Latest news with #NCDC
The Star
a day ago
- Health
- The Star
Death toll from Lassa fever rises to 152 in Nigeria
ABUJA, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, has risen to 152 since the beginning of this year, public health authorities said on Tuesday. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said in its latest update, posted on its website, that 811 cases have been confirmed, with more than 6,520 suspected infections recorded. With a case fatality rate of 18.7 percent, at least 21 out of Nigeria's 36 states have been affected by the viral hemorrhagic disease so far this year. The NCDC identified the southern states of Edo, Ondo, and Ebonyi, as well as the northern states of Bauchi and Taraba, as being the worst-hit. A total of 105, out of the country's 774 local government areas, have reported cases of Lassa fever. "We are witnessing a slight decline in the total number of confirmed cases compared to 2024, but the fatality rate has increased," the NCDC said, noting possible late presentation, poor health-seeking behavior, and limited access to early treatment as the contributing factors. The public health agency said individuals aged 21-30 years remained the most affected age group, with a nearly equal male-to-female distribution of cases. Earlier this year, the NCDC identified poor health-seeking behavior, high treatment costs in some areas, and limited awareness in high-burden communities as major challenges. It activated a multi-sectoral incident management system to coordinate nationwide response efforts. Lassa fever is primarily spread through food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or feces. Human transmission occurs through direct contact with rat saliva, urine, or excrement.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Rise in stray dog bites turns Indian streets unsafe for children, elderly
India is witnessing a sharp rise in dog bite cases, with over 3.7 million incidents and 54 confirmed human rabies deaths reported in 2024. The figures, compiled by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the National Rabies Control Programme, highlight the growing public health challenge. Analysis of data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shows that incidents of dog bite in India have increased by nearly 70 per cent between 2022 and 2024, signalling a larger systemic failure in managing stray dog populations. Deaths caused by rabies also witnessed a sharp increase during the period. This trend threatens India's target of eliminating rabies by 2030 under its National Rabies Control Programme. Elderly and children are more vulnerable Children are particularly at risk due to their vulnerable size, limited awareness, and tendency to interact with animals. Experts note that younger children are more likely to suffer bites to the head, neck or face, making injuries more severe and traumatic. According to Health Ministry data, dog bite cases involving children under 15 were reported across India between January and December 2024 with most attacks involving stray dogs in residential neighbourhoods, school zones, or while playing outdoors. The elderly are also vulnerable to dog bites due to slower reflexes, reduced mobility, and sensory impairments like poor vision or hearing, which make it harder to detect or respond to aggressive behaviour of stray animals. The use of walking aids can also startle stray dogs, while underlying health conditions and weakened immunity increase the risk of complications from even minor bites. Centre and civic bodies plan action On July 28, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the growing problem of stray dog attacks across the country, particularly those leading to rabies and fatalities. The court's action came after it came across a report in The Times of India titled 'City hounded by strays and kids pay price', highlighting the dire situation in urban areas like Delhi where children are frequent victims. The move underscores the urgent need for stronger intervention, especially in capital cities struggling to contain the crisis. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has announced plans to form dedicated committees and establish shelter homes to better control and manage the city's growing stray dog population. A citywide survey is also being planned to estimate the current number of community dogs on Delhi's streets- a much-needed move, as the last dog census was conducted in 2016 and only covered the southern region. The survey had revealed that just 40.3 per cent of male dogs and 27.8 per cent of female dogs had been sterilised. Animal welfare experts and civic authorities agree that mass sterilisation, timely vaccination, and increased community awareness are essential strategies to curb the stray dog population and reduce bite incidents.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Timely intervention, says Goel; Karti highlights ‘underreporting'
New Delhi: The Supreme Court initiated suo motu proceedings on Monday after reviewing a TOI report about rabies cases resulting from dog bites. "The news item contains some alarming and disturbing figures and facts," the bench observed. Former Union minister Vijay Goel, who has long been championing dog shelters, defined the move as a "timely and much-needed intervention" by the judiciary and said he would present data on the matter. In a press statement on Monday, Goel reiterated his key demands, including amendments to the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, particularly on allowing relocation of biting dogs to a different place or shelter after sterilisation rather than being released in the original location under Rule 11. A national census of stray canines is also a demand. Goel's campaign has taken on renewed urgency following two dog attacks in Narela and Pooth Kalan, the latter resulting in the death of a six-year-old girl, who succumbed to rabies. Expressing strong objection to ABC Rule 20, which gives RWAs the responsibility of feeding stray dogs within private societies, appealed for a complete ban on street feeding — with legal consequences for violators. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi "I'm trying to save both people and dogs from mutual hatred. If things continue this way, society will turn hostile towards animals," Goel said, responding to dog lovers who have allegedly threatened him online and branded him the 'enemy of animals'. Appreciating the move of the apex court, Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram, who is actively pursuing the matter with the central govt, posted on X, "Hope a holistic process is set into motion. Key asks: Enforce a no-dog-on-street policy, build shelters & house all strays. Vaccinate & neuter them, promote adoption with safety norms, ensure clear, humane & enforceable policy, hear & protect those who feel unsafe and fund authorities to act urgently & responsibly. " Chidambaram had even met PM Narendra Modi to discuss the problem on March 27. He claimed to have written to SP Singh Baghel, Union minister of state for animal husbandry and dairying, on July 24 regarding the review of ABC Rules and formulation of a national strategy to manage stray dogs. In his letter, he highlighted the underreporting of dog bite and rabies cases. "Your ministry has reported 3.7 million dog bites and only 54 suspected rabies deaths in 2024 as per National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) data. However, multiple