Correct Answer :   Bharat Biotech

Bharat Biotech has launched the oral cholera vaccine, Hillchol, following successful phase 3 trials that demonstrated its safety.

The vaccine was developed under license from Hilleman Laboratories and aims to address the global shortage of cholera vaccine doses.

With a production capacity of 200 million doses, Hillchol targets individuals above the age of one, providing a crucial solution to combat cholera globally.

Bharat Biotech's launch of Hillchol marks a significant milestone in the fight against cholera.

Correct Answer :   Chandipura Virus

A 21-year-old man in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, succumbed to illness while receiving treatment, with earlier symptoms resembling the Chandipura virus infection, but tests from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) later confirmed he was not infected with the virus.

Correct Answer :   Mpox virus

The World Health Organization has declared mpox a global public health emergency after an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, spreading to several African countries including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

This marks the second global health emergency announcement in two years for mpox, highlighting its potential for rapid spread through close contact and causing flu-like symptoms with rare fatalities, particularly among immunocompromised individuals.

This declaration aims to mobilize research and international cooperation to contain the disease and prevent further spread, underscoring the need for a comprehensive response to emerging infectious threats.

Correct Answer :   Gujarat

The first confirmed death from Chandipura virus in Gujarat was reported in Mota Kanthariya, Aravalli, involving a four-year-old child.

This death, confirmed by Pune’s National Institute of Virology, is part of a concerning outbreak in the region.

The virus has caused 14 deaths within two weeks and has 26 suspected cases under investigation.

Chandipura virus, transmitted primarily by sandflies and mosquitoes, poses significant health risks, including rapid progression to severe symptoms like encephalitis and mortality. The outbreak underscores the need for vigilant public health responses and management strategies.

Correct Answer :   Oxford Scientists

The University of Oxford has launched a new clinical trial to test a vaccine against the deadly Nipah virus.

This is the first-in-human trial of the ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine, being developed by researchers at the University's of Pandemic Sciences Institute - a research facility with a mission to discover, create and enable practical solutions to infectious disease threats worldwide. Fifty-one people aged 18 to 55 will participate in the trial, which is being led by the Oxford Vaccine Group within the Department for Paediatrics, and funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

Nipah virus can be fatal in around 75% of cases. Outbreaks have occurred in South-East Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh and India, with a recent outbreak in Kerala, India in September 2023. The disease is carried by fruit bats and may also be transmitted by contact with infected animals (such as pigs) or from person-to-person via close contact.  

Nipah, which is recognised by the World Health Organization as a priority disease requiring urgent research, belongs to the same family of paramyxoviruses as more well-known pathogens like measles. Despite the first outbreaks of Nipah virus occurring 25 years ago in Malaysia and Singapore, there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.

“Nipah virus was first identified in 1998, and yet 25 years on the global health community still has no approved vaccines or treatments for this devastating disease. Due to the high mortality rate and the nature of Nipah virus transmission, the disease is identified as a priority pandemic pathogen. This vaccine trial is an important milestone in identifying a solution that could prevent local outbreaks occurring, while also helping the world prepare for a future global pandemic.”

“Nipah has epidemic potential, with its fruit bat hosts found in areas home to over two billion people. This trial is a step forward in efforts to build a suite of tools to protect against this killer virus. Knowledge gained could also inform development of other Paramyxovirus countermeasures.”

The project will run over the next 18 months, with further trials expected to follow in a Nipah-affected country..

Source : OVG

Correct Answer :   United Kingdom

On Monday (27th Nov 2023), the United Kingdom (UK) Health Security Agency (UKHSA) disclosed the first human case of H1N2, or the pig virus, discovered through routine national flu surveillance.

The affected individual experienced mild illness and fully recovered, raising questions about potential pig-to-human transmission.


Detection and Recovery : The UKHSA detected the case through routine flu surveillance, highlighting the unidentified source of infection. Despite uncertainties, the agency reported the individual’s recovery from a mild illness. This marks the first human instance of H1N2 in the UK, underscoring the virus’s mysterious origin.


Similarity to Porcine Viruses : Meera Chand, the incident director at UKHSA, emphasized the H1N2 virus’s similarity to strains found in pigs. Though the first human case in the UK, the virus closely resembles those observed in swine populations, sparking concerns about potential pathways for transmission between pigs and humans.

