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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
MSC ELSA 3 sinking, Musk exit, monsoon onset and more: The week in 5 charts
(1) Plastic nurdles wash up on Kerala coast after container ship sinks Several containers washed ashore along Kerala's lower coast after a container vessel - MSC ELSA 3 - sunk over 30 nautical miles away from Kochi port on Monday (May 26, 2025). The vessel had 643 containers, 13 of which had hazardous cargo. The ship also transported quantities of small plastic pellets, or nurdles, which washed ashore along Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday (May 28, 2025). The incident sparked concerns of environmental damage to coastal areas. Nurdles, with their small size (less than 5 mm), come with the problem of being swallowed by fish when not recovered from the sea. Besides being lost at sea during acute losses, chronic pellet loss throughout the supply chain is also an issue. While exact numbers are not available for pellet loss, an impact assessment commissioned by the European Commission said that pellet loss ranged from anywhere between 52,140 tonnes to 1,84,290 tonnes in total in 2019. This figure is around 0.08% to 0.28% of total pellet volume produced in the EU. This means, the economic cost of lost pellets is not high enough for stakeholders in the production cycle as per the report. However, external costs like that of environmental damage is high due to the decades-long persistence of lost pellets in the environment. (2) COVID-19 cases rise in India Over the past week, active cases of COVID-19 have been rising in India. As of June 2, 2021, India recorded over 3,900 active COVID-19 cases, with Kerala accounting for over 1,400. As per information from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium, the majority of new cases have been driven by the JN.1 variant of the virus. For the month of May, 61% of sequenced samples recorded JN.1 as the variant involved. JN.1 and its descendants belong to the Omicron family of the virus. Besides JN.1, variants LF.7 and NB.1.8.1, which are descendants of JN.1, are two other variants causing the recent spike in cases. The World Health Organisation designated NB.1.8.1 as a variant under monitoring on 23 May, 2025. Such a designation is a 'signal to public health authorities that a SARS-CoV-2 variant may require prioritized attention and monitoring,' according to the WHO's website. Following the designation, the WHO put out a risk evaluation report for NB.1.8.1. The report highlighted an increase in the proportion of NB.1.8.1 sequences to others. Despite the increase, the WHO concluded the risk to be low, since the variant's immune evasion was only marginally more than LP.8.1, and there was no evidence to suggest that this variant caused more severe infection than others. (3) Early onset of monsoon in Mumbai leads to waterlogging in several areas Mumbai woke up to heavy rain and thunderstorms on Monday (May 26, 2025), with several parts of the city receiving over 200 mm of rainfall, according to the civic body. Transportation services took a hit as waterlogging was reported in several areas, including the King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital and the newly inaugurated Metro 3 Aqua Line station. With the increase in rain, IMD put Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Pune and Ratnagiri on red alert on Monday (May 26, 2025) afternoon. 'The monsoon has arrived 16 days early to Mumbai. Looking at the synoptic situations, the orange alert was updated to red alert for Mumbai, Thane, and other ghat regions,' said Shubhangi Bhute, the head of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Mumbai. The early onset was due to the low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea and the change in wind direction. This was the first time since 1956 that Mumbai has witnessed the early onset of monsoon, as per the IMD data. The coastal observatory in Colaba and Sant Cruz recorded 144 mm and 74.3mm of rainfall, respectively, till 5.30 p.m., according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Colaba Coastal Observatory recorded the highest rainfall this May at 300 mm, breaking the record from 1918 when 279.4 mm rainfall was recorded in May. Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) was forced to suspend operations on the Metro Line 3 between Acharya Atre Chowk and Worli on Monday after heavy rains inundated the newly inaugurated underground Acharya Atre Chowk station, causing extensive damage The heavy rainfall has caused disruptions to transport systems in Mumbai as waterlogging was reported in several areas, including Dadar TT flyover, Saki Naka in Andheri, Hindmata Junction, Worli Naka, and Elphinstone Bridge. As this led to traffic congestion, several BEST buses were also diverted, while the local train services were terminated at the suburban stations Kurla, Dadar and Parel due to waterlogging between Byculla - CSMT, later restored, as per the Central Railway PRO, Swapnil Nila. According to BMC, around 25 cases of short circuits, 45 tree/branches felling, and nine incidents of partial house collapse were reported