Older clade of Avian Influenza (H5N1) wreaks havoc in Cambodia Content Editor : Dr. Prachi Goswami December 7, 2023 at 8:34:53 PM Infectious Disease, H5N1, Avian Influenza The Cambodian Health Ministry Reported two cases of avian influenza in Kampot Province in late November, from the same village (but most likely no human-to-human transmission). The first case, a 21-year old woman died while the second case, a 4-year old girl is being treated at the hospital. Genetic sequencing suggested that the older Asian clade - 2.3.2.1c, which has been circulating in the country’s poultry 2013-14 for over a decade is similar the present one spreading globally in wild birds and poultry and it's highly pathogenic. The ministry launched an investigation to look for more cases, distribute oseltamivir to people at risk. Previous Next

Time to refocus our attention on "hidden hunger". Time to refocus our attention on "hidden hunger". Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti June 5, 2023 WHO News Section Micronutrients deficiency, Food fortification, Preventable diseases, Nutritional interventions Under the aegis of the "United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016-2025) report", the 76th World Health Assembly members joined hands in a resolution to prevent micronutrient deficiencies by urging member states to increase the accessibility of quality fortified staple foods through large-scale food fortification. The global micronutrient crisis has led to a high prevalence of preventable blindness, birth defects like neural tube defects, and impaired brain development. Crucial micronutrients, folate, and iodine deficiency cannot be met by a healthy , nutritious diet alone , particularly in pregnant women. Food Fortification programs are a cost-effective intervention for decreasing micronutrient deficiency and have been successful in many countries for around 30 years .

Is there any association between sperm defects after COVID-19 infection? Is there any association between sperm defects after COVID-19 infection? Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar May 3, 2024 Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Post-COVID, COVID-19, Public Health Researchers tracked semen quality for 109 days in 58 men after the diagnosis of COVID-19, for which they used a linear mixed effects model to analyze at different time points before and after infection. They noted that SARS-CoV-2 entry into testicular cells leads to testes injury and impairs sperm production, which is facilitated by angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 . Even though there was not much difference in volume, median total count, concentration, and motility were lower, and the percentage of non-moving sperm was also higher. Also, sperm survival and normal form decreased, with more defects in the head. The greatest defect occurred within 30 days, followed by recovery and return to normal by 90 days. A significant decline was noted in moderate to high fever cases. Click here to read more.

Pollution controls relaxed in Delhi-NCR after air quality improvement Pollution controls relaxed in Delhi-NCR after air quality improvement Content Editor: Dr Shayari December 12, 2024 Press Information Bureau Environmental Health, Air Quality, Climate Change Effective immediately, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM ) Sub-committee has cast aside Stages III and IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP ) in the Delhi-NCR region. This pivotal choice comes after a remarkable enhancement in air quality, with the AQI falling to 165 on December 5th, 2024. Key Takeaways: The most stringent protocols under GRAP Stages III and IV have been lifted due to the improved air quality. Less restrictive measures under Stages I and II will continue to be upheld and meticulously monitored. Construction and demolition sites and industrial units handed closure orders for infractions will remain closed until the Commission issues further directives. The CAQM Sub-committee will persist in monitoring the air quality and weather forecasts . They maintain the authority to reinstate or modify GRAP stages based on unfolding developments. The current resolution considers the enhanced air quality and relatively stable weather forecasts. Click here to read more.

Expansion of Ayushman Bharat programme Expansion of Ayushman Bharat programme Content Editor: Dr. Nikhil Kumar Khatri July 28, 2023 The Hindu Public Health laws and regulations, Ayushman Bharath, Health and Wellness Centres The AB-HWCs programme, with over 1.6 lakh centers and 178.87 crore beneficiaries , is undergoing its largest service expansion yet. The expansion will include Screening, prevention, and management of non-communicable diseases. Management of common ophthalmic and ENT problems. Basic oral health care. Palliative and elderly care A new cadre of Community Health Officers will be introduced at the secondary centers. Expansion of the list of essential drugs and diagnostics. The CPHC and wellness package will include yoga, zumba, meditation, diet counseling, marathons, cyclothons The centers are being encouraged to undergo the National Quality Assurance Standards assessment and certification with a target of 50% by 2026.

