Assessing the Effectiveness of a Community Intervention for Monkeypox Prevention in the Congo Basin

Human monkeypox is a potentially severe illness that begins with a high fever soon followed by the development of a smallpox-like rash. Both monkeypox and smallpox are caused by infection with viruses in the genus Orthopoxvirus. But smallpox, which only affected humans, has been eradicated, whereas monkeypox continues to occur when humans come into contact with infected animals. There are currently no drugs specifically available for the treatment of monkeypox, and the use of vaccines for prevention is limited due to safety concerns. Therefore, monkeypox prevention depends on diminishing human contact with infected animals and preventing person-to-person spread of the virus. The authors describe a film-based method for community outreach intended to increase monkeypox knowledge among residents of communities in the Republic of the Congo. Outreach was performed to ∼23,600 rural Congolese. The effectiveness of the outreach was evaluated using a sample of individuals who attended small-group sessions. The authors found that among the participants, the ability to recognize monkeypox symptoms and the willingness to take ill family members to the hospital was significantly increased after seeing the films. In contrast, the willingness to deter some high-risk behaviors, such as eating animal carcasses found in the forest, remained fundamentally unchanged

Bepaling van spoorelementen in diverse matrices met spectrometische technieken.

Background Trace elements are elements present in very little concentration in organisms and environment. Trace elements can be divided in two categories, the essential trace elements, which are necessary in correct concentrations for the proper functioning of the body, and de non-essential trace elements that have no purpose in organism and due to accumulation in the tissues, cause toxicity. Purpose Analyze concentration of trace elements in various matrices with spectrometric techniques. With the aim of detecting possible risks for public health and to be able to give advice to the authorities (including EFSA, the FASFC,…) in the context of the elaboration of (new) legislations for products on the Belgian ( or European) market. Method During the bachelor thesis we worked on 2 projects regarding the determination of trace elements: 1. Food enzyme preparations were mineralized with HNO3 in microwave oven and the concentrations of As, Cd, Ni, Pb in the samples were analyzed with an ICP-MS. Hg in these samples was determined with the AMA. 2.textile samples (garments) were mineralized with HNO3 + HF in a heating block and the Ti concentration was analyzed with an ICP-OES. The raw results were evaluated with the acceptance criteria and then reported. Results In the food enzyme preparations (project SPECENZYM) there was in general only low concentrations of the tested elements found. Only in one sample was the concentration of Ni and As higher than the predetermined maximum limit. Pb in this sample also showed an increased concentration compared to the other samples. Since the variation between the replicas was high, a re-analysis of the sample will be performed to ensure that the observed concentrations can be confirmed. The textile samples showed a wide variation in titanium concentration. Electron microscopic research in the context of this same project has shown that Ti nanoparticles are contained in the fibers. Conclusion Only low concentrations of trace elements were found in most of the food enzyme preparations studied. The information collected can contribute to the development of legislation for this type of samples. The high observed As, Ni and Pb concentration in 1 sample deserves extra attention and can be passed on the FASFC or EFSA for additional test such as performing a risk analysis. High total Ti concentrations were found in the textile samples investigated, and the electron microscopy pictures revealed the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles. These are unlikely to pose any danger to the user because titanium nanoparticles are embedded in the fibers, so the release is limited or does not exist. Attention is required in case of recycling or degradation of the fibers at the end of the life cycle of the&nbsp;garment.</p

Titanium dioxide particles frequently present in face masks intended for general use require regulatory control

Although titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) is a suspected human carcinogen when inhaled, fiber-grade TiO(2) (nano)particles were demonstrated in synthetic textile fibers of face masks intended for the general public. STEM-EDX analysis on sections of a variety of single use and reusable face masks visualized agglomerated near-spherical TiO(2) particles in non-woven fabrics, polyester, polyamide and bi-component fibers. Median sizes of constituent particles ranged from 89 to 184 nm, implying an important fraction of nano-sized particles (< 100 nm). The total TiO(2) mass determined by ICP-OES ranged from 791 to 152,345 µg per mask. The estimated TiO(2) mass at the fiber surface ranged from 17 to 4394 µg, and systematically exceeded the acceptable exposure level to TiO(2) by inhalation (3.6 µg), determined based on a scenario where face masks are worn intensively. No assumptions were made about the likelihood of the release of TiO(2) particles itself, since direct measurement of release and inhalation uptake when face masks are worn could not be assessed. The importance of wearing face masks against COVID-19 is unquestionable. Even so, these results urge for in depth research of (nano)technology applications in textiles to avoid possible future consequences caused by a poorly regulated use and to implement regulatory standards phasing out or limiting the amount of TiO(2) particles, following the safe-by-design principle