Experts have noted that the influenza H3N2 virus is causing significant medical issues, particularly severe lung infections, and that it "has changed its pattern unexpectedly in just six months" as concern about the virus has risen, as reported by the Mint.&nbsp;

Medical practitioners have observed that the pattern of viruses has changed remarkably and unexpectedly. Dr Dhiren Gupta, a Senior Consultant at Sir Gangaram hospital in Delhi, said&nbsp;"Over the past 6 months pattern of viruses has changed remarkably and unexpectedly. Normally, we expect influenza to be the number 1 virus that can lead to hospitalisation. This time Influenza A virus subtype H3N2 has led to a lot of respiratory tract infections,"&nbsp;as quoted by news agency&nbsp;ANI.&nbsp;

Dr Gupta further pointed out, it is leading to&nbsp;severe pulmonary infections. "Another observation- type B influenza (past two months 5 leading to PICU admission) has led to more severe pulmonary infections in form of ARDS, severe pneumonia requiring ventilation," he added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-tamil-nadu-school-girl-dies-after-overdosing-iron-on-supplements-on-a-dare-570685">India: Tamil Nadu school girl dies after overdosing on iron supplements</a>

The first two H3N2 influenza virus-related deaths in India have occurred in the states of Haryana and Karnataka, as reported by ANI.&nbsp;

According to health department authorities, the victim from Karnataka had symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI), such as a fever, sore throat, and cough. The 82-year-old man from Alur Taluk in the Hassan district was hospitalised at the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences on February 24, and he passed away on March 1.

Almost 90 cases of the H3N2 virus have reportedly been detected in India so far, according to media reports.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-reports-first-two-deaths-from-h3n2-influenza-one-each-in-haryana-karnataka-570605">India reports first two deaths from H3N2 influenza: One each in Haryana, Karnataka</a>

The H3N2v virus sometimes referred to as a "swine influenza virus," is a non-human influenza virus that typically infects pigs and has also infected people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

These viruses are known as "variant" viruses when they infect people. According to the CDC, the particular H3N2 variant virus was found in people in 2011 and contained the M gene from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus as well as genes from avian, swine, and human viruses.

Presently, the severity of the H3N2 illness is comparable to that of seasonal flu.

Fever, breathing issues including a cough and runny nose, as well as other symptoms like body pains, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, are among the symptoms. Although some people may have these symptoms for more than a week, this is how long they typically last.

According to the CDC, individuals with certain long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions, children under the age of five, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and individuals with these conditions are at a higher risk of developing complications if they contract the virus.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Experts have noted that the influenza H3N2 virus is causing significant medical issues, particularly severe lung infections, and that it "has changed its pattern unexpectedly in just six months" as concern about the virus has risen, as reported by the Mint.

Experts have noted that the influenza H3N2 virus is causing significant medical issues, particularly severe lung infections, and that it "has changed its pattern unexpectedly in just six months" as concern about the virus has risen, as reported by the Mint. Medical practitioners have observed that the pattern of viruses has changed remarkably and unexpectedly. Dr Dhiren Gupta, a Senior Consultant at Sir Gangaram hospital in Delhi, said "Over the past 6 months pattern of viruses has changed remarkably and unexpectedly. Normally, we expect influenza to be the number 1 virus that can lead to hospitalisation. This time Influenza A virus subtype H3N2 has led to a lot of respiratory tract infections," as quoted by news agency ANI. Dr Gupta further pointed out, it is leading to severe pulmonary infections. "Another observation- type B influenza (past two months 5 leading to PICU admission) has led to more severe pulmonary infections in form of ARDS, severe pneumonia requiring ventilation," he added. ALSO READ | India: Tamil Nadu school girl dies after overdosing on iron supplements The first two H3N2 influenza virus-related deaths in India have occurred in the states of Haryana and Karnataka, as reported by ANI. According to health department authorities, the victim from Karnataka had symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI), such as a fever, sore throat, and cough. The 82-year-old man from Alur Taluk in the Hassan district was hospitalised at the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences on February 24, and he passed away on March 1. Almost 90 cases of the H3N2 virus have reportedly been detected in India so far, according to media reports. ALSO READ | India reports first two deaths from H3N2 influenza: One each in Haryana, Karnataka The H3N2v virus sometimes referred to as a "swine influenza virus," is a non-human influenza virus that typically infects pigs and has also infected people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These viruses are known as "variant" viruses when they infect people. According to the CDC, the particular H3N2 variant virus was found in people in 2011 and contained the M gene from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus as well as genes from avian, swine, and human viruses. Presently, the severity of the H3N2 illness is comparable to that of seasonal flu. Fever, breathing issues including a cough and runny nose, as well as other symptoms like body pains, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, are among the symptoms. Although some people may have these symptoms for more than a week, this is how long they typically last. According to the CDC, individuals with certain long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions, children under the age of five, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and individuals with these conditions are at a higher risk of developing complications if they contract the virus. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

H3N2 Influenza changing pattern unexpectedly: Experts warn more hospitalisations

India’s southern Kerala state on Monday recorded two cases of norovirus— a gastrointestinal zoonotic disease that is transmitted through close contact who have already been infected.

According to PTI news agency, two students of Class 1 and 2 of a school at Kakkanad were found to be infected with the virus.

Following the detection of two cases, around 62 students of the school and a few parents developed similar symptoms after which two samples were sent for testing at the State Public Laboratory.

“The health condition of the children is stable. The Health Department personnel inspected the school which is now temporarily closed. We are holding online awareness sessions to the children and parents. The classrooms and the toilets have now been sanitised," the District Medical Officer said in a statement.

This is the second time that the state has reported norovirus outbreak. Last year, two children were found infected with the same virus at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram.

<h2>What is norovirus?</h2>

According to the World Health Organisation, norovirus is a viral illness which is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis globally with symptoms including acute onset diarrhoea and vomiting.

The virus is highly contagious and spreads through contaminated water, food and surfaces.

According to the state health department, initial symptoms include vomiting and/or diarrhoea, head and body aches.

Though the virus usually has mild effects on healthy people, it can cause severe abdominal illness in young children, the elderly, and people with other medical conditions.

The first case in Kerala was recorded in the Alappuzha district in June last year. In 2021, around 950 cases linked to norovirus were reported from the same locality and adjoining areas. The outbreak lasted for one-and-a-half months.

(With inputs from agencies)

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India’s southern Kerala state on Monday recorded two cases of norovirus— a gastrointestinal zoonotic disease that is transmitted through close contact who have already been infected.

India’s southern Kerala state on Monday recorded two cases of norovirus— a gastrointestinal zoonotic disease that is transmitted through close contact who have already been infected. According to PTI news agency, two students of Class 1 and 2 of a school at Kakkanad were found to be infected with the virus. Following the detection of two cases, around 62 students of the school and a few parents developed similar symptoms after which two samples were sent for testing at the State Public Laboratory. “The health condition of the children is stable. The Health Department personnel inspected the school which is now temporarily closed. We are holding online awareness sessions to the children and parents. The classrooms and the toilets have now been sanitised," the District Medical Officer said in a statement. This is the second time that the state has reported norovirus outbreak. Last year, two children were found infected with the same virus at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram. What is norovirus? According to the World Health Organisation, norovirus is a viral illness which is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis globally with symptoms including acute onset diarrhoea and vomiting. The virus is highly contagious and spreads through contaminated water, food and surfaces. According to the state health department, initial symptoms include vomiting and/or diarrhoea, head and body aches. Though the virus usually has mild effects on healthy people, it can cause severe abdominal illness in young children, the elderly, and people with other medical conditions. The first case in Kerala was recorded in the Alappuzha district in June last year. In 2021, around 950 cases linked to norovirus were reported from the same locality and adjoining areas. The outbreak lasted for one-and-a-half months. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Multiple cases of norovirus found in India’s Kerala. Here’s all you need to know about the zoonotic disease

Researchers have found what may be the first-ever “virovore” or an organism which eats viruses. The study was published last week, in the PNAS journal by scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the United States, which found two plankton organisms named Halteria and Paramecium, can not only feed on viruses but also thrive by consuming them.&nbsp;

According to ScienceDirect, there are several other organisms which incidentally consume viruses, to be accounted for in the food chain and be described as virovory, the consumption should contribute a significant amount of energy and nutrients to its consumer which a species of Halteria does.&nbsp;

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The research, which has been three years in the making, was looking to find if any microbes actively ate viruses and whether such a diet could support the physiological and population growth of a community which in this case it did.&nbsp;

The microbe in question, Halteria, is a microscopic ciliate that lives in freshwater. “They are made up of really good stuff: nucleic acids, a lot of nitrogen and phosphorous”, said John DeLong, an ecologist from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who with his team made the discovery.&nbsp;

He added, “Everything should want to eat them. So many things will eat anything they can get ahold of. Surely something would have learned how to eat these really good raw materials.” As mentioned earlier, since viruses are omnipresent, they are incidentally eaten all the time, however, for this study, the researchers chose ‘chlorovirus’ which is widespread in freshwater with algae.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mars-sample-collection-risks-bringing-to-earth-deadly-alien-virus-heres-what-you-should-know-478730">Mars sample collection risks bringing to Earth deadly alien virus. Here's what you should know</a>

Additionally, the research also notes the different patterns of consumption between Halteria and Paramecium as the former used chlorovirus as a source of nutrients and while the latter did consume viruses it did not grow much in population.&nbsp;

Additionally, the consumption of chloroviruses could have a profound impact on the carbon cycle, “If you multiply a crude estimate of how many viruses there are, how many ciliates there are and how much water there is, it comes out to this massive amount of energy movement up the food chain,” said DeLong, reported ScienceDirect.&nbsp;

He added, “If this is happening at the scale that we think it could be, it should completely change our view on global carbon cycling.”&nbsp; 
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Researchers have found what may be the first-ever “virovore” or an organism which eats viruses. The study was published last week, in the PNAS journal by scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the United States, which found two plankton organisms named Halteria and Paramecium, can not only feed on viruses but also thrive by consuming them.

