The “Hamara Shauchalay Hamara Samman” Campaign launched The “Hamara Shauchalay Hamara Samman” Campaign launched Content Editor: Dr. Anamika December 28, 2024 Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India Hamara Shauchalay Hamara Samman (HSHS), World Toilet Day, Human Rights Day, Ministry of Jal Shakti “Hamara Shauchalay Hamara Samman” Campaign (HSHS) was launched on World Toilet Day (19 November 2024) and concluded on Human Rights Day (10 December 2024) Organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti , the campaign engaged 3.8 million participants across >50,000 events nationwide and led to the upgradation of 1.54 lakh Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) and the sanctioning of over 3.35 lakh Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs). Innovations included Google Maps tracking in Uttar Pradesh, sanitary marts in Mahoba, and LED awareness vehicles in Jammu & Kashmir. Over 750 pink toilets were built in Rajasthan, linking sanitation to dignity and equality. The HHHS Campaign highlighted “Sanitation as a Fundamental Right ”, and highlighted the link between clean toilets, dignity, and equality.

Nipah in Kerala: The way ahead Content Editor: Dr. Swathi Shenoy August 1, 2024 at 1:00:00 PM Outbreak, Nipah, Surveillance, One health Recently, a 14-year-old boy from Kerala succumbed to death due to the fatal Nipah Virus. To manage the condition, ICMR delivered monoclonal antibodies to the hospital, but they weren’t used due to the boy’s poor general condition. A BSL-3 laboratory for additional sample testing has also arrived in Kozhikode. The National One Health Mission has deployed a multidisciplinary outbreak response team to support the state in investigating the case. The following measures have been advised by the Center to prevent the further spread of the disease: 1. Active contact tracing of contacts during the past 12 days. 2. Strict quarantine of contacts and isolation of suspects 3. Active case finding among the family and neighboring areas 4. Continued lab testing of samples. Efforts are ongoing to control the situation. Click here to read more. Previous Next

India launches 100-Day TB elimination campaign: A step toward a TB-free nation India launches 100-Day TB elimination campaign: A step toward a TB-free nation Content Editor: Dr Anamika December 10, 2024 Press Information Bureau Tuberculosis, Elimination, SDGs On December 7, 2024, India launched the 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign in Panchkula, Haryana. Aligned with the N ational TB E limination P rogramme (NTEP ), the campaign is part of India’s broader goal to eliminate TB by 2025 and contributes significantly to global TB elimination efforts. The campaign covers 347 districts across 33 states and union territories. Its goal is to improve case detection, reduce diagnostic delays, and enhance treatment outcomes for vulnerable groups. Key efforts include: Deploying AI-enabled diagnostic tools , Expanding nutritional support through Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana Engaging communities through initiatives like PM TB Mukt Abhiyan The campaign aims to improve key output indicators: TB incidence rates, diagnostic coverage, and mortality rates. India’s TB elimination strategy aligns with global goals, aiming for a TB-free nation by 2025. Click here to read more.

Emergency Department Visit Rates for Acute Upper Respiratory Infections in U.S. Children and Adolescents (2021-2022) Content Editor: Dr. Chinmay October 19, 2024 at 7:24:45 AM Quickstats, child and adolescent health, upper respiratory infection In the year 2021-2022, children and adolescents in the United States had an emergency department (ED) visit rate of 38.6 per 1,000 for acute upper respiratory infections (URI). The highest visit rate was observed in infants under one year at 120.5 per 1,000, while the lowest was in adolescents aged 12-17 at 14.4 per 1,000. Regardless of whether they were viral or bacterial, these infections had a significant impact on younger age groups, and the rates decreased as age increased. The data was collected from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey , which focused on general hospitals throughout the United States, excluding federal and military facilities. Click here to read more Previous Next

