
Two summer COVID strains – Nimbus and Stratus – less severe than earlier strains: doctor
Dr. Paul Richardson at Conway Medical Center in Conway, South Carolina, told Nexstar's WBTW that even though the nimbus and stratus strains are now out there, he has not seen a major increase in COVID cases or hospitalizations so far this summer.
He also said the two new strains are less severe than earlier strains.
'If you look at the way a lot of viruses evolve, that's not uncommon,' he said. 'A lot of viruses evolve to be less virulent. They may be more contagious, but they're less virulent.'
The nimbus strain, which has been detected in several countries, had not been found to increase sickness or hospitalization rates, the World Health Organization said last month.
The symptoms, however, may still be bothersome. Dr. Richardson told WBTW that most recent COVID patients come in with symptoms very similar to an upper respiratory tract infection.
'I read about, 'Oh, you've been having a lot of sore throats,'' he said. 'I think one of them has even had the nickname 'razor blade throat,' or something of that nature. But if you think about that, a lot of upper respiratory infections do that same thing.'
Dr. Richardson said most people will not need another COVID booster because of these strains. However, he recommends talking to your doctor, especially if you are immunocompromised.
'With any infection, I worry about patients who are susceptible to worsening,' he said. 'You think about the elderly. You think about people with chronic lung disease, any type of immune issues, and cancers.'
Even with summer holidays and mass gatherings, Dr. Richardson said he is not concerned about the spread of the two new strains. He does not believe wearing a mask will stop the spread, but many events being outdoors should help with that.
Healthcare facilities like doctors' offices and hospitals cannot test for specific COVID strains; labs are typically tasked with that work. However, that will not affect treatment.
'We would just know positive or negative for COVID,' Richardson explained. 'We will treat absolutely the same, regardless of what type, whether it be nimbus or stratus or whatever the next one is.'
Dr. Richardson told us the best protection against viruses is washing your hands frequently.

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WIRED
2 hours ago
- WIRED
Scientists Succeed in Reversing Parkinson's Symptoms in Mice
Jul 10, 2025 6:30 AM The findings of two recent studies give hope that the disease could one day be reversed in humans—but experts warn that this complex disease will likely need multiple complementary treatments. An illustration of the human brain showing a shrunken substantia nigra, a degeneration that occurs with Parkinson's disease. Illustration: KATERYNA KON/SCIENCEAll products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Cases of Parkinson's disease have doubled in the last 25 years, according to figures from the World Health Organization. For decades, the scientists have investigated what triggers this disorder to mitigate its symptoms and anticipate its onset. Now, a series of experimental therapies are laying the groundwork for potentially reversing the condition, which affects nearly 10 million people worldwide and can generate costs of approximately $10,000 per patient per year, when considering direct and indirect medical expenses. Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological disorder in which cells that produce dopamine in the brain die, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowness of movement, and alterations in balance. So far there is no cure, and treatments are limited. Kay Double, a professor at the University of Sydney's School of Medical Sciences, has been researching the biological mechanisms underlying this disease for more than a decade, with the aim of finding ways to slow or even halt its progression. In 2017, he led a study that identified for the first time an abnormal form of a protein called SOD1 in Parkinson's patients. Under normal conditions, this protein acts as an antioxidant enzyme, protecting brain cells from damage caused by free radicals, highly reactive molecules that contain oxygen and can deteriorate cells if not properly neutralized. Free radicals are produced by natural bodily processes as well as by external factors, like diet, smoking, and exposure to pollution. In people with Parkinson's disease, SOD1 suffers alterations that prevent it from fulfilling its protective function, with it instead accumulating in the brain and causing neuronal damage, according to the findings of Double's team. Based on these results, the team then conducted further research, with results suggesting that copper supplementation in the brain could be an effective way to slow and even reverse the symptoms of Parkinson's (copper is crucial to SOD1's function). To test this hypothesis, they evaluated the efficacy of a drug called CuATSM, designed to cross the blood-brain barrier and deliver copper directly to brain tissue. This experiment, written up and published in Acta Neuropathologica Communications, was divided into two phases. The first was to determine the optimal dose of the drug to induce a response in the brain. To find this, CuATSM was administered daily for three weeks to 27 eight-week-old wild-type mice, with concentrations of copper and other metals then measured in the mice's tissues. This revealed that 15 milligrams per kilogram was the ideal dose to effectively increase the levels of copper in the brain. In the second stage, this dose was applied to 10 mice genetically modified to develop Parkinson's-like symptoms. The animals were divided into two groups: one received CuATSM daily for three months, while the other received a placebo without the active ingredient. The results showed that the mice treated with the placebo experienced a deterioration in their motor skills. In contrast, those that received the copper supplement showed no alterations in their movement. It appears the treatment corrected the dysfunctions of SOD1 and restored its protective properties. In the mice receiving the copper treatment, dopamine neurons were preserved in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra, an area essential for the control of movement, coordination, learning, and certain cognitive functions. 'All of the mice we treated showed dramatic improvement in their motor skills. The results exceeded our expectations and suggest that, after further study, this therapeutic approach could slow the progression of Parkinson's in humans,' says Double. But experts caution that Parkinson's is a complex condition that will likely require multiple combined interventions. A single treatment may have limited effect, but its efficacy may be enhanced by integrating it with other therapeutic approaches. In that context, Double's team's findings could be complemented by recent research from Stanford University focused on restoring communication between neurons in a subtype of Parkinson's linked to mutations in the gene responsible for producing an enzyme called LRRK2. In these cases, the mutation causes hyperactivity of the enzyme, altering the structure of brain cells and disrupting signaling between dopaminergic neurons and those in the striatum, a deep brain region related to movement, motivation, and decision-making. It is estimated that about 25 percent of Parkinson's cases are genetic in origin, and the LRRK2 mutation is one of the most frequent. The team led by Stanford neuroscientist Suzanne Pfeffer proposed that inhibiting the excessive activity of this enzyme could stabilize symptoms, especially if detected in early stages. The goal was to regenerate primary cilia, antenna-like structures that enable communication between cells. The hypothesis was tested in mice genetically modified to exhibit LRRK2 hyperactivity and early symptoms of the disorder. For two weeks, these animals were administered with a compound called MLi-2, which binds to the enzyme and reduces its activity. In this first test, no relevant changes were observed, which the researchers attributed to the fact that the examined neurons and glia—another type of cell in the nervous system, which support neurons—were already mature and were not in the cell division phase. However, a review of the scientific literature revealed that, even if mature, certain neurons can regenerate their primary cilia depending on their sleep-wake cycles. 