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 […]
Walking Pneumonia
Context: Recently, a mysterious influenza-like illness termed as Walking Pneumonia has gripped school children in China. Relevance: GS II: Health Walking Pneumonia: A Mild Form of Respiratory Infection Prevalence and Transmission: Symptoms: Treatment: -Source: The Hindu
Key Features of Ixchiq Vaccine
Context: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States recently granted approval for Ixchiq, the world’s first vaccine for chikungunya. Developed by the European vaccine manufacturer Valneva, this novel vaccine represents a crucial advancement in addressing the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Relevance: GS II: Health Dimensions of the Article: Key Features of Ixchiq Vaccine […]