Latest news with #IndianCouncilofMedicalResearch
United News of India
4 hours ago
- Health
- United News of India
India's Covid active cases dip to 5,608; four deaths in past 24 hours
New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India has witnessed a decline in active Covid-19 cases, with a reduction of 368 cases, bringing the total active cases to 5,608 on Friday. In the past 24 hours, the country reported four new fatalities — one each from Delhi, Punjab, Kerala and Maharashtra — raising the total Covid-19 related deaths this year to 120. As in previous cases, the majority of the deceased who died in the past 24 hours had underlying health conditions, with Covid-19 infection limiting their survival. Several states continue to see a decrease in daily infections. Kerala reported decline by 125 cases but continue to have the highest load at 1,184, followed by Gujarat with 912(down by 134 cases), Delhi with 630(2), Karnataka with 398 (68), and Maharashtra with 389(dip by 54 cases). Conversely, there has been a slight uptick in cases from Manipur (16), Rajasthan (26), Uttarakhand (5), and Punjab (7). In the last 24 hours, 1,092 individuals recovered from Covid-19, bringing the total recoveries this year to 18,256. Health authorities have identified two new Omicron sub-lineages — NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 — as the causes of the current surge. Both are mutations of the JN.1 variant. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has clarified that these new strains are not associated with increased disease severity compared to previous Omicron waves. Genome sequencing data indicates that earlier cases were predominantly due to the JN.1.16 sub-variant, while recent cases are largely attributed to recombinant variants such as LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. Experts continue to urge the public to adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviors, including avoiding crowded places and maintaining health precautions, particularly for individuals above 60 or those feeling unwell.
Mint
8 hours ago
- Health
- Mint
India's Covid-19 cases decline even as new Omicron sub-variants emerge
New Delhi: India's active Covid-19 caseload fell to 5,976 on Friday, down from 6,483 cases a day earlier, even as new Omicron sub-variants continue to drive infections. The country reported three deaths in the past 24 hours—two from Delhi and one from Kerala—taking the total fatalities this year to 116, according to data from the Union Health Ministry. Health authorities have identified two new Omicron sub-lineages, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7—both mutations of the JN.1 variant—as the cause of the current surge. However, scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have indicated that these new strains are not causing increased disease severity compared to earlier Omicron waves. Several states are witnessing a decline in daily infections. Kerala reported 1,309 active cases, followed by Gujarat (1,046), West Bengal (747), Delhi (632), Karnataka (466), and Maharashtra (443). According to ICMR, genome sequencing data shows that while the earlier spike was largely due to the JN.1.16 sub-variant, most recent cases are being attributed to recombinant variants like LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. The Union Health Ministry has urged the public to continue observing Covid-appropriate behaviour, avoid crowded places, and take necessary health precautions, especially when unwell. The ministry emphasized that while Covid-19 has transitioned into an endemic stage, all circulating variants over the past three years have remained within the Omicron lineage. To ensure preparedness, the government has directed states and union territories to review medical readiness across healthcare facilities, including the availability of oxygen supplies, isolation beds, ventilators, and critical medicines. A nationwide mock drill was conducted to assess oxygen supply infrastructure in hospitals. Surveillance units at the state and district level are closely monitoring Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases. All SARI admissions and 5% of ILI cases continue to be tested for Covid-19, with positive SARI samples sent for whole genome sequencing to track emerging variants. Meanwhile, 1,219 people recovered from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries this year to 17,164, ministry data showed.
