4-Daily news snippets (All) Daily News Snippets 23rd February, 2023 After Measles, is Japanese Encephalitis the new threat? Five girls out of the 29 tested, in a hostel in Balasore, Odisha has been detected positive for Japanese Encephalitis. One mortality was reported due to the illness. The main vector of JE is Culex tritaeniorhynchus . Common symptoms of JE include headache, fever, mental confusion, delirium, and acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) (characterized by symptoms such as convulsions, alteration of the sensorium, and changes in the behavioral pattern). The Health and Family Welfare Department is taking measures to prevent the further spread of the disease and is advising vaccination for those who live in or travel to areas where the disease is common. Steps to prevent mosquito bites, such as using mosquito nets and repellents, are also recommended. JE vaccination campaign targets 181 JE endemic districts of Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Published on : Thursday, February 23, 2023 Source : MoHFW Infectious disease, Japanese Encephalitis Brain-inspired image sensor can detect miniscule objects: IISc study Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have shown how a brain-inspired image sensor can go beyond the diffraction limit of light to detect minuscule objects such as cellular components or nanoparticles invisible to current microscopes. This technique combines optical microscopy with a neuromorphic camera and machine learning algorithms in pinpointing objects smaller than 50 nanometres in size. Measuring roughly 40 mm x 60 mm x 25 mm, and weighing about 100 grams, the neuromorphic camera used in the study mimics the way the human retina converts light into electrical impulses, and has several advantages over conventional cameras. To read the complete article - Click Here Published on : Thursday, February 23, 2023 Source : The Hindu Health Innovation "A child should not be lost in its search for paternity", Supreme Court The Supreme Court has held in a judgment that children cannot be mechanically subjected to DNA tests in each and every case between warring parents as a shortcut to establish proof of infidelity. The judgment said, “a child should not be lost in its search for paternity”. The judges drew attention to the rights of privacy, autonomy, and identity recognized under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The court added that mechanical orders allowing DNA tests would also harm the reputation and dignity of the mother. The judgment also said that the family courts should direct a DNA test only in expedient situations and in the interest of justice, as a last resort. The judgment came in a petition filed by a man who questioned his second child’s paternity. Published on : Thursday, February 23, 2023 Source : The Hindu Laws & Regulations Daily News Snippets Monthly Archives View More View More View More View More View More View More View More View More View More View More View More View More Subscribe to get Latest Public Health Updates SUBSCRIBE

8-Headlines of the day (All) Public Health Headlines 1st March, 2023 Vaccine-derived Poliovirus cases and Novel Oral Polio Vaccine The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) reported 8 cases and 15 positive environmental samples for circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus(cVDPV1&2) in countries like Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Yemen. GPEI with the partnership of WHO countries, deployed novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2), a modified vaccine of monovalent OPV (mOPV2), to address the evolving risk of cVDPV. Clinical trials on nOPV2 revealed comparable protection with genetic stability and reduced risk of emergence of cVDPV2 in low immunity settings. WHO under Emergency Use Listing Procedure (EUL) enabled its rapid field availability with close monitoring. As of this week, February 2023, 585 million doses of nOPV2 have been administered across 27 countries. The nOPV2 might be the tool to help stop outbreaks of cVDPVs. To read the full article @ GPEI website - Click here Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Source : Published on : Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Vaccination, Polio Outbreak Karnataka launched GPS-based mobile app ‘Stop Tobacco’ The Karnataka Tobacco Control Cell launched GPS-based mobile app ‘Stop Tobacco’ on February 28,2023. The app will protect non-smokers from being exposed to cigarette smoking in public places. The mobile app will provide significant citizen participation in tobacco control activities. If anyone is found to be violating the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA), all that needs to be done is to click a picture of the public place (not necessarily the person who is violating) and upload it on this mobile app. Once the complainant enters details like the respective district, taluk and mobile number, the photo will reach the district tobacco control unit and the taluk tobacco control unit. A squad of seven officials has been set up in districts across the state to enforce the rules. The State’s anti-tobacco squad will rush to the spot and levy penalty on the violator. Under Section (4) of COTPA 2003, smoking in public places is prohibited and a violator can be fined Rs 200. Dr Sridevi Deshpandey , state consultant, National Tobacco Control Programme, announced that 21 villages in Karnataka are free from tobacco. Point of IMPACT:- Out of 22.8 per cent of adults in Karnataka who use tobacco products, 8.8 per cent are smokers and 16.3 per cent are using smokeless tobacco products. Most youngsters start using tobacco at the early age of around 15 years or so without paying attention to its ill and life-threatening effects. The Hindu Source : Published on : Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Prohibition of Public Smoking, COTPA 2003 First deadly Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak - in Equatorial Guinea. According to the ongoing investigation, the cases presented with fever, weakness, vomiting, and blood-stained diarrhea. As of this week, February 2023, the cumulative number of cases is nine, including one confirmed case, four probable, and four suspected cases. All the cases have died , one in a health facility and the other eight in the community. 34 contacts are currently under follow-up. Marburg virus disease (MVD) fruit bats are considered natural hosts and have a case-fatality ratio of up to 88%. The incubation period varies from 2 to 21 days and spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact with the blood or other bodily secretions. Laboratory confirmation by ELISA or RT PCR is needed. No vaccines or antiviral treatments are approved to treat the virus, supportive care – rehydration, and treatment of symptoms improve survival. The last reported outbreak of MVD was in Ghana in 2022 (three confirmed cases). To read the full article @ WHO website - Click Here WHO - Disease outbreak News Source : Published on : Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Outbreak Investigation, Communicable diseases Heat Wave Warning and Heat-related illness 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. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Source : Published on : Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Heat Related Illness, Heat Waves Subscribe to get Latest Public Health Updates SUBSCRIBE