Diseases

Cause of 'Disease X' investigated after it killed 79 people in Congo

Almost 200 of the 376 afflicted with a flu-like illness are younger than five, said Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

Prez Murmu calls for extensive research in Ayurveda for disease remedies

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday stressed the need for extensive research in Ayurveda as it holds remedies for many diseases. Addressing the 75th Foundation Day celebration of Gopabandhu Ayurveda College here, Murmu said a person can remain disease-free all along life by remaining connected with yoga and nature. "Research is capable of proving the scientific basis of any method. Evidence builds trust among people and trust widens the path of acceptance," the President said while calling upon Ayurveda students to undertake research. Stating that she was aware of the method of treatment prevalent among tribal people for treatment of certain diseases, Murmu said that some elder tribal people know about various diseases and the herbs needed to treat them. "But that traditional knowledge is slowly disappearing. I hope some of you (students) will be interested in exploring the scientific basis of that treatment. By doing so, the method can be saved from extinction and also be ...

Disease outbreaks are inevitable, but pandemics can be prevented: Ganapathi

Speaking at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024, themed 'Unbound,' Ganapathi stressed the importance of remaining grounded in today's challenges to ensure vigilance and responsiveness in decision-making

What is Mpox Clade 1 variant? All about this fast spreading strain in India

Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus and there are two distinct strains of the virus i.e, clade 1 (with subclades 1a and 1b) and clade 2 (with subclades 2a and 2b)

Need to create awareness about rare diseases in society: CJI Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Saturday emphasised on the need to create awareness about rare diseases among the society, on being empathetic and supportive to such parents and their families regardless of cultural, religious or traditional barriers. He said we can no longer afford to be unaware of genetic diseases. Citing the National Policy of Rare Diseases launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in March 2021, he said that further research is necessary to define the definition of rare diseases and stressed on the need to ensure equitable access to advanced medical therapy like gene therapy in a diverse nation like India. Speaking at the conference organised by Narayana Nethralaya Foundation on Gene therapy and precision medicine, Justice Chandrachud noted, "In a country like India, home to the largest population in the world with over 4,600 distinct population groups, many of which are endogamous, we face a heightened burden of rare diseases. Unfortunately

Mpox, dengue, Covid, & more: Does your health insurance cover outbreaks?

As outbreaks like Mpox increase, so do medical costs. But the question is: does your health insurance cover such diseases?

Mpox triggers second global alert in 2 years as new variant spreads rapidly

A new mpox variant, clade Ib, detected in Sweden and Pakistan, spreads mainly through household contact and has a higher fatality rate, prompting increased global alert

India committed to becoming free of TB by 2025, working on mission mode

27 per cent of global cases of the disease are found in the country, according to estimates

Significant growth in non-communicable diseases across India: Apollo report

A latest report on the health scenario in India on Friday indicated a significant growth in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the nation and said the country was witnessing fastest rise in cancer cases. On average, atleast one in three Indians today were pre-diabetic, two in three were pre-hypertensive and one in 10 were depressed, the 4th edition of Apollo Hospitals' flagship Health of Nation Report on World Health Day 2024, said. The report sheds light on the concerning rise of NCDs in India, including cancer, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health issues, all of which significantly impact the nation's overall health, the hospital said in a release here. Particularly alarming was the escalating incidence of cancer in India compared to global rates, making India the "cancer capital of the world," it said. The annual report predicted a potential surge in healthcare burdens due to conditions such as pre-diabetes, pre-hypertension, and mental health

Climate change, tropical diseases: Rural Bihar battle elephantiasis, & more

Far from the world of scientists studying climate change, the twin whammies of altered rainfall patterns and rising temperatures are being felt every day in villages such as Sher in Bihar where lymphatic filariasis and other neglected tropical diseases lurk in dank corners. Climate change, which brings with it floods and droughts, is also leading to more mosquitoes and sandflies and therefore a spike in diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, dengue and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala azar. As the summer sets in, so does the threat of transmission of these diseases with the heat creating fertile breeding grounds for the vectors. Climate change is fundamentally altering vector ecology, favouring the survival and reproduction of disease carrying vectors like mosquitoes and sandflies, said Dr Bhupendra Tripathi, a New Delhi-based scientist. "This phenomenon extends their range and boosts their population densities, thus expanding vector habitats. ...