Researchers have found what may be the first-ever “virovore” or an organism which eats viruses. The study was published last week, in the PNAS journal by scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the United States, which found two plankton organisms named Halteria and Paramecium, can not only feed on viruses but also thrive by consuming them. According to ScienceDirect, there are several other organisms which incidentally consume viruses, to be accounted for in the food chain and be described as virovory, the consumption should contribute a significant amount of energy and nutrients to its consumer which a species of Halteria does. ALSO READ | Hybrid virus capable of evading immune system observed for first time The research, which has been three years in the making, was looking to find if any microbes actively ate viruses and whether such a diet could support the physiological and population growth of a community which in this case it did. The microbe in question, Halteria, is a microscopic ciliate that lives in freshwater. “They are made up of really good stuff: nucleic acids, a lot of nitrogen and phosphorous”, said John DeLong, an ecologist from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who with his team made the discovery. He added, “Everything should want to eat them. So many things will eat anything they can get ahold of. Surely something would have learned how to eat these really good raw materials.” As mentioned earlier, since viruses are omnipresent, they are incidentally eaten all the time, however, for this study, the researchers chose ‘chlorovirus’ which is widespread in freshwater with algae. ALSO READ | Mars sample collection risks bringing to Earth deadly alien virus. Here's what you should know Additionally, the research also notes the different patterns of consumption between Halteria and Paramecium as the former used chlorovirus as a source of nutrients and while the latter did consume viruses it did not grow much in population. Additionally, the consumption of chloroviruses could have a profound impact on the carbon cycle, “If you multiply a crude estimate of how many viruses there are, how many ciliates there are and how much water there is, it comes out to this massive amount of energy movement up the food chain,” said DeLong, reported ScienceDirect. He added, “If this is happening at the scale that we think it could be, it should completely change our view on global carbon cycling.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘Virovore’: Scientists discover an organism that eats viruses

China is witnessing a new COVID outbreak most likely due to the BF.7 Omicron variant. There are many reports which suggest that the ground situation in hospitals and crematoriums is scary owing to the explosion in the daily number of COVID cases and the shortage of medical staff. In a key development, the management of COVID-19 will now be reduced from Class A to Class B from 8 January, according to a late Monday night announcement from China's National Health Commission (NHC). What will that change?

According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are now 40 kinds of notifiable infectious diseases in China, divided into three classes,&nbsp;Class A, Class B, and Class C.&nbsp;Class A infectious illnesses include cholera and plague. Among the infectious illnesses classified as Class B include SARS, AIDS, and TB. Flu, the mumps, and other infectious disorders fall under class C.

In a significant change to its epidemic response strategies, China will manage COVID-19 with measures against Class-B infectious illnesses rather than Class-A.&nbsp;As a result of the downgrade of COVID management from Class A to Class B, there won't be any more quarantine for travellers entering the nation, sealed COVID-19 case management, or high-risk geographic zones. However, foreign visitors who are entering China should undergo nucleic acid testing 48 hours before departure. According to a handout published by NHC, saying that China has met the right conditions for downgrading the management of COVID-19.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/travel-sites-see-an-uptick-as-china-loosens-international-travel-rules-546939">Travel sites see an uptick as China loosens international travel rules</a>

What will change?

According to Global Times, downgrading the administration of COVID-19 to Class B indicates that control of COVID-19 will once again fall under the purview of the medical system; nevertheless, tactics like widespread lockdowns and mobility restrictions enforced by local governments will no longer be applied. Reducing the management can safeguard vulnerable groups, free up a lot of medical resources from temporary hospitals that can be used for regular medical care, and serve as a foundation for future improvements to preventative and control measures.

NHC requested that community health clinics and hospitals above the secondary level open as many fever clinics as they could. Additionally, it mandated that temporary hospitals be upgraded to designated hospitals for the care of COVID-19 patients. In order to preserve lives, major hospitals were also urged to hire more employees and provide more resources, such as ensuring that there would be enough people to staff the ICU beds.

China said that it will ease the visa policies for those who wish to visit family, resume their studies, or work. In light of the global pandemic scenario and the support capability of all sectors, the nation will also gradually resume passenger transit through maritime and land ports as well as outbound tourism.

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/at-least-13-people-have-been-killed-in-philippine-floods-546931">At least 13 people have been killed in Philippine floods</a>

COVID19 name also changed&nbsp;

The National Health Commission said on Monday that China has changed the nomenclature of COVID-19 from "novel coronavirus pneumonia" to "novel coronavirus infection." Since the majority of patients displayed pneumonia symptoms, it was first referred to as new coronavirus pneumonia. However, now&nbsp;only a few patients are&nbsp;displaying&nbsp;pneumonia symptoms as a result of the Omicron variation becoming the dominant strain, the NHC stated on Monday. 
&nbsp;

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China is witnessing a new COVID outbreak most likely due to the BF.7 Omicron variant. There are many reports which suggest that the ground situation in hospitals and crematoriums is scary owing to the explosion in the daily number of COVID cases and the shortage of medical staff.

China is witnessing a new COVID outbreak most likely due to the BF.7 Omicron variant. There are many reports which suggest that the ground situation in hospitals and crematoriums is scary owing to the explosion in the daily number of COVID cases and the shortage of medical staff. In a key development, the management of COVID-19 will now be reduced from Class A to Class B from 8 January, according to a late Monday night announcement from China's National Health Commission (NHC). What will that change? According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are now 40 kinds of notifiable infectious diseases in China, divided into three classes, Class A, Class B, and Class C. Class A infectious illnesses include cholera and plague. Among the infectious illnesses classified as Class B include SARS, AIDS, and TB. Flu, the mumps, and other infectious disorders fall under class C. In a significant change to its epidemic response strategies, China will manage COVID-19 with measures against Class-B infectious illnesses rather than Class-A. As a result of the downgrade of COVID management from Class A to Class B, there won't be any more quarantine for travellers entering the nation, sealed COVID-19 case management, or high-risk geographic zones. However, foreign visitors who are entering China should undergo nucleic acid testing 48 hours before departure. According to a handout published by NHC, saying that China has met the right conditions for downgrading the management of COVID-19. ALSO READ | Travel sites see an uptick as China loosens international travel rules What will change? According to Global Times, downgrading the administration of COVID-19 to Class B indicates that control of COVID-19 will once again fall under the purview of the medical system; nevertheless, tactics like widespread lockdowns and mobility restrictions enforced by local governments will no longer be applied. Reducing the management can safeguard vulnerable groups, free up a lot of medical resources from temporary hospitals that can be used for regular medical care, and serve as a foundation for future improvements to preventative and control measures. NHC requested that community health clinics and hospitals above the secondary level open as many fever clinics as they could. Additionally, it mandated that temporary hospitals be upgraded to designated hospitals for the care of COVID-19 patients. In order to preserve lives, major hospitals were also urged to hire more employees and provide more resources, such as ensuring that there would be enough people to staff the ICU beds. China said that it will ease the visa policies for those who wish to visit family, resume their studies, or work. In light of the global pandemic scenario and the support capability of all sectors, the nation will also gradually resume passenger transit through maritime and land ports as well as outbound tourism. WATCH | At least 13 people have been killed in Philippine floods COVID19 name also changed The National Health Commission said on Monday that China has changed the nomenclature of COVID-19 from "novel coronavirus pneumonia" to "novel coronavirus infection." Since the majority of patients displayed pneumonia symptoms, it was first referred to as new coronavirus pneumonia. However, now only a few patients are displaying pneumonia symptoms as a result of the Omicron variation becoming the dominant strain, the NHC stated on Monday. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China downgrades COVID management to class B, what does it mean?

Viruses and bacteria plague the air throughout the year. Then why are respiratory illnesses more common in winter? A new study answers the question.

Trending on WION |  Climate change makes allergy season worse

Viruses and bacteria plague the air throughout the year. Then why are respiratory illnesses more common in winter? A new study answers the question. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Why do more people catch a cold in winter?

A 48,500-year-old 'zombie virus' that had been frozen beneath the ice in Russia's Siberia&nbsp;has been resurrected by scientists. As the virus has the potential to be contagious, this has generated worries of a new pandemic. As soon as this news of a new 'Zombie virus' gained traction, the Twitterati has starting cracking jokes and pulling off amazing puns on the virus. Here's how internet is bustling with memes:&nbsp;

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Scientists in Russia revive 48,000 year old <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/zombievirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#zombievirus</a> 
 
Humans : <a href="https://t.co/vxMY9BFjKk">pic.twitter.com/vxMY9BFjKk</a>
— UmderTamker (@jhampakjhum) <a href="https://twitter.com/jhampakjhum/status/1597797614271229952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/zombievirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#zombievirus</a> 
Scientists revive <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/zombievirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#zombievirus</a> 
Le medical students:- <a href="https://t.co/7eQ8gEW6Hv">pic.twitter.com/7eQ8gEW6Hv</a>
— Sachin jindal (@Themedicoswale) <a href="https://twitter.com/Themedicoswale/status/1597793366229778432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/zombievirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#zombievirus</a> getting ready to rule the world <a href="https://t.co/SP4B9iiLvd">pic.twitter.com/SP4B9iiLvd</a>
— Tweetera🐦 (@DoctorrSays) <a href="https://twitter.com/DoctorrSays/status/1597792063806136320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
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After seeing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/zombievirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#zombievirus</a> is trending : <a href="https://t.co/KMTwpkTMFF">pic.twitter.com/KMTwpkTMFF</a>
— Mr. Stark (@Mr_Stark_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mr_Stark_/status/1597790965644697601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
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What is 'Zombie virus'?&nbsp;

According to researchers who recovered almost two dozen viruses, including one frozen under a lake more than 48,500 years ago, climate change brought on by global warming is rapidly melting the ancient permafrost, which may provide a new hazard to people. Researchers from Europe analysed prehistoric samples taken from permafrost in Russia's Siberia. According to a Bloomberg story, the 13 new diseases, which they resurrected and labelled as "zombie viruses," continued to be contagious despite spending many millennia frozen in the earth.

The previous record?

The oldest, known as Pandoravirus Yedoma, this virus has an estimated age of 48,500 years. The previous record was held by a virus discovered by the same scientists in 2013 which had an age of 30,000 years.&nbsp;

Climate change waking up these hybernating viruses?&nbsp;

Scientists have long warned that the thawing of permafrost due to atmospheric warming will worsen climate change by freeing previously trapped greenhouse gases like methane. But its effect on dormant pathogens is less well understood.The team of researchers from Russia, Germany, and France said the biological risk of reanimating the viruses they studied was "totally negligible" due to the strains they targeted, mainly those capable of infecting amoeba microbes. The potential revival of a virus that could infect animals or humans is much more problematic, they said, warning that their work can be extrapolated to show the danger is real.

