A study conducted by Oxford University showed that bacterial diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis may have been reduced by the recent bans due to Covid-19.
Co-authored by Professor David Murdoch, an infectious disease expert and dean of the University of Otago, Christchurch, the study says global lockdowns are reducing the spread of deadly invasive bacterial diseases and potentially saving millions of lives.
The most common diseases caused by invasive bacteria – pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis – are the world’s leading cause of death, especially among children and older adults. Like coronavirusThese pathogens are also transmitted through the airways.
According to reports, 336 million cases of invasive lower respiratory infections were reported worldwide in 2016. It has been estimated that 2.4 million people died as a result of the diseases.
The study discovered that all countries have seen a decline Compared to the previous two years, an average of 6,000 fewer cases were reported in each country, the study says.
It also found that diseases caused by invasive but non-respiratory species of bacteria did not decrease, showing that Covid-19 lockdowns had not significantly disrupted disease reporting methods.
In Streptococcus pneumoniae, infections decreased by 68% within four weeks of containment measures imposed by Covid-19 and by 82% after eight weeks. Streptococcus algalactiae infections did not decrease, however.
According to a Times of India, the study’s researchers believe the reduction in cases of invasive bacterial respiratory infections is due to low human-to-human transmission, rather than disrupting medical care or disease reporting.
Investigators have emphasized the vaccination against these diseases with the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions.
“These results clearly show that measures to contain Covid-19 reduce the transmission of other respiratory pathogens and related diseases, but also place a heavy burden on society that must be carefully considered. Therefore, ongoing microbiological monitoring is carried out, As shown in this study Public health efforts must continue to focus on protecting against life-threatening diseases caused by these bacterial pathogens by using safe and effective vaccines available and used in many parts of the world “said Angela Brugemman the study author and professor of epidemiology of infectious diseases at the Nuffield Department of Population Health at Oxford University.
The researchers examined data from national laboratories and monitoring programs from 26 countries and areas on six continents. They analyzed data on national Covid-19 guidelines and containment measures using the Oxford Covid-19 Government Response Tracker.
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