What is Anthrax?
Context: Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported a significant anthrax outbreak in Zambia, marking an alarming spread of the disease across nine out of the country’s ten provinces. Relevance: GS II-Health Dimensions of the Article: What is Anthrax? How do animals get Anthrax? How do humans get infected? What are the symptoms of […]
Mental Health Initiatives in India
Context: Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has shed light on the initiatives aimed at addressing mental health concerns in the country. Relevance: GS II: Health Dimensions of the Article: Highlighted Mental Health Initiatives in India: National Mental Health Programme (NMHP): National Tele Mental Health Programme: NIMHANS and iGOT-Diksha Collaboration: Ayushman Bharat – HWC Scheme: […]
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission’s Alert
Context: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has issued a drug safety alert concerning Meftal, a common painkiller. The alert warns about severe allergic reactions, including the DRESS syndrome, triggered by its constituent, mefenamic acid, which has the potential to impact internal organs. Relevance: GS II: Health Dimensions of the Article: DRESS Syndrome Meftal’s Use and […]
India Nears Visceral Leishmaniasis Elimination
Context: India is on the verge of eliminating visceral leishmaniasis, or kala azar, with a significant reduction in reported cases and deaths, nearing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) elimination target. Bangladesh, India’s neighbor, has already been validated by the WHO for successfully eliminating kala azar as a public health problem. Relevance: GS III- Health, Prelims […]
Syphilis: A Sexually Transmitted Infection
Context: A cluster of cases of ocular syphilis has been recently reported in Michigan, US. Relevance: GS II: Health Syphilis: A Sexually Transmitted Infection Cause and Duration: Transmission: Symptoms: Complications and Risks: Treatment: -Source: The Print
About The Pompe Disease
Context: Recently, India’s first patient diagnosed with the Pompe disease died after spending nearly six years in a semi-comatose state. Relevance: GS II: Health Pompe Disease Genetic Causes Enzymatic Function and Malfunction Consequences of Enzyme Deficiency Patterns of Onset Impact on Population Available Treatments -Source: The Hindu
Initiative for Snakebite Prevention in Odisha
Context: A UK university team is conducting a pilot study in Burujhari village, Odisha, to decrease snakebite deaths by exploring solutions such as an Early Warning System. With India facing the highest number of snakebite fatalities globally, mostly in rural areas, the WHO has classified Snakebite Envenoming as a critical Neglected Tropical Disease since June […]
About A Monkeypox virus
Context: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has witnessed a significant increase in Monkeypox(mpox) cases, with 12,569 suspected cases and 581 deaths reported from January to November 2023. Relevance: GS II-Health Dimensions of the Article: About Monkeypox virus Zoonotic disease Transmission: Symptoms and treatment Treatment: -Source: Indian Express
What is White Lung Syndrome
Context: An outbreak of a respiratory illness in northern China and Ohio in the US — the White Lung Syndrome as people are calling it — has sparked speculation online of a new pandemic threat after COVID-19. Relevance: GS II: Health White Lung Syndrome: -Source: Hindustan Times
World Malaria Report 2023
Context: The World Health Organisation (WHO) published a report titled ‘World Malaria Report 2023’. Relevance: GS II: Health Dimensions of the Article: Malaria: Transmission through Mosquito Bites: Variety of Parasites: While there are many types of Plasmodium parasites, only five of them cause malaria in humans: Transmission Process: World Malaria Report 2023: Key Insights Annual […]