The thawing of permafrost brought on by climate warming has long been predicted by scientists to accelerate climate change by releasing methane and other previously contained greenhouse gases. Less is known about its impact on dormant pathogens. The team of researchers from Russia, Germany, and France said the biological danger of reanimating the viruses they analysed was "totally negligible." They cautioned that their findings may be expanded to indicate the threat is genuine, saying that the potential revival of the virus that might infect humans or animals is considerably more serious. 
The reserachers in an article wrote which is yet to be peer-reviewed said, "It is thus likely that ancient permafrost will release these unknown viruses upon thawing," as per Bloomberg.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

A 48,500-year-old 'zombie virus' that had been frozen beneath the ice in Russia's Siberia has been resurrected by scientists. As the virus has the potential to be contagious, this has generated worries of a new pandemic.

A 48,500-year-old 'zombie virus' that had been frozen beneath the ice in Russia's Siberia has been resurrected by scientists. As the virus has the potential to be contagious, this has generated worries of a new pandemic. As soon as this news of a new 'Zombie virus' gained traction, the Twitterati has starting cracking jokes and pulling off amazing puns on the virus. Here's how internet is bustling with memes: Scientists in Russia revive 48,000 year old #zombievirus Humans : pic.twitter.com/vxMY9BFjKk — UmderTamker (@jhampakjhum) November 30, 2022 × #zombievirus Scientists revive #zombievirus Le medical students:- pic.twitter.com/7eQ8gEW6Hv — Sachin jindal (@Themedicoswale) November 30, 2022 × #zombievirus getting ready to rule the world pic.twitter.com/SP4B9iiLvd — Tweetera🐦 (@DoctorrSays) November 30, 2022 × After seeing #zombievirus is trending : pic.twitter.com/KMTwpkTMFF — Mr. Stark (@Mr_Stark_) November 30, 2022 × What is 'Zombie virus'? According to researchers who recovered almost two dozen viruses, including one frozen under a lake more than 48,500 years ago, climate change brought on by global warming is rapidly melting the ancient permafrost, which may provide a new hazard to people. Researchers from Europe analysed prehistoric samples taken from permafrost in Russia's Siberia. According to a Bloomberg story, the 13 new diseases, which they resurrected and labelled as "zombie viruses," continued to be contagious despite spending many millennia frozen in the earth. The previous record? The oldest, known as Pandoravirus Yedoma, this virus has an estimated age of 48,500 years. The previous record was held by a virus discovered by the same scientists in 2013 which had an age of 30,000 years. Climate change waking up these hybernating viruses? Scientists have long warned that the thawing of permafrost due to atmospheric warming will worsen climate change by freeing previously trapped greenhouse gases like methane. But its effect on dormant pathogens is less well understood.The team of researchers from Russia, Germany, and France said the biological risk of reanimating the viruses they studied was "totally negligible" due to the strains they targeted, mainly those capable of infecting amoeba microbes. The potential revival of a virus that could infect animals or humans is much more problematic, they said, warning that their work can be extrapolated to show the danger is real. The thawing of permafrost brought on by climate warming has long been predicted by scientists to accelerate climate change by releasing methane and other previously contained greenhouse gases. Less is known about its impact on dormant pathogens. The team of researchers from Russia, Germany, and France said the biological danger of reanimating the viruses they analysed was "totally negligible." They cautioned that their findings may be expanded to indicate the threat is genuine, saying that the potential revival of the virus that might infect humans or animals is considerably more serious. The reserachers in an article wrote which is yet to be peer-reviewed said, "It is thus likely that ancient permafrost will release these unknown viruses upon thawing," as per Bloomberg.

'Zombie virus' sparks hilarious memefest on Twitter, what is it all about?

A new British study suggests that a person infected with monkeypox can transmit the virus to other people even before developing symptoms, and that this type of transmission has been responsible for the current outbreak.&nbsp;The study, published on Wednesday in the British Medical Journal by Britain's Health Security Agency, examined more than 2,700 people with monkeypox cases in the UK from May 6 to Aug. 1.

According to the research, 10 pairs showed evidence of pre-symptomatic transmission.&nbsp;They then concluded that an estimated 53 per cent of monkeypox cases were due to pre-symptomatic transmission.

The study found that the virus could be transmitted up to four days before symptoms start showing in a patient.

The most common symptoms found are painful lesions, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, muscle aches, back pain and fatigue.

“There is still more work needed to understand pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic infections and what that might mean for future policies and management of the monkeypox outbreak,” Nachi Arunachalam, the monkeypox incident director at the United Kingdom’s Health Security Agency, said in a statement.

Watch |&nbsp;'Do not touch foreigners to avoid monkeypox', Chinese doctor tells citizens

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Since early May 2022, monkeypox cases have been reported from countries where the disease is not endemic, even though the endemic countries continue to report cases.

Europe and North America have reported the most cases with travel history, rather than West or Central Africa where the monkeypox virus is endemic.

This is the first time that many monkeypox cases and clusters have been reported concurrently in non-endemic and endemic countries in widely disparate geographical areas.

Most reported cases so far have been identified through sexual health or other health services in primary or secondary health-care facilities and have involved mainly, but not exclusively, men who have sex with men.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A new British study suggests that a person infected with monkeypox can transmit the virus to other people even before developing symptoms, and that this type of transmission has been responsible for the current outbreak.

A new British study suggests that a person infected with monkeypox can transmit the virus to other people even before developing symptoms, and that this type of transmission has been responsible for the current outbreak. The study, published on Wednesday in the British Medical Journal by Britain's Health Security Agency, examined more than 2,700 people with monkeypox cases in the UK from May 6 to Aug. 1. According to the research, 10 pairs showed evidence of pre-symptomatic transmission. They then concluded that an estimated 53 per cent of monkeypox cases were due to pre-symptomatic transmission. The study found that the virus could be transmitted up to four days before symptoms start showing in a patient. The most common symptoms found are painful lesions, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, muscle aches, back pain and fatigue. “There is still more work needed to understand pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic infections and what that might mean for future policies and management of the monkeypox outbreak,” Nachi Arunachalam, the monkeypox incident director at the United Kingdom’s Health Security Agency, said in a statement. Watch | 'Do not touch foreigners to avoid monkeypox', Chinese doctor tells citizens Since early May 2022, monkeypox cases have been reported from countries where the disease is not endemic, even though the endemic countries continue to report cases. Europe and North America have reported the most cases with travel history, rather than West or Central Africa where the monkeypox virus is endemic. This is the first time that many monkeypox cases and clusters have been reported concurrently in non-endemic and endemic countries in widely disparate geographical areas. Most reported cases so far have been identified through sexual health or other health services in primary or secondary health-care facilities and have involved mainly, but not exclusively, men who have sex with men. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Monkeypox can spread even before developing symptoms in patient: Study

Scientists have observed two viruses merging to form a hybrid for the very first time. The hybrid of influenza and RSV could circumvent immune responses. Priyanka Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: New Hybrid virus detected

It needs no mention that viruses are one of the prominent microbes that infect us, especially when the world is recovering from COVID pandemic. It is an understatement that everyone should be protecting themselves from viral infections.&nbsp;

In case of an infection, body's immune system swings into action. But a hybrid virus, formed due to combination of two viruses, and capable of evading human immune system has been observed for the first time. Researchers believe that co-infections, that is, infection due to two viruses can result in significantly severe disease.

Researchers from Glasgow University deliberately infected human lung cells with two types of viruses, one caused influenza A, while the other was called respiratory syncytial virus. In other words, the lung cells were co-infected.

Contrary to researchers' belief that the viruses would compete, they fused together to form a palm-tree shaped hybrid virus.

“This kind of hybrid virus has never been described before,” said Prof Pablo Murcia, who supervised the research, published in Nature Microbiology. “We are talking about viruses from two completely different families combining together with the genomes and the external proteins of both viruses. It is a new type of virus pathogen.”

Professor Murcia was quoted by The Guardian.

The hybrid virus, once formed, was able to bypass antibodies even when they appeared to perform their function.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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It needs no mention that viruses are one of the prominent microbes that infect us, especially when the world is recovering from COVID pandemic. It is an understatement that everyone should be protecting themselves from viral infections.

It needs no mention that viruses are one of the prominent microbes that infect us, especially when the world is recovering from COVID pandemic. It is an understatement that everyone should be protecting themselves from viral infections. In case of an infection, body's immune system swings into action. But a hybrid virus, formed due to combination of two viruses, and capable of evading human immune system has been observed for the first time. Researchers believe that co-infections, that is, infection due to two viruses can result in significantly severe disease. Researchers from Glasgow University deliberately infected human lung cells with two types of viruses, one caused influenza A, while the other was called respiratory syncytial virus. In other words, the lung cells were co-infected. Contrary to researchers' belief that the viruses would compete, they fused together to form a palm-tree shaped hybrid virus. “This kind of hybrid virus has never been described before,” said Prof Pablo Murcia, who supervised the research, published in Nature Microbiology. “We are talking about viruses from two completely different families combining together with the genomes and the external proteins of both viruses. It is a new type of virus pathogen.” Professor Murcia was quoted by The Guardian. The hybrid virus, once formed, was able to bypass antibodies even when they appeared to perform their function. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Hybrid virus capable of evading immune system observed for first time

The world is heating up and as the time passes by the climate seems to get warmer every second but do you know that according to new research, the warming up of the climate could bring viruses in the Arctic into contact with new environment.

WION Climate Tracker: Next pandemic to come from melting glaciers? New virus threat as Arctic melts

The Indian government is speeding up vaccination of cattle as the lumpy skin disease claims the lives of 67,000 bovines since the outbreak was first reported in July.

The disease is mainly spread in 11 states Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu &amp; Kashmir. Some stray cases of the disease are also reported from Andhra Pradesh and Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands. While Maharashtra, too, has sounded alert.

&nbsp;Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department Secretary Jatindra Nath Swain said that the ministry has asked states to accelerate the inoculation process on war footing to curb the spread of the disease.

&nbsp;“States are currently using the 'goat pox' vaccine to control lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle," he told PTI news agency.

The official added that the commercial launch of a new vaccine called 'Lumpi-ProVacInd', which is being developed by two institutes of Agri research body ICAR, will take the next "three to four months”.

Swain said that the ‘goat-pox vaccine’ is "100 per cent effective" and almost 15 million doses have already administered to the ill cattle in affected states. The population of cattle in India is 20 million.

Though the new virus outbreak has emerged as the biggest challenge to the dairy sector, most private milk producers have claimed that disease had no big impact on milk production, adding that the country is poised with surplus milk in inventories, but some have questioned this assessment.

Lumpy skin disease is a contagious viral disease that affects cattle. It causes fever, nodules on the skin and can also lead to death.

