deceased patient had 

Shamonda virus 

— what to know

Death of a patient raises questions about the 

risks posed by a 

livestock virus 

that reached Europe this year 

October 22, 2026

First detected in cattle in 

Nigeria in 1965, 

Shamonda virus 

has since been found in other parts of Africa and Asia.

It was first identified in Europe in late July and by October 20 cases had been reported in more than a dozen European countries.

Common tumour biomarkers

• AFP: Hepatocellular carcinoma and yolk-sac tumours.
• CEA: Mainly colorectal cancer; also associated with gastric, pancreatic and breast cancers. Useful mainly for monitoring.
• CA 19-9: Pancreatic and biliary tract cancers; mainly used for monitoring.
• CA-125: Epithelial ovarian cancer; useful in monitoring and selected diagnostic evaluation.
• CA 15-3: Breast cancer; mainly used for monitoring advanced disease.
• PSA: Prostate cancer; used alongside clinical assessment and other investigations.
• β-hCG: Gestational trophoblastic disease and germ-cell tumours; useful for diagnosis and monitoring.
• Calcitonin: Medullary thyroid carcinoma.
• Thyroglobulin: Monitoring differentiated thyroid cancer after treatment.
• LDH: May reflect tumour burden and has prognostic value in several malignancies, including lymphoma and germ-cell tumours.

Important molecular biomarkers

• HER2: Breast and gastric cancers; identifies patients who may benefit from anti-HER2 therapy.
• EGFR mutations: Non-small-cell lung cancer; can guide targeted therapy.
• ALK rearrangement: NSCLC; targetable with ALK inhibitors.
• ROS1 rearrangement: NSCLC; potentially targetable.
• BRAF V600E: Melanoma and several other cancers; may guide targeted treatment.
• KRAS/NRAS: Colorectal cancer; important in selecting anti-EGFR therapy.
• BRCA1/BRCA2: Breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancers; may identify candidates for PARP inhibitors.
• PD-L1: Helps determine eligibility for certain immunotherapies.
• MSI-H/dMMR: Important predictive biomarker for immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy and may indicate hereditary cancer risk.
• NTRK fusions: Rare alterations that can be treated with TRK-targeted therapy.

Clinical pearl

A raised tumour marker does not automatically mean cancer. Many markers can increase because of benign diseases, inflammation, pregnancy or other conditions.

Therefore, cancer biomarkers should generally be interpreted together with history and examination, imaging, histopathology and other laboratory investigations.

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Medical Practitioner

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However, a simple, often overlooked activity can work wonders: a daily walk.

Wellness programs

Running and 

hiking

Walking has a positive effect on mood

Walking! At first glance, it may seem trivial, even obvious. But a 30-minute walk a day can bring a number of amazing benefits to your physical and mental health.

Smartwatch.

Firstly, the immediate effect on mood. 

After a hard day, instead of reaching for sinful pleasures such as chocolate or alcohol, choose a restorative walk. 

Scientific studies have shown that a daily walk has a calming effect on the nervous system.

However, the benefits go beyond aesthetics. 

Studies have shown that regular walks reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and strokes.

In addition, walks strengthen the circulatory system, preventing varicose veins and improving intestinal peristalsis. 

This simple activity, accessible to everyone, can therefore have a profound effect on overall well-being.

A daily walk is conducive to developing a healthy and balanced rhythm of the day. 

With its numerous physical and mental health benefits, it can help you achieve other goals more effectively.

 /9

1/9 Walking has many benefits

A walk! At first glance, it may seem trivial, even obvious. But a 30-minute walk a day can bring a number of surprising benefits to your physical and mentalhealth.

2/9 Walking has a positive effect on mood. 

Firstly, the immediate effect on mood. 

After a difficult day, instead of reaching for sinful pleasures such as chocolate or alcohol, choose a restorative walk. 

Scientific studies have shown that a daily walk has a calming effect on the nervous system,

thus reducing anger and hostility.

3/9 Walking together is even better!

What’s more, walking with a companion 

strengthens social bonds and improves mood, especially 

in company of natural sunlight. 

Walking is beneficial in preventing seasonal disorders such as winter blues.

Dictionaries and encyclopedias

4/9 Walk to Lose Weight and Boost Creativity.

Walking also has a positive effect on creativity. 

When you’re feeling blocked or looking for solutions to complex problems, 

a simple walk can unblock your mind.

Psychology

5/9 Science proves that walking supports brain function!

Journal in Experimental Psychology found that walking stimulates creativity,

and walkers are able to think more originally 

than sedentary people.

Psychology

6/9 Easier Weight Loss

Physically, regular walks contribute to weight loss and muscle tone. 

Although the results on the scale may not be spectacular, the reduction in fat in the abdominal area is significant. 

Walking improves metabolism,

Weight loss diets

7/9 Healthier Lifestyle 

Through Walks

However, the benefits go beyond aesthetic issues. 

Studies have shown that 

regular walks reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. 

For example, researchers at Boulder University found that walking significantly lowered blood pressure and reduced the risk of stroke.

Diseases

8/9 Impact on overall well-being

What’s more, walking strengthens the circulatory system, preventing varicose veins and improving intestinal peristalsis. 

This simple activity, accessible to everyone, can therefore have a profound effect on overall well-being.

Auto-assistanceet motivation

9/9./ Better health through walks

Health

A daily walk is conducive to developing a healthy and balanced routine. 

With its numerous physical and mental health benefits, it can help you achieve other goals more effectively.

You don’t need to run, lift heavy weights, or spend hours at a gym. 

For many people, walking is an accessible way to begin building a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Walking regularly gives your cardiovascular system repeated opportunities to work. 