across Mumbai city and suburban areas. One person, identified as Sairaj Pawar (24), was injured and admitted to St. George Hospital. (4) Elon Musk exits Trump administration Billionaire Elon Musk has said he is leaving his role in the U.S. Government, in which he was tasked with reducing federal spending, shortly after his first major break with Donald Trump over the President's signature spending bill. As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025 While classified as a 'special government employee' and 'senior advisor to the President,' the South African-born tycoon has left indelible marks on American politics as Mr. Trump's most visible backer. Apart from the cuts to the federal workforce and budget through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Mr. Musk's time with the Trump 2.0 administration was marked with a series of highlight reels. From the gesture resembling a Nazi salute during Mr. Trump's January 20 inauguration, to endorsing Germany's extreme-right AfD party through virtual participation, to brandishing a chainsaw on stage at a conservating get-together in Washington, Mr. Musk has indeed left a mark on American politics. With Mr. Musk's Tesla car company taking a battering on the stock market and sales dropping sharply, and with vandals targeting his brand, the White House hosted a highly publicized test drive to boost Tesla's reputation. Just before the tech tycoon announced that he was quitting his U.S. Government role, Mr. Musk said he was 'disappointed' by Mr. Trump's divisive mega-bill, which offers sprawling tax relief and spending cuts, in a rare split with the Republican president. 'I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,' Mr. Musk told CBS News. (5) Russia hits Ukraine with biggest drone attack since war began In a significant escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war, Russia launched its biggest drone attack on Ukrainian targets since the war began three years ago. Along with this barrage of drones, Russia launched seven missiles. On June 1 alone, Russia launched attacks with 472 drones, according to Ukraine's air force as per the AP. On the same day, Ukraine responded with drone strikes on 41 Russian bomber planes in several airfields. U.S. President Donald Trump, who is attempting to broker a ceasefire deal between the two countries, called Russian President Vladimir Putin 'absolutely CRAZY' following the drone attacks. Ukraine is set to send a delegation to Istanbul for direct peace talks with Russia on June 2. In these talks, Russia will share a memorandum about its position on ending the war with Ukraine.
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First Post
26-05-2025
- Health
- First Post
New Covid-19 variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, detected in India: Should you be worried?
India currently has 1,009 active Covid-19 cases, with Kerala reporting the highest at 430, followed by Maharashtra with 209 cases. With the rise in infections, Karnataka, Delhi, and West Bengal have issued health advisories. Notably, India's SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has identified two new subvariants: NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, both offshoots of the rapidly spreading JN.1 variant in the country. How deadly are they? read more Both are offshoots of the JN.1 variant, which is spreading quickly. Reuters/File Photo Covid-19 cases are once again rising across Southeast Asia. India, too, is seeing a slow rise in infections . As a result, Karnataka, Delhi and West Bengal have issued health advisories. Even so, health officials have asked people not to panic. ALSO READ | Why is there a Covid-19 scare in India? What are experts saying? With the increase in cases, India's SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has found two new coronavirus subvariants: NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 . What are these variants? How are they different from the ones we already know? How many active cases are there in the country, and where are they being reported? Should we be concerned? This explainer looks at these questions and more. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here's a look: NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 subvariants: What are they? The World Health Organization (Who) has listed both NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 as 'Variants Under Monitoring'. This means they are being closely tracked, but have not been labelled 'Variants of Concern' or 'Variants of Interest'. According to a report by The Hindu, these subvariants are believed to be behind the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in China and other parts of Asia. Data from INSACOG shows that one case of NB.1.8.1 was found in Tamil Nadu in April, and four cases of LF.7 were detected in Gujarat in May. Both are offshoots of the JN.1 variant, which is spreading quickly. NB.1.8.1 variant Notably, NB.1.8.1 is a subvariant that comes from a recombinant strain called XDV.1.5.1. The first known cases date back to January 22, 2025. It has six mutations in the spike protein compared to the LP8.1 variant, and eight when compared