Meanwhile, officials in Maharashtra—where so far 42 animals have died and where the disease is spreading rapidly— are running an awareness campaign on the disease and also remain present in their areas of duty to provide immediate assistance to people.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Indian government is speeding up vaccination of cattle as the lumpy skin disease claims the lives of 67,000 bovines since the outbreak was first reported in July.

The Indian government is speeding up vaccination of cattle as the lumpy skin disease claims the lives of 67,000 bovines since the outbreak was first reported in July. The disease is mainly spread in 11 states Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Some stray cases of the disease are also reported from Andhra Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. While Maharashtra, too, has sounded alert. Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department Secretary Jatindra Nath Swain said that the ministry has asked states to accelerate the inoculation process on war footing to curb the spread of the disease. “States are currently using the 'goat pox' vaccine to control lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle," he told PTI news agency. The official added that the commercial launch of a new vaccine called 'Lumpi-ProVacInd', which is being developed by two institutes of Agri research body ICAR, will take the next "three to four months”. Swain said that the ‘goat-pox vaccine’ is "100 per cent effective" and almost 15 million doses have already administered to the ill cattle in affected states. The population of cattle in India is 20 million. Though the new virus outbreak has emerged as the biggest challenge to the dairy sector, most private milk producers have claimed that disease had no big impact on milk production, adding that the country is poised with surplus milk in inventories, but some have questioned this assessment. Lumpy skin disease is a contagious viral disease that affects cattle. It causes fever, nodules on the skin and can also lead to death. Meanwhile, officials in Maharashtra—where so far 42 animals have died and where the disease is spreading rapidly— are running an awareness campaign on the disease and also remain present in their areas of duty to provide immediate assistance to people. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Lumpy skin disease: Indian govt accelerates vaccination as more cattle fall prey to virus

A mysterious respiratory illness has reportedly gripped Argentina due to which nine people have died and six are hospitalised. Authorities said the disease is reminiscent of pneumonia, with some drawing parallels to Covid outbreak.

The health ministry has spotted this ailment in northwest Tucumán rural area, wherein people have been infected by the mysterious respiratory illness, including eight medical staff at the same clinic, according to The Times.

According to reports, since Monday, three people have died, while a 70-year-old woman was admitted for a surgical procedure at the clinic.

The province’s health minister, Luis Medina Ruiz, has ruled out Covid, flu and influenza type A and B.

“What these patients have in common is the severe respiratory condition with bilateral pneumonia and compromise in [X-ray] images very similar to COVID, but that is ruled out,” Ruiz was quoted as saying.

Authorities have sent the samples of the unknown virus to the Malbran Institute in Buenos Aires and Argentina’s National Administration of Health Laboratories and Institutes.

They are also examining the water and air conditioning units in the area to test for possible poisoning.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the European Centre for Disease Control’s epidemic intelligence team said that it has been monitoring the cases, whereas scientists at the World Health Organisation have also begun tracking the situation.

Professor Devi Sridhar, chair of global health at Edinburgh University and author of “Preventable: How a Pandemic Changed The World &amp; How to Stop the Next One,” told&nbsp;the Telegraph, “It’s obviously concerning but we still need key information on transmission and hopefully [on the] underlying cause.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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A mysterious respiratory illness has reportedly gripped Argentina due to which nine people have died and six are hospitalised. Authorities said the disease is reminiscent of pneumonia, with some drawing parallels to Covid outbreak.

A mysterious respiratory illness has reportedly gripped Argentina due to which nine people have died and six are hospitalised. Authorities said the disease is reminiscent of pneumonia, with some drawing parallels to Covid outbreak. The health ministry has spotted this ailment in northwest Tucumán rural area, wherein people have been infected by the mysterious respiratory illness, including eight medical staff at the same clinic, according to The Times. According to reports, since Monday, three people have died, while a 70-year-old woman was admitted for a surgical procedure at the clinic. The province’s health minister, Luis Medina Ruiz, has ruled out Covid, flu and influenza type A and B. “What these patients have in common is the severe respiratory condition with bilateral pneumonia and compromise in [X-ray] images very similar to COVID, but that is ruled out,” Ruiz was quoted as saying. Authorities have sent the samples of the unknown virus to the Malbran Institute in Buenos Aires and Argentina’s National Administration of Health Laboratories and Institutes. They are also examining the water and air conditioning units in the area to test for possible poisoning. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the European Centre for Disease Control’s epidemic intelligence team said that it has been monitoring the cases, whereas scientists at the World Health Organisation have also begun tracking the situation. Professor Devi Sridhar, chair of global health at Edinburgh University and author of “Preventable: How a Pandemic Changed The World & How to Stop the Next One,” told the Telegraph, “It’s obviously concerning but we still need key information on transmission and hopefully [on the] underlying cause.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Mysterious respiratory illness grips Argentina; 9 dead, six infected

Delhi on Saturday recorded&nbsp;its fifth case of Monkeypox after an African woman, with travel history to Nigeria, tested positive for the virus.

The 22-year-old female patient has been admitted in Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital. Monkeypox has already been detected in five cases in the nation's capital, according to Dr. Suresh Kumar, medical director of LNJP Hospital.

A 22-year-old woman's sample tested positive on Friday, according to Dr. Kumar, and she is presently under observation.&nbsp;

"One patient has been admitted in LNJP and her sample tested positive, at present 4 patients are admitted and one has been discharged. Total five cases of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/the-nitty-gritty-of-monkeypox-500608">Monkeypox</a>&nbsp;has been reported in Delhi. She came positive yesterday. Team of doctors are treating her," the LNJP doctor told ANI.

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The patient has not travelled recently, according to the doctor, but did travel one month ago.

WATCH | Monkeypox: Expert tells WION what you must know

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On July 24 of this year, the day after the World Health Organization (WHO) designated monkeypox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, Delhi reported its first case of the disease.

To stop the spread of the virus in India, the central government has issued a number of regulations, including those at the borders.

International travellers have been warned to stay away from sick people, dead or alive wild animals, and other individuals.

On July 14, the Kollam district of Kerala announced the country's first case of monkeypox.

Monkeypox has been documented in India ten times so far, with the most recent incidence occurring in the nation's capital.

Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis, or a virus that spreads from animals to humans, according to the World Health Organization. It has symptoms resembling those of smallpox but is clinically less severe.

(With inputs from agencies)

Delhi on Saturday recorded its fifth case of Monkeypox after an African woman, with travel history to Nigeria, tested positive for the virus. The 22-year-old female patient has been admitted in Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital.

Delhi on Saturday recorded its fifth case of Monkeypox after an African woman, with travel history to Nigeria, tested positive for the virus. The 22-year-old female patient has been admitted in Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital. Monkeypox has already been detected in five cases in the nation's capital, according to Dr. Suresh Kumar, medical director of LNJP Hospital. A 22-year-old woman's sample tested positive on Friday, according to Dr. Kumar, and she is presently under observation. "One patient has been admitted in LNJP and her sample tested positive, at present 4 patients are admitted and one has been discharged. Total five cases of Monkeypox has been reported in Delhi. She came positive yesterday. Team of doctors are treating her," the LNJP doctor told ANI. The patient has not travelled recently, according to the doctor, but did travel one month ago. WATCH | Monkeypox: Expert tells WION what you must know On July 24 of this year, the day after the World Health Organization (WHO) designated monkeypox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, Delhi reported its first case of the disease. To stop the spread of the virus in India, the central government has issued a number of regulations, including those at the borders. International travellers have been warned to stay away from sick people, dead or alive wild animals, and other individuals. On July 14, the Kollam district of Kerala announced the country's first case of monkeypox. Monkeypox has been documented in India ten times so far, with the most recent incidence occurring in the nation's capital. Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis, or a virus that spreads from animals to humans, according to the World Health Organization. It has symptoms resembling those of smallpox but is clinically less severe. (With inputs from agencies)

Delhi reports fifth case of Monkeypox; 22-year-old woman tests positive

Israeli researchers are aiming to create a "precision weapon" made of bacteria-fighting viruses to combat intestinal ailments. Phase 1 clinical studies of two separate virus "cocktails" have been conducted; preliminary findings suggest that they are safe, and substantial in vitro and animal testing suggests that they are antibacterial.

According to peer-reviewed research that was published in the journal Cell, the virus significantly decreased the amount of Klebsiella pneumoniae, a bacterium that is prevalent in the stomachs of those who have Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Phage therapy also referred to as bacteriophage therapy, is not a recent concept and was the subject of extensive research in the early 20th century. Antibiotics were developed, and efforts to employ viruses in clinical settings were mostly abandoned before any notable achievements, but researchers kept using phages in experimental settings.

Due to worries about germs that are resistant to antibiotics, interest in potential phage therapeutics has recently increased. Although none of the phage therapies is in common usage, some researchers have speculated that they might offer a solution to the issue. Researchers looked into the microbiomes of people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis to determine which bacteria would be beneficial to fight as part of the Weizmann study.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-over-4300-dinosaur-footprints-discovered-in-china-created-between-jurassic-and-cretaceous-eras-503913">&nbsp;WATCH | Over 4,300 dinosaur footprints discovered in China, created between Jurassic and Cretaceous eras</a>

The phages will now go through more clinical testing to determine whether they can fight bacteria and improve health in a practical environment. The Weizmann researchers want to turn them into medications that either treat Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis or maybe even prevent them in those who are thought to have high Klebsiella pneumonia levels.

(with inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

Israeli researchers are aiming to create a "precision weapon" made of bacteria-fighting viruses to combat intestinal ailments. Phase 1 clinical studies of two separate virus "cocktails" have been conducted; preliminary findings suggest that they are safe, and substantial in vitro and animal testing suggests that they are antibacterial.

Israeli researchers are aiming to create a "precision weapon" made of bacteria-fighting viruses to combat intestinal ailments. Phase 1 clinical studies of two separate virus "cocktails" have been conducted; preliminary findings suggest that they are safe, and substantial in vitro and animal testing suggests that they are antibacterial. According to peer-reviewed research that was published in the journal Cell, the virus significantly decreased the amount of Klebsiella pneumoniae, a bacterium that is prevalent in the stomachs of those who have Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Phage therapy also referred to as bacteriophage therapy, is not a recent concept and was the subject of extensive research in the early 20th century. Antibiotics were developed, and efforts to employ viruses in clinical settings were mostly abandoned before any notable achievements, but researchers kept using phages in experimental settings. Due to worries about germs that are resistant to antibiotics, interest in potential phage therapeutics has recently increased. Although none of the phage therapies is in common usage, some researchers have speculated that they might offer a solution to the issue. Researchers looked into the microbiomes of people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis to determine which bacteria would be beneficial to fight as part of the Weizmann study. Also Read: WATCH | Over 4,300 dinosaur footprints discovered in China, created between Jurassic and Cretaceous eras The phages will now go through more clinical testing to determine whether they can fight bacteria and improve health in a practical environment. The Weizmann researchers want to turn them into medications that either treat Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis or maybe even prevent them in those who are thought to have high Klebsiella pneumonia levels. (with inputs from agencies)

Israeli scientists create ‘precision weapon’ consisting of viruses that eliminate bowel-harming bacteria

The monkeypox outbreak, which has afflicted nearly 16,000 individuals in 72 countries, was deemed a global health emergency by the World Health Organization on Saturday. This is the highest alarm it can issue.

