A large proportion of French people blame – or partly blame – the victims for being raped and sexually assaulted, a new survey has found.
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German men STILL paid 20 percent more than women
Only two European countries pay women less than Germany: Estonia and Austria.
Right-wingers skewered over ‘obligatory pork’ plan
Some conservatives fear that canteens could be upending German culture by trying too hard to cater for Muslims and vegetarians.
WHO: Statement Of 8th IHR Committee On Polio As A PHEIC
| Credit WHO |
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While Zika is getting all of the media’s attention these days, not quite two years ago (May 2014) – after convening a meeting of their Emergency Committee – we saw the WHO Declare Polio Spread A Public Health Emergency Of International Concern (PHEIC).
Since then the IHR committee has met regularly to discuss progress in eradicating Polio and consider its status. Yesterday the WHO posted the results of their 8th consultation, where they decided to extend the PHEIC designation another 3 months.
While noting that progress has been made over the past two years in controlling wild type polio, they cited two recent reports of exportations last fall from Pakistan into Afghanistan.
And while relatively rare, we continue to see scattered reports of vaccine derived Poliovirus (cVDPV) around the world. The IHR committee reports:
In 2015, six outbreaks of circulating vaccine derived poliovirus have occurred – three cVDPV type 1 outbreaks (Ukraine, Madagascar and Lao People’s Democratic Republic) and three cVDPV type 2 outbreaks (Myanmar, Nigeria and Guinea). Six additional cases of cVDPV type 2 have been reported in Guinea since the last meeting.
These vaccine derived infections come from the use of the oral (Sabin) polio vaccine (OPV) which contains three attenuated (weakened) polio virus strains, that activates an immune response in the body, and for a few weeks causes the weakened virus to be shed in the feces.
This is considered a `good’ side effect, for in areas with poor sanitation, this vaccine-virus can spread in the community for a limited time conveying extra immunity.
But as the WHO explains:
On rare occasions, if a population is seriously under-immunized, an excreted vaccine-virus can continue to circulate for an extended period of time. The longer it is allowed to survive, the more genetic changes it undergoes. In very rare instances, the vaccine-virus can genetically change into a form that can paralyse – this is what is known as a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV).
For Polio to be completely eradicated, the use of the OPV must eventually be phased out, and the final push completed using the older inactivated Salk vaccine (see Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013–2018 ).
Unlike the oral vaccine which has been the workhorse of the global polio eradication initiative, the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) must be delivered via an injection, and by a trained health care professional.
IPV is also much more expensive than OPV, but is the only path to eradication. Follow the link below to read the entire IHR statement, I’ve only included some highlights from the text.
WHO statement
1 March 2016
The eighth meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) regarding the international spread of poliovirus was convened via teleconference by the Director-General on 12 February 2016. As with the seventh meeting, the Emergency Committee reviewed the data on circulating wild poliovirus as well as circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV). The latter is particularly important as cVDPVs reflect serious gaps in immunity to poliovirus due to weaknesses in routine immunization coverage in otherwise polio-free countries. In addition, it is essential to stop type 2 cVDPVs in advance of the globally synchronized withdrawal of type 2 OPV in April 2016.The following IHR States Parties submitted an update on the implementation of the Temporary Recommendations since the Committee last met on 10 November 2015: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Guinea.
(BIG SNIP)Conclusion
The Committee unanimously agreed that the international spread of polio remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and recommended the extension of the Temporary Recommendations for a further three months. The Committee considered the factors expressed in reaching this conclusion at the seventh meeting still applied:
- The continued international spread of wild poliovirus during 2015 involving Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- The risk and consequent costs of failure to eradicate globally one of the world’s most serious vaccine preventable diseases.
- The continued necessity of a coordinated international response to improve immunization and surveillance for wild poliovirus, stop its international spread and reduce the risk of new spread.
- The serious consequences of further international spread for the increasing number of countries in which immunization systems have been weakened or disrupted by conflict and complex emergencies. Populations in these fragile states are vulnerable to outbreaks of polio. Outbreaks in fragile states are exceedingly difficult to control and threaten the completion of global polio eradication during its end stage.
- The importance of a regional approach and strong cross-border cooperation, as much international spread of polio occurs over land borders, while recognizing that the risk of distant international spread remains from zones with active poliovirus transmission.
- Additionally with respect to cVDPV:
- cVDPVs also pose a risk for international spread, and if there is no urgent response with appropriate measures, particularly threaten vulnerable populations as noted above;
- The emergence and circulation of VDPVs in four WHO regions demonstrates significant gaps in population immunity at a critical time in the polio endgame;
- There is a particular urgency of stopping type 2 cVDPVs in advance of the globally synchronized withdrawal of type 2 component of the oral poliovirus vaccine in April 2016.
FDA: Recommendations To Reduce Risk Of Zika Infection From Human Cell & Tissue Transplants
| Credit CDC |
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We’ve previously discussed efforts to protect the blood supply from the Zika Virus (see WHO: Interim Guidance To Maintain Safety Of Blood Supply From Zika Virus), but donated human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps) represent another area of risk.
Yesterday the FDA released new recommendations designed to reduce the risks of Zika contamination of these types of donated biologicals.
The FDA recommends a 6-month moratorium on accepting from donors (living or deceased) HCT/Ps (human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products) who had been diagnosed with Zika virus infection, were in an area with active Zika virus transmission, or had sex with a male with either of those risk factors.
As we are still learning about the persistence of the Zika virus in humans, these recommendations may be changed down the road.
For Immediate Release
March 1, 2016Release
As an additional safety measure against the emerging Zika virus outbreak, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued new guidance for immediate implementation providing recommendations to reduce the potential transmission risk of Zika virus from human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps). The guidance addresses donation of HCT/Ps from both living and deceased donors, including donors of umbilical cord blood, placenta, or other gestational tissues.
