Latest news with #ECDC
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chelsea step up planning for potential new stadium
Chelsea have held talks with the Mayor of London's office to discuss the prospect of building a new stadium. The West Londoners are deliberating plans to move to a new stadium or enhance their current home at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's current venue has a capacity of 41,728, which will make it only the 11th-largest stadium in the Premier League next season. Advertisement Plans are in motion over a project to modernise the club's facilities and The Telegraph have revealed that talks have been held with the Mayor of London's office. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, would need to approve any potential proposals. Should Chelsea decide to leave Stamford Bridge, a site at Earl's Court has been named as a potential new home. However, the management of the Earl's Court Development Company (ECDC), who own the plot, have said previously that the current project plans are for residential housing. The statement said: 'There is no plan within our plans for Chelsea FC to relocate to the Earl's Court site. We have a fully detailed design, shortly to be registered with both local authorities, which prioritises the delivery of thousands of homes and jobs, culture and open space through a well-designed and considered masterplan, which has evolved over four years of engagement. Advertisement 'This will see development commence in 2026 with the first residents and occupiers moving in from 2030. This is, and will remain, our primary focus.' Chelsea's talks with the Mayor of London's office could be the start of formulating a proposal for a new stadium. The Blues have the option to bid for the site at Earl's Court before development on current plans begin. The deadline to purchase the plot is unclear. Read – Liverpool have 'no plans' to meet Marc Guehi price tag See more – Iconic Performances: A teenage Pelé conquers the world Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chelsea step up planning for potential new stadium
Chelsea have held talks with the Mayor of London's office to discuss the prospect of building a new stadium. The West Londoners are deliberating plans to move to a new stadium or enhance their current home at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's current venue has a capacity of 41,728, which will make it only the 11th-largest stadium in the Premier League next season. Advertisement Plans are in motion over a project to modernise the club's facilities and The Telegraph have revealed that talks have been held with the Mayor of London's office. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, would need to approve any potential proposals. Should Chelsea decide to leave Stamford Bridge, a site at Earl's Court has been named as a potential new home. However, the management of the Earl's Court Development Company (ECDC), who own the plot, have said previously that the current project plans are for residential housing. The statement said: 'There is no plan within our plans for Chelsea FC to relocate to the Earl's Court site. We have a fully detailed design, shortly to be registered with both local authorities, which prioritises the delivery of thousands of homes and jobs, culture and open space through a well-designed and considered masterplan, which has evolved over four years of engagement. Advertisement 'This will see development commence in 2026 with the first residents and occupiers moving in from 2030. This is, and will remain, our primary focus.' Chelsea's talks with the Mayor of London's office could be the start of formulating a proposal for a new stadium. The Blues have the option to bid for the site at Earl's Court before development on current plans begin. The deadline to purchase the plot is unclear. Read – Liverpool have 'no plans' to meet Marc Guehi price tag See more – Iconic Performances: A teenage Pelé conquers the world Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Deadly Hepatitis A outbreak infects thousands of travelers at popular European destinations
A spike in viral infections has sickened thousands of travelers and caused several deaths at some popular European destinations. Four countries — Austria, Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia — have reported a spike in hepatitis A cases between January and May 2025, according to a rapid risk assessment issued by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). In total, 2,097 cases have been reported across the four countries. Slovakia, which has been dealing with an active outbreak since 2022, represents 880 of those cases. Czechia is the next most affected country, reporting 600 cases and six deaths, the ECDC stated. Hungary has reported 530 cases in 2025, and Austria has reported 87. Hepatitis A is an 'acute viral liver disease' caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), according to the agency. 3 In total, 2,097 cases have been reported across the four countries. Getty Images/iStockphoto The disease is mainly spread through contaminated food or water, or through close contact with infected people. Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, said that hepatitis A is a 'widely transmissible' disease that spreads easily among food handlers and 'can get you very sick.' People who have not received the hepatitis A vaccination or been infected by the virus are susceptible, the agency noted. Vaccinations are given in two doses, six to 12 months apart, according to Siegel. Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! 'People will have lifetime immunity after infection,' the doctor noted. 'A doctor can check your titres (levels of blood antibodies) to document that you are immune from prior vaccination.' Groups most affected by the infections include people who are homeless, use or inject recreational drugs or live in unsanitary conditions, as well as those with limited access to healthcare. 'Within these groups, the risk of the disease is assessed as moderate for those below 40 years of age and high for adults 40 years of age or older, as the severity of the disease increases with age,' the ECDC stated. 3 The disease is mainly spread through contaminated food or water, or through close contact with infected people. BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images 'For people with predisposing liver disease or older adults, the risk can be very high. The risk for the broader population in these countries is assessed as low to moderate.' Those who are immunosuppressed are also at a higher risk, the alert said. Not everyone will develop symptoms, but those who do may notice the following common effects, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dark urine or clay-colored stools Diarrhea Fatigue Fever Joint pain Loss of appetite Nausea, stomach pain or vomiting Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice) 'This outbreak reminds us that hepatitis A can cause serious illness and death, especially among people with limited access to healthcare and basic hygiene,' said Ole Heuer, head of the ECDC's One Health Unit, in a press release. 3 Those who are immunosuppressed are also at a higher risk, the alert said. LightRocket via Getty Images 'We need to strengthen outreach, provide access to vaccination in groups more likely to be exposed and ensure basic sanitation, especially in response to the increase in cases.' To address the outbreak, the ECDC recommends investigating potential means of transmission of hepatitis A, such as 'possible foodborne transmission or spill-overs into other groups at increased risk of infection.' The agency also calls for targeted vaccination programs, 'post-exposure prophylaxis' to close contacts to prevent infection, and more genetic testing of the virus, as well as increased education and awareness among high-risk groups. According to the CDC, receiving the hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin (medication containing antibodies) within two weeks of exposure can prevent illness.
