K’taka on alert as first case of Zika virus surfaces

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K’taka on alert as first case of Zika virus surfaces

The Health Department is on high alert following the confirmation of the first Zika virus case in the state. The virus has been confirmed in a five-year-old girl from Raichur district in north Karnataka.

Taking cognisance of it, the state government has directed the health department to initiate all precautionary measures from Tuesday to contain the disease.

The cold, cloudy weather and drizzles in the state due to the Mandous cyclone have further complicated the situation as the virus spread faster under these circumstances according to experts.

The authorities are gathering the travel history of the girl and precautions have already been initiated in the neighborhood and surroundings of the girl’s residence. The blood and urine samples of the parents and family members have been collected and so far five persons have tested negative.

Health Minister Dr. K. Sudhakar stated that the government is prepared to handle the situation. He stated that the tests done by the National Institute of Virology from Pune have confirmed the disease.

The girl was infected with a fever on November 13. The parents had got her admitted to the Government Hospital in Sindhanur. There it was detected that she is affected with Dengue fever. Later, the girl was shifted to Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) and administered treatment from November 15 to 18.

The doctors had sent the samples of urine and blood to the Pune laboratory. The first Zika virus in the country was found in Kerala in 2020. Severe symptoms of fever, body pain, pain in joints, rash, and conjunctivitis are found in persons affected with the Zika virus.

Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species of mosquito. These mosquitoes usually bite during day time. The disease also spreads through unprotected intercourse and blood transmission.

Wearing masks not mandatory anymore in flights in India

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Wearing masks not mandatory anymore in flights in India

Wearing the mask on airplanes in India to reduce coronavirus cases, the government has closed the rule of compulsory covering.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the decision has been taken following a review meeting on the issue with the Ministry of Health.

“The matter, regarding the requirement for mandatory use of masks or face covers during air travel, has been reviewed in consultation with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

“In line with the Government of India’s policy of graded approach of Covid-19 management response, the in-flight announcements henceforth may only mention that in view of the threat posed by Covid-19, all passengers should preferably use mask/face covers,” the Ministry said in an office memorandum.

The Ministry said that any reference of fine need not be announced with regard to the use of masks. “Any specific reference to fine/penal action need not be announced as part of the in-flight announcements. Hence, consolidated Covid-19 instructions for domestic and international air travel issued for passengers, airport operators, and airlines issued vide order dated May 10, 2022, stands modified to that extent,” it said.

In June this year, the airlines were asked to ensure that all passengers wear face masks properly and continue to wear the mask throughout the journey and masks could be removed under exceptional circumstances and for permitted reasons only.

Morning exercise lowers risk of heart disease and stroke: Study

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Morning exercise lowers risk of heart disease and stroke: Study

Morning physical activity is associated with the lowest risk of heart disease and stroke, as per a new study.

According to the study, which was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, the findings were consistent regardless of total daily activity.

“It is well established that exercise is good for heart health, and our study now indicates that morning activity seems to be most beneficial,” said study author Gali Albalak of Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands.

“The findings were particularly pronounced in women, and applied to both early birds and night owls,” she added.

The study used data from the UK Biobank (a large-scale biomedical database and research resource). It included 86,657 adults between the ages of 42 and 78 who were free of cardiovascular disease at the start. The average age was 62, and 58 percent were women.

Over the course of six to eight years, 2,911 participants developed coronary artery disease, and 796 had a stroke, said the study.

When peak activity times were compared over a 24-hour period, being most active between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. was associated with the lowest risks of both heart disease and stroke.

In a second analysis, the researchers divided participants into four groups based on peak physical activity time – midday, early morning (8 a.m.), late morning (10 a.m.), and evening (7 p.m.).

After adjusting for age and gender, participants who were most active in the early or late morning had 11 per cent and 16 per cent lower risks of incident coronary artery disease, respectively, compared to the reference group, the study added.

