Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Another US Border Crossing Reopens For Cattle Trade With Mexico Amid Parasite Threat
The Independent: US Reopens Vital Cattle Trade Route With Mexico Despite Ongoing Parasite Outbreak
A border crossing in New Mexico that had been shut for nearly two years began moving Mexican cattle again on Monday, after U.S. agriculture inspectors gave the all-clear. The reopening is part of efforts by both nations to stop the spread of the flesh-eating New World screwworm. The parasite, actually a fly larva that burrows into the flesh of livestock, pets, and even humans, has threatened the $113 billion U.S. cattle industry. (Bryan, 10/27)
On the spread of Ebola —
AP: Ebola Disease Outbreak In Congo Tops 10,000 Confirmed Cases
The fast-moving Ebola outbreak in Congo has reached 10,000 confirmed cases, government data showed Tuesday, as health authorities race to slow the spread of the disease in multiple African countries. It is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history and nearly half of the 10,060 confirmed to have the virus have died, according to data from Congo’s Ministry of Health. That also makes it the deadliest outbreak of the disease in the country’s history. (10/27)
Bloomberg: Nigeria Monitors Ebola Contacts After Patient Evacuated To Switzerland
Nigeria is continuing to monitor 52 people who had contact with an Ebola patient who was evacuated to Switzerland after Nigerian doctors stabilized her, keeping the country on alert even though it currently has no active cases. It’s following the contacts for 21 days from their last possible exposure, the period during which symptoms of the deadly virus may develop. They include health workers and others who came into contact with the woman after she fell ill, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. (Kew, 10/26)
Global hot spot for CWD reverses decision to stop testing —
CIDRAP: Saskatchewan Walks Back Plan To End CWD Testing Of Hunter-Harvested Cervids After Stiff Pushback
Rates of chronic wasting disease (CWD) among cervids such as deer and elk in southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada, are the highest in the world, with up to 87% of mule deer bucks infected in certain parts of the province. So the announcement late last week (midway through the deer-hunting season) that the government of Saskatchewan was ending its CWD surveillance program as of November 1 was met with shock and disappointment by wildlife experts and hunters, who worried about the repercussions for cervids, other wildlife, and people. (Van Beusekom, 10/26)
