ABSTRACT
The usage of mobile-based agro-advisories and its utilization pattern was unclear, especially in the case of fisheries and aquaculture in Tripura, coming under the North-Eastern region of India, where 1.87 lakh population was primarily identified as fish farmers. Similar to other parts of the country, the COVID-19 outbreak hampered fishery and aquaculture in Tripura, and farmers were physically barred from accessing support systems and technical facilities of different organizations. In view of that, the present study was performed to identify all such mobile-based advisories related to fish farming, which were actively circulated in the state during the COVID-19 outbreak. The accessibility, perceived level of satisfaction, and utility of those mobile-based advisories were studied. It was found that out of 120 respondents, 102 actively sought/accessed some of these advisory services. The advisory on fish farming, released by the Department of Fisheries (DoF), Tripura, was accessed by more than half of the respondents (54.17 %), followed by 'Mobile Based Agro-Advisory' system (20.83 %) under the 'Matsya Varta' project of College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University (COF-CAU), Tripura. Other advisories from KVKs were also accessed by the respondents (9.16 %) indicating a significant rate of accessibility and utility. The findings suggest the existence of adequate advisory services in the state during COVID-19 outbreak.
ABSTRACT
Corona disease has emerged as a pandemic of global proportions. COVID-19, the causative viral species of the coronavirus has been found to be of zoonotic origin. Corona disease has spread to 210 countries, affected more than 24 million people and caused more than 820,000 deaths. COVID-19 viruses propagate mainly by droplets infection. COVID-19 is similar to SAR-COV. Corona disease is characterized by respiratory illnesses such as common cold, difficulty in breathing and pulmonary edema. These symptoms are similar to those reported in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The United States and Europe have half of the global infections. However, the infection is spreading rapidly in Asia and South America. Comprehensive measures have been taken to mitigate the outbreak and reduce inter person transmission of COVID-19. Vulnerable populations (kids and elderly people) require more attention and efforts to reduce transmission. This paper discusses etiology, symptoms, disinfection and treatment available for COVID-19 infection. It outlines different studies conducted to understand the mode of transmission and repurposing of drugs for the treatment of the disease. Preventive measures have been mentioned in brief. A positive outcome has been the successful repurposing of drugs such as remdesivir, favipiravir, convalescent plasma, hydroxychloroquine, ribavirin, chloroquine phosphate, tocilizumab, dexamethasone and IFN-α for the treatment of COVID-19 infection.