At a purposeful pace, your heart beats faster and your breathing increases as your muscles need more oxygen. 

Over time, consistent aerobic activity can support cardiovascular fitness and healthier blood-pressure patterns. 

Walking also helps break up long periods of sitting, which is especially useful for people who spend much of the day at a desk or in a car.

Your legs and hips also receive valuable low-impact exercise. Walking works the calves, quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and supporting core muscles. 

This can help maintain mobility and make everyday activities such as climbing stairs, standing from a chair, carrying groceries, and walking longer distances easier. 

However, walking alone is usually not enough to build substantial muscle mass, so strength training can complement it.

Walking also uses energy and may support weight management. 

The amount of energy burned depends on your body size, pace, distance, terrain, and duration. 

A brisk, longer walk generally uses more energy than a gentle stroll, but shorter walks still count. 

Walking can be especially useful when it replaces sedentary time and is combined with balanced nutrition and other healthy habits.

Regular movement may also help your body manage blood sugar more effectively because working muscles use glucose for energy. 

A short walk after meals can be a practical way to add movement during a period when blood sugar may rise. 

People with diabetes, particularly those using medications that can cause low blood sugar, should follow individualized medical advice.

The benefits aren’t only physical. Walking can provide a mental break from screens, work, and daily responsibilities. Outdoor walks may add daylight, fresh air, nature, and social interaction. 

Regular physical activity is associated with better psychological well-being and may support healthier sleep patterns, although persistent anxiety, depression, or insomnia may require professional care.

There is no single number of kilometers that everyone must walk each day. 

If you’re inactive, starting with 10–15 minutes and gradually increasing duration, frequency, distance, or pace can be more sustainable than immediately attempting long walks. 

30 minutes a day is a useful practical target for many adults, but shorter sessions can be divided throughout the day.

The biggest benefit may be consistency rather than perfection. 

A daily walk can improve endurance gradually, reduce prolonged sitting, support mobility, and become a sustainable habit. 

If walking causes significant chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, sudden weakness, or unusual worsening pain, stop and seek appropriate medical advice. 

Walking is not a miracle cure, but one step at a time, it can become a valuable foundation for a healthier lifestyle

BE DISCIPLINED

BE FOCUSED

TRAIN HARD

NO HORSEPLAY

ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST

BE READY

STAY POSITIVE

KEEP YOUR WORD

ADMIT WHEN YOU’RE WRONG

Once inside the tumour, the genetic material directs cancer cells to produce follistatin, which is a key protein that weakens tumor progression and promotes muscle growth. Thus achieves an approximately 2.5-fold greater reduction in tumor burden vis-à-vis conventional LNPs which tend to accumulate in the liver following systemic administration.

is consumed in normal culinary amounts. 

Health Benefits

Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties: 

Garlic contains active sulfur compounds like allicin that help fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Heart health: 

Regular consumption may help lower blood pressure and reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels.

Nutritious addition: 

It provides vitamins, minerals, and prebiotic fibers that support overall immune and digestive function.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Digestive discomfort: High amounts can cause bad breath, heartburn, gas, bloating, and stomach pain, especially in people with a sensitivity to fructans or conditions like GERD.

Increased bleeding risk: Garlic has natural blood-thinning properties, which can pose a risk if consumed in large quantities or as concentrated supplements before surgery or alongside anticoagulant medications.

Skin irritation: Applying raw garlic directly to the skin can cause severe irritation or chemical burns. 

Safe Intake Guidelines

Moderate amounts: 

Eating 1 to 2 cloves (about 2 to 5 grams) of raw or cooked garlic per day is generally considered safe for adults.

Medical precautions: 

Consult a healthcare provider before taking high-dose garlic supplements or making major dietary changes if you take blood thinners or have upcoming surgery.

10 bone-supporting foods

1. Milk — calcium + protein
2. Plain yoghurt — calcium + protein
3. Sardines with bones — calcium + vitamin D
4. Canned salmon with bones — calcium + protein
5. Eggs — protein and some vitamin D
6. Dark leafy greens — kale, spinach, broccoli and similar vegetables
7. Beans and lentils — protein, magnesium and other minerals
8. Calcium-fortified soy milk — calcium + protein
9. Nuts and seeds — especially almonds, sesame/tahini and pumpkin seeds
10. Fruit and vegetables — provide vitamin K, potassium, magnesium and antioxidants

Cola and other dark soft drinks

    Frequent intake is associated with lower bone mineral density in some studies. The concern is particularly strong with cola, although the exact mechanism isn’t fully established.

2. Alcohol

    Heavy or chronic alcohol consumption can interfere with calcium/vitamin D metabolism and bone formation and increases the risk of falls and fractures.

3. Energy drinks

    Many contain substantial caffeine and sugar. Excessive caffeine may modestly reduce calcium retention, especially when dietary calcium intake is inadequate.

4. Sugary soft drinks

    They can displace calcium-rich beverages such as milk or fortified alternatives from the diet and contribute to poor overall nutrition when consumed frequently.

5. Very high amounts of coffee/caffeinated drinks

    Moderate coffee consumption is generally not considered harmful to bones. The concern is excessive caffeine, particularly if calcium intake is low.

What to drink more often for your bones

• Water — the main everyday choice
• Milk or calcium-fortified alternatives
• Unsweetened fortified soy milk
• Tea/coffee in moderate amounts, preferably alongside an adequate calcium-rich diet

Important: You don’t need to completely eliminate coffee or soft drinks to protect your bones. Overall calcium intake, vitamin D status, resistance/weight-bearing exercise, smoking, alcohol intake and protein nutrition are much more important determinants of bone health.