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When the sun is out after a long winter, every one loves it. But not the people of Canary Islands. Tourists there are being warned about the "unusually high risk" of UV rays this week. The Ministry of Health for this holiday destination has urged both, residents and visitors to take extra precautions and preventative measures to limit the impact of sun exposure over their body and skin.
The Ministry observed Aemet, Spain's national weather agency for the forecast which showed higher than normal UV or ultraviolet radiation levels in the region. It is in this backdrop that everyone in the region are requested to be extra careful when they are out in the sun. UV levels are set to reach 7, which is a 'high risk' in La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera and Gran Canaria. Other regions like Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are expected to reach a level 6, which is also classed as 'high risk'.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), a UV index is a measure of the level of UV radiation, which ranges from zero upward. The higher the UVI, the greater potential for damage to skin and eye and the less time it takes for harm to occur, notes WHO.
The range 1 to 2 represents a low risk, 2 to 5 is moderate, 6 to 7 is at high risk, 8 to 10 is at very high and anything over 11 is extremely risky for anyone to stay out.
UV radiation levels fluctuate throughout the day, with the highest values occurring during the four-hour period around solar noon. The reported UV Index (UVI) typically reflects this daily peak. Depending on geographic location and the use of daylight saving time, solar noon falls between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. In some countries, sun protection advisories are issued when UV levels are expected to reach 3 or higher, as exposure at these levels increases the risk of skin damage, making protective measures essential.
While sun bathing is good, being out in the sun when the UVI indicates a high or very high risk, may cause you health concerns. It can lead to sunburn, premature skin aging, incresed risk of skin cancer, eye damage and in severe cases, heat related disease.
It is one of the most common skin injury which happens when there is excess exposure to UV radiation from the sun. This happens when the UV radiation directly damages the DNA skin cells. These damaged cells die and shed, this is why people experience peeling after getting a sunburn.
This is also a common occurrence when your body loses too many fluids or electrolytes. It can also interfere with your normal body functions. You may feel dehydrated, especially when you are out in the sun, but not well hydrated. The most common symptoms are dizziness, fatigue and headache on hot days.
This is an electrolyte disorder in which your body experiences low sodium in blood. The symptoms could lead to nausea, confusion and even weakness. There are extreme cases when one may have seizures, slip into coma or die.
This is one of the most common consequence of being out under the hot sun. Dehydration with prolonged heat exposure can lead to heat exhaustion.
When you are out under the sun and your body's core temperature cross 104°, heatstroke may occur. This is also known as sunstroke. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it causes more than 600 deaths each year in the United States.
Credits: Tini Younger Instagram/Canva
Tineke “Tini” Younger shared some devastating news on Wednesday, November 26. The 24-year-old TikTok chef and Next Level Chef alum revealed that one of her twin daughters with husband Antoine Wright Jr. had tragically passed away.
Younger said that their daughter Arya, known as Baby A, died just before reaching 36 weeks of pregnancy. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote, "This isn’t the post I ever imagined I would share once the twins arrived. Unfortunately, earlier this week we lost our sweet girl Arya." She explained that despite being so close to full term, she experienced a placental abruption that caused the loss of her baby.
The surviving twin was born safely and is reportedly breathing independently, according to Younger. She has not shared the name of the second daughter.
Placental abruption, medically referred to as abruptio placentae, is an uncommon yet serious complication during pregnancy. The placenta develops inside the uterus and attaches to its wall, providing essential oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby.
Placental abruption happens when the placenta partially or fully detaches from the uterine wall before delivery. This separation can restrict or completely cut off the baby’s supply of oxygen and nutrients while also causing significant bleeding in the mother. According to the Mayo Clinic, the placenta is an organ that forms in the uterus during pregnancy. When placental abruption occurs, the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before birth, which can deprive the baby of vital oxygen and nutrients and lead to heavy maternal bleeding. In some situations, early delivery may be required to protect both mother and child.
Placental abruption often appears suddenly, and if it is not treated promptly, it can pose serious risks to both the mother and the baby.
Placental abruption is most likely to develop in the last trimester of pregnancy, particularly in the final few weeks before delivery. Signs and symptoms may include:
Abdominal and back pain often start suddenly. The amount of vaginal bleeding can vary widely and does not necessarily reflect how much of the placenta has detached from the uterus. Blood may become trapped inside the uterus, so even in severe cases of placental abruption, there might not be any visible bleeding.
In some instances, placental abruption develops gradually, referred to as chronic abruption. This may cause light, intermittent vaginal bleeding. Babies might grow more slowly than expected, and there could be other complications, such as low amniotic fluid or additional issues affecting fetal development.
The precise cause of placental abruption is often unknown. Healthcare professionals can, however, identify certain factors that increase the risk. For example, abdominal trauma, including falls or accidents, can raise the chances of experiencing a placental abruption.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is strongly recommended to seek medical care immediately to ensure both your safety and your baby’s.
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A college in Devon, UK, has issued a public health notice after confirming an outbreak of a disease often tied to the Victorian era. It is not something most people come across today, yet reports show that this old skin condition is appearing more often in modern settings. Although it is usually linked with unclean surroundings, anyone can get it, no matter how carefully they maintain personal or household hygiene.
One woman described her nine-month struggle with the illness. At first she dismissed it as an allergy but soon noticed her son had developed a similar rash and persistent itching. Amanda Rushton from Accrington in Lancashire told The Daily Mail she felt as if her “skin was crawling” once she learnt what she was dealing with.