Rare Disease Day 2024: All you need to know about rare disease communities

Rare Disease Day 2024 is vital to spreading awareness about rare diseases. This extraordinary day is observed on the last day of February and it presents a unique opportunity

Incisionless device could revolutionise treatment for metabolic diseases

A completely incisionless device that replicates metabolic surgery without making any cuts could surpass current technologies for managing conditions such as severe obesity and type 2 diabetes, a team led by an Indian researcher has found. The ForePass device could provide unmatched treatment for millions of people who reject invasive surgery or do not respond to drugs, the researchers said. The study led by Manoel Galvao Neto, from Sri Aurobindo Medical College in Madhya Pradesh, found that the ForePass endoscopic showed extraordinary efficacy in treating conditions such as severe obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Results, published in the journal Gut, revealed a 79 per cent reduction in weight gain compared to the control group, suggesting it may be substantially more effective than common metabolic surgeries like gastric bypass. The study also showed substantial improvements in how the body handles insulin and reduces glucose

What is Brain Fog? What are its causes, symptoms precautions, and more

Stress, less sleep, mood swings, or headaches are the possible symptoms of Brain Fog. Read to know more about Brain Fog symptoms, causes, precautions, treatment and more

Mefenamic acid can have adverse reactions; govt issues drug safety alert

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) states that painkiller Meftal can cause adverse reactions, including drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome

No M pneumoniae cases in samples tested since Jan in India: Health ministry

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacteria, is linked to the surge in children's hospitalisation in China

GIS, remote sensing key to battling vector-borne diseases, say experts

Mapping flooded areas and stormwater drain networks using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technology can assist in preventing vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, which surge during the monsoon every year, say experts. Flooding can create conditions favourable for mosquito breeding, particularly the Aedes mosquitoes responsible for transmitting the dengue virus. While authorities increase measures to control disease spread during the monsoon, experts believe a robust model identifying potential hotspots can enable timely intervention and reduce dengue transmission risks in flood-prone areas. "Periodic observation of flooded areas and stormwater drains using remote sensing and GIS could help trace vulnerable population hotspots prone to vector-borne diseases during the monsoon and requiring intervention," said Murali Krishna Iyyanki, geospatial expert and former director of research and development at Hyderabad's Jawaharlal Nehru Technological ...

Disease X could be next big pandemic, kill 50 million people, says expert

Kate Bingham, who chaired the UK's Vaccine Taskforce from May to December 2020, stated that scientists have identified 25 virus families, any of which could mutate into a deadly pandemic

Scrub Typhus: Causes, remedies and how to be safe from this fatal illness

Scrub typhus is caused by a bacteria, Orientia Tsutsugamushi, and is an infectious illness. People with severe illness may develop organ failure and bleeding, according to doctors

India's Covid vax rate falls 75% since Apr as US, UK ready for another shot

In recent weeks, over 70 per cent of India's current vaccinations have been adminis­tered to people in the age group of 45-60 years

Symptom and viral rebound rare after untreated COVID-19 infection: Study

A combination of symptom and viral rebound after untreated COVID-19 infection is rare, occurring in only three per cent of study participants, an analysis of a COVID-19 trial has found. Widespread use of nirmatrelvir -- a recommended treatment for outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19 -- has been accompanied by reports of worsening symptoms and virologic rebound after treatment completion, the researchers said. Virologic rebound has also been reported in persons who did not receive nirmatrelvir therapy, they said. However, studies that can define the frequencies of symptom and viral rebound during the natural course of COVID-19 are lacking. Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital in the US conducted an analysis of 563 participants receiving placebo in a trial. The study, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, found that a combination of symptom and high-level viral rebound occurred in only three per cent of participants. Symptom rebound alone occurred i