Who let the dogs out? Who let the dogs out? Content Editor: Monk May 11, 2023 WHO Public Health , Rabies, Anti-Rabies vaccine Rabies is caused by a Ribonucleic Acid(RNA) virus that is present in the saliva of a rabid animal. It is transmitted following a bite of a rabid animal that leads to deposition of the saliva and the virus in the wound. India accounts for more than one-third of the world’s rabies deaths. Each year, as many as 20,000 people die due to the vaccine-preventable fatality. India has a population of 30 million stray dogs which cause 96% of rabies in humans. It's not like India produces lesser number of doses than required — against an annual demand of 48 million ARV doses, the country produces 50 million. However, 30% of those vaccines — 15 million — are exported, leaving India with a shortfall of 13 million. The shortage has led to surge in demand and doubling of price in summer months, when dogs are in heat period and aggressive for mating. Government hospitals have resorted to local purchase of ARV, which has seen a uptick in OOPE for the patients(Approx. Rs.2000.) Efficient planning & stocking; Stray dogs sterilization drive; Inter-ministerial co-ordination; PPPs; Reporting the sight of rabid animal to authorities.

Financial empowerment of girls: The success of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Content Editor: Dr. Sathya October 10, 2024 at 3:00:00 PM Empowerment, National schemes Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is transforming the lives of young girls in India, promoting financial security and empowerment. Launched in 2015 under the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign, it aims to secure the future of girls by opening savings accounts for them. Over 4.50 lakh accounts have been opened, with 487 villages declared as complete Sukanya Samriddhi Grams in the North Gujarat region. Economic Empowerment : The scheme promotes financial security for girls, supporting their education, career, and marriage. Interest and Tax Benefits : Offers an 8.2% interest rate and income tax exemptions. Click here to read more. Previous Next

New Polio cases reported from 3 African countries New Polio cases reported from 3 African countries Content Editor: Dr. Purnoor Kaur April 17, 2023 CIDRAP Polio, Communicable diseases First reports of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases in 2023 in Central African Republic (CAR). The patients are from health regions 1 and 6, first became ill in January and February. 2 new cVDPV2 cases reported from Chad, total 4 in the year. January and February mark the onset of paralysis from provinces of Batha and Logone Oriental. 22 cVDPV2 and 11 cVDPV 1 cases reported from Democratic Republic of Congo. Worst affected patients clustered in country's east, and paralysis onsets noted in 2022 and 2023. Tally in DRC: - cVDVP2 = 336 cases in 2022, 7 cases in 2023 - cVDVP1 = 125 cases in 2022, 3 cases in 2023

The ambitious mass Polio vaccination drive in Gaza Content Editor: Dr. Tanya September 13, 2024 at 4:25:48 AM Polio, Disaster Management, World Health Organization, Communicable Diseases Abdul Rahman Abu Al-Jidyan, an 11 month old boy, who presented with the complaints of paralysis of both limbs, is the first confirmed case of Polio in the last 25 years detected in Gaza. The campaign involving 2700 healthworkers, aims to immunize 640,000 children in Gaza. 2 drops of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) will be administered to children under 10 years It has been rolled out in 3 phases: Central Gaza: September 1-3 187,000 children were immunized, crossing the initial target of 1,57000. Conducted by 513 teams, consisting of over 2180 health and community outreach workers. Vaccination was provided at 143 fixed sites while mobile teams visited tents and hard to-reach areas and special missions were sent to areas just outside of the agreed zone for the humanitarian pause. Southern Gaza: September 5-8, extended for 1 day. Targets 340000 children. Some 517 teams, including 384 mobile teams, will be deployed. Nouthern Gaza: September 9-12 Targets 150000 children. In order to prevent re-emergence and international spread of disease a 90% vaccination coverage during each round is needed. Possible reasons for the re-emergence of the disease include interruption of routine immunization services and insanitary living conditions as a result of the war. Both sides of the war have agreed for a ceasefire between 6 am to 9 pm everyday to allow health centres to carry out the campaign. A demarcated humanitarian corridor has been identified for the ceasefire where uninterrupted vaccination drives can be undertaken. Click here to read more Previous Next

Have we achieved the SDG tobacco reduction target? Have we achieved the SDG tobacco reduction target? Content Editor: Dr.Prachi Goswami February 20, 2024 WHO News Section Substance use, Tobacco, SDGs Globally, according to the WHO's Tobacco Trends Report, 1.25 billion adults use tobacco. The 2022 trends showed a continued decline in the global rates of tobacco use - 1 in 5 adults worldwide (compared to 1 in 3 in 2000) 150 countries have been successfully reducing tobacco usage. Brazil and the Netherlands herald success after MPOWER tobacco control measures, making a relative reduction of 35% and 30%, respectively. WHO Southeast Asian Region has the highest percentage of tobacco users at 26.5%, while the European Region has around 23% However, children 12-15 years old continue to be one of the most common users of tobacco in most countries. Hence to ensure emphasis on children, this year’s World No Tobacco Day is dedicated to “protecting children from tobacco industry interference.”

