Latest news with #Selvavinayagam
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Sequenced COVID-19 samples in Tamil Nadu in were of Omicron and its sub-lineages: Director of Public Health
The Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of COVID-19 samples showed that the infections were caused by the existing Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 and its sub-lineages, T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said. The strains currently in circulation are of Omicron and its sub-variants. It has not produced any virulent infections, he pointed out. In a video message put out by the directorate on Tuesday (May 27, 2025), Dr. Selvavinayagam said the current COVID-19 situation in the State was being continuously monitored through the Integrated Health Information Platform. As of now, 10 to 15 cases of COVID-19 were being reported in the State per day. Non-virulent infections Noting that there were non-virulent infections, he said that there were no hospital admissions and deaths due to COVID-19 in the State. 'It is a simple respiratory tract infection. The symptoms are the same and are not severe in nature. So, we may not experience any challenges,' Dr. Selvavinayagam said. To monitor the situation and look out for any new strains of COVID-19, the State had taken up WGS. Of the 26 samples, 19 were sent for WGS to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, in April, he added. 'The results have shown that there is no new variant. The samples were found to be of the existing Omicron, and its descendant variants — JN.1.16.1, LF.7.9, and LF.7.1.2. All these are sub-lineages of Omicron. There are no new variants or any virulent strains of COVID-19. All cases are of simple infections only,' he said. There was one case of NB.1.8.1 variant as well. Reiterating that there was no need for panic, Dr. Selvavinayagam said there was a need to approach this scientifically. 'We are continuously monitoring the situation. What people should know is that if any one has symptoms of COVID-19, especially persons with co-morbidities or the elderly, immediate medical help should be sought at hospitals,' he said. Hand hygiene and cough etiquette should be maintained. 'We should be vigilant. There is no need for panic and no need for any additional restrictions in this situation,' he said. The State government had adequate health infrastructure, Dr. Selvavinayagam added.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Sequenced COVID-19 samples were of Omicron and its sub-lineages: DPH
The Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of COVID-19 samples showed that the infections were caused by the existing Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 and its sub-lineages, T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said. The strains currently in circulation are of Omicron and its sub-variants. It has not produced any virulent infections, he pointed out. In a video message put out by the directorate on Tuesday, Dr. Selvavinayagam said the current COVID-19 situation in the State was being continuously monitored through the Integrated Health Information Platform. As of now, 10 to 15 cases of COVID-19 were being reported in the State per day. Non-virulent infections Noting that there were non-virulent infections, he said that there were no hospital admissions and deaths due to COVID-19 in the State. 'It is a simple respiratory tract infection. The symptoms are the same and are not severe in nature. So, we may not experience any challenges,' Dr. Selvavinayagam said. To monitor the situation and look out for any new strains of COVID-19, the State had taken up WGS. Of the 26 samples, 19 were sent for WGS to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, in April, he added. 'The results have shown that there is no new variant. The samples were found to be of the existing Omicron, and its descendant variants — JN.1.16.1, LF.7.9, and LF.7.1.2. All these are sub-lineages of Omicron. There are no new variants or any virulent strains of COVID-19. All cases are of simple infections only,' he said. There was one case of NB.1.8.1 variant as well. Reiterating that there was no need for panic, Dr. Selvavinayagam said there was a need to approach this scientifically. 'We are continuously monitoring the situation. What people should know is that if any one has symptoms of COVID-19, especially persons with co-morbidities or the elderly, immediate medical help should be sought at hospitals,' he said. Hand hygiene and cough etiquette should be maintained. 'We should be vigilant. There is no need for panic and no need for any additional restrictions in this situation,' he said. The State government had adequate health infrastructure, Dr. Selvavinayagam added.
