News Analysis India

Tag: WHO

  • Monkeypox remains global health emergency: WHO

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that monkeypox, the zoonotic viral disease, which has been reported in over 100 countries, including India, is still a global health emergency of concern.

    The WHO announcement came at its third meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the multi-country viral disease outbreak.  The WHO labels public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) to convey a coordinated global response in not only collaboration on sharing vaccines and treatments but also in unlocking funds.

    According to Dr Pargya Yadav, a top scientist at the National Institute of Virology, Pune (NIV)-Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India is fully prepared and has already trained Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) facilities to screen samples for monkeypox.

    In India, 20 monkeypox cases, including one death, have been reported. While Kerala reported six cases – all had travelled from UAE – including the youth who died, Delhi reported the maximum number with 14 monkeypox cases.

    “In this situation when monkeypox virus is showing mutation, it is important to keep monitoring and do the testing and sequencing for suspected cases,” Dr Yadav, who has been successful in isolating the monkeypox virus from the clinical specimen of a patient, paving the way for the development of diagnostic kits and vaccines against the disease, said on WHO continuing to declare monkeypox as a global health emergency. 

    Dr Yadav, who headed the team that developed Covaxin, India’s first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine, said Covid had taught us to be vigilant during an outbreak till we are sure about the endgame of the disease.

    Globally, there have been 77,092 cases in 106 countries as of October 31, while 36 deaths have been reported. 

    “The Emergency Committee acknowledged that some progress has been made in the global response to the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox since the last meeting, including the emerging information on the effectiveness of behavioural interventions and vaccines,” the WHO said.

    WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said there had been a promising decline in global cases. “The number of reported cases has dropped for eight straight weeks. This is very encouraging.”

    ALSO READ | ‘Vax paucity led to Monkeypox surge’: Researchers from ICMI

    Though in the meeting some progress was acknowledged, it was felt Public Health Emergency of International Concern should continue.

    In July, the WHO said the rapidly spreading monkeypox outbreak represented a global health emergency.

    Since early May 2022, cases of monkeypox have been reported in countries where the disease is not endemic and continue to be registered in several endemic countries. 

    Most confirmed cases with travel history reported travel to countries in Europe and North America rather than West or Central Africa, where the monkeypox virus is endemic. 

    This is the first time that many monkeypox cases and clusters have been reported concurrently in non-endemic and endemic countries in disparate geographical areas.

    Most reported cases so far have been identified through sexual health or other health services in primary or secondary healthcare facilities. They have involved mainly, but not exclusively, men who have sex with men, according to WHO.

    NEW DELHI: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that monkeypox, the zoonotic viral disease, which has been reported in over 100 countries, including India, is still a global health emergency of concern.

    The WHO announcement came at its third meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the multi-country viral disease outbreak.  The WHO labels public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) to convey a coordinated global response in not only collaboration on sharing vaccines and treatments but also in unlocking funds.

    According to Dr Pargya Yadav, a top scientist at the National Institute of Virology, Pune (NIV)-Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India is fully prepared and has already trained Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) facilities to screen samples for monkeypox.

    In India, 20 monkeypox cases, including one death, have been reported. While Kerala reported six cases – all had travelled from UAE – including the youth who died, Delhi reported the maximum number with 14 monkeypox cases.

    “In this situation when monkeypox virus is showing mutation, it is important to keep monitoring and do the testing and sequencing for suspected cases,” Dr Yadav, who has been successful in isolating the monkeypox virus from the clinical specimen of a patient, paving the way for the development of diagnostic kits and vaccines against the disease, said on WHO continuing to declare monkeypox as a global health emergency. 

    Dr Yadav, who headed the team that developed Covaxin, India’s first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine, said Covid had taught us to be vigilant during an outbreak till we are sure about the endgame of the disease.

    Globally, there have been 77,092 cases in 106 countries as of October 31, while 36 deaths have been reported. 

    “The Emergency Committee acknowledged that some progress has been made in the global response to the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox since the last meeting, including the emerging information on the effectiveness of behavioural interventions and vaccines,” the WHO said.

    WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said there had been a promising decline in global cases. “The number of reported cases has dropped for eight straight weeks. This is very encouraging.”

    ALSO READ | ‘Vax paucity led to Monkeypox surge’: Researchers from ICMI

    Though in the meeting some progress was acknowledged, it was felt Public Health Emergency of International Concern should continue.

    In July, the WHO said the rapidly spreading monkeypox outbreak represented a global health emergency.

    Since early May 2022, cases of monkeypox have been reported in countries where the disease is not endemic and continue to be registered in several endemic countries. 

    Most confirmed cases with travel history reported travel to countries in Europe and North America rather than West or Central Africa, where the monkeypox virus is endemic. 

    This is the first time that many monkeypox cases and clusters have been reported concurrently in non-endemic and endemic countries in disparate geographical areas.

    Most reported cases so far have been identified through sexual health or other health services in primary or secondary healthcare facilities. They have involved mainly, but not exclusively, men who have sex with men, according to WHO.

  • India detects highly infectious new Omicron sub-variant BF.7 

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Ahead of the festival season, India has detected a highly infectious Omicron variant BF.7, said to be behind the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in China, the US and other European countries.

    Officials said the first case of BF.7, described as ‘Omicron spawn,’ has been detected by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research centre. 

    The variant, BA.5.2.1.7 or BF.7 for short, is a spinoff of the Omicron subvariant BA.5, which is currently the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in the US and other countries.

