. So, people with hypertension, especially those who have uncontrolled high blood pressure, are at high risk of getting complications and severe respiratory infections compared to those with normal blood pressure,” says Dr Sara. To watch the other episodes of the vodcast series, Know Plan Go, visit Gulfnews.com/know-plan-go. You can also listen to the episodes wherever you get our podcasts.

New research has demonstrated the potential for the ADDomer ™ platform to produce thermostable vaccines and reagents to tackle viral infections The study led by the University of Bristol and Imophoron, a biopharmaceutical company developing thermostable nanoparticle vaccines using its ADDomer platform, is published in Antibody Therapeutics today [29 November]. The research team explored the innovative technology behind the development of an ADDomer vaccine targeting severe acute respiratory syndrome COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). The study, using an integrated approach, combined synthetic, computational and structural methods with in vitro antibody selection and in vivo immunisation to design, produce and validate nature-inspired nanoparticle-based vaccines and reagents. The research demonstrates the use of Imophoron’s patented multivalent nanoparticle superbinder technology against SARS-CoV-2, including immune-evasive variants of concern. Imre Berger, Professor of Biochemistry and Director of the Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology at the University of Bristol, and co-author on the paper, said: “COVID-19 reminds us of the critical importance of being prepared for the next pandemic, requiring innovative approaches to help and speed up reagent and vaccine development against emerging threats. “Our study demonstrates the use of ADDomer-based nanoparticles in active and passive immunisation and provides a blueprint for developing reagents and vaccines to tackle respiratory viral infections.” Richard Bungay, Chief Executive of Imophoron, commented: “This important paper highlights Imophoron’s unique ADDomer and Gigabody technology platforms and their significant potential in developing novel, thermostable vaccines to combat infectious diseases. “The research represents a significant milestone for our team of world-class scientists, in collaboration with the excellent team at the University of Bristol, in our ongoing commitment to advancing global health.” Paper ‘In vitro generated antibodies guide thermostable ADDomer nanoparticle design for nasal vaccination and passive immunization against SARS-CoV-2′ by Imre Berger et al. in Antibody Therapeutics [open access] Further information About ImophoronImophoron was founded in 2017 and has developed a thermostable nanoparticle platform, ADDomer, a disruptive technology for the development of vaccines. The ADDomer platform is focused initially on the development of vaccines to combat present and future infectious diseases, and also has significant potential to treat diseases with high unmet needs such as oncology. The ADDomer platform is based on a self-assembling thermotolerant protein that permits rapid insertion of large numbers of epitopes in a single particle. Imophoron is building a pipeline of thermostable, nanoparticle ADDomer vaccines, including multivalent approaches, to address critical medical challenges that impact communities worldwide. Imophoron has also developed a novel nanobody platform, Gigabody, which has broad range of potential applications across multiple therapeutic areas.

Caroline Sampson, 60, contracted an antibiotic-resistant urinary tract infection (UTI) in 2016 after undergoing a minor gynaecological procedure. Almost seven years on with little respite, she says the condition has been life-changing. Ms Sampson is just one of many in the UK living with antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which has become a leading public health threat in recent years. “We expect antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, but sometimes, that’s simply impossible,” Dame Jenny Harris, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), warned last week, emphasising the surge in antibiotic-resistant infections in the UK. Most people think of antibiotic resistance as a worry for the future. Termed the ‘silent pandemic,’ projections show that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could claim 10 million lives annually by 2050. But AMR is very much here today. Globally, it has already superseded leading infectious disease killers, including malaria and HIV. In England alone, 58,224 people experienced an antibiotic-resistant infection in 2022, up 4 per cent from 2021. Ms Sampson’s problems began in 2016 when she was prescribed a three-day course of antibiotics to treat a UTI Credit: Matt Writtle Common antibiotic-resistant infections in the UK include MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Clostridium difficile (C. diff) – both of which plague hospital wards and pose an especially acute risk to frail, often elderly, post-operative