Medscape
4 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Europe's Hepatitis a Outbreak: What You Need to Know
Last week, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued an alert warning of a multicountry outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections. Two closely related virus strains have been identified across affected regions, with outbreak spikes centered in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia. The spread appears to be via ongoing person-to-person transmission within connected social networks or geographical areas, according to genetic sequencing. While Germany is not considered an affected country, it has identified three cases with genomic profiles matching those in Hungary and Austria. Cross-Border Transmission The ECDC said testing confirmed cross-border transmission and recommended that EU/European Economic Area public health authorities undertake epidemiologic investigations, targeted prevention measures, and community-based outreach to contain the outbreak and protect public health. In total, the four countries in the outbreak have reported 2097 cases of hepatitis A since the start of the year: 880 in Slovakia, 87 in Austria, 600 in Czechia, and 530 in Hungary. The disease has proved fatal in three cases in Austria and six in Czechia. Transmission Routes The ECDC also issued a rapid risk assessment summarizing that HAV is transmitted primarily via contaminated food, water, or close contact with infected individuals. Risk factors include poor sanitation, lack of access to safe water, inadequate access to basic hygiene, close contact with infected individuals, particularly during risky sexual behaviors such as anogenital-oral sex, use of recreational drugs, and travel to endemic areas. The likelihood of developing symptomatic or severe hepatitis A increases with age and is higher among people who are immunosuppressed or have chronic liver disease. The current outbreak is primarily affecting homeless adults, people who use or inject drugs, and those living in poor sanitary conditions or with limited access to healthcare. Additionally, cases have been reported among members of the Roma communities in both Czechia and Slovakia. Age Differences The strains detected all involved two closely related HAV subgenotype IB variants. However, there are demographic differences between affected populations in different countries. Reported cases in Hungary were mainly in adults, whereas in Czechia the most affected age groups were young children aged 1-9 years and young adults aged 25-44 years. In Slovakia, where the outbreak has been ongoing since the end of 2022 and case numbers are now falling, cases were reported especially in Roma communities in eastern Slovakia and involved mainly children. However, the current epidemiologic pattern marks a notable shift from previous years, the ECDC said. Although 47% of the 2025 cases have occurred within Roma communities, an additional 20% involve adults who are homeless and/or use or inject drugs. Several smaller clusters have also been reported in young children attending preschool facilities. In Austria, case numbers are still increasing — the number reported for the first 5 months of 2025 already exceeds the total recorded in 2024. There was a male predominance (68%), patients' ages ranged from 3 to 84 years (median of 34 years), 63% of cases for which information was available required hospitalization, and three deaths have been reported. What Clinicians Should Know Kinga Kardics, MD To find out what frontline clinicians might need to know about the hepatitis A outbreak, Medscape Medical News spoke with Kinga Kardics, MD, a tropical disease specialist at the Pediatric Center at Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. She said the center was seeing one to three patients a week with HAV infections. How Is the Virus Transmitted? The virus can be transmitted through contaminated water, food, and via the fecal-oral route among close contacts: household members, sexual contacts, and children attending day care centers or schools. Among pediatric patients in Hungary, the main transmission route has been the fecal-oral route in schools and nurseries, she said. Who Is at Risk? Kardics noted that additional risk factors or risk groups that have been associated with the illness in outbreaks include men having sex with men, children with immunodeficiencies, pregnant women, and patients with chronic liver diseases. What Symptoms Should Alert Physicians? Most patients with HAV infection have few or mild symptoms, Kardics said. Usual signs are fatigue, nausea, loose stools, fever that lasts just for a few days, and jaundice. Most of the pediatric patients seen at her center have been asymptomatic or had only mild symptoms. In teenagers, the onset of the illness is usually abrupt, with fever, malaise, and abdominal discomfort. Jaundice is the predominant symptom. What Is the Course of Disease? Most patients recover spontaneously, are in good condition, and can stay at home until recovery, she said, though some patients need intravenous fluid replacement for dehydration. So far this year, the center at Semmelweis University