Contact Tracing and Surveillance : The UKHSA is actively tracing contacts related to the infected case and closely monitoring the situation. Enhanced surveillance measures are being implemented in North Yorkshire, where the case emerged. The focus is on understanding potential transmission routes between pigs and humans.


Historical Context : The H1N2 virus’s discovery in humans prompts reflections on the 2009 swine flu pandemic. The current situation raises awareness of risks associated with zoonotic transmission, where viruses move from animals to humans. The virus in question contains genetic material from various sources, including pigs, birds, and humans.


Global Comparison : The UKHSA, based on early information, distinguishes the recently detected UK infection from around 50 global cases since 2005. This raises questions about the unique characteristics of the UK virus, emphasizing the need for further research and analysis to understand its distinct features and potential implications.

Correct Answer :   UAE

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified a case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in a 28-year-old male from United Arab Emirates (UAE), it said in a statement.

According to WHO, the patient is a resident of Al Ain city in Abu Dhabi, and had no travel history. He also presented no history of direct or indirect contact with dromedaries (camels), goats, or sheep.

The patient rushed to the hospital on 8 June with symptoms like fever, cough and shortness of breath where he was confirmed MERS-CoV positive.

As a part of surveillance and contact tracing, authorities have identified 108 immediate contacts of the case who are being monitored for being exposed to the MERS-CoV patient. However, no secondary case was identified. The case has no family members or household contacts identified in the UAE.

MERS-CoV is a viral respiratory infection that is caused by a coronavirus called Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Humans are infected with direct or indirect contact with dromedary camels who are the natural host and zoonotic source of the MERS-CoV infection.

“WHO continues to monitor the epidemiological situation and conducts risk assessments based on the latest available information. WHO expects that additional cases of MERS-CoV infection will be reported from the Middle East and/or other countries where MERS-CoV is circulating in dromedaries," WHO said in a statement.

“WHO re-emphasizes the importance of strong surveillance by all Member States for acute respiratory infections, including MERS-CoV, and to carefully review any unusual patterns," it said.

The first case of MERS-CoV was reported in UAE in July 2013. Till date, UAE has reported 94 confirmed cases and 12 deaths. Globally, the total number of confirmed MERS-CoV cases reported to WHO since 2012 is 2,605, including 936 associated deaths.

WHO said that no vaccine or specific treatment is currently available, although several MERS-CoV-specific vaccines and treatments are in development. Treatment is supportive and based on the patient’s clinical condition.

Meanwhile, the UN health agency has initiated the process for genomic analysis. “This will identify any genetic evolution of the virus and support WHO’s global risk assessment efforts," it said.

As a general precaution, anyone visiting farms, markets, barns or other places where dromedaries are present should practise general hygiene measures, including regular hand washing after touching animals, avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands, and avoiding contact with sick animals. People may also consider wearing protective gowns and gloves while professionally handling animals..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Tanzania

Tanzania has announced (21st March 2023) its first outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus disease (MVD), after five fatalities and three further cases were reported at a hospital in the country’s north-west Kagera region.

* Through contact tracing, approximately 161 people have been identified as at risk of infection, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The government has deployed an emergency response team to the area and neighbouring countries have stepped up surveillance.

* The efforts by Tanzania’s health authorities to establish the cause of the disease is a clear indication of the determination to effectively respond to the outbreak,” said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s regional director for Africa.

* Patients displaying symptoms of the disease were first detected last week in two Kagera villages, according to a health memorandum on Tuesday (21st  March 2023) by the Tanzanian health minister Ummy Mwalimu.

* MVD was first discovered in 1967 in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany and Belgrade, Serbia. It is from the same “virus family” as Ebola and causes a severe hemorrhagic fever, while fatality rates have varied from 24% to 88%.

* There have been several outbreaks since its discovery, with the worst being Angola in 2004-2005, where there were 252 cases and 227 deaths.

* The virus is initially transmitted to people from fruit bats, and then from person to person through body fluids or contaminated objects. Family members and health workers are particularly vulnerable to infection.

* Symptoms : The disease can range from fever, nausea and rash at the onset, to jaundice and severe weight loss as the disease progresses. It has an incubation period of up to 21 days.

* There are no vaccines or treatments for the virus, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alleviating symptoms by rehydration or managing the patient’s blood and oxygen levels, can increase the chances of survival..

Source : Theguardian

Correct Answer :   United States

Correct Answer :   South Korea