The Hindu
19 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
ICMR sets up high performing computing facility to boost genomic surveillance and pandemic preparedness
Working to address limitations faced during the COVID-19 pandemic due to conventional computing infrastructure, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has now introduced its first high-performance computing facility at its National Institute of Virology (NIV) facility in Pune. The acquisition of the state-of-the-art computing cluster, named NAKSHATRA, comes soon after India reported a surge in COVID-19 cases, though the number of active cases have dipped marginally over the last two days. ICMR-NIV Pune director Naveen Kumar noted that several new pathogens and COVID variants are being reported. 'It's essential that we upgrade to stay ahead in enhancing public health research capacity,' he said. Genomic research upgrade Attributing the emergence of novel pathogens to increased globalisation, global warming, and deforestation, Dr. Kumar said that his centre has been doing extensive sequence analysis using multiple strains, which used to take weeks. 'Now with the upgrade we can do the same work in 24 to 48 hours. It has increased the capability of our country for genomic surveillance, which will help us in pandemic preparedness,' he said. The NAKSHATRA facility enables enhanced storage and optimises the pipeline for genomic research, which ensures better viral genomic surveillance capacity and national preparedness for any future pandemic. The facility supports faster analysis of complex genomic data, allowing scientists to detect new disease threats sooner, respond to outbreaks more efficiently, and accelerate AI-driven vaccine and drug development. Central data repository Developed under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM), the facility forms the cornerstone of a new project, called the High Performance Computing Next Generation Sequencing Hub. The Pune facility will initially serve five ICMR institutes across the country, acting as a central repository for sequencing data. Sarah Cherian, group leader of the Bioinformatics and Data Management Group and principal investigator of the project, provided a comprehensive overview of the cluster's capabilities and its role in genomic research. She said that the computing cluster is tailored to support complex bioinformatics workflows, including next-generation sequencing, transcriptomics, phylogenetics, metagenomics, and structural bioinformatics. Genomic monitoring impact Already, NIV Pune has played a key role in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously significant genetic alterations in the virus had triggered the second and third wave and ongoing genomic monitoring and analysis helped in early detection of variants of interest and concern. 'This in turn had helped in paving the way for implementing the booster dose of vaccination for COVID,' the institute noted.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
ICMR-NIV Pune inaugurates High Performance Computing facility to boost genomic research and pandemic preparedness
Pune: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Wednesday marked a significant milestone in advancing India's public health research capabilities with the inauguration of its first High Performance Computing (HPC) facility at the ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. The computing cluster named 'Nakshatra' was officially inaugurated by Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of the Department of Health Research (DHR) and Director General of ICMR, according to an official statement from ICMR. "Developed under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM ABHIM), the HPC facility forms the cornerstone of a new project titled "High Performance Computing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Hub". The initiative aims to revolutionize how genomic and bioinformatics data are processed, addressing limitations faced during the COVID-19 pandemic due to conventional computing infrastructure," the statement added. Addressing a gathering regarding the inauguration of the computing facility, the Director General of ICMR commended the institute for its timely and strategic step towards ' Viksit Bharat 2047 ' vision by strengthening the country's genomic surveillance and data analysis capacity. He highlighted how enhanced computing resources are crucial in preparing for technology-driven pandemic preparedness and future public health emergencies. Meanwhile, Director of ICMR-NIV, Dr Naveen Kumar, emphasised the critical role the HPC cluster will play in supporting rapid, data-driven responses to outbreaks. Dr Sarah Cherian, Group Leader of the Bioinformatics and Data Management Group and Principal Investigator of the project, provided a comprehensive overview of the cluster's capabilities and its role in genomic research . According to the official statement, the newly commissioned HPC cluster features twelve compute nodes offering a total of 700 cores and 1 petabyte of storage. "The infrastructure is tailored to support complex bioinformatics workflows, including next-generation sequencing (NGS), transcriptomics, phylogenetics, metagenomics, and structural bioinformatics. Initially, the facility will serve five ICMR institutes across the country, acting as a central repository for sequencing data and extending support to Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) soon, making the institute as a critical hub for outbreak investigations and pandemic preparedness, with the potential to accelerate AI-driven drug and vaccine discovery," the statement added. Highlighting the advantages of the HPC facility, ICMR highlighted how it is a "national investment in speed, precision, and preparedness." The statement mentioned, "By enabling faster analysis of complex genomic data, the facility positions India to detect new disease threats sooner, respond to outbreaks more efficiently, and accelerate AI-driven vaccine and drug development."
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Silent Signals: Uncovering Impact of Angina on Women in India
