Antenatal hydronephrosis is a kidney condition affecting unborn babies that causes kidney swelling due to urine buildup. Medical experts emphasize that early detection through routine ultrasound scans can help manage the condition effectively. Most infants with this condition can grow up healthy with proper medical follow-up and care. Specialized tests and occasional interventions can help prevent potential complications like urinary tract infections or kidney damage.
April 09, 2025
Early detection, proper management key for babies born with kidney defect: Experts
"With appropriate
follow-up and care, the majority of infants with antenatal hydronephrosis grow
up healthy" - Dr Prabudh Goel, AIIMS-Delhi
Early detection and proper
management is crucial for babies born with a birth defect called antenatal
hydronephrosis -- a condition where kidneys get swollen due to water
accumulation while in the womb --, said experts emphasising the need for
raising awareness.
Key Points
1 Occurs in 1-2 per 100 pregnancies
2 Can be detected through routine ultrasound scans
3 Most cases are manageable with proper care
4 Surgical intervention rarely required
Antenatal hydronephrosis is a common disease, with one or two cases in
every 100 pregnancies. It occurs when a foetus develops swelling in one or both
kidneys due to urine buildup.
While the initial
discovery may cause worry, doctors believe that this condition is often
manageable with proper monitoring and care.
"With appropriate
follow-up and care, the majority of infants with antenatal hydronephrosis grow
up healthy with normal kidney function," said Dr Prabudh Goel, additional
professor, paediatrics surgery, at AIIMS-Delhi.
The condition is typically
identified during routine ultrasound scans in the second or third trimester of
pregnancy. It occurs due to a partial obstruction in the urinary tract or a
reflux of urine back into the kidneys.
While some cases resolve
naturally before or after birth, others may require medical intervention to
prevent complications such as urinary tract infections or kidney damage.
Dr Shandip Kumar Sinha,
the director of paediatric surgery from a city-based hospital said the rising
number of antenatal scans are increasingly detecting instances of antenatal
hydronephrosis.
"If antenatal
hydronephrosis is detected and proper medical intervention is made in the first
five to six months of birth, the kidneys can heal completely," Sinha said.
"Early detection
allows us to closely monitor the condition and take necessary steps to ensure
the baby's health and kidney function," he added.
In mild cases, antenatal
hydronephrosis often resolves on its own without requiring treatment. For
moderate to severe cases, one may need to get additional tests such as
ultrasound, voiding cystourethrograms, or nuclear medicine scans, of the baby
done after birth to determine the severity of obstruction or reflux.
In rare instances,
surgical intervention may be required to correct underlying issues.
"By raising awareness about this condition, we hope to reassure
families that early detection and proper management can lead to positive
outcomes," Goel said.
Here is why Lizzo uses weight release instead of weight loss to describe her body transformation
Grammy-winning artist Lizzo is revolutionizing conversations about body transformation by consciously choosing the term "weight release" over traditional "weight loss" language. Her approach emphasizes gaining personal empowerment, self-awareness, and a holistic perspective on wellness. By speaking candidly about her fitness journey, Lizzo aims to inspire younger generations to view physical changes through a positive, nurturing lens. Her intentional communication underscores a deeper message of self-love and personal growth beyond physical appearance.
"I don't want to use
any negative terms" - Lizzo
Rapper and singer Lizzo
never shies away from talking about her body transformation and health journey.
She recently said that she never refers to her physical changes as "weight
loss" but instead as "weight release."
Key Points
1 Lizzo emphasizes gaining self-awareness through fitness journey
2 Reframes weight transformation as personal empowerment
3 Focuses on positive language for body positivity
4 Highlights intentional communication for younger audiences
"The weight that is
no longer on me is not just fat or physical," she said in a podcast,
adding, "I released so much to get to this point and I think people can
see that and I don't want to describe anything as loss," reported E!
Online.
She added, "I'm not
experiencing any loss. I've actually gained so much."
She revealed the benefits
of shedding the pounds.
"I've gained a sense
of self," she said on Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast. "I've gained a
lifestyle that I actually really love, and I'm like, 'I can maintain this.'
I've gained new perspective on nutrition and the science behind cardio and
weight lifting," reported E! Online.
However, although Lizzo
emphasises how renewed she feels by her fitness journey, she also said that
many people may not understand the terminology she uses.
"People aren't going
to understand this right now, but it's the most body-positive way to experience
what I'm going through," she added. "I don't want to use any negative
terms."
"I want to be very
intentional with the words that come out of my mouth," she said.
"There's young people who are watching me and they're experiencing what
I'm putting into the world and they're applying it to their own experience and
their own life just like I did when I was a kid," she added, reported E!
Online.
US researchers develop simple blood test to predict preeclampsia during pregnancy
A groundbreaking blood test developed by US researchers offers hope for early preeclampsia detection during pregnancy. The innovative test uses RNA signatures to predict the risk of this serious pregnancy complication with remarkable 91% accuracy. Designed to identify potential issues months before symptoms emerge, the test is particularly valuable for women over 35 and those with low-risk pregnancies. This research, published in Nature Communications, represents a significant advancement in maternal healthcare and potential preventive strategies.
"By the time a patient is symptomatic, it's a race against the clock" - Dr. Kara Rood, Ohio State University
A team of US researchers
has developed a simple blood test that can predict preeclampsia -- a serious
pregnancy complication characterised by high blood pressure.