patients. Other common bacterial infections, including UTIs, some forms of diarrhoea, and sexually transmitted infections have also become subject to high levels of drug resistance. These and other infections pose a particular risk to the young, and without effective treatment can spread and prove fatal. Ms Sampson’s journey with antibiotic resistance began in 2016 when she was prescribed a three-day course of antibiotics to treat a UTI, which she developed after having a hormonal coil fitted by her GP. The antibiotics failed to clear the infection, however, and it came back with a vengeance. “I’ve tried and tried, and I can’t get rid of it,” she said. Over the past seven years, she has been prescribed more than 11 different oral antibiotics, to little avail. She even received an intravenous gentamicin injection, usually reserved for the most severe antibacterial infections, namely sepsis. But even that didn’t work. Living with a resistant and chronic UTI has made Ms Sampson’s life extremely difficult. “I’m really limited in what I can do on a day-to-day basis,” she said. Without an available treatment to ease her discomfort, she says her life has changed dramatically. Her plans are often cancelled due to constant pain and years of antibiotic treatment have led to debilitating side effects, including “destroying” her gut health and developing neuropathic pains in her legs, hindering her ability to walk. The physical and mental strain of AMR eventually led her to quit her job at a major public school, a position she had held for some 25 years. “I’m homebound a lot of the time, and I don’t cope very well. Somedays are absolutely dreadful. It’s been heartbreaking.” Vanessa Carter, 44, is also living with the fallout from AMR. An executive director, she battled a recurrent MRSA infection following a car crash that led to multiple reconstructive surgeries on her face. A cheek prosthetic Ms Carter had implanted during one surgery became infected. Multiple debridement (cleaning) operations were performed in order to save the prosthetic and rid her of the bacteria, operations which subsequently failed. She spent three years on different antibiotics, none of which seemed to work. The invasive MRSA infection then spread to the bone in her cheek. MRSA typically lives on the skin, if it gets into the bloodstream it can lead to sepsis. “One mistake I made repeatedly was to quit a course of antibiotics halfway. I was ignorant of the risks of doing so,” she said. “That was contributing to my antibiotic-resistant infection worsening.” After a challenging three-year battle with illness, a breakthrough emerged with the introduction of the last-resort antibiotic Vancomycin. While the medication proved effective in overcoming the infection, its aftermath has left Ms Carter scared physically. Now a member of the recently-created World Health Organisation (WHO) Strategic Technical Advisory Group on AMR, Ms Carter is an advocate for patient education and resistance prevention. She also runs a patient-support charity for survivors, the AMR Narrative. “Antibiotics are life-saving drugs, but we keep squandering them unnecessarily. Diseases that we once thought we had under control will threaten us again. From experience, nothing could be more frightening than feeling like you have lost the battle.” There are a number of causes for AMR. Human behaviour is a primary cause. Microbial resistance is a natural process but is heavily aggravated by excessive and incorrect use of drugs. When a patient does not finish their prescribed course of antibiotics, it allows some bacteria to survive and adapt, reducing the effectiveness of the drug in future. Similarly, when antibiotics are used to treat a viral condition, it exposes bacteria to the drugs unnecessarily, allowing them an opportunity to become resistant. This is particularly challenging in fragile health systems, where antibiotics are often under-regulated. Bacteria can be spread through airborne transmission, water, food, animals, plants and humans; factors including poor sanitation and access to clean water can add significantly to the issue. Agriculture also plays a significant role in AMR. The use of antibiotics in livestock for disease prevention and promotion of growth has notably contributed to the rise of resistant bacteria that can then spread to humans. Neil Ward, a global genomics expert at PacBio, is calling for greater collaboration and sharing of genomic pathogens to bolster communication between health and policy bodies. Specifically, Mr Ward argues that better investment into the genetic sequencing of agricultural threats will allow for stronger international biosurveillance, allowing scientists and officials to respond better to new antimicrobial threats. The WHO has echoed this, calling for “cross-sectional collaboration” from the agricultural sector, to the food industry, to health and pharmaceutical leaders. Mr Ward suggests that government organisations, including the UK’s Department of Environment, Food & Health (DEFRA) could