Number Of New Covid Cases Increased 52% Globally In One Month: WHO

GENEVA, Dec 23: The number of new COVID cases increased by 52 per cent during the past four-odd weeks, the WHO said, with over 850 000 new cases reported during the period.

The number of new deaths decreased by 8 per cent as compared to the previous 28-day period, with over 3,000 new fatalities reported, World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest press release.

As of December 17, over 772 million confirmed cases and nearly seven million deaths have been reported globally since the onset of COVID-19, the WHO noted.

Further, the WHO said over 118,000 new COVID-19 hospitalisations and over 1600 new intensive care unit (ICU) admissions have been recorded, with an overall increase of 23 per cent and 51 per cent, respectively, globally.

As of December 18, 2023, JN.1, a sub-lineage of BA.2.86 Omicron variant has been designated a separate variant of interest (VOI) apart from its parent lineage BA.2.86 due to its rapid increase in prevalence in recent weeks. Globally, EG.5 remains the most reported variant of interest.

Due to its rapidly increasing spread, WHO is classifying the variant JN.1 as a separate variant of interest (VOI) from the parent lineage BA.2.86. It was previously classified as VOI as part of BA.2.86 sublineages.

Based on the available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low. Despite this, with the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, JN.1 could increase the burden of respiratory infections in many countries.

The WHO had earlier said it was continuously monitoring the evidence and would update the JN.1 risk evaluation as needed.

Current vaccines continue to protect against severe disease and death from JN.1 and other circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, it noted.

COVID-19 is not the only respiratory disease circulating. Influenza, RSV, and common childhood pneumonia are also on the rise.

The WHO advises people to take measures to prevent infections and severe disease using all available tools. These include wearing a mask when in crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated areas, keeping a safe distance from others, practicing respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes), cleaning hands regularly, and getting tested if one has any symptoms or if you might have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or influenza.

594 fresh infections reported amid JN.1 worry

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: India has confirmed 21 cases of the JN.1 Covid variant, sparking both attention and concern across the nation. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified JN.1 as a variant of interest, distinct from its parent lineage BA.2.86. However, the global health body emphasizes that the overall risk posed by JN.1 remains low based on current evidence.

While the Union Health Ministry emphasizes the need for caution, experts are quick to allay fears, underlining the effectiveness of existing treatments and the mild nature of the infection.

As many as 19 cases of JN.1 have been traced in Goa and one each in Kerala and Maharashtra.

India logs 614 new Covid cases, highest since May 21; 3 deaths in Kerala

NEW DELHI, Dec 20: There has been an uptick in Covid cases in some states in the country after the detection of the first case of Coronavirus sub-variant JN.1 in Kerala. Insacog, the central government forum of labs, found 19 sequences of BA.2.86 descendant JN.1 - one from Maharashtra and 18 from Goa.

India recorded 614 new coronavirus infections, the highest since May 21, while the active cases have increased to 2,311, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

The death toll was recorded at 5,33,321 with three deaths reported from Kerala in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8am showed.

Kerala has reported 292 fresh Covid infections and three deaths in 24 hours, data from the Union health ministry website said.

There were 341 new Covid infections reported nationwide on Wednesday with the majority (292 cases) originating in Kerala. This brings the total number of active cases in the country to 2,311, according to information from the Ministry website.

Additionally, three new deaths have been reported in Kerala, contributing to a total of 72,056 Covid-related fatalities in the state since the outbreak began three years ago.

The total tally of deaths related to Covid-19 infection stands at 533321 while the number of discharged persons is at 44470346.

Union health minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday held a high-level review meeting with representatives of all states/UTs on the preparedness of health services in the backdrop of the recent upsurge of Covid cases in various states.

Speaking at the meeting Mandaviya said, "It is time to work together with a 'Whole of government' approach... We need to be on the alert, but there is no need to panic. It's important to be prepared with mock drills of hospital preparedness, increased surveillance and effective communication with people. A mock drill should be done in all hospitals once every 3 months. I assure all support of the Centre to States. Health is not an area of politics."

Earlier, the central government issued an advisory to all the states amid the rising Covid cases and the detection of the first JN.1 variant in India. State governments including those of Uttarakhand, Karnataka, and Rajasthan also conducted review meetings and advisories amid the Covid scare.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the symptoms linked to the new Covid variant are generally mild to moderate in severity. These symptoms may encompass fever, a runny nose, sore throat, and headaches. The majority of individuals affected by this variant tend to exhibit mild upper respiratory symptoms, and these typically show improvement within a span of four to five days. In certain rare instances, individuals infected with the JN.1 variant may also encounter gastrointestinal issues, resulting in changes to digestive health, the WHO says.

WHO classifies JN.1 as Covid-19 'variant of interest'

GENEVA, Dec 19: The World Health Organization (WHO) classified the JN.1 Covid strain as a "variant of interest" but said that it did not pose much threat to public health. JN.1 was previously classified as a variant of interest as a part of its parent lineage BA.2.86.

"Based on the available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low," WHO said.

The agency said that current vaccines continue to protect against severe disease and death from JN.1 and other circulating variants of the Covid-19 virus, as per a news agency.

Earlier, the World Health Organization had said that the virus was changing and evolving while urging member states to continue strong surveillance and sequence sharing.

The world health body said on X (formerly Twitter), “Dr @mvankerkhove talks about the current surge in respiratory diseases #COVID19 and JN.1 subvariant. WHO continues to assess the situation. Follow WHO's public health advice to keep your families and friends safe during this holiday season.”