Key Points
1 Revolutionary blood test identifies preeclampsia risk months before
symptoms
2 Effective for women over 35 with low-risk pregnancies
3 99.7% accuracy in predicting preterm complications
4 Uses advanced RNA signature screening
Preeclampsia, which occurs usually after 20 weeks of gestation, is a
leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality as well as preterm birth.
Despite the use of general
maternal characteristics to identify pregnant women at increased risk for
preeclampsia, rates of the disease have nearly doubled in the last decade.
The new blood test, which
uses RNA signatures, showed that it can identify the risk of preeclampsia in 91
per cent of pregnancies.
"By the time a
patient is symptomatic, it's a race against the clock to try to get the baby to
term and not risk the mother's health," said Dr. Kara Rood, a
maternal-foetal medicine physician, one of the principal investigators of the
study at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centre.
The new test could
identify the risk, months ahead of symptoms, in women aged over 35 and without
pre-existing high-risk conditions.
It could predict
preeclampsia early, at 17.5 to 22 weeks gestational age, in pregnancies without
any pre-existing high-risk conditions.
Those with a low-risk
result have a 99.7 per cent probability of not developing preterm preeclampsia.
"Current guidelines
are not helping us identify which patients are truly at high risk and we need
better tools. This preeclampsia risk prediction test can now improve risk
assessment, helping women and their care teams be informed and take actions
with the potential to delay the onset of or prevent the disease," Rood
added.
The study, published in
the journal Nature Communications, demonstrates that relying on molecular
signals from the underlying biology is far more effective in determining whether
the risk of preeclampsia is high or low.
To develop the blood test,
the team used data from more than 9,000 pregnancies within the multi-centre
prospective study to discover and validate RNA signatures capable of
distinguishing between severe and mild hypertensive disorders of pregnancy,
including preeclampsia, months before symptoms occur.
Eating only during daytime may prevent heart problems due to night shift: Study
A groundbreaking study from Mass General Brigham and the University of Southampton reveals critical insights into night shift workers' cardiovascular health. Researchers discovered that eating only during daytime could potentially prevent heart-related risks associated with night work. The study meticulously controlled environmental factors to isolate the impact of food timing on heart health markers. While more research is needed, the findings suggest a simple dietary adjustment might significantly improve health outcomes for shift workers.
"Our study controlled
for every factor that you could imagine" - Sarah Chellappa, Lead
Researcher
While shift work is a
known risk factor for cardiovascular events, a new study on Tuesday showed that
eating only during the daytime may prevent the risks.
Key Points
1 Night work increases cardiovascular risk factors
2 Daytime eating may mitigate health risks
3 Controlled study reveals food timing impact
4 Research shows potential heart health strategy
Sleep timing has been a
major area of focus, but researchers from Mass General Brigham, US, and the
University of Southampton, UK, stated that food timing could be a bigger risk
factor when it comes to cardiovascular health.
Previous studies have
shown that working the night shift is associated with serious health risks,
including to the heart, due to circadian misalignment -- the mistiming of our
behavioural cycle relative to our internal body clock.
The researchers found that
cardiovascular risk factors including autonomic nervous system markers,
plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (which increases the risk of blood clots),
and blood pressure increased after night work.
However, the risk factors
stayed the same in the participants who only ate during the daytime.
“Avoiding or limiting
eating during nighttime hours may benefit night workers, those who experience
insomnia or sleep-wake disorders, individuals with variable sleep/wake cycles,
and people who travel frequently across time zones,” said the team, in the
paper, published in the journal Nature Communications.
The study included 20
healthy young participants. For two weeks they had no access to windows,
watches, or electronics that would clue their body clocks into the time.
The participants followed
a "constant routine protocol," a controlled laboratory setup that can
tease apart the effects of circadian rhythms from those of the environment and
behaviours (for example, sleep/wake, light/dark patterns).
During this protocol, the
participants stayed awake for 32 hours in a dimly lit environment, maintaining
constant body posture and eating identical snacks every hour.
After that, they
participated in simulated night work and were assigned to either eat during the
nighttime (as most night workers do) or only during the daytime.
Importantly, both groups
had an identical schedule of naps, and, thus, any differences between the
groups were not due to differences in sleep schedule.
"Our study controlled
for every factor that you could imagine that could affect the results, so we
can say that it's the food timing effect that is driving these changes in the
cardiovascular risk factors," said lead author Sarah Chellappa, an
associate professor at the University of Southampton.
While further research is
necessary to show the long-term health effects of daytime versus nighttime
eating, the team said the results are "promising" and suggest that
people could improve their health by adjusting food timing.
Maternal diabetes may raise babies' risk of autism, ADHD: Lancet
A groundbreaking study published in The Lancet has uncovered significant connections between maternal diabetes and increased risks of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Researchers analyzed over 56 million pregnancy records, revealing that diabetes during pregnancy can potentially impact a child's neurological development. The study found links to conditions like autism, ADHD, and various developmental disorders, with pre-gestational diabetes showing the strongest associations. These findings underscore the critical importance of proactive diabetes management and comprehensive monitoring for pregnant women.
"Maternal diabetes is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders" - Lancet Research Team
A large study of 56·1
million pregnancies, published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology on
Tuesday, has reinforced the link between maternal diabetes and the risk of
neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD).
