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Mask compulsory in Mannarkkad taluk
Mask compulsory in Mannarkkad taluk

The Hindu

time2 days ago

  • Health
  • The Hindu

Mask compulsory in Mannarkkad taluk

Wearing masks has been made compulsory in Mannarkkad taluk in the district following detection of three back to back Nipah cases in the taluk. District Collector G. Priyanka also permitted work-from-home facility for government employees coming from containment zones. Ms. Priyanka said that giving leave to those who could not work from home was under consideration. She said online classes would be arranged for students of schools and colleges in containment zones. Students from containment zones studying in schools and colleges elsewhere will have to attend online classes. Minister for Health Veena George said on Thursday that 674 persons were under observation across the State. She said 426 of them were in Palakkad, 131 in Malappuram, 115 in Kozhikode, and one each in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. As many as 12 persons in quarantine are under treatment in Malappuram while 17 persons are being treated in quarantine in Palakkad. The Minister said 32 persons among those under observation were in highest risk group and 111 in high risk group. Ms. George has directed documenting of all activities of the One Health Centre for Nipah Research at Kozhikode. A team of experts from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) visited Malappuram on Thursday.

Glacier-fed Ganga's microbes offer new hope in fight against superbugs: Neeri, NCL study
Glacier-fed Ganga's microbes offer new hope in fight against superbugs: Neeri, NCL study

Time of India

time7 days ago

  • Health
  • Time of India

Glacier-fed Ganga's microbes offer new hope in fight against superbugs: Neeri, NCL study

Nagpur: Researchers have unveiled the rich microbial diversity and antimicrobial potential of the glacier-fed upper stretch of the Ganges River, in a study published in Microbiology Spectrum. This groundbreaking work not only contributes to environmental microbiology but also holds promise for combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) under the globally endorsed One Health framework. The study, titled 'Deciphering the Comprehensive Microbiome of Glacier-Fed Ganges and Functional Aspects: Implications for One Health', was led by Dr Krishna Khairnar, principal investigator and head of environmental epidemiology and pandemic management at CSIR-Neeri. Dr Khairnar coordinated this multi-institute project sponsored by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). The research was conducted in close collaboration with Dr Mahesh Dharne and Dr Syed Dastager from CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), showcasing an exemplary inter-institutional partnership between CSIR-Neeri and CSIR-NCL. The project investigated microbial communities from sediment samples collected over two years along a 250km glacier-fed stretch of the Ganges, spanning Gomukh to Rishikesh. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The findings revealed a rich diversity of bacteria, archaea, and bacteriophages. Notably, several microbes were found to possess biosynthetic pathways for important antimicrobial compounds such as streptomycin, penicillin, and cephalosporins. The study also documented bacteriophages with lytic potential against pathogens, including the clinically significant ESKAPEE group, offering insights into the river's long-attributed non-putrefying properties. "This research reinforces the Ganges River's ecological and biomedical significance," said Dr Khairnar. "Its pristine upper stretch is a natural reservoir of microbial diversity with untapped potential to combat AMR — an urgent global health challenge." This research was conducted as part of the doctoral thesis of Rachel Samson, who is registered with the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR). Her dedicated effort in sampling, sequencing, and analysis played a key role in uncovering this microbial landscape. Thanks to the National Mission for Clean Ganga, this initiative not only contributed to the scientific understanding of the river's unique properties but also lays a foundation for future bioprospecting, phage therapy, and environmental conservation efforts, Dr Khairnar said.

BBMP launches Rs 2.9 crore initiative to feed stray dogs with chicken, rice
BBMP launches Rs 2.9 crore initiative to feed stray dogs with chicken, rice

