virus

See how pandemic has evolved since February 25, 2020

Situation in Catalonia 'dramatic' as new restrictions pending court decision to come into force

Ombudsman calls for investigation into death of anti-virus creator in a Catalan prison

Here's a list of towns and counties under tighter rules than the rest of Catalonia

Mass coronavirus testing to be performed in two Barcelona neighbourhoods

Infections in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat triple within a week, as Lleida region puts residential homes on lockdown

As the country gets used to life out of lockdown, new coronavirus clusters have appeared in parts of the country

A 33-year-old man from Wuhan had been admitted to hospital with symptoms but tests proved he did not have the virusThe first suspected case of coronavirus in Catalonia has been discarded after health tests on the patient showed he did not have the contagius virus. The Public Health Agency of Catalonia released a statement earlier on Tuesday saying a 33-year-old man from Wuhan, China showed symptoms of the virus on Monday and was admitted to the high risk department of Hospital Clínic in Barcelona. He underwent tests to confirm whether or not he has contracted the coronavirus, and they showed he did not have it. Over 100 people in China have died as a result of the coronavirus. The first case that originated in Europe was confirmed in Germany on Tuesday afternoon by the Bavarian health minister. Symptoms and prevention The most common symptoms of the coronavirus include coughing, sore throat, fever, and a feeling of shortness of breath. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe difficulty breathing, kidney failure, and even death. The most severe cases usually occur in the elderly, or people with underlying conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, or problems with the immune system. Authorities say that if you exhibit symptoms within 14 days after returning from a trip to Wuhan, Catalan health services must be informed by calling 061. General advice on how to avoid spreading respiratory diseases includes: wash your hands regularly; avoid close contact with people who show signs of respiratory distress, such as coughing or sneezing; maintain a distance of approximately one meter from people with symptoms of acute respiratory infections; cover your mouth and nose with disposable handkerchiefs when coughing or sneezing.

A clinical trial of a vaccine has proved, for the first time ever, that the immune system of those infected with AIDS can be re-educated in order to control the virus for long periods of time and without taking anti-retroviral drugs. In particular, 5 of the 13 patients whom participated in the trial and stopped their treatment achieved control of the virus for 5, 13, 17, 20 and 27 weeks respectively. The research, which is still ongoing, is being developed in different hospitals in Barcelona and Badalona and is directed by the IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, a leading centre for research into the eradication of HIV/AIDS and related diseases, and the Fight AIDS Foundation, a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to healthcare, research and education in the field of HIV/AIDS, created by Doctor Bonaventura Clotet in 1992.

Barcelona’s Vall d’Hebron Hospital has seen the first birth in Europe of a baby with Zika-linked microcephaly. The new-born was born this Monday with a “low” cranial perimeter and has been hospitalised in a “correct and stable” condition. In May the health authorities reported to the family that the mother was infected and that the pregnancy was risky, but the parents decided to go ahead with the birth. 91 people infected with the Zika virus have been detected in Catalonia since the 1^st of January, 24 man and 67 woman, 21 of which were pregnant at the time of diagnosis. 5 of them have already given birth, to healthy babes. All of the infected reported having been in South or Central America, in those areas where Zika is most active, and confirmed that they were bitten by mosquitoes during their stay. 

The Catalan Ministry for Health has confirmed this Tuesday that there are four new cases of people infected with Zika virus in Catalonia, one of which is a pregnant woman. Thus, the number of infected with Zika virus in Catalonia totals 45, 29 women and 16 men. The disease is especially grave for pregnant women as it may cause malformations in the baby’s brain, which may lead to it being underdeveloped. Indeed, in the beginning of May the health authorities in Catalonia confirmed the first case of Zika-linked microcephaly, as the foetus of an infected woman suffered from several malformations. All those affected by the virus reported having been in South or Central America, in those areas where Zika is most active, and confirmed that they were bitten by mosquitoes during their stay.

The Ministry of Health of Catalonia has reported the case of a woman infected by the mosquito-borne virus, which her baby has now contracted, according to 8TV. This is the first case of microcephaly confirmed in Catalonia and Spain, and the second in Europe. The woman is not currently in hospital. According to official figures, there are 39 Zika cases in Catalonia: 15 men and 24 women. From those women, 4 are pregnant and are taking part in strict medical controls to follow the development of their embryos. The case of microcephaly has been reported in one of these women who, besides Zika, was also infected by another mosquito-borne virus, dengue.

The Catalan Ministry for Health has confirmed this Thursday two new cases of Zika virus infection in Catalonia. One of them is a pregnant woman, the first of this type of case detected in Catalonia. The woman is between 13 and 14 weeks pregnant and is said to have contracted the virus on a trip to Colombia. These new cases are to be added to the other four detected on Wednesday and there are thus now already six people, four men and two women, infected with the Zika virus. Zika is carried by mosquitoes and has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains. It is spreading through the Americas and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the disease linked to the virus a global public health emergency.