has hospitalized about 10 children with hepatitis A infection. All of them recovered, no chronic infection has been detected, and no hepatitis A-related death has been reported so far in the pediatric population. What Basic Hygiene Precautions Should Be Advised in the Community? Practicing good hand hygiene can prevent the spread of HAV, Kardics said. People in the community should be advised to undertake frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water, particularly after using the bathroom, after changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food. What Should People in At-Risk Groups Do to Protect Themselves? Strict control measures, such as reinforcing personal hygiene, contact tracing, and administration of vaccine to exposed persons, have proven to be effective in outbreaks, Kardics said. Populations with a higher risk for serious disease from HAV infection should consider vaccination. Several inactivated vaccines are available for prevention, all showing very high efficacy. Active (antigen) immunization is also available in Hungary and is effective if administered within 2 weeks of exposure. Prophylactic Measures The ECDC has advised that physicians in all countries should consider targeted vaccination of population groups most likely to be exposed to the virus. Post-exposure prophylaxis using the hepatitis A vaccine should be prioritized for close contacts of identified cases according to national guidelines. Epidemiologic investigation of the outbreak is continuing.
Dublin Live
4 days ago
- Health
- Dublin Live
Urgent holiday warning for Irish tourists as measles outbreak hits top travel spots
As the summer holiday season approaches, the HSE has issued a critical warning to Irish travellers due to a concerning rise in measles outbreaks across numerous popular tourist destinations. Cases have been reported not only in various European countries but also in North America and parts of Asia, leading the HSE to express its worry about potential measles outbreaks in Ireland this summer. Measles, one of the most highly infectious diseases, continues to "spread rapidly among individuals who are unvaccinated". Several countries experiencing significant outbreaks include many top holiday destinations, prompting Ireland's health officials to encourage travellers to ensure their vaccinations are up to date before travelling abroad. The HSE strongly recommends all travellers, particularly families with young children, to verify their vaccination status and receive the MMR vaccine if necessary. A spokesperson stated: "The best way to protect you and your family against measles is to ensure all family members are up to date with the recommended doses of MMR vaccine before travelling abroad. "MMR vaccine is available free of charge at your GP for individuals born on or after January 1st 1978 who are not age-appropriately vaccinated. In addition, infants aged 6 months to under 12 months are eligible to receive an MMR vaccine, free of charge at their GP, prior to travel abroad. It is recommended that individuals receive MMR vaccine at least 14 days prior to travel." "HSE recommends that all people who are eligible for MMR vaccination should be vaccinated, regardless of whether planning on travel abroad or not." This warning is issued in response to "large outbreaks" of measles reported across Europe. The most recent measles report from the ECDC indicates that the highest number of cases were recorded in France, Spain, Romania, Netherlands and Belgium, reports the Irish Mirror. Significant numbers of cases have also been reported in the USA, Canada and some Asian countries - including Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. The HSE explains that measles begins with cold-like symptoms around 10 days after infection. A measles rash appears a few days later. This rash emerges around two to four days following the onset of your first symptoms and fades after about a week. It typically starts on your head or neck before spreading to the rest of your body. The rash can be flat or slightly raised, merging into large blotchy patches. On white skin, it appears brown or red. It may be less visible on brown and black skin. The rash may cause slight itching for some individuals. You will feel most unwell on the first or second day after the rash appears. Some individuals may also develop small grey-white spots in their mouth. However, not everyone with measles will have these spots. These spots usually appear before the measles rash. If you have these spots along with other symptoms or a rash, it's highly likely you have measles. These spots usually last for a few days. Measles is highly contagious, spreading through coughs and sneezes from someone who's infected. To help prevent its spread, the HSE advises: "Tell your child's school or childcare if your child has measles. Children in your child's group or class may need to get the MMR vaccine. Do not go to work, school or childcare until at least four days after you first got the measles rash. Avoid contact with young children, pregnant women and people who have a weak immune system." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
