Latest news with #Nipah
Global News
a day ago
- Health
- Global News
University of Saskatchewan researchers study bats to combat future pandemics
Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are studying bats to find a cure for future pandemics. Dr. Arinjay Banerjee says that bats do not get sick, but they still manage to carry and keep many viruses alive. The focus of their research is to uncover why the bats do not get sick and turn that into a cure for future pandemics. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The studies will help scientists come up with quicker vaccinations for diseases like COVID-19, lowering potential mortality rates. So far, three research papers have come from four years' worth of research. The first paper looks at how bats transfer diseases like the Nipah virus to animals humans are commonly exposed to, like pigs. The second paper expands on how viruses survive in bats and why bats have a higher tolerance for getting sick compared to humans. Story continues below advertisement The final paper looked at immune responses in both bats and humans and how that can lead to creating vaccines and medicine for future pandemics. Watch the video above to learn more about Dr. Banerjee, his team and how they plan to protect against the next global pandemic.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
400 frontline forest staff identified for zoonotic disease screening
PUNE: In a bid to enhance early detection and raise awareness about zoonotic diseases, nearly 400 forest and zoo staff members in Maharashtra have been shortlisted for medical screening. Registration for the screening process will begin soon, followed by a series of medical tests. The initiative aims to safeguard both wildlife and human populations by identifying potential risks of disease transmission among individuals most frequently in contact with animals. In a bid to enhance early detection and raise awareness about zoonotic diseases, nearly 400 forest and zoo staff members in Maharashtra have been shortlisted. ((PIC FOR REPRESENTATION)) Launched in January of this year, the program titled 'Building a Surveillance Model for Detecting Zoonotic Spillover in Increased Bird-Human Interaction Settings' adopts the one Health approach, a concept recognising the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. This pioneering project is a joint effort by the Maharashtra Forest Department, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, and Symbiosis International University. The program focuses on developing a real-time surveillance model to monitor zoonotic spillovers among frontline forest staff, zoo workers, bird sanctuary staff, and residents living near wetlands. Zoonotic diseases—those transmitted from animals to humans—are emerging as a significant global health threat. Notable examples include the Nipah virus, Ebola, Zika, SARS-CoV-2, Avian Influenza Virus (AIV), and Monkeypox. Despite the growing threat of zoonotic infections in India, scientists have noted a lack of comprehensive data on such diseases within the country. Since its launch, several awareness and sensitisation programs have already been conducted in districts such as Satara, Ahilyanagar, Solapur, and Junnar. Dr Satish Pande, a conservationist and researcher leading the sensitisation program, shared that the response to the initiative has been overwhelmingly positive. Following the sensitisation sessions, many frontline workers expressed eagerness to enrol. To date, 400 staff members have been identified for enrollment, with the registration process still ongoing. Once registration is complete, participants will undergo medical check-ups, including blood tests, to assess if they have been exposed to any viral infections via the presence of antibodies. Following the initial assessments, the health of each participant will be monitored over the next three years. In Maharashtra, four wild animals—including three tigers and one leopard—have died this year due to Avian influenza. Across India, at least three human deaths linked to zoonotic diseases have been reported. These cases highlight the increasing concern over zoonotic infections, particularly as viruses continue to breach species barriers. Frontline workers, who have frequent contact with both animals and local communities, are emerging as a potential link in the transmission chain. Dr Pande emphasised that this program will provide close health monitoring for these key personnel, making a significant contribution to both wildlife conservation and public health safety.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
‘Potential vaccines': Sask. research studies bats to prevent next disease outbreak