“Our findings add to the evidence on the health benefits of being physically active by suggesting that morning activity, and especially the late morning, maybe the most advantageous,” said Albalak.

Scientists identify ultra-potent antibody that can offset all Omicron variants

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Scientists identify ultra-potent antibody that can offset all Omicron variants

An international team of researchers has identified a pan-variant and ultra-potent neutralizing antibody that can offset Omicron variants.

Named ‘S2X324’, its neutralising potency was largely unaffected by any of the Omicron variants tested, said the study published in the journal Science.

The scientists suggested that combining this antibody with others in a cocktail might reduce the chances of the virus becoming antibody-treatment resistant.

The team looked at several aspects of the effects of exposure to earlier forms of the SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen — or immune-provoking protein — on the immune system’s reaction to the Omicron variants.

Past studies from the same team have noted that the BA.1 Omicron variant emerged as a “major antigenic shift due to the unprecedented magnitude of immune evasion associated with this variant of concern”.

They explained that mutations in two of the main antibody targets in the virus explain why there is markedly reduced antibody-neutralizing ability against these variants, especially in people who have not received booster doses.

“As a result, an increasing number of reinfections are occurring,” the researchers wrote, “even though these cases tend to be milder than in infections of immunologically naA-ve individuals”.

The recent scientific studies in this area have been led by the labs of David Veesler, associate professor of biochemistry at the University of Washington in Seattle and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, and Davide Corti of Humans BioMed SA of Vir Biotechnology in Switzerland.

The Omicron variants appeared at the end of 2021 and have marked genetic differences from the ancestral SARS-CoV-2.

The many, distinct mutations in their infection machinery have enabled them to escape from antibodies elicited from the original series of vaccines, from a history of infection, or from both of those two immune-system training events.

People who had a breakthrough infection after vaccination also produced neutralizing antibodies against these variants in the mucus lining the inside of their noses.

However, people who only received the vaccine did not generate antibodies in their nasal mucosa.

“This finding lends support to efforts to develop and evaluate next-generation Covid vaccines that could be delivered intranasally as the nose is generally the site where the virus first enters the body,” said the scientists.

The lead authors of the paper are from the Veesler lab, the Corti lab, and Washington University in St. Louis.

Young working professionals now at high stroke risk: Study

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Young working professionals now at high stroke risk: Study

A team of researchers has found a sharp increase in the incidence of stroke in young adults, especially among working professionals.

Among young people who had a stroke, there was a significant increase in the proportion who were in more skilled occupations, particularly for professional or managerial jobs.

This could suggest a role for work-related stress, low physical activity, and long working hours, each of which was more strongly associated with the risk of stroke than a heart attack.

The findings from the study published in the journal JAMA on ‘World Stroke Day 2022’, which analyzed the rate of new stroke cases in Oxfordshire in the UK over the last 20 years, reflect emerging evidence that young stroke is a growing problem in high-income countries.

“Establishing the importance of known risk factors in young stroke will help to raise general awareness of the need for better control. We also need better ways of identifying young people at high risk of stroke, as current risk models are based on predictors of stroke in older people,” said Medical Research Foundation Fellow, Dr. Linxin Li, from the University of Oxford.

Stroke is a major health problem that can have devastating consequences. It happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, causing the death of brain cells and dysfunction in one or more parts of the brain.

The restricted blood supply can be the result of an artery supplying blood to the brain becoming blocked, a blood vessel rupturing causing a bleed inside the brain, or a brief reduction in the blood supply to the brain.

The traditional view is that vascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, play a minor role in young stroke, but recent studies have begun to contradict this view.

Dr. Li’s research focuses on multiple types of stroke, such as ischaemic strokes, caused by a blockage of arteries, ‘mini-strokes’ (transient ischaemic attacks), and bleeding in the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage).

The researchers found that between 2002-2010 and 2010-2018, there was a 67 percent increase in stroke incidence among younger adults (under 55 years), and a 15 percent decrease among older adults (55 years or older).

