Lifestyle

Kampala, Feb 1 (IANS) The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated 2,160 doses of Ebola trial vaccine to Uganda to evaluate the efficacy of the vaccine in combating the virus which in the recent outbreak has killed a health worker in Kampala, the country's capital.

WHO is working with Uganda's Ministry of Health, Makerere University Lung Institute and the Ugandan Virus Research Institute, as well as worldwide filovirus and trial experts and regulators to initiate the trials, according to a statement posted on the website of the WHO.

Uganda's Ministry of Health on Thursday declared an Ebola outbreak after a 32-year-old male nurse working at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala succumbed to Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SVD), marking the eighth outbreak of the deadly disease in the east African country.

"The aim of the vaccine trial is to evaluate a potentially efficacious candidate vaccine, and if efficacious, to possibly contribute to ending the ongoing outbreak and protect populations at risk in the future," said WHO. "Those eligible to join the trial are those at highest risk of SVD, like close contacts of a person who has been confirmed to have had SVD or who has died from the disease. The study sites will therefore be the locations where contacts of the case or cases reside."

There are no approved treatments or vaccines for Sudan virus, but early initiation of supportive treatment has been shown to significantly reduce deaths from Sudan virus disease, according to WHO.

Uganda's previous SVD outbreak started in September 2022 and ended in January 2023, with 164 cases and 77 deaths in the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

During that outbreak, a WHO committee of external experts evaluated candidate vaccines and provided recommendations on their suitability for evaluation in Uganda, as part of a clinical trial against the SVD virus.

"The vaccine trial processes underway include orientation of the research teams on the trial procedures, and logistics arrangements. Research teams have been deployed to the field to work along with the surveillance teams as approvals are awaited," said WHO in the statement.

According to WHO, case fatality rates of Sudan virus disease have varied from 41 percent to 100 per cent in past outbreaks.

--IANS

int/as

Kampala, Feb 1 (IANS) The World Health Organisation (WHO) has donated 2,160 doses of Ebola trial vaccine to Uganda to evaluate its efficacy in combating the virus, which in a recent outbreak, has killed a health worker in Kampala, the country's capital.

WHO is working with Uganda's Ministry of Health, the Makerere University Lung Institute and the Ugandan Virus Research Institute, as well as worldwide filovirus and trial experts and regulators to initiate the trials, according to a statement posted on the website of the WHO.

Uganda's Ministry of Health on Thursday declared an Ebola outbreak after a 32-year-old male nurse working at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala succumbed to Sudan Ebola virus disease (SVD), marking the eighth outbreak of the deadly disease in the east African country.

"The aim of the vaccine trial is to evaluate a potentially efficacious candidate vaccine, and if efficacious, to possibly contribute to ending the ongoing outbreak and protect populations at risk in the future," said WHO. "Those eligible to join the trial are those at highest risk of SVD, like close contacts of a person who has been confirmed to have had SVD or who has died from the disease. The study sites will therefore be the locations where contacts of the case or cases reside."

There are no approved treatments or vaccines for Sudan virus, but early initiation of supportive treatment has been shown to significantly reduce deaths from Sudan virus disease, according to WHO.

Uganda's previous SVD outbreak started in September 2022 and ended in January 2023, with 164 cases and 77 deaths in the country.

During that outbreak, a WHO committee of external experts evaluated candidate vaccines and provided recommendations on their suitability for evaluation in Uganda, as part of a clinical trial against the SVD virus, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The vaccine trial processes underway include orientation of the research teams on the trial procedures, and logistics arrangements. Research teams have been deployed to the field to work along with the surveillance teams as approvals are awaited," said WHO in the statement.

According to WHO, case fatality rates of Sudan virus disease have varied from 41 per cent to 100 per cent in past outbreaks.

--IANS

int/jk/vd

Kampala, Feb 1 (IANS) Uganda on Saturday launched mpox vaccination campaign targetting high-risk populations in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, the current epicentre of the virus outbreak in the east African country.

Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, told Xinhua news agency by telephone that phase one of the vaccination exercise, which targets high-risk populations and health workers, aims to stop human-to-human transmission of the highly infectious virus.

