Latest news with #RIG
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Stray dog bites 10 people in Mettupalayam
COIMBATORE: A stray dog bit ten people at Mani Nagar in Mettupalayam on Thursday night. All of them received treatment in Mettupalayam Government Hospital. While most of them sustained minor injuries, a couple had more severe bite marks and were examined by a surgeon. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They have since been declared healthy. A health official in the Mettupalayam GH stated that all the victims were vaccinated against rabies. "People with minor bites were administered anti-rabies vaccine (ARV), and those with severe bite marks were given an additional rabies immunoglobulin (RIG). On Friday morning, they were examined by a surgeon. They have been declared safe. No abnormalities have been reported. All ten people were treated as outpatients," the official added. Meanwhile, based on the direction of Mettupalayam municipality commissioner R Amudha, municipality workers started to capture stray dogs for sterilising them. Around five stray dogs were captured on Friday. There is no animal birth control (ABC) centre in Mettupalayam municipality. Recently, the council passed a resolution to establish an ABC centre.
Geek Dad
10-05-2025
- Geek Dad
Gear Review: The RIG M2 Pro HD STREAMSTAR
A fair number of our GeekDad family create content outside of our blog, from podcasts to YouTube videos. Content creation requires a certain investment in equipment. At its most basic, you'll use your phone or webcam to shoot videos. But if you want something of better quality for your audience, you'll need more specialized audio and video gear. One such upgrade you'll be looking for is in your audio gear. RIG Gaming recently released the M2 Pro HD STREAMSTAR microphone, geared towards streamers, content creators, and gamers. They sent me one so I could share my thoughts with our readers. The product packaging for the M2 Pro HD. Image by Paul Benson. What Is the RIG M2 Pro HD STREAMSTAR? The RIG M2 Pro HD STREAMSTAR is a USB Microphone with built-in Bluetooth, compatible with both PC and MAC. It has the following specifications: CRAFTED FOR CREATORS: 16mm precision electret condenser features directional, cardioid polar pattern sound capture and 20 Hz – 20 kHz frequency range, designed for optimal voice-pickup when creating online content. STUDIO-GRADE AUDIO: Produce professional audio sessions via studio-quality 24-bit resolution. Stream and record with increased accuracy thanks to a 192 kHz sampling rate, accurate enough to capture the intricacies of your voice without distortion. UNLOCK BLUETOOTH LOW LATENCY AUDIO: Upgrade your PC or laptop to Bluetooth 5.4 and low latency audio with the Bluetooth low latency audio gateway. Pair wireless earbuds or headphones directly to the microphone to experience gaming and video without distracting lag. REAL TIME WIRELESS MONITORING: M2 STREAMSTAR is the world's first wired USB microphone with real-time wireless PC audio playback via a Bluetooth low latency audio gateway. This allows users to hear their recording or PC audio using wireless earbuds or headphones without lag. M2 STREAMSTAR's Bluetooth 5.4 integration with aptX HD instantly upgrades compatible devices to a low-latency connection. Wired headphone monitoring is also available via 3.5mm audio jack. ON-MIC CONTROLS: Mic gain, mic mute, and audio volume can be adjusted via the microphone, without the need for accessing your PC control settings or capture software. PLUG & PLAY SETUP: Instantly record studio-quality audio thanks to quick plug & play setup. Simply insert the included USB-C to USB-A cable and you're set to capture high-resolution audio that is ready to go live. DISCRETE DESIGN: Premium design allows the microphone to seamlessly fit into any content creator's setup, while being easy to take with you and connect wherever you produce content. Mic includes a desktop stand and is compatible with most boom arms via 5/8' thread connection. ZERO LAG AUDIO MONITORING: M2 STREAMSTAR also offers wired headphone monitoring via 3.5mm audio jack for a zero lag connection. Extension cable also included to ensure compatibility with most setups. The M2 Pro HD retails for $129.99, and is available from the Nacon store or on Amazon. Everything that comes in the box. Image by Paul Benson. Using the RIG M2 Pro HD Streamstar The M2 Pro HD comes with an easy to assemble microphone stand, or you can readily attach it to a boom arm if you have one. Assembly of the stand takes moments, and is accomplished with three hand screws. The microphone stand is plastic, but it feels solid, and has a rubberized base. The stylish M2 Pro HD microphone is also plastic, which keeps it lightweight and balances well on the stand. The M2 Pro HD mounted on the stand. Image by Paul Benson. The microphone attaches to your computer via an included USB-C to USB-A cable. You can also choose to connect a wired headset directly to the microphone. Inputs are at the bottom of the M2 Pro HD. The USB-C and 3.5mm headset inputs. Image by Paul Benson. I found pairing a Bluetooth headset to be a painless experience. Simply press in the headset dial