Latest news with #infectiousDiseases
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
CTV National News: U.S. public health cuts raise concerns for Canada
Watch Jeremie Charron reports on rising infectious diseases across North America and whether Canada should increase its public health spending.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
What is the future of vaccines?
Montreal Watch Vaccines are increasingly under threat in the U.S. Dr. Donald Vinh looks at what that might mean for the spread of infectious diseases and for Canada.
CTV News
01-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
What you need to know about Ontario's summer health risks
A man kayaks in Lake Ontario on a warm sunny day in Toronto on Friday, August 19, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette As Ontario enters peak summer season, infectious disease experts are warning that some viruses — from respiratory bugs to mosquito-borne illnesses — thrive in the heat. While many people may consider winter to be the season when they are most at risk of catching a virus and becoming ill, experts who spoke to CTV News Toronto said that there are many infections that actually peak in the summer. Dr. David Fisman, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health, said that respiratory infections like rhinovirus, enterovirus and para-influenza are all more common in the summer months and are capable of causing mild illness. He also said that other more serious health threats, like measles, can 'come back' when people make a decision to skip vaccination. Ontario reported fewer new measles cases this past week; 33 compared to 96 the week before, officials say the outbreak now stands at 2,212 cases since October. 'If we were having this conversation 100 years ago, we would be talking in a time when in Toronto, summertime was the high mortality season, and most of that mortality was from infectious diseases,' Fisman said, emphasizing that deaths have gone down thanks to smart public health measures. Does climate change play a role? Mosquitoes and ticks are another concern as climate change expands their reach across Canada. Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at Toronto General Hospital, said Lyme disease is already well established in many parts of Canada. Why Lyme disease is on the rise Dr. Isaac Bogoch explains why Lyme disease is on the rise. 'We do see a fair bit of Lyme in Canada. In 2024 there were roughly 5,000 cases that were identified, but that's likely a gross underestimate. We're probably not detecting the majority of cases. So people should be aware that Lyme is out there,' he said. 'It's very easy to prevent Lyme infections… people can just be mindful where ticks live, typically in tall grass or in forested areas, you can wear insect repellent to reduce the risk of a tick bite, and it's certainly helpful to do tick checks.' To check if ticks or reported Lyme disease has been reported in your area, the Public Health Agency of Canada has created a free online portal where residents can enter their postal code or the first three letters of their city. Travelling this summer? Bogoch also warned that international travellers should prepare for serious infections not found in Canada. 'Mosquito avoidance is key with insect repellent,' he said. 'For infections like malaria, many people should be taking tablets to prevent this infection. It can be very severe and even deadly, and it's important that people are aware that malaria is out there.' 'It's a really good idea to get professional travel advice,' he added. 'There might be infections in other parts of the world that we just don't see in Canada, and these are largely preventable.' Malaria Malaria death rates have been in steady decline since 2000 but rose in 2016 as progress towards eliminating the mosquito-borne preventable disease stalled. (Ales_Utovko / Fisman echoed those warnings, noting that hotter climates accelerate mosquito activity. 'Mosquitoes bite more when it's hotter, their biting rate increases and when you have diseases like dengue or yellow fever or chikungunya… that all gets speeded up and outbreaks can happen,' he said. Hotter weather 'can increase' foodborne illnesses While some people associate summer illness with food poisoning or stomach bugs, Fisman said the risks are 'climate sensitive.' 'There are foodborne illnesses like Campylobacter, Shigella and salmonella… and those are climate sensitive,' he said. 'Hotter weather can increase the risk of foodborne illness, obviously increase the risk of food spoilage and so forth.' He also noted the growing concern around antibiotic resistance, pointing to new Canadian research: 'My colleague Dr. Derek MacFadden, at University of Ottawa, has actually shown that hotter weather is associated with a surge in antibiotic resistance, which people may not realize.' How to stay healthy? Experts say basic hygiene still matters, especially when it comes to respiratory viruses. 'The advice in terms of respiratory infections is the advice for COVID,' said Fisman. 'If you're in a closed, crowded space, you can open a window. You can do activities outdoors if you're concerned. You (should not) show up and infect other people if you're sick.' Bogoch agreed the risks are manageable — if people stay informed. 'Enteroviruses are more common in the summer months, and to no one's surprise, we're starting to see a rise in reported enterovirus cases in Canada,' he said. But he wants to reassure people there is no reason to sound the alarm. 'The key message is, have a wonderful summer. Enjoy. We're going to be okay.'