The vaccination started in areas intertwined with a web of commercial sex activity, bar attendants, commuter taxi drivers, commercial motorcyclists and roadside vendors in Kawempe and Makindye divisions of Kampala, according to the ministry and World Health Organization (WHO). The exercise will roll out to the other three divisions of Kampala and the central districts of Wakiso and Mukono.

"This vaccination campaign targets the high-risk populations, close contacts of confirmed cases and our frontline health workers currently based in areas with active transmission," said Olaro.

According to health authorities, Uganda has some 2,000 doses of the vaccine donated by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that will cover up to 1,000 individuals.

Uganda, which confirmed the outbreak of the disease last August, had so far recorded 2,479 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases and 16 deaths as of January 28, with the majority of the deceased having underlying medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, diabetes, and sickle cell disease.

WHO in August declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, sounding the alarm over its potential for further international transmission.

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus that is spread through close contact, with symptoms including fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, skin rash, and back pain.

--IANS

int/as

Seoul, Jan 25 (IANS) South Korea reported another case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) at a duck farm in the central region, raising the total cases to 29 for the season, authorities said.

The new case was detected at a poultry farm in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, according to the central disaster management headquarters for AI outbreaks, reports Yonhap news agency.

Authorities said they are monitoring some 32 duck farms located within the quarantine area of the infected farm to prevent further spread.

South Korea has also placed an import ban on German pork, following an outbreak of highly contagious foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease in the European nation. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said the decision was made after Germany reported its first FMD case since 1988.

FMD is one of the most infectious diseases for cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle and pigs, and can spread rapidly if uncontrolled, reports Yonhap news agency.

Meanwhile, Japan is experiencing a surge of avian influenza outbreaks, with approximately five million chickens and other birds culled across five prefectures this month.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries confirmed new outbreaks at two poultry farms in Morioka City this week, prompting the establishment of an on-site response headquarters in Iwate Prefecture.

In total, 26 outbreak sites have been identified this month, with nearly 5 million birds impacted. The ministry warned that the outbreaks showed no signs of slowing and the situation may worsen, potentially breaking past records.

The ministry also noted the impact on egg prices, reporting a 15-per cent increase since the start of the year, Xinhua news agency reported.

H5N1 influenza is a flu that normally spreads between sick poultry, but it can sometimes spread from poultry to humans, and its symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and severe respiratory illness.

--IANS

na/

Jammu, Jan 22 (IANS) After a patient was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of a mysterious disease, three sisters on Wednesday were hospitalised from Budhaal village of J&K’s Rajouri district where 17 people have died due to the mysterious disease.

Officials said after noticing a deterioration in their condition, arrangements have been made to shift the three sick sisters for specialised treatment to Jammu city.

Earlier, unable to reach a conclusive finding as to what caused 17 mysterious deaths in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, authorities on Wednesday declared the Budhaal village as a containment zone under section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

District Magistrate of Rajouri has declared Badhaal a containment zone following recent health concerns in the area. Acting under Section 163 of the BNSS Act (previously Section 144 of the CrPC), strict measures have been implemented to ensure public safety and prevent the spread of any potential issues.

As part of the containment plan, the houses of affected families have been sealed. The entire area has been divided into three zones for efficient management. All public and private gatherings have been prohibited.

To ensure the well-being of the residents, designated officers and officials have been tasked with monitoring the preparation and distribution of meals provided to families within the containment zones.

The administration has assured residents that further details and updates will follow as the situation develops.

At least 17 locals, including 11 children, have died since December 8, 2024, in Budhaal village of Kotranka sub-division in Rajouri district. The last death was reported on January 17.

Samples analysed at various premier laboratories of the country have returned negative results for viral or bacterial infection although some toxins have been found in samples collected from the victims.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the village on Tuesday and assured the villagers that the actual reason for the deaths would soon be found. He also condoled the deaths of the villagers.

The Health Department has scanned 3,500 locals, including residents of Budhaal and adjacent villages. Those results also did not confirm any viral or bacterial infection.

An inter-ministerial team constituted under the orders of Union Home Minister Amit Shah is presently in the village to point out the exact cause of the mysterious disease.