Key Points
1 Large-scale study of 56 million pregnancies reveals critical health
connections
2 Pre-gestational diabetes shows stronger neurodevelopmental disorder
links
3 Global diabetes prevalence steadily increasing worldwide
Researchers from the
Central South University in China conducted a systematic review and
meta-analysis of 202 studies, involving 56,082,462 mother-child pairs.
The results showed that
maternal diabetes was associated with increased risks of all types of
neurodevelopmental disorders as well as lower intelligence and psychomotor
scores.
Children exposed to
maternal diabetes had an increased risk of any neurodevelopmental disorder
including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disability, specific
developmental disorders, communication disorder, motor disorder, and learning
disorder, compared with unexposed children.
"Maternal diabetes is
associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and impaired
neurodevelopmental performance in children," said the researchers.
Maternal diabetes which
includes both pre-gestational diabetes (also known as preexisting diabetes) and
gestational diabetes -- high blood sugar during pregnancy -- has become
increasingly prevalent, affecting millions of pregnancies worldwide.
The global prevalences of
pre-gestational diabetes and gestational diabetes have also steadily increased
over the past four decades, with pre-gestational diabetes affecting about 2·4
per cent and gestational diabetes affecting 27·6 per cent of pregnancies
worldwide.
Obesity and metabolic
syndrome -- a cluster of conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, excess
abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels -- are known to be the major
drivers.
Besides negative impacts
such as caesarean section, macrosomia (excessive birth weight), and neonatal
jaundice, affecting both mothers and neonates, previous studies have shown
maternal diabetes might alter foetal brain development.
Notably, pre-gestational
diabetes was more strongly associated with the risk of most neurodevelopmental
disorders in children than gestational diabetes.
The findings also
emphasise "the importance of proactive interventions for women at risk of
developing diabetes and continuous monitoring of children with a history of
in-utero exposure to maternal diabetes", the researchers added.
Covid-induced immunity-debt behind global rise in flu cases: Study
A groundbreaking study from Oxford University has unveiled the scientific mechanism behind the global flu surge following Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Researchers discovered that extended lockdowns and social distancing dramatically reduced population exposure to influenza, creating what they term "immunity debt". As restrictions lifted, countries experienced significant flu case increases, with some regions seeing over 130% more infections compared to pre-pandemic levels. The study highlights the complex interplay between public health measures and long-term infectious disease patterns.
"By limiting flu exposure, we've built up a more vulnerable population" - Daniel Prieto-Alhambra, Oxford University.
A team of UK researchers
has found evidence on how "immunity debt," caused by extended periods
of restrictions during Covid-19 pandemic, is causing changes in global
transmission patterns of flu.
Key Points
1 Flu cases dropped 46% during Covid restrictions
2 Post-pandemic flu surge reached 132% above pre-pandemic levels
3 Stricter lockdowns correlated with larger flu rebounds
"Immunity debt"
is a phenomenon where populations become more susceptible to infections after
extended periods of reduced exposure. While the hypothesis was widely accepted,
until now there has been little evidence to back up the theory.
The Covid pandemic led
many countries around the world to implement strict public health measures like
lockdowns, social distancing, mask-wearing, and travel restrictions.
While these steps were
crucial and effective in controlling the spread of Covid, they led to a
dramatic drop in cases of other illnesses like influenza (flu) and respiratory
viruses.
However, post-Covid
countries worldwide have seen a dramatic surge in cases of flu.
The researchers warned
that this "immunity debt" could lead to major flu outbreaks in the
years following a pandemic, as populations regain susceptibility to other
viruses.
"Our findings provide
evidence for the 'immunity debt' hypothesis," said senior author Daniel
Prieto-Alhambra, Professor of Pharmaco- and Device Epidemiology at NDORMS,
University of Oxford.
"By limiting flu
exposure over the past few years, we've built up a more vulnerable population
that is now seeing a major rebound in infections. Fortunately, strategies are
available to minimize the impact of these on vulnerable populations, and (flu)
vaccination should be encouraged among them," he added.
The study, published in
Advanced Science, analysed global flu data from 116 countries between 2012 and
2024.
They found that during the
Covid restriction periods, flu cases dropped by an average of 46 per cent
worldwide. However, in 2022, the first winter season after restrictions were
lifted, flu cases surged by an average of 132 per cent above pre-pandemic
levels.
Notably, the team found
that the degree of immunity debt was linked to how stringent a country's
Covid-19 restrictions had been during the pandemic.
Countries with severe
lockdowns and social distancing measures tended to see the largest flu
resurgences later on.
The researchers urged
public health authorities to factor in the risk of immunity debt in planning
for future pandemic response strategies.
Study finds 1 in 3,000 people at risk of punctured lung from faulty gene
A groundbreaking University of Cambridge study has discovered a rare genetic mutation that significantly increases the risk of lung punctures. Researchers found that approximately one in 3,000 people carry a variant of the FLCN gene associated with Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. The study reveals a 37% lifetime risk of lung punctures for diagnosed patients and potential kidney cancer implications. Early detection and annual screening could be crucial for managing this genetic condition.
"There's clearly
something else going on" - Professor Marciniak, University of Cambridge
Study finds 1 in 3,000
people at risk of punctured lung from faulty gene
UK researchers have found
that one in 3,000 people could be carrying a defective gene that significantly
raises their risk of having a punctured lung.
Key Points
1 Rare FLCN gene variant raises punctured lung risk
2 37% lifetime lung puncture risk in Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome
3 Genetic mutation linked to potential kidney cancer screening
Punctured lung -- known as
pneumothorax -- is caused by an air leak in the lung, resulting in painful lung
deflation and shortness of breath.