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kenya IVD Market to Reach $68.66 Million by 2032, Growing at 3.2% CAGR, Says Meticulous Research®
Market Growth Driven by High Prevalence of Infectious Diseases, Government Healthcare Initiatives, and Increasing Quality Diagnostics Demand REDDING, Calif., June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report titled "Kenya IVD Market By Offering (Reagents & Kits, Instruments, Software & Services), Technology (Immunoassay, Point of Care, Molecular Diagnostics, Coagulation), Application (Infectious Diseases, Diabetes, Oncology), Diagnostic Approach (Lab, OTC, PoC), End User - Global Forecast and Analysis to 2032", the Kenya IVD market is projected to reach $68.66 million by 2032, up from an estimated $55.23 million in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period. The growth of the Kenya IVD market is primarily driven by the nation's substantial burden of infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, which continues to necessitate advanced diagnostic solutions. Kenya faces critical healthcare challenges with approximately 1.4 million people living with HIV and ranking among the highest TB burden countries globally. Simultaneously, government initiatives supporting healthcare sector development and the increasing demand for quality diagnostics are creating unprecedented opportunities for sustainable healthcare improvement, making accurate and timely diagnostic tools increasingly essential for disease management and patient outcomes. Substantial investments in healthcare infrastructure and the growing adoption of personalized medicine approaches are accelerating market development, demonstrating strong confidence in the transformative potential of advanced diagnostic technologies. The increasing integration of molecular diagnostics and point-of-care testing further amplifies this momentum, with healthcare providers recognizing the critical importance of precise diagnostic solutions that can dramatically enhance treatment accuracy and operational efficiency. For more comprehensive insights, download the FREE report sample: Market Drivers and Technology Evolution The Kenya IVD market is experiencing significant transformation through increasingly sophisticated integration between traditional laboratory infrastructure and cutting-edge diagnostic technologies. These innovations are driving rapid advancement in molecular diagnostics and point-of-care solutions, creating a robust technological foundation that addresses critical challenges in infectious disease management and healthcare accessibility across diverse healthcare settings. "The convergence of molecular diagnostic technologies with point-of-care solutions is revolutionizing how Kenya approaches disease detection and management," said Uddhav Sable, Research Director at Meticulous Research®. "Healthcare providers are witnessing unprecedented opportunities to achieve early disease detection while maintaining cost-effective diagnostic capabilities for optimal patient care delivery." Emerging trends demonstrate a multifaceted approach to market development. Healthcare providers are intensely focusing on rapid diagnostic tests and self-testing kits to enhance accessibility, developing comprehensive infectious disease panels for multi-pathogen detection, and creating integrated diagnostic platforms for HIV, TB, and malaria co-infections. The industry is witnessing a significant shift towards community-based testing and mobile health solutions, with particular emphasis on creating versatile diagnostic systems that can seamlessly operate in both urban healthcare facilities and remote rural settings. Growth Opportunities and Market Expansion The market presents significant growth opportunities that extend far beyond traditional laboratory testing paradigms. The shift towards personalized medicine offers the potential to create comprehensive genetic and molecular diagnostic solutions, addressing critical healthcare challenges in precision treatment approaches. Point-of-care applications are rapidly expanding beyond basic infectious disease testing, exploring specialized domains such as diabetes monitoring, cardiovascular diagnostics, and chronic disease management. Particularly promising areas include declining costs of molecular diagnostic technologies improving test accessibility, advancements in rapid diagnostic solutions enhancing patient care capabilities, and the emergence of innovative self-testing models. The potential for integrated digital health connectivity and community-scale diagnostic programs represents a significant frontier of market expansion, especially with the growing adoption of telemedicine and remote healthcare delivery systems. Get Insightful Data on Regions, Market Segments, Customer Landscape, and Top Companies: Market Challenges and Implementation Barriers Despite the market's substantial potential, significant challenges persist. Limited healthcare infrastructure in rural areas continues to restrict diagnostic service delivery across multiple regions. Technical integration complexities with existing laboratory systems remain a critical constraint, particularly in establishing standardized testing protocols and managing quality control standards across diverse healthcare platforms. Economic challenges include high costs of advanced diagnostic equipment affecting widespread adoption, current limitations in cold chain infrastructure impacting reagent storage and distribution, and complex supply chain management for sustainable operations. Healthcare providers must also navigate varying international quality standards, address training requirements for sophisticated diagnostic technologies, and work to gain regulatory approval for innovative point-of-care diagnostic configurations. "While diagnostic capabilities are advancing rapidly, the industry must address fundamental challenges around infrastructure development and healthcare accessibility," noted Uddhav Sable, Research Director at Meticulous Research®. "Success will depend on developing solutions that demonstrate clear clinical value while maintaining compatibility with Kenya's existing healthcare infrastructure and economic constraints." Segment Analysis and Technology Leadership Based on offering, The Reagents & Kits segment is expected to hold the largest market share of 83.4% in 2025, with recurring diagnostic testing requirements being the dominant advantage due to widespread clinical applications and the commercial availability of diverse diagnostic reagents for various diseases. This segment is also anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of 3.4%, offering promising solutions driven by increased testing volumes for infectious