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World Tuberculosis Report 2022: WHO

Why in News:

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published the World Tuberculosis Report 2022, which highlights the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the diagnosis, treatment, and burden of Tuberculosis (TB) globally.
• The report presents data on disease trends and the response to the epidemic from 215 countries and areas, covering all 194 WHO member states.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the World Tuberculosis Report 2022 which highlights the impact of Covid-19 on the diagnosis, treatment and burden of disease for tuberculosis (TB) all over the world.

Key Findings:

• In 2021, 10.6 million people were diagnosed with TB globally, with an increase of 4.5% from 2020, and 1.6 million patients died of the disease.
• Among the total TB deaths, 187,000 patients were also positive for HIV.
• Nearly 82% of global TB deaths among HIV-negative people occurred in the African and South-East Asia regions.
• India was among the eight countries accounting for more than two-thirds of the total TB patients' count, with 28% cases.
• India accounted for 36% of the global TB related deaths among HIV-negative people.
• The burden of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) increased by 3% globally between 2020 and 2021, with 450,000 new cases of rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) being reported in 2021.
• Ten countries collectively accounted for 75% of the global gap between estimated TB incidence and the reported number of people newly diagnosed with the disease.
• There has been a decline in global spending on essential TB services from US$6 billion in 2019 to US$5.4 billion in 2021, which is less than half of the global target of US$13 billion annually by 2022.

India and TB:

• India accounts for 28% of the total TB patients' count and 36% of the global TB related deaths among HIV-negative people.
• India's TB incidence for the year 2021 is 210 per 100,000 population, placing it at the 36th position in terms of incidence rates.
• India has performed better than other countries over time on major metrics.

Challenges to TB Elimination:

• TB, or tuberculosis, is a communicable disease that affects the lungs and can be fatal if left untreated.
• The WHO has set a goal to eliminate TB by 2035, but there are major challenges to achieving this goal.

Rise in Drug-Resistant TB:

• DR-TB, or drug-resistant TB, is a form of TB that is resistant to the standard antibiotics used to treat the disease.
• The burden of DR-TB has increased globally by 3% between 2020 and 2021.
• In 2021, there were 450,000 new cases of rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) reported.

Disruptions due to Covid-19:

• The Covid-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on TB response worldwide.
• Experts attribute the increase in TB and DR-TB cases to disruptions in TB services caused by the pandemic.
• This is the first time in several years that an upward trend has been reported in the number of people developing TB and DR-TB.

Underreporting - A Major Concern:

• Underreporting and underdiagnosis are major concerns when it comes to TB elimination.
• Ten countries collectively account for 75% of the global gap between estimated TB incidence and the reported number of people newly diagnosed with the disease.
• Underreporting is more of a problem in India, which is among the top five contributors to the global gap.

Decline in Diagnosis and Expenditure:

• Reductions in the reported TB cases suggest an increase in the number of people with undiagnosed and untreated TB.
• The number of people provided with treatment for RR-TB and MDR-TB has declined between 2019 and 2020.
• In 2021, only about one in three of those in need received treatment for RR-TB.
• Global spending on essential TB services has also declined, falling short of the global target of US$13 billion annually by 2022.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis:

• Caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect other organs (extra-pulmonary TB).
• Transmitted from person to person through the air.
• Majority of people affected are adults.
• TB is preventable and curable.
• India has committed to eliminating TB by 2025.

India's Initiatives to Eliminate TB:

• Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan initiative aims to eliminate TB from the country by 2025.
• Ni-kshay Mitra provides additional support to TB patients.
• National TB Prevalence Survey evaluates the actual TB burden in India.
• TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign launched by the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare.
• Two vaccines, VPM 1002 and MIP, have been identified for TB and are under clinical trials.

Recommendations for the Way Forward to Mitigate TB

• Urgent measures should be taken by countries to restore access to essential TB services, as highlighted in the report.
• There is a need for increased investments in TB services to combat the growing burden of TB and DR-TB cases, especially in the wake of Covid-19 disruptions.
• Multi-sectoral action is required to address the broader determinants that influence TB epidemics and their socioeconomic impact, such as poverty, malnutrition, and social inequality.
• Development of new diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines is needed to tackle the rising burden of drug-resistant TB.
• To make the TB mitigation strategy effective, raising awareness among people about the disease is crucial. This can be achieved through campaigns and information dissemination.
• Social insecurities faced by people affected by TB need to be addressed so that they can access TB care without hesitation. This can be done through sensitization and supportive programs that address the stigma and discrimination associated with TB.

African Swine Fever

In Kerala, a private pig farm has reported the first confirmation of African Swine Fever after more than 15 pigs on the farm succumbed to the disease within the last ten days.

Overview:

• ASF is a disease caused by a large DNA virus belonging to the Asfarviridae family. It is the only virus with a double-stranded DNA genome known to be transmitted by arthropods. The disease affects both domestic and wild pigs.