JN.1 variant in India

The variant has also been detected in Kerala prompting Centre to issue an advisory to the state governments urging them to make adequate health arrangements.

"Considering the upcoming festive season, there is a need to put in place requisite public health measures and other arrangements to minimize the risk of increase in transmission of the disease by adherence to the maintenance of respiratory hygiene", the advisory read.

JN.1 Covid variant: Centre issues 'maintain vigil' advisory to states

NEW DELHI, Dec 18: The Central government has issued an advisory to the states after the detection of the first JN.1 variant in India, asking them to “maintain constant vigil”.

The advisory, by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said: “As you must be aware, the World Health Organization in May this year, owing to sustained decline in trajectory of COVID-19 and significant achievements gained over couple of years in achieving widespread Immunization coverage, withdrew the PHEIC status of Covid-19 pandemic.
In India as well, due to consistent and collaborative actions between Centre and State Governments, we have been able to sustain the trajectory at sustainable low rates. However, as the Covid-19 virus continues to circulate and its epidemiology behaviour gets settled with Indian weather conditions and circulation of other usual pathogens, it is of utmost importance that we maintain a state of constant vigil over the COVID situation, right up to the District levels.”

It added that in the upcoming festive season, there is a need to put in place essential public health measures as well as other arrangements in order to minimise the risk of an increase in transmission of Covid by adherence to the maintenance of respiratory hygiene.

The advisory asked the states to ensure effective compliance of the detailed and revised operational guidelines for the Covid-19 surveillance strategy.

It said: “Ensure monitoring and reporting of District-wise Influenza-like Illness (ILI) & Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in all health facilities on a regular basis including in the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal, for detecting the early rising trend of cases.”

The states were also asked to ensure that adequate testing takes place in all the districts as per the official testing guidelines and maintain the suggested share of RT-PCR and Antigen tests.

They would also have to ensure that a higher number of RT-PCR tests take place and would be required to send the positive samples to Indian SARS COV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) laboratories for genome sequencing in order to timely detect new variants in the country, if any.

The advisory said: “Ensure active participation of all public and private health facilities too in the drill being conducted by this Ministry, to take stock of their preparedness and response capacities. Promote community awareness to seek their continued support in managing Covid-19, including adherence to respiratory hygiene.”

The advisory also stated that the first case of The JN.1 (BA.2.86.1.1) was also detected in India.

The first case JN.1 was detected in a sample that tested positive through RT-PCR in Karakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on December 8, 2023. The first JN.1 case was detected in a 79-year-old woman with mild symptoms

As per the information provided by the Ministry, JN.1 was detected in late 2023 and is a descendant of the BA.2.86 lineage of SARS CoV2. JN.1 carries the S:L455S mutation and three mutations in non-S proteins of SARS-CoV-2. The S:L45SF mutation may enhance transmissibility and immune evasion. Currently, the WHO designates JN.1 as a variant of interest (VOI).

“JN.1 variant has been reported in the USA, China, Singapore, India. JN. 1 constitutes a modest yet notable percentage, projected to potentially encompass. 15-29% of circulating variants within the United States.”

Government issues alert on Meftal; all about the adverse reaction the painkiller can cause

NEW DELHI, Dec 7: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has issued a drug safety alert on November 30 saying consumers and healthcare professionals are advised to closely monitor the possibility of the adverse drug reaction (ADR) associated with painkiller Meftal, commonly used for menstrual cramps and rheumatoid arthritis.

The commission, in its alert, said a preliminary analysis of adverse drug reactions from the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) database revealed drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome.

Healthcare professionals, patients/consumers are advised to closely monitor the possibility of the above adverse drug reaction (ADR) associated with the use of the suspected drug(Freepik)

"Healthcare professionals, patients/consumers are advised to closely monitor the possibility of the above adverse drug reaction (ADR) associated with the use of the suspected drug," said the alert.

The alert advised people to report the matter to the national coordination centre of the PvPI under the commission by filing a form on the website - www.ipc.gov.in - or through android mobile app ADR PvPI and PvPI Helpline No. 1800-180-3024.

Meftal's main composition is Mefenamic acid and it is a painkiller that is used to alleviate muscle and joint pain and period pain. It can also help with sore throats, nerve pain, and muscle aches.

"Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome is a severe idiosyncratic drug reaction with a long latency period. It has been described using many terms; however, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome appears to be the most appropriate. This syndrome causes a diverse array of clinical symptoms, anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks after initiating the offending drug. It was associated with drugs like abacavir, allopurinol and lamotrigine. Lately there have been alarms raised about its association with the drug meftal which is used to take care of menstrual ache or fever," says Dr Honey Savla, Internal Medicine Consultant, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central.

Explaining the symptoms Dr Savla explains, "the cutaneous manifestations typically consist of an urticarial, maculopapular eruption and, in some instances, vesicles, bullae, pustules, purpura, target lesions, facial edema, cheilitis. Visceral involvement (hepatitis, pneumonitis, myocarditis, pericarditis, nephritis, and colitis) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in this syndrome."

"Many cases are associated with leukocytosis with eosinophilia (90%) and/or mononucleosis (40%). DRESS syndrome must be recognized promptly, and the causative drug withdrawn. Indeed, it has been reported that the earlier the drug withdrawal, the better the prognosis. Treatment is largely supportive and symptomatic; corticosteroids are often used. Treatment is largely supportive and symptomatic; corticosteroids are often used and sometimes immunosuppressants like cyclosorine," adds the expert.