Systematic review uncovers real-world effectiveness of MVA-BN vaccine in outbreak settings Systematic review uncovers real-world effectiveness of MVA-BN vaccine in outbreak settings Content Editor: Dr. Gurumurthy May 13, 2024 MedRxiv Vaccine, Monkey Pox, Outbreak Mpox, predominantly found in Central and West Africa, has recently led to significant outbreaks in non-endemic areas , including a major outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) vaccine , approved for mpox and smallpox, has been evaluated for its effectiveness through a systematic review of observational studies published from January 2022 to February 2024 . This review, which included 16 studies from high-income countries with varied designs and target populations, found that MVA-BN offers vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic mpox ranging from 35% to 86% after one dose and 66% to 90% after two doses in pre-exposure settings. For post-exposure prophylaxis, VE was observed at 78% and 89% for a single dose. Additionally, MVA-BN has been shown to reduce hospitalization risks and severity of symptoms, supporting its use in managing mpox outbreaks despite the studies' methodological diversity. Click here to read more.

Post-marketing surveillance of medical devices - MoHFW issues circular Content Editor: Dr. Shubham May 20, 2024 at 1:30:00 PM Medical Technology, Surveillance The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization(CDSCO ) in India has called for medical device manufacturers to establish a system for promptly identifying and disclosing adverse events related to their products. This is to ensure compliance with the Q uality M anagement S ystem and to notify the M ateriov igilance P rogramme of I ndia (MvPI ) of any adverse incidents. The government also mandates post-market surveillance (PMS) to identify and address potential risks related to medical devices. Prompt reporting of adverse events helps manufacturers and regulatory authorities mitigate risks and protect public health. The goal of the MVPI, which was previously introduced by the health ministry, was to increase patient safety through the observation, documentation, and analysis of the underlying causes of unfavorable events or risks related to the use of medical devices, including in-vitro diagnostics, by patients, healthcare professionals, and users. Subsequently, the regulatory bodies would be recommended for suitable action. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Union Health Minister Reviews Nationwide Emergency Health Preparedness Content Editor: Dr. Anamika May 23, 2025 at 10:00:17 AM Emergency Health, Disaster Preparedness Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda chaired a high-level meeting to review emergency health preparedness. Reviewed readiness of ambulances, medical supplies, Intensive Care Units, High Dependency Units, and hospital beds. B harat H ealth I nitiative for S ahyog H ita and M aitri Cubes, manufactured by HLL Lifecare Limited under Project Aarogya Maitri , were included. Each Cube costs about 1.5 crore rupees and has been gifted to Ukraine and used during the Maha Kumbh Mela. Hospitals instructed to stock essential medicines, oxygen, blood, trauma kits. National institutes mobilised teams and training and mock drills were launched. A 24×7 control room is monitoring nationwide efforts. Previous Next

Italy Hit by Deadly Botulism Outbreak Linked to Contaminated Foods Italy Hit by Deadly Botulism Outbreak Linked to Contaminated Foods Content Editor : Dr. Anamika September 23, 2025 PHC Editorial Bureau Botulism outbreak Recently, two clusters of botulism in Sardinia and Calabria were identified. In Sardinia, two women who ate guacamole at a local event died, and a 14-year-old remains in hospital. Meanwhile, in Calabria, two more deaths resulted from industrial and homemade preserved foods. In one incident, sandwiches containing sausage and friarielli bought from a street vendor sickened about 18 people. Investigations are underway in both regions, with charges such as culpable homicide and unsafe food practices under consideration. Experts warn that botulinum toxin is tasteless and invisible, making early detection and prevention essential.

China’s new obesity guidelines : A nationwide health reset China’s new obesity guidelines : A nationwide health reset Content Editor: Dr Sivanthiga November 21, 2024 Social trends Non-communicable Disease, growing epidemic, Public health initiatives, Lifestyle diseases High prevalence and projection : Obesity happens to be a major public health problem in China following improvement in living standards. If this issue goes unattended, the predictions are that the rate of overweight/obesity might reach 65.3% by 2030 Economic and Lifestyle factors : This increase was attributed to Desk bound jobs Adoption of cheaper unhealthy diets. The reasons were less physically demanding agriculture work, inadequate healthcare in rural areas and job stress, long work hours, poor diet in cities. The guidelines issued for prevention of obesity includes the following: 1. School-based health initiatives: Implementation of healthy eating habits, Regular screening, daily exercise, Appointment of clinical nutritionist in schools. 2. Public Health awareness campaigns Campaigns to create public awareness about active monitoring, balanced diet, good sleep etc. The government plans to curb the burden of obesity with effective implementation of these guidelines.

