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New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Influenza cases on the rise in Kerala; 19 deaths so far in 2025
KOCHI: With 19 deaths and 1,857 cases reported so far this year, the state is witnessing a surge in influenza virus infection. In the first nine days of July, the state reported 382 cases and six deaths. Influenza is a seasonal disease caused by environmental and other factors, with fever and body pain being the common symptoms. However, a high proportion of elderly population and youngsters with lifestyle diseases, cancer, and obesity poses a threat. According to Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, convenor of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) research cell, there are three strains of influenza viruses in circulation now. 'H1N1, H3N2 (both of which come in the Influenza A category), and Influenza B strains are circulating. Also, a vast majority of cases go undiagnosed as the symptoms are often indistinguishable from other common viral infections,' Dr Rajeev said. The reason why fever and flu-related mortality is on the rise is the prevalence of comorbidities, pointed out Dr B Ekbal, a public health expert. 'Among the elderly and youngsters, more people are suffering from lifestyle diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and even cancer. In Kerala, only 40% of the people control diabetes properly. Obesity is also a major factor,' Dr Ekbal said. The severity of the disease varies as per the patient profile. 'Those with comorbidities and among elderly, the condition can even cause death. If the host is weak, the impact will be greater,' Dr Rajeev said. Unlike Covid, influenza has effective treatment, and if symptoms are present, it is better to conduct a flu test, Dr Ekbal said. 'The number of people who undergo flu tests is low in the state. Antivirals, if taken within 48 hours, are effective too,' he said. An expert panel led by Dr Ekbal — entrusted with formulating a new immunisation policy in November 2023 — had proposed a mandatory administration of flu jabs to those aged 65 and above, but no action has been taken. The data on seasonal flu released by the National Centre for Disease Control revealed that Kerala reported the highest number of deaths due to influenza A till April 30 this year. Precautions
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Death of children due to rabies points to need for pre-exposure prophylaxis vaccination
The recent deaths of three young girls following rabies, in separate incidents in Pathanamthitta, Malappuram and Kollam, in spite of post-exposure prophylaxis with anti-rabies vaccine as well as rabies immunoglobulin, have yet again brought attention to the need to protect children with pre-exposure prophylaxis vaccination. Pre-exposure prophylaxis for children in a highly rabies-endemic State like Kerala, where the number of human rabies deaths have been increasing, was a strategy recommended as a short-term priority—to be achieved in 1.5 years—by the B. Ekbal committee that framed the State Vaccine Policy in November 2022. The detailed field investigation into the recent rabies deaths of children by the Health department, in association with the National Centre for Disease Control, Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation, the State Public Health Lab and the district surveillance units, had looked into all aspects of the case, including the nature of animal bite, the timeliness of interventions, adherence to standard protocols, vaccine cold chain, techniques of vaccine administration, training for staff and public awareness of prophylaxis . Submitted to child rights panel The report, which was submitted by the Director of Health Services to the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights last week following a petition filed by advocate Kulathoor Jaising points out that all three children had sustained severe, deep Category 3 dog bites in highly innervated areas as the head, neck and upper limb, resulting in direct inoculation of the virus into the nerves, thus rendering the administered immunoglobulin and vaccine ineffective In one case, the child had been bitten by the neighbour's pet dog and despite taking vaccine and immunoglobulin, she had developed rabies symptoms three months later. In two other cases, there were delays in care seeking, but which was likely due to the distance to the health facility, non-availability of rabies immunoglobulin at the taluk hospital or public health centre and lack of awareness about the importance of wound washing. Category 3 bites 'Because of their small size, children fall down when a rabid dog attacks them, making them vulnerable to repeated bites, which are invariably Category 3 bites (face, head, neck or hand where there is a concentration of nerve fibres). When the wounds are deep, more nerve fibres are exposed and the virus enters the nervous system directly,' public health experts point out. There could be unanticipated delays in getting proper treatment. But if a child has been given pre-exposure prophylaxis, rabies antibodies are already there in the body to fight the virus, if he/she sustains an animal bite later. A child who has been given pre-exposure prophylaxis will not need rabies immunoglobulin after an animal bite and even the post-exposure vaccination can be contained to two doses. The report submitted by the DHS makes it clear that people dying despite taking post-exposure anti-rabies vaccination is a regular occurrence in the State.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Central team assesses Nipah situation in Kerala
