Month: February 2024

Istanbul: - Disease X is 'likely to be a respiratory virus,' according to Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Studies - 'It could be one of the other viruses that infect humans or evolves new characteristics or qualities to be able to spread, or a human virus could be combined with an animal virus,' says Adalja - Pneumonias and upper respiratory infections are going to be the types of syndrome clusters likely to be seen, Adalja tells Anadolu ISTANBUL It was in 2018 when Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist in the US, started thinking about and working on Disease X, realizing that pandemic preparedness was 'stultified' and that people were mostly focusing on influenza. 'Disease X has been something that for the last six or seven years people in my field have been really trying to develop a framework around to make the world more resilient to pandemic threats, even if they come from something that we haven't characterized yet,' Adalja told Anadolu in a video interv iew. A senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Adalja's concerns were not without ground. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently ramped up its efforts and discussions about this unknown infectious pathogen that experts warn may trigger the next pandemic. In January, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed hope that countries will reach a pandemic agreement by this May to address this 'common enemy,' warning that a global health emergency was now 'a matter of when, not if.' In an email to Anadolu, the WHO said a global agreement to protect against future pandemics is under discussion by its member states, and it stands ready to support the accord once agreed by all. The WHO said it aims to strengthen cooperation, coordination, governance and investment 'needed to prevent a repeat of the devastating health and socioeconomic impact caused by COVID-19, (and) make the world better prepared for (a) future pandemic.' According to the WHO, Disease X is a 'placeholder ter m often used to refer to a potential unknown pathogen that could cause a future pandemic or health crisis, and to remind the world that we need to prepare for unknown diseases along with known threats.' In 2017, the WHO published its first list about diseases that had the potential to cause a severe epidemic, for which it says 'we don't have enough or no known medical countermeasures.' The list, which urges donors, researchers and scientists to focus on specific diseases with epidemic potential, mentioned Disease X in 2018. According to WHO's Tedros, COVID-19, which claimed more almost 7 million lives worldwide, was the first Disease X. Likely to be a respiratory virus Adalja also explained that Disease X is a placeholder concept that does not have any real definition or real reference. However, he said it is most likely to be a respiratory virus caused by a zoonotic pathogen, meaning that it could be spread from animals to humans. It is most likely that 'a pandemic pathogen is going to be a virus beca use of their ability to mutate,' he said. 'It's also most likely to be something that spreads through the respiratory route,' said Adalja. An infection that spreads through the respiratory route can really do so prolifically and it is very difficult for interventions to stop it the way an intervention could stop something that might be spread through blood and body fluids, he explained. Adalja pointed out that there are many respiratory viruses that circulate in animals, particularly mammals, that could develop the ability to spread efficiently in humans. However, it might not necessarily be from an animal, he stressed. 'It could be one of the other viruses that infect humans or evolves new characteristics or qualities to be able to spread. Or a human virus could be combined with an animal virus,' he added. Origins and emergence The infectious disease expert pointed out that zoonotic risks are very high when it comes to the Disease X pathogen. 'We think that they would emerge in places that there's a lot of human-animal interface,' he said. However, he said there is no way of being sure, pointing to the emergence of the H1N1 virus from Mexico, a country that 'was not on anybody's list of a place where a pandemic pathogen might emerge.' 'It's not always going to be in hotspots in Africa and Asia where there's high levels of biodiversity,' he said. 'We shouldn't be completely blinded to the fact that we could get a pandemic from North America.' What to look out for A likely scenario with any Disease X outbreak would be a surge in cases of pneumonias and upper respiratory infections, according to Adalja. 'When a Disease X emerges, it's likely to present in some country with a cluster of unexplained pneumonia cases, just like COVID did,' he said. That makes it important for countries to have the diagnostic capability 'to understand what's causing people to be sick with pneumonia and respiratory illnesses,' he said. 'Part of Disease X is going to be really being much more aggressive with diagnostic tes ting of things that are making people sick all over the world,' said Adalja. That is particularly important because there 'could be cases of unknown pathogens that are spreading in humans that are not causing much disruption and are going unnoticed because our diagnostic paradigm is not very robust when it comes to infectious disease,' he warned. For example, prior to COVID, most people did not test to see what was making people come into hospitals with pneumonia, he explained. Preemptive possibilities While Disease X may yet be a placeholder concept, the expert emphasized that there are still steps that can be taken to counter it. 'The principle with Disease X is that you can work in those viral families ahead of time, because Disease X is likely to come from maybe a half dozen or so viral families that have very prolific respiratory viruses,' he explained. Categorization of viruses and understanding how they make people sick can be done, along with understanding their transmission characteristics and what parts of that virus might be important for an immune response, he continued. He said vaccines can be developed ahead of time and might need to be tailored to the specific pathogen that ends up emanating as a pandemic pathogen or as an infectious disease emergency. For example, he pointed out that SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, was a Disease X. 'It wasn't on anybody's list, it was not known to humans before 2019, and yet we were able to make a vaccine within less than a year,' said Adalja. 'That vaccine was developed because people had been working on other viruses in the coronavirus family, for example … the work done on MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) allowed people to move very quickly when SARS-CoV-2 was discovered and categorized.' Source: Anadolu Agency