for a few seconds until the ring around the dial flashes red and white, then press the pairing button for the Bluetooth headset. Once the ring around the dial turns white, the headset is paired. My AirPods are now paired to the M2. Image by Paul Benson. Once the headphones (in my case, my Apple AirPods) are connected, you still will need to go into the audio settings for your computer and choose them as the audio output for them to work. The sound was lag-free as promised with the Bluetooth connection. RIG M2 Pro HD STREAMSTAR – The Verdict I found the M2 Pro HD to be very easy to operate. It doesn't come with its own software, so (at least on the PC) you do need to go into your computer's audio settings and select the RIG for both audio input and, if you want to use headphones, audio output. However, you can adjust the microphone output and headphone volume directly from the dials on the front of the M2. You can also mute either channel simply by clicking in the corresponding dial. The light around that dial will then turn red to indicate muting. Muted headset. Image by Paul Benson. The built-in pop filter on the microphone works well, and overall, voice quality is excellent. While on a Zoom call, my friends commented on just how nice my voice sounded using the M2. However, for those of us that use mechanical keyboards, the M2 Pro HD will pick up the sounds of the keystrokes, so that's something to be aware of. While the RIG M2 Pro HD has an all-plastic construction, the microphone still looks and feels solid. Certainly its light weight and size make it easy to transport, should you wish to use it with a laptop. Though at the M2's price point, one might expect a bit of metal in the base and body. However that may not be an issue for you- it doesn't affect the performance of the microphone. Overall, with its quality audio and the ability to connect a Bluetooth headset, the RIG M2 Pro HD is a solid contender for content creation, streaming, and especially for gaming. It's easy to set up and use, and should be a welcome addition to most desktops. RIG Gaming sent a unit for evaluation but had no input into this review. As an Amazon affiliate, I may receive a small commission on qualified purchases. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Experts push for rabies vaccine in children before dog bites
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Administering the rabies vaccine before a dog bite may seem unusual to many parents. However, a rise in rabies infections among children has prompted health experts to recommend pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for all children under the age of 14 before any animal attack occurs. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) and the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) have jointly called for the inclusion of PrEP in child healthcare protocols. Providing general immunity against rabies not only helps prevent deaths but also reduces the need for expensive rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), which is administered in addition to the standard post-bite vaccine. While previously seen as an excessive measure, the surge in rabies cases and the high cost of post-exposure treatment have made PrEP a necessary intervention. Dog bite cases in Kerala have seen a dramatic rise - from 60,000 in 2013 to over 3.16 lakh in 2024. Human fatalities have also increased, with 14 rabies deaths reported so far this year, and an annual toll of 20-25 deaths in recent years. Children remain the most affected. Globally, rabies claims around 59,000 lives annually, with 18,000-20,000 of those in India. Of these, nearly 40% are children. 'Children are most vulnerable. Many have died even after receiving the vaccine post-bite due to the challenging nature of the bites,' said Dr Riaz I, president of the IAP Kerala Chapter. 'We recommend PrEP for school-going children to prevent such tragedies.' Dr Riaz also pointed out the difficulty of administering rabies serum in sensitive bite locations like eyes, underlining the advantage of pre-exposure vaccination. The KGMOA has urged the state to form a task force to implement a universal PrEP programme, starting with children. 'Over 35% of dog bite victims are children. We must prioritise them,' said Dr Sunil P K, KGMOA president.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Rabies infection can be fatal but preventable with timely action