Indian Express

time11-07-2025

  • Health
  • Indian Express

BBMP launches Rs 2.9 crore initiative to feed stray dogs with chicken, rice

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has recently rolled out a scheme to provide daily nutritious meals to around 4,000-5,000 stray dogs across the city's eight zones. Branded 'Kukkir Tihar', the program is a one-year pilot, extendable by another year based on its success. The BBMP said the initiative is part of its larger 'One Health' program, which also includes vaccination and animal birth control (ABC) efforts. Civic officials said the program, estimated to cost Rs 2.8-2.9 crore annually, is aimed at curbing stray dog aggression, reducing bite cases – which currently range between 500 and 1,500 per month – and supporting rabies control efforts through better monitoring and vaccination. Under the scheme, each dog receives a meal weighing between 367 and 600 gram, comprising 150 gram of chicken, 100 gram each of rice and vegetables, 10 gram of oil, and a pinch of salt and turmeric, delivering 465-750 kilocalories per serving. These meals are prepared in centralised FSSAI-registered kitchens equipped with CCTV surveillance and are distributed at 100-125 feeding points per zone before 11 am daily. The BBMP has invited tenders to onboard vendors for food preparation and for maintaining cleanliness around feeding spots. However, Tamil Nadu Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram and many local residents have questioned the BBMP's priorities, arguing that funds would be better spent on sterilisation, vaccinations, or building shelters. Others have pointed out that the city spends Rs 22 per dog per day on meals, while the per-day mid-day meal allocation for a schoolchild stands at Rs 12.42. 'Is this true? Dogs have no place in the streets. They need to be relocated to shelters, where they can be fed, vaccinated & sterilised. Feeding & keeping them in a free roaming state in the streets is a huge health & safety hazard,' Chidambaram wrote on X. Reacting to the criticisms, a BBMP official said, 'The feeding program will also help in tracking, vaccinating, and sterilising dogs as part of Bengaluru's goal to eliminate rabies by 2030. Additionally, regular feeding improves the dogs' overall health, reducing aggression linked to hunger and aiding sterilisation efforts.' Bengaluru has an estimated 2.79 lakh stray dogs, with over 16,000 dog bite cases reported in May 2025 alone.

Engineering training in promoting holistic health and population stability
Engineering training in promoting holistic health and population stability

Hans India

time11-07-2025

  • Health
  • Hans India

Engineering training in promoting holistic health and population stability

Engineering training plays a crucial role in promoting holistic health and population stability by developing innovative solutions that integrate human, environmental, and animal health within sustainable systems. This interdisciplinary approach, often framed around concepts such as Health Equity Engineering and One Health, leverages engineering principles to address complex health challenges, improve living conditions, and foster resilient communities. Here's how engineering education and practice significantly contribute to holistic health and stable populations: Designing sustainable infrastructure for public health Engineers develop essential infrastructure—such as clean water supply systems, sanitation facilities, waste management, and resilient housing—that directly impacts population health. Well-designed water and sanitation systems reduce the spread of infectious diseases, improve hygiene, and promote nutrition by creating safe environments. For example, civil and environmental engineers design water treatment plants and sewage systems that prevent contamination and waterborne illnesses, which are crucial for population stability. Advancing health equity through engineering innovations The emerging field of Health Equity Engineering (HEE) focuses on creating tools and systems that address health disparities, particularly in marginalised communities. Engineering solutions can help to reduce chronic stress and its biological effects by enhancing living environments, improving healthcare access, and addressing social determinants of health. This systemic approach ensures that technological advances benefit all segments of the population, promoting equitable health outcomes and social stability. Integrating one health principles Engineering education increasingly embraces the One Health framework, recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Engineers collaborate with biologists, environmental scientists, and healthcare professionals to develop technologies that monitor and control zoonotic diseases, improve food safety, and manage ecosystems sustainably. Innovations in biosensors, telehealth, and smart agriculture prevent disease transmission and enhance community health resilience. Promoting sustainable development and environmental stewardship Engineers play a leading role in sustainable development by designing technologies that minimise environmental impact while supporting economic and social welfare. Sustainable engineering practices in agriculture, energy, and urban planning help maintain ecosystem balance, which is essential for long-term population health. By reducing pollution and conserving resources, engineers help prevent health issues related to environmental degradation. Enhancing healthcare delivery and accessibility Biomedical and health engineers design affordable medical devices, diagnostics, and telemedicine systems that improve access to healthcare, especially in underserved or remote areas. Engineering-driven innovations, such as mobile health clinics and AI-powered diagnostics, improve early disease detection and personalised care, contributing to healthier populations and reducing healthcare disparities. Building climate-resilient communities Climate change exacerbates health risks through extreme weather, vector-borne diseases, and food insecurity. Engineers design climate-adaptive infrastructure—like flood defences, energy-efficient buildings, and resilient transportation systems—that protect vulnerable populations and maintain essential services during crises. This resilience supports population stability by reducing displacement and health emergencies. Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation The interdisciplinary nature of engineering fosters collaboration to address complex health challenges comprehensively. Training engineers in systems thinking and socio-technical perspectives equips them to design integrated solutions that address multiple determinants of health simultaneously, from infrastructure to behaviour and policy. Empowering communities through education and technology transfer Engineering education can promote community engagement and strengthen local capacity by involving residents in the development and application of technology. This empowerment fosters ownership, sustainability, and culturally appropriate solutions that enhance health outcomes and social cohesion. Engineering training is vital for promoting holistic health and stabilising populations through the delivery of sustainable infrastructure, the advancement of health equity, the integration of environmental and animal health, and the fostering of resilient communities. Through innovative technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability and equity, engineers contribute to the creation of healthier, more stable societies capable of addressing current and future global health challenges.

