Deaths from West Nile virus hit record last year

Published May 14, 2013

Associated Press

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U.S. health officials say last year was the worst ever for West Nile virus deaths.

The final tally reported Monday was 286 deaths - or two more than the record set in 2002.

But there were far fewer illnesses overall, and fewer serious cases than in previous years.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had predicted it would be a bad year because of weather conditions that promote breeding of the mosquitoes that spread the virus to people.

The CDC report Monday showed Texas had nearly a third of the serious cases, and about a third of the deaths.

West Nile virus was first diagnosed in Uganda in 1937, but no cases were reported in the U.S. until 1999 in New York. It gradually spread to the West Coast.

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US has more 'first day' newborn deaths than any other industrialized nation, report says

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In the United States, more babies die on the first day of life than in any other industrialized country, according to a new report.

Each year, about 11,300 U.S. babies die the day they're born, which is 50 percent more deaths than all other industrialized countries combined, according to the report from the charity organization Save the Children.

When the organization ranked countries by the rate of death on the first day of life, the United States placed behind 67 others, including Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The report ranked 186 countries in all. Somalia has the highest first-day death rate, with 18 deaths per 1,000 live births, while Luxemburg, Singapore and Sweden have among the lowest, with less than 0.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. The rate of first-day death in the United States is 2.6 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The relatively high rate of preterm birth in the United States compared to other industrialized countries contributes to the nation's high rate of first-day deaths, said Carolyn Miles, president and CEO of Save the Children.

And a lack of access to prenatal care for poor women contributes to the high rate of premature birth, Miles said. Women need access to proper prenatal care, in part to understand their risk of preterm birth and other pregnancy complications, Miles said.

Although overall mortality has dropped worldwide for children under 5 years old, from 12 million deaths in 1990 to 7 million yearly deaths today, less progress has been made in reducing newborn deaths. In 2011, 3 million babies died in the first month of life, one-third of whom died on the day they were born, Save the Children says.

Globally, India has the most first-day deaths, with more than 300,000 yearly, followed by Nigeria, with 90,000 a year, the report said.

In developing countries, simple solutions could reduce the rate of first-day deaths. More than 1 million babies could be saved each year with access to four low-tech products, costing between 13 cents and $6, Save the Children says. These products are: resuscitation devices to help babies breathe; the antiseptic chlorhexidine to prevent umbilical cord infections; injectable antibiotics to treat infections; and antenatal steroid injections to help preterm babies' lungs develop.

"It really it's about simple solutions," Miles said.

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French broadcast council calls for more safety precautions following 'Survivor' deaths

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  A contestant reportedly died while filming the French version of the popular U.S. show "Survivor."FNN

France's broadcast regulator says it's taking steps to tighten safety rules for TV reality shows, following two deaths on the French version of the adventure show "Survivor."

In a statement Wednesday, the Higher Broadcasting Council expressed deep sadness over the death last month of a young contestant and Monday's suicide of an on-screen doctor who treated him.

It said that it will consult with French TV stations in the coming weeks to find ways to further "respect human dignity" on such shows, and reexamine the current rules.

The council also reminded TV producers of the need to exercise "the greatest prudence when recruiting contestants."

On Monday, Dr. Thierry Costa killed himself on location on an island in Cambodia, the TF1 station said. Costa, 38, blamed the press for damaging his professional reputation in a handwritten suicide note that TF1 published on its website.

It was the second death in as many weeks to hit the prime-time "Koh-Lanta" show that it broadcasts.

The first tragedy was a 25-year-old contestant, Gerald Babin, who died March 22 during the first day of filming for the show's 2013 season. Babin went to Costa to get treated for mysterious cramps he had during the season's first tropical challenge but died in a hospital soon after following a heart attack, according to TF1.

The network has not released any details about what the contestants were doing before Babin died but various media outlets have reported he was engaged in a tug-of-war.

An inquiry into "involuntary homicide" was launched by the Creteil prosecutor's office into Babin's death and TF1 immediately cancelled the show's season.

But controversy over the death grew. Anonymous comments appeared in French media accusing Costa and Adventure Line Productions of negligence that contributed to Babin's death — charges that all parties vehemently denied.

Costa's suicide note addressed these allegations.

"These last few days my name has been smeared in the media. Unjust accusations and assumptions were uttered against me," he wrote on notepaper from the hotel where the "Koh-Lanta" team was staying. "Having to rebuild this destroyed reputation seems unbearable to me, so this is my only possible choice."

TF1 said it "shares the pain" of Costa's family.

The Higher Broadcasting Council suggested that "participants get medical and psychological help during filming and for several months afterwards."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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City youngster jailed for car deaths

A Manchester City youth player broke down in tears as he was jailed for 16 months for killing a brother and sister while speeding in his Mercedes in central Manchester.

A Manchester court heard that 18-year-old Courtney Meppen-Walter was driving at nearly double the speed limit of 48 kilometres per hour when he hit a car carrying Kulwant Singh, 32, and his 37-year-old sister, Ravel Kaur.

Both siblings, who hailed from the Manchester area, were killed, while Ms Kaur's two sons, aged 16 and 17, were injured.

Meppen-Walter, who was also the captain of England's under-18 side, will serve half his sentence in custody but may be released earlier and obliged to wear an electronic tag.

The judge also banned him from driving for three years and ordered the sale of the car, with the proceeds to go to the injured passengers.

Meppen-Walter's lawyer, Gwyn Lewis, said his client was "truly sorry" for what he had done.

"To begin, it has to be said this type of case is one that should always be described as tragic," Lewis said.

"Tragic of course for the family, those who lost loved ones and were very badly injured. But also it's a tragedy for the defendant.

"He was only just 18. He became involved in a matter that only took a few seconds that will remain with him for the rest of his life.

"The incident was over in a flash. He stayed at the scene and tried to assist, but it was already too late."

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