    “We are continuing to monitor the situation to see whether this variant turns out to be more virulent and could lead to a fresh surge in India,” an official told The New Indian Express. 

    The new variant, which swept through China less than a week after it was first identified in Northwest China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, was highly infectious and showed greater transmissibility. After the new variant was detected on October 4, China announced fresh lockdowns and travel restrictions.

    Officials said they also monitor the number of hospitalisations and deaths in the country.

    “So far, there is nothing to worry about, but people must continue to follow Covid appropriate behaviour ahead of the festival time,” the official added. 

    India is consistently reporting 2,000 Covid cases, said NC Krishnaprasad, a Covid data analyst from Kerala, adding that certain states like Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, have shown a hike in cases in the past few weeks.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also warned about the new variant.

    According to Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the National Indian Medical Association (IMA) Covid-19 task force, “BF.7 is the name given to a great-grandson of BA.5, which is a major sub-lineage or descendant of Omicron.”

    “These are called immune escape variants, which means they can infect people who had been vaccinated or past infected,” he added.

    He said with the festive season approaching, people must follow standard precautions, the most important of which is to keep masks, including indoor masking, on while meeting strangers in crowded indoor settings.

    “Elderly and people with severe medical conditions are advised to stay away from such gatherings, as even an Omicron infection is known to destabilise them, leading to severe disease and bad outcomes. India has achieved a high degree of adult vaccination coverage which has, along with immunity due to natural infection, provided a large degree of protection so far.”

    He said that Covid is still evolving, and the world will see different waves. “Covid is not yet over,” he added.

    The Omicron variant and its sub-variants are famous for their immunity-escaping properties. The new variant has not only spread fast in Belgium but has been reported in Germany, France, Denmark and UK, apart from the US.

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also described BF.7 as the most concerning variant and has shown a positive growth rate compared to the BA.5 variant.

    Experts said that, as with most newer variants of concern, this new variant seems more transmissible than Omicron and other Omicron subvariant that appeared before it. Though, the severity of the disease the new variant will cause is still not known.

    Briefly: 

    New Omicron variant BF.7 has been detected in India. It is described as an Omicron spawn
    The new variant has immunity-escaping properties
    The new variant swept through many provinces of China after it was first detected in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. 
    China had to announce fresh lockdown and travel restrictions
    BF.7 has also been detected in the US, UK, Belgium, Germany, France and other European countries
    Experts have advised caution as we are approaching festival time, suggest following Covid-appropriate behaviour

    NEW DELHI: Ahead of the festival season, India has detected a highly infectious Omicron variant BF.7, said to be behind the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in China, the US and other European countries.

    Officials said the first case of BF.7, described as ‘Omicron spawn,’ has been detected by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research centre. 

    The variant, BA.5.2.1.7 or BF.7 for short, is a spinoff of the Omicron subvariant BA.5, which is currently the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in the US and other countries.

    “We are continuing to monitor the situation to see whether this variant turns out to be more virulent and could lead to a fresh surge in India,” an official told The New Indian Express. 

    The new variant, which swept through China less than a week after it was first identified in Northwest China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, was highly infectious and showed greater transmissibility. After the new variant was detected on October 4, China announced fresh lockdowns and travel restrictions.

    Officials said they also monitor the number of hospitalisations and deaths in the country.

    “So far, there is nothing to worry about, but people must continue to follow Covid appropriate behaviour ahead of the festival time,” the official added. 

    India is consistently reporting 2,000 Covid cases, said NC Krishnaprasad, a Covid data analyst from Kerala, adding that certain states like Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, have shown a hike in cases in the past few weeks.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also warned about the new variant.

    According to Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the National Indian Medical Association (IMA) Covid-19 task force, “BF.7 is the name given to a great-grandson of BA.5, which is a major sub-lineage or descendant of Omicron.”

    “These are called immune escape variants, which means they can infect people who had been vaccinated or past infected,” he added.

    He said with the festive season approaching, people must follow standard precautions, the most important of which is to keep masks, including indoor masking, on while meeting strangers in crowded indoor settings.

    “Elderly and people with severe medical conditions are advised to stay away from such gatherings, as even an Omicron infection is known to destabilise them, leading to severe disease and bad outcomes. India has achieved a high degree of adult vaccination coverage which has, along with immunity due to natural infection, provided a large degree of protection so far.”

    He said that Covid is still evolving, and the world will see different waves. “Covid is not yet over,” he added.

    The Omicron variant and its sub-variants are famous for their immunity-escaping properties. The new variant has not only spread fast in Belgium but has been reported in Germany, France, Denmark and UK, apart from the US.

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also described BF.7 as the most concerning variant and has shown a positive growth rate compared to the BA.5 variant.

    Experts said that, as with most newer variants of concern, this new variant seems more transmissible than Omicron and other Omicron subvariant that appeared before it. Though, the severity of the disease the new variant will cause is still not known.

    Briefly: 

    New Omicron variant BF.7 has been detected in India. It is described as an Omicron spawn
    The new variant has immunity-escaping properties
    The new variant swept through many provinces of China after it was first detected in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. 
    China had to announce fresh lockdown and travel restrictions
    BF.7 has also been detected in the US, UK, Belgium, Germany, France and other European countries
    Experts have advised caution as we are approaching festival time, suggest following Covid-appropriate behaviour

  • ‘Shocked, deeply saddened,’ says Maiden pharma after WHO alert on its cough syrups links to child deaths in Gambia

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The New Delhi-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited, which is in the eye of a storm after the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a global alert on four of its cough syrups linked to 66 child deaths in The Gambia, said on Saturday that they are “shocked and deeply saddened” about the incident. They also said that they are “not selling anything” in India.