What gorillas and a pioneer vet taught us about disease, scarecrows and the future of conservation
What gorillas and a pioneer vet taught us about disease, scarecrows and the future of conservation

Daily Maverick

time11-07-2025

  • Health
  • Daily Maverick

What gorillas and a pioneer vet taught us about disease, scarecrows and the future of conservation

It started with itchy gorillas and old scarecrows. It ended with a blueprint for saving both people and wildlife. Yves Vanderhaeghen reports on the One Health initiative launched by the pioneering Ugandan wildlife veterinarian, Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. In the misty borderlands of Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, villagers fighting to save their banana crops turned to a humble warrior: the scarecrow. They cobbled them together from sticks and discarded clothes, posting them at the edge of their fields to frighten off wild mountain gorillas. But the scarecrows harboured an invisible threat. They carried disease. And the pioneering vet who figured out the link, Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, would change the course of conservation, as well as the lives of the villagers. Kalema-Zikusoka will be presenting a keynote address on her work, titled 'Integrating health and people in Gorilla Conservation', at this year's Oppenheimer Research Conference. The mid-1990s were a boom time for Uganda's fledgling ecotourism industry. Mountain gorillas, once the elusive subjects of Dian Fossey's field notebooks, were becoming international celebrities. They were drawing visitors and dollars to a country eager to rebuild after the regime of Idi Amin, under which teeming wildlife and political opponents were decimated. Kalema-Zikusoka's family did not escape the terror: her father was murdered and her mother was arrested during those years, but she survived. To meet growing tourism demands, authorities selected gorilla groups living near the park's edge for 'habituation', gradually getting the animals used to human presence. But in doing so, they brought gorillas dangerously close to villages. Banana plantations proved irresistible. 'And people, of course, get upset because it's their livelihood,' explains Kalema-Zikusoka, 'and so they tend to put dirty clothing on scarecrows to chase away baboons, gorillas and other wildlife.' But the clothes carried more than the scent of human labour. They carried mites – tiny, infectious stowaways. Soon after, something strange showed up in the forest. White, crusty lesions bloomed across the faces and arms of the great apes. Their thick fur thinned. They scratched relentlessly. Mountain gorillas, icons of strength and mystery, were falling prey to an unseen enemy. Enter Kalema-Zikusoka Fresh from her training in the UK, Uganda's first wildlife veterinarian had expected to treat the occasional snare wound or parasitic infection, not a mysterious, spreading skin disease. Alarmed, she reached beyond the conservation community, turning to a human doctor friend and asking a deceptively simple question: 'What's the most common skin disease among people living in poverty?' The answer: scabies. Confirming the diagnosis took months of careful investigation. Kalema-Zikusoka partnered with wildlife veterinarian and epidemiologist Dr Richard Kock, and together they treated the gorillas with ivermectin, 'which treats scabies, not Covid', she notes in a gentle swipe at anti-vax conspiracy theorists. Most of the afflicted gorillas recovered. But not all. A tiny infant, weakened by the infestation, was abandoned by its mother and died. 'That group only had four individuals,' Kalema-Zikusoka recalls. 'And we were sending six tourists a day to visit them; more tourists than gorillas. It wasn't ideal.' But mountain gorillas ended up thriving, and by 2018 overall wild populations grew to more than 1,000 (of whom 459 are in Bwindi), and they were removed from the critically endangered list and their status was downgraded to 'endangered'. The Virunga National Park, across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, is home to 604 mountain gorillas. But the real breakthrough wasn't just medical. It was philosophical. Tracing the human link Further investigation revealed a stark truth: the gorillas' suffering mirrored that of the human communities living just beyond the forest edge. Villagers struggled without reliable access to clean water, latrines or healthcare. Scabies ran rampant. Waste disposal often meant tossing rubbish into the bush. 'We proved that the disease had come from people,' says Kalema-Zikusoka. It was a turning point. If human health could compromise gorilla survival, then conservation couldn't focus on animals alone. It had to heal entire ecosystems, including the human ones. Building a new model: One Health in action Determined to act, Kalema-Zikusoka founded Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) in 2003, a nonprofit built around a then-radical idea: you can't protect endangered species without first ensuring the health and wellbeing of the people living beside them. CTPH's core objectives included improving public health around protected areas, preventing disease transmission between humans, livestock and wildlife, promoting sustainable, community-driven tourism, empowering locals to take ownership of health and conservation and easing human-wildlife conflicts through education and engagement. At the grassroots level, the changes were practical and profound. Through its Village Health and Conservation Teams, CTPH introduced its '12 Principles of Household Health' to ensure homes were safer, for both people and gorillas. The principles range from handwashing facilities and using clean latrines and keeping livestock healthy and separate from human areas, to family planning and child spacing. Family planning? 'Yes, we improve not only sanitation and hygiene. Family planning is a key indicator,' Kalema-Zikusoka explains. 'People used to tell us they had 10 children: five for school, the other five to chase wildlife from the garden. But they couldn't reduce poverty at home.' CTPH launched a One Health model household initiative, using a colour-coded system, from Red homes, which meet four or fewer principles, to Green homes, which meet more than nine principles. 'Over time we saw an increase from 22% to 58% green households. Volunteers now reach over 50,000 people in 10,000 homes around the national park,' she says. The stakes were high, for the gorillas and the people. 'Those who don't go to school end up becoming poachers or peasants digging in other people's gardens,' Kalema-Zikusoka explains. 'When you have a huge family, you need more food, more firewood; you go into the forest to survive. That's why we began addressing population, health and environment together.' Over time, CTPH kept expanding. Nutrition programmes were added to combat hunger-driven poaching. During Covid-19, food security became a focus, and providing fast-growing seedlings helped communities avoid depleting the forest. Furthermore, conservation education efforts helped villagers access and equitably share ecotourism revenue, often a missing piece in previous efforts. In a country where 30% of the population of about 48 million lives below the poverty line, the conservation economy is crucial. 'Our One Health model reaches every home,' says Kalema-Zikusoka. 'Most conservationists would just hold a meeting, and only the elites would attend. But those living right on the park's edge, those chasing wildlife from gardens, the ones causing and suffering the most, they needed to be the biggest beneficiaries.' A pandemic stress test, and a new chapter When Covid-19 hit in 2020, CTPH's work became even more critical. 'We built upon the One Health model to mitigate the impact of the pandemic,' says Kalema-Zikusoka. CTPH partnered with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, NGOs, tour operators and communities to prevent transmission between people and gorillas while improving livelihoods through initiatives such as Gorilla Conservation Coffee, a social enterprise supporting farmers near gorilla habitats. CTPH's organic expansion now addresses 11 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and is being scaled to other biodiversity hotspots, preventing disease outbreaks and addressing climate change through an integrated, people-centred approach. The Gorilla Effect: tourism, conservation and care Today, mountain gorilla populations are steadily increasing, and ecotourism has played a major role. 'Gorilla tourism contributes about 60% of the revenue for the whole Uganda Wildlife Authority,' says Kalema-Zikusoka. 'It funds other parks that can't meet operational costs.' Around Bwindi alone, more than 70 lodges now cater to visitors eager for a glimpse of habituated gorilla groups. Yet strict guidelines limit encounters: only eight tourists per gorilla group per day. And the One Health approach ensures tourists don't inadvertently harm the very creatures they come to see. 'It's a real concern that tourists could bring fatal diseases like Covid-19,' she warns. CTPH now promotes responsible tourism: mask-wearing, maintaining a safe distance and encouraging visitors to give back by hiring local porters or buying crafts. During the pandemic, mask-wearing around gorillas helped dramatically reduce respiratory diseases, especially in Rwanda's high-altitude parks. 'It's a habit we're keeping,' she says. Health workers are mindful that disease can be carried in both directions. They 'tell people the dangers of eating bushmeat, for example, because you can get zoonotic disease (and it's also illegal). So, they talk about a lot of conservation issues as well as public health issues,' says Kalema-Zikusoka. 'The gorillas in Bwindi pick up worms from people. Whenever they range in community land, they pick up human parasites and livestock parasites. Sometimes they don't make them sick, but sometimes they do. And that's where we have to intervene not only with the gorillas, but with the people and the livestock. We haven't seen any diseases that jump from gorillas to the communities. But they have in other countries, like Ebola in central Africa. Because people there eat gorillas. In Uganda, people don't eat gorillas because it's considered bad luck. It was also considered bad luck to look in the eyes of a gorilla. The Batwa people who lived in the forest never looked in the eyes of a gorilla. They avoided them. 'But when the gorillas cross to DRC, they can get eaten because there they believe if you eat a gorilla, you can become as strong as a gorilla. So, cultural beliefs can also have an impact on zoonotic disease transmission.' A healthier future for all Today, the mist still clings to Bwindi's tangled canopy, and the gorillas still roam, but now under careful health monitoring and stronger tourism guidelines. Communities once left behind by conservation are now its champions. Where a lonely scarecrow once stood, there now stands a network of farmers, health workers and conservationists, united by a shared understanding: survival, for both people and gorillas, depends on each other. 'What started as a veterinary mystery,' says Kalema-Zikusoka, 'became a model for saving species through saving people.' As she reflects: 'We can't ask people to protect wildlife if they don't have their basic needs met. Healthy people, healthy animals, healthy environment; it's one system.' In the end, the disease that crossed the forest edge didn't just threaten a species. It connected two worlds, human and wild, and taught them how to heal together. DM Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka will present a keynote talk, 'Integrating health and people in Gorilla Conservation', at the Oppenheimer Research Conference, which takes place from 15 to 17 October 2025. She is the founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health and has published an autobiography, Walking With Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet.

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