Human Infection Studies

As various infectious diseases are throwing up unprecedented challenges across the world, the Kerala government has emphasised upon cooperation between its health department and those of the neighbouring states to prevent spread of communicable ailments. State Health Minister Veena George said it was necessary for the health departments of the bordering states to work in cooperation with each other to prevent spread of infectious diseases effectively. The minister was speaking at an inter-state meeting of various states inaugurated by her on Monday, a government release said. At the meeting, George said that health workers in border districts, when required, should coordinate with each other in the areas of data sharing, early warning, preparation of strategic action plans, development of local awareness materials, implementation of containment and quarantine guidelines. She said that climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and pesticide resistance have all contributed to disease

Researchers have created new molecules that can be sprayed into the nose to block the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering the lungs and causing infection. The COVID-19 virus enters the body through the lungs when people breathe, resulting in illness. Engineers at the Johns Hopkins University in the US have now created thin, thread-like strands of molecules called supramolecular filaments capable of blocking the virus in its tracks. "The idea is that the filaments will work like a sponge to absorb the COVID-19 virus and other viruses before they have the chance to bind to cells in our airways," said Honggang Cui, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering. "Even if the therapeutic can block the virus for an hour or two, that can be helpful when people must be in a public setting," said Cui, who led the research published in the journal Matter. The key to this approach is the way that the filaments carry a receptor called angiotensin converting enzyme-2, or ACE

Countries with lower rates of testing, mostly low- and middle-income countries, are more likely to report significantly higher AMR rates

Monkeypox cases are spreading unchecked in India, and the stigma attached to the disease is likely hindering the testing process in the country, health experts said on Monday.

Higher transmission rates were associated with lower temperatures and humidity, the report said.

What are these infections, why are their cases rising and how does one protect against them?

Seeking to quell the alarm over rising cases of mucormycosis in Covid patients, epidemiologists underlined the importance of analysing the kind of fungal infection, its causes and risk factors

Researchers demand universal recognition that infections can be prevented by improving such systems.

Health ministry has issued general guidelines such as covering your mouth when you sneeze or wearing masks at all times, but there isn't any clear advice on how to deal with basic, household items.

The scientists said these drugs should not be used to treat Covid-19 patients outside of clinical trials until results from randomised clinical trials are available to confirm their safety

How well-prepared is the world to contain and hopefully, cure, a new disease? NCoV will be a test case

Scientists say human infection studies could also make the drug or vaccine discovery process efficient by predicting failure faster