Presenting syndromes in severe malaria depend on age, although the incidence and the strong prognostic significance of coma and acidosis are similar at all ages. Age is an independent risk factor for a fatal outcome of the disease.

BackgroundSnake bite is a neglected public health problem in the world and one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in many areas, particularly in the rural tropics. It also poses substantial economic burdens on the snake bite victims due to treatment related expenditure and loss of productivity. An accurate estimate of the risk of snake bite is largely unknown for most countries in the developing world, especially South-East Asia.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe undertook a national epidemiological survey to determine the annual incidence density of snake bite among the rural Bangladeshi population. Information on frequency of snake bite and individuals' length of stay in selected households over the preceding twelve months was rigorously collected from the respondents through an interviewer administered questionnaire. Point estimates and confidence intervals of the incidence density of snake bite, weighted and adjusted for the multi-stage cluster sampling design, were obtained. Out of 18,857 study participants, over one year a total of 98 snake bites, including one death were reported in rural Bangladesh. The estimated incidence density of snake bite is 623.4 / 100,000 person years (95% C I 513.4–789.2 /100,000 person years). Biting occurs mostly when individuals are at work. The majority of the victims (71%) receive snake bites to their lower extremities. Eighty-six percent of the victims received some form of management within two hours of snake bite, although only three percent of the victims went directly to either a medical doctor or a hospital.Conclusions/SignificanceIncidence density of snake bite in rural Bangladesh is substantially higher than previously estimated. This is likely due to better ascertainment of the incidence through a population based survey. Poor access to health services increases snake bite related morbidity and mortality; therefore, effective public health actions are warranted.

In Bangladesh, morbidity and mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has increased over the last few decades. Hypertension is an important risk factor for NCDs, specifically cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to assess prevalence and risk factors for hypertension and prehypertension among adults in Bangladesh. Data for this analysis were collected during the national NCD Risk Factor Survey of Bangladesh conducted in 2010 from a representative sample of men and women, aged 25 years or above. The survey adopted a multistage, geographically clustered, probability-based sampling approach. WHO STEPS questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, behavioral risk factors, and physical measurements. Overall, 20% of the study population were hypertensive at study measurement. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age and body mass index(BMI). Twelve percent of the population were previously diagnosed with hypertension. Among these individuals, nearly half were not taking any medications to control their hypertension. Additionally, the prevalence of pre-hypertension was 43%, with higher levels among males, older age groups, and those with higher education, higher wealth index and high BMI. Predictors of hypertension, included older age, high BMI and diabetes comorbidity. Based on this study, we estimate that 1 out of 5 Bangladeshi adults have hypertension. The risk of hypertension increases with older age and high BMI. Additionally, prevalence of pre-hypertension is high in Bangladesh in both rural and urban areas. Findings from this study can be used to inform public health programming to control the spread of NCDs in Bangladesh.

Patients with a CAM score <2 at hospital admission may be safely treated in a general ward, provided that renal function can be monitored.

Although delayed progression to neurologic illness following Nipah fever was not observed, persistent fatigue and functional impairment was frequent. Neurologic sequelae were frequent following Nipah encephalitis. Neurologic dysfunction may persist for years after acute infection, and new neurologic dysfunction may develop after acute illness. Survivors of NiV infection may experience substantial long-term neurologic and functional morbidity.