Women’s health

Women’s health crucial to combat stunting: study (The Hindu: 20180528)

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/womens-health-crucial-to-combat-stunting-

study/article24007186.ece

DAILY NEWS BULLETINLEADING HEALTH, POPULATION AND FAMILY WELFARE STORIES OF THE DayMonday 20180528

Research across 640 districts links better healthcare, education to reduced stunting.

A first of-its-kind study across all 640 districts of the country, highlights the impact of

women’s health on stunting of children.

According to the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) study, analysing data

from the National Family Health Survey (NHFS)- IV, parameters related to women,

including education and age at marriage, account for 50% of the difference between districts

with high and low levels of stunting among children below the age of five.

Across the country, in 239 districts more than 40% of the children are stunted, while 202

districts record between 30% and 40 % of stunting. Only 29 districts have levels between

10% and 20%, most of them in south India, the study reports.

South does better

India accounts for approximately a third of the world’s stunted children at 63 million.

While levels have improved in the country from 48% in 2006 to 38.4% in 2016, there are

wide variations among different districts ranging between 12.4% and 65.1%.

The populous northern States account for more than 80% of stunted children at 52.6 million.

In comparison, all of the southern States together have 8.1 million stunted children and the

north-eastern and island States account for nearly 2.4 million. Within the States, however, the

levels vary with regions in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka recording high prevalence.

Women’s health crucial to combat stunting: study

The research highlights the need for targeted policy intervention to combat stunting, with a

focus on addressing critical determinants in individual districts.

“Women related parameters are great drivers and these have to be focussed upon. This will

involve interventions through the course of a girl’s life such as her education, nutrition,

marriage as well as when she is a mother,” says Purnima Menon, senior research fellow at

IFPRI.

Four parameters

The four crucial parameters in women that together contribute to a 44% reduction in stunting

among children are levels of body mass index accounting for 19% of the difference between

districts; education accounting for 12% of the difference; age at marriage contributing a 7%

reduction and ante-natal care adding 6%.

Among other important factors highlighted by the study, authored by Purnima Menon,

Rashmi Avula, Derek Headey, Phuong Ngyuen, are adequate diet for children (9%),

household assets (7%) and open defecation (7%).

Ayushman Bharat: a health scheme

Ayushman Bharat: a health scheme that should not fail (The Hindu: 20180528)

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-health-scheme-that-should-not-

fail/article24007836.ece

The implementation of Ayushman Bharat requires a strong reform agenda

The launch of Ayushman Bharat, a national health protection scheme (NHPS), in the last

stretch of this government’s tenure comes as no surprise. Social policies in the areas of

education, health and the welfare of the disadvantaged or farmers almost always get

announced before elections. No political party is an exception to this rule since such ‘feel

good’ welfare policies are useful in conferring a sense of legitimacy and caring on the

government seeking another term.

Despite these political motivations, those working in these neglected sectors welcome such

policy announcements as the crisis is acute in these sectors.

Health policies have two objectives: to enhance the health of the population and reduce the

financial risk for those accessing treatment. Success in the first is measured by a reduction in

the disease burden and subsequent increase in people’s longevity. Reduced spending or

getting impoverished when seeking health-care measures the second. Since the health scheme

seeks to address both these critical health goals, it is an important step forward.

Can Ayushman Bharat make for a healthier India?

The scheme has two components: upgrading the 150,000 sub-centres (for a 5,000 population

level) into wellness clinics that provide 12 sets of services; and providing health security to

40% of India’s population requiring hospitalisation for up to a sum assured of ₹5 lakh per

year per family. If implemented as integral components of a strategy to improve the abysmal

status of India’s health-care system, these initiatives can help achieve the goals of equity,

efficiency and quality.

Key issues

An evidence-based strategy will need to address and resolve several key issues affecting the

sector. The first is the massive shortages in the supply of services (human resources, hospitals

and diagnostic centres in the private/public sector), made worse by grossly inequitable

availability between and within States. For example, even a well-placed State such as Tamil

Nadu has an over 30% shortage of medical and non-medical professionals in government

facilities.

A related question that arises is that while the NHPS will empower patients with a ₹5 lakh

voucher, where do they encash this? The health budget has neither increased nor is there any

policy to strengthen the public/private sector in deficit areas. While the NHPS provides

portability, one must not forget that it will take time for hospitals to be established in deficit

areas. This in turn could cause patients to gravitate toward the southern States that have a

comparatively better health infrastructure than the rest of India.