A similar divergence in incidence was not found for other vascular events, such as heart attacks.

“Historically, we’ve thought of stroke as only affecting older adults, but studies like this suggest a growing problem in young adults,” said Dr. Angela Hind, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Foundation.

“Stroke in young adults can have a huge impact, often occurring when they are starting a family or already have young children to look after, and have yet to reach the peak of their careers. The economic, social, and personal consequences can be devastating,” Hind added.

India logs 2,119 new Covid cases, 10 deaths

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India logs 2,119 new Covid cases, 10 deaths

India logged 2,119 new Covid-19 cases and 10 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

The new deaths took the overall fatalities to 5,28,953.

The active caseload at 25,037 accounts for 0.06 percent of the country’s total positive cases.

The recovery of 2,582 patients in the last 24 hours took the cumulative tally to 4,40,84,646. Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.76 percent.

Meanwhile, the daily and weekly positivity rates stood at 1.13 percent and 0.97 percent, respectively.

Also in the same period, a total of 1,88,220 tests were conducted across the country, increasing the overall tally to over 89.96 crores.

As of Friday morning, India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 219.50 crores.

Over 4.12 crore adolescents have been administered a first dose of Covid-19 jab since the beginning of the vaccination drive for this age bracket.

India logs 2,060 new Covid cases, 10 deaths

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India logs 2,060 new Covid cases, 10 deaths

In the last 24 hours, India logged 2,060 new Covid-19 cases and 10 deaths, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

The new deaths took the nationwide tally to 5,28,905.

The active caseload at 26,834 accounts for 0.06 percent of the country’s total positive cases.

The recovery of 1,841 patients in the last 24 hours took the cumulative tally to 4,40,75,149. Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.75 percent.

Meanwhile, the daily and weekly positivity rates stood at 1.86 percent and 1.02 percent, respectively.

Also in the same period, a total of 1,10,863 tests were conducted across the country, increasing the overall tally to over 89.86 crores.

As of Monday morning, India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 219.33 crores.

Over 4.11 crore adolescents have been administered the first dose of the Covid-19 jab since the beginning of the vaccination drive for this age bracket.

Beauty ice cubes: New trend for glowing skin

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Beauty ice cubes: New trend for glowing skin

As beauty aficionados, we frequently investigate alternative cosmetic procedures that we learn about from social media, newspaper columns, or celebrities we admire. As a result, the desire to improve our beauty regimen by using simple kitchen ingredients is as old as time. For example, one of the tried-and-true beauty fads that celebrities and make-up artists alike support is the ice cube on the face.

There are numerous advantages to gently massaging an ice cube around your face and neck once a day. This beauty craze is excellent for addressing skin problems such as dark circles, puffiness, and rashes. Ice cubes have numerous skin benefits, including boosting blood flow, reducing oiliness, healing sunburns, and acting as a moisturizing makeup base.

Aloe Vera & Basil Ice-cubes:

Aloe Vera and basil are two ingredients used in the kitchen that are excellent for the skin &the body. Aloe Vera reduces excess oil and cures acne, while basil is a potent antioxidant that soothes the skin. This cool and soothing concoction work wonders for curing sunburns.

Preparation:

Crush some basil leaves in a cup of water. Then add two teaspoons of organic Aloe Vera gel into it. Once the concoction is ready, pour it into an ice cube tray halfway and allow it to freeze. Using short, gentle strokes, rub the Ice-Cube over your face.

Rosewater Ice-cubes:

Rosewater is a soft beauty substance that removes your makeup and moisturizes your skin. After a long day at work, a simple massage with this cube will lighten your skin and lift your spirits. This will battle infections, diminish wrinkles, and offer your skin a fresh clean-up when frozen in Ice-Cubes.

Preparation:

Mix one cup of concentrated rose water with a cup of regular water. Pour it into an ice cube tray to chill. Use it daily for rejuvenation, as mentioned above.