In a study, encompassing
more than 550,000 people, researchers from the University of Cambridge
discovered that between one in 2,710 and one in 4,190 individuals carry a particular
variant of gene FLCN that raises the risk of Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome.
Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome is
a rare, inherited disorder characterised by benign skin tumours, lung cysts,
and an increased risk of kidney cancer. However, not every case of punctured
lung is caused by a fault in the FLCN gene.
The study, published in
the journal Thorax, showed that patients with a diagnosis of Birt-Hogg-Dube
syndrome showed a lifetime risk of punctured lung of 37 per cent. However, in
the wider cohort of carriers of the genetic mutation in FLCN gene, this was
lower at 28 per cent.
More strikingly, while
patients with Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome have 32 per cent of developing kidney
cancer, in the wider cohort this was only 1 per cent.
Professor Marciniak, a
researcher at the University of Cambridge said he was surprised to discover
that the risk of kidney cancer was so much lower in carriers of the faulty FLCN
gene who have not been diagnosed with Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. This signals
that the faulty FLCN gene may not be alone behind the disorder.
"There's clearly
something else going on," he added.
The study showed that
about one in 200 tall, thin young men in their teenage or early twenties will
experience a punctured lung. For many, the condition will resolve itself, or
doctors will remove air or fluid from their lungs while treating the individual
as an outpatient.
If an individual
experiences a punctured lung and doesn't fit the common characteristics -- for
example, if they are in their forties -- doctors will look for tell-tale cysts
in the lower lungs, visible on an MRI scan. If these are present, then the
individual is likely to have Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, the researchers
explained.
"If an individual has
Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, then it's very important that we're able to diagnose
it, because they and their family members may also be at risk of kidney
cancer," Professor Marciniak said.
"The good news is
that the punctured lung usually happens 10 to 20 years before the individual
shows symptoms of kidney cancer, so we can keep an eye on them, screen them
every year, and if we see the tumour it should still be early enough to cure
it," he noted.
Non-communicable disease is silent tsunami, which is silently living among us: Sangita Reddy, Joint MD, Apollo
India is facing a hidden health crisis that most citizens are unaware of, according to Apollo Hospitals' latest report. Millions are living with undiagnosed chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes without showing symptoms. The alarming data reveals a significant shift in healthcare awareness, with preventive health checks increasing dramatically in recent years. Experts like Sangita Reddy are calling for a proactive approach to detect and manage these silent health threats before they become critical.
"Non-communicable
disease is a silent tsunami, almost like a COVID-type situation" - Sangita
Reddy, Apollo Hospitals
By Shalini Bhardwaj, New
Delhi, April 8: Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals, said
that non-communicable disease is a silent tsunami and stressed that it should,
therefore, be treated almost like a war situation.
Key Points
1 Preventive health checks surge 150% in five years
2 26% asymptomatic Indians have hypertension
3 Diabetes in women rises from 14% to 40%
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Sangita Reddy said, "We believe
that the non-communicable disease is a silent tsunami, almost like a COVID-type
situation, which is silently living among us."
She further explained the
key findings of the Apollo Hospitals Health of the Nation 2025 report: "70
per cent of deaths are due to non-communicable disease, and therefore it should
be treated almost like on a war footing. One of the important statistics which
came out is that an asymptomatic that means with no symptoms, nothing they had
yet when we did a routines screening for blood pressure of 4.5 lakh people
where we thought were in the risk category, that means that over the age of 40,
they are, you know, none of them were morbidly obese, but just routine Indians,
26 per cent of them had hypertension. So this is a very, very significant
number."
"Long-term
hypertension can lead to strokes and various other disorders, including kidney
disorders. So it's very important for people to become aware, to do their
screenings. This type of data went on, and that's the reason we do the health
of the nation report on Women's Health. There's a rise in diabetes. Over the
last four years, we've seen a rise in diabetes in women from 14% to 40% in
women who become, you know, post-menopausal, after menopause, fatty liver,
which you never thought 54% women, you know, would get fatty liver earlier. Now
it's become 70%, but going deeper into fatty liver for both men and women, here
we screened also over 2.5 lakh people who were in the vulnerable category, and
we found that 65% had fatty liver. But the other important aspect is that 85%
of these were non-alcoholic fatty liver," She explained about the rise of
diabetes in women and fatty liver cases even in non-alcoholic
Today, Apollo Hospitals
launched the fifth edition of the Health of the Nation 2025 (HoN-2025) report
with a clear message: "Don't wait for symptoms--make preventive health
your priority."
Based on health screenings
from over 2.5 million individuals across the Apollo ecosystem in India, the
report reveals a silent epidemic--millions are living with undiagnosed chronic
conditions despite showing no visible symptoms. Notably, 26% were found to be hypertensive
and 23% diabetic despite being asymptomatic, underlining that a symptom-led
healthcare model is no longer viable.
Preventive health checks
have grown exponentially, as recorded by Apollo Hospitals, rising from 1
million in 2019 to over 2.5 million in 2024 -- a 150% increase in just five
years. This reflects a growing shift in public awareness and proactive
engagement with preventive healthcare.
"The insights in HoN
2025 are drawn from de-identified electronic medical records (EMRs of
preventive health checks), structured clinical evaluations, and AI-driven risk
stratification across Apollo's hospitals, clinics, diagnostics labs, and
wellness centers," States Hospital.