The issue is about the capacity of this infrastructure to take on the additional load of such

insured patients from other States, growing medical tourism (foreign tourists/patients) as a

policy being promoted by the government, and also domestic patients, both insured and

uninsured. It is still unclear whether the implications of the national policy on the fragile

health systems of States have been fully comprehended and how they propose to address

them.

The price factor

Second, the strategy for negotiating/containing prices being charged for services needs to be

spelt out. An experience in Hyderabad is instructive. A three-day stay in a hospital for a

respiratory problem cost me ₹1.8 lakh. In order to understand the extent of overbilling, I

checked ‘Rajiv Aarogyasri’, the health insurance programme in Andhra Pradesh. The rates

here were not only incomparable but also did not reflect market prices of common procedures

or treatment protocols to be followed by hospitals. So a CT scan that costs ₹19,080 in the

Hyderabad hospital (it is the same rate across the city) was only ₹500 in government

hospitals in Tamil Nadu (₹7,000 in private hospitals in Tamil Nadu and Delhi).

The Aarogyasri scheme has only package rates, a procedure that all States have since

followed as a model. Package rates are not a substitute for arriving at actuarial rating. In the

absence of market intelligence, arbitrary pricing and unethical methods cannot be ruled out.

More importantly, there is no way the government or the payer has an idea of the shifts in the

price of components within the package. This knowledge is essential to regulate/negotiate

prices to contain costs. This also explains why there is no dent in the exorbitant health

expenditures being faced in India despite government-sponsored schemes.

Finally, the absence of primary care. The wellness clinic component is a step towards

bridging that lacuna, but with no funding, the commitment is hollow.

A pilot done in Tamil Nadu showed that within six months of upgrading primary health-care

facilities (human resources, drugs and diagnostics), there was a rise in footfall, from 1% to

17%. At the same time, it requires a minimum outlay of ₹1,500-₹2,000 crore to bridge the

deficiencies. In the northern States there are hardly any sub-centres and primary health

centres are practically non-existent. It is estimated that ₹30,000 crore will have to be spent if

this three-tier primary health-care system is to be brought to minimal health standards. The

sum would rise further if there are to be mid-level providers (as in wellness clinics).

In an environment of scarce resources, prioritisation of critical initiatives is vital to realising

health goals. The implementation of Ayushman Bharat will have to be contextualised and

synchronised with a reform agenda that must include improved governance and an

enforcement of regulations.

K. Sujatha Rao is former Union Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,

Government of India

Kids’ health

Too much screen time is taking a toll on kids’ health (The Times of India:

20180528)

https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/

A few years ago, my partner and I were looking for a centrally located hotel in Manhattan

that wouldn’t cost us the world. Travel websites directed us to one right in the middle of the

city with just one con — a noisy lobby as it was a popular night stay option for school trips.

Ah! Kids screaming across hallways is no disturbance for us Indians, so we promptly booked

it.

The next day we walked into a hotel lobby packed with more than 100 school kids and a

handful of teachers. As I walked towards the elevators, I felt something amiss. And then it

struck me — there was no noise. There were 100-odd kids but they weren’t talking to each

other, much less screaming or running around. They were all slouching on various chairs and

sofas, or against the wall, backs rounded, heads down and eyes zeroed in on their phone

screens.

Back home we have all seen that parents of kids, even as young as 18 months, are walking

into flights, restaurants or even our homes

with the iPads in hand. It’s like parents are under constant pressure to ensure that their

children are not bored. And nothing like a phone, iPad or tab to overstimulate the bored child.

Well, research is constantly saying that boredom is critical for a child and, in fact, essential

for creativity to blossom. But then I am no expert on that subject so let me focus on what I do

for a living — weight loss.

The problem with screen time is that it comes with sitting which we all know by now is an

independent risk factor for developing lifestyle diseases. And when obesity strikes, it rarely

asks if you were playing Fortnite, learning a new language on your gadget or just watching

Peppa Pig. In that sense it is democratic, if you are watching, you are sitting, and if you are

sitting, obesity is coming.

I.family was a major research project on health, food and lifestyle of European families for

over five years and focused on children and obesity. They found a positive correlation

between screen time, consumption of sugar-sweetened bever-

Getty Images

ages (packaged juices, colas, etc) and anthropometry (incidences of overweight and obese

kids) across the EU region. One of the reasons for this are the blurred lines between

entertainment and advertisements that our kids consume on the gadgets. These findings

resonate with the reality across the globe, especially in our part of the world.

A recent study has also shown that the incidence of non-alchoholic fatty liver disease

(NAFLD) in Indian kids is rising. This is essentially a lifestyle disease but left unattended, it

could lead to liver damage similar to that seen in alcoholics. The standard advice for this is to

reduce junk food, especially that loaded with sugar, and to exercise. But when it comes to

kids, we have to work at understanding the driving factors and how gadgets influence both

consumption of junk food and sedentary behavior.

The fact that a lot of school work is now done on laptops and tabs makes it even more

important that parents lay down strict rules for screen time — be it gaming, social media or

anything else. It’s easier said than done and we often tend to give in to pester power, a child’s

ability to demand the gadget and throw a tantrum until the demand is met. For all parents,

who feel helpless against this universal force, science is saying what your grandmom always

knew — saying NO to kids for gadgets and the resulting junk food demand protects them

from cardio-metabolic risks in the future.

Junk Food

How social media is encouraging kids to eat junk (The Times of India:

20180528)

https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/

Children Likely To Consume More Unhealthy Food If Promoted By Online Stars

Social media stars might be encouraging children to eat more unhealthy foods, new research

suggests.

The study, conducted by the University of Liverpool, was devised amid growing calls for

tougher restrictions on junk food advertising to tackle the obesity crisis.

Now, the researchers are calling for more protection for young people online where the lines

between adverts and content can become blurred. Examining the responses of children to

images from social media, the study split 176 children into three groups where they were

shown either pictures of You-Tube personalities promoting unhealthy snacks, healthy foods

or non-food products. The social media stars used included Zoella who has 10.9 million

followers on Instagram, and her boyfriend Alfie Deyes, who has 4.6 million, the BBC

reports.

The children were then offered a variety of healthy and unhealthy snacks including grapes,

carrot sticks, chocolate buttons and jelly sweets.

Interestingly, the results showed that children who had seen the unhealthy images consumed

an average of 448 calories, while the others at just 357 — a difference of 26%. The

researchers involved claim that the level of trust children have for YouTube stars means that

they should hold some responsibility along the line.

As such, they are now calling for more protection for children, particularly on social media

where it can be difficult to determine between an advert and genuine content. “On TV there

are more cues as to when it’s advertising whereas digitally it’s a lot more embedded in the

rest of the content,” said Emma Boyland, one of the researchers from the University of

Liverpool.

Anna Coates, the lead researcher on the study, added: “We know that if you show children a

traditional drink advert, then their preference for that drink rises. We wanted to test their

reactions to this new type of celebrity, the social media star. “Now that we’ve shown that

children are influenced by online stars, our next study will look at whether they understand

that celebrities are being paid to promote products.” THE INDEPENDENT

Yoga and Physical fitness

In the fitness of things (The Hindu: 20180528)

http://www.thehindu.com/society/in-the-fitness-of-things/article19113735.ece

Ahead of the International Day of Yoga, Delhiites indulged in acroyoga and haula hooping to

celebrate International Flow Arts Day

Fitness is the new cool. That fitness enthusiasts are ditching conventional fitness equipments

and gym for something more natural and innovative was visible this past Sunday as Delhi

Rock celebrated the inaugural India chapter of International Flow Arts Day at Deer Park in

Hauz Khas.

Flow arts include creative ways to stay healthy and fit by putting you in a kind of ‘flow’ or a

‘zone’. It is a classical form, increasingly adopted by people, which include poi training,

parkour, slack lining, acroyoga and hula hooping.

The event was free for public and everybody was welcomed with open arms and vibrant

smiles!

Considering that the majority of youth prefers gym, Anuraag Tiwari of Delhi Rock said, “It’s

a great shame because it turns out that the gym is a place to get injured. People take

unhealthy supplements, it’s very cosmetic. You don’t get any fresh air or sunshine in a gym.

On the other hand, flow arts is much more fun. You interact, make friends, motivate each

other and end up hanging out together. In the process, you evolve. I am not saying gym is a

bad place, but this surely is better and more innovative.”

Anuraag said flow arts helped people learn life skills, communicating better and coordinating

better. “It makes you grow. In gym, people are measuring physical quantity, they are chasing

abs and size zero, whereas here, people are more accepting towards their body and just want

to stay active and fit. These people (points towards people who joined the celebration), they

don’t measure health and fitness by measuring the skin folds or flesh on their body. They are

just happy people, who are having fun while trying to stay fit. They celebrate their bodies.”

A fun event

The event saw participants of all age groups sharing smiles with the people they just met. The

teachers including Rajni Ramachandran and Eshna Kutty made it fun altogether by assisting

and helping the new students in an interactive way.

