Fine particulate air pollution shortens average Indian’s life by 5.3 years: University of Chicago
Nearly 40% of India’s population concentrated in Indo-Gangetic Plain to be affected most due to air pollution
WHO, US CDC are now tracking new COVID variant BA.2.86
Also called BA.X, lineage now under WHO’s variant under monitoring list
Nigeria becomes second country to approve Oxford’s malaria vaccine
After Ghana, Nigeria’s approval of malaria vaccine will help world achieve WHO goal of reducing malaria cases, deaths by 90% by 2030
Scarred: The COVID-19 pandemic destroyed human capital. Its impact will haunt our future
The economic impact caused by a collapse of human capital could affect the world for upto a decade, according to a new World Bank report
Venoms of 26 deadly snakes in sub-Saharan Africa classified
Snakes considered most important medically; Classification to help develop effective anti-venoms
COP27: Africa desperately needs a ‘loss and damage’ finance facility; here is why
The continent has limited socio-economic capacity and is ill-prepared to adequately respond to climatic disasters, build resilience and adapt …
Deluged Pakistan faces significant health threats, WHO warns
Threats include malaria, dengue fever, polio, diarrhoea, COVID-19 and cholera; Maternal health to be affected and domestic violence will rise, UN says
African health ministers adopt PEN-PLUS strategy against non-communicable diseases
Stretegy will help bridge access gap in treatment, care of patients with chronic & severe NCD
How African countries coordinated the response to COVID-19: lessons for public health
Decentralisation strategies and innovation played key roles in coordination. Financing was a challenge to coordination
Ghana reports first-ever suspected cases of Marburg virus disease
Second time the disease with high fatality rate has been detected in western Africa; WHO confirmation awaited
COVID-19 update: Deltacron & omicron subvariant — 2 looming threats?
COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the United States, countries in Europe and Southeast Asia
Merck signs deal with UN-backed MPP for global access to COVID-19 drug
The agreement will help create broad access for the drug use in 105 low- and middle-income countries, including India, subject to regulatory approval
West Africa records 1st death from ‘highly infectious’ Marburg virus
Case fatality rate of the infection is 24-88%
Handbook to assess foodborne disease burden: WHO shows the way
The handbook aims to develop framework for routine updating estimates; provide baseline against which food safety interventions can be evaluated
Why India should prepare for COVID-19 recovered patients as ‘next big health crisis’
A recent study says besides other long-term health risks, patients face higher chance of death even after six months of recovery
Measles campaigns suspended in most countries; 140 million lives at stake, mostly children
In many countries the regular measles vaccine campaigns are delayed by over a year due to the pandemic disruptions
It’s taken roots: COVID-19 may soon turn endemic in many countries
India may be among endemic places; risk of the number of immune inidividuals dropping below a threshhold will remain
Tackling antibiotic misuse in dairy sector — with a few herbs and a prayer
Traditional veterinary medicines can go a long way in addressing the growing burden of antimicrobial resistance
Old vaccines for new infections: What we discovered
Studies have showed that several vaccines, including that for polio and tuberculosis, have several non-specific effects
Impact of environment on health: Africa adopts strategy for better synergy between sectors
New strategy also integrates recommendations for healthy recovery from COVID-19 pandemic
Western Pacific Region may see 5.2 million AMR-related deaths from 2020 to 2030: WHO study
Economic cost linked to antimicrobial resistance in the region to reach $148 billion, report estimates
12 African countries commit to ending AIDS in kids by 2030
Early HIV testing, eliminating vertical transmission and addressing social and structural barriers in plan of action
Road traffic injuries the second leading cause of death among children aged 5-14 years: WHO
Poverty increased risk of injury, violence; almost 90% of injury-related deaths in low & middle-income countries
COVID-19: India’s erratic CFR makes it difficult to calculate toll over 2 years. Experts suggest alternatives
No agreement on exact number of deaths, even though it is certain that India’s CFR is one of the highest in the world
WHO begins monitoring two new variants of COVID-19 named BA.4 and BA.5
The move comes in the footsteps of the global health body declaring two more variants in circulation named XE and XD