    The company, which has two manufacturing units in Haryana, broke its silence after WHO on October 5 flagged four of their cough syrups as “contaminated” and “substandard”, said in a media statement, that they are in “the field of medicines for over three decades and have been diligently following the protocols of the health authorities including Drugs Controller General of India and the state drugs Controller, Haryana.”

    “We have valid drug approvals for the export of the products in question, and we are not selling anything in the domestic market, so it is for export only,” the statement of its Director Vivek Goyal said. Soon after the alert was issued, the company’s website was unavailable, and its phones were not reachable.

    The company said they had obtained raw materials from certified and reputed companies.

    “We are shocked to hear media reports regarding the deaths and deeply saddened by this incident, but we received the official information from our agent at The Gambia on October 5, and on the subsequent date, the World Health Organisation alert was issued against us,” the statement said.

    It further said that government agencies visited their factory on October 1, 3, 6 and 7.

    They noted that the CDSO took samples of the medicines along with all relevant documents in question in the presence of its directors.

    The company said that they are “awaiting results” and “since the matter is already pending investigations and subjudice, we cannot comment on any other issues and shall update you in future as and when we receive the information.”

    The world body had also said syrups have been “potentially linked with acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children.”

    The four cough and cold syrups are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.

    Laboratory analysis of samples of each of the four products confirms that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants. To date, these four products have been identified in The Gambia but may have been distributed, through informal markets, to other countries or regions, the WHO said. 

    Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal. Harmful effects can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury, which may lead to death.

    Soon after the alert, India’s CDSO launched an urgent investigation and said that the company had manufactured and exported these products only to The Gambia.

    NEW DELHI: The New Delhi-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited, which is in the eye of a storm after the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a global alert on four of its cough syrups linked to 66 child deaths in The Gambia, said on Saturday that they are “shocked and deeply saddened” about the incident. They also said that they are “not selling anything” in India.

    The company, which has two manufacturing units in Haryana, broke its silence after WHO on October 5 flagged four of their cough syrups as “contaminated” and “substandard”, said in a media statement, that they are in “the field of medicines for over three decades and have been diligently following the protocols of the health authorities including Drugs Controller General of India and the state drugs Controller, Haryana.”

    “We have valid drug approvals for the export of the products in question, and we are not selling anything in the domestic market, so it is for export only,” the statement of its Director Vivek Goyal said. Soon after the alert was issued, the company’s website was unavailable, and its phones were not reachable.

    The company said they had obtained raw materials from certified and reputed companies.

    “We are shocked to hear media reports regarding the deaths and deeply saddened by this incident, but we received the official information from our agent at The Gambia on October 5, and on the subsequent date, the World Health Organisation alert was issued against us,” the statement said.

    It further said that government agencies visited their factory on October 1, 3, 6 and 7.

    They noted that the CDSO took samples of the medicines along with all relevant documents in question in the presence of its directors.

    The company said that they are “awaiting results” and “since the matter is already pending investigations and subjudice, we cannot comment on any other issues and shall update you in future as and when we receive the information.”

    The world body had also said syrups have been “potentially linked with acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children.”

    The four cough and cold syrups are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.

    Laboratory analysis of samples of each of the four products confirms that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants. To date, these four products have been identified in The Gambia but may have been distributed, through informal markets, to other countries or regions, the WHO said. 

    Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal. Harmful effects can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury, which may lead to death.

    Soon after the alert, India’s CDSO launched an urgent investigation and said that the company had manufactured and exported these products only to The Gambia.

  • Locals clueless about Haryana factory producing syrups blamed for Gambia children deaths

    By PTI

    HARYANA: Kunti cradles her three-year granddaughter in the courtyard of humble accommodation unaware of the tragic development concerning the factory located just opposite her house here.

    “Humko toh nahi pata aisa hua hai. Shukar hai, humne kabhi dawai nahi li yahan se. (We are not aware of the development. Thank God, we did not take medicine from here),” a shocked Kunti said when told about the tragedy that happened in the South African nation of Gambia where 66 children died after allegedly consuming substandard cough syrups produced at the factory.

    She held her granddaughter tightly while telling her daughter-in-law about the incident.

    “That is why there were so many officials yesterday. We thought something has happened in the factory. Some fight or something,” Simmi (25) said on Friday.

    “This factory is situated here for eight or 10 years. We never suspected that substandard products are being made here. Are they being sold in the Indian market as well? What is the name of the cough syrup, I will ensure that I don’t buy it,” she queried.

    She was interrupted by her neighbour who informed her that medicines from this factory were only exported to other countries.

    The locals are unaware of the magnitude of the controversy that broke out recently.

    The factory Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd— could be easily missed amid hundreds of similar-looking factories in the industrial hub of India.

    The only thing that is giving it a distinct look is the notices from authorities pasted outside the main gate about the substandard products.

    One of the notices is an alert from WHO on four ‘cough & cold’ syrups made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    When this PTI reporter visited the factory on Friday, Haryana Drug Control Officials were on the premises for investigation.

    An ominous silence shrouded the factory on Friday.