Cucumber & Lemon Ice-cubes

A hydrated and vitamin C-rich diet is healthy for your gut health and also boosts the freshness of your skin. Cucumbers and lemons are great antioxidants that help cleanse and brighten your skin naturally. This beauty Ice-cube will boost blood circulation and keep pimples, acne, and redness at bay.

Preparation:

To prepare a puree, blend a cucumber. After that, squeeze a lemon and pour a few drops onto an ice cube tray. Freeze it for some hours and then apply cold for the best impact, for a few seconds at a time.

Saffron Ice-cubes

Saffron has several skin-friendly properties; using saffron ice cubes regularly will help fade tanning, brown spots, pimples, and pigmentation. Additionally, it improves skin tone and provides skin with a healthy glow.

Preparation:

Take a few saffron threads and allow them to bloom in the water. Add rose water to the saffron soaked in water and stir them well. Fill an ice tray with the mixture, and then freeze it. Use these ice cubes as a natural toner for your face.

Turmeric Ice-cubes

Turmeric’s antioxidant qualities aid in slowing down the aging process. Additionally, it shields the skin’s cells from damage, keeping the skin elastic and reducing the appearance of aging indications. Ice cubes made from turmeric can aid in lessening age-related symptoms like wrinkles, fine lines, dark under-eye circles, and pigmentation.

Preparation:

Add one spoonful of turmeric powder and one cup of rose water to a bowl. Well, combine the two components. Pour the mixture it the ice mold and let it to get freeze. You can now use your turmeric ice cubes.

Caution

It is suggested to always do a patch test on the back of your hand before applying an ice cube to the face. Massage it gently, and wait a few minutes for it to dry. This will enable you to determine whether the turmeric cube has an adverse effect on your skin.

After a long hectic day, rubbing an ice cube across your face can help relieve stress since it improves facial blood flow and makes the skin appear more radiant. Make this easy Ice-cube cures a part of your daily skincare routine for long-lasting glowing skin.

‘Too early’ to scrap mandatory Covid isolation in Aus

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‘Too early’ to scrap mandatory Covid isolation in Aus

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) on Friday said it was “too early” to end the mandatory Covid-19 isolation periods, warning that it would trigger another wave of the pandemic.

Federal, state and territory leaders late in September agreed to end mandatory isolation requirements for Covid-19, which will come into effect on October 14, with each jurisdiction implementing the change via relevant public health legislation, reports Xinhua news agency.

Commenting on the decision, AMA President Steve Robson said he was “very concerned” about another wave.

“All the signs are that we’re looking at another wave of Covid,” he told local media.

“We’re coming out of one of the biggest waves of Covid yet and it has absolutely crushed the hospital workforce and left us with a massive logjam and backlog in hospitals at the moment that has to be dealt with.

“If we have another wave over the holiday season, then it spells bad news for the country because we can’t tackle that backlog,” Robson added.

The Department of Health on Friday provided updates on national Covid-19 weekly current trends.

“Over the last week, 36,242 cases of Covid-19 were reported across Australia, an average of 5,177 cases per day,” it said on its website.

The number of cases being treated in hospitals at a seven-day average is 1,548.

As of Friday, Australia’s overall Covid caseload and death toll stood at 10,269,925 and 15,319, respectively.

New Zealand confirms 1st two monkeypox cases of community transmission

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New Zealand confirms 1st two monkeypox cases of community transmission

New Zealand confirmed the first two community transmission cases of monkeypox on Thursday, bringing the total case number to 11.

The two new cases have been identified as community transmissions where the disease has been transmitted within New Zealand as opposed to all other cases where the individuals were infected overseas, said a joint statement of the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand, Xinhua news agency reported.

The general risk remains very low, it said, adding the two new cases are isolated in Auckland.

“This is not unexpected and the number is likely to remain low,” the statement said.

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