--IANS

sq/dan

Tokyo, Jan 22 (IANS) Japan is experiencing a surge of avian influenza outbreaks, with approximately five million chickens and other birds culled across five prefectures this month.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries confirmed new outbreaks at two poultry farms in Morioka City this week, prompting the establishment of an on-site response headquarters in Iwate Prefecture.

In total, 26 outbreak sites have been identified this month, with nearly 5 million birds impacted.

The ministry warned that the outbreaks showed no signs of slowing and the situation may worsen, potentially breaking past records.

The ministry also noted the impact on egg prices, reporting a 15-per cent increase since the start of the year, Xinhua news agency reported.

Some industry observers have raised concerns about potential supply shortages as the effects of avian influenza begin to take hold.

Japan reported first bird flu outbreak of the season in October 2024 after several chickens were found dead at a poultry farm in Hokkaido.

After the detection of the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, Hokkaido's authorities culled approximately 19,000 chickens at the farm as a preventative measure.

Movement restrictions were also implemented, banning the transport of chickens and eggs within a three-kilometre radius of the farm and prohibiting the transport of poultry products outside a 10-kilometre radius.

The Hokkaido government had urged strict enforcement of containment measures to prevent further spread and assured the public that poultry products currently in circulation are safe for consumption.

In response to the outbreak, the Japanese government had also set up an information liaison office at the Prime Minister's Crisis Management Centre and begun collecting data in coordination with local authorities.

H5N1 influenza is a flu that normally spreads between sick poultry, but it can sometimes spread from poultry to humans, and its symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and severe respiratory illness.

--IANS

int/as

Seoul, Jan 22 (IANS) South Korea has launched a joint public-private initiative to collect biological data from 1 million individuals, aiming to enhance the global competitiveness of the country's bio-industry, the country’s finance ministry said on Wednesday.

The ministry said that the project will gather biological samples, such as blood, urine, and biopsies from participants, including those with rare and severe diseases, to create a large-scale dataset, Yonhap news agency reported.

The dataset will be shared with the medical community, academia, and industries, with long-term plans to make it accessible to the general public.

The first phase, supported by 603.9 billion won ($420.6 million) in state investment, aims to collect data from 770,000 people by 2028, the ministry said.

The final target is to reach 1 million participants by 2032.

"This large biological dataset will enhance public health through personalised medical services and drive innovation in the bio industry," said Shin Sang-hoon, a ministry official, in a meeting with industry officials.

The government emphasised its commitment to collaborating with genetic analysis firms participating in the project, as well as helping bio companies strengthen their global competitiveness.

Meanwhile, the country’s science ministry recently said it has designated 10 technologies that will innovate the bio-industry in the next decade.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, the technologies are human immunome, multi-cancer early detection, ribonucleic acid structurome, artificial intelligence (AI)-designed gene editors, anti-ageing antibodies, molecular glue, motile living biobots, digital artificial organs, bio foundation model and health care digital twin, Yonhap reported.

The paradigm of bioresearch will likely change to AI-based prediction and inference from the current research centered on repetitive experiments and observation, the ministry explained.

The technologies will likely be applied in bio and other industries, including medical, space, and manufacturing, in the next five to 10 years.

--IANS

rvt/

New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) In a first, the government-run Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) Network on Wednesday announced that devotees from across the country can order prasad from the ongoing Mahakumbh mela at Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj.

One can avail the prasad without traveling to the holy sites, via Waayu -- a seller network participant.

ONDC said that devotees can now order prasad from the Bade Hanuman Ji Temple in Prayagraj and the Ayodhya Temple in Ayodhya using leading buyer apps such as Paytm, Snapdeal, Easypay, DigiHaat, MyStore, and Rubaru.

The prasad delivery is facilitated by logistics participants on the Network ensuring shipping across India with a 7-day turnaround time.

The service, which commenced on 13th January 2025, is available nationwide and will continue beyond the Mahakumbh.

“The Mahakumbh is a highly significant spiritual occasion for millions of Indians, and we are honoured to facilitate their connection to this sacred event through the ONDC Network. By enabling the delivery of prasad from iconic temples, we are leveraging digital commerce to bridge distances and enhance accessibility, making this divine experience more inclusive,” said T Koshy, MD and CEO, ONDC.

“This is just a start to the much larger canvas of spirituality covering fields and subjects like astrology and numerology as well including associated products and services and is not limited to just those linked with religion," he added.