    The guards manning the door are not allowing anyone around the premises.

    The factory has become a source of curiosity among the locals.

    A few people from nearby localities have come here to see the factory.

    “I read about it on the phone. I told my friend let’s go and see the factory. We live very close to this. Not many people are aware of the development,” said Bharat, who works as a labourer in a nearby factory.

    Though people are not aware of the complete development, they were seen sharing their views on the incident at a tea shop at a nook.

    “They added some chemicals in large quantities and that is why children died,” said a local.

    “Humko toh pata nahi tha yahan cough syrups bante hai. Das saal ho gaye hain mujhe yahan (I have no idea this factory was producing cough syrups. I have been living here for 10 years),” said another local laughing.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday warned that four “contaminated” and “substandard” cough syrups allegedly produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited based in Haryana’s Sonipat could be the reason for the deaths in the West African nation.

    The four products are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.

    A probe has been initiated by India’s drug regulator after the WHO issued an alert.

    Haryana’s Health Minister Anil Vij on Thursday said samples of four cough syrups manufactured by the firm have been sent to the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kolkata for examination.

    HARYANA: Kunti cradles her three-year granddaughter in the courtyard of humble accommodation unaware of the tragic development concerning the factory located just opposite her house here.

    “Humko toh nahi pata aisa hua hai. Shukar hai, humne kabhi dawai nahi li yahan se. (We are not aware of the development. Thank God, we did not take medicine from here),” a shocked Kunti said when told about the tragedy that happened in the South African nation of Gambia where 66 children died after allegedly consuming substandard cough syrups produced at the factory.

    She held her granddaughter tightly while telling her daughter-in-law about the incident.

    “That is why there were so many officials yesterday. We thought something has happened in the factory. Some fight or something,” Simmi (25) said on Friday.

    “This factory is situated here for eight or 10 years. We never suspected that substandard products are being made here. Are they being sold in the Indian market as well? What is the name of the cough syrup, I will ensure that I don’t buy it,” she queried.

    She was interrupted by her neighbour who informed her that medicines from this factory were only exported to other countries.

    The locals are unaware of the magnitude of the controversy that broke out recently.

    The factory Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd— could be easily missed amid hundreds of similar-looking factories in the industrial hub of India.

    The only thing that is giving it a distinct look is the notices from authorities pasted outside the main gate about the substandard products.

    One of the notices is an alert from WHO on four ‘cough & cold’ syrups made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    When this PTI reporter visited the factory on Friday, Haryana Drug Control Officials were on the premises for investigation.

    An ominous silence shrouded the factory on Friday.

    The guards manning the door are not allowing anyone around the premises.

    The factory has become a source of curiosity among the locals.

    A few people from nearby localities have come here to see the factory.

    “I read about it on the phone. I told my friend let’s go and see the factory. We live very close to this. Not many people are aware of the development,” said Bharat, who works as a labourer in a nearby factory.

    Though people are not aware of the complete development, they were seen sharing their views on the incident at a tea shop at a nook.

    “They added some chemicals in large quantities and that is why children died,” said a local.

    “Humko toh pata nahi tha yahan cough syrups bante hai. Das saal ho gaye hain mujhe yahan (I have no idea this factory was producing cough syrups. I have been living here for 10 years),” said another local laughing.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday warned that four “contaminated” and “substandard” cough syrups allegedly produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited based in Haryana’s Sonipat could be the reason for the deaths in the West African nation.

    The four products are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.

    A probe has been initiated by India’s drug regulator after the WHO issued an alert.

    Haryana’s Health Minister Anil Vij on Thursday said samples of four cough syrups manufactured by the firm have been sent to the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kolkata for examination.

  • Death of children in Gambia: Haryana sends samples to Kolkata lab after WHO alerts on cough syrups 

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Samples of four cough syrups manufactured by a Sonipat-based firm have been sent to the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kolkata for examination, Haryana’s Health Minister Anil Vij said Thursday, a day after the WHO potentially linked them to the deaths of 66 children in The Gambia.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday warned that four “contaminated” and “substandard” cough syrups allegedly produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited based in Haryana’s Sonepat could be the reason for the deaths of children in the West African nation.

    A probe has already been initiated by India’s drug regulator, the Drugs Controller General of India.

    “The samples have been collected by a team of the DCGA and Haryana’s Food and Drugs Administration Department and sent to the CDL, Kolkata for examination,” Vij told PTI over the phone on Thursday.

    He said a senior official of Centre’s Department of Pharmaceuticals spoke with Haryana’s Additional Chief Secretary (Health).

    Vij said the cough syrups manufactured by the pharma company were approved for export.

    ALSO READ | WHO probing Indian cough syrup after 66 children die in Gambia

    “It is not available for sale or marketing in the country.”

    “Whatever action has to be taken will be taken once the CDL report comes. Only after the report is in, we can arrive at any conclusion,” Vij said.

    When asked about the matter at a news conference here, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the Centre was looking into this issue.

    When an international issue is involved, the Government of India deals with it and they are dealing with it, he said.

    However, he added, “So far, we do not have information on whether the deaths happened actually because of these medicines or due to some other reasons.”

    CHANDIGARH: Samples of four cough syrups manufactured by a Sonipat-based firm have been sent to the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kolkata for examination, Haryana’s Health Minister Anil Vij said Thursday, a day after the WHO potentially linked them to the deaths of 66 children in The Gambia.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday warned that four “contaminated” and “substandard” cough syrups allegedly produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited based in Haryana’s Sonepat could be the reason for the deaths of children in the West African nation.