Monkeypox is an uncommon disease caused by a monkeypox virus infection. Monkeypox virus is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. Variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus are all members of the Orthopoxvirus genus.

Monkeypox was initially found in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease in groups of monkeys utilised for the study occurred.&nbsp;

The monkeypox virus is no longer transmitted by monkeys, despite its name.&nbsp;

Monkeypox is thought to be spread by small rodents and squirrels in Africa's rainforests, though additional research is needed.

More information on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and dissemination of monkeypox can be found here.

Types of Monkeypox Virus

The monkeypox virus is divided into two types: central African and west African.

The central African monkeypox virus is more likely to cause serious illnesses and death than the west African monkeypox virus.

Symptoms and Signs of Monkeypox

The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox, however, they are usually milder.&nbsp;

Monkeypox symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle discomfort, and weariness.

Lymph nodes swollen

After one to three days, a rash would appear. The rash usually begins on the face and extends to other regions of your body, such as the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. The rash begins as flat, red pimples that eventually evolve into blisters that fill with pus.

After several days, the blisters may crust over and fall off.

Spread of Monkeypox

Monkeypox can spread for a variety of causes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

When a person comes into contact with an infected animal or human, monkeypox is disseminated. Animal-to-human transmission occurs when an infected animal's blood, body fluids, or pox lesions come into contact with broken skin, such as bites or scratches.

Monkeypox can also pass from person to person, but this is uncommon. When you come into contact with virus particles from an infected person, this is known as person-to-person transmission. Coughing, sneezing, and airborne droplets can all spread the infection. You can potentially become infected by touching an infected person's sores.

Treatment

Although there are no specific therapies for monkeypox infection at present time, outbreaks can be controlled.

A monkeypox outbreak can be controlled with the smallpox vaccine, cidofovir, ST-246, and vaccinia immune globulin (VIG).&nbsp;

The best available information about the benefits and dangers of smallpox vaccination and medicine used for the prevention and management of monkeypox and other orthopoxvirus infections was used to establish CDC guidance.

The monkeypox outbreak, which has afflicted nearly 16,000 individuals in 72 countries, was deemed a global health emergency by the World Health Organization on Saturday.

The monkeypox outbreak, which has afflicted nearly 16,000 individuals in 72 countries, was deemed a global health emergency by the World Health Organization on Saturday. This is the highest alarm it can issue. Monkeypox is an uncommon disease caused by a monkeypox virus infection. Monkeypox virus is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. Variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus are all members of the Orthopoxvirus genus. Monkeypox was initially found in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease in groups of monkeys utilised for the study occurred. The monkeypox virus is no longer transmitted by monkeys, despite its name. Monkeypox is thought to be spread by small rodents and squirrels in Africa's rainforests, though additional research is needed. More information on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and dissemination of monkeypox can be found here. Types of Monkeypox Virus The monkeypox virus is divided into two types: central African and west African. The central African monkeypox virus is more likely to cause serious illnesses and death than the west African monkeypox virus. Symptoms and Signs of Monkeypox The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox, however, they are usually milder. Monkeypox symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle discomfort, and weariness. Lymph nodes swollen After one to three days, a rash would appear. The rash usually begins on the face and extends to other regions of your body, such as the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. The rash begins as flat, red pimples that eventually evolve into blisters that fill with pus. After several days, the blisters may crust over and fall off. Spread of Monkeypox Monkeypox can spread for a variety of causes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): When a person comes into contact with an infected animal or human, monkeypox is disseminated. Animal-to-human transmission occurs when an infected animal's blood, body fluids, or pox lesions come into contact with broken skin, such as bites or scratches. Monkeypox can also pass from person to person, but this is uncommon. When you come into contact with virus particles from an infected person, this is known as person-to-person transmission. Coughing, sneezing, and airborne droplets can all spread the infection. You can potentially become infected by touching an infected person's sores. Treatment Although there are no specific therapies for monkeypox infection at present time, outbreaks can be controlled. A monkeypox outbreak can be controlled with the smallpox vaccine, cidofovir, ST-246, and vaccinia immune globulin (VIG). The best available information about the benefits and dangers of smallpox vaccination and medicine used for the prevention and management of monkeypox and other orthopoxvirus infections was used to establish CDC guidance.

Monkeypox Explained: Types, symptoms, causes, and treatment

In India's southern state of Kerala, a man who recently returned from the UAE tested positive for monkeypox, according to state Health Minister Veena George. On July 12, he arrived at the airport in Thiruvananthapuram, and according to her, he is "very stable, with all vitals normal." &nbsp;To help the state, the federal government has dispatched a team that includes specialists from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC).

"The primary contacts are identified - his father, mother, taxi driver, auto driver, and 11 passengers of the same flight who were in adjacent seats," the health ministry said as quoted by ANI.

"In view of report of confirmation of a case of Monkeypox disease from Kollam district, Kerala, it has been decided to depute the following multi-disciplinary Central Team to support State Goverment of Kerala in investigating the outbreak and institute requisite public health measures" an official statement read.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that an emergency conference would be held the following week to determine whether monkeypox needs to be declared a worldwide emergency. The organisation stated last month that the outbreak did not yet warrant the designation but added that it will examine matters including the potential for monkeypox to infect more vulnerable groups, such as children, and whether the virus is causing more severe sickness.

What signs indicate a monkeypox viral infection?

An uncommon viral infection, monkeypox rarely spreads between people. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that most people recover within a few weeks because the illness is often minor and self-limiting. But in certain people, serious sickness can happen.Muscle aches, backaches, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and tiredness are a few of the more typical symptoms. 
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In India's southern state of Kerala, a man who recently returned from the UAE tested positive for monkeypox, according to state Health Minister Veena George. On July 12, he arrived at the airport in Thiruvananthapuram, and according to her, he is "very stable, with all vitals normal.

In India's southern state of Kerala, a man who recently returned from the UAE tested positive for monkeypox, according to state Health Minister Veena George. On July 12, he arrived at the airport in Thiruvananthapuram, and according to her, he is "very stable, with all vitals normal." To help the state, the federal government has dispatched a team that includes specialists from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC). "The primary contacts are identified - his father, mother, taxi driver, auto driver, and 11 passengers of the same flight who were in adjacent seats," the health ministry said as quoted by ANI. "In view of report of confirmation of a case of Monkeypox disease from Kollam district, Kerala, it has been decided to depute the following multi-disciplinary Central Team to support State Goverment of Kerala in investigating the outbreak and institute requisite public health measures" an official statement read. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that an emergency conference would be held the following week to determine whether monkeypox needs to be declared a worldwide emergency. The organisation stated last month that the outbreak did not yet warrant the designation but added that it will examine matters including the potential for monkeypox to infect more vulnerable groups, such as children, and whether the virus is causing more severe sickness. What signs indicate a monkeypox viral infection? An uncommon viral infection, monkeypox rarely spreads between people. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that most people recover within a few weeks because the illness is often minor and self-limiting. But in certain people, serious sickness can happen.Muscle aches, backaches, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and tiredness are a few of the more typical symptoms. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Monkeypox reaches India: First confirmed case reported in Kerala

Scientists have found that the cancer-causing virus Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) can infect the neuronal cells and drive various changes in biomolecules such as fatty acids, carbohydrates, and protein components, leading to diseases of the central nervous system as well as brain cancer. EBV virus has been found to be widely present in the human population. It usually does not cause any harm, but the virus gets reactivated inside the body in some unusual conditions like immunological stress or immunocompetent, as reported by PIB.

This may further lead to various complications like a type of blood cancer called Burkitt’s lymphoma, stomach cancer, multiple sclerosis, and so on. Earlier studies provided links to EBV involvement in various neurodegenerative diseases. However, how this virus can affect the cells of the brain and manipulate them is still unexplored.&nbsp;

A research team from IIT Indore utilized the Raman microspectroscopy technique, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the FIST scheme to explore the possible impacts of a cancer-causing virus on brain cells. The technique based on Raman Effect is a simple, cost-effective tool to find sensitive chemical changes in biological samples. The study, published in the journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience, showed that there could be timely and gradual changes in various biomolecules in the neuronal cells under the viral influence. Additionally, these changes were distinct when compared to the changes observed in other supportive brain cells (that is, astrocyte and microglia).

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/canada-south-asian-communities-may-have-suffered-most-during-pandemic-says-study-495404">&nbsp;Canada: South Asian communities may have suffered most during pandemic, says study</a>

As reported by PIB, the team observed that the lipid, cholesterol, proline, and glucose molecules increased in the cells under the viral influence. These biomolecular entities could ultimately play pivotal roles in the viral usurpation of cells. Further, the study also provided insights into whether these biomolecular changes can be correlated to virus-associated impacts and linked to neurological complications. “The research work aids in the understanding of EBV-mediated biomolecular changes in the various compartments of the central nervous system leading to a better understanding of nervous system diseases,” said Dr Hem Chandra Jha.

Professor Rajesh Kumar pointed out that the study is also helpful in establishing the advantages of Raman microspectroscopy, a cost-effective and non-invasive technique, in carrying out studies on virus-associated cellular complications in clinical settings. It could provide an upper hand in analysing clinical samples in comparison to other techniques, which require advanced setups for studying the virus-associated changes in cells, tissues, and organs.

(with inputs from agencies)

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Scientists have found that the cancer-causing virus Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) can infect the neuronal cells and drive various changes in biomolecules such as fatty acids, carbohydrates, and protein components, leading to diseases of the central nervous system as well as brain cancer.

