Latest Diseases General Knowledge(GK) Questions and answers

1 .

Who is leading the first human trials for the Nipah virus vaccine?

A)

Harvard Scientists

B)

Stanford University Team

C)

Oxford Scientists

D)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Researchers

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

2 .

Which Country Detects (27th Nov 2023) First Human Case Of 'H1N2 Pig Virus'?

A)

United Kingdom

B)

China

C)

United States

D)

Russia

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.

3 .

World Health Organization identifies first case of MERS-CoV in Which Country 2023?

A)

USA

B)

UAE

C)

Japan

D)

China

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

4 .

Which country announced (21 March 2023) outbreak of deadly Marburg virus disease?

A)

Tanzania

B)

Kenya

C)

Nigeria

D)

Zambia

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

5 .

Which country has approved the first-ever vaccine for honey bees which will confer protection from the foulbrood disease?

A)

India

B)

China

C)

Russia

D)

United States

Correct Answer : United States

World's first vaccine for honeybees was approved for use by the United States. The vaccines helps to protect bees from the American Foulbrood disease.

* A conditional license by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been granted to American biotech company Dalan Animal Health Inc for making the vaccine.

* The American Foulbrood disease, for which the vaccine has been made, is caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae which can weaken and kill hives.

* The deadly disease originated in the US but has now spread globally.

* The vaccine contains killed whole-cell Paenibacillus larvae bacteria and will be administered by mixing it into the queen feed which is consumed by the worker bees.

* The vaccine is incorporated into the royal jelly by the worker bees. They will then feed it to the queen completing the process while the queen ingests it and fragments of the vaccine are deposited in her ovaries..

Source : Hindustan Times

6 .

First case of deadly brain-eating amoeba infection reported in which country?

A)

Russia

B)

China

C)

North Korea

D)

South Korea

Correct Answer : South Korea

South Korea has reported its first case of Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as "brain-eating amoeba".

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) confirmed that a Korean national in his 50s who died after returning from Thailand was infected with Naegleria fowleri, which destroys human brains, a report in The Korea Herald said.

This is the first known brain-eating amoeba infection reported in the country. The disease was first reported in the United States in 1937.

The man came back to Korea on December 10 after a four-month stay in Thailand. He was admitted to a hospital next day. He died on Wednesday (21st Dec 2022), The Korean Herald reported.

Genetic tests on three types of pathogens causing Naegleria fowleri were conducted to confirm the cause of the man's death. "The testing confirmed the gene in the man's body was 99.6 percent similar to that found in a meningitis patient reported abroad," the Korean disease control agency said.

Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba commonly found in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, canals and ponds throughout the world. The amoeba enters the human body by inhalation and then travels to the brain.

Initial symptoms include headache, fever, nausea or vomiting. Later symptoms can lead to severe headaches, fever, vomiting and a stiff neck. The incubation period for 'brain-eating amoeba' is usually from two to three days and up to 15 days at most.

Even though human-to-human transmission of Naegleria fowleri is not possible, the KDCA has asked residents to refrain from swimming in regions and neighborhoods where the disease broke out. It said that the risk of infection was not high, but most cases start through swimming.

"To prevent the infection of Naegleria fowleri, we recommend avoiding swimming and leisure-related activities and using clean water when traveling to areas where cases have been reported," Jee Young-mee, who heads the KDCA, said via a press release.

A total of 381 Naegleria fowleri cases have been reported as of 2018 in the world, including in the US, India and Thailand.

The United States has reported the maximum of 154 infections from 1962 through 2021. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only four people survived, with a death rate over 97 per cent..

Source : ABP Live

7 .

New Covid Variant, _______, sub-variant of Omicron that is prevalent in China.

A)

BB.2

B)

BD.5

C)

BF.7

D)

BH.9

Correct Answer : BF.7

The current surge in Covid-19 infections in China is believed to be driven by the BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron that is circulating in that country.

This isn’t the first time that BF.7 has made news — in October 2022, it started to replace the variants that were then dominant in the United States and several European countries.

When viruses mutate, they create lineages and sub-lineages — like the main trunk of the SARS-CoV-2 tree sprouting branches and sub-branches. The BF.7 is the same as BA.5.2.1.7, which is a sub-lineage of the Omicron sub-lineage BA.5.

