Revolutionizing Indian homes for energy efficiency and sustainability. Content Editor: Dr Sumana Mukhopadhyay November 27, 2023 at 12:30:00 PM Sustainable environment, Efficient energy , E- cooking Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has launched the National Efficient Cooking Program (NECP) and the Energy Efficient Fans Program (EEFP). This was launched with the aim of achieving independent and sustainable energy consumption. NECP promotes non-solar/electricity-based induction cookstoves, aligning with the Go-Electric initiative. EESL aims to distribute 20 lakh induction cookstoves, reducing environmental impact and offering low-cost cooking solutions. EEFP focuses on deploying one crore 5-star energy-efficient ceiling fans, aiming to reduce residential electricity consumption by nearly 20%. This also benefits consumers by cost-cutting their electricity bills. This initiative complements the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group's efforts. Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shri R. K. Singh, emphasized the strategic shift to electric cooking, highlighting the affordability and benefits for ordinary citizens. The transition will reduce the reliance on outside sources of energy. It can reduce the expense of cooking fuel for the ordinary person. The NCEP and EEFP programs will target promoting efficient, sustainable, safe, and affordable cooking and appliance use. EESL CEO Shri Vishal Kapoor noted the impact of past initiatives like UJALA and the Street-lighting National Program in reducing energy consumption and cutting CO2 emissions. Previous Next

Cameroon kickstarts the world’s first Malaria Vaccination Drive Content Editor: Dr Sathya Prashaath February 8, 2024 at 5:15:00 PM Malaria,Infectious disease, In a historic move, Cameroon has become the first country to start vaccinating children against malaria as part of its national immunization program. This initiative began with the administration of the RTS,S or Mosquirix vaccine developed by GSK, marking a significant step in the fight against malaria - a disease that has long plagued Africa, particularly its young population. RTS,S is the first antimalarial vaccine to be recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The vaccine will be provided free of charge to all infants up to the age of six months old . The vaccine, which has been over 30 years in the making, was initially part of a pilot program in selected African countries. However, it is now set for a wider distribution across the continent. The first recipients of the vaccine were a pair of twins, whose mother, Helene, expressed her commitment to ensuring her children receive all four doses of the vaccine and take other preventive measures like sleeping under a mosquito net. This groundbreaking initiative is not limited to Cameroon, as other African countries like Benin, Burkina Faso, and Liberia are also finalizing their malaria vaccine rollouts, with support from WHO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, and other partners. Previous Next

US FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) approved the first vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Arexvy for use in the United States. It is approved for the prevention of lower respiratory tract diseases (LRTD) in old age groups. Public Health News Analysis FIRST VACCINE AGAINST RSV INFECTION APPROVED BY FDA Image Credits: Dr. Thamizhmaran Author: Dr. Aditi Yadav Updated on : June 22, 2023 Communicable diseases, Vaccine, Surveillance system GlaxoSmithKline Biological’s Arexvy, the first vaccine against RSV, was approved by the U.S. FDA on May 3, 2023, for those aged ≥60, to protect themselves from RSV-related respiratory illness. Vaccination dramatically reduced the risk of getting RSV-associated LRTD by 82.6% and decreased the chance of developing severe RSV-associated LRTD by 94.1%.In India RSV is the most common cause of acute respiratory infection in young children and candidate vaccines are in the pipeline. WHAT IS RSV INFECTION? One of the most prevalent causes of illness in children, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was discovered in 1956, since then it has caused morbidity in both infants and old age. In the US (United States) every year RSV leads to about, 2.1 million outpatient visits among children younger than 5 years old and 100–300 deaths among them. 60,000-160,000 hospitalizations among 65 years and older. Among them, 6,000-10,000 deaths are reported. (1) Common cold-like symptoms are often the result of RSV belonging to Orthopneumovirus having 2 subtypes- A and B. Transmission begins in the fall and peaks in winter. But COVID-19 has disrupted the seasonal consistency in circulation patterns. (1) In infants younger than a year old in the US, RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia. In adults, it can be fatal in some cases. Among them, those at higher risk for a life-threatening RSV infection are: 1. Seniors, particularly those 65 years 2. With compromised immune systems 3. Those diagnosed with chronic heart or lung disease In the elderly, it can occasionally develop problems like Pneumonia, worsened symptoms of Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and Congestive Heart Failure(CHF). Those over 65 years who get RSV exposure may require hospitalization. There's a chance of mortality also. Because immune systems deteriorate with age, seniors are at a higher risk than young folks for catastrophic consequences from RSV. WHAT IS THE MODE OF TRANSMISSION? Direct contact with respiratory droplets, indirect contact like touching a surface that has the virus on it, and touching your face without washing hands. Incubation period-: 2-8 days Infection does not give any immunity. (2) DIAGNOSIS OF RSV INFECTION Clinical manifestations of RSV are not unique. Even though a number of diagnostic options are available which are not routinely done, clinicians mostly opt for clinical diagnosis. More sensitive test like real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) is one of the investigations. SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS IN THE U.S.A. RSV Hospitalization Surveillance Network : Hospitalizations from RSV are tracked using a population-based surveillance system. (1) National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) : lab-based surveillance system for tracking the spread of RSV and other viruses over time and space. (1) New Vaccine Surveillance Network : multisite, population-based surveillance network for hospitalizations and outpatient visits associated with RSV and other acute respiratory disorders. (1) The RSV Surveillance in Native American Persons (RSV SuNA) : to track hospitalizations and outpatient visits associated with RSV among Native Americans. (1) Vaccine developments started in 1960 onwards. But most of them didn’t succeed. (3) T here is prophylaxis for infants at risk and young children but not for older age groups which emphasize the need for vaccines. NEW VACCINE FOR RSV- AREXVY GlaxoSmithKline Biological’s Arexvy, the first vaccine against RSV, was approved by the U.S. FDA on May 3, 2023, for those aged ≥60, to protect themselves from RSV-related respiratory illness. US FDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Sciences assuring the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and drugs for use in humans. (4) It is a recombinant subunit prefusion RSV F glycoprotein antigen with adjuvant. Protective for both type A and B viruses . (5) Evidence for Arexvy's safety and efficacy comes from ongoing, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical research in people aged 60 and more than 60 years in the US and other countries. Arexvy's primary clinical research aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single dose in people aged 60 and up. In order to evaluate the same for repeated immunization, participants will remain in the trial for three RSV seasons. Comparing those who got Arexvy to those who received a placebo, vaccination dramatically reduced the risk of getting RSV-associated LRTD by 82.6% and decreased the chance of developing severe RSV-associated LRTD by 94.1% . Reported side effects by Arexvy recipients: injection site soreness, muscular pain, headache, and joint stiffness or pain. Few had atrial fibrillation. FDA requires a post-marketing study to evaluate substantial risks for Guillain-Barré syndrome and ADEM (Acute Disseminated encephalomyelitis). Vaccines will be available for older individuals prior to the 2023/2024 RSV season, which typically begins in the fall. Route of administration: Intramuscular injection Dosage: 0.5ml. Reconstituted vaccine should be administered immediately or can be stored at 2- 8 degree Celsius at room temperature protected from light and used within 4 hours. If not used within 4 hours, the reconstituted vaccine must be discarded. (5) Contraindication: A nyone with a history of anaphylaxis to any vaccine component. The cost of the vaccine has not yet been decided. 30 European countries are also authorized for vaccine usage. (6) Conclusion: Now the recommendation should come from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after reviewing by Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) on various aspects like epidemiology, immunogenicity, cost-effectiveness, and whether to give it for all ≥60 or those with comorbidities. But some problems like lack of awareness and vaccine hesitancy will be there. Vaccines for pregnant women are also in the trials. In India RSV is the most common cause of acute respiratory infection in young children and candidate vaccines are in the pipeline. References: CDC. respiratory syncytial virus(RSV).Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html . Guidelines on the quality, safety and efficacy of respiratory syncytial virus vaccines, Annex 2, TRS No 1024. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/respiratory-syncytial-virus-vaccines-annex-2-trs-no-1024 ) Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) Disease. Available from: https://www.who.int/teams/health-product-policy-and-standards/standards-and-specifications/vaccine-standardization/respiratory-syncytial-virus-disease ) U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Press announcements. FDA Approves First Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-nnouncements/fda-approves-first-respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccine GSK.Highlights of Prescribing Information.Available from : https://gskpro.com/content/dam/global/hcpportal/en_US/Prescribing_Information/Arexvy/pdf/AREXVY.PDF GSK.Press releases. Available from : https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/european-commission-authorises-gsk-s-arexvy-the-first-respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccine-for-older-adults/ comments debug Comments (2) Rated 5 out of 5 stars. 5.0 | 1 Rating Rate the Article* Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest Guest Jun 26, 2023 Rated 5 out of 5 stars. Very infornative and well presented.....Great job. 2 Reply Guest Jun 26, 2023 Rated 5 out of 5 stars. Very crisp and informative, well put article. Kudos to the team ✨ 2 Reply Join the team Public Health Chronicle! APPLY NOW

Dog bite menace in the Rabies capital Dog bite menace in the Rabies capital Content Editor: Dr Pradipta S December 28, 2023 India Environment Portal Rabies, Zoonotic diseases Over the last three years, the country has grappled with a rising stray dog menace. There have been approximately six dog bites every minute. As per the WHO Association for the Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI)-2004 study, India contributes 36% to global rabies deaths, earning the title of "Rabies Capital.” Recent data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reveals 24.7 lakh dog bite incidents between January and October 2023. Despite sporadic reports, data indicates a reduction in dog attacks since 2018. In 2018, 75 lakh dog bite cases were reported, decreasing to over 72 lakh and 46 lakh in 2019 and 2020, respectively. However, the number of dog bites per day has been increasing since 2021. The government launched the National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination in 2021 to address this concern.