to JN.1, according to The Indian Express. Early findings suggest that NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily than earlier variants, possibly because it binds more strongly to human cells. So far, 58 sequences of NB.1.8.1 have been submitted to the global Covid-19 genome database from 22 different countries. This variant has spike protein mutations (A435S, V445H, T478I) that may allow it to spread faster and partly avoid the body's immune response. Data from China also suggests it is highly transmissible, which may explain why it is becoming more common in certain areas. Outside India, NB.1.8.1 has been detected through airport screening in the United States (California, Washington, Virginia, and New York), as well as in Japan, South Korea, Thailand and several other countries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The World Health Organization (Who) has listed both NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 as 'Variants Under Monitoring'. Image: News18 Symptoms of the sub-variants The symptoms appear similar to those seen with earlier Omicron strains: • Fever • Sore throat • Loss of appetite • Tiredness • Mild cough • Headache • Blocked nose • Nausea • Stomach-related issues Covid cases in India: Should you be worried? Out of the 1,009 active Covid-19 cases in the country, Kerala has the highest number with 430 cases. The state has added 335 new infections since May 19. Maharashtra follows with 209 active cases, including 153 reported in the past week. The state has also seen four Covid-related deaths. Delhi has added 99 new cases, bringing its total to 104. Other states reporting infections include West Bengal (12), Rajasthan (13), Uttar Pradesh (15), Tamil Nadu (69), Karnataka (47), and Gujarat (83). However, health officials have stressed that most of the current cases are mild and are being treated at home. In Karnataka, an 84-year-old man with multiple health issues died in Bengaluru. He later tested positive for Covid-19, making it the state's first virus-related death in the recent surge. In Maharashtra, a 21-year-old man with severe diabetes passed away in a Thane hospital after testing positive. Bihar, on Monday, reported its first Covid-19 case in the ongoing wave. A 31-year-old man from Patna tested positive, a health official told PTI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Out of the 1,009 active Covid-19 cases in the country, Kerala has the highest number with 430 cases. Reuters/File Photo The Union Health Secretary held a review meeting on Saturday with top officials from the Department of Health Research, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), among others to assess the situation. Officials said the JN.1 variant is currently the main strain driving the rise in infections, accounting for around 53% of the new cases. 'Cases have mainly been reported from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Most cases are mild and under home care,' the health ministry said. While the situation continues to develop, health departments in the affected states are urging people to follow preventive steps, keep their vaccinations up to date, and avoid panic as the country monitors these new variants. With inputs from agencies
News18
26-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Covid-19 India Update: Delhi Reports 100+ New Cases; Kerala Logs 430 In One Week
Last Updated: Several states including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka have seen an uptick in fresh infections due to two new variants of Covid-19. Delhi reported at least 104 Covid-19 cases during the last week, while Kerala and Maharashtra have logged 430 and 209 new cases respectively in the same period, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. A total of 1,009 active cases have been reported from across India, including 12 in West Bengal, 13 in Rajasthan, 15 in Uttar Pradesh, 69 in Tamil Nadu, 47 in Karnataka and 83 in Gujarat. Several states including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka have seen an uptick in fresh infections. However, most of these cases have been classified as mild and are being managed through home isolation, officials added. In the backdrop of rising cases, India's SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has identified two new coronavirus subvariants: NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. Both have been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as 'Variants Under Monitoring" rather than 'Variants of Concern" or 'Variants of Interest," reflecting the current low level of global public health risk. An 84-year-old man with severe comorbidities had earlier died in Bengaluru and later tested positive for Covid-19, marking Karnataka's first virus-related fatality in recent weeks. In Maharashtra, a 21-year-old man with severe diabetes died at a Thane hospital after testing positive for Covid-19. While the situation is evolving, health authorities across affected states urge the public to maintain preventive measures, stay updated with vaccinations, and avoid unnecessary panic as the country monitors the impact of these new variants closely. First Published: May 26, 2025, 12:23 IST