"The report zeroes in
on three urgent health challenges: fatty liver disease, post-menopausal health
decline, and childhood obesity, emphasizing the need for early personalized
interventions and lifestyle-based care models." It said.
Deadly Mpox Clade 1b Detected In England: Highly Virulent Monkeypox Strain Raising Fears Of Silent Spread In UK
Mpox Clade 1b: Deadly Variant Detected in England with No Travel Link Is the Virus Spreading Undetected in the UK? Symptoms, Causes, and Latest Update
United Kingdom (UK): In a concerning development, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed another case of the highly infectious and lethal MPox variant Clade Ib. According to the reports, this is the sixth case of the virus confirmed in the recent past.
"What makes this case a
unique one is that the individual who got infected with the virus strain has no
recent travel history to Africa and no known contact with anyone previously
diagnosed with mpox. This has raised serious questions about the possibility of
whether the virus is following a silent path to spread across UK...," an
official quoted as saying.
Since October last year, the country has seen a sharp rise in infections linked to this highly transmissible strain, mostly in individuals who had recently travelled from Africa or had close contact with infected persons. However, the latest case is different it involves someone with no travel history or known exposure, raising concerns about undetected spread within the community.
Answering questions about
any possibility that the infected person has already spread the strain to
others, the UK Health Agency said, "The case was diagnosed in March and
all contacts have been followed up and no further cases were identified."
What Is Mpox and Why Is Clade 1b So Dangerous?
As there are rising fears among
UK residents about the possible silent community spread of the deadly Mpox
variant, let's look at the data that has been shared by the government about
what makes this variant of Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox so rare in nature.
Mpox is a rare viral disease that belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox. Though less severe than smallpox, mpox can cause serious illness and, in some cases, death especially in vulnerable individuals or when associated with more dangerous viral clades.
Currently, experts have
warned that there are two primary known clades of the mpox virus -- Clade I and
Clade II. While Clade II has already caused global outbreaks in 2022-23,
experts say that the nature of this variant is relatively milder in terms of
disease severity and fatality. On the other hand, Clade I is more virulent
and comes with the ability to transmit faster than Clade I. Studies have also
shown that subvariant Clade 1b is deadly in nature since it has a high fatality
rate.
This makes the detection of a
Clade 1b case in someone with no identifiable exposure particularly worrying,
as it suggests the virus may be spreading quietly and more dangerously than
before.
What Are the
Symptoms of Mpox Clade 1b?
Since October 2023, the
United Kingdom has been witnessing a noticeable surge in Mpox infection cases
mainly related to the mpox Clade 1b variant. As experts believe that there are
possibilities that the virus strain is spreading silently across the country,
we have listed the top signs associated with the variant.
While symptoms can vary depending on the clade or the variant and the individual's health status, Here are some of the classic symptoms of mpox:
1. High fever, accompanied by muscle ache, and body pain
2. Severe headache
3. Pinching pain in the back and sides
4. Swollen lymph nodes
5. Chills
6. Extreme tiredness, and fatigue
7. Rash (often begins on the face and spreads to other parts of the body)
In some rare cases
associated with Clade 1b, patients have also shown complications such as
pneumonia, secondary infections, sepsis, and encephalitis (inflammation of the
brain) have been reported more frequently. The disease progression tends to be
faster and more aggressive, making early detection and treatment crucial.
Following the detection of
this case, the UKHSA has launched an urgent contact tracing and risk assessment
campaign. Health officials are trying to determine how the individual got
infected and whether others in the community may also be at risk. The agency is
also urging healthcare professionals to remain vigilant for symptoms of mpox,
particularly in patients presenting with unexplained rashes or flu-like
symptoms. Laboratories have been advised to expedite testing and sequencing of
suspected mpox samples to determine the presence of Clade 1b.
https://www.thehealthsite.com/news/dangerous-mpox-variant-clade-1b-detected-in-england-highly-virulent-monkeypox-virus-may-be-spreading-undetected-in-uk-britain-health-agency-on-alert-1205044/
April 08, 2025
Bird Flu in India: Tigers, leopards, and even pet cats infected by H5N1 virus
As of 4 April, H5N1 has infected wild and domestic non-poultry species in several states, including tigers, leopards, vultures, crows, and cats in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Goa
Synopsis:
The bird flu crisis in India has escalated following a child’s death from H5N1
in Andhra Pradesh and outbreaks across multiple states. The virus is now
infecting non-poultry species, including tigers, leopards, and cats. A
high-level meeting chaired by DAHD Secretary Alka Upadhyaya on 4 April focused
on addressing the growing zoonotic threat and planning urgent containment
measures
After
the recent death of a child from H5N1 in Andhra Pradesh and a series of avian
flu outbreaks reported across multiple states, the bird flu crisis in India has
entered a worrisome new phase.
The
virus, traditionally confined to poultry, is now infecting a range of
non-poultry species—including tigers, leopards, jungle cats, and even pet
cats—signalling an alarming cross-species transmission.
This
concerning spread was a central focus of a high-level meeting held by the
Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) on April 4 in New Delhi,
where officials and experts convened to assess the growing zoonotic threat and
plan urgent containment measures.
Chaired
by DAHD Secretary Alka Upadhyaya, the meeting brought together top scientific
experts, representatives from the poultry industry, and policymakers to review the
nationwide outbreak and chart out containment measures.
