Karnataka government mandates autopsies in sudden, unexplained deaths among young individuals
The expert committee was constituted in February this year following public anxiety and speculation about rising cases of sudden cardiac deaths among healthy young individuals, especially in the post-COVID period.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had ordered the study, seeking clarity on whether vaccines or long Covid were contributing factors.
Addressing the media on Monday, Gundu Rao said, 'There has been an increase in heart attack cases post Covid -- about 4 to 5 percent -- but it is due to multiple lifestyle-related factors. The study has found no evidence to link these deaths with the vaccine or Covid infection.'
'To act on the findings, the state will roll out a series of preventive measures. Apart from mandatory autopsies, the government will initiate cardiac screening for school students from Class 10 onwards, annual health check-ups for all government employees, and recommend similar screenings in private offices, industries, and institutions. Lifestyle education modules will also be introduced in school curricula to promote awareness on physical activity, screen time, and healthy eating habits,' the minister said.
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News18
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A Lancet study highlights four key spike protein mutations—His445Arg, Asn487Asp, Gln493Glu, and Thr572Ile—enabling 'strong immune evasion," allowing XFG to bypass antibodies from prior infections or vaccines. Globally, XFG accounts for 22.7% of sequenced cases as of June 2025, up from 7.4% a month earlier, per GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data), and may soon dominate over NB.1.8.1 ('Nimbus"), per The Conversation. In India, it's the dominant strain in Madhya Pradesh, with 63.6% of sequenced samples, per AIIMS Bhopal. Symptoms mirror Omicron's, that is, fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, and muscle aches. However, XFG uniquely causes hoarseness—a scratchy or raspy voice—reported by doctors as a key marker, per Everyday Health. Unlike JN.1, which caused low-grade fever and digestive issues, XFG's symptoms are mild to moderate, with no evidence of increased severity or hospitalisation rates, per WHO. 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Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Print
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Time of India
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XFG 'Stratus' COVID-19 variant spreading fast: One unique symptom that distinguishes it from others
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