Rapid syndromic PCR test - A miracle in case of pneumonia Content Editor: Dr. Sakshi Aggarwal March 21, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM New Updates, Communicable Diseases Adults (total of 374) who came to the emergency department (ED) between September 25, 2020, and June 1, 2021, with symptoms of CAP, were enrolled in the trial , which was run and overseen by researchers at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either standard-of-care microbiologic methods (blood culture, pneumococcal urine test, and an in-house PCR test) or rapid syndromic PCR testing using the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Plus panel (FAP Plus), which detects 27 bacterial and viral respiratory pathogens. Patients with suspected community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) were more than three times more likely to receive pathogen-directed antibiotic treatment if they had quick syndromic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing , according to the experiment than if they underwent traditional microbiological testing. Additionally, they got pathogen-directed therapy more quickly. Rapid syndromic PCR testing, according to the researchers, may be used in place of or in addition to culture-based diagnostic methods for patients with lower respiratory infections. The results were published in JAMA Network Open. As per the researchers, "a faster microbiological diagnosis allows for directed therapy , which has been shown in previous studies to improve outcomes, limit antibiotic overuse, and prevent antimicrobial resistance." Click here to read more Previous Next

06. DIY air filter effectively filter out viruses, air pollutants. December 28, 2022 at 1:28:48 PM Air Polution, Environmental Health The filter named corsi-rosenthal boxes or cube constructed from four MERV-13 filters, duct tape, a 20-inch box fan and a cardboard box. These are efficacious in removing chemicals from air such PFAS( type of synthetic chemical found in cleaners, textile and wire insulation) and Phthalates(found in building materials and personal care products), it reduce the concentratin of former by 40 to 60 percent and later by 30 to 60 percent respectively. Previous Next

Innovative technology for accurate HIV detection unveiled by JNCASR Innovative technology for accurate HIV detection unveiled by JNCASR Content Editor: Dr Sumana November 27, 2024 PIB HIV Diagnosis, genetics Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR ) developed the GQ-RCP diagnostic platform for detecting HIV with high precision. It targets the unique G-Quadruplex (GQ ) DNA structure in the HIV genome, reducing false positives common in existing diagnostic methods. It uses benzobisthiazole-based fluorescent probes (TGS64) for selective and reliable detection via reverse transcription and amplification of a 176-nucleotide sequence. Featuring a pH-mediated single-step DNA transition into GQ conformation, enabling efficient recognition. This new method offers significant advantages over conventional diagnostics by mitigating non-specific amplification issues. Originally designed for pathogens like SARS-CoV-2, the platform is adaptable for diagnosing various DNA/RNA pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. Click here to read more.

First-ever pre-qualification of a Tuberculosis Diagnostic Test Announced Content Editor: Dr Soundher December 26, 2024 at 7:08:57 PM Tuberculosis, Public health, Diagnostic test The first prequalification of a diagnostic test for tuberculosis marks a critical milestone in scaling up and accelerating access to high-quality TB assays that meet WHO recommendations as well as quality, safety, and performance standards. It assures the quality of tests used to improve access to early diagnosis and treatment The assessment is based on information submitted by the manufacturer, Cepheid Inc., and reviewed by Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA), the regulatory agency of record for this product. This Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT ) detects the genetic material of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes TB, in sputum and provides accurate results in hours. It also identifies mutations associated with its rifampicin resistance , a key indicator of multidrug-resistant TB. It is intended for those who screen positive for pulmonary TB and either have not started anti-tuberculosis treatment or have received less than three days of therapy in the last six months. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Three-Step approach - the anganwadi protocol for divyang children Content Editor: Dr. Manjeet Mohanty December 13, 2023 at 2:56:31 PM Health Programme Protocol, Anganwadi Centres Union Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani recently launched the Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children. This protocol, part of the POSHAN Abhiyan , adopts a three-step approach : Screening for Early Disability Signs Community Inclusion, and Referral support through ASHA/ANM/ RBSK teams. It addresses education and nutrition needs, providing Swavlamban Cards for empowerment. This protocol marks a significant stride in creating a nurturing environment for divyang children, fostering inclusion, and celebrating diversity. Previous Next

Diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti May 2, 2023 at 4:11:14 PM Disease Outbreak, Global Health, Vaccination, Immunization Coverage, Surveillance The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention notified 557 confirmed diphtheria cases and 73 deaths (CFR= 13%) . Nigeria last reported diphtheria outbreaks in 2011. According to the National Immunization Coverage Survey 2021 , the third dose of pentavalent had a coverage of 57% , with suboptimal vaccination coverage, particularly in northeast Nigeria . Due to a decrease in the global availability of Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT) , other public health measures like; Training and deployment of the Rapid Response team , Strengthening surveillance and response system , Ramping up routine immunization coverage , Drug sensitivity tests at National Research Laboratories are underway. Previous Next