A study published in ‘Cell Host and Microbe’ journal earlier this month reported that the BF.7 sub-variant has a 4.4-fold higher neutralisation resistance than the original D614G variant — meaning that in a lab setting, antibodies from a vaccinated or infected individual were less likely to destroy BF.7 than the original Wuhan virus that spread worldwide in 2020.

But BF.7 is not the most resilient sub-variant — the same study reported a more than 10-fold higher neutralisation resistance in another Omicron sub-variant called BQ.1..

Source : Indian Express

8 .

Scientists revived a 48,500-year-old Zombie Virus buried in ice in which country?

A)

Denmark

B)

Russia

C)

China

D)

United States

Correct Answer : Russia

French scientists have revived a 48,500-year-old “zombie virus” buried under a frozen lake in Russia.

* According to New York Post, the French scientists have sparked fears of yet another pandemic after the revival of the zombie virus.

* The New York Post has quoted a viral study which is yet to be peer-reviewed. "The situation would be much more disastrous in the case of plant, animal, or human diseases caused by the revival of an ancient unknown virus," reads the study.

* According to the preliminary report, global warming is irrevocably thawing enormous swathes of permafrost -- permanently frozen ground that covers a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere. This has had the unsettling effect of "releasing organic materials frozen for up to a million years" - possibly deadly germs included.

* The oldest, Pandoravirus yedoma, was 48,500-year-old, a record age for a frozen virus returning to a form where it may infect other creatures. This breaks the previous record of a 30,000-year-old virus identified in Siberia by the same scientists in 2013.

* The new strain is one of 13 viruses described in the study, each with its own genome, according to Science Alert.

* While the Pandoravirus was discovered at the bottom of a lake in Yukechi Alas, Yakutia, Russia, others have been discovered everywhere from mammoth fur to Siberian wolf intestines..

Source : Tribune India

9 .

Monkeypox Disease Name Changed to _____ by World Health Organisation(WHO).

A)

Mpox

B)

MKpox

C)

Mky-P

D)

Mky-Pox

Correct Answer : Mpox

Monkeypox will now be known as mpox, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday(28th Nov 2022), in the wake of reports of racist and stigmatizing language surrounding the name of the disease.

* The decision follows a series of consultations with global experts.

* Both terms will be used simultaneously for a year before the monkeypox name is phased out.

* “This serves to mitigate the concerns raised by experts about confusion caused by a name change in the midst of a global outbreak”.

Concern and change :

* Mpox is a rare viral disease that primarily occurs in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa, but outbreaks emerged in other parts of the world this year.

* There have more than 80,000 cases, and 55 deaths, with 110 countries affected.

* When the current outbreak expanded, WHO both observed and received reports of racist and stigmatizing language online, in other settings and in some communities.

* “In several meetings, public and private, a number of individuals and countries raised concerns and asked WHO to propose a way forward to change the name,”

Naming new diseases :

* The monkeypox name was given in 1970, some 12 years after the virus that causes the disease was discovered in captive monkeys.

* This was before WHO first published best practices on naming diseases in 2015.

* These guidelines recommend that new disease names should aim to minimize unnecessary negative impacts on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare.

* They should also avoid offending any cultural, social, national, regional, professional or ethnic groups.

Source : News.UN

10 .

Who developed India's first nasal vaccine against COVID-19 approved by DCGI?

A)

GENoMiX

B)

Dr. Reddyâ€™s Laboratories

C)

Serum Institute of India

D)

Bharat Biotech

Correct Answer : Bharat Biotech

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Tuesday(6th September 2022) approved the country’s first intra-nasal Covid-19 vaccine -- Bharat Biotech’s iNCOVACC -- for restricted emergency use in those aged above 18 years.

It’s only the second such vaccine in the world, after CanSino Biologics’ vaccine in China, to get regulatory approval. Around 100 mucosal (nose and mouth) Covid-19 vaccines are under development across the world.

iNCOVACC is a chimpanzee adenovirus vectored recombinant nasal vaccine that has been specifically formulated to allow intra-nasal delivery through nasal drops. The nasal delivery system has been designed and developed to be cost effective in low- and middle-income countries, the company said. The vaccine is stable at 2-8°C.

Union Health Minister "Mansukh Mandaviya" said the vaccine has been approved for “primary immunisation against Covid-19 in the 18+ age group for restricted use in emergency situation”..

Source : Business Standard