    A probe has already been initiated by India’s drug regulator, the Drugs Controller General of India.

    “The samples have been collected by a team of the DCGA and Haryana’s Food and Drugs Administration Department and sent to the CDL, Kolkata for examination,” Vij told PTI over the phone on Thursday.

    He said a senior official of Centre’s Department of Pharmaceuticals spoke with Haryana’s Additional Chief Secretary (Health).

    Vij said the cough syrups manufactured by the pharma company were approved for export.

    ALSO READ | WHO probing Indian cough syrup after 66 children die in Gambia

    “It is not available for sale or marketing in the country.”

    “Whatever action has to be taken will be taken once the CDL report comes. Only after the report is in, we can arrive at any conclusion,” Vij said.

    When asked about the matter at a news conference here, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the Centre was looking into this issue.

    When an international issue is involved, the Government of India deals with it and they are dealing with it, he said.

    However, he added, “So far, we do not have information on whether the deaths happened actually because of these medicines or due to some other reasons.”

  • Centre forms task force to monitor monkeypox situation in India closely

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Centre has formed a task force on monkeypox to closely monitor the emerging situation in India and decide on response initiatives to tackle the spread of the disease, official sources said on Monday.

    The announcement from the Union Health Ministry came following samples of a 22-year-old man who died in Kerala last week and came out positive for monkeypox on Monday. The deceased had earlier tested positive for monkeypox in the UAE.

    So far, India has confirmed four monkeypox cases, three in Kerala and one in Delhi. Officials said two foreign nationals, who were detected with monkeypox symptoms, were kept in quarantine in Delhi hospital. The Delhi man, who has earlier tested positive for monkeypox in Delhi, is said to be stable.

    Officials said the decision to constitute the task force was taken at a high-level meeting held on July 26 at the level of the principal secretary to the prime minister.

    Dr V K Paul, NITI Aayog member (health) will head the task force.

    ALSO READ | Kerala youth who returned from UAE is India’s first monkeypox victim

    The National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in the Union Health Ministry have been asked to work on a targeted communication strategy to promote timely reporting, detection of cases and management of patients, officials said.

    Officials said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had been directed to operationalise its network of labs and make arrangements for requisite diagnostics of monkeypox disease.

    On July 23, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared monkeypox a global public health emergency of international concern. Globally, over 18,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported from 78 countries. WHO also clarified its earlier statement that the viral disease was detected among men who have sex with men, which triggered a hoax demonising the LGBTQ community by putting out a public health advisory, stating that the risk of monkeypox is not just limited to them.

    The union health ministry has undertaken several initiatives, which include strengthening health screening at Points of Entry and operationalisation of 15 laboratories under the ICMR to undertake tests for monkeypox disease, officials said.

    It also issued comprehensive guidelines in May on the disease covering both public health and clinical management aspects.

    Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis – a virus transmitted to humans from animals -with symptoms similar to smallpox, although clinically less severe. Monkeypox typically manifests with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to various medical complications. It is usually a self-limited disease with symptoms lasting two to four weeks.

    NEW DELHI: The Centre has formed a task force on monkeypox to closely monitor the emerging situation in India and decide on response initiatives to tackle the spread of the disease, official sources said on Monday.

    The announcement from the Union Health Ministry came following samples of a 22-year-old man who died in Kerala last week and came out positive for monkeypox on Monday. The deceased had earlier tested positive for monkeypox in the UAE.

    So far, India has confirmed four monkeypox cases, three in Kerala and one in Delhi. Officials said two foreign nationals, who were detected with monkeypox symptoms, were kept in quarantine in Delhi hospital. The Delhi man, who has earlier tested positive for monkeypox in Delhi, is said to be stable.

    Officials said the decision to constitute the task force was taken at a high-level meeting held on July 26 at the level of the principal secretary to the prime minister.

    Dr V K Paul, NITI Aayog member (health) will head the task force.

    ALSO READ | Kerala youth who returned from UAE is India’s first monkeypox victim

    The National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in the Union Health Ministry have been asked to work on a targeted communication strategy to promote timely reporting, detection of cases and management of patients, officials said.

    Officials said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had been directed to operationalise its network of labs and make arrangements for requisite diagnostics of monkeypox disease.

    On July 23, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared monkeypox a global public health emergency of international concern. Globally, over 18,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported from 78 countries. WHO also clarified its earlier statement that the viral disease was detected among men who have sex with men, which triggered a hoax demonising the LGBTQ community by putting out a public health advisory, stating that the risk of monkeypox is not just limited to them.

    The union health ministry has undertaken several initiatives, which include strengthening health screening at Points of Entry and operationalisation of 15 laboratories under the ICMR to undertake tests for monkeypox disease, officials said.

    It also issued comprehensive guidelines in May on the disease covering both public health and clinical management aspects.

    Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis – a virus transmitted to humans from animals -with symptoms similar to smallpox, although clinically less severe. Monkeypox typically manifests with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to various medical complications. It is usually a self-limited disease with symptoms lasting two to four weeks.

  • World witnessing unexpected emergence of Monkeypox: WHO’s Dr Poonam Khetrapal

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Dr Poonam Khetrapal, Regional Director of the World Health Organization South-East Asia Region on Monday said that the world is witnessing an unexpected emergence of Monkeypox.

