Malaria in the Middle East: New Study Reveals Worrying Trend
Malaria is not usually thought of as a major disease in the Middle East, but a study from Yemen in this weeks British Medical Journal reveals worryingly high levels of severe malaria in children. In fact, the figures show that as many as 4 out of 10 children attending hospital with severe illness could be affected during the peak season. This is comparable to many areas of Africa.
Researchers identified more than 2,000 children aged 6 months to 10 years who were admitted to two public hospitals with suspected severe malaria. Malaria was confirmed in 1,332 children, 808 of whom had severe malaria.
The proportion of admissions varied according to the season, from 1 percent between July and September to 40 percent in February and March. Twenty-six children died in hospital. Most deaths were in children with a neurological presentation, and more girls died than boys.
Severe malaria puts a high burden on health services in Yemen, say the authors. Malaria control should be a priority and lesson should be learnt from other areas of highly seasonal malaria.
Source: British Medical Journal
CDC Strategies Preventing Hospital-Onset C difficile Effectiveness Inconclusive in Testing
April 15th 2024Hospitals using CDC prevention strategies had different incidences of hospital-associated Clostridioides difficile infection compared to those that didn't, but the reasons are not necessarily the strategies themselves.
Unlocking the Power of AI in Hospital Infection Prevention: A Sustainable Approach to HAIs
April 11th 2024Read on about how, as hospitals grapple with the costly burden of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a game-changer in revolutionizing infection prevention strategies.
Deeds to Reality: A Journey of Immigration and Obstacles With Carole W. Kamangu, MPH, RN, CIC
April 9th 2024Carole W. Kamangu, MPH, RN, CIC, shares her inspiring journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo to health care leadership in the US today. (This is the French translation of the interview with Carole W. Kamangu.)
