ABSTRACT
Surveillance tools measure and help to predict the possibility of the onset of any disease including vector-borne diseases during some specific situations likemass gatherings (MGs) that are closely related tothe disease epidemiology (why, what, who, where, when, and how)concerningthe transmission of infectious diseases including vector-borne diseases. Some situations ofmass gatherings may bring closely large and diverse population groups coming from different endemic zones/areas leading tothe transmission of communicable diseases including vector-borne diseases. Mass gatherings (MGs) may have the potential to enhance the transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseasesowing to different geographical, social, and climatic factors. Usually, MGs have been thought to have enhanced risks of disease transmission.Theyalso have the potential to increase the opportunities for other types of mechanical injuriesfrom accidents, stampedes, alcohol use, internal group fights etc. that may result in morbidity or mortality.Besides, they are potential breeding places for the proliferation of vector species, capable of transmitting malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and JE including ticks and mites-borne diseases. It is a well-known fact there area large number of asymptomatic cases which act as sub-clinical cases, hence, chances of local transmission through vectors during such mass gatherings can not be ruled out.There is always a need for well-structured, intensified real-time disease and vector surveillance and reporting systems in place which is essential for efficient MG planning, to ensure disease prevention and control. In the present context of the ongoing COVIDpandemic, such surveillance systems havebecome a vital component of such events of mass gatherings and large-scale movement of people. © 2022: Author(s).
ABSTRACT
As a preemptive response to the widespread need for respiratory medical devices developing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we propose a low-cost incentive spirometer for respiratory rehabilitation in patients with reduced lung function. An incentive spirometer manufactured entirely out of recyclable material, termed "Paperometer," aims to address the multifaced problem of medical device inaccessibility: high cost, lack of user- or environmental-friendliness, and unavailability to those who need them the most. Operating in accordance with governing physical formulae including Ohm's law and the Hagen-Poiseuille equation, Paperometer is intended to improve the user's lung function through repeated use of the device, which facilitates slow, deep breaths of air. Several prototypes were created based on a list of design criteria established through background research and stakeholder interviews. From four initial prototypes, all created predominantly from simple foldable geometries, one design was selected for further iteration. The most promising functional prototype was crafted from recyclable plastic and paper folded into various shapes including a box, tube, and pinwheel. The Paperometer concept stands as an innovative solution to reduce the cost and environmental burden of meeting the demand for medical devices. Once validated, the device may serve as an important tool in combating the ongoing global pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Coronaviruses are the major group of viruses belonging to the Order Nidovirales. Four families- Coronoviridae, Arteriviridae, Mesoniviridae, and Roviviridae are included in this Order. All CoVs are pleomorphic RNA viruses characterized by club-like spikes that project from their surface. These viruses have unusually large RNA genome, with a unique replication strategy. CoVs were not considered as highly pathogenic for humans until the emergence of SARS-CoV in 2002-03 in China. The emergence of another highly pathogenic CoV, Middle East Respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) in the Middle East Countries confirmed the occurrence of highly pathogenic human viruses among the Coronaviruses. In this article we provide a brief introduction to coronaviruses, mode of action, pathogenesis, current situation, prevention and control of COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 virus has emerged a serious threat to the universe engulfing lakhs of human lives across the world. This is in the form of very unique and virulent deadly disaster on the earth spreading disease so fast being contagious in nature that it has given no time to medical professional to think and prepare to fight against this deadly disease. Loss of heavy lives in the world can not be forgotten for long in the history as it has been reported from USA, Spain, Italy and France. It is said to have originated initially from Wuhan of China and spread over to other parts of the world. The point of spread or transmission has become a matter of debate and controversy around the world as to whether its transmission has happened due to man to man contact after making shift from wild animals i.e. bats, pangolins (food market) or it was as a result of some leakage from a testing laboratory in Wuhan. Unfortunately, no drug or vaccine has been yet found effective to deal with this deadly virus. The spread of this deadly virus is very rapid in the community due to its very high contagious nature and fast multiplication. There have been some updates in the knowledge about the clinical signs and symptoms of this virus across the world. However, the disease is changing its epidemiological profile with disease spectrum and making difficult to deal with it. An attempt has been made in this manuscript to undertake the situational analysis and study the trend of COVID-19 in Indian perspective.
ABSTRACT
The whole world is, presently, reeling under a serious crisis due to wide spread of a very unique and deadly corona virus. It is said to have originated from China and spread over more than 200 countries across the world. There have been reports of high mortality and morbidity in China, Spain, Italy, USA, UK and France due to wide spread of this dangerous and contagious disease. Unfortunately, this war is being fought by the frontline warriors i.e. doctors, nurses, health workers, sanitary staff but, with no real weapon presently, as no drug or vaccine has been found effective to deal with this deadly virus. The spread/transmission cycle is very fast due to its very highly contagious nature and fast multiplication. Though, India has made all concerted efforts from the very beginning with all proactive actions and preparedness to deal with the situation due to coronavirus, yet it is becoming a Challenging task in some hotspots due to lack of social distancing or lockdown by some people in the community. The first phase of lockdown in the whole country started on 25th March for 21 days in order to break down the chain of transmission. However, due to its spread in some hotspots, it has been extended for another 19 days so as to well control the clusters and to prevent further spread. In an address to the Nation, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon. Health Minister of India stressed the need of social distancing and lockdown as comprehensive strategy for prevention and break the chain of transmission for coronavirus and term social distancing as "social vaccine" besides other measures being taken for diagnosis and treatment. An attempt has been made in this manuscript to describe the challenges and threats caused by deadly corona virus in India with the benefits of social vaccine (distancing)-the only weapon to prevent and break the transmission.
ABSTRACT
India stands at 90,927 confirmed cases of Covid-19 infection with WHO classification of clusters of cases. The governments around the world including India are mostly testing only people showing symptoms of flu, which are underestimating the real numbers due to presence of asymptomatic humans under virus incubation period. Random surveillance testing should, therefore, start as soon as possible to establish the mortality rate and virality of the Coronavirus. Such surveillance for Covid-19 provides valuable early warning information about the spread of the virus and also reduces the uncertainty surrounding the true extent of the pandemic and its mortality rate. Considered one of the most reliable forms of data collection, surveillance testing is takes small number of demographically representative random people to use as an estimate for the whole population. Due to these reasons, attempt was made to develop a model for Covid-19 virus surveillance using rapid antibody testing method for screening the human populations on disease prevalence, which can be followed by rRT-PCR testing. This screening method was test checked in virtual situation in Qutbullapur Municipality of Medak district, Telangana state, wherein three different areas High risk, Moderate risk and Low risk, each having 3 km area were identified in the Municipality with 2118 houses and projections were made for virtual sampling in 4 replicated unit areas. The projection of cost analysis came as Rs. 11,900 for first round rapid sample collection from randomly selected houses in entire Municipality, which appeared as a feasible financial projection for a disease like Covid-19. Major town/cities can consider to adopt this as surveillance method for covid-19 virus. ©Copyright (c) 2020.