Symptoms of ASF:

• The symptoms of ASF include weight loss, intermittent fever, respiratory signs, chronic skin ulcers, and arthritis. Acute forms of the disease are characterized by anorexia, loss of appetite, and hemorrhages in the skin.

Transmission of ASF

• ASF is transmitted through natural hosts such as warthogs, bushpigs, and ticks acting as vectors, and by direct or indirect contact with infected pigs, their feces, and body fluids.

Geographical Distribution of ASF:

• The disease was first detected in Kenya in 1909 and is currently found in Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Public Health Risk of ASF:

• ASF does not pose any risk to human health.

Concerns Regarding ASF:

• There is an extremely high potential for the transboundary spread of ASF, which can hamper global food security and household income.

Preventive Measures for ASF

Some preventive steps that can be taken to control the spread of ASF include:

• Application of classic sanitary measures, early detection, and humane killing of animals
• Thorough disinfection, stricter biosecurity norms, and restricted supply from affected areas
• Proper scanning and guarding of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Reserve Forests
• Preventing wild pig populations from leaving their habitats
• Careful culling and disposal of carcasses under biosafety guidelines

Vaccination for ASF

• There is currently no approved vaccine available for ASF.

Booster Dose: Corbevax

Why in News:

• Individuals who received Covishield or Covaxin as their first or second dose can now take Corbevax as their third booster shot.
• Until now, the third dose had to be the same vaccine that was used for the first and second doses.
• Corbevax is still awaiting the World Health Organisation's Emergency Use Listing (EUL).
• India's drug regulator has approved Corbevax as a heterologous Covid booster dose for individuals aged 18 years and above.

Overview of the Corbevax Vaccine

• Corbevax is India’s first indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine.
• It is a protein sub-unit vaccine that uses a specific part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus called the spike protein.
• The vaccine is administered in two doses, scheduled 28 days apart.
• It can be stored at 2-8 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for India's requirements.

How Does Corbevax Work?

• Corbevax is a recombinant protein sub-unit vaccine that targets the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
• The spike protein is responsible for allowing the virus to enter human cells, causing disease.
• When the protein is given alone, without the rest of the virus, it is expected to be harmless.
• The immune system is then expected to produce antibodies against the injected spike protein.
• This prepares the body to recognize and fight the actual virus, should it infect the body.

Other Types of Vaccines

• Inactivated Vaccines: These vaccines use a killed version of the pathogen that causes a disease.
• Live-attenuated Vaccines: These vaccines use a weakened form of the pathogen that causes a disease.
• Messenger (m) RNA Vaccines: These vaccines trigger an immune response by making proteins, without containing a live virus.
• Toxoid Vaccines: These vaccines use a toxin made by the pathogen that causes a disease, creating immunity to the harmful parts of the germ.
• Viral Vector Vaccines: These vaccines use a modified version of a different virus as a vector to deliver protection.

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)

Context:

• ISRO launched its first Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) carrying EOS-02 and AzaadiSAT.
• The mission failed to place the satellites in their required orbits.
• The satellites were already detached from the launch vehicle and were lost.

Introduction to Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)

• SSLV is a three-stage launch vehicle consisting of three solid propulsion stages and a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as the terminal stage.
• It has a diameter of 2m, a length of 34m, and a lift-off weight of around 120 tonnes.
• SSLV is capable of launching 500kg satellites in 500km planar orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC).

Key Features of SSLV:

• Low cost, low turn-around time, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, launch demand feasibility, minimal launch infrastructure requirements, etc.

Significance of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle:

• The era of small satellites: With the growth of the sector, businesses, government agencies, universities, and laboratories began to send satellites, and most of them fall in the category of small satellites.
• The rise in demand: The demand for small satellite launches has increased rapidly in the last few years due to the growing need for space-based data, communication, surveillance, and commerce.
• Cost-saving: Satellite manufacturers and operators are developing a constellation of satellites in space, which saves them time and cost.
• Business opportunity: With the rise in demand, SSLV provides a business opportunity for space agencies like ISRO to tap the potential of the sector, as most of the demand comes from companies launching satellites for commercial purposes.

SSLV-D1/EOS-02 Mission and Its Issues

Overview:

• The SSLV-D1/EOS-02 Mission aimed at expanding the small launch vehicle market by placing two satellites into Low Earth Orbit. The mission carried the EOS-2 Earth-observing satellite and the AzaadiSAT student satellite.

EOS-02 Satellite:

• Designed and realized by ISRO, the EOS-02 satellite is an advanced optical remote sensing Earth observation satellite that operates in the infrared band.
• The microsat series satellite has high spatial resolution.