“And I'd say acroyoga has dynamics of acrobatics, wisdom of yoga and it has a way of

healing people. It is more like partner acrobatics, actually. It not only includes yogic postures

but it also has energy and connection we share in acrobatics,” said Kanika Gupta, acroyoga

instructor, who was a classical Yoga teacher before moving to acroyoga.

Celebration was further followed by workshops at Delhi Rock’s centre at Greater Kailash.

Somil Mehta, poi teacher, said, “Poi is basically tethered weights attached to a rope or in a

cloth, and they are used to generate a lot of symmetry. You can do this with fire, as well as

LEDs. It’s basically a performing art, primarily done for entertainment and for toning your

back, shoulders and arms. It is good for hand-eye coordination and is pretty portable.”

The celebration witnessed adults connecting with their inner child, twirling hoops, trying to

maintain a balance on ropes and relishing every moment. Pleasantly surprised by the

response, Anuraag said, “I didn't expect so many people to show up. It's a great response,

considering we started planning the whole idea of celebrating this day just three weeks back.

I think we should do such events and workshops more often.”

Gene mutation

Faulty gene can accelerate heart failure due to drinking (The Tribune:

20180528)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/faulty-gene-can-accelerate-heart-failure-due-to-

drinking/595819.html

Scientists have identified a gene mutation that can interact with alcohol to accelerate heart

failure in some patients.

The researchers from Imperial College London, Royal Brompton Hospital, and MRC London

Institute of Medical Sciences in the UK investigated faulty versions of a gene called titin

which are carried by one in 100 people or 600,000 people in the UK.

Titin is crucial for maintaining the elasticity of the heart muscle, and faulty versions are

linked to a type of heart failure called dilated cardiomyopathy.

The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, showed that the

faulty gene may interact with alcohol to accelerate heart failure in some patients with the

gene, even if they only drink moderate amounts of alcohol.

The team analysed 141 patients with a type of heart failure called alcoholic cardiomyopathy

(ACM). This condition is triggered by drinking more than 70 units a week (roughly seven

bottles of wine) for five years or more.

In severe cases the condition can be fatal, or leave patients requiring a heart transplant.

The team found that the faulty titin gene may also play a role in the condition. In the study

13.5 per cent of patients were found to carry the mutation - much higher than the proportion

of people who carry them in the general population.

The results suggest this condition is not simply the result of alcohol poisoning, but arises

from a genetic predisposition - and that other family members may be at risk too, said James

Ware, from Imperial.

In a second part of the study, researchers investigated whether alcohol may play a role in

another type of heart failure called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

This condition causes the heart muscle to become stretched and thin, and has a number of

causes including viral infections and certain medications. The condition can also be genetic,

and around 12 per cent of cases of DCM are thought to be linked to a faulty titin gene.

In the study the team asked 716 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy how much alcohol they

consumed.

None of the patients consumed the high-levels of alcohol needed to cause ACM. However,

the team found that in patients whose DCM was caused by the faulty titin gene, even

moderately increased alcohol intake (defined as drinking above the weekly recommended

limit of 14 units), affected the heart’s pumping power.

More research is now needed to investigate how alcohol may affect people who carry the

faulty titin gene, but do not have heart problems, said Paul Barton, from Imperial.

“Alcohol and the heart have a complicated relationship. While moderate levels may have

benefits for heart health, too much can cause serious cardiac problems. This research suggests

that in people with titin-related heart failure, alcohol may worsen the condition,” said Barton.

— PTI

Food and Nutrition

Food to avoid during summer (The Tribune: 20180528)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/food-to-avoid-during-summer/595388.html

During the season of heat waves, it's best to avoid certain edibles that can not only upset your

stomach but also cause some or the other infection. Try not to consume a lot of spicy food,

avoid overdose of non-vegetarian food, suggest experts.

Raheela Hasan, health and nutrition specialist and Founder at Fitrition—Nutrition For Life,

and Manoj Kutteri, Wellness Director at Atmantan Wellness Centre, have listed food that can

be avoided in the summer season:

Ice-cream sandwich: This treat usually packs nearly 500 calories and gets a 60 per cent of its

flavour from saturated fat. A better idea: Make your own ice cream sandwiches using lower-

fat sorbet.

Too much spice: Spice powders can certainly liven up a meal, but spices also can heat up the

body as spices boost the rate of metabolism.

