CONJUNCTIVITIS
1. Context
With persistent rain, cases of conjunctivitis, or ‘pink eye’, are on the rise in several parts of the country, including New Delhi, Chandigarh, and Gujarat.
2. What is Conjuctivitus?
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), conjunctivitis, “often referred to as “pink eye”, is the swelling or inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, transparent layer of tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye.”
3. What causes Conjunctivitis?
- It can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or allergy. Viral conjunctivitis is the most common type and is usually spread through contact with the secretions from an infected person's eye. Bacterial conjunctivitis is less common but can be more serious. It is also spread through contact with infected secretions, but it can also be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces
- Allergic conjunctivitis can be caused by common allergens like pollen, or due to the long-term presence of a foreign body in the eye, like hard contact lenses
- Bacterial conjunctivitis is “most often caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria from your own skin or respiratory system”, while viral conjunctivitis “is most commonly caused by contagious viruses associated with the common cold
- It can develop through exposure to the coughing or sneezing of someone with an upper respiratory tract infection.”
- Chemical conjunctivitis, meanwhile, “can be caused by irritants like air pollution, chlorine in swimming pools, and exposure to noxious chemicals”
4. Symptoms
The symptoms of conjunctivitis vary depending on the cause. Viral conjunctivitis usually causes mild symptoms, such as:
- Redness of the eyes
- Watery eyes
- Itching
- Slight discharge
Bacterial conjunctivitis usually causes more severe symptoms, such as:
- More redness
- Thicker discharge
- Sticky eyelids
- Pain
Allergic conjunctivitis usually causes symptoms that are worse in the morning and improve throughout the day. These symptoms can include:
- Redness
- Watery eyes
- Itching
- Swelling
Source: indianexpress
CONTROLLED HUMAN INFECTION STUDIES
1. Context
- Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Bioethics Unit published a consensus policy statement for the ethical conduct of Controlled Human Infection Studies (CHIS), commonly known as human challenge studies.
- These studies involve exposing human participants to diseases intentionally to gain insights into pathogenesis, infection, and potential medical interventions.
- India is venturing into this domain to complement traditional clinical trials and expedite the discovery of safe and effective drugs and vaccines.
- The public consultation on the policy statement is open until August 16, 2023.
2. Reasons for Venturing into Human Challenge Studies
- While human challenge studies have been conducted worldwide for centuries, India has not undertaken such trials before.
- The decision to engage in these studies stems from the country's high disease burden and mortality rate from infectious diseases, which stands at around 30%.
- Human challenge studies can provide valuable information on well-studied pathogens, infection transmission, pathogenesis, and prevention.
- With many infectious diseases endemic in developing nations and drug resistance on the rise, these studies may offer crucial benefits to the population.
3. Fundamental Differences from Traditional Clinical Trials
- The primary distinction between human clinical trials and human challenge studies lies in participants' exposure to pathogens.
- In traditional trials, participants try to avoid infection, leaving exposure to chance, while human challenge studies intentionally expose volunteers to disease-causing agents.
- Additionally, traditional clinical trials focus on assessing drug and vaccine safety and efficacy, whereas human challenge studies aim to explore various facets of infection and disease pathogenesis.
- Moreover, while both studies assess drug/vaccine safety in humans for the first time, human challenge studies involve an additional risk as participants are deliberately exposed to pathogens.
- These studies typically focus on "less deadly diseases," such as influenza, dengue, typhoid, cholera, and malaria.
4. Safeguards to Reduce Harm to Participants
- To minimize harm to participants, human challenge studies generally use well-known and studied infectious agents.
- Weaker or less virulent forms of the pathogen are employed to reduce risks.
- Furthermore, a "rescue remedy" is available to prevent disease progression to a severe stage.
- However, the reliance on a rescue remedy, such as remdesivir during SARS-CoV-2 studies, raises ethical concerns, especially when its substantial mortality benefit is unknown.
5. Ethical Challenges of Human Challenge Studies
- Human challenge studies pose ethical challenges due to the deliberate exposure of participants to pathogens.
- The ICMR consensus statement limits participation to healthy individuals aged 18-45, excluding pregnant or lactating women and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
- However, medical examinations are essential to exclude unknown conditions.
- Transparent disclosure of payment for participation is required in the consent form, but the exact amount is only revealed after consent.
- Ensuring informed consent in studies involving specific age or disadvantaged groups remains a concern.