The
urgency was underscored by the virus’ unusual cross-species jump, which experts
warn could have broader public health implications.
Non-poultry species infected
As of
April 4, confirmed H5N1 cases have been reported in wild and domestic
non-poultry species across several states. In Maharashtra, infections have been
detected in tigers, leopards, vultures, crows, hawks, and egrets.
Madhya
Pradesh reported a pet cat testing positive, while Rajasthan saw infections
among demoiselle cranes and painted storks. Bihar and Goa have also recorded
cases in crows and jungle cats, respectively.
This
unprecedented wildlife involvement signals a serious biosecurity lapse and
raises concerns about the virus mutating or spilling over into humans.
States and epicentres affected
So far,
eight states—Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Bihar—have reported outbreaks among poultry,
with 34 epicentres identified and six still active.
The
current hotspots include districts in Jharkhand (Bokaro, Pakur), Telangana
(Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri), and Chhattisgarh (Baikunthpur,
Korea).
Additionally,
the Andhra Pradesh government declared districts including West Godavari, East
Godavari, Kurnool, Eluru, NTR, and Kakinada as infected or surveillance zones,
prohibiting the movement of poultry within a 10 km radius of the affected
areas.
Government’s
three-pronged action plan
To
counter the outbreak, DAHD has announced a comprehensive three-pronged
strategy:
1. Stricter Biosecurity Measures: Poultry farms must implement enhanced hygiene, restrict farm access, and follow strict protocols.
2. Mandatory Registration and Surveillance: All poultry farms are now required to register
with state animal husbandry departments within a month to improve traceability
and response.
3. Early Warning and Predictive Modelling: Plans are underway to develop systems for environmental surveillance and predictive modelling for early detection.
Secretary
Upadhyaya highlighted the importance of safeguarding the poultry sector, which
is crucial for food security and rural livelihoods.”Protecting our poultry
sector is critical for food security and rural livelihoods. Strict biosecurity,
scientific surveillance, and responsible industry practices are essential in
our fight against Bird Flu,” she stated.
Vaccine strategy and scientific debate
In a
significant development, DAHD has approved the use of the H9N2 low pathogenic
avian influenza (LPAI) vaccine developed by ICAR-NIHSAD, now available
commercially. A national evaluation of its effectiveness has been initiated.
However,
the possibility of introducing a vaccine for highly pathogenic avian influenza
(HPAI) remains under review. While poultry industry stakeholders are advocating
for vaccination to prevent further economic damage, experts cautioned that
current HPAI vaccines do not provide sterile immunity and only reduce viral
shedding. The meeting recommended further scientific evaluations and also
announced efforts to develop an indigenous HPAI vaccine.
India
continues to follow a “test and cull” approach, with rapid culling, movement
restrictions, and area disinfection within a 1 km radius of outbreaks.
Surveillance has been intensified, particularly during the winter migratory
bird season, with testing extended to non-poultry species.
Sequencing
data of H5N1 isolates is being shared with global networks to aid in international
monitoring and preparedness. Central teams and the National Joint Outbreak
Response Team are working closely with state authorities and wildlife
departments to coordinate responses.
https://thesouthfirst.com/health/bird-flu-in-india-tigers-leopards-and-even-pet-cats-infected-by-h5n1-virus/
Katie Thurston talks about her cancer journey, says the worst feeling I've ever felt
Katie Thurston, known from her Bachelorette days, has courageously shared her breast cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment journey. Initially discovering a lump last summer, she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in February, which has since progressed to stage 4 with liver involvement. Despite the challenging diagnosis, Thurston remains remarkably optimistic about her treatment and has been transparent about her experience. Her openness provides a powerful narrative of resilience and hope for others facing similar health battles.
"You're on survival mode. You show up or you
die" - Katie Thurston
Reality TV personality and former 'Bachelorette'
star Katie Thurston talked about her Cancer, sharing her emotional and
harrowing experience with the diagnosis and ongoing treatment.
Key Points
1 Reality
star diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in February
2
Discovered liver spots, progressing to stage 4 diagnosis
3
Maintaining optimistic perspective despite health challenges
4 Documenting personal cancer
journey openly on social media
Notably, earlier in March, Katie announced that
spots had been detected on her liver, meaning that her cancer is now stage 4.
In an Instagram Video shared on March 28, she
informed her fans, saying, "I know stage 4 can sound very scary, and it
can be."
Katie celebrated her 34th birthday, but her world
turned upside down when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, according
to E! News.
Less than six weeks after Katie celebrated her 34th
birthday, she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.
It was "the worst feeling I've ever felt,"
she recalled on the show Good Morning America. "You're just devastated.
You're so devastated. It's so shocking. As a 34-year-old woman, you're not
prepared," according to E! News.
Katie recalled that she was initially tensed when
she found a lump in her breast last summer. She thought it might be related to
her period, soreness from working out, or from a benign cyst in her breast she
had removed when she was 20.
But when the lump didn't go away months later, the
reality star decided to get it checked out.
After the ultrasound, mammogram and biopsies taken
for testing, Katie came to know about her illness.
"I think my appointment was February 5,"
she shared in a March 18 Instagram video. "And then by February 13th, I
got the official call that it was indeed breast cancer," as per the
outlet.
She announced the diagnosis on February 15. Katie
kept sharing updates about her journey, treatment, experience with embryo
freezing and search for answers in her ongoing health battle.
