The COVID-19 pandemic, an environmental neurology perspective.

Neurologists have a particular interest in SARS-CoV-2 because the nervous system is a major participant in COVID-19, both in its acute phase and in its persistent post-COVID phase. The global spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection has revealed most of the challenges and risk factors that humanity will face in the future. We review from an environmental neurology perspective some characteristics that have underpinned the pandemic. We consider the agent, SARS-CoV-2, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 as influenced by environmental factors, its impact on the brain and some containment measures on brain health. Several questions remain, including the differential clinical impact of variants, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on sleep and wakefulness, and the neurological components of Long-COVID syndrome. We touch on the role of national leaders and public health policies that have underpinned management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased awareness, anticipation and preparedness are needed to address comparable future challenges.

Questioning The Early Events Leading To The Covid-19 Pandemic

Sixteen months after the January 30, 2020 declaration by the World Health Organization of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern regarding the spread of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 had infected ~ 170 million humans world-wide of which > 3.5 million had died. We critically examine information on the virus origin, when and where the first human cases occurred, and point to differences between Chinese and later clinical presentations. The official patient Zero was hospitalized in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on December 8, 2019, but retrospective analyses demonstrate prior viral circulation. Coronaviruses are present in mammals and birds, but whether a wild animal (e.g. bat, pangolin) was the source of the human pandemic remains disputed. We present two contamination models, the spillover versus the circulation model;the latter brings some interesting hypotheses about previous SARS-CoV-2 virus circulation in the human population. The age distribution of hospitalized COVID-19 patients at the start of the epidemic differed between China and the USA–EU;Chinese hospitalized patients were notably younger. The first Chinese publications did not describe anosmia-dysgeusia, a cardinal symptom of COVID-19 in Europe and USA. The prominent endothelial involvement linked with thrombotic complications was discovered later. These clinical discrepancies might suggest an evolution of the virus. © 2021,Health Risk Analysis.All Rights Reserved.

Covid-19: Neurological sequelae

COVID-19, the human primarily respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, commonly involves the nervous system, the effects of which may persist for many months. Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 include relapsing and remitting neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms that can affect children and adults, including those who had mild acute illness. Since longer-term adverse effects on the central and peripheral nervous system of COVID-19 cannot be excluded, patient and societal health trends should be monitored going forward. Urgent present needs include not only global immunization against SARS-CoV-2 but also the reestablishment of lapsed mass vaccination programs to prevent resurgence of other viral diseases (e.g., measles, polio) that can impact the nervous system. © Spencer P.S., Román G., Buguet A., Guekht A., Reis J., 2021

Environmental neurology in the tropics.

We address the impact of the tropical environment on the human nervous system using the multifaceted approach characteristic of environmental neurology. First, environmental factors are examined according to their nature (physical, chemical and biological) and in relation to human activity and behavior. Some factors are specific to the tropics (climate and infections), while others are non-specific (chemicals, human communities and their way of life). Second, we examine the major role of human adaptation to the success of Homo sapiens, with emphasis on the linkage between thermoregulation and sleep-wake regulation. Third, we examine the performance of environmental neurology as a clinical discipline in tropical climates, with focus on the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges posed by human African trypanosomiasis. Finally, the prevention, early detection and monitoring of environmental neurological diseases is examined, as well as links with political and economic factors. In conclusion, practitioners of environmental neurology seek a global, multidisciplinary and holistic approach to understanding, preventing and treating neurological disorders within their purview. Environmental neurology integrates an expanded One Health concept by linking health and wellness to the interaction of plants, animals, humans and the ecosystem. Recent epidemics and the current COVID-19 pandemic exemplify the need for worldwide action to protect human health and biodiversity.

UNDERSTANDING THE PERCEPTION AND HIERARCHY OF RISKS: AN ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICO-SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE WITH COVID-19 IN MIND

The purpose of this article is to examine risk perception among some specific stakeholders, including international intergovernmental bodies, private western-based corporates, and among European public opinion surveys. We also address concerns of the Russian Federation and the impact of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Perception of risks is key to policy decision-making and probably more important than risk assessment. We offer a medico-scientific perspective based on factual evidence drawn mostly from official websites and publications. Our first goal is to understand if sufficient attention is given to human health, disease prevention and control relative to economic and financial considerations. Our second goal is to promote a translational and interprofessional approach to global risk prioritization by cooperation between the medico-scientific community and the financial-economic world. To this end, we examine the benefits for the practice of economic risk assessment of engaging biomedical expertise focused on global environmental health. Maintenance, expansion and sustainability of the human enterprise require health and wellness. Осуществлен анализ представлений, связанных с рисками для здоровья человека, у определенных заинтересованных сторон, в том числе у международных межправительственных организаций, частных западных корпораций, которые отражаются в опросах общественного мнения в европейских странах. Также проанализировано восприятие рисков здоровью населения в Российской Федерации, в том числе в связи с китайской инициативой «Один пояс, один путь». Представления о рисках и, следовательно, об иерархии рисков являются ключевыми факторами принятия решений при разработке политики и, возможно, даже более важны, чем оценка риска. Авторы смотрят на перспективы анализа рисков как ученые - с позиций науки и медицины, с учетом существующих сведений, взятых большей частью с официальных веб-сайтов и публикаций. Первая цель исследования - понять, достаточное ли внимание уделяется вопросам здоровья, предотвращения и контроля заболеваний по сравнению с экономическими и финансовыми вопросами. Вторая цель - стимулировать применение поступательного и межпрофессионального подхода к анализу глобальных рисков через взаимодействие медико-научного сообщества и финансово-экономического мира. С этих позиций изучены практические преимущества экономической оценки внешнесредовых рисков для здоровья населения с привлечением экспертов в области биомедицины. Поддержание, расширение и устойчивое развитие всех аспектов человеческой жизнедеятельности подразумевает здоровье и благосостояние.