    When asked about the reason behind Monkeypox gaining attention at present, Poonam Khetrapal said, “Cases of Monkeypox are being reported from multiple countries. Many of them have not seen cases of Monkeypox before. The unexpected appearance of this disease globally and in a wide geographic area indicates that the disease may have been circulating below the detection of the surveillance systems. It is possible that sustained human-to-human transmission through close contact – direct or indirect – remained undetected for a period of time.”

    “The risk of monkeypox globally and the WHO South-East Asia Region has assessed it as moderate considering this is the first time that Monkeypox cases and clusters are reported concurrently in many countries in widely disparate WHO geographical areas, balanced against the fact that mortality has remained low in the current outbreak.”

    “Genomic studies have revealed that the monkeypox virus seems to have changed over recent years. More studies are needed to understand the virus’s evolution. WHO is regularly reviewing available data with its laboratory and other expert groups,” she added.

    Speaking on what measures India should take for the prevention and control of Monkeypox, she said, “In the current Monkeypox outbreak, transmission apparently occurred primarily through close physical contact, including sexual contact. Transmission can also occur from contaminated materials such as linens, bedding, electronics, and clothing, that have infectious skin particles. There are still many unknowns about the virus.”

    “Since the start of the outbreak, WHO has been supporting countries to assess risk, and initiating public health measures, while also building and facilitating testing capacities in the region. Engaging and protecting the affected communities; intensifying surveillance and public health measures; strengthening clinical management and infection prevention and control in hospitals and clinics; and accelerating research into the use of vaccines, therapeutics and other tools, are among the key response measures. We need to stay alert and be prepared to roll out an intense response to curtail the spread of Monkeypox. And while doing this, our efforts and measures should be sensitive, and devoid of stigma and discrimination,” she added.

    When asked about the risk of transmission in South East Asian countries, Dr Khetrapal said, “The region has been on alert for Monkeypox since the reporting of an increase in cases globally. Countries have been taking measures to rapidly detect and take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of monkeypox. WHO has been supporting the member countries in the Region to assess the risk for monkeypox and strengthening their capacities to prepare and respond to the evolving multi-country outbreak. We have been sharing guidance for raising awareness; surveillance, case investigation and contact tracing; laboratory diagnostics and testing; clinical management and infection prevention and control and community engagement.”

    Speaking on the preparedness to deal with Monkeypox, Dr Poonam Khetrapal said,The region has been on alert for Monkeypox since the reporting of an increase in cases globally. Countries have been taking measures to rapidly detect and take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of monkeypox. WHO has been supporting the member countries in the Region to assess the risk for monkeypox and strengthening their capacities to prepare and respond to the evolving multi-country outbreak. We have been sharing guidance for raising awareness; surveillance, case investigation and contact tracing; laboratory diagnostics and testing; clinical management and infection prevention and control and community engagement.”

    “In view of the limited testing capacities in the region for monkeypox, WHO has coordinated with four laboratories to serve as referrals – National Institute of Virology, India; Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Australia; National Institute of Health, Department of Medical Sciences, Thailand; and Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. WHO is also supporting countries in the region build testing capacities with technical assistance as well as procurement of required provisions that are high in demand and low in supplies globally. Orienting clinicians in both public and private sectors to identify, isolate, report and treat cases of monkeypox, are among the key priority measures,” she added.

    “Monkeypox requires collective attention and coordinated action to stop its further spread. In addition to using public health measures and ensuring health tools are available to at-risk populations and shared fairly, it is important to work with communities to ensure that people who are most at risk, have the information and support they need to protect themselves”

    According to the Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region, newborns, children and people with underlying immune deficiencies may be at risk of more serious symptoms and death from monkeypox.

    “Health workers are also at higher risk due to longer virus exposure. There are no sufficient data regarding monkeypox infection during pregnancy, although limited data suggest that it may lead to adverse outcomes for the foetus,” she added.

    The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Sunday held a high-level review meeting after India reported the fourth confirmed case of Monkeypox.

    NEW DELHI: Dr Poonam Khetrapal, Regional Director of the World Health Organization South-East Asia Region on Monday said that the world is witnessing an unexpected emergence of Monkeypox.

    When asked about the reason behind Monkeypox gaining attention at present, Poonam Khetrapal said, “Cases of Monkeypox are being reported from multiple countries. Many of them have not seen cases of Monkeypox before. The unexpected appearance of this disease globally and in a wide geographic area indicates that the disease may have been circulating below the detection of the surveillance systems. It is possible that sustained human-to-human transmission through close contact – direct or indirect – remained undetected for a period of time.”

    “The risk of monkeypox globally and the WHO South-East Asia Region has assessed it as moderate considering this is the first time that Monkeypox cases and clusters are reported concurrently in many countries in widely disparate WHO geographical areas, balanced against the fact that mortality has remained low in the current outbreak.”

    “Genomic studies have revealed that the monkeypox virus seems to have changed over recent years. More studies are needed to understand the virus’s evolution. WHO is regularly reviewing available data with its laboratory and other expert groups,” she added.

    Speaking on what measures India should take for the prevention and control of Monkeypox, she said, “In the current Monkeypox outbreak, transmission apparently occurred primarily through close physical contact, including sexual contact. Transmission can also occur from contaminated materials such as linens, bedding, electronics, and clothing, that have infectious skin particles. There are still many unknowns about the virus.”

