Amid growing concerns over the detection of human metapneumovirus cases in India, health experts have emphasised the virus is not new, and advised people to stay calm and take basic precautions.
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that causes illnesses ranging from mild respiratory discomfort to severe complications. It spreads through respiratory droplets, similar to other respiratory viruses such as RSV and influenza. This article provides an overview of HMPV including its symptoms, transmission, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and how it differs from COVID-19.
India is closely monitoring cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), but the Union Health Minister has assured the public there is no cause for worry. The virus, which is not new and has been circulating globally since 2001, has been detected in several states, including Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. The Health Ministry, ICMR, and NCDC are keeping a close watch on the situation in China and neighboring countries, and the WHO is expected to share a report on the matter shortly.
A high-level inter-ministerial team conducted a six-hour investigation in Badhaal village, Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, to ascertain the causes of death of 17 members of three families under mysterious circumstances. The team, led by a director-rank officer in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, collected samples and briefed by senior district, health and police officers. The team's visit follows the deaths of 16 people between December 7 and January 19. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities focusing on potential neurotoxins and a spring that tested positive for pesticides.
Dr Mahmood Alam, an Indian scientist, is among a group of top international scientists who has identified a key protein that if targeted stops malaria, paving the way for new treatments.
'Obesity, especially central obesity and increased visceral fat due to physical inactivity, along with the consumption of high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar diets, are major contributing factors.'
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has said there is no need to panic over two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) detected in the state, as the infections are caused by old virus strains and are not life-threatening. The minister said that the two infected infants are doing "normal" and advised people to follow general precautionary measures. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected the two cases through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec have initiated the first-ever phase three clinical trial for developing a dengue vaccine in India, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
It is important to note that neither of the patients have any history of international travel, the ministry underlined.
There are currently no reported cases of Monkeypox in India even though cautionary measures will be put in place to prevent and control the spread of the disease, the Union health ministry said on Saturday.
In the video, Hardik along with the family members is seen saluting the medical staff and other emergency personnel for their efforts.
Arthritis affects people of all ages, including those in their 20s and 30s, says Dr Prashant Kamble, consultant-orthopedics at the Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai.
To pursue a job, DPharm candidates must complete two years of coursework, three months of hospital training, and then pass the exit exam. However, BPharm graduates can pursue a job right after completing their four-year course, informs rediffGURU Dr Nagarajan JSK.
British scientists have identified the master gene, called E4bp4, that causes blood stem cells to turn into disease-fighting 'natural killer' (NK) immune cells.
'Make your child solve his/her problems on his/her own. Let the child see parenting as a partnership between you and your child.'
The Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition under the apex health research body on Wednesday released revised 'Dietary Guidelines for Indians' to meet the requirements of essential nutrients and prevent non-communicable diseases.
"The guidelines would cover all ethical issues."
Over the past few days, deaths due to heat stroke have been reported from different parts of the country including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha.
The method of data collection has a high risk of bias, the ICMR DG said.
The revised Dietary Guidelines for Indians released by the National Institute of Nutrition explains how prolonged intake of large amounts of protein powders or consumption of high protein concentrate can damage the body.
After reports claimed that filings in patent offices in India, the US, and Europe did not mention ICMR or its scientists, but only BBIL and its scientists, the Hyderabad-based biotechnology (biotech) company clarified that in the "rush" to develop vaccines and file appropriate patents, BBIL had missed adding ICMR's name in the original filings.
The health sector has been allocated Rs 89,155 crore in the Union Budget 2023-24, a hike of around 13 per cent over Rs 79,145 crore allocated in 2022-23, with the government also announcing a mission to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047.
Earthen ware are environment-friendly and keep the food's nutritional content intact Heat can circulate through the food in earthen pots, preserving the nutrition.
George said this was detected months ago in Indian passengers who were screened at Singapore Airport.
The attempted attack on the ICMR website was prevented by the firewall/security measures of NIC, they said, adding further steps are being taken to enhance cyber security.
The Centre on Monday advised states and union territories to screen and test of all suspect mpox cases.
The health minister said the Centre has taken timely measures ahead of the summer season to address heatwave-related illnesses.
rediffGURU Nayagam PP counsels students and aspiring professionals on how to pick the right courses and scale up in your career.
Ending the logjam persisting for 42 days in the wake of the rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar hospital, the agitating medics withdrew the 'cease work' after holding a march to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office in Salt Lake in Kolkata from the state health department's headquarters, where they had been demonstrating for over a week.
rediffGURU Dr Pananjay Tiwari lists the options and cost of pursuing an MBBS education outside of India.
Evidence indicates that restoration of functioning of the education system as it was in pre-Covid times, as early as possible appears prudent in the current Indian context, they said.
The 'top leadership' of the National Testing Agency is under the scanner over alleged irregularities in competitive exams National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test and National Eligibility Test, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Saturday even as he denied any paper leak in the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-University Grants Commission NET, which was postponed a day ago.
A case of COVID-19 sub-variant JN. 1 has been detected in Kerala as part of an ongoing routine surveillance activity of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), a senior official from the Indian Council of Medical research (ICMR) said on Saturday.
Researchers claim that fat people who lose weight either by dieting or exercising, will put it all back on again within a year.
"The Indian origin community in the KwaZulu-Natal region is sitting on a AIDS time-bomb," a study has said.
According to the Federation of Resident Doctors Association, during the indefinite strike, all outpatient departments, operation theatres, and ward duties will be shut, but emergency services will continue to operate as usual, ensuring that urgent patient care remains unaffected.
Doctors at Cambridge University's Medical Research Council's cognition and brain siences unit made startling doscovery when they managed to communicate with a man who was in a coma for seven years, The Guardian reported. The doctors devised a technique to enable the 29-year old comatose patient to answer simple questions as a yes or no, through the use of a hi-tech scanner, monitoring his brain activity.
In a first of its kind, the Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR, delivered COVID-19 vaccines via drone from the Bishnupur District Hospital to Karang island in Loktak lake in Manipur, a distance of 26 kilometres.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Friday night announced the new dates of cancelled and postponed examinations, including the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test, amid a raging row over alleged irregularities in their conduct.
Most of the pharma units are failing in documentation, and validation processes, and many don't have full-fledged quality control laboratories.
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