"You're on survival mode," she said,
adding, "You don't have a choice. You show up or you die, and I hate to
say it that way, but every day you have an appointment, every day you have to
show up. You don't have a choice."
Katie later announced that spots had been detected
on her liver, meaning that her cancer is now stage 4.
"I know stage 4 can sound very scary, and it
can be," she said in a March 28 Instagram video. "But given that I am
triple-positive and the spots on my liver are fairly small and detected early,
I feel very optimistic on my outcome," according to E! News.
New antiviral chewing gum may fight infection, curb spread of flu & herpes virus
A groundbreaking research team from the University of Pennsylvania has developed an innovative antiviral chewing gum using lablab bean protein. The gum effectively neutralizes herpes simplex viruses and influenza A strains by reducing viral loads dramatically in experimental models. This novel approach targets oral virus transmission, offering a potential new strategy for preventing viral infections. The research represents a promising development in combating seasonal epidemics and addressing limitations in current vaccination approaches.
"Controlling transmission of viruses continues
to be a major global challenge" - Henry Daniell, Penn's School of Dental
Medicine
A team of US researchers have developed a new
antiviral chewing gum that showed the potential to substantially reduce viral
loads of two herpes simplex viruses and two influenza A strains in experimental
models.
Key Points
1 Lablab
bean gum contains powerful antiviral trap protein (FRIL)
2 Reduces
viral loads by over 95% in experimental models
3 Targets
oral transmission of HSV and influenza
4
Developed as clinically safe FDA-compliant product
Seasonal influenza epidemics occur annually, causing
a substantial global disease burden. The herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), spread
primarily through oral contact, infects over two-thirds of the global
population.
Low vaccination rates for influenza viruses and the
lack of an HSV vaccine underscore the need for a new approach.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania
targetted the oral cavity to fight against these viruses, which are transmitted
more via the mouth than the nose.
In the study, published in the journal Molecular
Therapy, the team tested the ability of chewing gum made from lablab beans.
They tested Lablab purpureus -- which naturally contains an antiviral trap
protein (FRIL) -- to neutralise HSV-1 and HSV-2, and two influenza A strains
H1N1 and H3N2.
The chewing gum formulation allowed for effective
and consistent release of FRIL at sites of viral infection.
They demonstrated that 40 milligrams of a two-gram
bean gum tablet was adequate to reduce viral loads by more than 95 per cent.
Importantly, the researchers prepared the gum as a
clinical-grade drug product to comply with the US FDA specifications for drug
products and found the gum to be safe.
“These observations augur well for evaluating bean
gum in human clinical studies to minimise virus infection/transmission,” said
Henry Daniell, Professor at Penn’s School of Dental Medicine.
The team is now looking to use lablab bean powder to
tackle bird flu -- currently having a significant impact in North America.
“Controlling transmission of viruses continues to be
a major global challenge. A broad-spectrum antiviral protein (FRIL) present in
a natural food product (bean powder) to neutralise not only human flu viruses
but also avian (bird) flu is a timely innovation to prevent their infection and
transmission,” Daniell said.
World Health Day: India makes substantial strides in improving public health
India is making extraordinary strides in public healthcare through innovative digital platforms and targeted health missions. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and eSanjeevani telemedicine service are transforming healthcare accessibility nationwide. Significant reductions in maternal, infant, and disease-specific mortality rates highlight the country's remarkable progress. These achievements position India as a global leader in healthcare innovation and public health transformation.
"India's healthcare
transformation demonstrates unprecedented digital and medical advancement"
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
There are over 1.76 lakh active
Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in India (As of April 5), providing comprehensive
primary health care, the government said on Sunday, adding that over 76 crore
Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) have been created to date.
Key Points
1 Digital
health platforms like ABDM revolutionizing patient care nationwide
2
Telemedicine service eSanjeevani serves 36 crore patients remotely
3
Maternal mortality rates dramatically reduced by 33 points
4 Malaria
cases dropped 69% between 2017-2023
Ahead of
the ‘World Health Day 2025’ on Monday, the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare said it has made substantial strides in improving India's public health
outcomes through various key initiatives and programmes, and the National
Health Mission (NHM) has played a central role in this progress.
The Ayushman Bharat Digital
Mission (ABDM) is a unified digital health ecosystem to securely connect
patients, healthcare providers, and systems through an interoperable digital
infrastructure.
There are over 5.95 lakh verified
healthcare professionals registered under the ABDM scheme, with over 3.86 lakh
verified health facilities. Under ABDM, more than 52 crores health records are
linked.
U-WIN is a digital platform that
streamlines and tracks immunisation for pregnant women and children (0–16
years), enabling flexible, anytime-anywhere vaccine access under the Universal
Immunisation Programme (UIP).
“As of 15th December 2024, 7.90
crore beneficiaries have been registered, 1.32 crore vaccination sessions have
been held, and 29.22 crore administered vaccine doses have been recorded on
U-WIN,” informed the ministry.
eSanjeevani, India’s National
Telemedicine Service, bridges gaps in healthcare access by providing free,
equitable, and remote medical consultations, emerging as the world’s largest
telemedicine platform for primary care.
“As of April 6, 2025,
e-Sanjeevani has served over 36 crore patients through teleconsultations since
its launch in 2020, making healthcare accessible remotely with 232,291
providers onboarded to date,” according to the ministry.
