For millions globally, recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection has not meant a return to normal health. The lingering, often debilitating, symptoms of Long Covid – ranging from constant fatigue and ‘brain fog’ to muscle pain and heart palpitations – have remained a complex medical mystery. .New research, led by scientists from Stellenbosch University, suggests a physiological driver for these persistent symptoms:…
Tag: COVID-19
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Leading Causes of Death in South Africa Revealed
South Africa recorded a significant 22% decline in deaths in 2022. Mortality rates returned to near pre-pandemic levels, according to new data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). However, the report highlights a concerning shift in the leading causes of death. Diabetes mellitus now tops the list for both men and women. The number of deaths dropped sharply to…
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Malaria Exposure Linked to Reduced COVID-19 Risks
When the COVID-19 pandemic began its global spread in 2020, experts feared the worst for Africa. Its healthcare systems were already battling endemic diseases, including malaria exposure. However, a surprising trend emerged. Many African nations reported lower rates of severe COVID-19 than countries in Europe and North America. New research from the Malaria Consortium, led by Dr Jane Achan, provides…
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Fears of Disease Outbreaks as Global Child Vaccination Rates Stall
Global childhood immunisation is faltering due to inequality, COVID-19, and misinformation, a new study in The Lancet warns. Millions of children are now at risk from preventable diseases like measles, threatening decades of public health progress. Researchers have issued a stark new warning. Global efforts to vaccinate children against deadly diseases are faltering, putting millions of young lives at risk.…
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Zimbabwe flu outbreak mimics COVID-19
The Zimbabwean Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Sleiman Kwidini, has sought to calm growing public anxiety over a nationwide flu outbreak. This flu exhibits symptoms strikingly similar to those of COVID-19. Consequently, there are concerns about a potential Zimbabwe flu outbreak. Kwidini confirmed that while a significant wave of influenza is affecting many across the country, there is…
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Global Health: Understanding the WHO Pandemic Accord
In a significant move for global health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has adopted a new legally binding agreement. This is to bolster international preparedness for future pandemics. The World Health Assembly passed the accord in Geneva after three years of intense negotiations. It was met with applause from member countries. However, the absence of the United States, the WHO’s…
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56,000 South Africans succumbed to tuberculosis in 2023
An estimated 1.25 million people worldwide and 56,000 in South Africa succumbed to tuberculosis (TB) in 2023, according to recent WHO figures. These alarming statistics place TB above COVID-19 as the leading infectious disease killer globally. Marcus Low analyzes these findings, examining TB’s persistent toll in South Africa and the WHO’s goals to reduce both TB incidence and mortality. TB…