The initiative marks a significant step in integrating spiritual experiences into the digital commerce ecosystem, offering a seamless blend of tradition and technology.

The initiative reflects ONDC Network’s mission of democratising digital commerce while embracing India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. It also highlights the versatility of the Network, which is not limited to commercial products but extends to unique and culturally significant offerings.

--IANS

rvt/

New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was apprised of the progress made under the National Health Mission (NHM) during the years 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24.

This included an accelerated decline in maternal mortality rate (MMR), infant mortality rate, under-five mortality rate, and total fertility rate and the progress in respect of various diseases programmes like tuberculosis (TB), malaria, kala-azar, dengue, leprosy, viral hepatitis, among others, as well as the new initiatives undertaken such as National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.

“The NHM has significantly contributed to improving India's public health outcomes through its relentless efforts in expanding human resources, addressing critical health issues, and fostering an integrated response to health emergencies,” according to a Cabinet Communique.

Maternal and child health, disease elimination, and healthcare infrastructure were the key achievements of the NHM between FY 2021-24. MMR declined by 83 per cent since 1990, which is higher than the global decline of 45 per cent.

The country also demonstrated a higher decline of 75 per cent in the reduction of under-five mortality rates in comparison to the global reduction of 60 per cent since 1990. Notably, TB incidence reduced from 237 per 1,00,000 population in 2015 to 195 in 2023; TB mortality rate decreased from 28 to 22 in the same period.

The initiative also played a significant role during the Covid-19 pandemic and ensured more accessible and quality healthcare services across the country.

It played a crucial role in increasing the human resources within the healthcare sector and strengthening the public health system, which was key in the fight against Covid.

“By utilising the existing network of healthcare facilities and workers, NHM was pivotal in administering over 220 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses between January 2021 and March 2024," the Communique said.

NHM has also addressed pressing public health concerns such as tobacco use and snakebite envenoming.

The Mission contributed to a 17.3 per cent reduction in tobacco use over the past decade.

“The ongoing efforts of NHM have successfully led to a dramatic transformation in India's healthcare landscape. By expanding human resources, improving health outcomes, and addressing critical health issues, NHM continues to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services across the nation,” the Communique said.

“With significant progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), India is on track to meet its health targets well ahead of the 2030 deadline,” it added.

--IANS

rvt/

Colombo, Jan 19 (IANS) Over 35 people were hospitalised after a head-on collision between two buses in Sri Lanka's Southern Province on Sunday morning, police said in a statement.

Six individuals sustained serious injuries and were receiving treatment at the main hospital in Matara District, according to police, Xinhua news agency reported.

Local media reported that it was raining at the time of the accident.

Police recently disclosed that 12,140 people lost their lives in traffic accidents between 2020 and 2024.

In response to the increasing number of accidents involving buses, Sri Lankan authorities have been intensifying legal actions against individuals who violate traffic regulations on passenger buses.

The Sri Lankan government has authorised the recruitment of an additional 10,000 police officers to bolster efforts aimed at preventing road accidents, as well as conducting anti-crime and anti-drug operations.

Police recently disclosed that 12,140 people lost their lives in traffic accidents between 2020 and 2024. In response to the increasing number of accidents involving buses, Sri Lankan authorities have been intensifying legal actions against individuals who violate traffic regulations on passenger buses.

According to the World Bank (2019), Sri Lanka has a considerably high rate of population density (346 per km2 ), road density (173.9km per 100 km2 ) and vehicle density (109.73 per km2 ). A report issued by the Department of National Planning in Sri Lanka (2017) found that 3,000km of roads within the national road network of Sri Lanka have surpassed a traffic volume of 10,000 vehicles per day.

Roads situated in urban areas usually exceed their service capacity, especially during peak hours. With the inclusion of several highways and the ability to travel within less time to several destinations within Sri Lanka, more vehicles flock to the roads for trips and other activities. With increased economic activity, there are a larger number of freight vehicles involved in transportation and this lends added pressure to the road network system.

This is especially cumbersome in areas where a large fraction of roads, especially in urban areas remain as two-way single carriageway roads. The difficulties faced in the expansion of the roads horizontally due to other landscape developments also remain a significant issue.

--IANS

int/dan