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Health officials told to prevent outbreak of diseases at public gatherings across TN
CHENNAI: The Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has reissued instructions to all district health officers to ensure public health safeguards to prevent disease outbreaks, ensure sanitation and protect public safety. Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Dr TS Selvavinayagam, said the instructions were issued under Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, to enforce public health measures during social, recreational, religious and other mass gatherings in the light of increasing frequency and magnitude of public gatherings, including religious congregations, social and cultural events, recreational programmes and political meetings, across TN. The officers have been instructed to supervise, inspect and enforce essential services such as water supply, waste disposal and sanitation during the events and to establish surveillance mechanisms to detect clustering of cases or outbreaks. In the event of a public health emergency, district magistrate and health officers are authorised to issue orders prohibiting assemblies or restricting movement. Selvavinayagam told TNIE the focus is on waterborne and food-borne infections and it was not not related to resurgence of Covid-19 cases.
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Use free service to detect oral, cervical, breast cancers: DPH chief Dr T S Selvavinayagam
CHENNAI: The general public must not miss the opportunity of cancer screening available in primary health centres and health sub-centres for early detection of the disease, advised Dr T S Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Health (DPH). In a video message on Saturday, the DPH appealed to people above 18 years of age to screen for oral cancer and women above 30 years to screen for breast and cervical cancer. Oral cancer screening should be done yearly, whereas breast and cervical cancer screening can be done once in three years. Since cancer cases have been rising, with diagnoses often made at an advanced stage, the government is now holding an organised screening programme, said Selvavinayagam. If diagnosed at an advanced stage, the damage may be severe, but if diagnosed early, it may be completely treatable, and the person can lead a normal life. The training is given at the village health nurses' level, who will map areas and invite people for screening to primary health centres and health sub-centres. Even if diagnosed with cancer, people can get treatment free of cost at government hospitals and also at private hospitals using the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, Selvavinayagam added. Health Minister Ma Subramanian had launched an extension of the community cancer screening programme at Tiruvallur on May 12. The programme was launched on a pilot basis in 12 districts: Coimbatore, Kancheepuram, Tiruvarur, Dharmapuri, Karur, Tiruchy, Vellore, Theni, Madurai and Thanjavur.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
On Covid resurgence, TN health official says no need to panic, surveillance mechanism in place
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, T S Selvavinayagm on Tuesday appealed to the public not to panic about Covid resurgence as a strict surveillance mechanism was in place in the state. The present situation was not alarming and the pandemic like so many other thousands of viruses was under continuous monitoring, he said. Allaying the apprehensions of the people on a possible outbreak of the pandemic, Selvavinayagam said in a video message that neither the World Health Organisation nor the central government has issued any advisory on Covid-19 outbreak. "The Health department is closely monitoring all viruses including Covid through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal which allowed real-time reporting of data, modelling and analysis and this was integrated with other health programmes," he said. Surveillance is being carried out daily on this portal through the involvement of 4,000 plus institutions. In addition, along with MIST (a research programme to understand and prevent airborne viral transmissions ), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the National Institute of Edidemiology (NIE), the DPH has launched a sentinel surveillance to monitor all ILI ( Influenza-like Illness ) and SARI ( Severe Acute Respiratory Infection ) cases. It also involved the participation of two rural and two urban PHCs, and medical colleges in four districts. "So, all outbreaks are under continuous monitoring. Tamil Nadu's health infrastructure is vibrant and the state has the capacity to go on an expansion anytime," Selvavinayagam said in the nearly four-minute video. "The public will be informed of outbreak if any. Under the present circumstances, there is no need to panic about Covid because the Tamil Nadu government has taken up a surveillance mechanism. If infection occurs, it will be informed to the public immediately," he added. The official clarified that he had to explain the current situation due to reports in a section of the media on Covid-19 re-emergence. Covid has not been totally eradicated. And like lakhs of viruses or bacteria when Covid made an appearance then it will be controlled and an equilibrium status will be maintained. The preventive measures were based on the virulence of the virus and its impact. "Ten infections among one lakh people, ten infections in ten lakh people and ten infections among 7.8 crore population in Tamil Nadu can't be considered as same," the DPH stressed.
