• A Canadian prospective cohort study investigated the efficacy of giving live rotavirus vaccine to infants exposed to immunomodulatory biologics during pregnancy.

• Of the 202 assessed infants, 191 were enrolled, with exposure to various biologic agents.

• In most cases, exposure to the biological agent continued into the third trimester.

• There were no detectable abnormalities in the mitogen responses, quantitative immunoglobulins, or lymphocyte subsets that were clinically significant.

• After the assessment, 98% of infants were recommended for rotavirus vaccination, of whom 80% completed the series.

• No serious adverse events were reported, indicating that rotavirus vaccination is generally safe for infants exposed to anti-TNF agents in utero.

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• There has been a sudden rise in cases of conjunctivitis.

• The rapid spread can be attributed to water stagnation, heat, and humidity.

• Major government and private hospitals have reported that the caseload is more than three times the average.

• Even though the disease has a viral etiology, antibiotics are advocated for shortening the course of the disease and reducing its severity.

• A few of the chief preventive measures to stop this growing epidemic consist of:

1. Reduce repeated rubbing of the eyes

2. Washing hands

3. Hygiene maintenance  

• The Global Burden of Diseases study from 1990-2019 systematically analyzed the communicable disease burden among children and adolescents aged 0-24 years. 

• The salient results of this study were: 

1. Reduction in overall burden (DALY) of communicable diseases except HIV.

2. The incidence of rare diseases such as the RHD and the NTD has increased.  

3. In 2019, among individuals aged 0-24 years, 3 million deaths and 30 million Years of Healthy life lost to Disability (YLD) were attributable to communicable diseases. 

4. This represents 57.3% of the total communicable disease burden across all ages. 

5. Among the children and adolescents, 44.1% of the deaths and 16.6% of the total disability were attributable to communicable diseases. 

6. This burden disproportionately affected the countries with low sociodemographic development. 

7. Their incidence has declined drastically among children <5 years of age, especially in countries with low sociodemographic development. 

8. Among children and adolescents, 60% of the burden was attributable to 3 groups- enteric infections, LRTI, and malaria. 

9. However, URTI and infectious skin conditions were more prevalent among the countries with high sociodemographic development. 

10. Among older adolescents aged 20-24, HIV and TB were the leading causes.  

• The study findings emphasize the need for continued capacity building of the National programs related to communicable diseases, with a focus on adolescents and older children.

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• The Health Ministry has launched an online portal (www.violation-reporting.in) to address the ongoing sale of e-cigarettes on e-commerce sites, despite their ban by the Union government in 2019. 

• This portal aims to facilitate reporting of violations under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) and Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), which grants the Union government control over the electronic cigarettes industry. 

• The Act defines electronic cigarettes as devices that heat a substance, with or without nicotine and flavors, to produce an aerosol for inhalation. 

• Concerns about e-cigarettes include their addictive nature due to nicotine content, potential harm to brain development, and the harmful chemicals in e-cigarette aerosols.      

• The WHO Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) has highlighted the guidelines for enhanced care and cure of patients with neurological disorders, as they are the second largest killers (Lancet 2020). 

• The Director-General of the World Health Organization cited the “burden” of such disorders also includes the associated stigma and discrimination.

• The WHO Director for Mental Health and Substance Use adds that IGAP will be a giant leap for:

1. A holistic approach to neurological disorders treatment

2. Ensuring that such patients can live off-edge from its stigma and discrimination.

• The five goals to be hit by the action plan are:

1. Governance

2. Diagnosis

3. Treatment

4. Prevention

5. Research

6. Public health approach

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• The National Health Mission will soon be renamed Pradhan Mantri-Samagra Swasthya Mission (PM-SSM) by the central government.

• The announcement was anticipated to be made during the Central Council for Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW) meeting on July 14-15th, 2023.

• The decision has already been approved by the Mission Steering Committee, headed by the Union Health Minister.

• NHM mainly focused on primary and secondary care, whereas the PM-SSM will focus on developing tertiary care facilities at district hospitals.

• This two-day Chintan Shivir will also provide further information on issues of the National Organ Transplant Program and District Residency Program, among others.

• However, no official announcement has been made yet.

• The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has requested the Health Ministry's urgent intervention to ensure that only medical postgraduates are considered eligible for appointment in medical colleges.

• They also propose that non-medical postgraduates currently teaching in medical colleges be adjusted within the 15% limit already set by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in 2021.

• Previously, non-medical postgraduates in para-clinical subjects were appointed as faculties in medical colleges due to a shortage of medical postgraduates.

• Also, non-medical teachers have filed a suit against the NMC's decision, but the Supreme Court has advised the ministry and NMC to address the matter during the upcoming hearing in July.

• Other medical associations have also issued similar press releases supporting the IMA.