Rich non-vegetarian fare: Summer is not the time to tuck into rich meat gravies or tandoori,

fish and chicken, or even seafood. In fact, this makes a person sweat more and causes

digestive problems. It can also lead to diarrhoea.

Oily junk food: You must avoid burgers with meat patties, fries and other oily fare.

Salty snacks: These contain MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), a harmful additive that's been

linked to an increased appetite and weight gain.

Avoid sauces: A cheese sauce is very avoidable too. It has close to 350 calories and it leaves

you feeling bloated and sluggish. Some sauces also have too much MSG and salt. Instead,

keep the meal nutritious and natural.

Devilled eggs: The risk of Salmonella (infesction) is highest in devilled eggs when they are

not held at the right temperature (at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit). Salmonella can live on

both the inside and outside of eggs and the egg can still appear perfectly normal. Deviled

eggs are cooked, which should kill any germs in the eggs. But because you combine a bunch

of eggs together for the filling, and then it's at room temperature, bacteria can grow to

dangerous levels if an egg is undercooked or contaminated after cooking.

Buy eggs only from stores or other suppliers that keep them refrigerated at or below 40

degrees Fahrenheit, and serve devilled eggs on ice at all times.

Leftovers: Leftovers should be handled properly as well. Once everyone has eaten, put the

food in its appropriate hot or cold environment. Food left out becomes a problem because it

enters the temperature danger zone, between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Count how many hours the food has been left out overall. If it is close to or over four hours,

trash it. Do this especially if the food was left out a good part of the day, and at the hottest

part of the day, just get rid of it. IANS

New blood test

New blood test to detect liver damage in minutes (The Tribune: 20180528)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/new-blood-test-to-detect-liver-damage-in-

minutes/594788.html

Scientists have developed a quick and robust blood test that can detect liver damage before

the symptoms appear.

The test developed by researchers from the University College London in the UK could

address a huge need for early detection of liver disease.

It distinguishes between samples taken from healthy individuals and those with varying

degrees of liver damage, researchers said.

The study, published in the journal Advanced Materials, describes the new method of

detecting liver fibrosis, the first stage of liver scarring that leads to fatal liver disease if left

unchecked, from a blood sample in 30-45 minutes.

"We hope that our new test could be used on a routine basis in GP surgeries and hospital

clinics to screen people who face an elevated risk of liver disease, but don't yet show signs of

liver damage to identify those with serious fibrosis, so that they can access treatment before

it's too late," said William Rosenberg, a professor at UCL.

"This may open the door to a cost-effective regular screening programme thanks to its

simplicity, low cost and robustness," he said.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts in the US designed a sensor that uses large

molecules called polymers, coated with fluorescent dyes that bind to blood proteins based on

their chemical properties.

The fluorescent dyes change in brightness and colour, yielding a different pattern of

fluorescence depending on the protein composition of the blood sample.

The team at UCL tested the sensor by comparing results from small blood samples

(equivalent to finger-prick checks) from 65 people, in three balanced groups of healthy

patients and those with early-stage and late-stage fibrosis.

They found that the sensor could identify different patterns of protein levels in the blood

serum of people in the three groups.

"By comparing the different samples, the sensor array identified a 'fingerprint' of liver

damage," said William Peveler, who completed the research at UCL.

"This method is known as a chemical nose, as it can recognise the difference between healthy

and unhealthy blood samples without relying on known disease markers," said Peveler. —

PTI.

No smoking

No smoking, we’re doctors (The Hindu: 20180528)

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/no-smoking-were-

doctors/article24009841.ece?utm_source=tp-metroplus&utm_medium=sticky_footer

Medical pros who gave up cigarettes cold turkey tell us their stories, and why you should too

I had my first smoke when prompted by my friends at the medical college to ‘man up’. And

soon enough I was addicted. I puffed at least 20 cigarettes a day — more on stressful days. I

made a couple of half-hearted attempts to quit, but obviously, didn’t succeed. So I carried on

being a chain smoker for 10 years.

A wake up call

I went on to do my MS (Master of Surgery) and the topic for my dissertation was head and

neck malignancies, one of the commonest cancers in South Asia. Looking after these patients,

seeing their distress, the facial disfigurement and dysfunction and the morbidity (this was

over 25 years ago when the treatment wasn’t as advanced as today) shook me up. My

research around the topic made me more aware about the severe health consequences of

smoking and filled me with determination to quit.

