Vaccines are our greatest public health tool in the war against emerging and re-emerging bacteria and viruses, a war that is being fought and won, or fought and lost, across the globe every day. The war against measles is still ongoing, and we have lost several key recent battles. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in nature. Keep in mind there is a 90 percent chance of an unvaccinated individual getting infected with measles simply by entering a room where a measles patient had been up to two hours earlier. Eradicating measles from a community requires as high a community compliance rate as possible. Since it is a live-virus vaccine, we can’t give it to immuno-compromised patients or pregnant women or the severely ill. We must protect these groups by immunizing everyone around them. ADVERTISEMENTThis is why it is so disturbing to see a resurgence of measles in pockets of the U.S. where it was previously stamped out. Since 2000, measles has been traced … [Read more...] about Deadly measles and Ebola outbreaks show why vaccinations are so essential
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Shunned Congolese refugee on raising a son born out of rape: the baby had a right to live
close Video Shunned Congolese refugee speaks out on raising a son born out of rape Nancy, a Congolese refugee, shares her courageous story of rape at the hands of three assailants, banishment by her own family and fleeing with her youngest son to a refugee came in Kenya where she made the decision to raise the son who was conceived as a result of the rape. Nancy's scarring personal plight is far from an isolated case, as sexual violence in the DRC has become pandemic over the last two decades. KAKUMA, Kenya - Under the wrath of the midday sunshine outside the strewn hut she now calls home, Nancy cradles her baby son and speaks with a kind of vehement passion tinged by deep pain. The small boy Gulio, now one, was born out of rape. But rather than hiding in the shadows of the social stigma that has been forced upon her, 39-year-old Nancy - who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) capital Kinshasa - is refusing to be shamed into silence. “We are in a … [Read more...] about Shunned Congolese refugee on raising a son born out of rape: the baby had a right to live
A Belgian parade may lose its place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List after it allowed an anti-Semitic float
Every year the Dutch city of Aalst holds a three-day carnival attracting tens of thousands of people. In 2009, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, known as UNESCO, added the event to its coveted World Heritage list. The came last year's carnival float depicting caricatures of orthodox Jews with large, hooked noses alongside rats and bags of money, playing off painful and sometimes dangerous anti-Semitic tropes targeting Jews. Jewish groups and other critics blasted the float. "This was without any doubt anti-Semitic," Hans Knoop, spokesman for the Belgian Forum of Jewish Organization, told CNN, noting that Nazi Germany propaganda used similar imagery and that the carnival has allowed other offensive caricatures before. Aalast Mayor Christoph D'Haese called the criticism a "preposterous insult," insisting that it wasn't intended to be anti-Semitic, but rather satire, adding that his city has "the best sense of humor." But this month Belgium formally … [Read more...] about A Belgian parade may lose its place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List after it allowed an anti-Semitic float
US sanctions Burmese military leaders for ‘serious’ human rights abuse’
close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for Dec. 10 Fox News Flash top headlines for Dec. 10 are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com The U.S. on Tuesday imposed sanctions on four Burmese military leaders for long-alleged human rights abuses against Rohingya and other minorities. At the same time the U.S. took the toughest action yet targeting military chief Min Aung Hlaing for what’s been charged as a genocide against the Rohingya minority, Burma’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi faced the first day of hearings at the United Nations' highest court, the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands. She will defend her country’s military against the accusations of genocide. The U.S. Treasury Department, issuing sanctions against 18 individuals around the world on International Human Rights day for their roles in "serious human humans rights abuse," said Hlaing had been responsible for the military at a time … [Read more...] about US sanctions Burmese military leaders for ‘serious’ human rights abuse’
Trump administration imposes sanction on Saudi diplomat over Khashoggi killing
President TrumpDonald John TrumpLawmakers release defense bill with parental leave-for-Space-Force deal House Democrats expected to unveil articles of impeachment Tuesday Houston police chief excoriates McConnell, Cornyn and Cruz on gun violence MORE’s administration imposed a sanction against a Saudi diplomat in Turkey and other individuals suspected of human rights violations Tuesday.The State Department has announced 72 sanctions designations since last week, forbidding people who are accused of “gross violations of human rights” and their families from entering the U.S., a statement from State Secretary Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoHillicon Valley: Amazon alleges Trump interfered in Pentagon contract to hurt Bezos | Federal council warns Trump of cyber threats to infrastructure | China to remove foreign technology from government offices Trump, Russian foreign minister to meet Tuesday Impeachment, Ukraine, Syria and warheads color Washington visit … [Read more...] about Trump administration imposes sanction on Saudi diplomat over Khashoggi killing