Health
New ‘more contagious’ Covid
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Published
5 months agoon
By
Ekwutos BlogA new ‘stronger’ Covid variant is spreading across Europe and the world, as experts warn it is ‘just getting started’.
The XEC strain was first detected in Germany in June and has been identified in 15 countries across three continents.
According to experts, the strain could become the dominant variant within months when the weather gets cold.
Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California Eric Topol said XEC is ‘just getting started now around the world and here’.
Speaking to the LA Times, he added: ‘And that’s going to take many weeks, a couple months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave.
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The XEC strain was first detected in Germany in June and has been identified in 15 countries across three continents. (Stock photo)
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The XEC strain could become dominant within weeks or months when the weather gets colder
‘XEC is definitely taking charge. That does appear to be the next variant.
‘But it’s months off from getting into high levels.’
Regional chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente Southern California Dr Elizabeth Hudson said health experts will continue to monitor the variant in the coming weeks.
Dr Hudson said that XEC has been reported in western Europe including Germany and the Netherlands and it is spreading quickly.
XEC has shown up in the US but its prevalence is low so far.
The strain, which is a combination of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants, causes symptoms that are similar to those you experience with common illnesses such as flu and colds.
Most people will get better within a few weeks, but for others it could take longer to recover and some may even require hospitalisation.
Usual symptoms include a high temperature, continuous cough, loss of sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath and feeling tired or exhausted.
Also, usual cold-like symptoms such as a headache, a sore throat, a blocked or runny nose are common as well as a loss of appetite, diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick
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Usual symptoms include a high temperature, continuous cough, loss of sense of taste or smell. (Stock photo)
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The XEC strain comes after health experts were warning about the FLiRT variant sweeping the UK
The arrival of XEC comes after warnings of the FLiRT variant sweeping across the UK in spring and summer this year.
FLiRT was used to describe a family of variants, KP.2, KP.3, JN.1.7, JN.1.1, and KP.1.1 which were all descendants of the JN.1 variant.
The UK’s latest figures show there has been a 4.3 per cent uptick in Covid cases week-on-week.
England also reported 102 deaths linked to Covid up until August 30.
During the same period, hospitals noted 1,465 Covid admissions.
But the UK Health Agency has not yet provided detailed data about the XEC variant.
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Health
Jigawa: Under-5 mortality dropped to 161 per 1000 live births – UNICEF
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Published
20 hours agoon
February 21, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, says Jigawa State has made significant strides in child health, reducing the Under-5 mortality rate from 213 to 161 per 1,000 live births between 2018 and 2023.
This was disclosed by UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of Health, Dr. Shyam Sharan Pathak, who represented the UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, at the closeout ceremony of the Jigawa State Government/Gavi PHC-MoU at the Government House, Dutse.
He said the state recorded significant milestones after the signing of MoU with Gavi since the implementation period- March 2022 to March 2025.
According to reports, the state succeeded in reduction in Under-5 mortality rate from 213 to 161 per 1000 live births between 2018 and 2023, increase in measles vaccination, five-fold increase in Ante-natal Care (ANC) coverage, and four-fold increase in SBA (skilled birth attendance).
Ms. Munduate urged the Jigawa State Government to sustain those achievements by retaining healthcare workers, maintaining medical equipment, strengthening outreach services, and enhancing data management for informed decision-making.
Responding, Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining all the success achieved through partnership.
Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Aminu Usman, he acknowledged the success recorded, including Immunisation coverage and Primary Health care facilities, human resources, reduction of maternal mortality, among others.
Health
Company offers staff half-hour masturbation breaks to boost productivity
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Published
2 days agoon
February 20, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The new-age work-break is garnering some serious attention.
The boss of a Spanish firm has revealed that she gives her staff half-hour masturbation breaks to help relieve ‘stress’ and ‘agitation’ among her workers.