2 million excess of deaths following the lift of the Zero COVID Policy 2 million excess of deaths following the lift of the Zero COVID Policy Content Editor: Dr. M Swathi Shenoy September 11, 2023 Centre For Infectious Disease Research and Policy COVID-19, Global Health The Zero COVID policy was implemented by China, wherein mass testing and strict quarantine measures were used to prevent the spread of outbreaks. However, since the end of 2022, the policy has been lifted. In the two months since the lifting of the policy, an estimated 1.87 million excess deaths have been reported. This study was conducted based on obituary notices for three major Chinese universities from December 2022 to January 2023. The authors created a model that extrapolated the findings to the rest of the country. The number of deaths in Beijing universities increased significantly when compared to expected deaths, increasing by 403% (95% CI, 351% to 461%) and 56% (95% CI, 41% to 73%) in December 2022 and January 2023, respectively.

Public Health Daily News Snippets WHO Bulletin Releases Special Edition on Traditional Medicine Ahead of Global Summit The WHO Bulletin published its first special issue on traditional medicine since 1977, featuring research and policy analyses. This release precedes the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine scheduled for December 2025 in New Delhi. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Global Health, Traditional Medicine Integration Read More Global Summit in Geneva Intensified Efforts to Curb Toxic Mercury Pollution A major international conference was held in Geneva from 3rd to 7th November 2025 to strengthen the global fight against mercury pollution . Delegates collaborated to accelerate the phase-out of this toxic metal from products and industrial processes, aiming to protect human health and the environment. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : United Nations Environmental Health, International Policy Read More Fitness & Nation-Building: Insights from the National Fitness & Wellness Conclave 2025 The first-ever National Fitness & Wellness Conclave 2025 in Mumbai brought together policymakers, athletes, and industry leaders to reaffirm one message: India’s progress towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047 depends on how seriously we take fitness today. With icons from sports and cinema joining the conversation, the conclave highlighted fitness as both a cultural shift and a public health necessity. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fit India Movement, Physical Activity, Non-Communicable Diseases, Viksit Bharat Read More Global Evidence Review of the Inequality- Pandemic Cycle: UNAIDS report The UNAIDS established the “Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemic ” in 2023. Its report “Breaking the inequality-pandemic cycle ” released in November 2025 is based on evidence from more than 1500 peer-reviewed literature and reports from government agencies and research institutions across multiple pandemics and its own empirical studies over the past 2 years. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 2025 Pandemic preparedness, Social inequality, Global Health Read More Decomposition Analysis of Factors Driving Global Maternal Mortality Reduction A new Lancet Global Health paper highlights evidence that combining family planning with quality maternity services has driven a 41% global decline in maternal deaths since 2000. The study shows how contraception alone prevented more than 77,000 maternal deaths in 2023. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : The Lancet Global Health Maternal Health, Reproductive & Sexual Health, Gender Equality, Family Planning, Declining Global Maternal Mortality Read More Delhi’s Air Quality Sees Noticeable Improvement: CAQM 2025 Report The 2025 update from the C ommission for A ir Q uality M anagement (CAQM ) highlights significant enhancements in Delhi's air quality and a marked reduction in stubble-burning incidents in nearby states. The report offers data-backed evidence of collaborative efforts to reduce pollution through the use of cleaner fuels, improved waste management, and more stringent regulatory measures. Published on : Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau, New Delhi Air Pollution, Environmental Health, Public Health Policy Read More Genomic Collaboration for a Safer Future: India and Italy Unite for Pandemic Preparedness The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) round table in New Delhi emphasized the power of genomic research and collaboration in strengthening pandemic preparedness. Experts called for sustained global surveillance and rapid translation of genomic data to safeguard public health. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau, New Delhi Genomic Surveillance, Pandemic Readiness Read More WHO Unveils Global Agenda to Strengthen Paediatric Clinical Trials The World Health Organization has unveiled a new global research agenda to close gaps in evidence on child health. It prioritizes equitable, high-impact paediatric trials to ensure that treatments for children are safe, effective, and grounded in sound science. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Health Research, Pediatric Health, Clinical Trials Read More WHO refutes Tylenol-Autism Link: Urges Evidence-Based Care A statement by the current US President, which linked Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, prompted an immediate response from the World Health Organization. The WHO clarified that no scientific evidence supports this claim and urged reliance on medical guidance. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Maternal and Child Health, Health Communication, Global Health Governance Read More 2025 Lancet Countdown Report on Climate Change and Health Impacts of climate inaction have led to a 23% increase in heat-related deaths since the 1990s. Food insecurity affected 124 million more people due to extreme weather in 2023, with losses reaching $1.35 trillion. Addressing climate change has prevented 160,000 premature deaths from coal pollution and supported 16 million jobs in renewable energy. With COP30 ahead, WHO, along with member states, plans to emphasize climate action and a swift transition away from fossil fuels. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Climate change, food insecurity, Sustainability Read More WHO Introduces New Global Framework to Enhance National Health Emergency Response The World Health Organization has unveiled a new global guide, the National Health Emergency Alert and Response Framework, to bolster countries' readiness for health crises. Developed from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, it provides a standardized approach for managing emergencies. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Global Health Security, Emergency Preparedness Read More Training Modules to Strengthen Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Response in India The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced three specialized training modules to enhance India’s capacity for managing chemical emergencies. This initiative aims to build a skilled, coordinated response system across healthcare and disaster management sectors. 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International organizations unite in humanitarian aid pledge to Gaza International organizations unite in humanitarian aid pledge to Gaza Content Editor: Dr. Himabindu Reddy October 31, 2023 WHO News Section Global health, Public health, Healthcare access, WHO After nearly two weeks of nonstop bombing, a great deal of Gaza's civilian infrastructure has been damaged or completely destroyed. Twenty trucks carrying the first limited consignment of life-saving humanitarian aid from the UN and the Egyptian Red Crescent crossed the Rafah Crossing into Gaza on October 21. Even prior to the Gaza conflict, about one-third of the Palestinian population experienced food insecurity, which has further worsened with the recent situation. Casualties are piling up in hospitals. Health facilities are currently operating on limited amounts of locally secured fuel as they are without fuel. The capacity to produce water is only 5% of what it typically is. Humanitarian supplies that were prepositioned have already run out. In this dire situation, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO issued a joint statement calling for a ceasefire and immediate, unrestricted access to Gaza so that much-needed humanitarian aid can be delivered to the vulnerable population of Gaza. They also called for respect for humanitarian laws, protecting civilians and frontline workers, and access to safe water, food, and healthcare.

Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria Content Editor: Dr. Rajat Sharma May 9, 2023 WHO Outbreaks epidemiology Outbreak of Lassa fever is reported in Nigeria. There has been 877 confirmed cases and 4702 suspected cases with 152 deaths and a case fatality of 17%. Three states, Ondo (32%), Edo (29%) and Bauchi (11%), account for the majority of confirmed cases (72%) in the country. Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and health authorities of affected states are leading the response to the outbreak. No vaccine for Lassa fever is currently available for use in humans.

‘Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman’ campaign launched. Content Editor: Dr Shubham November 26, 2024 at 3:31:12 PM Sanitation, ODF, Swachh Bharat Mission The Central government has directed all States and Union Territories to conduct ground-level surveys to identify gaps and expedite the construction of Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs ) to mark World Toilet Day on November 19. The campaign "Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman" links sanitation with human rights, emphasizing dignity and privacy, especially for women and girls, as a commitment towards attaining and sustaining Open Defecation Free (ODF ) status. The initiative highlights the importance of grassroots workers, NGO partners, and local stakeholders in achieving comprehensive sanitation coverage. The campaign includes mobile units with educational content and a comic book featuring Chacha Chaudhary to raise sanitation awareness among children. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM ) Grameen, over 11.73 crore household toilets have been constructed, resulting in more than 5.57 lakh ODF Plus villages. The urban counterpart, Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban , has facilitated the construction of 63.63 lakh household latrines and over 6.36 lakh community and public toilets. The WHO reported in 2023 that unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene are responsible for approximately 1,000 deaths of children under the age of five every day. Improved sanitation has had a positive economic impact, saving ODF villages an average of ₹50,000 per family annually on healthcare. Improved sanitation could potentially save 1.4 million lives annually. Previous Next