Stubbing it out

I still remember being on a bus one summer afternoon, fiddling with my pack of smokes. I

had 4 cigarettes left. I had made up my mind to quit. I had a choice though — to light up and

savour the last four and not buy a new pack or test my willpower by not being tempted, even

as I had smokes handy. I chose the latter. I kept the unfinished pack of cigarettes with me as a

memento for a long time.

Struggles along the way

Giving up smoking isn’t easy because nicotine is highly addictive. When I quit, 25 years ago,

nicotine replacement therapy wasn’t available, so I turned to paan masala in order to

overcome the craving. I was thankfully able to give those up quickly. I had several cups of

black tea to overcome the morning craving, a habit that has stayed with me, though I have

now switched to green tea. I also turned to food for comfort and my weight spiralled out of

control. But about 10 years ago, I started a diet and exercise regimen to get on track. It was

not easy to keep the company of smokers, who were some of my closest friends, and not be

tempted — but I was steadfast in my resolve.

Celebrating milestones

My family always wanted me to quit smoking, and when I did, they encouraged me every

step of the way. My dad played Santa Clause once again and gave me rewards (like a bar of

chocolate, a toy car) to celebrate the milestones in my smoke-free journey. My wife planned

surprises — such as a long drive or a date night — to keep me motivated.

Healthier and happier

The biggest motivation, however, came from seeing the immediate physiological changes.

Within a few weeks, my breathing improved and my heart rate settled. I was now able to

enjoy a game of table tennis without getting out of breath. In the first month or so, the

persistent hacking (smoker’s cough) was gone! The brain fog cleared up and I felt fresh even

after long hours at work. The impact on my heart health was huge. I had been on BP

medication since I joined medical college. My BP came down as soon as I kicked the butt, so

much so that I was off all medication within 18 months. It has helped me professionally too. I

am now able to tell my patients to quit with conviction and offer them advice — first-hand.

— Dr Kaushik Das, consultant ENT Surgeon, AMRI Hospital, Columbia Asia Hospital and

Fortis Hospital, Kolkata

Within a few weeks, my breathing improved and my heart rate settled. I was now able to

enjoy a game of table tennis without getting out of breath

Lung Diseases (The Asian Age: 20180528)

http://onlineepaper.asianage.com/articledetailpage.aspx?id=10759113

Noval Techniques – Treat Cancer (The Asian Age: 20180528)

http://onlineepaper.asianage.com/articledetailpage.aspx?id=10759109

Heart Health (The Asian Age: 20180528)

http://onlineepaper.asianage.com/articledetailpage.aspx?id=10759110

Counselling for Pregnant Women (The Asian Age: 20180528)

http://onlineepaper.asianage.com/articledetailpage.aspx?id=10759108

Nipah virus (Hindustan Times: 20180528)

http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

1 MORE DIES OF NIPAH VIRUS IN KERALA, DEATH TOLL RISES TO 14

From page 3 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Nipah virus claimed one more life in Kerala

on Sunday, taking the toll to 14 even as authorities reiterated that the situation was under

control and no fresh case was reported from affected areas.

The latest victim was identified as 26-year-old Ebin, who was admitted at a private hospital

in Kozhikode with infection.

Two more Nipah-infected people are undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit of the

Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, state health officials said.

Among 14 deaths, 11 are from Kozhikode and three from Malappuram. Most of the people

who were under observation were discharged after their blood samples turned negative. Now

26 people are under observation, they said.

Nipah virus that causes high fever, headache and coma in extreme cases is spread by fruit

bats. Body fluids can cause human-to-human transmission of Nipah, which has a mortality

rate of 70% and has no vaccine.

But blood and serum samples of bats collected from the affected areas tested negative and

health experts are trying hard to pinpoint the main carriers of the virus.

The district administration in Kozhikode Sunday started a ‘padyatra’ to dispel fear of the

people.

At least 40 families have vacated their houses in Changaroth village after the deaths of four

members of the Moosa family. Around 50 families left their homes in two other villages,

Koorachundu and Chakkittapara. The government has also decided to book those who

ostracise family members of the affected and the hospital staff.

Tumour (Dainik Gagaran: 20180528)

https://epaper.jagran.com/ePaperArticle/28-may-2018-edition-Delhi-City-page_14-1071-

7789-4.html

AIIMS Trauma Centre (Hindustan: 20180528)

http://epaper.livehindustan.com/imageview_18141_107359392_4_1_28-05-

2018_i_4.pagezoomsinwindows.php

\

Nuts (Hindustan: 20180528)

http://epaper.livehindustan.com/imageview_18157_107709760_4_1_28-05-

2018_i_20.pagezoomsinwindows.php