Steps towards eliminating African sleeping sickness Steps towards eliminating African sleeping sickness Content Editor: Dr. Urmimala Maiti June 13, 2023 WHO News Section Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vector borne diseases, Elimination, Public health threat Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Transmission of HAT is vector-borne , by the tsetse fly (glossina species). It is focally endemic in regions of Sub-Saharan Africa . Progressing through various stages, HAT can lead to meningoencephalitis, posing a public health threat. The "WHO Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021-2023 " has set the goal of eliminating T. b. rhodesiense transmission and eliminating T. b. gambiense as a public health problem. On 7th-9th June 2023, at the "Fifth WHO stakeholders meeting on human African trypanosomiasis elimination," the delegates discussed innovative approaches and pledged to strengthen the commitments towards elimination .

Health concerns rise as two die from suspected Guillain Barre syndrome in Kolkata Health concerns rise as two die from suspected Guillain Barre syndrome in Kolkata Content Editor: Dr. Manu February 4, 2025 PHC Editorial Bureau Outbreak, Surveillance, Guillain Barre Syndrome The West Bengal Health Department confirmed the deaths of two individuals aged 10 and 17 years to be due to Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS ). The first individual was a 17 year old adolescent from the North 24 Paraganas District. Though he passed away due to septic shock and myocarditis at NRS Medical College, Kolkata, doctors suspect that GBS was the underlying disease. The 10 year old child was admitted to BC Roy Hospital who hailed from Jagatdal in the North 24 Paraganas district. He died after receiving treatment for a week. On 29th January, a 48 year old man visited Dhaniakhali, Hooghly with symptoms of diarrhea for the past 4 days along with lower limb paralysis. He was put on oxygen due to respiratory issues, but was declared dead on arrival to Kolkata Medical college . The doctors suspected GBS in the case. This outbreak in Kolkata follows the outbreak in Pune affecting more than 100 people and is suspected to be due to contaminated water sources .

Heat Wave Warning and Heat-related illness Heat Wave Warning and Heat-related illness March 1, 2023 Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Heat Related Illness, Heat Waves 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.

Linear urban forest: A project aimed to mitigate effects of heat and improve health Linear urban forest: A project aimed to mitigate effects of heat and improve health Content Editor: Dr. Soundhar August 1, 2024 Harvard TH School of Public Health Sustainable development, International health, Climate change Harvard’s Climate Change Solutions Fund supports the LUF, an interdisciplinary effort launched in April 2021 involving landscape designers, U.S. Forest Service biologists, municipal policy practitioners, and Harvard Chan environmental researchers. This was done to minimize the "urban heat island" effect, which consist of city areas with lots of concrete and asphalt. These areas absorb high levels of solar radiation and have few trees to provide shade, resulting in temperatures 10-12 degrees higher than those with more vegetation. This group has designed connected lanes of trees, shrubs, ferns, and other vegetation running along sidewalks or portions of streets. It also plans to quantify its climate and health-related benefits for U.S. cities using Springfield as a pilot. Kachina Studer, a digital technology specialist in visualization research and teaching laboratory, created a series of visualizations of how areas would look if they were filled with trees, which residents could view. In the future, this visualization might prove helpful in other U.S. cities, showing residents and city leaders what’s possible. Click here to read more.

Return of fluorosis in Nalgonda sparks concerns Return of fluorosis in Nalgonda sparks concerns Content Editor: Dr. Manu January 28, 2025 District Flouride Monitoring Committee, Government of Telangana Nutrition, Surveys, Water Pollution, Fluorosis Following reports of cases of dental fluorosis detected in Marriguda Mandal of Nalgonda District, Hyderabad , the Department of Medicine and Health, Karnataka launched a household survey to identify cases of fluorosis in the district. Conducted by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), it was a door to door, household survey that covered over 34,800 contacts that tried to identify fluorosis symptoms in elderly and children . Over 100-150 cases of dental fluorosis and multiple cases of skeletal fluorosis were identified in the target age groups. This suggests a risk of relapse of fluorosis in a region that was free from the burden since 2020. The Nalgonda district has historically suffered from this scourge with over 1180 mandals affected. Mission Bhagirathi , launched in 2015 by the previous Karnataka government to supply potable water via taps was a successful initiative that ended the spread of cases. Authorities and activists have blamed faulty management of the water supply along with a use of groundwater rich in fluoride by reverse osmosis(RO) plants that led to consumption of rice and vegetables contaminated with fluoride rich water. In response, the government will analyze the survey data and plan further implementation of corrective measures.