Researchers at the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Organization (VIDO) are using bats to try and prevent disease. Scientists have long been using animals as inspiration to fight disease, antibiotics from bacteria, or infection fighting immune molecules studied in fruit flies. 'Our goal is to understand how bats can coexist with these viruses,' said Arinjay Banerjee, principal scientist at VIDO. 'Bats don't get sick like us humans, so we want to identify what is it about the bat immune system and take that knowledge and develop that into therapeutics for humans.' His team have recently published three papers for journals that Banerjee calls a pandemic playbook. One looked at the response to the Nipah virus in southeast Asia, and how effective surveillance and warning systems were at mitigating the spread. Another identified a gene called GBP1 that may help bats mount a faster antibody response than humans, making them able to live with different viruses without adverse effects. 'I think what we'd like to do is identify more genes, we're not done yet,' said Banerjee. 'There's a whole list of genes we're looking at, and those studies are going to come out soon. So it's probably a collection of responses that happen in a living bat that allows it to coexist with these viruses.' Evolutionary biologist Dan Riskin says there are a lot of ways bats are different from humans. He says finding the genes that actually matter when it comes to immune response is important. 'We need to be thinking outside of the box, and bats are definitely outside the box,' said Riskin. 'And so the fact that this team can look at the DNA of bats for solutions to the human problem is beyond brilliant.' He says bats have evolved over 50 million years, and there are now 1498 different species of them. 'Understanding the immune systems of bats and understanding the evolution of bats and how they protect themselves is a big solution for understanding how we can protect ourselves,' he said. With the team's recent findings, Banerjee says their vision is to develop a treatment or vaccine within the next 15 years. 'The next goal would be to see how we can actually therapeutics that gene for effective function in humans,' said Banerjee. 'And I'm not very worried because at VIDO, we do have very good regulatory scientists. They know how to take products into market.' He says finding the gene in bats is one hurdle, but your body would mount an immediate immune response if introduced to the human body. 'What we could do is modify, make modification in humanized proteins, which can then potentially become therapeutics or even potential vaccines,' said Banerjee.
India Today
21-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
Kerala has 571 on Nipah contact list, 27 at highest risk, says Health Minister
Kerala has placed 571 people on the Nipah virus contact list across five districts, Health Minister Veena George said after a high-level review meeting on contact list includes 62 individuals from Malappuram, 418 from Palakkad, 89 from Kozhikode, and one each from Ernakulam and people are currently under treatment in isolation in Malappuram. One person in Palakkad is also being treated in isolation. Meanwhile, ten people, one from Malappuram, two from Palakkad, and seven from Kozhikode, have been removed from the contact list after completing their isolation According to the health department, 27 people in the state fall under the highest risk category, while 78 are considered high health minister chaired a meeting with top officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary of Health, NHM State Mission Director, Directors of Health and Medical Education, District Collectors, police officials, and other department heads, to assess the situation and coordinate containment intensified surveillance follows the second Nipah-related death reported in Kerala last week. A 57-year-old man from Mannarkkad in Palakkad died after developing severe respiratory distress, initial tests confirmed Nipah a death was reported in Malappuram this year. In 2024, the state also saw another death linked to Nipah virus officials continue to urge vigilance and adherence to protocols to prevent further spread.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Kerala
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Nipah: Over 580 people on contact list in state
Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi: Health minister Veena George stated on Saturday that the situation of Nipah infections in the state was under control. "Everything is orderly, under control. There is nothing to worry about. As per scientific protocol, we are ensuring that everything is being done," she said. A total of 581 people are on Nipah contact list across various districts in the state. In Malappuram, there are 63 people, 420 in Palakkad, 96 in Kozhikode and one person each in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. In Malappuram, 14 persons are undergoing treatment in isolation. Those who completed their isolation period, including 47 from Malappuram, one from Palakkad and 19 from Kozhikode, were removed from the contact list. In Palakkad, 13 people are receiving treatment in isolation. In the state, a total of 29 people are under high-risk category and another 78 individuals are under high-risk surveillance. The minister has instructed the medical board to make a decision regarding the containment zone. 15-year-old girl admitted to Thrissur med college hospital Meanwhile, a 15-year-old girl from Perinthalmanna, suspected to be infected by Nipah virus , was admitted to Thrissur govt medical college hospital on Friday night. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo She was admitted to the isolation ward of the medical college after she showed symptoms resembling Nipah infection. She is under close observation at the medical college. Samples collected from her were sent for virology tests. Hospital authorities told the media that they were awaiting the test results and further medication would be started based on the results. Health officials have been asked to report any cases of fever and encephalitis with symptoms of Nipah to the district and state health wing.