Scientists have found that the cancer-causing virus Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) can infect the neuronal cells and drive various changes in biomolecules such as fatty acids, carbohydrates, and protein components, leading to diseases of the central nervous system as well as brain cancer. EBV virus has been found to be widely present in the human population. It usually does not cause any harm, but the virus gets reactivated inside the body in some unusual conditions like immunological stress or immunocompetent, as reported by PIB. This may further lead to various complications like a type of blood cancer called Burkitt’s lymphoma, stomach cancer, multiple sclerosis, and so on. Earlier studies provided links to EBV involvement in various neurodegenerative diseases. However, how this virus can affect the cells of the brain and manipulate them is still unexplored. A research team from IIT Indore utilized the Raman microspectroscopy technique, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the FIST scheme to explore the possible impacts of a cancer-causing virus on brain cells. The technique based on Raman Effect is a simple, cost-effective tool to find sensitive chemical changes in biological samples. The study, published in the journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience, showed that there could be timely and gradual changes in various biomolecules in the neuronal cells under the viral influence. Additionally, these changes were distinct when compared to the changes observed in other supportive brain cells (that is, astrocyte and microglia). Also Read: Canada: South Asian communities may have suffered most during pandemic, says study As reported by PIB, the team observed that the lipid, cholesterol, proline, and glucose molecules increased in the cells under the viral influence. These biomolecular entities could ultimately play pivotal roles in the viral usurpation of cells. Further, the study also provided insights into whether these biomolecular changes can be correlated to virus-associated impacts and linked to neurological complications. “The research work aids in the understanding of EBV-mediated biomolecular changes in the various compartments of the central nervous system leading to a better understanding of nervous system diseases,” said Dr Hem Chandra Jha. Professor Rajesh Kumar pointed out that the study is also helpful in establishing the advantages of Raman microspectroscopy, a cost-effective and non-invasive technique, in carrying out studies on virus-associated cellular complications in clinical settings. It could provide an upper hand in analysing clinical samples in comparison to other techniques, which require advanced setups for studying the virus-associated changes in cells, tissues, and organs. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Study suggests this cancer-causing virus can lead to brain cancer

In order to help its viral takeover, coronavirus fattens up the body cells of the victim. Some fat cells increase around 64 times their normal levels, said a new study. The COVID-19 virus undergoes a massive takeover of the fat processing system of the body. It creates cellular storehouses of fat, which gives it strength to hijack the molecular machinery of the body and cause disease, said scientists. The experts tried to use weight-loss drugs and other fat-targeting compounds to keep a check on the virus in the cell culture. Within 48 hours, the virus stopped replication as it was cut off from its fatty fuel, the study found. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/viruses-can-stay-alive-in-fresh-water-for-three-days-by-attaching-to-microplastics-says-study-492288" hreflang="en">Viruses can stay alive in fresh water for three days by attaching to microplastics, says study</a>

This study was published in the ‘Nature Communications’ scientific journal. "This is exciting work, but it's the start of a very long journey. We have an interesting observation, but we have a lot more to learn about the mechanisms of this disease," said Fikadu Tafesse, corresponding author of the study. Tafesse is also the assistant professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at Oregon Health &amp; Science University. &nbsp;

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The effect of SARS-CoV-2 was studied by these experts on over 400 lipids in two different human cell lines. A massive shift in the lipid levels was witnessed by the scientists. Some fats increased around 64 times. Around 80% of fats were changed by the virus in one cell line. In the other, around 50% were altered.&nbsp; &nbsp;

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In order to help its viral takeover, coronavirus fattens up the body cells of the victim. Some fat cells increase around 64 times their normal levels, said a new study.

In order to help its viral takeover, coronavirus fattens up the body cells of the victim. Some fat cells increase around 64 times their normal levels, said a new study. The COVID-19 virus undergoes a massive takeover of the fat processing system of the body. It creates cellular storehouses of fat, which gives it strength to hijack the molecular machinery of the body and cause disease, said scientists. The experts tried to use weight-loss drugs and other fat-targeting compounds to keep a check on the virus in the cell culture. Within 48 hours, the virus stopped replication as it was cut off from its fatty fuel, the study found. Also Read: Viruses can stay alive in fresh water for three days by attaching to microplastics, says study This study was published in the ‘Nature Communications’ scientific journal. "This is exciting work, but it's the start of a very long journey. We have an interesting observation, but we have a lot more to learn about the mechanisms of this disease," said Fikadu Tafesse, corresponding author of the study. Tafesse is also the assistant professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at Oregon Health & Science University. Watch: These countries in Europe have cleanest bathing waters The effect of SARS-CoV-2 was studied by these experts on over 400 lipids in two different human cell lines. A massive shift in the lipid levels was witnessed by the scientists. Some fats increased around 64 times. Around 80% of fats were changed by the virus in one cell line. In the other, around 50% were altered. Watch WION's live TV here: (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Covid virus fattens body cells to initiate its takeover, says study

Public health officials in London have declared a 'national incident' after finding evidence of community transmission of Polio virus for the first time four decades.

Traces of Polio virus found in London sewers

With the spread of monkeypox in over 39 countries, WHO has decided to conduct an emergency meeting this week to assess the threat caused by the virus. They will also assess if the virus outbreak represents a public health emergency in the coming days.

WHO to assess if Monkeypox is a health emergency

The World Health Organization will rename the monkeypox virus after a group of scientists called for a non discriminatory name. Meanwhile, WHO has also decided to conduct an emergency meeting this week to assess the threat caused by the virus.

WHO to rename Monkeypox, scientists call for a non discriminatory name

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned about the possible outbreak in non-endemic nations and urged affected countries to control outbreak. Infected people are advised to isolate themselves.

Monkeypox outbreak: New cases show community transmission

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that the rare Monkeypox viral infection has now reached 27 nations with at least 780 confirmed cases reported globally. WHO added, further spread of virus is likely.

Monkeypox outbreak: 'Further spread of virus likely,' says WHO

Iraq is in the midst of an outbreak of a fever that causes people to bleed to death, according to local media reports.

The disease called the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever has claimed 19 deaths among 111 cases this year, according to the World Health Organization.

The disease has been spreading rapidly in the Iraqi countryside, with the southern province alon recording half of the country’s cases.

According to medics, the virus causes severe bleeding both internally and externally and especially from the nose. As many as two-fifths of the cases die.

"The number of cases recorded is unprecedented," Haidar Hantouche, a health official in Dhi Qar province told the AFP.

The surge in cases this year has shocked officials, since numbers far exceed recorded cases in the 43 years since the virus was first documented in Iraq in 1979.

What do we know about the disease?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CCHF is caused by infection with a tick-borne virus.

The disease was first found in Crimea in 1944 and given the name Crimean hemorrhagic fever. It was then later recognized in 1969 as the cause of illness in the Congo, thus resulting in the current name of the disease.

It is endemic in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Balkans.

"Animals become infected by the bite of infected ticks," said the&nbsp;WHO.

"The CCHF virus is transmitted to people either by tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter," it added.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CCHF's fatality rate is between 10 per cent and 40 per cent.

Is there any preventive cure?

The virus has no vaccine and its onset can be swift. CDC said the long-term effects of CCHF infection have not been studied well enough in survivors to determine whether or not specific complications exist. However, recovery is slow.

Main targets—farmers, veterinarians

Since the virus is "primarily transmitted" to people via ticks on livestock, most cases are among farmers, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians, the WHO says.

"Human-to-human transmission can occur resulting from close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons," it adds.

Alongside uncontrolled bleeding, the virus causes intense fever and vomiting.

Medics fear there may be an explosion of cases following the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha in July, when families traditionally slaughter an animal to feed guests.

Slaughterhouses take a hit

The virus has also adversely affected meat consumption in the country, with many butchers saying cattle arriving for slaughter has fallen to half normal levels. "People are afraid of red meat and think it can transmit infection," said Fares Mansour, Director of Najaf Veterinary Hospital.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Iraq is in the midst of an outbreak of a fever that causes people to bleed to death, according to local media reports. The disease called the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever has claimed 19 deaths among 111 cases this year, according to the World Health Organization.

Iraq is in the midst of an outbreak of a fever that causes people to bleed to death, according to local media reports. The disease called the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever has claimed 19 deaths among 111 cases this year, according to the World Health Organization. The disease has been spreading rapidly in the Iraqi countryside, with the southern province alon recording half of the country’s cases. According to medics, the virus causes severe bleeding both internally and externally and especially from the nose. As many as two-fifths of the cases die. "The number of cases recorded is unprecedented," Haidar Hantouche, a health official in Dhi Qar province told the AFP. The surge in cases this year has shocked officials, since numbers far exceed recorded cases in the 43 years since the virus was first documented in Iraq in 1979. What do we know about the disease? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CCHF is caused by infection with a tick-borne virus. The disease was first found in Crimea in 1944 and given the name Crimean hemorrhagic fever. It was then later recognized in 1969 as the cause of illness in the Congo, thus resulting in the current name of the disease. It is endemic in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Balkans. "Animals become infected by the bite of infected ticks," said the WHO. "The CCHF virus is transmitted to people either by tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter," it added. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CCHF's fatality rate is between 10 per cent and 40 per cent. Is there any preventive cure? The virus has no vaccine and its onset can be swift. CDC said the long-term effects of CCHF infection have not been studied well enough in survivors to determine whether or not specific complications exist. However, recovery is slow. Main targets—farmers, veterinarians Since the virus is "primarily transmitted" to people via ticks on livestock, most cases are among farmers, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians, the WHO says. "Human-to-human transmission can occur resulting from close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons," it adds. Alongside uncontrolled bleeding, the virus causes intense fever and vomiting. Medics fear there may be an explosion of cases following the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha in July, when families traditionally slaughter an animal to feed guests. Slaughterhouses take a hit The virus has also adversely affected meat consumption in the country, with many butchers saying cattle arriving for slaughter has fallen to half normal levels. "People are afraid of red meat and think it can transmit infection," said Fares Mansour, Director of Najaf Veterinary Hospital. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iraq seeing outbreak of nose-bleed fever. Here’s what we know about the deadly disease

A new study, published in the prestigious medical journal Lancet says that a common virus that usually causes cold-like symptoms resulted in deaths of more than 100,000 children in the world in year 2019. These children were under the age of five.

This is the first such study that examined respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease burden in this age group. The study said that there were over 45,000 deaths in infants in 2019. These infants were under six months old. This age bracket accounted for one in five cases of RSV.

"RSV is the predominant cause of acute lower respiratory infection in young children and our updated estimates reveal that children six months and younger are particularly vulnerable,” said research co-author, Harish Nair, from the University of Edinburgh, UK. He was quoted by news agency PTI.

