Latest news with #NPHS
The Print
4 days ago
- Health
- The Print
How to detect early signs of disease outbreak? Govt's plan is to expand wastewater surveillance
The system works as an early detection system for outbreaks, allowing public health officials to better understand and respond to public health threats. People infected with certain viruses and bacteria shed the pathogens in their feces or urine even if they are asymptomatic or do not seek medical care. The initiative led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in collaboration with some other government and private agencies, including the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), is set to be rolled out over the next six months. Now identified and deployed as an important public health tool worldwide, it allows authorities to detect disease-causing germs in wastewater by testing for their nucleic makeup in the sewage. New Delhi: The central government has decided to massively expand wastewater surveillance across the country, setting a target for itself to identify more than 10 disease-causing germs. Besides picking early warning signs of outbreaks, the move is also aimed at quicker implementation of strategies to manage infectious diseases. Public health laboratories can then test untreated samples from municipal wastewater facilities and detect the presence and burden of these germs in the population. The pathogens that will be surveilled through the project will include non-typhoidal salmonella, Taenia solium, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Ascaris, Listeria monocytogenes and Leptospira—that cause serious stomach, liver or diarrheal infections—as well as the highly infectious Mycobacterium tuberculosis and NewCastle disease virus. In addition, said ICMR director general Dr Rajiv Bahl, pathogens causing deadly avian or bird flu will also be surveyed through the project. 'We will test the pathogens that can test … whatever is likely to come in wastewater, we are going to test,' Dr Bahl told ThePrint, adding that most infectious disease outbreaks manifest symptoms like fever, diarrhea and respiratory illnesses. In India, wastewater surveillance was first started in 2001 with the help of the World Health Organization (WHO) to track poliomyelitis or polio-causing viruses as part of the National Public Health Surveillance (NPHS) programme. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the programme was expanded to include SARS-CoV-2 strains. The latest expansion of the project, to be conducted through animal-human interface projects in 3 slaughterhouses and 11 bird sanctuaries in different cities, will also include all coronaviruses, ICMR scientists said. The move is particularly significant given the constant threat of massive disease outbreaks of zoonotic origin or viruses that jump from animals and birds to humans, mainly propelled by climate change. Currently, polio virus is routinely tested across the country at 65 sites under the NPHS. Additionally, as an extension of the programme, it is also being deployed to identify antimicrobial resistance (or AMR)—which poses a major threat to public health due to resistance in disease-causing agents against available antibiotics—across 60 hospitals in the country. Also Read: Gut health probiotics now among top selling drugs in India, but doctors advise caution against hype Granular data without individual testing Wastewater surveillance integrates expertise from fields such as public health, ecology, urban planning, and virology, recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, serving as a key component of the 'One Health' concept. Experts ThePrint spoke to said the standard procedure is wastewater sample collection, nucleic acid extraction and amplification, followed by its testing to quantify pathogens with PCR-based methods (aimed at looking for specific pathogens) or next-generation sequencing (NGS), which is used for variant detection. Given the nature of wastewater which comprises waste from households, livestock and environment and many other components that end up in it, the information generated is significant, and at minimal cost. Dr Rakesh Kumar Mishra, scientist and director of Bengaluru-based Tata Institute of Genetics and Society, who specialises in genomics and epigenetics, told ThePrint that just a few samples, from cities with millions of people, for example, can indicate the circulating pathogens without testing individuals. For instance, in cities with good sewage systems, it is possible to detect pathogens specific to a locality. The surveillance is more effective in generating crucial and granular pathogen-related information from cities with better planned sewage systems but can also give a rough idea from others, said Dr Mishra. Dr Mishra is also the chief principal investigator of the Alliance for Pathogen Surveillance Innovations (APSI), which is a multi-city consortium of research, clinical, public and private institutions. APSI has been working with the ICMR and NCDC on the wastewater surveillance project. Scientific studies have established that detecting viruses in wastewater gives decision-makers a lead time of 10-14 days. This time can be vital for public health authorities to re-look at priorities, reallocate human resources, vaccinate targeted groups and alert the medical fraternity. This is what happened in Canada in 2023 during an outbreak of Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV—a pathogen that can lead to high numbers of hospitalisation. (Edited by Amrtansh Arora) Also Read: ICMR confirms diarrhoeal pathogen in Guillain-Barre Syndrome case samples but cause of outbreak unclear
1News
10-07-2025
- Health
- 1News
Three confirmed measles cases in the Wairarapa
Three connected measles cases have been confirmed in the Wairarapa region, Health New Zealand says. The National Public Health Service (NPHS) is supporting the cases and their close contacts who are isolating to help prevent further spread. Medical Officer of Health in the Greater Wellington region, Dr Annette Nesdale, said all three confirmed cases had recently travelled overseas where they are thought to have caught the virus, but were not infectious on their return flight to New Zealand. One of the cases visited two locations during their infectious period, including Pak'nSave Masterton between 8.30am and 11am on Tuesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 3; and the Carterton Library between 10am and 12.30pm on Thursday, July 3. "Anyone who visited either location on the day and times referenced, are considered casual contacts and should monitor themselves for symptoms,' Dr Nesdale said. ADVERTISEMENT 'We also urge anyone in the region who has recently returned from an overseas trip, to be watchful for measles symptoms.' Measles symptoms include an illness that begins with a high fever (over 38C); a cough; runny nose; sore red eyes (conjunctivitis); and a rash beginning on the face and gradually spreading down the body to the arms and legs. The rash lasts for up to one week. "Measles is a serious and highly infectious illness, which can affect adults as well as children and babies,' Dr Nesdale said. 'Please phone ahead before visiting your doctor or healthcare provider so the provider can take precautions to prevent measles spreading. 'Getting immunised with two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine (after the age of 12 months) is the best form of protection against measles. 'This latest case is a timely reminder for everyone to check if you and your whānau are immune to measles.' The MMR vaccine is free in New Zealand for anyone 18 years or under, and for people who are eligible for free healthcare.
