Coming as it does at a time when COVID-19 resolutely refuses to pack up and go away, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow this November will likely discuss not only international climate action but the impact of climate on health issues as well. As the Lancet Countdown 2020 Report explained, no continent, country, or community is immune from […]
Nipah virus
“Serious epidemic potential” of Nipah virus
The Nipah virus, though rare and currently isolated, has the potential to be one of the world’s next major epidemics according to health experts. “Twenty years have passed since its discovery, but the world is still not adequately equipped to tackle the global health threat posed by Nipah virus,” said Richard Hatchett, chief executive of […]
If there’s a major disease outbreak, is India prepared?
Earlier this year, a list was unveiled of ten diseases which could result in a future epidemic in India. Now, an index has been unveiled of countries ranked according to their preparedness in the face of a future infectious disease outbreak of epidemic or pandemic proprtions. The Global Health Security Index – prepared by the […]
Asia and WHO collaborate on emerging diseases
A large-scale collaboration has been announced between a number of Southeast Asian nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) in order to address the issue of emerging diseases. India, along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepala, North Korea, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, have come together under the World Health Organization – South East […]
Nipah virus: Kerala declares Victory
Kerala has declared victory against the Nipah virus once again , with the state’s sole patient being discharged from hospital. A potential resurgence of the Nipah virus was announced earlier this year with the news that a 23-year-old man in the Ernakulam district had tested positive for the disease. The Nipah virus made headlines in […]
Disease profile: Nipah virus
The Nipah virus — though occurring sporadically and relatively rarely — remains a deadly prospect whenever there is an outbreak due to its mortality rate of seventy percent. This places the disease alongside many of the world’s most lethal infectious conditions. Consequently, any outbreak of the disease must be handled with the utmost attention and […]
Nipah virus outbreak: Six test negative, containment efforts ongoing
Six people suspected of infection with the Nipah virus have been given the all-clear as containment efforts continue. Authorities confirmed a second outbreak of the disease in the state of Kerala after a 23-year-old college student tested positive for the virus during an initial examination. The aftermath saw a swift response by state health authorities, […]
Nipah and Ebola, a potential multi-purpose drug
A 23-year-old man in the Ernakulam district of Kerala tested positive in initial examinations for the Nipah virus. Are new tools needed in the fight against the disease? It was thought, due to the state government’s effective response to an outbreak of the disease last year, that the virus was a problem of the past. […]
A resurgence of the Nipah virus?
India quelled an outbreak of the Nipah virus last year with globally praised efficiency. However, recent news indicates the virus could be back in India. A resurgence of Nipah is a worrisome prospect due to the threat it poses to life. The condition has a seventy percent mortality rate, consequently ranking among some of the […]
Detection, testing, awareness: A year after Nipah, Kerala prepared to handle outbreaks
This article was originally published by The News Minute and is reprinted here with permission. By Dr Nimeshika Jayachandran It started with the death of three members of a family in Kozhikode, who had exhibited similar symptoms: fever, headache and respiratory issues. Soon, the state was plagued by an outbreak of the rare Nipah virus, […]