The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is currently monitoring the spread of a microorganism called Shigella that is causing gastrointestinal infections. Although Shigella infections are not new, they are most commonly found in young children. Last year, approximately 5% of infections were strong enough to resist treatment, according to the CDC.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong from the United States expressed concern that resistance to Shigella will continue to trend upward. “Going from zero in 2015 to 0.4% in 2019 and then last year all of a sudden it was 5% of cases where no drugs work, that’s kind of scary to me,” said Dr. Chin-Hong.
The symptoms of Shigella include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Dr. Chin-Hong stated that about 40% of people who contract Shigella are hospitalized, but most recover on their own. The CDC has observed an increase in the spread of Shigella among gay and bisexual men, as well as others.
“If it’s Shigella, I think clinicians now know that if the person is sick enough to be treated, we may need to work with the CDC and bring out some alternative antibiotics. Ones that we don’t usually use,” said Dr. Chin-Hong.
In other news, a new mobile puck will allow smartphones to send texts through satellite TV for PC. This technology could be particularly useful in areas where traditional cell phone service is not available or reliable.
The mobile puck works by connecting to a satellite network and then relaying messages to and from a smartphone. This means that users can send texts, make calls, and access the internet even in remote areas where traditional cell phone service is not available.
The mobile puck is expected to be particularly useful for people who live or work in rural areas, as well as those who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and camping. It could also be useful for emergency responders who need to communicate in areas where traditional cell phone service is not available.
The mobile puck is currently being developed by a number of companies, including SpaceX and OneWeb. It is expected to be available for purchase in the near future.
Overall, the development of the mobile puck and the monitoring of Shigella by the CDC are both important developments in the world of science and technology. These advancements have the potential to improve our lives and make communication and healthcare more accessible to people around the world.