Public Health Headlines  1st March, 2023

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) reported 8 cases and 15 positive environmental samples for circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus(cVDPV1&2) in countries like Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Yemen.   

GPEI with the partnership of WHO countries, deployed novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2), a modified vaccine of monovalent OPV (mOPV2), to address the evolving risk of cVDPV.    

Clinical trials on nOPV2 revealed comparable protection with genetic stability and reduced risk of emergence of cVDPV2 in low immunity settings. WHO under Emergency Use Listing Procedure (EUL) enabled its rapid field availability with close monitoring.   

As of this week, February 2023, 585 million doses of nOPV2 have been administered across 27 countries. The nOPV2 might be the tool to help stop outbreaks of cVDPVs.

To read the full article @ GPEI website - Click here

The Karnataka Tobacco Control Cell launched GPS-based mobile app ‘Stop Tobacco’ on February 28,2023. The app will protect non-smokers from being exposed to cigarette smoking in public places. 

The mobile app will provide significant citizen participation in tobacco control activities.

If anyone is found to be violating the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA), all that needs to be done is to click a picture of the public place (not necessarily the person who is violating) and upload it on this mobile app. 

Once the complainant enters details like the respective district, taluk and mobile number, the photo will reach the district tobacco control unit and the taluk tobacco control unit. 

A squad of seven officials has been set up in districts across the state to enforce the rules. The State’s anti-tobacco squad will rush to the spot and levy penalty on the violator.  

Under Section (4) of COTPA 2003, smoking in public places is prohibited and a violator can be fined Rs 200. 

Dr Sridevi Deshpandey, state consultant, National Tobacco Control Programme, announced that 21 villages in Karnataka are free from tobacco.  

Point of IMPACT:-

According to the ongoing investigation, the cases presented with fever, weakness, vomiting, and blood-stained diarrhea. As of this week, February 2023, the cumulative number of cases is nine, including one confirmed case, four probable, and four suspected cases. 

All the cases have died, one in a health facility and the other eight in the community. 34 contacts are currently under follow-up. 

Marburg virus disease (MVD) fruit bats are considered natural hosts and have a case-fatality ratio of up to 88%.

The incubation period varies from 2 to 21 days and spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact with the blood or other bodily secretions.  

Laboratory confirmation by ELISA or RT PCR is needed. 

No vaccines or antiviral treatments are approved to treat the virus, supportive care – rehydration, and treatment of symptoms improve survival. 

The last reported outbreak of MVD was in Ghana in 2022 (three confirmed cases).

To read the full article @ WHO website - Click Here

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) have issued Heat wave warning for Central and adjoining North-west India, and healthcare workers has to be proactive and prepare for activities to prevent Heat related illness.

Maximum temperatures range between 34- 37 °C, markedly above normal (5.1°C or more), at a few places over West Rajasthan, West Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh

The report also predicted enhanced probability of occurrence of heatwave during March to May season over many regions of Central and adjoining Northwest India.  

A region has a heat wave if its ambient temperature deviates by at least 4.5-6.4°C from the long-term average. There is also a heat wave if the maximum temperature crosses 45°C (or 37°C at a hill-station) 

Extreme heat can lead to minor illnesses, such as heat rash (prickly heat), heat oedema, heat cramps, and tetany, as well as serious illnesses as heat syncope, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.   

Health education on heat-related illness must be speculated by healthcare workers – Guidelines for prevention and management of Heatwave by National Disaster Management Authority is available.