Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
‘Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)’ causes penile cancer in men and cervical, vaginal, anal & vulvar cancer in women. It can also cause throat or rectum cancer in both men and women. The virus is transmitted through intimate contact like – sexual intercourse, oral or anal sex. It poses a higher risk for HIV-infected persons, smokers, […]
West Nile virus (WNV)
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a member of the flavivirus genus and belongs to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae. West Nile Virus (WNV) can cause neurological disease and death in people. WNV is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and West Asia. WNV is maintained in nature […]
Fluorosis
Fluorosis is a slow, progressive, crippling disease which affects every organ, tissue and cell in the body. According to WHO, the fluoride concentration in drinking water should not exceed 1.5mg/l. Thus fluorosis is caused by excessive exposure to fluoride, beyond a concentration of 1.5 mg/l. It adversely affects the foetal cerebral function and neurotransmitters. Reduced […]
Diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood to cells to be stored or used for energy. With diabetes, body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it does make. Untreated high blood sugar from diabetes can damage nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs. Different types of diabetes: Type 1 […]
CHIKUNGUNYA
Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) infection: It is a viral disease (genus Alphavirus) which is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, most commonly, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two species which can also transmit other mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue. These mosquitoes can be found biting throughout daylight hours, though there may be peaks of activity in the early morning and late […]
Typbar TCV Vaccine
Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has developed a typhoid vaccine (Typbar TCV) which has better efficacy than the previously used vaccinations in preventing typhoid fever. Conjugate vaccines are made using a combination of two different components. In Typbar TCV, an antigen is chemically linked to a carrier protein to create more powerful combined immune response. The conjugate vaccine can be given to babies as young as six months, […]
Leprosy
Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases known to man. East Africa is the more likely place of origin of leprosy. Leprosy also known as Hansen’s disease (HD), is a chronic infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Leprosy is not highly infectious. It is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and […]
Avian Botulism at Sambhar Lake
The avian botulism is a neuro-muscular illness caused by Botulinum (natural toxin) that is produced by a bacteria — Clostridium botulinum. The bacteria is commonly found in the soil, rivers, and seawater. It affects both humans and animals. The bacteria also need anaerobic (absence of oxygen) conditions and do not grow in acidic conditions. It affects the nervous system of birds, leading to paralysis in their legs and wings. The outbreaks of avian […]
Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus
Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) is a rare disease that has killed five elephants in Odisha. EEHV is as a type of herpes virus that can cause a highly fatal hemorrhagic disease in young Asian elephants between the ages of 1 and 12. If a young elephant dies before reproducing, it affects the population of the species as a whole in the concerned geography. When […]
Lymphatic filariasis
Commonly known as elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical disease. Infection occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. Infection is usually acquired in childhood causing hidden damage to the lymphatic system. The painful and profoundly disfiguring visible manifestations of the disease, lymphoedema, elephantiasis and scrotal swelling occur later in life and can lead […]