The new guidance is a part of the FDA’s ongoing efforts to protect HCT/Ps and blood products from Zika virus transmission. On Feb. 16, the FDA issued recommendations for reducing the risk of Zika virus via blood transfusion in the U.S.
“Though there is more to be learned about the transmission of Zika virus, given what we know about the virus at this point, which also is informed by our understanding of similar viruses, we must address the potential risk of Zika virus transmission by human cells and tissues,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “Providing HCT/P establishments with donor eligibility recommendations will help reduce that potential risk.”
There is a potential risk that the Zika virus can be transmitted by HCT/Ps used as part of a medical, surgical, or reproductive procedure. HCT/Ps include products such as corneas, bone, skin, heart valves, hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HPCs), gestational tissues such as amniotic membrane, and reproductive tissues such as semen and oocytes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Zika virus can be spread by a man to his sexual partners. And to date, there have been several cases of sexual transmission in the U.S. Current information about Zika virus detection in semen suggests that a period of ineligibility longer than the waiting period that has been recommended for donors of Whole Blood and blood components is necessary for HCT/P donors.
Recommendations for living donors of HCT/Ps: Donors should be considered ineligible if they were diagnosed with Zika virus infection, were in an area with active Zika virus transmission, or had sex with a male with either of those risk factors, within the past six months. Donors of umbilical cord blood, placenta, or other gestational tissues should be considered ineligible if they have had any of the above risk factors at any point during their pregnancy.
Recommendations for deceased (non-heart-beating) donors: Donors should be considered ineligible if they were diagnosed with Zika virus infection in the past six months.
A deferral period of six months was chosen because of the limited data available on the length of time the virus can persist in all tissues. Zika virus has been detected in tissues and body fluids after the virus is no longer detectable in the blood stream, and has been detected in semen possibly up to 10 weeks after the onset of symptoms. Given the uncertainty, six months was determined to provide the appropriate level of caution.
Less evidence exists regarding the potential for transmission of Zika virus by HCT/Ps typically recovered from deceased donors. As more information becomes available, the understanding of the risks to recipients of HCT/Ps, including HCT/Ps recovered from deceased donors, may evolve. The FDA will continue to monitor the situation, and will carefully evaluate new information regarding the associated risks as it becomes available.
In addition to the guidance documents addressing the nation’s blood supply and HCT/Ps, the FDA continues to prioritize the development of blood donor screening and diagnostic tests that may be useful for identifying the presence of or recent infection with the virus, prepare to evaluate the safety and efficacy of investigational vaccines and therapeutics that might be developed, and review technology that may help suppress populations of the mosquitoes that can spread the virus.
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, promotes and protects the public health by, among other things, assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.
Related Information
Study closely ties Zika to fetal brain damage, microcephaly
The study from French Polynesia comes as the WHO publishes related guidance.
“I graduated last May with an accounting degree and moved to…
“I graduated last May with an accounting degree and moved to the city. But four months had passed and I didn’t have a job yet. I’d probably sent out my resume to thirty different places. And I couldn’t afford to keep waiting for people to call me back. So I went to the strip with all the car dealerships, and started going door-to-door to see if they had any openings in accounting. I’ve always loved cars. I used to always read Consumer Reports with my dad. So I thought it would be a good fit. The lady at BMW was a bit standoffish. Then I went to Audi. They were great. Super welcoming. But they didn’t have any positions at the moment. Then I got to Jaguar/Land Rover– which was my first choice, so I was working up to it— and they sat me down right there for an interview. I was there all afternoon, then they said: ‘We like what we see. Can you start tomorrow?’ I ran outside and called my parents. My dad was so proud of me. I was so proud of myself.”
What I Learnt from Karaikal Ammaiyar and Her Closet of Adornments – The Ladies FingerThe Ladies Finger
Vanity is at once discouraged and encouraged in women. Among the conflicting social messages we receive, we are told that to care too much about one’s appearance denotes shallowness of character or lack of intellectual gravitas, but that to not appear pleasing is to be lacking in social graces or emotional stability. There are women who seem to be smitten by trends; there are women who establish a more individualistic style; there are women who seem to have no clear taste; there are women who frankly seem to not have an aesthetic sense – and each of them is perceived and pegged in a different way. Our wardrobes speak volumes for us. In the long history of female silencing, the wardrobe was an instrument long before the pen, which did not find its way into the majority of our hands until rather recent centuries. Little tells us more about the power of this instrument than the moral and cultural policing of women’s attire. ‘Pleasing’ – denoting acceptable attention that puts other people at ease. In India, a sari in most contexts is ‘pleasing’. It speaks of the woman’s urge to please, to appear serious, shy, subordinate, unchallenging. So why then did I find myself lodging a complaint at a Chennai hotel a few years ago because the management had assumed I was soliciting, based entirely on the fact that I had been sitting alone in the lobby in a sari? I had been waiting for my friends for a night of partying. The sari in that context was not pleasing. It was subversive. The undertone was this: women who go clubbing don’t wear saris when they do because doing so would be to insult the garment and corrupt its inherent morality by bringing it into an immoral sphere. Their lifestyles were acceptable so long as they were compartmentalised. To not compartmentalise – to confuse the decorum of the sari with the abandon of the pub – was to be profoundly lacking in morality, i.e. a whore.
Pinned to Viva on Pinterest
The mini-tsunami
Hours after a major earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia, hundreds of automatic monitoring stations picked up the size of the waves, as far away as Sri Lanka and Thailand. Due to the type of earthquake, none registered more than a metre.

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