• A peaceful protest for the same was also conducted by the IMA and FORDA representatives at Jantar Mantar, NMC and MoHFW on 19th July.

• WHO (World Health Organization) has revised the recommendations on the daily total fat and carbohydrate intake.

• The new recommendations include-

1. Reaffirmation that the daily fat intake should be <30% of the daily total energy intake.

2. For children ≥2 years, fat intake should mostly consist of unsaturated fatty acids, with restriction of saturated fatty acids and trans-fatty acids to <10% and <1%, respectively.

3. Fiber consumption should be at least 15g, 21g, and 25g per day for children 2-5 years, 6-9 years, and adults, respectively.

4. The recommended vegetable and fruit intake should be at least 250g, 350g, and 400g per day for children 2-5 years, 6-9 years, and adults, respectively.

• Furthermore, new guidelines with respect to the intake of PUFA and low-sodium salt intake will also be included soon.

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• The temperature in China hit a new record of 52.2 degrees Celsius in the North-western part of the country.

• The authorities have asked the individuals at Sanbao Village, which lies on the outskirts of Turpan City, to stay at home and have ordered special vehicles to spray water on major roads.

• In some parts of Turpan City, ground surface temperatures had touched 80 degrees Celsius.

• Scientists have noted that the temperature in the Northern Hemisphere has continued to be record-setting high, which is further exacerbated by climate change.

• Furthermore, the Chinese authorities have given warnings about “multiple natural disasters” and advised people to take extra precautions this summer.

• In Kerala, the economic consequences and loss of livelihood after the floods of 2018 were catastrophic.

• However, women in India have found a footing in this crestfallen condition and have come up with entrepreneurial ideas.

• A group of six women have opened a water sports and entertainment park at Payattupakka in Neelamperoor, Kerala.

• The park is situated on a large waterlogged paddy polder and offers visitors kayaking, pedal boat, dinghy, and coracle services.

• The water sports park and related activities have been funded under the Rebuild Kerala Initiative-Entrepreneurship Development Programme (RKI-EDP).

• Another all-women team has opened a health tourism clinic at Pulinkunnu.

• Similarly, other groups have taken up roles as tourism providers and have opened cafeterias and restaurants in different parts of the region.

• These activities have helped in the economic development of the region.

• Anaemia is a significant global public health issue. 

• Anaemia has severe consequences, impairing development, increasing infection and death risks, and impacting families and communities economically.  

• However, the 2023 World Health Statistics report reveals a decade of non-significant improvement in key health indicators, including anemia. 

• In 2019, 40% of children aged six months to 5 years, 36% of pregnant women, and 30% of women aged 15-49 experienced anemia.

• However, the reduction rate since 2000 has been only 0-1% annually, much slower than other health indicators.   

• Accurately measuring anemia is challenging, especially in resource-limited settings and among young children. 

• Costly and complex tests hinder the acquisition of reliable data.  

• To address anemia effectively, updated and comprehensive national surveys covering all age groups, particularly adolescents, are necessary.   

• The newly published WHO framework emphasizes context-appropriate interventions informed by local data. 

• While iron deficiency is a common cause, addressing other factors specific to populations and settings is vital.  

• Effective interventions may include improved water, sanitation, hygiene,  infection prevention, control measures, awareness, and treatment for inherited blood disorders.    

• A holistic approach is essential in tackling poverty, food insecurity, healthcare access, education, conflict, climate change, and gender inequality.  

• Integrating anemia screening and treatment with existing programs for antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and school-based initiatives can yield positive results.  

• Fortification, supplementation, and nutrition education also contribute to reducing anemia risk.  

• Urgent action led by local communities and supported by global leadership is necessary to combat anemia and improve global public health.

• In 2018, the Ecuadorian National Statistical Office reported the prevalence of malnutrition in under-5 children to be 23%.

• To explore the potential trade-off between maternal employment and child malnutrition in Mexico and to provide policy recommendations, an observational study titled ‘Maternal employment and child malnutrition in Ecuador’ was conducted.

• This cross-sectional study used data from two national surveys, the ECV (Living Conditions Survey) 2014 and the ENSANUT (National Health and Nutrition Survey) 2018.

• The findings of the study were:

1. Maternal employment is significantly associated with stunting in under-five children; i.e., children born to working mothers were 4.2 to 18.1% more likely to develop stunting when compared to unemployed mothers.

2. However, Maternal employment wasn't associated with other forms of malnutrition.

3. Income inequality, poverty, poor health status, and inadequate dwelling features were other factors leading to child malnutrition.

4. The effect of maternal employment on child malnutrition was found to be heterogeneous across various population subgroups, with the greatest impact observed among poor and rural households.

• As a result, policies should offer sufficient support for childcare activities.

• This study emphasized that a working mother's potential income increase cannot compensate for the time lost.

• However, the study had some limitations, so care must be taken when interpreting the findings.

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