Japanese encephlu emergence in Australia: the potential population at risk.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), an RNA virus transmitted by Culex mosquitoes, primarily cycles between aquatic birds and mosquitoes with pigs as amplifying hosts, posing a significant global encephalitis threat. The emergence and spread of the JEV in new epidemiological regions, such as recent cases in Australia and nonendemic areas like Pune, India, raise significant concerns. With an estimated 68 000 clinical cases and 13 600 to 20 400 deaths annually, JEV poses a substantial global health threat. The virus primarily affects children, with a case-fatality ratio of 20-30% and long-term neurological sequelae in survivors. The changing epidemiology, influenced by factors like bird migration, climate change, and increased urbanization, contributes to the geographic expansion of JEV. The recent outbreaks underscore the potential for the virus to establish itself in nonendemic regions, posing a threat to populations previously considered at low-risk. With limited treatment options and high rates of neurological complications, continued surveillance, traveler vaccination, and research into treatments are crucial to mitigate the impact of JEV on human health. The evolving scenario necessitates proactive measures to prevent and control the spread of the virus in both endemic and newly affected areas.

The widely disregarded health risks posed by phthalates - A global call for action.

The 21st century has seen an incredible surge in the usage of phthalate-containing microplastics. These chemicals are now seen to be infiltrating the daily lives of billions of people through various routes such as food, packaging, and personal care items and are hence easily absorbed by the human body. Recent literature has highlighted significant findings regarding their oncogenicity and toxicity. Perhaps the most alarming discovery has been the impact of phthalates on the developing fetus, affecting human lives well before they are born. The deleterious effects of these chemicals have been found to range from causing abnormal fetal development and preterm birth to interfering with normal reproductive and neurological development, extending well into the postnatal period. Various studies have been published using animal models to demonstrate that phthalates are associated with lower survival rates among embryos, as well as higher rates of limb deformities. Thus, this correspondence reviews the teratogenic range of phthalates and highlights important areas of future research, aiming to bring light to the silent yet significant repercussions of these chemicals on our future generations.