diseases and the expansion of diagnostic capabilities across healthcare facilities. Based on technology applications, Immunoassay/Immunochemistry systems are projected to dominate, accounting for the largest market share of 34.2% in 2025. However, the Whole Blood Glucose Monitoring segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR, offering advanced diabetes management capabilities driven by rising diabetes prevalence and increasing awareness of self-monitoring solutions. Based on end-user applications, Diagnostic Laboratories will hold the largest market share in 2025, with over 200 accredited medical laboratories across Kenya providing critical testing services. Public laboratories, including those under KEMRI and National Public Health Laboratories, serve as the backbone for disease surveillance and outbreak response, highlighting the essential role of laboratory infrastructure in Kenya's healthcare system. Regional Market Dynamics and Healthcare Infrastructure Kenya's IVD market leadership is attributed to progressive healthcare policies, strategic investments in diagnostic infrastructure, and high awareness of disease burden management among healthcare providers. The country's focus on infectious disease control programs, particularly for HIV, TB, and malaria, has created a robust foundation for diagnostic technology adoption. The market is experiencing accelerated growth driven by rapid healthcare infrastructure development, increasing public-private partnerships in healthcare delivery, and extensive investments in laboratory capacity building across both urban and rural areas. Government initiatives supporting universal health coverage and disease prevention programs are further strengthening market expansion opportunities. Access the complete market analysis: Competitive Landscape and Industry Innovation The Kenya IVD market features a dynamic competitive landscape combining international diagnostic leaders with local healthcare providers and emerging technology companies. Global manufacturers are competing alongside specialized diagnostic solution providers and local distributors, each pursuing unique approaches to addressing Kenya's specific healthcare challenges and diagnostic requirements. Key players operating in the Kenya IVD market include Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), Becton, Dickinson and Company (U.S.), bioMérieux SA (France), Danaher Corporation (U.S.), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Switzerland), QIAGEN N.V. (Netherlands), Siemens Healthineers AG (Germany), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., (U.S.), Illumina, Inc. (U.S.), Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd (China), The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Biovet Ltd., and Laboratories & Allied Ltd., among others. About Meticulous Research We are a trusted research partner for leading businesses worldwide, empowering Fortune 500 organizations and emerging enterprises with market intelligence designed to drive revenue transformation and strategic growth. Our insights reveal future growth opportunities, equipping clients with a competitive edge through a versatile suite of research solutions—including syndicated reports, custom research, and direct analyst engagement. To find out more, visit or follow us on LinkedIn Contact: Mr. Khushal BombeMeticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd.1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding,California, 96001, +1-646-781-8004Europe: +44-203-868-8738APAC: +91 744-7780008Email- sales@ Our Website: with us on LinkedIn- Source: Logo: View original content: SOURCE Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Medscape
23-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
WHO Eyes Emerging COVID-19 Variant
A new variant of COVID-19 is on the rise globally, but the overall risk to the public remains low, according to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO). Although the variant, NB.1.8.1, is increasing in proportion to other circulating variants, routine clinical surveillance data have not yielded any signs of increased severity associated with NB.1.8.1 compared to previously circulating variants, the WHO noted in the report. In a logistic regression model comparing NB.1.8.1 to LP.8.1.1, NB.1.8.1 had an estimated higher relative growth advantage than co-circulating variants, according to the WHO. However, no evidence has appeared of increased COVID-19-related hospital admissions, deaths per hospitalizations, or all-cause mortality associated with the variant, the WHO report stated. What to Look for The symptoms of the NB.1.8.1 variant appear to be similar to prior variants of the virus, with such presenting symptoms as fever, headache, cough, runny nose, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, said Shirin Mazumder, MD, an infectious diseases specialist in Memphis, Tennessee, in an interview. 'Sore throat is a common symptom of COVID-19 that occurs in upward of 70% of patients,' said Mazumder. Although some reports describe the sore throat associated with NB.1.8.1 as 'razor blade' in terms of severity, whether this symptom is distinctive of the new variant remains unclear, she noted. As for any added severity, the NB.1.8.1 variant does not appear to cause more severe disease, Mazumder told Medscape Medical News. 'Although most people will recover after a COVID-19 infection, some will require hospital admission, and some will go on to develop long COVID, which we have seen with other variants,' she said. However, overall hospitalizations resulting from COVID-19 in the US are currently stable, she added. Current Vaccine Still Recommended The WHO's Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition regularly assesses how well the available COVID-19 vaccines are performing against any variants. Currently, the group advises that monovalent JN.1 or KP.2 are appropriate COVID-19 vaccine antigens, with monovalent LP.8.1 as an alternative vaccine antigen. To date, no studies have reported any impact of NB.1.8.1 on clinical outcomes, and no available evidence suggests resistance to nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid), according to the WHO. However, the effectiveness of the current COVID vaccine against this variant remains unclear at present, Mazumder told Medscape Medical News. 'There are some reports that the NB.1.8.1 variant exhibits signs of immune escape, which may lower the immunity provided by vaccines and prior infection,' she noted. Yet, the variant is descended from the omicron lineage for which the current vaccine is effective, and ideally it will retain some prevention activity against NB.1.8.1 as well, she said. Mazumder had no financial conflicts to disclose.