Moreover, MMR (Maternal Mortality
Ratio) in India dropped from 130 (2014-16) to 97 (2018-20) per 1,00,000 live
births – a decline of 33 points.
Over the last 30 years
(1990–2020), MMR declined by 83 per cent in India while global MMR reduced by
42 per cent in the same period.
IMR (Infant Mortality Rate) has
dropped from 39 (2014) to 28 (2020) per 1,000 live births. NMR (Neonatal
Mortality Rate) has educed from 26 (2014) to 20 (2020) per 1,000 live births.
U5MR (Under-5 Mortality Rate) has
also declined from 45 (2014) to 32 (2020) per 1,000 live births, said the
ministry.
In the meantime, the WHO World
Malaria Report 2024 highlighted India’s major strides in malaria elimination,
with a 69 per cent drop in cases and 68 per cent reduction in deaths between
2017 and 2023.
Contributing just 0.8 per cent of
global cases in 2023, India’s exit from WHO's High Burden to High Impact (HBHI)
group in 2024 marks a significant public health achievement.
The government has eliminated
Trachoma as a public health problem in 2024, a feat recognised by the WHO.
According to WHO’s Global TB
Report, India has made strong progress in tuberculosis control. Under the
National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), TB incidence fell by 17.7
per cent, from 237 to 195 cases per lakh population between 2015 and 2023.
TB-related deaths also declined
from 28 to 22 per lakh. Notably, missing TB cases dropped by 83 per cent, from
15 lakh in 2015 to 2.5 lakh in 2023.
The World Health Day, observed
annually on April 7, highlights pressing global health issues and mobilises
action to improve public health outcomes.
World Health Day 2025: India marks progress in maternal and child health with key initiatives
India is making extraordinary strides in public healthcare on World Health Day 2025. The government has significantly reduced maternal and infant mortality rates through targeted national programs. Digital health initiatives like Ayushman Bharat are transforming healthcare accessibility and tracking. These achievements represent a remarkable journey of healthcare transformation and progressive public health policy.
"Over the last 30 years (1990-2020), Maternal
Mortality Ratio declined by 83% in India" - Ministry of Health Release
On the World Health Day 2025, with WHO's theme
"Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures," India continues to strengthen
its healthcare systems through initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the
National Health Mission, marking significant progress in improving maternal and
child health, expanding digital healthcare access, and enhancing public health
infrastructure.
Key Points
1 India
reduces maternal mortality rate to 97 per 100,000 live births
2
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission creates 76 crore health accounts
3
Comprehensive primary healthcare expansion through 1.76 lakh wellness centers
World Health Day, observed annually on April 7,
underscores the importance of global health and calls for collective action to
address pressing health challenges. Started by the World Health Organization
(WHO) in 1950, it unites governments, institutions, and communities in
addressing critical health priorities each year.
According to an official release, the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare has made substantial strides in improving India's
public health outcomes through various key initiatives and programs. The
National Health Mission (NHM) has played a central role in this progress.
The release mentioned that the MMR (Maternal
Mortality Ratio) in India dropped from 130 (2014-16) to 97 (2018-20) per
1,00,000 live births, a decline of 33 points.
"Over the last 30 years (1990-2020), MMR
declined by 83% in India," the release stated.
It also highlighted that IMR (Infant Mortality Rate)
dropped from 39 (2014) to 28 (2020) per 1,000 live births, NMR(Neonatal
Mortality Rate) reduced from 26 (2014) to 20 (2020) per 1,000 live births and
U5MR(Under-5 Mortality Rate) declined from 45 (2014) to 32 (2020) per 1,000
live births.
The government also took several initiatives for
Maternal Health and Pregnant Women.
As per the release, Maternal Death Surveillance and
Response (MDSR) was conducted at facility and community levels to identify
causes of maternal deaths and implement corrective actions for improving
obstetric care.
Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card & Safe
Motherhood Booklet were distributed to educate pregnant women on nutrition,
rest, pregnancy danger signs, government schemes, and benefits of institutional
deliveries.
Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Portal: A
name-based digital platform to track pregnant women and newborns, ensuring
timely antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care.
Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB): Part of POSHAN Abhiyan;
focuses on testing, treatment, and prevention of anaemia in adolescents and
pregnant women through nutrition, awareness, and addressing non-nutritional
causes.
The release stated that as of April 5, 2025, there
are over 1.76 lakh active Ayushman Arogya Mandirs(Health & Wellness
Centres) in India, providing comprehensive primary health care.
According to the portal, 107.10 crores screenings
for hypertension and 94.56 crores screenings for diabetes have been conducted
at the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs).
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is a
unified digital health ecosystem to securely connect patients, healthcare
providers, and systems through an interoperable digital infrastructure. As of
April 5, 2025, over 76 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) have been
created under the ABDM.
There are over 5.95 lakh verified healthcare
professionals registered under the ABDM Scheme, with over3.86 lakh verified
health facilities. Under ABDM, more than 52 crores health records are linked.
Further, the release highlighted that the WHO World
Malaria Report 2024 highlights India's major strides in malaria elimination,
with a 69 per cent drop in cases and 68 per cent reduction in deaths between
2017 and 2023.
"Contributing just 0.8 per cent of global cases
in 2023, India's exit from WHO's High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group in
2024 marks a significant public health achievement," the release stated.
The Government of India has eliminated Trachoma as a
public health problem in 2024, a feat recognised by the WHO, it stated.
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