Prof Ram Shankar Upadhayaya, medical scientist LUCKNOW: In Feb 2025, Srushti Shinde, 21, from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, was bitten by a stray dog that had attacked nearly 20 people in a single day. Srushti sought immediate medical care, received a full course of antirabies vaccines, and was given rabies immunoglobulin (RIG). .. Despite these life-saving measures, she died just days later. How could this happen when all the right steps were taken? Her story is not just about a young life lost. It's about a disease we know how to prevent but continues to claim thousands of lives in India each year. WHAT IS RABIES? Rabies is a viral infection that attacks the central nervous system. It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, primarily via dog bites. Once symptoms appear ranging from fever and confusion to hallucinations, paralysis, and hydrophobia, it is fatal. But the most painful irony is that rabies is 100% preventable with proper post-exposure care. A NATIONAL EMERGENCY India bears the highest burden of rabies in the world. According to WHO and India's National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), India accounts for 36% of global rabies deaths. An estimated 20,000 people die from rabies each year and over 17 million animal bite cases are reported annually, which is nearly one case every two seconds. Dogs are responsible for 99% of human rabies cases in India. Despite being preventable, most rabies deaths occur due to poor awareness, inadequate vaccine infrastructure, and lack of timely treatment. WHAT TO DO AFTER A DOG BITE If bitten by a dog, stray or pet, one must wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical help immediately as even minor bites can transmit rabies. Get vaccinated with a five-dose anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) schedule, or Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) for deep or high-risk wounds. Report the bite to local health and animal authorities. Time is critical as delay in treatment can cost lives. A WORD TO PET OWNERS & ANIMAL WELFARE ADVOCATES While stray dogs pose a risk, irresponsible pet ownership can contribute to rabies transmission. If you're a pet owner, you must vaccinate your pet annually. It's legally and morally required. Keep your pets indoors or supervised. Animal welfare and public safety must go hand in hand. IS PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM FALLING SHORT? Despite having a National Rabies Control Programme and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) policy, implementation remains patchy and underfunded. Vaccine and RIG shortages, especially in rural areas, have come to light. Poor dog population management in cities and lack of real-time bite and rabies case reporting aggravates the problem. Rabies doesn't kill. Negligence does. Let's make our cities safer, educate our families and demand better from our public health systems. (The writer is a medical scientist)
News18
29-04-2025
- Health
- News18
5-Year-Old Dies From Rabies In Kerala Despite Timely Vaccination After Dog Bite
Last Updated: Ziya Faris, a 5-year-old from Kerala, died from rabies despite timely vaccination after a stray dog bite. Treated at Kozhikode Medical College, she succumbed to severe injuries A child from Kerala's Malappuram district has died from rabies, despite receiving timely vaccination and treatment following a stray dog bite. The deceased, identified as Ziya Faris, was the daughter of Salman Faris, a resident of Malappuram. The five-and-a-half-year-old girl passed away while undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College. According to The News Minute, Ziya was one of seven individuals bitten by the same stray dog on March 29. While the others are reportedly recovering, she sustained particularly severe injuries. According to the report, Ziya was attacked while walking to a nearby shop. The dog inflicted deep bites on her head, legs, and shoulder. She was first taken to Tirurangadi Taluk Hospital before being shifted to Kozhikode Medical College. There, doctors administered both the intradermal rabies vaccine (IDRV) and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) as part of the standard post-exposure prophylaxis. RIG, also known as anti-rabies serum, provides immediate passive immunity, buying time until the patient's own immune response kicks in. Initially, her recovery appeared promising. Her wounds began healing by April 1, and she even resumed playing outside. But on April 25, Ziya developed a fever and was rushed back to the hospital, where tests confirmed she had contracted rabies. Her condition quickly worsened, she was unable to eat or open her eyes in her final days, doctors said. As The News Minute notes, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that bites on the head, neck, hands, and other highly nerve-dense areas can allow the virus to travel more swiftly to the brain. This proximity can undermine even timely post-exposure treatment, highlighting the dangerous unpredictability of rabies in high-risk bite locations. Kerala recorded 102 rabies deaths between 2021 and April 2025, with 20 victims having received full or partial vaccination, Onmanorama reported, citing RTI data from the Directorate of Health Services. Among them, 10 had suffered severe bites to the head and face, areas where the virus can reach the brain faster, reducing vaccine effectiveness. An expert panel formed by the Kerala government in 2022 found that rabies deaths despite vaccination were largely due to bites on highly innervated areas like the head, face, neck, and between fingers, the Onmanorama report pointed out. The committee ruled out vaccine quality issues, noting all tested batches met safety and potency standards. It concluded that in fatal cases, the virus likely entered the nervous system directly through deep wounds, shortening the incubation period. First Published:
