Medically Speaking Team

According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India recorded over 20,000 new COVID cases for the second day in a row on Friday, with 20,038 infections in the previous 24 hours.

After 145 days, the country had crossed the 20,000-case threshold, reporting 20,139 instances yesterday. The number of active cases in the country has risen to 1,39,073.

In the previous 24 hours, 16,994 COVID patients recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries in the country to 4,30,45,350 since the outbreak began.

The recovery rate currently stands at 98.48 per cent.

Also Read: Mansukh Mandaviya launches ‘Covid Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav’

According to the Ministry, 47 patients succumbed to the virus during this period. The death toll in the country rose to 5,25,604.

The country tested 4,50,820 samples in the last 24 hours and the daily positivity rate came out to be 4.44 per cent (5.10 per cent yesterday) while the weekly positivity rate was 4.30 per cent (4.37 per cent yesterday).

Covid vaccine

Under the nationwide vaccination drive, 18,92,969 COVID vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours. The total number of vaccines jabbed till date reached 1,99,47,34,994.

In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.

Meanwhile, with an aim to increase the uptake of the precautionary dose of COVID vaccine among the eligible adult population, 75 days – ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’ will commence on Friday, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

This special vaccination drive is a part of the celebration for Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and aims to provide free precaution dose for all adults (18 years and above) eligible population at Government COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs).

“It will start from today and continue for the next 75 days. We will try to vaccinate all the citizens between 18-59 years of age,” Dr Bijay Panigrahi, Director, Family Welfare and Nodal Officer Vaccination told ANI.

The 75-day ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’ will begin on Friday with the goal of increasing the uptake of the booster dosage of COVID vaccination among the eligible adult population, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

This particular vaccination push is part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations and seeks to deliver free prophylactic doses to all people (18 years and older) who are eligible at Government COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs).

“It will start from today and continue for the next 75 days. We will try to vaccinate all the citizens between 18-59 years of age,” Dr Bijay Panigrahi, Director, Family Welfare and Nodal Officer Vaccination told ANI.

States and UTs were urged to give an intensive and ambitious push toward full COVID19 vaccination coverage by vaccinating all eligible beneficiaries and covering them with precaution dose in a virtual meeting with State/UT Health Secretaries and NHM MDs chaired by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Thursday.

Also Read: Covid case update: India logs 20,038 new cases

States/UTs were asked to carry out a 75-day ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’ as a ‘Jan Abhiyaan’ with large popular mobilisation using a camp strategy. They were urged to conduct special vaccination camps along the itineraries of the Char Dham Yatra (Uttarakhand), Amarnath Yatra (Jammu & Kashmir), Kanwar Yatra (all North Indian States/UTs), as well as important Melas and congregations.

The Union Health Secretary emphasised that the lower percentage of precaution dosages taken among those aged 18 and up (8%) and people aged 60 and above (27%), is reason for worry.

From July 15 to September 30, 2022, the Centre has announced a special programme called ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’ that would distribute free prophylactic doses at all Government Covid Vaccination Centres for everyone aged 18 and up for 75 days.

All people above the age of 18 who have completed 6 months (or 26 weeks) since the administration of the second dosage are eligible for the precaution dose.

On Thursday, India’s COVID-19 immunisation coverage reached 199.44 crore (1,99,44,72,253).

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Dr Suman K Berry praised India’s scientific research and vaccine production ecosystem, saying the country launched a slew of actions and targeted interventions to limit the effect of the COVID epidemic and preserve lives and livelihoods.

In his remarks to the High-Level Political Forum, the Vice-Chairman emphasised that India’s vaccine production ecosystem has resulted in the world’s most widespread free immunisation programme, with over 1.98 billion doses reaching every corner of the country, even the most distant areas. Under the ‘Maitri’ vaccine initiative, India has supplied over 235 million total supplies of COVID-19 vaccines to 98 countries around the world, he said at the Ministerial Roundtable, emphasising that the recovery journey has been marked by a focus on government capital expenditure, particularly in building world-class infrastructure.

Talking on the environment front, he said, “PM Modi has articulated the goals of India at COP-27, and we remain committed to this. The sustainable development goals framework is critical to the context as it enables us to chart a new course of development & we affirm our commitment.”

Also Read: FREE Booster doses for all adults to begin from today

During his remarks at the HLPF 2022, he also mentioned the Prime Minister’s Gati Shakthi Yojana, a national master plan for multimodal connectivity.

India’s experiences in using digital technology to achieve social protection and financial inclusion may be of interest to others, he said, adding that by leveraging such experiences, costs and risks for the global community might be lowered.

India initiated the Vaccine Maitri (Vaccine Friendship) project in January 2021, a massive diplomatic endeavour to give and distribute made-in-India vaccinations to low-income and developing countries throughout the world.

Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Morocco, South Africa, Afghanistan, Mexico, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and many more nations benefited from the Vaccine Maitri programme.

India kicked off international shipments of the vaccines on January 20, 2021, only four days after starting its own vaccination program. Bhutan and Maldives were the first countries to receive vaccines as a grant from India.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has addressed a letter to the chief secretaries and administrators of all states and union territories regarding the cautionary dose for COVID-19 vaccination Sputnik V. The letter was sent when the Health Ministry was contacted about the availability of the Sputnik V vaccination as a prophylactic dosage.

The Centre has raised worry over the absorption of the Sputnik V Precaution dosage and has written to urge states and UTs to increase it.

“This is in reference to the queries being received by this ministry regarding the precaution those of his Sputnik V. It has also been observed that uptake of precaution dose of a Sputnik V is only 0.5 per cent of those who are due for it,” the letter reads.

“Reference may be made to an email sent to all States and UTs on May 5, 2022, wherein it was mentioned that beneficiaries who have received two doses both second and precaution dose using Sputnik V (Component 1) in Private COVID vaccination centres (CVCs) after completion of nine months or 39 weeks,” it said.

Also Read: India supplied over 235 million total supplies of COVID-19 vaccines to 98 countries: NITI Aayog VC

On the basis of reducing the gap between the COVID second dose and precaution dose from nine weeks to six, Bhushan mentioned that “Further in view of the recent order dated July 6, 2022, the interval between the second dose and precaution dose has now been reduced to 6 months or 26 weeks for all vaccines.”

The actions that may be considered regarding the availability of Sputnik V (component 1) include, “Private CVCs, which were providing SputnikV vaccine may reach out to the due beneficiaries to receive the due doses both (second and precaution dose).”

“Targeted communication may be established for the due beneficiaries of the precaution dose of Sputnik V,” he added.

The Delhi High Court dismissed a plea filed by 15 medical aspirants asking the Centre, National Testing Agency (NTA), and others to postpone the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) planned for July 17.

The bench of Justice Sanjeev Narula dismissed the plea on Thursday, finding no substance in it and calling it a fundamentally misconceived petition. The petition requested that the respondents set aside the July 17 test schedule for NEET-UG 2022, as stated in a notice dated April 6, 2022.

According to the petitioners, it is impossible for students to travel hundreds of kilometres owing to excessive rainfall and flooding in many regions of the nation.

Also Read: Govt issues guidelines for COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V precaution dose

“Direct the respondents to conduct NEET-UG 2022 phase 2 for the academic sessions 2022 considering the huge distance of examination centre, which ranges between 150 km to 300 km for a thousand of students during the current grave situation caused by flood across the nation,” the plea stated.

It has also been mentioned that the exam was taken last year on September 12 and the results were revealed on November 1. This year, the exam notice was posted on April 6, which is around 100 days before the exam, causing worry and anxiety among students.

The petition further asked the respondents to issue a new announcement postponing the NEET-UG 2022 test schedule after considering the objections highlighted by the students in their representations dated May 12 and July 8.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare verified the first monkeypox case in India on Thursday, with a tourist from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who landed in Kerala three days ago testing positive for the viral illness. In response to a confirmed case of monkeypox in Kerala’s Kollam district, the Union Health Ministry dispatched a high-level multi-disciplinary team to work with state health authorities in implementing public health measures.

The Central delegation visiting Kerala included specialists from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr RML Hospital in New Delhi, top officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and experts from Kerala’s Regional Office of Health and Family Welfare.

The team will collaborate closely with the state health departments to assess the situation on the ground and identify required public health initiatives. According to the Ministry of Health, the Centre is taking proactive measures by closely monitoring the situation and collaborating with states in the event of an epidemic.

“No need to panic as the centre has given fresh directions to all the states and Union Territories regarding monkeypox. It spreads through close contact with lesions, body fluids, prolonged contact with Respiratory Droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding,” official sources told ANI.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said, “A Monkeypox positive case has been reported. He is a traveller from UAE. He reached the state on July 12. He reached Trivandrum airport and all the steps are being taken as per the guidelines issued by WHO and ICMR.”

Meanwhile, the Centre issued a letter to all states and union territories on Thursday, emphasising some of the critical activities needed to halt the spread of the illness.

Rajesh Bhushan, the health secretary, referenced a letter written by the government on May 31 in which it published thorough ‘Guidelines for Management of Monkeypox Disease.’

The health secretary directed all states and union territories to take key actions such as orienting and re-orienting all key stakeholders, including health screening teams at points of entry (PoEs), disease surveillance teams, and doctors working in hospitals, on common signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis, case definitions for suspect/probable/confirmed cases and contacts, contact tracing, and other surveillance activities that must be carried out.

He further requested that all suspect cases be screened and tested at entry points and in the community.

“Patient isolation (until all lesions have resolved and scabs have completely fallen off), protection of ulcers, symptomatic and supportive therapies, continued monitoring and timely treatment of complications remain the key measures to prevent mortality,” he said.

Bhushan stated that intensive risk communication directed at healthcare workers, identified sites in health facilities (such as skin, paediatric OPDs, immunisation clinics, intervention sites identified by NACO, etc.) as well as the general public about simple preventive strategies and the importance of timely reporting of cases must be implemented.

Hospitals must be identified, and appropriate human resource and logistical assistance must be provided to hospitals that are prepared to manage suspected/confirmed cases of monkeypox.

Also Read: India supplied over 235 million total supplies of COVID-19 vaccines to 98 countries: NITI Aayog VC

Monkeypox

Monkeypox, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is a viral zoonosis (a virus transferred to people from animals) with symptoms comparable to those observed in smallpox patients in the past, however it is clinically less severe.

Monkeypox is spread to people by direct contact with an infected person or animal, or through contact with virus-contaminated material. According to the WHO, it is often a self-limiting condition with symptoms lasting two to four weeks.

The monkeypox virus spreads by intimate contact with lesions, bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, and infected items such as bedding.

According to WHO, a total of 3,413 laboratory confirmed cases of Monkeypox and one death have been reported to WHO from 50 countries/territories between January 1, 2022 and June 22, 2022.

The bulk of these instances (86%) have been recorded from Europe and the Americas (11 per cent).

This alludes to a modest but steady increase in the global dissemination of cases. Given that this is the first time that cases and clusters have been recorded concurrently in five WHO Regions, WHO has classified the worldwide risk of case spread as “Moderate.”

Rajesh Bhushan, the Union Health Secretary, will preside over a video conference to assess the progress of immunizations and to direct the States and Union Territories on the booster dosage mission throughout the course of the next 75 days, according to ANI on Thursday.

The booster dosage of the Covid 19 vaccine will be given to anybody over the age of 18 at no charge at all government vaccination centres, according to a special 75-day campaign launched by the Indian government on Wednesday.

Vaccination is an effective tool to fight against COVID-19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on a micro-blogging site. “Vaccination is an effective means to fight Covid-19. Today’s Cabinet decision (of free precaution dose for all adults) will further India’s vaccination coverage and create a healthier nation.”

“The decision will further strengthen India’s fight against COVID-19 and add an extra layer of safety! I urge all those eligible to get their booster dose at the earliest,” said Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya in a tweet

“The scheme will be rolled out from July 15 and continue for the next 75 days,” Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said in a briefing that was held after a Cabinet meeting.

The Center began its “Har Ghar Dastak 2.0” door-to-door campaign on June 1 in an effort to enhance immunisation rates.

A programme called “Har Ghar Dasak Campaign 2.0” was launched on Wednesday, according to representatives of the Union Health Ministry, with the goal of boosting vaccination rates throughout all of the nation’s states and union territories (UTs) and raising awareness of the beneficiaries.

This year’s campaign will run through July 31.

Also Read: COVID-19 booster vaccination is useful for lupus patients: Study

The Covid-19 immunisation of all beneficiaries whose second dosage is due and who are qualified for a prophylactic dose will be stressed through a door-to-door vaccination push, according to the Union Health Ministry.

Through school-based initiatives, vaccination coverage for children between the ages of 12 and 18 will also be covered.
Earlier on July 6, the Union Health Ministry changed the time frame from the previous 9 months to 6 months between the second COVID vaccination dosage and booster dose.

In June, the NTAGI’s Standing Technical Subcommittee (STSC) advocated shortening the interval between the COVID-19 vaccine’s second and booster doses.

In a letter to States and Union Territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, “In view of the evolving scientific evidence and global practices, “Standing Technical Sub Committee” (STSC) of “National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization” (NTAGI) has recommended to revise the duration between 2nd dose and precaution dose from existing 9 months or 39 weeks to 6 months or 26 weeks. This has also been endorsed by NTAGI.”

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The unexplained rise of hepatitis in previously healthy youngsters, which has left hundreds in need of life-saving liver transplants, has been closely monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Since the epidemic was originally discovered on April 5, 35 nations in five different parts of the world have already reported more than 1,010 probable instances of unexplained severe acute hepatitis, or liver inflammation, in young people.

“As of 8 July 2022, 35 countries in five WHO Regions have reported 1010 probable cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children, which fulfill the WHO case definition, including 22 deaths. Since the previous Disease Outbreak News published on 24 June 2022, 90 new probable cases and four additional deaths have been reported to WHO. Additionally, two new countries, Luxembourg and Costa Rica, have reported probable cases,” according to a new update on Wednesday from the World Health Organization.

So far, 22 children have died, and almost half of the probable cases have been reported in Europe, where 21 countries have registered a total of 484 cases.