The strengthening of cooperation between Cyprus and Slovenia was discussed by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs and Chairman of the Cyprus-Slovenia Friendship Group, Haris Georgiades, and the Members of the Committee, Marios Mavridis, Averof Neofytou, Marina Nikolaou, Chrysis Pantelides and MP Alexandra Attalides, during their meeting on Thursday with the President of the National Assembly (NA) of Slovenia, Urška Klakocar Zupancic and a delegation consisting of MPs Dušan Stojanovic and Iva Dimic, President and Member, respectively, of the Slovenia-Cyprus Friendship Group in National Assembly of Slovenia. As stated in a press release issued by the Parliament, Georgiades underlined the excellent level of relations between Cyprus and Slovenia, including their parliamentary dimension, which, as he said, are based on the commitment of the two countries to democracy and international law, in common principles and in their common Euro-Mediterranean identity. Referring to t he conditions of increasing instability, especially in the Middle East region, Georgiades pointed out that Cyprus knows very well what invasion and displacement mean, having itself been invaded by Turkey and experiencing Turkish aggression for 50 years. Despite the ongoing occupation and open wounds, Georgiades pointed out, Cyprus has managed to progress by creating a strong economy and a functioning democracy and to be a factor of security and stability in a highly unstable region. On her part, Klakocar Zupancic reaffirmed Slovenia's principled position in efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, as determined by the relevant United Nations resolutions. She noted, in this regard, that the Cyprus issue is included in her country's priorities in its capacity as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2024-2025. It is noted that, during the discussion that followed, the Cypriot MPs pointed out the comm on characteristics, challenges and aspirations of Cyprus and Slovenia and underlined the will to further strengthen inter-parliamentary relations and cooperation, for the benefit of the two peoples. The Cypriot MPs expressed sincere appreciation for Slovenia's principled position and support regarding the Cyprus problem and its efforts to resolve it, and emphasised the Greek Cypriot side's commitment to the goal of resuming talks to achieve a just and sustainable solution, in accordance with the UN resolutions on Cyprus. Finally, the importance was noted of cooperation and coordination between Cyprus and Slovenia, as two small Mediterranean and European states, in order to defend their common interests. Source: Cyprus News Agency

BELGRADE: Trkiye is followed with envy as the center of peace, trust and stability in its region, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler said Thursday. "Trkiye is a country at the center of regional and global developments due to its geopolitical location. Our country, which has made significant breakthroughs in the military and diplomatic fields in recent years with the strategic foresight of our president, has begun to assume a playmaking role in its region and the world, further strengthening its international position," Guler said while visiting Turkish troops in the European Union Peacekeeping Mission (EUFOR) in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. "Trkiye has become an indispensable part of negotiation tables and security architecture with its solution proposals in critical regions and geographies and its contributions to peace and stability," he said. Guler said Trkiye attaches great importance to the preservation of peace, security and stability in the Balkans. "We are in close cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina, with whom we have deep-rooted ties of friendship and brotherhood and which is one of our important partners in the Balkans," he said. Guler is on a two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina where he met EUFOR Commander Maj. Gen. Laszlo Sticz and NATO Sarajevo Commander Brig. Gen. Pamela McGaha. Source: Anadolu Agency

European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides expressed the support of the European Commision to the non-profit association "Unique Smiles" for children with rare diseases. Speaking at a press conference in Nicosia on the occasion of ten years since the association was founded, Kyriakides said that "rare diseases in Europe are not so rare and today affect up to 36 million citizens across the EU". She referred to a funding for the health sector, saying that it is "unprecedented in the history of the EU" reaching more than 4 billion euros, "so that we can realize what started as a vision, 4 years ago." In this context, Kyriakides said, "we have tabled the reform of EU pharmaceutical legislation with the aim of ensuring access to safe and effective medicines for all our citizens", explaining that "this reform will also give pharmaceutical companies incentives to develop more effective and affordable medicines, including for people with rare diseases." In his address at the press conferen ce, which was read out, Minister of Health, Michalis Damianos, said that the association's ten years of operation constitute a path of dedication and solidarity towards those who face rare genetic diseases. Early diagnosis, specialized treatment and continuous support are the main pillars for dealing with rare diseases, he pointed out. Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Marilena Evangelou, congratulated the association and said that the Deputy Ministry is responsible for issues related to the integration of people with rare diseases who also have disabilities. All departments of the Deputy Ministry, she continued, will continue to make their utmost so as to contribute to the effort and adopt good practices and policies from the European family. Source: Cyprus News Agency

