Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Dementia Affects Nearly 47 Million Worldwide: Report

Nearly 47 million people worldwide have dementia, compared with 35 million in 2009, according to a report released Tuesday by Alzheimer’s Disease International.

The group said if there are no major medical advances, the number of people with dementia will likely double every 20 years, the Associated Press reported. There is no known cure for the disease.

About 58 percent of people with dementia live in developing nations and by 2050, nearly half of all those with the disease will live in Asia, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International.

The cost of treating dementia could rise to $1 trillion in three years, experts say. They urged governments to take steps to ensure better treatment for people with dementia, the AP reported.

—–

Last Known Ebola Patient in Sierra Leone Discharged

The last known Ebola patient in Sierra Leone has been released, the World Health Organization says.

The 35-year-old patient was discharged from a treatment center in the northern part of the country on Monday morning, BBC News reported.

No new infections have been reported in Sierra Leone for more than two weeks, the National Ebola Response Center says. However, the country still has 28 people in quarantine, who will continue to be monitored until the end of the week.

While Sierra Leone has not reported any new Ebola cases in the past 17 days, neighboring Guinea reported three new infections in the week up to Aug. 19, according to BBC News.

Copyright © 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.