A Central team of scientists led by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) joint director Pranay Varma visited different places in Palakkad and Malappuram districts as part of a joint combat operation against Nipah. A fresh team of scientists from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, is also expected to visit the Nipah- infected places in Palakkad and Malappuram. The NIV team led by Dileep Patil will survey bats in the areas. The Central experts held discussions with Malappuram District Medical Officer R. Renuka and expressed satisfaction at the measures adopted to prevent the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George said 499 persons were under observation in the State for Nipah. While 203 of them are in Malappuram district, 116 are in Kozhikode, 178 in Palakkad, and two in Ernakulam. As many as 11 persons are under treatment in Malappuram and three in Palakkad. In Malappuram, 56 persons in quarantine tested negative for Nipah. In Malappuram, restrictions in 20 wards were lifted on Thursday. There will be no more containment zones in the district. However, in Palakkad, restrictions will continue. Six wards have been declared containment zones in Palakkad district. The district administration on Thursday warned against those violating restrictions in the containment zones.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Woman who died in quarantine tests negative for Nipah
Health officials in Malappuram district heaved a sigh of relief on Wednesday when a 78-year-old woman from Parappanangadi who had been under treatment in quarantine after contact with a Nipah patient and later passed away tested negative for the virus posthumously. Her funeral had been put on hold awaiting the test results. Health Minister Veena George said that 498 people in the State were on the Nipah contact list. She said prevention activities should continue until September as per the Nipah calendar. When 203 people are under observation in Malappuram, 116 are under observation in Kozhikode, 177 in Palakkad, and two in Ernakulam. Eleven of them are under treatment in Malappuram, with two in intensive care units. As many as 46 persons on the contact list in Malappuram have tested negative for Nipah so far. In Palakkad, three persons are being treated in isolation. Five tests in Palakkad have been negative so far. The Minister said that 29 persons in the State were in highest risk category and 116 in high risk category. The Nipah-infected woman is under treatment in Kozhikode. Meanwhile, a Central medical team on Wednesday visited Malappuram and Palakkad districts to coordinate the virus prevention efforts. The national joint outbreak response team appointed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will give a report to the Centre. The Central team is led by Pranay Verma, joint director at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The team includes experts from the National Institute of Virology, Pune, scientists, veterinary consultants and animal husbandry experts.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Activists: Will move court over action against pigeon feeding sites
Mumbai: Upset with the BMC action against kabutarkhanas in the city, several activists have accused govt of not showing compassion towards pigeons. Jawahar Mehta and Sandeep Doshi, representatives of the Jain community who live near Dadar kabutarkhana, said that they will move court against the demolition of pigeon-feeding sites. "I visit the century-old Dadar kabutarkhana every day, but have never suffered from any respiratory issue. Dirty politics is at play... We have no other option but to go to court," said Doshi. "Has the National Centre for Disease Control or any other authority declared that pigeons are harmful to humans? We suspect that builders may be eyeing the space created by destroying kabutarkhanas..." Honorary representative of the Animal Welfare Board of India, Mitesh Jain claimed the "anti-pigeon stand has been taken to appease animal haters just before the BMC elections". "Supreme Court had issued directions to all states and union territories in the 2009 SLP petition of AWBI v/s Nagaraja & others, that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act must be adhered to in India. Disturbing bird-feeding sites or denying them food is animal cruelty," added Jain. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Roshan Pathak of Pure Animal Lovers group said: "Article 51A(g) of our Constitution states that the citizens must have compassion for all living creatures. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ¿Más de 40 y barriga que no desaparece? Este truco militar es la solución Invención Militar Undo But BMC wants to harass the feeders and destroy kabutarkhanas. We will protest against govt." A PETA India member commented: "A review of studies and literature shows that the risk of pigeons spreading diseases to humans is extremely low. On the other hand, badly caged poultry birds and farm animals raised for meat in dirty conditions cause serious illnesses like bird flu and other zoonotic pathogens. So, govt should stop targeting pigeons."
