Myanmar health authorities struggle to prepare for Zika outbreak

Worker fumigates along a street in Yangon, MyanmarBy Shwe Yee Saw Myint YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar is largely unprepared for an outbreak of Zika, experts say, with the health ministry slashing anti-virus measures due to lack of funds, overworked doctors skipping check-ups and pregnant women saying they are in the dark about the dangers. Zika has spread to some 60 countries and territories since the current outbreak was identified last year in Brazil, raising alarm over the rare birth defect microcephaly, as well as other neurological disorders it can cause in infants and adults. The World Health Organization&;s (WHO) Myanmar country head Dr Jorge M. Luna, warned Myanmar was likely to experience more cases of the mosquito-borne virus that has spread quickly in the region, with the number of infections doubling in Vietnam and 33 fresh cases confirmed in Thailand this week.. Myanmar detected its first Zika-infected patient more than two weeks ago, prompting pledges of increased monitoring and stepped up mosquito-prevention measures.

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Americans want Trump to focus on healthcare first

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump attends a campaign event in WilmingtonHealthcare is the top issue Americans want Donald Trump to address during his first 100 days in the White House, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Thursday, reflecting apparent frustration over rising costs for prescription drugs and medical coverage. Some 21 percent of Americans want Trump to focus on the healthcare system when he enters the White House on Jan. 20, according to the Nov. 9-14 poll, conducted in the week after the Republican won the U.S. presidential election. Jobs took second place with 16 percent of Americans hoping it would be Trump&;s first agenda item, while immigration came third – picked by 14 percent of Americans, according to the poll.

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France tightens restrictions to avoid bird flu contamination

France, Europe’s largest poultry producer, imposed additional precautions at farms and restricted hunting and bird gathering on Thursday after a severe strain of bird flu virus was found in several neighboring countries in the past few weeks. No case of H5N8 avian influenza, more commonly called bird flu, has been found in France so far but the virus was found in eight European countries, including Switzerland and Germany, mainly in wild birds but also at farms. Poultry farmers located in these “high risk” zones will have to keep poultry flocks indoors or apply safety nets preventing contact with wild birds, it said.
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