covid 19

A striking report from the World Health Organization estimates that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in around 22.1 million excess deaths globally between 2020 and 2023, far exceeding those officially reported. These excess deaths, including those from strained healthcare resources and broader societal impacts, soared in 2021.

Public anxiety over hantavirus is amplified by COVID-19's lingering trauma, leading to comparisons of potential pandemics. However, experts clarify that hantavirus, primarily spread through rodent contact, lacks the efficient human-to-human transmission that fueled COVID-19's global spread, making widespread outbreaks unlikely.

Indian health experts assure no need for panic as WHO declares Ebola a global health emergency. Unlike COVID-19, Ebola requires close contact for transmission. India's vigilance, robust lab capacity, and lessons from past outbreaks, including a 2014 case, ensure preparedness. Early detection and screening remain vital.

As concerns grow over a hantavirus outbreak traced back to an Antarctic cruise, Britain has taken swift action by securing emergency supplies of Favipiravir from Japan. This antiviral, previously utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic, works by targeting viral replication.

22.1 million excess deaths recorded globally between 2020 and 2023

Mizoram finds itself grappling with a troubling surge in Covid-19 cases, as all 32 reported infections are confined to Aizawl. The latest tests show an alarming positivity rate, leading health officials to issue a public safety advisory.

The latest Ebola outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, highlights global disease surveillance weaknesses, even after COVID-19. With no specific vaccine and potential for silent spread, experts fear wider transmission. This outbreak underscores the need for robust public health infrastructure and rapid response to prevent localized crises from becoming global challenges.

In a calculated move to reclaim its influence in the Northeast, the Tripura Congress is gearing up for the Manipur elections. MLA Sudip Roy Barman has taken aim at the BJP administration's economic strategies and foreign relations, highlighting how Rahul Gandhi's prior warnings regarding challenges like COVID-19, GST, and international diplomacy are materializing.

Medicine shops across Odisha will shut for 24 hours on May 20, protesting online drug sales and alleged misuse of digital platforms. The Utkal Chemists and Druggists Association highlights concerns over "illegal" e-pharmacies, deep discounting by large firms, and potential public health risks like antimicrobial resistance. They demand withdrawal of temporary Covid-era notifications and fair competition policies.