This is "especially with cases surging as COVID-19 restrictions are easing around the world and majority of the young children born in the last 2 years have never been exposed to RSV (and therefore have no immunity against this virus)," Nair said.

Researchers feel that study with narrower age brackets in mind may help us decide which section of the population needs prioritised vaccination.

These include pregnant people, so that children in the youngest age groups can be protected, similarly to current strategies which offer vaccines for whooping cough, typhoid, and tetanus to pregnant people, they said.

Another study of this kind was carried out in 2015. The findings of the latest study are broadly consistent with the 2015 study.

The 2015 study had placed the number of annual cases of RSV in children up to five years old at 33.1 million, resulting in a total of 118,200 overall deaths, the researchers said.

However, these updated calculations of RSV mortality on global, regional, and national levels for the year 2019 include modelling data from over a hundred new studies, they said.

This allowed researchers to provide estimates for narrower age groups - including from 28 days to six months old, which is known to be the age range with the highest RSV fatality rate -- and community mortality rates, i.e., deaths that did not occur in a hospital.

Across the globe in 2019, there were 33 million RSV-associated acute lower respiratory infection episodes in children under five years old, leading to 3.6 million hospital admissions, 26,300 in-hospital deaths and 101,400 RSV-attributable deaths overall, the researchers said.

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A new study, published in the prestigious medical journal Lancet says that a common virus that usually causes cold-like symptoms resulted in deaths of more than 100,000 children in the world in year 2019.

A new study, published in the prestigious medical journal Lancet says that a common virus that usually causes cold-like symptoms resulted in deaths of more than 100,000 children in the world in year 2019. These children were under the age of five. This is the first such study that examined respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease burden in this age group. The study said that there were over 45,000 deaths in infants in 2019. These infants were under six months old. This age bracket accounted for one in five cases of RSV. "RSV is the predominant cause of acute lower respiratory infection in young children and our updated estimates reveal that children six months and younger are particularly vulnerable,” said research co-author, Harish Nair, from the University of Edinburgh, UK. He was quoted by news agency PTI. This is "especially with cases surging as COVID-19 restrictions are easing around the world and majority of the young children born in the last 2 years have never been exposed to RSV (and therefore have no immunity against this virus)," Nair said. Researchers feel that study with narrower age brackets in mind may help us decide which section of the population needs prioritised vaccination. These include pregnant people, so that children in the youngest age groups can be protected, similarly to current strategies which offer vaccines for whooping cough, typhoid, and tetanus to pregnant people, they said. Another study of this kind was carried out in 2015. The findings of the latest study are broadly consistent with the 2015 study. The 2015 study had placed the number of annual cases of RSV in children up to five years old at 33.1 million, resulting in a total of 118,200 overall deaths, the researchers said. However, these updated calculations of RSV mortality on global, regional, and national levels for the year 2019 include modelling data from over a hundred new studies, they said. This allowed researchers to provide estimates for narrower age groups - including from 28 days to six months old, which is known to be the age range with the highest RSV fatality rate -- and community mortality rates, i.e., deaths that did not occur in a hospital. Across the globe in 2019, there were 33 million RSV-associated acute lower respiratory infection episodes in children under five years old, leading to 3.6 million hospital admissions, 26,300 in-hospital deaths and 101,400 RSV-attributable deaths overall, the researchers said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Cold-like symptoms causing virus has killed more than 100,000 children in 2019: Study

A man in the United States tested positive for the Powassan virus as authorities said people should take steps against possible tick bites.

The man who was above 50 was reported with the virus in late March as laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the virus. The man was hospitalised after the&nbsp;tick bite was discovered and recovered later.

What is Powassan virus?

The virus is spread among humans from an infected tick. It can become potentially serious as it can cause infection in the brain or encephalitis including meningitis.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-what-is-cerebral-aneurysm-that-chinese-president-xi-jinping-reportedly-suffers-from-478027">Also Read:&nbsp;What is 'cerebral aneurysm' that Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly suffers from?</a>

Where has it occurred in the US?

According to the CDC, Powassan rarely spreads through person-to-person by blood transfusion. It also does not spread by coughing or touching. A person infected with the virus suffers from loss of coordination&nbsp;and confusion including seizures.

CDC said the cases of Powassan virus have been increasing with late spring through to fall when ticks are believed to be active. It has been detected in the northeastern and Great Lakes regions in the US.

People who work around bushy and wooded areas are most at risk. The CDC recommends ticks on pets should be prevented.

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What are the symptoms?

A person develops headaches, fever and weakness including vomiting after the tick bite. The infected person might start feeling sick up to&nbsp;one week to one month after being infected.&nbsp;

How can it be cured?

Although there is no specific treatment for Powassan&nbsp;but the CDC recommends hospitalisation including breathing support, staying hydrated and taking steps to reduce swelling in the brain.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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A man in the United States tested positive for the Powassan virus as authorities said people should take steps against possible tick bites. The man who was above 50 was reported with the virus in late March as laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the virus.

A man in the United States tested positive for the Powassan virus as authorities said people should take steps against possible tick bites. The man who was above 50 was reported with the virus in late March as laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the virus. The man was hospitalised after the tick bite was discovered and recovered later. What is Powassan virus? The virus is spread among humans from an infected tick. It can become potentially serious as it can cause infection in the brain or encephalitis including meningitis. Also Read: What is 'cerebral aneurysm' that Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly suffers from? Where has it occurred in the US? According to the CDC, Powassan rarely spreads through person-to-person by blood transfusion. It also does not spread by coughing or touching. A person infected with the virus suffers from loss of coordination and confusion including seizures. CDC said the cases of Powassan virus have been increasing with late spring through to fall when ticks are believed to be active. It has been detected in the northeastern and Great Lakes regions in the US. People who work around bushy and wooded areas are most at risk. The CDC recommends ticks on pets should be prevented. Watch: What is a Keto diet? Don't follow diet fads blindly What are the symptoms? A person develops headaches, fever and weakness including vomiting after the tick bite. The infected person might start feeling sick up to one week to one month after being infected. How can it be cured? Although there is no specific treatment for Powassan but the CDC recommends hospitalisation including breathing support, staying hydrated and taking steps to reduce swelling in the brain. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Man hospitalised with Powassan virus: Is it life-threatening? How can it be prevented?

China has found a patient with a new subtype of the Wuhan virus. Reports say the subtype "doesn't match other coronavirus". Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you more.

Gravitas: Covid pandemic: A new scare from China

It may seem strange after a pandemic that has killed&nbsp;millions&nbsp;and turned the world upside down, but&nbsp;viruses&nbsp;could&nbsp;save&nbsp;just as many&nbsp;lives.

In a petri dish in a laboratory in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, a battle is going on between antibiotic resistant bacteria and "friendly"&nbsp;viruses.

This small nation in the Caucasus has pioneered research on a groundbreaking way to tackle the looming nightmare of bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics on which the world depends.

Long overlooked in the West, bacteriophages or bacteria-eating&nbsp;viruses&nbsp;are now being used on some of the most difficult medical cases, including a Belgian woman who developed a life-threatening infection after being injured in the 2016 Brussels airport bombing.

After two years of unsuccessful antibiotic treatment, bacteriophages sent from Tbilisi cured her infection in three months.

"We use those phages that kill harmful bacteria" to cure patients when antibiotics fail, Mzia Kutateladze of the Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages told AFP.&nbsp;

Even a banal infection can "kill a patient because the pathogen has developed resistance to antibiotics," Kutateladze said.

In such cases, phagotherapy "is one of the best alternatives", she added.

Phages have been known about for a century, but were largely forgotten and dismissed after antibiotics revolutionised medicine in the 1930s.

Stalin's henchman

It didn't help that the man who did most to develop them, Georgian scientist Giorgi Eliava, was executed in 1937 on the orders of another Georgian, Lavrentiy Beria, Stalin's most notorious henchman and the head of his secret police.

Eliava had worked in the Pasteur Institute in Paris with French-Canadian microbiologist Felix d'Herelle, one of the two men credited with discovering phages, and persuaded Stalin to invite him to Tbilisi in 1934.&nbsp;

But their collaboration was cut short when Beria had Eliava killed, although his motive still remains a mystery.&nbsp;

With the World Health Organization now declaring antimicrobial resistance a global health crisis, phages are making a comeback, especially as they can target bacteria while leaving human cells intact.

A recent study warned that superbugs&nbsp;could&nbsp;kill as many as 10 million people a year when antimicrobial resistance due to overuse of antibiotics reaches a tipping point. That&nbsp;could&nbsp;come within three decades.

'Training'&nbsp;viruses

While phages-based medicines cannot completely replace antibiotics, researchers say they have major pluses in being cheap, not having side-effects nor damaging organs or gut flora.

"We produce six standard phages that are of wide spectrum and can heal multiple infectious diseases," said Eliava Institute physician Lia Nadareishvili.

In some 10 to 15 percent of patients, however, standard phages don't work and "we have to find ones capable of killing the particular bacterial strain," she added.

Tailored phages to target rare infections can be selected from the institute's massive collection -- the world's richest -- or be found in sewage or polluted water or soil, Kutateladze said.

The institute can even "train" phages so that "they can kill more and more different harmful bacteria."

"It is a cheap and easily accessible therapy," she added.

Last-resort treatment

A 34-year-old American mechanical engineer suffering from a chronic bacterial disease for six years told AFP he "already felt improvement" after two weeks at the Tbilisi institute.

"I've tried every possible treatment in the United States," said Andrew, who would only give his first name.

He is one of the hundreds of patients from around the globe who arrive in Georgia every year for last-resort treatment, said Nadareishvili.

With the traditional antimicrobial armoury depleting rapidly, more clinical studies are needed so that phagotherapy can be more widely approved, Kutateladze argued.

In 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised a clinical study on the use of bacteriophages to cure secondary infections in Covid patients.

Beyond medicine, phages are already being used to stop food going off, and they "can be used in agriculture to protect crops and animals from harmful bacteria," Kutateladze said.&nbsp;

The institute has already conducted research on bacteria targeting cotton and rice.

Bacteriophages also have potential to counter biological weapons and combat bioterrorism, with Canadian researchers&nbsp;publishing a 2017 study on using them to counter an anthrax attack on crowded public places.

It may seem strange after a pandemic that has killed millions and turned the world upside down, but viruses could save just as many lives. In a petri dish in a laboratory in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, a battle is going on between antibiotic resistant bacteria and "friendly" viruses.