AzaadiSAT Satellite:

• Weighing around 8 kg, the AzaadiSAT student satellite is an 8U Cubesat that carried 75 different payloads, with each payload weighing around 50 grams.
• The satellite conducted femto-experiments to measure the ionizing radiation in its orbit and included a transponder to allow amateur operators to access it.
• The payloads were built by girl students from rural regions across the country, under the guidance of the student team of "Space Kidz India."

Issues:

• The SSLV's terminal stage, called the velocity trimming module (VTM), malfunctioned during the mission.
• The VTM was supposed to burn for 20 seconds at 653 seconds after launch but only burned for 0.1 seconds, denying the rocket the required altitude boost.
• Both satellites separated from the vehicle after the VTM burned, but a malfunctioning sensor placed the satellites in an elliptical orbit instead of a circular orbit.
• Although all stages performed normally, the orbit achieved was less stable than expected, according to ISRO.

Difference between Circular and Elliptical Orbits

Elliptical Orbits:

• Objects like satellites and spacecraft are temporarily placed in elliptical orbits.
• They are either pushed to circular orbits at a higher altitude or their acceleration is increased until they escape the Earth's gravity and move further into space.
• For example, to the Moon or Mars or even beyond.

Circular Orbits:

• Satellites that orbit the Earth are mostly placed in circular orbits.
• One reason for this is that if a satellite is used for imaging the Earth, it is easier to maintain a fixed distance from the Earth.
• If the distance keeps changing as in an elliptical orbit, it can become difficult to keep the cameras focused.

India’s Battery Storage Potential: NITI Aayog

Context:

• A report titled "Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Reuse and Recycling Market in India" published by NITI Aayog has forecasted a significant surge in India's battery demand by the year 2030.

Report on Battery Demand and Deployment in India

Demand Predictions:

• By 2030, India's cumulative battery storage capacity is predicted to reach 600 GWh.
• Yearly demand for batteries grew to around 730 GWh between 2010 and 2020 at a CAGR of 25%.
• Battery demand is expected to increase fourfold by 2030, reaching 3,100 GWh annually.

Battery Current Deployment:

• Consumer electronics such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets account for most of the deployment of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in India.
• The digitalization of platforms and integration of technology into daily life is expected to increase this market to a total of 4.5 GWh.
• Consumer electronics and electric vehicles (EVs) are the main demand generators for battery storage in India.
• EV sales made up almost 10% of the LIB (0.92 GWh).
• Electrification of transportation and battery energy storage in electrical grids are the main drivers of battery demand.

Suggestions:

• A battery recycling ecosystem can be established in India by providing incentives for all stakeholders to engage in the recycling process through a cogent legislative framework.

About Lithium-ion Batteries:

• Lithium-ion batteries use an intercalated lithium compound as one electrode material, instead of metallic lithium used in non-rechargeable lithium batteries.
• A lithium-ion battery cell is composed of two electrodes and an electrolyte that facilitates ionic flow.
• During discharge, lithium ions travel from the negative electrode to the positive electrode, and vice versa during charge.
• Lithium-ion batteries are used in electronic devices, telephony, aerospace, and industrial applications, as well as in electric and hybrid vehicles.

World Heart Day

• World Heart Day is an annual event celebrated on the 29th of September each year. Maharashtra's STEMI project has been successful in detecting more than 2,000 heart attacks within a year.

What is World Heart Day?

• World Heart Day is an annual event that began in 2000 when the World Heart Federation partnered with the World Health Organization.
• It is a global campaign that brings people together to fight against the burden of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) and encourage heart-healthy living.

Theme:

• The theme for World Heart Day 2022 is "Use Heart For Every Heart."

What are Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)?

• CVDs are a group of heart and blood vessel disorders, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other conditions.
• CVDs are the leading cause of death globally, with an estimated 17.9 million lives lost in 2019, and heart attacks and strokes account for over four out of five CVD deaths.
• In India, CVDs are responsible for 27% of total deaths, and 45% of deaths in the 40-69 age group.

Risk Factors:

• Unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption are the most important behavioral risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
• Behavioral risk factors can lead to intermediate risk factors like raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, raised blood lipids, and obesity.

Indian Initiative:

• The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) is being implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM).
• Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Deendayal outlets offer Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases drugs and implants at discounted prices to patients.
• Jan Aushadhi stores provide generic medicines at affordable prices.
• The Maharashtra government launched the STEMI program in 2021 to enable rapid diagnosis of heart disease.

Way Forward

• Stopping tobacco use, reducing salt in the diet, eating more fruits and vegetables, regular physical activity, and avoiding alcohol consumption can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Health policies that make healthy choices affordable and available can motivate people to adopt and sustain healthy behaviors.
• Identifying those at highest risk of CVDs and ensuring they receive appropriate treatment can prevent premature deaths.
• Access to noncommunicable disease medicines and basic health technologies in all primary health care facilities is essential to ensure that those in need receive treatment and counseling.