Ify's EpiCorner

Many diseases are caused by more than one exposure. For example, there is a high risk of developing CHD on the basis of cigarette smoking, elevated blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. For there to be a reduction in the incidence of CHD in the population, public health programs would be directed towards reducing or eliminating these causal exposures. This is the aim of epidemiologic research; to identify and assess risk factors as well as planning and evaluating public health intervention or control measures so as to reduce the incidences of disease in the population. For this to be possible, the epidemiologist must be able to predict the impact of the removable of a particular exposure on the risk of developing a disease. This then begs the question:      What amount of the risk of developing a disease is attributable to a particular exposure? ·    By what percent would the risk of developing disease be reduced if the exposure were elim...

Hepatitis E cases on the rise in India Source: The Times of India, Rajkot WHO    The number of patients suffering from hepatitis E and jaundice in the Mehsana town situated in Gujarat State, India has been on the increase since September this year. Kasba, Hydri Chowk, Babi Vado, Faiza No Vado and Siddhapuri Bazaar localities in old Mehsana town have recorded over 400 cases. However, the Health Department has put the number to 68. A resident of Babi Vado, Sarfaraz Fakirbhai Motisara said there are as many as 400 people affected by stomach ailments and seven are from his family alone. Thirty-year-old Mezbin Baby, a patient, said, "Water supply pipelines were damaged in September when telephone cables were being replaced in our locality. This led to contamination of drinking water. The civic body was alerted, but it paid no heed to our complaints. Motisara said, "We gheraoed the municipal office on Wednesday, thus forcing it to act on the matter." ...

Mosquito Borne Viruses ABC News Australia Following a number of confirmed cases of mosquitoes borne viruses in Australia, the Health Department is reminding people to take extra care and to avoid mosquito bites. In Kimberley and Wheatbelt there have been again another confirmed case of Murray Valley Encephalitis and Kunjin virus respectively.  Also cases of Ross River and Barmah viruses have been detected between Perth and the South West. Medical entomologist Peter Neville says people need to be alert and that “all of these diseases can have numerous symptoms including muscle aches, joint aches, headaches and some of them can potentially be fatal,” he said. He also suggested a number of steps that can be taken to avoid being bitten. “People don’t need to alter any holiday plans over the Christmas period but its important to avoid outdoor exposure around dawn and dusk,” he said. “Wear protective long loose fitting clothing and also apply personal repellent...