    “Since the start of the outbreak, WHO has been supporting countries to assess risk, and initiating public health measures, while also building and facilitating testing capacities in the region. Engaging and protecting the affected communities; intensifying surveillance and public health measures; strengthening clinical management and infection prevention and control in hospitals and clinics; and accelerating research into the use of vaccines, therapeutics and other tools, are among the key response measures. We need to stay alert and be prepared to roll out an intense response to curtail the spread of Monkeypox. And while doing this, our efforts and measures should be sensitive, and devoid of stigma and discrimination,” she added.

    When asked about the risk of transmission in South East Asian countries, Dr Khetrapal said, “The region has been on alert for Monkeypox since the reporting of an increase in cases globally. Countries have been taking measures to rapidly detect and take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of monkeypox. WHO has been supporting the member countries in the Region to assess the risk for monkeypox and strengthening their capacities to prepare and respond to the evolving multi-country outbreak. We have been sharing guidance for raising awareness; surveillance, case investigation and contact tracing; laboratory diagnostics and testing; clinical management and infection prevention and control and community engagement.”

    Speaking on the preparedness to deal with Monkeypox, Dr Poonam Khetrapal said,The region has been on alert for Monkeypox since the reporting of an increase in cases globally. Countries have been taking measures to rapidly detect and take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of monkeypox. WHO has been supporting the member countries in the Region to assess the risk for monkeypox and strengthening their capacities to prepare and respond to the evolving multi-country outbreak. We have been sharing guidance for raising awareness; surveillance, case investigation and contact tracing; laboratory diagnostics and testing; clinical management and infection prevention and control and community engagement.”

    “In view of the limited testing capacities in the region for monkeypox, WHO has coordinated with four laboratories to serve as referrals – National Institute of Virology, India; Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Australia; National Institute of Health, Department of Medical Sciences, Thailand; and Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. WHO is also supporting countries in the region build testing capacities with technical assistance as well as procurement of required provisions that are high in demand and low in supplies globally. Orienting clinicians in both public and private sectors to identify, isolate, report and treat cases of monkeypox, are among the key priority measures,” she added.

    “Monkeypox requires collective attention and coordinated action to stop its further spread. In addition to using public health measures and ensuring health tools are available to at-risk populations and shared fairly, it is important to work with communities to ensure that people who are most at risk, have the information and support they need to protect themselves”

    According to the Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region, newborns, children and people with underlying immune deficiencies may be at risk of more serious symptoms and death from monkeypox.

    “Health workers are also at higher risk due to longer virus exposure. There are no sufficient data regarding monkeypox infection during pregnancy, although limited data suggest that it may lead to adverse outcomes for the foetus,” she added.

    The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Sunday held a high-level review meeting after India reported the fourth confirmed case of Monkeypox.

  • ‘Strengthen surveillance, public health measures for monkeypox’: WHO official

    In the WHO South-East Asia Region, four cases of monkeypox have been reported, three from India and one from Thailand.

  • ‘Scale up routine immunisation services along with Covid-19 vaccination’: WHO to South-East Asia

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday called for more significant steps in the South-East Asia Region to revive regular immunisation rates to pre-Covid times, stressing that despite concerted efforts by countries, challenges and gaps persist. 

    Highlighting India’s routine immunisation coverage, the world health body said that decline was witnessed in 2020. However, it added that in 2021, India provided close to 2 billion doses of Covid-19 and other childhood vaccines taken together, over five times more vaccines administered in the country during the year than in 2020. 

    Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia, commended the region for administering a billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines to date since January 2021, when the first dose of vaccine was issued in the region.

    “As we focus on further scaling up Covid-19 vaccination coverage, we must also do all we can to ensure no child is deprived of life-saving vaccines offered under routine immunisation services,” she added.

    Many counties have demonstrated that routine immunisation can be maintained or scaled up along with Covid-19 vaccination, she said.

    “This speaks for a very committed health workforce which has to manage considerable challenges.”

    Though India saw a decline in routine immunisation in 2020, it picked up subsequently.

    In India, periodic intensification of routine immunisation is carried out through ‘Mission Indradhanush’. WHO has supported detailed mapping and categorisation of low coverage areas in states, guiding short and medium-term plans to improve coverage in all such places, the statement added. Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand maintained high vaccination rates of over 95 per cent DTP3 coverage throughout the Covid -19 pandemic.

    Bhutan witnessed a slight decline in 2020 but surpassed its pre-pandemic coverage of 97 per cent to 98 per cent DTP3 in 2021, a statement said.

    Globally, DTP3 (third dose of vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) in one-year-old children is a proxy indicator for immunisation coverage, it said.

    Nepal substantially revived routine immunisation coverage for DTP3 from 84 per cent in 2020 to 91 per cent in 2021. These six countries have also achieved high COVID-19 vaccination coverage, it said.

    All countries in the South-East Asia Region focused on routine immunisation while prioritising essential services during the pandemic and concerted efforts continue to be made to scale-up vaccination coverage, focusing on identifying and vaccinating ‘missed children’, the world health body said.

    Efforts for measles and rubella elimination, a flagship priority in the Region, continued during the pandemic. Nepal substantially increased the coverage for the second dose of measles and rubella vaccine from 76 per cent in 2019 to 87 per cent in 2021. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka maintained their respective coverage rates throughout the pandemic, the statement said.