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Takes Off in Odisha, Strengthening Healthcare for Millions Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Takes Off in Odisha, Strengthening Healthcare for Millions Content Editor: Dr. Subhana Siyad January 18, 2025 Press Information Bureau Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, Health Insurance On 13th January 2025, Odisha took a step towards ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Utkarsh Odisha’ by becoming the 34th state to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY ), following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Health Authority (NHA ) AB PM-JAY will converge with Odisha’s existing G opabandhu J an A rogya Y ojana (GJAY ), offering a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year , with an additional Rs 5 lakh for women members . It will cover around 1.03 crore families (4.5 crore people) and provide access to nearly 2,000 medical procedures across 27 specialties. The scheme also benefits people aged 70 and above through the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card . The scheme will provide cashless treatment in over 29,000 empaneled hospitals, significantly benefiting Odisha’s tribal, underprivileged, and migrant populations. The impact of the program since its inception includes 8.19 crore hospital admissions, ₹1.13 lakh crore spent on healthcare for marginalized communities, In remote and conflict-prone areas, such as Bastar and Bijapur, hospital admissions have increased, In Madhya Pradesh, there was a 30-fold rise in hospital admissions, Additionally, access to cancer treatment has increased by 33% , improving early diagnosis and health-seeking behavior, especially among women.

How does the efficacy of the typhoid conjugate vaccine remain after years of vaccination? How does the efficacy of the typhoid conjugate vaccine remain after years of vaccination? Content Editor: Dr. Pradipta March 19, 2024 The Lancet Typhoid, Immunisation, Research Findings In a 2017 randomized control trial in Malawi involving 28,130 children aged 9 months to 12 years, the efficacy and durability of a single-dose Vi-TT vaccine against Typhoid Fever were assessed. 14,069 children received the typhoid vaccine, while the remaining 14,061 children received the control meningococcal vaccine. The effectiveness of the vaccine was measured over different periods. Vaccine efficacy reduced over time by only 1·3% per year over four years with rates of approximately 83.4%, 80.7%, 80.1%, and 77.1% observed at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years post-vaccination, respectively. Efficacy was consistent across age groups, including children under 2 years. These findings support WHO recommendations for Vi-TT mass campaigns in typhoid-endemic areas, followed by routine introduction, emphasizing long-term protection and efficacy. Click here to read more.

Mental health to be prioritized in Civic Clinics of Mumbai Mental health to be prioritized in Civic Clinics of Mumbai Content Editor: Dr. Rajat Sharma April 1, 2023 Times of India Mental Health 191 civic dispensaries will look out for underlying signs of mental illnesses among patients coming for treatment. BMC public health department, which carried out a month-long training of roughly 350 doctors for this, also, for the first time, appointed two psychiatrists. The BMC programme will be a part of the National Health Mission’s district mental health programme. ‘Manashakti’ clinics establishment is made compulsory at the primary healthcare level. The state health department’s ‘tele-manus’ helpline will also be extended to Mumbai and provide information about psychiatric and counselling aid. Each civic dispensary will prominently display banners mentioning the ‘telemanus’ number (14416). Patients visiting the dispensaries will either be given a questionnaire or asked a series of questions to rule out mental issues such as depression or anxiety.

India strengthens snakebite surveillance with mandatory reporting India strengthens snakebite surveillance with mandatory reporting Content Editor: Dr. Dheena December 2, 2024 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Notifiable Diseases, Surveillance The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the National Action Plan for Prevention & Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) , targeting a 50% reduction in snakebite-related deaths by 2030 . Farmers, tribal populations, and rural communities are at the highest risk, making enhanced surveillance essential. Under NAPSE, all government and private healthcare facilities , including medical colleges, are now required to report snakebite cases and deaths as a Notifiable Disease under the State Public Health Act. Mandatory notification will provide crucial data on high-risk areas, the burden of snakebites, and factors contributing to fatalities, thereby improving clinical management and intervention strategies. The Ministry has urged healthcare providers to submit reports using a standardized format that tracks critical details such as bite location, first aid given, and the use of anti-snake venom. This effort aims to strengthen snakebite prevention, enhance treatment outcomes, and improve reporting from private healthcare providers, marking a significant step toward reducing the public health burden of snakebite envenoming in India.

United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) detects H7N9 avian influenza outbreak in poultry United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) detects H7N9 avian influenza outbreak in poultry Content Editor: Dr Manu May 19, 2025 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture Surveillance, Zoonotic Infections, Avian Influenza The A nimal and P lant H ealth I nspection S ervice (APHIS) under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the detection of an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H7N9 strain of avian influenza (HPAI) among broiler chicken breeder flock in a farm in Mississippi. This is the first such outbreak of HPAI since 2017 , as opposed to outbreaks in recent years of the H7 strain of Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (LPAI). It is a fully North American (AM) virus of wild bird origin and indicates a spillover from wild birds. The flock was experiencing high mortality for which samples were tested at the Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed as HPAI at APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) . As a part of the response plan, federal and state partners will test nearby flocks, while the USDA will report this to the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH) and international trading partners. The US Centres for Disease Control (CDC) advised that there is a low risk of infectivity with this strain and to properly handle and cook the meat and eggs from poultry before consumption.