News18
26-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Two New COVID Variants Detected in India: What You Need to Know
Last Updated: COVID-19 Cases Rise in India Amid Detection of Two New Variants; Authorities Urge Caution but No Panic India is witnessing a gradual increase in COVID-19 cases, prompting several states—including Karnataka, Delhi, and West Bengal—to issue health advisories while reassuring citizens to stay calm. As of May 25, 2025, the Union Health Ministry reports 275 active infections nationwide. Most cases remain mild and are being managed through home isolation, but health officials continue to emphasize vigilance. In the backdrop of rising cases, India's SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has identified two new coronavirus subvariants: NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. Both have been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as 'Variants Under Monitoring" rather than 'Variants of Concern" or 'Variants of Interest," reflecting the current low level of global public health risk. According to WHO, while NB.1.8.1 carries spike protein mutations—A435S, V445H, and T478I—that could enhance transmissibility and help the virus evade immunity, evidence so far indicates it does not cause more severe illness or increase mortality rates compared to earlier strains. The predominant strain fueling India's recent surge is the JN.1 variant, responsible for approximately 53% of new infections. Tragically, India has recorded its second COVID-19 death since the recent uptick. A 21-year-old patient in Maharashtra passed away after being admitted to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Kalwa Hospital in Thane on May 22, 2025. Earlier, an 84-year-old man with pre-existing health conditions died in Bengaluru, Karnataka, due to multi-organ failure linked to COVID-19. While the situation is evolving, health authorities across affected states urge the public to maintain preventive measures, stay updated with vaccinations, and avoid unnecessary panic as the country monitors the impact of these new variants closely. First Published: May 26, 2025, 09:57 IST
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
COVID surge: Be cautious, but not anxious, say doctors; Karnataka Health Minister says all ILI/SARI cases will be tested
Even as the Karnataka Health Department issued an advisory on Friday asking people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour (CAB) following a surge in cases in some States, senior virologists and epidemiologists have said there is no need to panic at this stage. Experts said the emerging sub-variants — NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 — driving the surge in some countries are descendants of JN.1, a sublineage of the omicron BA.2.86 variant. While it is necessary to be cautious there is no need to get anxious, they said. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium, one case of NB.1.8.1 was identified in April in Tamil Nadu, and four cases of LF.7 were detected in Gujarat in May. The World Health Organization has classified these sub-variants as 'variants under monitoring' and not as 'variants of concern' or 'variants of interest'. Almost no lung involement T. Jacob John, retired professor of Clinical Virology at Christian Medical College, Vellore, said, unlike the Wuhan and Delta variants, omicron and all its sub-variants cause only upper respiratory tract infection, with almost no lung involvement, no hypoxia, and no bleeding/clotting disorders. Hence, the mortality is very low, he said. 'Omicron and its sub-variants have become endemic everywhere, just like seasonal influenza. Occasional upsurges are expected, and one such upsurge is happening now. If it was not tested in those countries, this surge would go unnoticed,' he said. Stating there is no need to enforce mask wearing now, Dr. Jacob said it is advisable that those visiting hospitals and other crowded places wear a mask. Following cough etiquette and maintaining hygiene will help in checking the spread of the disease. The elderly, immuno-comprimised and those with comorbidities need to be extra careful, he said. 'There is a need to strengthen and expand sentinel ILI/SARI testing and genomic sequencing. The oxygen infrastructure needs to be reviewed and stocks equal to 10 days of peak 2021 consumption should be maintained at every district headquarters,' a senior epidemiologist, who was formerly with the State's COVID -19 Technical Advisory Committee. Testing of ILI/SARI cases The State Health Department has directed all hospitals to test those presenting with symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI), severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and cardiac issues. Karnataka has so far this year reported 38 COVID cases and one death. Of these, 32 cases and the death are from Bengaluru. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said he has directed officials to procure the required testing kits. 'We have arranged to procure 5,000 RT-PCR kits and 5,000 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits immediately which will suffice for a month,' he said.