It may seem strange after a pandemic that has killed millions and turned the world upside down, but viruses could save just as many lives. In a petri dish in a laboratory in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, a battle is going on between antibiotic resistant bacteria and "friendly" viruses. This small nation in the Caucasus has pioneered research on a groundbreaking way to tackle the looming nightmare of bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics on which the world depends. Long overlooked in the West, bacteriophages or bacteria-eating viruses are now being used on some of the most difficult medical cases, including a Belgian woman who developed a life-threatening infection after being injured in the 2016 Brussels airport bombing. After two years of unsuccessful antibiotic treatment, bacteriophages sent from Tbilisi cured her infection in three months. "We use those phages that kill harmful bacteria" to cure patients when antibiotics fail, Mzia Kutateladze of the Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages told AFP. Even a banal infection can "kill a patient because the pathogen has developed resistance to antibiotics," Kutateladze said. In such cases, phagotherapy "is one of the best alternatives", she added. Phages have been known about for a century, but were largely forgotten and dismissed after antibiotics revolutionised medicine in the 1930s. Stalin's henchman It didn't help that the man who did most to develop them, Georgian scientist Giorgi Eliava, was executed in 1937 on the orders of another Georgian, Lavrentiy Beria, Stalin's most notorious henchman and the head of his secret police. Eliava had worked in the Pasteur Institute in Paris with French-Canadian microbiologist Felix d'Herelle, one of the two men credited with discovering phages, and persuaded Stalin to invite him to Tbilisi in 1934. But their collaboration was cut short when Beria had Eliava killed, although his motive still remains a mystery. With the World Health Organization now declaring antimicrobial resistance a global health crisis, phages are making a comeback, especially as they can target bacteria while leaving human cells intact. A recent study warned that superbugs could kill as many as 10 million people a year when antimicrobial resistance due to overuse of antibiotics reaches a tipping point. That could come within three decades. 'Training' viruses While phages-based medicines cannot completely replace antibiotics, researchers say they have major pluses in being cheap, not having side-effects nor damaging organs or gut flora. "We produce six standard phages that are of wide spectrum and can heal multiple infectious diseases," said Eliava Institute physician Lia Nadareishvili. In some 10 to 15 percent of patients, however, standard phages don't work and "we have to find ones capable of killing the particular bacterial strain," she added. Tailored phages to target rare infections can be selected from the institute's massive collection -- the world's richest -- or be found in sewage or polluted water or soil, Kutateladze said. The institute can even "train" phages so that "they can kill more and more different harmful bacteria." "It is a cheap and easily accessible therapy," she added. Last-resort treatment A 34-year-old American mechanical engineer suffering from a chronic bacterial disease for six years told AFP he "already felt improvement" after two weeks at the Tbilisi institute. "I've tried every possible treatment in the United States," said Andrew, who would only give his first name. He is one of the hundreds of patients from around the globe who arrive in Georgia every year for last-resort treatment, said Nadareishvili. With the traditional antimicrobial armoury depleting rapidly, more clinical studies are needed so that phagotherapy can be more widely approved, Kutateladze argued. In 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised a clinical study on the use of bacteriophages to cure secondary infections in Covid patients. Beyond medicine, phages are already being used to stop food going off, and they "can be used in agriculture to protect crops and animals from harmful bacteria," Kutateladze said. The institute has already conducted research on bacteria targeting cotton and rice. Bacteriophages also have potential to counter biological weapons and combat bioterrorism, with Canadian researchers publishing a 2017 study on using them to counter an anthrax attack on crowded public places.

Viruses that could save millions of lives

With only 2,503 new Covid infections, Indian recorded its lowest single-day cases in the two years, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.

The death toll climbed to 5,15,877 with 27 fresh fatalities, including 15 from Kerala.

The active cases dipped to 36,168, the lowest in 675 days, comprising 0.08 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate further improved to 98.72 per cent, the ministry said.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.47 per cent and the weekly positivity rate also stood at 0.47 per cent.

On Sunday, the country registered 3,116 infections along with 47 deaths and 5,559 recoveries.

&nbsp;The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,24,41,449 and the case fatality rate was recorded as 1.20 per cent.

The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 180 million.

Daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.47 per cent and weekly positivity rate at 0.47 per cent.

As many as 77 million total tests have been conducted so far and 5,32,232 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.

A total of 5,15,877 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,43,752 from Maharashtra, 66,808 from Kerala, 40,018 from Karnataka, 38,023 from Tamil Nadu, 26,141 from Delhi, 23,492 from Uttar Pradesh and 21,187 from West Bengal.

The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

India's COVID-19 tally surpassed the 10-million mark on December 19, 2020. The country crossed the grim milestone of 2 million on May 4 and three million on June 23 last year.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

With only 2,503 new Covid infections, Indian recorded its lowest single-day cases in the two years, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.

With only 2,503 new Covid infections, Indian recorded its lowest single-day cases in the two years, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. The death toll climbed to 5,15,877 with 27 fresh fatalities, including 15 from Kerala. The active cases dipped to 36,168, the lowest in 675 days, comprising 0.08 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate further improved to 98.72 per cent, the ministry said. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.47 per cent and the weekly positivity rate also stood at 0.47 per cent. On Sunday, the country registered 3,116 infections along with 47 deaths and 5,559 recoveries. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,24,41,449 and the case fatality rate was recorded as 1.20 per cent. The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 180 million. Daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.47 per cent and weekly positivity rate at 0.47 per cent. As many as 77 million total tests have been conducted so far and 5,32,232 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. A total of 5,15,877 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,43,752 from Maharashtra, 66,808 from Kerala, 40,018 from Karnataka, 38,023 from Tamil Nadu, 26,141 from Delhi, 23,492 from Uttar Pradesh and 21,187 from West Bengal. The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation. India's COVID-19 tally surpassed the 10-million mark on December 19, 2020. The country crossed the grim milestone of 2 million on May 4 and three million on June 23 last year. (With inputs from agencies)

India records 2,503 new Covid infections, lowest single-day rise in two years

Two mayors have been dismissed in northeastern China, and Shanghai has closed its school system and shifted to online instruction, as a coronavirus outbreak in mainland China gathers speed.

China’s National Health Commission announced on Saturday that another 1,524 locally transmitted coronavirus cases had been detected in provinces across mainland China. That was up from 1,100 cases reported a day earlier, and a couple hundred cases per day a week ago.

Though China suffered heavy loss of life when COVID-19 first emerged in the city of Wuhan more than two years ago, it has had much more success than any other large country in controlling the virus since then. The surge in cases in the last few days, fueled by the omicron variant, still leaves China far below the daily infection count of about 35,000 in the United States, which has less than a quarter of China’s population.

The current spike in cases still poses a significant challenge for China. After adopting a zero-tolerance strategy toward the virus for most of the past two years, China has shifted in recent months to a “dynamic zero” strategy. Under the new strategy, national leaders have tolerated the occasional emergence of a handful of cases in a city, provided that city leaders then quickly stamp out all further cases.

Now the omicron variant is proving so infectious that local leaders no longer seem able to stamp out each outbreak. The cases reported on Saturday were scattered across 20 of China’s 31 provinces.

The mayors of Jilin City and the Jiutai district of the city of Changchun have both been dismissed, the state-run Xinhua news agency announced on Saturday, without specifying exactly when the dismissals had happened. Both places have had rapidly expanding outbreaks.

Jilin City has an urban population of 1.8 million, while the mostly rural Jiutai district had 826,000 people in 2014, the last year for which the National Bureau of Statistics has released its population data.

Changchun, which has 9 million people, was placed under partial lockdown on Friday, with each household only allowed to send out a member every other day to buy supplies. Jilin City, with over 1,000 cases in the past 10 days, has had a sustained outbreak at a local agricultural university.

China’s system for detecting and tracing infections has relied heavily on mandatory testing for anyone with a fever. Temperature checks are common at entrances to shopping malls and office complexes. Furthermore, people who try to buy fever-relieving medicine are tested for the coronavirus.

But two-thirds of the cases reported nationwide on Saturday involved people with no symptoms, possibly because China has a nearly 90% vaccination rate. Infected yet asymptomatic people can spread the virus to others, but finding these people is hard, Chinese officials have said.

Two mayors have been dismissed in northeastern China, and Shanghai has closed its school system and shifted to online instruction, as a coronavirus outbreak in mainland China gathers speed.

Two mayors have been dismissed in northeastern China, and Shanghai has closed its school system and shifted to online instruction, as a coronavirus outbreak in mainland China gathers speed. China’s National Health Commission announced on Saturday that another 1,524 locally transmitted coronavirus cases had been detected in provinces across mainland China. That was up from 1,100 cases reported a day earlier, and a couple hundred cases per day a week ago. Though China suffered heavy loss of life when COVID-19 first emerged in the city of Wuhan more than two years ago, it has had much more success than any other large country in controlling the virus since then. The surge in cases in the last few days, fueled by the omicron variant, still leaves China far below the daily infection count of about 35,000 in the United States, which has less than a quarter of China’s population. The current spike in cases still poses a significant challenge for China. After adopting a zero-tolerance strategy toward the virus for most of the past two years, China has shifted in recent months to a “dynamic zero” strategy. Under the new strategy, national leaders have tolerated the occasional emergence of a handful of cases in a city, provided that city leaders then quickly stamp out all further cases. Now the omicron variant is proving so infectious that local leaders no longer seem able to stamp out each outbreak. The cases reported on Saturday were scattered across 20 of China’s 31 provinces. The mayors of Jilin City and the Jiutai district of the city of Changchun have both been dismissed, the state-run Xinhua news agency announced on Saturday, without specifying exactly when the dismissals had happened. Both places have had rapidly expanding outbreaks. Jilin City has an urban population of 1.8 million, while the mostly rural Jiutai district had 826,000 people in 2014, the last year for which the National Bureau of Statistics has released its population data. Changchun, which has 9 million people, was placed under partial lockdown on Friday, with each household only allowed to send out a member every other day to buy supplies. Jilin City, with over 1,000 cases in the past 10 days, has had a sustained outbreak at a local agricultural university. China’s system for detecting and tracing infections has relied heavily on mandatory testing for anyone with a fever. Temperature checks are common at entrances to shopping malls and office complexes. Furthermore, people who try to buy fever-relieving medicine are tested for the coronavirus. But two-thirds of the cases reported nationwide on Saturday involved people with no symptoms, possibly because China has a nearly 90% vaccination rate. Infected yet asymptomatic people can spread the virus to others, but finding these people is hard, Chinese officials have said.

China fires mayors and closes schools as an outbreak spreads

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