Erika Lust, who runs her own adult entertainment company called Erika Lust Films, said that the regular ‘self pleasure’ breaks have helped her employees battle through exhausting work days.
Complete with private “masturbation stations”, staff in Lust’s Barcelona office get a full 30 minutes to ‘unwind’ during the working day.
The trend, which was first introduced in 2022, has been so well received that sex toy manufacturers have even supplied the company with tools to help get the job done.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CoDffJ8Du2H/?igsh=MWE4d3ZlZ2szeDhkNw==
One of her employees told Indy100 that the added breaks promote “less aggression” and “more productivity” in the workplace – the suggestion being that no matter whether it’s an office or a warehouse, the rationale should ring true either way.
Moreover, though the notion of a masturbation break outside of a setting like this might make some people uncomfortable, a recent survey conducted among more than 1,000 people indicated that as many as one in 20 people masturbated at work.
Speaking on Instagram about the progressive initiative, Lust said: “The truth is masturbation can help people manage stress, regulate their sleep, and connect with their body and sexual desires, among other advantages.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CseXlxNKX0g/?igsh=eWNybGdsZWxyaWI2
Studies have also long suggested that masturbation and intimacy are linked to a string of health benefits including reducing blood pressure — and avoiding it may prove harmful.
According to Healthline, masturbating can cause you to release healthy amounts of helpful hormones like dopamine, oxytocin, testosterone and prolactin – all of which have been proven to positively affect your mood and physical health.
Health
UNICEF calls for urgent action as 85.6% of children in Jigawa face monetary poverty
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Published
3 days agoon
February 19, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Over 89 percent of children in Jigawa State are living in multi-dimensional poverty, with 85.6 percent facing monetary poverty, according to a report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
This alarming statistic was revealed by the Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, during the launch of the Jigawa General Household Survey at the Government House banquet hall in Dutse. Farah, represented by Michael Banda, highlighted the urgent need for action from the 27 local government councils in the state to improve the conditions for affected children.
He stated, “89.4 percent of children experience monetary poverty, while 85.6 percent are multi-dimensionally poor, facing deprivation in at least three critical areas, including health, education, nutrition, water and sanitation, shelter, access to information, and child protection.”
UNICEF has called for immediate intervention to address the troubling levels of child poverty and ensure a brighter future for the children of Jigawa.
Farah added, “These figures show a sobering reality that children in Jigawa are deprived in multiple essential aspects of their lives. This underscores the urgent need for collective efforts to reduce child poverty and enhance their well-being.”
He also mentioned that significant strides have been made in strengthening systems to measure child poverty through the General Household Survey (GHS), and in developing important policies and action plans to address these issues. He emphasized that local government chairmen play a crucial role in using the evidence gathered for multisectoral planning and action to address child poverty in Jigawa.
UNICEF further emphasized that the challenges can be mitigated by strengthening collective efforts, ensuring that local government data is used effectively in decision-making, and designing structured social protection interventions targeting poor and vulnerable children.
The organization suggested measures such as the approval of an expanded social protection policy, the passage of a revised social protection bill, increased budget allocations for child-focused programs in sectors like health, education, and social protection, and a 30% increase in birth registration for children under five.
Farah congratulated the Jigawa State government and its people for the successful completion of the General Household Survey, which includes disaggregated data across the state’s 27 local government areas. He commended the initiative as a testament to the state government’s commitment to advancing child welfare and improving outcomes for vulnerable groups through evidence-based decision-making.
He concluded by acknowledging UNICEF’s strong partnership with the Jigawa State government in various sectors, including health, education, nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), child protection, and social protection.
In his address, Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi assured that his government would use the data collected by the State Bureau for Statistics to inform result-oriented and effective decision-making. He noted that the data highlights the state’s standing in key sectors and would serve as a critical tool for shaping future decisions.
Governor Namadi urged local governments, ministries, departments, and agencies to make use of the data to ensure the proper implementation of government policies and programs.
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