RNZ News
30-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Public Health leaders' appointment in Australia a surprise to staff
Dr Caroline McElnay was Director of Public Health for New Zealand during the Covid-19 pandemic, and during it gave regular public health briefings (like this one from 2022), alongside politicians or other health figures. Photo: Pool / NZME The announcement top public health official Dr Caroline McElnay has been poached by Australia has taken colleagues by surprise at the National Public Health Service. The Victorian State Government has appointed her its new Chief Health Officer. McElnay was one of the prominent public faces frequently seen in updates given through the Covid-19 pandemic. The former Director of Public Health for New Zealand, Dr McElnay had started a new role, as Clinical Lead Immunisation at the NPHS in December, on 2 December 2024. Immunisation staff told RNZ they first learned of her impending departure though a public statement by the Victorian State Government. National Public Health Service (NPHS) Director of Prevention Alana Ewe-Snow said the management team was aware of her resignation prior to the announcement in Australia. "Caroline has made an outstanding impact in her time with NPHS," Ewe-Snow said. "We wish her all the very best in her new role, starting in August 2025, as Victoria's Chief Health Officer" Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
27-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Public health response to Auckland measles case stood down
The original measles case is no longer infectious and out of isolation, the National Public Health Service says. Photo: RNZ /Dom Thomas Health officials have stood down the public health response to measles, after no further cases were detected about two and a half weeks since a first case in Auckland was identified. The case linked to overseas travel was reported to the National Public Health Service (NPHS) on 10 May, prompting health staff to contact 290 people identified as close contacts. The original case had visited a number of locations, with the earliest exposure event dating back to 3 May. One hundred and sixty five of the close contacts identified were asked to quarantine as a precaution. NPHS said in a statement on Tuesday that it now had good reason to stand down the response. "With the original case no longer infectious and out of isolation, and with the last few of the 165 people in quarantine now released with no further cases detected, NPHS is confident the risk from this case is low," said the agency's medical officer of health, Dr Emma Sherwood. "We remain ready as always to swing into action again should any new cases emerge," she added. Measles is highly contagious and up to 90 percent of non-immune people (those who have not been vaccinated or have not already had it) will be infected if they are exposed to the virus. About 80 percent of New Zealanders are immune - well below the 95 percent coverage needed to prevent an outbreak. Dr Sherwood said the recent case was a timely reminder of the critical importance of getting vaccinated against measles. "Immunisation is particularly important for infants, young children and adults born between 1969 and 2004, many of whom are likely to have had only one dose of the vaccine, "And, with this recent case being acquired overseas, we continue to urge anyone travelling internationally to make sure they're up to date with their MMR vaccine," she said. Dr Sherwood said they would like to thank everyone across who has played a part in ensuring that exposures related to the Auckland case did not result in a large outbreak. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
11-05-2025
- Health
- 1News
New measles case in Auckland, locations of interest released
Health New Zealand has confirmed a new case of measles has been identified in Auckland, linked to overseas travel. The person and their household is being supported by National Public Service (NPHS). In a statement, Health New Zealand said those who are non-immune are now in quarantine to help reduce the chance of spread of the highly contagious disease. "The person with measles has travelled recently to Asia where they are thought to have caught the virus but was not infectious while flying home. There are a number of public locations in Auckland where the person has been while infectious. "Measles is a serious and highly infectious illness so people should check their immunisation status and follow public health advice." The NPHS asked people who were at these locations during the times to check their immunisation status. "You are considered immune to measles if you have proof of two doses of the MMR vaccine. People born before 1969 or have evidence of having measles previously are also considered immune."