Streamlining of WHO's approach to airborne pathogens Streamlining of WHO's approach to airborne pathogens Content Editor: Dr. Chinmay Kelkar May 1, 2024 WHO News Section Infectious Disease Epidemiology, WHO, Public Health Collaboration The W orld H ealth O rganization (WHO ) has published a new report that introduces standardized terminology for pathogens transmitted through the air. This was developed through extensive collaboration with public health agencies and experts worldwide. The goal is to improve communication and response strategies for airborne illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza, and tuberculosis. T he report introduces the term "infectious respiratory particles (IRPs)" to describe particles released by infected people through breathing, speaking, etc. This moves away from the previously used distinction between "aerosols" and "droplets". Collaboration and Next Steps: This consultation involved leading public health agencies like Africa CDC, China CDC, ECDC, and the US CDC, showcasing a global commitment to this issue. The WHO considers this the first step, with further research and exploration of the practical implications of these new descriptors planned. Click here to read more.

Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine safety: A multinational project Content Editor: Dr.Urmimala March 2, 2024 at 12:30:00 PM COVID-19 Vaccine, Research findings, AEFI The study was conducted in Argentina, Australia, Denmark, Canada, New Zealand, France and Scotland. The AESI list was specified by the Safety Platform for Emergency vACcines (SPEAC), following the roll-out of COVID-19 Vaccines in 2020. The researchers estimated the Observed/Expected ratio of selected AESI retrospectively, across certain risk intervals. More than 99 million individuals participated in the study. The potential vaccine safety signals were prioritized for the following vaccines based on a higher OE ratio: ChAdOx1 vaccine for Guillain-Barre syndrome, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, pericarditis and myocarditis mRNA-1273 vaccine for Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, pericarditis and myocarditis BNT162b2 vaccine for pericarditis and myocarditis The present study provides stronger evidence of the previously identified rare side effects. Although the global generalizability of the results is higher, the result’s applicability to the Indian population is still questionable. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Impending outbreak of flu in the US Impending outbreak of flu in the US Content Editor: Dr. Rashmi Verma March 7, 2024 Center for Infectious Disease Research And Policy Communicable disease, International Health News As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), half of the US regions still exhibit high levels of flu activity, whereas COVID-19 and RSV levels are on the decline . The national test positivity rate for respiratory viruses has decreased to 14.8% , although outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms have remained stable at 4.5%. In the previous week, flu activity increased in five US regions, with Influenza A comprising 71.7% of positive flu samples and Influenza B accounting for 28.3%. This flu season, 91 children have succumbed to the flu , with nine fatalities recorded between November and February. H1N1 and influenza B were responsible for five and four deaths, respectively. Conversely, RSV levels are diminishing in numerous areas, leading to a decline in hospitalizations among infants and seniors, according to the CDC.

Optimizing heart health: New guidelines for lipid management Optimizing heart health: New guidelines for lipid management Content Editor: Dr. Mohammed Kashif July 16, 2024 Indian Heart Journal Non-Communicable diseases, Cardiovascular diseases, LDL Dyslipidemia, referred to as elevated total cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein -cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides, and low High Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL), significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. In India, this condition is widespread, with a prevalence of 81%, with the urbans areas having a higher percentage. The Cardiological Society of India recommends Initiating lipid profile screenings at age 18, emphasizing non-fasting tests as the new standard practice. For individuals with existing heart conditions, achieving LDL-C levels below 30 mg/dL is advised, while those without such issues should target levels below 70 mg/dL. Measurement of Lipoprotein(a) levels is recommended at least once in a lifespan. These guidelines are tailored to address India's unique health challenges, including higher rates of low HDL and central obesity. They highlight the importance of lifestyle modification s such as reducing sugar intake, regular physical activity and cessation of tobacco and alcohol use. Pharmacological treatments, including statins and advanced drugs like PCSK9 inhibitors, are suggested for severe cases. Early detection, particularly among individuals with a family history or known risk factors, is crucial for effective management. The guidelines reflect a proactive approach to managing dyslipidemia in India , aligning strategies with local epidemiological data and health needs. Click here to read more.