This includes 272 instances in the United Kingdom, which accounts for 27% of the global total. The Americas, with a regional total of 435 cases, follows next, with 334 cases in the United States accounting for a third of the global total. The Western Pacific Region (70 cases), Southeast Asia (19), and the Eastern Mediterranean have the following greatest caseloads (two cases).

More than five suspected cases have been recorded in 17 countries, although the actual number of cases may be lower than that, in part because of the insufficient strengthened monitoring mechanisms in place, according to WHO.

According to the most recent assessment by the UN health agency, there is a “moderate risk” that this paediatric hepatitis outbreak may expand.

Also Read: Mystery child hepatitis outbreak crosses 1,000 logged cases: WHO

The most frequently reported symptoms, out of 100 probable cases with clinical data, were nausea or vomiting (60% of cases), jaundice (53%), overall weakness (52%) and stomach discomfort (50 per cent).

Four days on average passed between the beginning of symptoms and admission to the hospital.

According to laboratory testing, the afflicted youngsters did not have hepatitis A through E. The UN health agency said that other infections, such as the coronavirus, were found in a handful of patients but that the data was insufficient.

Adenoviruses have been “the most often discovered pathogen” in instances of paediatric hepatitis, according to the WHO. These viruses are responsible for a wide range of ailments, including colds, fever, sore throats, and pneumonia.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing have discovered adenovirus in 52% of child hepatitis cases in Europe (193/368) while finding it in just 9% of cases (5/58) in Japan.

According to UN News, it’s probable that there are more cases of child hepatitis than we presently know about because most nations only have little adenovirus surveillance.

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Kerala has reported the first probable case of monkeypox in India, according to the state’s health minister on Thursday.
A traveller from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who had just arrived in Kerala three days earlier was admitted to the hospital after exhibiting signs of monkeypox. Health Minister Veena George announced today that samples from the traveller have been submitted to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing. She added that the case cannot be confirmed until the test results are received.

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes monkeypox as a viral zoonosis, or an animal-to-human virus transmission, with symptoms like those once experienced by people with smallpox, but less severe clinically.

Humans can contract monkeypox by coming into close contact with an animal or person who has the disease, as well as by coming into contact with contaminated objects. According to the WHO, the condition typically has a two- to four-week symptom duration and is self-limited.

By coming into intimate contact with lesions, bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, and infected objects like bedding, the monkeypox virus can spread from one person to another.

Monkeypox has a clinical appearance similar to smallpox, an orthopaxvirus infection that was eliminated globally in 1980. It frequently manifests clinically as a fever, rash, and enlarged lymph nodes and can cause a variety of health issues.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where smallpox had been eradicated in 1968, a 9-month-old boy was the first person to be diagnosed with human monkeypox.

Also Read: Mystery child hepatitis outbreak crosses 1,000 logged cases: WHO

Cases of Monkeypox

According to WHO, since that time, the majority of cases have come from remote, rain forest areas of the Congo Basin, mainly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and human cases have been recorded more often from central and west Africa as a whole.

The first monkeypox epidemic outside of Africa occurred in the United States of America in 2003, and contact with pet prairie dogs that had the disease was to blame. These pets had been kept with dormice and pouched rats from Ghana that were brought from the Gambia.

Over 70 cases of monkeypox were brought on by this epidemic in the US. Travelers from Nigeria to Israel in September 2018, the UK in September 2018, December 2019, May 2021, and May 2022, Singapore in May 2019, and the United States of America in July and November 2021 have also been reported to have monkeypox. Monkeypox cases were found in a number of non-endemic nations in May 2022.

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Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approves the first quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV) against cervical cancer for market authorization. The Indian Serum Institute will produce this vaccine (SII). CEO of The Serum Institute of India Adar Poonawalla tweeted the information.

“For the first time, there will be an Indian HPV vaccine to treat cervical cancer in women that is both affordable and accessible. We look forward to launching it later this year and we thank the DCGI, MoHFW_INDIA for granting approval today,” it read.

Following an assessment of the clinical trial results for the vaccine, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) recently gave its approval to the qHPV.

Also Read: Suspected case of Monkeypox in Kerala, sample from UAE traveler sent for testing

The Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccine against cervical cancer, which was produced domestically by Serum Institute of India (SII), was recommended for standard market authorization on June 15.

After the vaccine’s phase 3 findings were deemed to be adequate, suggestions were made.

Sources close to ANI said, “It is expected that vaccine will be launched in the market before the year-end. The qHPV will be India’s first indigenously vaccine against cervical cancer. The Pune-based Serum Institute of India has applied for market authorisation after completing the phase 2/3 clinical trial with the support of the Department of Biotechnology to ensure its early availability in the country.”

For cervical cancer patients between the ages of 9 and 26 years old, the DCGI’s Subject Expert Committee on June 15 approved the locally produced quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccination from Serum Institute.

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