13th Aug Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2020
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Page Contents:
Pasteurisation inactivates SARS-CoV-2 virus
HEADLINES:
Pasteurisation inactivates SARS-CoV-2 virus in breast milk: Study
WHY IN NEWS:
Mothers should be counselled that the “benefits of breastfeeding substantially outweigh the potential risks for transmission.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Diseases
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS nothing much here . This is just a quick information we had to bring it for you !
For MAINS note down the importance of breast feeding vs malnutrition (stunting) , child wasting etc .
ISSUE:
PASTEURISATION INACTIVATES SARS-COV-2
STUDIED BY
- The study was recently published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.
- It was a partnership between University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Milk.
KEY FINDINGS
- The study also found that cold storage of human milk having the virus (either at 4°C or −30°C) did not significantly impact infectious viral load over a 48-hour period.
- Mothers should be counselled that the “benefits of breastfeeding substantially outweigh the potential risks for transmission.
- The WHO also recommends feeding donated breast milk when the mother’s own milk is not available
- This reduce the risks of some health challenges premature babies can face.
IASbhai WINDUP:
- The researchers added that SARS-CoV-2 was stable in refrigerated or frozen human milk.
- The same could help inform guidelines around safe storing of milk from COVID-19 infected mothers.
SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | 13th Aug Current Affairs News Analysis
‘Sputnik V’ vaccine
HEADLINES:
Coronavirus update: Scientists criticise Russia’s vaccine announcement
WHY IN NEWS:
The August 11, 2020 announcement of a vaccine for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by Russian President Vladimir Putin was criticised by scientists as dangerously rushed.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Diseases
ISSUE:
VACCINE DEVELOPERS
Sputnik V is developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow.
CRITCISM
- Rolling out such a vaccine could put people who receive it at risk.
- If they get it wrong it could undermine the entire global enterprise.
- Russian regulator approved the vaccine even though third phase clinical trials were yet to be completed.
DOSAGE
- The first dose comprises the Ad26 virus — a strain being used for an experimental vaccine being developed by Johnson and Johnson Services Inc.
- The second ‘booster’ dose comprises an Ad5 virus, being used in another experimental vaccine being developed in China.
IASbhai WINDUP:
The vaccine was given to 76 volunteers as part of two early-stage trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov, with no results from the trials or other preclinical studies published.
SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | 13th Aug Current Affairs News Analysis
‘Mega labs’
HEADLINES:
‘Mega labs’ to boost COVID-19 testing
WHY IN NEWS:
CSIR plans to use advanced genome sequencing device
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Health:Diseases
ISSUE:
NEXT GENERATION SEQUENCING MACHINES
- The labs will be repurposing large machines, called Next Generation Sequencing machines (NGS).
- Used optimally and with appropriate modifications, these machines can substantially detect the presence of the virus.
- There sre several instances where the traditional RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) tests fail.
- This is primarily because the RT-PCR test identifies the SARS-CoV-2 virus by exploring only specific sections, whereas the genome method can read a bigger chunk of virus genome.
Thereby provide more certainty that the virus in question is indeed the particular coronavirus of interest.
IASbhai WINDUP:
- Unlike the RT-PCR that needs primers and probes — a key hurdle in operationalising such tests on a mass scale early on in the pandemic — the NGS only needs custom reagents.
SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB |13th Aug Current Affairs News Analysis
National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration
HEADLINES:
National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 deliberates on strategy to ensure COVID-19 vaccines’ availability and its delivery mechanism
WHY IN NEWS:
National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19, met for the first time on 12th August.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Health:Diseases
ISSUE:
KEY POINTS
- They also discussed delivery mechanism of the vaccine including tracking of vaccination process with particular focus on last mile delivery.
- They discussed on broad parameters guiding the selection of COVID-19 vaccine candidates for the country.
- Inputs from Standing Technical Sub-Committee of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) were taken.
- The expert group discussed on the financial resources required for procurement of COVID-19 vaccine and various options of financing the same.
- Available options in terms of delivery platforms, cold chain and associated infrastructure for roll out of COVID-19 vaccination were also taken up.
IASbhai WINDUP:
- The Committee also advised all the States not to chart separate pathways of procurement.
- Further, strategy and follow-up action on all possible scenarios to ensure equitable and transparent delivery of vaccine was deliberated upon.
SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | 13th Aug Current Affairs News Analysis
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