New Delhi: While women face many health challenges throughout their lives, heart disease stands out as one of the most serious — causing more deaths and disability than any other condition worldwide. A 2016 report by the India n Council of Medical Research identified heart disease as the leading cause of illness in India. According to the National Family Health Survey (2019–20), about 0.7% of women and 0.9% of men in India report having heart disease. India's death rate from heart disease already exceeds the global average — and studies show that women may be even more at risk. Conditions like angina often present subtly, with symptoms that are easy to miss but can lead to higher risks. To spotlight this critical issue, ETHealthworld, in collaboration with global healthcare leader Abbott , hosted a webinar titled Her Heart Matters: Understanding Angina and Coronary Artery Disease in Women. The session brought together medical experts to explore the unique cardiovascular challenges faced by Indian women. The expert panel featured Dr Jyotirmoy Pal President, Association of Physicians of India (API); Dr Agam Vora , Honorary General Secretary, Association of Physicians of India (API); Dr. Gurpreet S Wander, Chief Cardiologist, Hero DMC Heart Institute, Ludhiana; Dr. Sarita Rao, Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Director Cath Lab, Apollo Hospitals, Indore; Dr Rohita Shetty Head of Medical Affairs, Abbott India. The discussion was moderated by Prathiba Raju, Senior Assistant Editor, ET Healthworld. Exploring the underlying causes of angina, Dr Jyotirmoy Pal explained that while non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for a third of deaths at the time of India's independence, decades of lifestyle and metabolic shifts have dramatically altered the landscape— with cardiovascular diseases now emerging as the leading cause of mortality. Angina, commonly experienced as chest pain, is one of the most recognizable early warning signs of heart disease. Dr. Gurpreet S. Wander added that approximately 60–65% of individuals with coronary artery disease report experiencing angina symptoms. Discussing key risk factors for angina, Dr. Wander emphasized that among the eight major contributors to heart disease — including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and stress — genetics and lifestyle choices, particularly tobacco use, pose the greatest risk for individuals under 60. He also noted that while women benefit from a degree of natural protection against heart disease due to hormonal factors, this advantage is significantly diminished in the presence of diabetes. Experts further highlighted a critical gap in research: women comprise only about 20% of participants in heart disease clinical trials. As a result, most treatment protocols are based predominantly on male-centric data, making it more challenging to develop care strategies tailored specifically to women's cardiovascular health. Diagnosis Dilemma Speaking on the importance of early detection, Dr. Jyotirmoy Pal emphasized that recognizing angina symptoms promptly can lead to timely intervention — potentially saving lives. However, in India, recurring chest pain is often misdiagnosed as Acid Peptic Disorder (APD), delaying appropriate cardiac care. Dr. Agam Vora added that there's a common misconception that only individuals with conditions like diabetes or obesity are at risk for angina. 'That's not always the case,' he noted, stressing the need for clinicians to adopt modern diagnostic tools — especially when interpreting ECG results proves challenging. Dr. Wander further explained that angina can sometimes present with symptoms like burping, which are frequently mistaken for acidity. 'If the discomfort isn't localized and lasts for 3 to 5 minutes, it could be a sign of heart-related chest pain,' he cautioned. The panel also underscored the value of non-invasive diagnostic tests — such as treadmill tests, stress echocardiography, and cardiac imaging — in identifying angina early. These tools can help avoid diagnostic delays, which is critical, as untreated angina can escalate into a heart attack , posing serious, potentially life-threatening risks. Gender-Based Differences Dr. Rao explained that heart disease symptoms in women can be quite different from those in men. Instead of the typical chest pain, women may feel breathless, break into a sweat, or experience symptoms like acidity, heartburn, or even nausea. She also noted that diagnosing heart issues in women can be more complex. For example, their ECGs may show subtle changes, and they're more likely to test positive during a treadmill test. Women also experience a type of heart condition called microvascular angina, which affects the smaller blood vessels and often doesn't show up on standard heart scans like a coronary angiogram. While women do have some natural hormonal protection against heart disease, Dr. Rao pointed out that they also face unique risks — especially during and after pregnancy. Conditions like gestational diabetes and high blood pressure can increase a woman's chances of developing heart disease later in life. She also highlighted that early menopause, Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), and autoimmune disorders can raise the risk of heart problems even further. That's why it's important for women to stay informed and proactive about their heart health. Solutions to change the course Coronary artery disease (CAD) ranks among the leading causes of death from non-communicable diseases. While it is often diagnosed later in life, Dr. Wander emphasized that its origins can be traced back much earlier. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits early — and maintaining them consistently — plays a crucial role in preventing or delaying the onset of heart disease. Dr. Rao emphasized that regularly checking your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar — along with living a healthy lifestyle — can greatly reduce your risk of heart disease. Avoiding smoking and alcohol also plays a big role. These simple habits can help you stay healthier and be better prepared for any future health risks. Abbott's Efforts for Better Heart Health Dr. Rohita Shetty shared some of the steps Abbott is taking to support women's heart health, especially around angina. As part of its 2030 global goals, Abbott is working to fight non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart conditions. Because angina often shows up differently in women and can be hard to recognize, there's a strong need to raise awareness. To help close this gap, Abbott collaborated with the Association of Physicians of India (API) to launch Angina Awareness Week in 2024. As part of this effort, Abbott introduced the OPTA (Optimal Treatment of Angina) initiative, which includes three helpful tools — a checklist, a questionnaire, and a clinical approach — all designed to improve how angina is diagnosed and managed. This year, the spotlight is on women — with a focus on improving their heart health and overall quality of life. Abbott's awareness initiatives aim to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to take control of their heart health and make informed choices for a healthier future. To summarize, with rising rates of obesity, hypertension, and hereditary risk factors, experts caution that the burden of heart disease is likely to continue growing. The good news is that this trend can be changed. By making healthier lifestyle choices, scheduling regular health checkups, and leveraging advanced diagnostic tools, individuals can take meaningful steps to reduce their risk — helping to build stronger, healthier families and communities. Disclaimer - The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.
