Sunday, 12 March 2017
Saturday, 11 March 2017
WHO new guidance urges vigilance against Zika virus
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for vigilance against the deadly Zika virus in spite of a decline in cases of the virus infection that has been reported in some countries.
WHO made the call in a fresh guidance issued on the virus that has been linked to birth defects and neurological complications.
The new WHO data also lists countries where the Aedes aegypti mosquito is present, but where there is no sign of the Zika virus.
The insect is considered to be the main transmitter of the disease, which has been identified in more than 80 countries to date.
As such, WHO said that overall, the global risk assessment has not changed and “the Zika virus continues to spread geographically to areas where competent vectors are present.
“The current data add some 70 countries to the list of those considered to be ‘at-risk’.
“These are countries where there’s no sign of the virus, but where the Aedes aegypti mosquito is present; it is considered to be the main carrier of the virus”.
The WHO Technical Officer, Ms Monika Gehner said: “The new guidance helps us because now we can assess risks more precisely.
“Now, even if you do not have Zika virus transmission, but if you have the Aedes aegypti mosquito, you are at risk of Zika virus transmission”.
Gehner stressed that amid surging global travel, “a traveller who is infected with Zika virus may go to an area in a country and in fact mosquitos that are established there.
“And a mosquito can then transmit to other people and so on, so you have a cycle of transmission”.
She said the aim of this new WHO guidance is not to spread alarm but create awareness.
According to her, it is also a call to governments to do more to prevent the spread of Zika.
“This requires greater surveillance of mosquito populations and research into suspected Zika infections, as well as better diagnostic techniques and updated health advice to at-risk communities and travellers.”
The post WHO new guidance urges vigilance against Zika virus appeared first on Vanguard News.
Vía Vanguard News http://ift.tt/2mcXd5x
Monday, 20 February 2017
Swedish PM ‘surprised’ by Trump’s remarks
Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven (R) and Governor General of Canada David Johnston attend a press conferene after a meeting in Stockholm, on February 20, 2017. Johnston's four-day State Visit will encompass Stockholm, Malmoe, Lund and Gothenburg.<br />Jonas EKSTROMER / TT News Agency / AFP
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said Monday he was “surprised” by US President Donald Trump’s remarks linking the arrival of a wave of migrants with a supposed rise in violence in the Scandinavian country.
“I was, like many others I believe, surprised by the comments made about Sweden this weekend,” Lofven said during a joint press conference in Stockholm with visiting Canadian Governor General David Johnston.
Trump, speaking in Florida on Saturday, said; “You look at what’s happening in Germany, you look at what’s happening last night in Sweden. Sweden, who would believe this? Sweden. They took in large numbers. They’re having problems like they never thought possible”.
The comment baffled Swedes and provoked much mockery on social media as nothing major had happened there on Friday evening.
“We have opportunities, we have challenges, we’re working (on) them every day. But I think also we must all take responsibility for using facts correctly, and for verifying any information that we spread,” Lofven said.
Former prime minister Carl Bildt was less diplomatic: “Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound,” he wrote on Twitter on Sunday.
“Last year there were app 50% more murders only in Orlando/Orange in Florida, where Trump spoke the other day, than in all of Sweden. Bad,” Bildt added on Monday.
Bildt gave no source for his claim. Orlando was the location of an attack in June on a gay club that left 49 people dead. Sweden registers about 100 homicides per year.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kRMP2u
Monday, 6 February 2017
U.S energy project adds 30,000 new solar connections in Nigeria
Solar Energy
The U.S energy project known as “Power Africa’’ has added 30,000 new solar connections in Nigeria.
The U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington said in a statement in Abuja on Monday.
U.S. through its Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) had in 2016 signed an agreement with Lumos, an off-grid electricity provider to enhance provision of solar electricity to homes and small businesses throughout Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lumos was also a recipient of catalytic funding through OPIC and the Africa Clean Energy Finance initiative, a partner with the U.S. State Department.
The funding provided crucial start-up capital for 30 innovative clean energy projects across 10 African countries.
The envoy, accompanied by the Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission, Mr Michael Harvey, had during a visit to customers of Lumos in Abuja stressed the need to expand electricity access in Nigeria.
According to him, the visit is a fact finding assessment as USAID works with partners to grow the programme.
“With market intelligence provided by USAID and financing provided by OPIC, Lumos has added 30,000 new solar connections in Nigeria since the beginning of the partnership,” he said.
Symington, who also visited Beam Clinic and Maternity Centre, Trinity Clinic, and selected retailers, said his visit was to better understand how access to solar energy had improved their businesses and service delivery.
The ambassador stressed the need to expand on and off grid access to energy to enhance business activities.
“Expanding both on and off grid access to energy will not only help individuals and businesses, but will help overcome some of the obstacles to Nigeria being able to fulfill its full economic potential.
“I met a number of people today whose lives have been profoundly changed by access to efficient and reliable energy.
“And I am excited to see this ongoing partnership expand to ensure greater access to solar energy throughout Nigeria,” he said.
NAN reports that to date, “Power Africa’’, has mobilised 40 billion dollars in private sector commitments in order to increase access to electricity through both on and off grid generation and distribution projects across sub-Saharan Africa.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lgsowS