LIKELY PANDEMIC: NEW SWINE FLU, DISCOVERED IN CHINA

Researchers have discovered a new flu strain identified in pigs in China called G4 EA H1N1 with potentials to infect humans 

According to a seven-year study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the new H1N1 influenza virus in pigs is not an immediate threat.

Experts said the virus had all the essential hallmarks of a candidate pandemic virus as it can grow and multiply in human cells.

The new virus which was estimated to have emerged in 2016 shares similarities with the 2009 swine flu, which killed an estimated 12,469 people in the United States between April 12, 2009, and April 10, 2010.

The study found 10 per cent of farmers who were involved in the research had been infected. However, there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission, or proof that it could occur in the future.

Dr Jemma Geoghegan, a virologist and senior lecturer from the University of Otago, noted there was no evidence the virus poses an "immediate threat" to humans.

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"Pigs are an important reservoir host for influenza viruses where multiple viruses might first 'mix' in pigs, creating new viruses that then jump to humans.

"However, the news that the next viral pandemic will be caused by a new virus found in pigs might be a little premature."

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7 health workers test positive for COVID-19 in Uganda

The Ministry of Health in Uganda announced on Sunday that seven front-line health workers have tested positive for COVID-19. The confirmed cases include: 3 nurses, 2 doctors and 2 senior level staff. 

They have all been admitted to Entebbe Grade B and Mulago National Specialized Hospital and are in stable condition. 

"A team of experts specialized in Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC), Case Management and Psychosocial management are currently in the various places where health workers tested positive to evaluate the response and investigate what could have led to the unfortunate infection of the health workers," the Ministry said.

The Ministry of Health routinely tests health workers based on the high chances of exposure to the virus. 

The total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Uganda now stands at 417. Currently, there are 287 admitted COVID-19 cases in 15 Referral Hospitals in the country. All are in stable condition. 

To-date, Uganda has registered a total of 72 COVID-19 recoveries and not a single person has died of the disease.

Source: Ministry of Health-Uganda

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Chinese Christians donate masks to Israel

Hospital staff with masks Miriam Lottner bought in China (Credit: Masks for Israel)

(photo credit: Courtesy)

When coronavirus made its way to Israel, a group bought 10,000 N-95 masks and 25,000 paper masks, found space on a medical supply plane and had them shipped to Israel.

 Shirley Burdick has shown dozens of Chinese Christians what she calls the “real” Israel. Born and raised in Shanghai, she founded the organization Ten Gentiles, a nonprofit that aims to “equip and engage Christians to participate in God’s restoration of Israel alongside the Jewish people,” according to its website.

Burdick often brings Chinese Christian groups to Mizmor Ledavid, an Orthodox synagogue in Jerusalem for Friday night services. She also arranges for them to be hosted for Shabbat dinner by members of the synagogue.

“They feel an attachment to Israel but don’t know what it is,” she said, about the Chinese tourists. “Some of them come several times a year for all the Jewish holidays. When I took them to synagogue some of them started crying.”

When coronavirus made its way to Israel, these frequent visitors decided they wanted to help. So they bought 10,000 N-95 masks and 25,000 paper masks, found space on a medical supply plane and had them shipped to Israel.

Burdick says there was some complication at the airport, as another donor had donated masks to the city of Ashdod, and many of her N-95 masks got mixed up with that shipment. The deputy mayor of Ashdod says they’ve all been given out, although won’t give details.

But Burdick still had thousands of masks to give out.

Some went to Ma’aynei Hayeshua Medical Center, the ultra-Orthodox hospital in Bnai Brak. Others to the urgent care facility Terem in Jerusalem, others to a nursing home.

“They put the labels of the Chinese flag and the Israeli flag (on the boxes),” Burdick said. “It’s wonderful to deliver love from Chinese Christians to Israeli society. It is something new that Christians are coming to help the Jewish people.”

Many of the donors belong to Protestant churches.

“In the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, every city in China was desperate for face masks, and people were very worried,” Joshua, who raised much of the money for the donation, said in an email. “Many countries, both government and non-government organizations, and individuals lend helping hands to China. And we saw Jewish brethren praying for us at the Kotel; we were deeply moved. We are very grateful!”

His wife, Sarah, said they feel empathy with Israelis suffering from corona.

“When the coronavirus broke out in Israel, we knew that Israel was going through what we already went through. Proverbs 3:27 says, ‘Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.’ We want to do everything we can to help our Jewish brothers and sisters to overcome the difficulties.”

Burdick is not the only one providing health care workers with masks. Miriam Lottner, a senior content developer at Microsoft. As a side business, she designs toys that encourage STEM. She manufactures in china so has connections there.

On her Facebook feed she saw post after post by health care workers, lamenting the shortage of masks and other personal protective equipment. Doctors and nurses were being given one mask per day, meaning they could potentially be transferring corona between patients.

Her bosses at Microsoft let her use her volunteer days and she quickly had a total of $30,000 in donations within a week. She bought 27,000 N-95 masks that went to hospitals all over Israel. It was not an easy task.

“When you manufacture in Chine you don’t work directly with factories but with agents,” she said. “There was a lot of theft. For example, the Chinese mafia stole 2000 masks at the Shanghai airport.”

Then China changed the export regulations, leaving some masks stuck in the country, although they did eventually arrive.

She said the health workers were very happy to receive the masks.

“The minute the masks got to hospitals they were put to use,” she said. “People sent us pictures wearing the masks.”