ANKARA: US President Joe Biden discussed developments in the Gaza Strip on Thursday with Egyptian and Qatari leaders, according to statements. The Egyptian Presidency said Biden and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reviewed on the telephone joint efforts by Egypt, the US and Qatar to reach a cease-fire and a prisoner swap deal, along with efforts to deliver humanitarian aid into war-torn Gaza. The Egyptian president stressed the need to reach an immediate and permanent cease-fire that would bring relief to Palestinians in Gaza, according to a statement. He also said that reaching a cease-fire is a priority to restore stability in the region. Meanwhile, the Qatar News Agency (QNA) said Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani discussed on the phone with Biden "the latest developments in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories." The two leaders also discussed Qatar's efforts "aimed at reaching a deal on immediate and permanent cease-fire in Gaza." Representatives from Qatar, Egypt, the US and Isra el met last week in Paris to discuss proposals for a cease-fire that includes a prisoner swap deal, but so far no agreement has been reached. Israel has launched a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which Tel Aviv said killed less than 1,200 people. At least 30,035 Palestinians have since been killed and 70,457 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities. Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation. The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provide d to civilians in Gaza. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: A Palestinian doctor said Thursday that all of the Palestinians who were injured in an Israeli army's shooting at the Al-Nabulsi roundabout area, south of Gaza City, are likely to die from critical health conditions and severe injuries. The nursing director at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza said most of the injured who were taken to his hospital are in critical condition and most are "likely to get martyred." "Most of the injured cases of the Israeli shelling on Al-Nabulsi roundabout area are in the upper parts of their bodies," he said. The facility received several injured and dead Palestinians from the attack on residents waiting for humanitarian aid. The doctor noted that the hospital is suffering a severe shortage of medical equipment and is facing difficulties in saving lives. Early Thursday, Israeli forces shelled a crowd of Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid south of Gaza City at the "al-Nabulsi Roundabout" area, killing at least 112 Palestinians and injuring 760 others, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. Israel has launched a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which Tel Aviv said killed less than 1,200 people. At least 30,035 Palestinians have since been killed and 70,457 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities. Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation. The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: More people are dying due to the siege of Gaza than are being killed by Israeli bombardment, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said on Thursday. "This is a man-made disaster. People dying from bombs and strikes - even more now dying from consequences of siege imposed on the Gaza Strip," UNRWA said in a statement after the death toll from Israeli strikes exceeded 30,000 earlier in the day, while over 70,000 have been injured. The UN agency lamented the continued lack of a cease-fire to halt Israeli air and ground attacks in the Palestinian enclave despite repeated calls. Israel has launched a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian group Hamas, which Tel Aviv said killed less than 1,200 people. At least 30,035 Palestinians have since been killed and 70,457 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities. Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of nor thern Gaza, on the verge of starvation. The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Source: Anadolu Agency

The Ministry of the Interior in the context of preparations for the June 9, 2024 elections is carrying out an information campaign for young voters to register to the electoral rolls. It is recalled that on June 9th elections will take place for Local Administration Authorities, School Board Members and Members of the European Parliament. The Ministry's campaign is taking place in collaboration with the Press and Information Office. A press release by the Ministry says that the campaign is aimed at young voters with the goal to promote their participation in democratic processes. It is recalled that citizens, aged up to 25, can register online through the official website elections.gov.cy. It says that the process is simple, fast and easily accessible, allowing young citizens to register so as to exercise their right to vote. The registration ends on April 2, the press release says. "We invite all young citizens, who are not registered in the electoral rolls, to use this opportunity and register" the Mini stry says. More information at elections.gov.cy. Source: Cyprus News Agency

ISTANBUL: Azerbaijan on Thursday rejected the European Parliament's annual report on the 27-member bloc's common foreign and security policy, saying it contains 'slanderous and completely groundless provisions.' 'These slanderous and completely groundless provisions, which are a part of the smear campaign against Azerbaijan, where all the facts are distorted, raise serious questions about the future of the common foreign and security policy of the European Union,' Aykhan Hajizada, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said in a statement. Expressing that the report reflects a 'shallow approach' to foreign and security policy, Hajizada said it also shows that members of the European Parliament are 'captive to populist politics.' Hajizada further said the European Parliament 'demonstrates disrespect against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan,' adding that the contents of the report illustrate that the 'personal interests' of EU lawmakers 'prevail over international law and the interests' of the EU. 'As long as the European Union does not put an end to this arbitrariness within its institutions, the foreign and security policy of the institution will continue to be captive of its utopian approaches in the system of international relations,' Hajizada concluded. Azerbaijan's National Assembly also condemned the report, expressing that the European Parliament intends to persist in its pursuit of 'new achievements' in line with its 'duplicitous and hypocritical approach' to the events in the South Caucasus region. 'Having armed themselves with populism and demagogy, intent on gaining a political capital by issuing documents and making statements that do not serve the cause of peace and stability at all, European politicians, it seems, unwaveringly play the role of 'a toolbox' that certain circles have cast them in,' it said. The National Assembly went on to claim that a number of points in the annual report, which it said concurred with Armenia's official statements, showed that it was drawn up " under the influence and to the dictation of the Armenian lobby.' On Wednesday, the European Parliament adopted two reports, in which it condemned what it claimed 'policies of aggression' by Azerbaijan and called on the EU to impose sanctions against Azerbaijani authorities and suspend its memorandum of understanding on energy with Baku. It also welcomed the establishment of the EU Mission in Armenia and the steps taken to strengthen its capacity, and called on the European Council to extend the mission for five more years and broaden its geographical scope to "potentially include the Armenia-Trkiye border." Source: Anadolu Agency