'The findings that other nonproliferative cells can develop cilia made us think that the inhibitor still had therapeutic potential,' Pfeffer explains. The team then decided to extend the treatment to three months. After this period, they found that the percentage of neurons and glial cells in the striatum with primary cilia was comparable to that of healthy mice without the genetic mutation. This restoration of cellular structures made it possible to reactivate communication between dopaminergic neurons and the striatum. As a result, neurotransmitters affected by the LRRK2 protein induced the production of neuroprotective factors at levels similar to those of a healthy brain, something that had been diminished as a result of LRRK2 hyperactivity. In addition, density markers of dopaminergic nerve endings were doubled, suggesting a possible recovery of previously damaged neurons. 'These findings suggest that it is not only possible to stabilize the disease, but also to improve the condition of patients. This therapeutic approach has great potential to restore neuronal activity in Parkinson's-affected circuits. There are currently several ongoing clinical trials with LRRK2 inhibitors, and we hope that these results in mice can be translated to humans,' says Pfeffer. The authors stress that, to maximize the effectiveness of this treatment, it is essential to identify early symptoms, which can occur up to 15 years before the characteristic tremors. The hope is that people with the LRRK2 mutation will be able to start treatment early. The next step would be to assess whether other Parkinson's variants, not associated with this genetic mutation, could also benefit from this strategy. It is estimated that the number of Parkinson's cases worldwide could exceed 25 million by 2050, which would represent a 112 percent increase over 2021 figures, according to projections published in the British Medical Journal. Although these estimates are not definitive, the scientific community warns that they reflect a growing challenge for public health systems. For this reason, developing therapies capable of mitigating, stabilizing, and even reversing the progression of the disease is a global priority. This story originally appeared on WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.


Hamilton Spectator
3 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton says sewage surveillance to detect disease is too costly
Hamilton is not bringing back wastewater surveillance to detect emerging infectious disease because the cost is deemed too high. The University of Ottawa quoted $55,000 to start doing wastewater analysis for Hamilton again in the absence of provincial funding that ended in 2024. McMaster University provided an estimate of $87,500 to $188,000 to start a wastewater surveillance program, depending on what was being tested. 'Given limited financial resources, it would be reasonable to not invest at this time in a local wastewater surveillance program,' concluded a report to the board of health July 7. The report says 'there is no available funding' for wastewater analysis in the existing public health budget, so any proposal to restart surveillance would need to be referred to next year's budget debate. However, some board members questioned the potential cost of losing an early-warning system that tracks diseases such as mpox , COVID, RSV, influenza and avian flu. 'Is it cost effective to actually run this in order to help prevent further outbreak or disease?' asked Chelsea Kirkby, one of the community representatives on the board. Ameil Joseph, vice chair of the board of health, asked how much money could potentially be saved by having an early-monitoring system to prevent outbreaks. Vice-chair Ameil Joseph said $55,000 could save the city from having to spend a lot more money on outbreaks at a time of climate change and lower vaccination rates. 'Those risks may be in the millions (of dollars) or even more,' Joseph said. 'We haven't yet assessed the cost of outbreak response.' However, Hamilton's medical officer of health says the effectiveness of wastewater surveillance is still being researched and has not been proven to avert any costs. Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, medical officer of heath, said the effectiveness of wastewater surveillance is still being researched and has not been proven to avert any costs. 'At this point, it does not provide public health services with actionable data that goes beyond what we already have through other sources,' Dr. Elizabeth Richardson told the board. 'We don't at this point have something different that we could do based on having that data.' The report suggests waiting 'until ongoing research provides clearer guidance on its most effective use, or as a part of participation of a larger overall surveillance system co-ordinated at a higher level of government.' However, Kirkby pushed back on that analysis, pointing to the provincial wastewater surveillance program in response to COVID-19 that ran through the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks from around fall 2020 to August 2024. 'We were able to know that there was more COVID out in the community circulating than was (otherwise) known,' Kirkby said. 'So then there's action around communicating that to the public around being more careful.' It's not the first time Hamilton public health's assertions on wastewater surveillance have been questioned. In March 2022, public health was not using or disclosing wastewater surveillance for COVID because Richardson said, 'It's not something that has worked in Hamilton to date.' That claim was refuted by Robert Delatolla, whose University of Ottawa team was detecting COVID in Hamilton's wastewater. At that time, he called the data 'remarkable' and suggested public health wasn't using the resources available to understand the information. Hamilton is not currently one of the sites that was chosen for an ongoing national wastewater surveillance program for COVID run by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The feasibility of bringing back wastewater surveillance in Hamilton was raised in January by family physician Dr. Robin Lennox, before she was elected MPP for Hamilton Centre. 'Given the financial constraints that we have under public health and given the lack of understanding of so what does it all mean, I think it's really prudent to wait at this time,' said Dawn Danko, who is the education representative as a public school board trustee. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .


Time Business News
4 hours ago
- Time Business News
TIME BUSINESS NEWS Pakistan's Health Crisis Is an Economic Emergency for LMICs HEALTH -
Pakistan's health crisis and its economic cost in LMICs' is a growing emergency—one that threatens both the well-being of citizens and the country's economic future. In countries like Pakistan, health is often seen as a humanitarian issue. But poor health also brings a hidden cost: economic loss. Diseases reduce productivity, drain family income, and increase poverty. Pakistan's growing illness burden is hurting the economy more than we realize. We must treat this crisis as a national emergency—and call for urgent help from both local leaders and global partners. Pakistan is among the few countries simultaneously battling infectious diseases and an accelerating rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Communicable diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and dengue fever remain widespread. At the same time, lifestyle-related illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular disease are surging. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs account for 58% of total deaths in Pakistan annually [1]. Additionally, Pakistan has the world's 5th highest burden of tuberculosis, with over 570,000 new cases reported annually [2]. Mental health remains critically neglected. A report by the Pakistan Association for Mental Health (PAMH) estimates that more than 24 million Pakistanis suffer from mental disorders, yet there are fewer than 500 practicing psychiatrists for a population exceeding 240 million [3]. Experts emphasize that Pakistan's health crisis and its economic cost in LMICs must be treated as a national development issue—not just a healthcare concern. Unhealthy workers reduce labor force productivity and increase business costs. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that up to 6% of GDP is lost annually in LMICs due to worker illness and absenteeism [4]. Depression and anxiety may cost the global economy $1 trillion every year. This is mostly due to lost work and lower productivity, says WHO and the World Economic Forum [5]. Pakistan spends only 1.2% of its GDP on public healthcare, one of the lowest rates in South Asia. As a result, over 60% of health spending comes directly from citizens' pockets, pushing many families below the poverty line after major illness episodes [6]. Mental illness remains an invisible economic burden. Conditions like anxiety, PTSD, and depression affect learning, memory, and decision-making—key elements in both educational and work performance. In workplaces, untreated mental health problems result in: Low productivity and morale Increased sick leaves Higher turnover rates Yet, less than 1% of Pakistan's total health budget is allocated to mental health [7]. Without targeted investment, this burden will continue to silently erode national performance. Pakistan must recognize health as a pillar of economic development, not a separate domain. Key policy steps include: Expand universal health coverage to include both physical and mental healthcare. Invest in health infrastructure, especially in rural and underserved urban areas. Launch workplace wellness and mental health programs with public-private collaboration. Increase budget allocation for preventive care and early interventions. Develop a national mental health strategy, including school and community-based services. Pakistan cannot address this crisis alone. International partners, NGOs, and development agencies must step in to: Fund scalable, cost-effective primary care models Support training for mental health professionals Invest in digital health solutions for LMIC contexts Provide grants for disease surveillance, research, and policy development The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3) emphasize universal health coverage and mental health inclusion. Supporting Pakistan's health sector is not just charity—it's a global development priority. Improving energy supply in Pakistan could save 175,000 lives, says UNICEF' highlights how bolstering healthcare infrastructure (like reliable power) can boost economic gains (~$296M by 2044) by reducing mortality. Pakistan's health crisis and its economic cost in LMICs is a growing concern that deserves both national and global attention. Health is not just a human right; it's a strategic economic investment. The growing disease burden in Pakistan threatens national productivity, human capital development, and economic stability. Ignoring Pakistan's health crisis and its economic cost in LMICs could result in long-term social and financial instability. Policymakers, international donors, and development partners must come forward—urgently—to support Pakistan and other LMICs in building resilient, inclusive health systems. This article was written on the suggestion of my professor, Prof. Dr. Sobia Masood , Chairperson of the Department of Psychology at Rawalpindi Women University. While the content reflects my own research and views, her guidance in shaping the topic is sincerely acknowledged. TIME BUSINESS NEWS