independent bodies present contradictory evidence. For example, ICMR's national survey estimates 9 million animal bite incidents annually with up to 5,700 rabies deaths," he wrote. "While WHO maintains that India accounts for nearly 36% of global rabies mortality with 18,000-20,000 deaths annually. Furthermore, the health ministry's Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (2023) reported 286 rabies deaths — a sharp contrast to NCDC's 2024 figure of 54." The MP said that while ABC Rules might seem progressive in theory, it had "failed structurally and operationally". Chidambaram stated that sterilisation targets were routinely missed, and in most urban areas, they reached only 20-40%, far below the 70%+ required for an impact. "Municipalities suffer from severe manpower shortages, lack of coordination with NGOs and administrative paralysis. While the estimates suggest 6-10 dog bite incidents per minute, with serious injuries, the right of safety of citizens, especially children and the elderly, is being compromised," he maintained. Nanita Sharma, Supreme Court lawyer, contended that modifications to ABC Rules would be ineffective without committed sterilisation and immunisation efforts. "The problem is that govt and agencies are hand in glove and none of the agencies are doing their job diligently," Sharma said. "Had the municipal authorities sterilised and immunised 70% of the strays regularly, then the street dog population would have been contained. Relocation will, in fact, make it difficult to cover all strays. There is a need also to act logically and humanely towards these animals to reduce man-animal conflict. "
Deccan Herald
2 days ago
- Health
- Deccan Herald
India recorded over 7,000 suspected heatstroke cases
India reported 7,192 suspected heatstroke cases and only 14 confirmed deaths due to extreme heat between March 1 and June 24 this year, according to data obtained by PTI under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The country had reported nearly 48,000 cases of heatstroke and 159 deaths due to extreme heat in 2024, the warmest year on record in India since 1901. The data, shared by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), reveals that the majority of cases were reported in May, the peak of the summer season, with 2,962 suspected cases and three confirmed deaths. April saw 2,140 suspected cases and six confirmed deaths, while March recorded 705 cases and two deaths. During June, up to June 24, 1,385 suspected cases and three deaths were documented. Andhra Pradesh accounted for more than half of the total suspected heatstroke cases, reporting 4,055 during the period. Rajasthan reported 373 cases, followed by Odisha (350), Telangana (348) and Madhya Pradesh (297). Despite these high numbers, several states with hundreds of suspected cases reported no confirmed deaths. The data shows that Maharashtra and Uttarakhand reported the highest number of confirmed heatstroke deaths, at three each. Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal reported one death each. The figures highlight the limitations of India's surveillance system, which experts say captures only a fraction of the actual burden. The NCDC data is collected under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and relies on hospitals to report cases. This means deaths that occur outside medical facilities or are not correctly diagnosed as heat-related often remain uncounted. A PTI investigation in June revealed that India's reporting of heat-related illnesses and deaths is fragmented, with different agencies presenting widely varying figures. For 2015-2022, the NCDC recorded 3,812 heat-related deaths, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 8,171, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported 3,436.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
India recorded over 7,000 suspected heatstroke cases, 14 deaths in March-June period: RTI
India reported 7,192 suspected heatstroke cases and only 14 confirmed deaths due to extreme heat between March 1 and June 24 this year, according to data obtained by PTI under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The country had reported nearly 48,000 cases of heatstroke and 159 deaths due to extreme heat in 2024, the warmest year on record in India since 1901. Data findings The data, shared by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), reveals that the majority of cases were reported in May, the peak of the summer season, with 2,962 suspected cases and three confirmed deaths. April saw 2,140 suspected cases and six confirmed deaths, while March recorded 705 cases and two deaths. During June, up to June 24, 1,385 suspected cases and three deaths were documented. Andhra Pradesh accounted for more than half of the total suspected heatstroke cases, reporting 4,055 during the period. Rajasthan reported 373 cases, followed by Odisha (350), Telangana (348) and Madhya Pradesh (297). Despite these high numbers, several states with hundreds of suspected cases reported no confirmed deaths. The data shows that Maharashtra and Uttarakhand reported the highest number of confirmed heatstroke deaths, at three each. Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal reported one death each. Call for better surveillance and reporting system The figures highlight the limitations of India's surveillance system, which experts say captures only a fraction of the actual burden. The NCDC data is collected under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and relies on hospitals to report cases. This means deaths that occur outside medical facilities or are not correctly diagnosed as heat-related often remain uncounted. A PTI investigation in June revealed that India's reporting of heat-related illnesses and deaths is fragmented, with different agencies presenting widely varying figures. For 2015-2022, the NCDC recorded 3,812 heat-related deaths, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 8,171, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported 3,436. A senior health ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, had admitted that confirming heatstroke deaths is inherently difficult. "Surveillance systems capture only a fraction of actual cases. We have some numbers, but never the full picture," the official said. The official also noted that many hospitals are understaffed, which hampers timely and accurate reporting. "Manual data entry adds to the problem. Even if deaths occur, they may not be properly classified as heat-related," he said. Several states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala and West Bengal, have in previous years failed to submit complete data to the NCDC. In some instances, authorities have been accused of suppressing death figures to avoid compensation claims. According to Abhiyant Tiwari, Lead for Climate Resilience and Health at NRDC India, attributing deaths directly to heat is a global challenge. "Many heat-related deaths are misclassified as heart attacks or other causes. Excess mortality data during heatwaves provides a better picture of the true toll," he said. Experts say the absence of a single comprehensive reporting system weakens India's ability to prepare for and respond to extreme heat events, which are expected to worsen with climate change. Soumya Swaminathan, Advisor to the Health Ministry, told PTI earlier that strengthening death reporting systems is critical. "Only accurate data can inform better policies," she said.