In the UK, 'Victorian diseases' refers to illnesses that were widespread during the 19th century and are now returning due to factors such as poverty and limited access to care. These include tuberculosis, cholera, scarlet fever, and scurvy. Many of these conditions are tied to poor sanitation or nutrition.
Tuberculosis was once known as “consumption,” and infections like scabies and measles have also been seen more frequently in recent years, according to the official UK government website.
Specialists have raised concerns that more parents choosing to skip routine childhood vaccinations are placing infants and other high-risk groups in danger. The illness circulating at the Devon college is scabies.
“We have been notified of seven confirmed cases of scabies amongst our student community,” read an email from South Devon College in Paignton, reported by DevonLive. “These cases have been diagnosed by a health professional.”
Scabies is a very itchy skin infestation caused by tiny mites known as Sarcoptes scabiei. These mites burrow into the upper layers of the skin to feed and lay eggs. The body reacts to this by producing a rash of small bumps and intense itching, which often becomes worse at night. The condition spreads easily through close and prolonged skin contact and can also pass indirectly through contaminated clothing, bedding, or towels, according to Mayo Clinic.
Scabies tends to spread faster in crowded environments or shared living spaces such as child-care centres or nursing homes. Pets cannot give scabies to humans, as animals carry a different type of mite that causes mange, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic.
The most common sign of scabies is a fierce, unrelenting itch that worsens at night, along with a rash. You may also notice thin, raised, curved lines called burrows and small bumps or blisters. These usually appear in warm or folded areas of the skin, such as between the fingers and toes. Continuous scratching can break the skin, causing sores or scabs.
Intense itching: This is the leading symptom and often disturbs sleep because of how severe it becomes at night.
Rash: The rash may look like small bumps, pimples, or tiny blisters.
Burrows: These appear as narrow, winding lines created by female mites as they tunnel through the skin to lay eggs.
Sores: Scratching can result in broken skin and crusts.
Common Locations For The Rash
London saw a noticeable increase in scabies toward the end of last year, and similar spikes were reported across northern England, especially in care facilities, nursing homes, and university housing. With cases climbing, doctors are urging people to stay alert to common signs.
Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, explained to Women’s Health last month that although there is no single clear cause for the rise, several factors may be contributing. He told The Independent that this period of the year allows scabies to spread more easily, with children returning to school and students moving into shared accommodation, both of which involve frequent close contact.
He added that scabies is often confused with other skin problems, especially eczema or allergic reactions.
Doctors note that the condition is usually not dangerous, but it must be treated because it passes from person to person so easily. Symptoms may take up to eight weeks to appear after the mites enter the skin. Anyone who suspects they might have scabies should speak to a pharmacist. Every person in the household needs treatment at the same time, even if they do not have visible symptoms.
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Brazilian authorities on Wednesday approved the world’s first single-dose dengue vaccine, describing it as a “historic” step amid a global surge in cases fueled by rising temperatures. Dengue, which causes severe flu-like symptoms, extreme fatigue, and body aches, hit record global levels in 2024, with scientists linking its rapid spread to climate change. Brazil’s health regulatory body ANVISA cleared the use of Butantan-DV, created by the Butantan Institute in São Paulo, for individuals aged 12 to 59.
Until now, the only dengue vaccine available globally was TAK-003, which requires two doses spaced three months apart, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Here’s everything currently known about this single-dose vaccine.
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On Wednesday, November 26, Anvisa approved the world’s first single-dose dengue vaccine. The announcement followed the signing of a term considered the final step in registering the vaccine, produced entirely at a national laboratory, during a press conference, as reported by CNN Brazil. The development of Butantan-DV is the result of collaboration between Brazil’s Ministry of Health, the Butantan Institute, and the Chinese lab Wu Xi.
Anvisa stated that the new vaccine uses live attenuated virus technology and is currently approved for people aged 12 to 59—a range that could expand if new studies support it. The Ministry of Health will determine the official vaccination start date and the target age group. The registration request for the vaccine was submitted by the Butantan Institute in January 2025. Anvisa fast-tracked its evaluation, forming a technical panel that included external experts to review the process.
A live attenuated virus is a weakened form of a virus used in vaccines to trigger a strong and lasting immune response without causing the full-blown disease. These viruses are developed in a lab, often through repeated culturing, so they can replicate in the body but only in a limited way. By closely mimicking a natural infection, they prompt the immune system to respond similarly to how it would during a real infection, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Also Read: CDC To Appoint Vaccine-Skeptic Surgeon Ralph Abraham As Deputy Director
CNN Brazil reported that the Ministry of Health found the vaccine to have an overall efficacy of 74.7% against symptomatic dengue for people aged 12 to 59. This means that nearly three out of four people were protected from the disease. Protection was similar for those who had previously had dengue and those who were never exposed to the virus.
In 2024, over 14 million dengue cases were reported globally, marking a record year, according to ScienceDirect and WHO. The death toll reached more than 9,500. While the Americas reported the highest number of cases, dengue continues to affect more than 100 countries worldwide.
Dengue, often called “breakbone fever” because of its intense symptoms, can in severe cases lead to hemorrhagic fever and even death. The disease spreads through infected Aedes mosquitoes, which are now appearing in areas beyond their traditional habitats, resulting in dengue cases in parts of Europe and the United States where it was previously uncommon.
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