Global health briefs

July/August 2024 | Volume 23 Number 4

Oropouche virus may cause stillbirths, neurological defects

Oropouche virus, which is transmitted by a pinhead-sized midge found throughout the Americas, may cause stillbirths and neurological defects in babies infected in the womb, reported the Brazilian health ministry. Scientists say four cases of microcephaly—reduced brain development—in newborns born from infected mothers and one fetal death may be linked to the virus, though this has not yet been confirmed. The Pan American Health Organization has asked other countries to watch for similar cases caused by the virus, which is on the rise in South and Central America.

New lab test detects HIV strains in Africa

A multinational team lead by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators developed a test to measure the persistence of HIV in people affected by viral strains found predominantly in Africa. Most HIV research has focused on strains circulating in Western countries. The study, published in Nature Communications, could help researchers achieve a globally applicable cure. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases supported the work.

Chad eliminates threat of trypanosomiasis

Chad has eliminated the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem, according to the WHO. “Sleeping sickness” can cause confusion, sleep cycle disturbances or even coma, often leading to death. This is the first neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Chad, the 51st country to have achieved such a target. As of June 2024, 20 countries across the WHO African region have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease, with Togo having eliminated 4 diseases.

UNICEF and partners launch global child health dashboard

Currently, 4.9 million children under 5 years old die every year; based on current trends, 59 countries will miss the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal target for under-5 deaths. An updated global dashboard, which contains data from 196 countries and territories around the world, will shed light on various issues, including childhood survival, educational attainment, and exposure to violence, and so help policymakers track progress on critical factors influencing children’s health.

Phase 3 trial confirms efficacy of twice-yearly PrEP in women

Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), was found safe and 100% effective among cisgender women in Uganda and South Africa in a Phase 3 clinical trial, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, Inc., is administered by injection every six months. The NIH-funded HIV Prevention Trials Network is implementing two Gilead-sponsored studies of lenacapavir in the U.S. among cisgender women and people who inject drugs.

Rigorous study decouples anemia and school attendance in India

India struggles with anemia caused by iron deficiency, particularly in children and teens. Meanwhile, over 40 million upper-secondary-age Indian students did not attend school in 2020. A new study published in Communications Medicine finds no link between anemia and school attendance in India. The study builds on earlier work which evaluated the results of an iron fortification school lunch program for Indian students ages 7 and 8; that study showed fortification reduced anemia but did not affect students’ school performance.

Climate change means more time spent collecting water

Climate change could increase the time women spend collecting water by up to 30% by 2050, according to a report published in Nature Climate Change. Higher temperatures and altered rainfall patterns affect water availability. Researchers found that daily water collection times could double in regions across South America and Southeast Asia under certain conditions; yet, reductions of up to 19% can occur if global warming is kept below 2 degrees Celsius. Worldwide, two billion people lack access to safe drinking water.

Region-specific models needed to improve brain health

A meta-analysis of 146,000 participants has revealed significant diversity in the risk factors that affect healthy aging in Latin America and emphasized the limitations of current brain health models, which are mainly based on data from high-income countries. Published in Nature Aging, the study highlighted the significant effects on cognition and functional abilities due to varied impacts from demographics, mental health, social determinants, and health status. Going forward, the authors recommend promoting machine-learning techniques and focusing on social determinants.

Updated August 20, 2024

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