    To revitalise routine immunisation coverage following the Covid-19 pandemic, WHO convened a South-East Asia Regional Working Group on Immunization in March this year, focusing on programme intensification, it said.

    Strengthening catch-up campaigns, tracking unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children, combining COVID-19 vaccination with routine immunisation, training health workers and addressing concerns of communities were stressed, the statement said.

    “WHO is aware of the efforts and supports the Member States to improve routine immunisation coverage. With stepped-up efforts in recent months, we hoped to see a quick scale-up of DTP3 coverage to the pre-pandemic level of 91 per cent in 2019 from 82 per cent in 2021 and second dose measles and rubella vaccine coverage to beyond 83 per cent in 2019 from 78 per cent in 2021,” Dr Khetrapal said.

    NEW DELHI: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday called for more significant steps in the South-East Asia Region to revive regular immunisation rates to pre-Covid times, stressing that despite concerted efforts by countries, challenges and gaps persist. 

    Highlighting India’s routine immunisation coverage, the world health body said that decline was witnessed in 2020. However, it added that in 2021, India provided close to 2 billion doses of Covid-19 and other childhood vaccines taken together, over five times more vaccines administered in the country during the year than in 2020. 

    Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia, commended the region for administering a billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines to date since January 2021, when the first dose of vaccine was issued in the region.

    “As we focus on further scaling up Covid-19 vaccination coverage, we must also do all we can to ensure no child is deprived of life-saving vaccines offered under routine immunisation services,” she added.

    Many counties have demonstrated that routine immunisation can be maintained or scaled up along with Covid-19 vaccination, she said.

    “This speaks for a very committed health workforce which has to manage considerable challenges.”

    Though India saw a decline in routine immunisation in 2020, it picked up subsequently.

    In India, periodic intensification of routine immunisation is carried out through ‘Mission Indradhanush’. WHO has supported detailed mapping and categorisation of low coverage areas in states, guiding short and medium-term plans to improve coverage in all such places, the statement added. Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand maintained high vaccination rates of over 95 per cent DTP3 coverage throughout the Covid -19 pandemic.

    Bhutan witnessed a slight decline in 2020 but surpassed its pre-pandemic coverage of 97 per cent to 98 per cent DTP3 in 2021, a statement said.

    Globally, DTP3 (third dose of vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) in one-year-old children is a proxy indicator for immunisation coverage, it said.

    Nepal substantially revived routine immunisation coverage for DTP3 from 84 per cent in 2020 to 91 per cent in 2021. These six countries have also achieved high COVID-19 vaccination coverage, it said.

    All countries in the South-East Asia Region focused on routine immunisation while prioritising essential services during the pandemic and concerted efforts continue to be made to scale-up vaccination coverage, focusing on identifying and vaccinating ‘missed children’, the world health body said.

    Efforts for measles and rubella elimination, a flagship priority in the Region, continued during the pandemic. Nepal substantially increased the coverage for the second dose of measles and rubella vaccine from 76 per cent in 2019 to 87 per cent in 2021. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka maintained their respective coverage rates throughout the pandemic, the statement said.

    To revitalise routine immunisation coverage following the Covid-19 pandemic, WHO convened a South-East Asia Regional Working Group on Immunization in March this year, focusing on programme intensification, it said.

    Strengthening catch-up campaigns, tracking unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children, combining COVID-19 vaccination with routine immunisation, training health workers and addressing concerns of communities were stressed, the statement said.

    “WHO is aware of the efforts and supports the Member States to improve routine immunisation coverage. With stepped-up efforts in recent months, we hoped to see a quick scale-up of DTP3 coverage to the pre-pandemic level of 91 per cent in 2019 from 82 per cent in 2021 and second dose measles and rubella vaccine coverage to beyond 83 per cent in 2019 from 78 per cent in 2021,” Dr Khetrapal said.

  • ICMR to map dating apps, internet soliciting to align AIDS campaign with changing sexual behaviour

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Aids Research Institute (NARI) are assessing a shift in society’s sexual behaviour because of dating apps and soliciting on the internet to find reasons for the plateauing of decline in HIV cases.

    The HIV cases have been sliding because of a robust anti-AIDS campaign, but the last five years saw a pause in the contraction. The changing sexual habits because of the massive increase in virtual interactions could be one of the reasons.

    The ICMR, NARI and World Health Organisation (WHO) now have developed guidelines for mapping, size estimation and risk behaviour surveys among key population groups in virtual space.

    The document notes that the traditional ways of soliciting through brothels have been taken over by interactions on Whatsapp groups and dating apps. The guideline document says the virtual space brings extra benefits of anonymity and widespread accessibility.

    The guideline document said that Female Sex Workers (FSWs) in some cities in India now predominantly use mobile phones to establish a network for solicitation of sex. Men having Sex with Men (MSM) use dating apps.

    The dating apps will be identified for the mapping exercise as they have both local and global presence, and an estimation of active users will be made. It also involves obtaining a list of active users from the service providers or virtual mapping of active users.

    The survey findings will help devise a strategy for the anti-HIV campaign that has focused on conventional practices till now. Apart from the dating apps, the Whatsapp groups are also being mapped.

    A study by the Delhi State AIDS Control Society (DSACS) found that pimps acted as operators who controlled phone-based sex networks. According to a DSACS estimate, there are 2500 operators, each having 30-40 sex workers. That means around 75000 to 125000 female sex workers in Delhi operate through mobile-based networks.