Current Context : Recently, a 14-year-old boy from Kerala’s Malappuram, who had tested positive for the Nipah virus, died. About Nipah Virus It is a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from animals to humans). The organism that causes Nipah Virus encephalitis is an RNA or Ribonucleic. Acid virus of the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus, and is closely related to Hendra virus. Hendra virus (HeV) infection is a rare emerging zoonosis that causes severe and often fatal diseases in both infected horses and humans. It first broke out in Malaysia and Singapore in 1998 and 1999. The disease is named after....Read More

Current Context: Recently, Six children have died in Gujarat's Aaravalli district due to the  Chandipura virus. ABOUT CHANDIPUR VIRUS Chandipura virus is an RNA virus belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family, which also includes the rabies virus. The virus primarily affects children and has been associated with outbreaks of acute encephalitis in India. Transmission : through the bite of infected sandflies (genus Phlebotomus). Symptoms : Fever, vomiting, loose motion and headache. Treatment : There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine. It was first identified in Maharashtra in 1965.Read More

Current Context : The Serum Institute of India (SII) and Oxford University have launched a "high efficacy" malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, in Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) approved the vaccine last year, and this is the first time it has been given to everyone in the country. R21/Matrix-M was co-developed by the university and Serum Institute of India (SII) leveraging Novavax's Matrix-M adjuvant technology. R21 is the second malaria vaccine available in Sub-Saharan Africa following RTS,S. ABOUT MALARIA : Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite. It is transmitted to humans through the....Read More

Current Context : Recently, the Karnataka High Court took suo motu cognisance of the rise and the spread of dengue across the State. ABOUT DENGUE It is a mosquito-borne viral infection. Also knowns as break-bone fever. It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. Transmission: transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitos carrying one of four types of dengue virus (DENV). A person can be infected with dengue multiple times in their life. Symptoms: high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and rash. Most will get better in 1–2 weeks.Read More

Current Context : Union Health Ministry Issues Advisory to States in view of Zika virus cases from Maharashtra. ABOUT ZIKA VIRUS Zika is an Aedes mosquito borne viral disease like Dengue and Chikungunya. It is a non-fatal disease. Zika is associated with microcephaly (reduced head size) of babies born to affected pregnant women which makes it a major concern. India reported first Zika case from Gujarat State in 2016. There is no vaccine or medicine to prevent Zika virus infection.  Read More

Current Context : At least 120 villages in six districts of Mizoram – Aizawl, Champhai, Lunglei, Saitual, Khawzawl and Serchhip have been infected by the African Swine Fever outbreak. The death toll of pigs crossed to 3,350. ABOUT AFRICAN SWINE FEVER (ASF): ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs. Mortality rate can reach 100%. The ASF virus is a large, enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus that is the sole member of the genus Asfivirus within the family Asfarviridae. Symptoms: fever, weak pigs, lack of appetite, inflamed eye mucous membranes, red skin, (bloody) diarrhea, and vomiting. Spread....Read More

Current Context : Indian Army launched first skin bank for advanced care of personnel and families. Objective : to revolutionise the treatment of severe burn injuries and other skin-related conditions among armed forces service members and their families. It will serve as a centralised hub for the collection, processing, storage, and distribution of skin grafts. Functions : the harvesting, processing, preservation and supply of fine human skin allografts for burn treatment centers and polytrauma. It will cater the three kinds of patients : injuries from domestic fire accidents, electrical incidents, and kerosene warmers jawans and officers use to keep themselves....Read More

Current Context : Recently, a case of Congo virus reported in Quetta, Pakistan. ABOUT CONGO VIRUS It is also known as the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever or CCHF. It is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by Nairovirus - which is a tick-borne virus. Fatality rate : 10 - 40 percent. It is carried by animals such as cattle, goats, sheep and hares and is transferred to humans through tick bites or contact with infected blood during or after slaughter Symptoms : High fever, Myalgia or muscle aches, Dizziness, Neck pain Stiffness, Backache, Headache, Sore eyes, etc,.Read More

Current Context : Recently, Chad has become the first country in 2024 and the 51st globally to eliminate a neglected tropical disease (NTD),the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). ABOUT HUMAN AFRICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS (HAT). It is also also known as sleeping sickness. It is caused by protozoan parasites that transmitted by infected tsetse flies and endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. It takes 2 forms, depending on the subspecies of the infecting parasite: Trypanosoma brucei gambiense: It is found in 24 countries of west and central Africa, currently accounts for 92% of reported cases and causes a chronic illness. Trypanosoma brucei....Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT : Japan facing a record high of flesh-eating bacteria cases, with nearly 1,000 affected by Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS) this year. ABOUT FLESH-EATING BACTERIA Flesh-eating bacteria is also called the Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS). The disease has a mortality rate of 30% and can become fatal within 48 hours of infection. It is a bacterial infection develops quickly and becomes life-threatening. The 'flesh-eating bacteria' can lead to rapid tissue destruction and organ failure. The bacteria spreads through respiratory droplets, direct contact and improperly handled food. Symptoms : Fever and chills, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting.Read More