Health

Kenya becomes third African nation to use new malaria vaccine

Kenya on Friday added the world’s first malaria vaccine to the routine immunization schedule for children under two, becoming the third country in Africa to roll out the vaccine for the disease that kills one child globally every two minutes. Malaria is a top killer of children under five in the East African nation, and

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Advocates from Somali community push for more discussion of addiction

Oxycodone pills in 5-mg doses. Discussion of substance abuse, particularly opioids, is gaining more attention in the Twin Cities’ East African community. By Maya Rao Cultural stigma adds challenge to addressing growing health crisis. After Khadar Abi descended into drug addiction, he went to jail. He saw friends overdose. Yet he struggled to be open

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Kidney disease: Does gout increase risk?

Photo/Windsorstar By Tim Newman Building on previous findings, a new study concludes that people with gout are more likely to develop kidney disease. The authors believe that the results offer new ways to reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long term condition, characterized by reduced kidney function. CKD

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Uganda begins largest trial of experimental Ebola vaccine

A Congolese health worker administers ebola vaccination to a resident at a centre in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, August 1, 2019. REUTERS/Djaffer Sabiti NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. Researchers in Uganda have launched the largest-ever trial of the experimental Ebola vaccine that is expected to be deployed in neighboring Congo, where a deadly outbreak has

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Diabetes: Could vitamin D supplements slow progression?

By Tim Newman Scientists have yet to prove whether or not vitamin D can treat or slow type 2 diabetes. A new study of people who have recently received a diagnosis of diabetes or are at risk of developing it concludes that the vitamin may be beneficial. According to the Centers for Disease Control and

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Swine flu death toll rises to 54 in Myanmar

Yangon worst affected area with 43 causalities, says health official At least 54 people in Myanmar have died from swine flu, a health official said Tuesday, after the H1N1 virus spread to a larger part of the country. The latest outbreak of the virus began nearly a month ago with the first death reported in

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Exploring how pollution might impact the brain

By Tim Newman A reduction in sense of smell precedes certain neurological conditions, and pollution has been shown to increase the risk of these diseases. A new study attempts to link these findings together. Over the years, researchers have begun to see links between pollution and neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Although evidence

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Malaysia plans to decriminalize drug use to battle addiction

This June 26, 2019, photo shows customs officials display seized drugs at the customs office in Sepang. Malaysia’s government has announced plans to remove criminal penalties for the possession and use of drugs in small quantity to battle addiction, but stressed the move is not akin to legalizing drugs. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) Malaysia’s government plans

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Ebola: Why cross-border risks for Kenya remain high

Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary was quick to issue statements to reassure the public. These actions show that all players are alert. Healthcare providers are key. How quickly an outbreak is spotted and controlled depends on their ability to identify a case and manage patients while protecting themselves, and others, from infection. The second largest Ebola

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Kenya on high alert after suspected Ebola case in Kericho hospital

Travellers are screened for the Ebola virus before getting into Kenya at the Busia One Stop Border Post on June 12, 2019, following three confirmed cases in Kasese, western Uganda Health authorities in Kericho County are on a red alert over a suspected case of Ebola. This was after a patient exhibited suspected symptoms of

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