- Additionally, unpredictable disease outcomes even with less infectious agents necessitate the availability of effective rescue remedies.
6. The Way Forward
- India's entry into human challenge studies marks a significant step in advancing medical research and understanding infectious diseases.
- However, the ethical complexities surrounding these studies demand stringent safeguards and transparent informed consent processes.
- By adhering to high ethical standards, India can contribute valuable insights to global scientific knowledge while prioritizing the well-being and safety of its research participants.
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Previous Year Questions
1. Dengue is caused by- (MP Police Constable 2022)
A. Bacteria B. Virus C. Fungus D. Pollution
Answer: B
2. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2017)
1. In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue.
2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
3. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2010)
1. Every individual in the population is equally susceptible host for Swine Flu.
2. Antibiotics have no role in the primary treatment of Swine Flu.
3. To prevent the future spread of Swine Flu in the epidemic area, the swine (pigs) must all be culled.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 only C. 2 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
4. H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases? (UPSC 2015)
A. AIDS B. Bird flu C. Dengue D. Swine flu
Answer: D
5. Which of the following can be diagnosed with the Widal test? (SSC CGL 2020)
A. Typhoid fever B. Tuberculosis C. AIDS D. Cancer
Answer: A
6. Cholera is caused by the bacteria called- (RRB JE ME 2019)
A. Salmonella typhi B. Clostridium botulinum C.reponema palladium D. Vibrio cholerae
Answer: D
7. Malaria disease is caused by which of the following protozoa? (SSC HSC 2022)
A. Amoeba proteus B. Noctiluca scintillans C. Plasmodium D. Entamoeba histolytica
Answer: C
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Source: The Hindu
MADHAV GADGIL REPORT
1. Context
Recently, A landslide in Maharashtra’s Raigad district claimed 27 lives, flattened an entire village, and brought back into focus the 2011 Dr. Madhav Gadgil report on the conservation of the Western Ghats.
2. The Madhav Gadgil Report: Preserving the Western Ghats Ecology
- The Madhav Gadgil Report, officially known as the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) report, is a significant environmental study commissioned by the Indian government in 2010.
- Led by ecologist Dr. Madhav Gadgil, the expert panel was tasked with assessing the ecological status of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity-rich mountain range along India's west coast.
3. Key Recommendations of the Report:
- Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs): The report recommended classifying 64% of the Western Ghats into three categories of Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs) - ESZ 1, ESZ 2, and ESZ 3.
- Environmental Protection: In ESZ 1, the most ecologically sensitive zone, all developmental activities like mining, construction of thermal power plants, and dams were to be stopped. Existing projects that had completed their shelf life were also recommended for decommissioning.
- Hydel Projects: The report advised against granting environmental clearance to hydropower projects like Athirappilly and Gundia that fell within ESZ 1.
- Mining in Goa: WGEEP recommended an indefinite moratorium on new environmental clearances for mining in ESZs 1 and 2 of Goa. It also suggested phasing out mining in ESZ 1 by 2016 and continuing existing mining in ESZ 2 under strict regulations and social audits.
- Industries in Maharashtra: In the Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra (ESZs 1 and 2), no new polluting industries, including coal-based power plants, should be established. Existing industries in the red and orange categories were required to transition to zero pollution by 2016.
- Ban on Genetically Modified Crops: The report recommended prohibiting the cultivation of genetically modified crops in the Western Ghats to preserve the region's ecological balance.
- Sustainable Farming Practices: A ban on growing single commercial crops like tea, coffee, rubber, banana, and pineapple was proposed. Instead, the report emphasized adopting more sustainable farming approaches in the Western Ghats.
- Decentralization and Citizen Involvement: The report called for a bottom-to-top approach to environmental governance, granting more power to local authorities. It recommended the establishment of a Western Ghats Ecology Authority under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to ensure sustainable development and ecological management.
4. The Controversy and Implementation Challenges:
- The Gadgil Report sparked controversies and faced opposition from various quarters, especially industries and developers who were concerned about the potential economic impact of the stringent recommendations. Many states also raised objections, fearing adverse effects on local livelihoods.
- Due to the strong resistance and pressure, the central government did not immediately accept and implement all the recommendations of the report.
- Instead, a modified version known as the Kasturirangan Report (High-Level Working Group Report) was prepared in 2013, which eased some of the strict regulations proposed by the Gadgil Report.
5. Kasturirangan Committee
- The Kasturirangan Committee, officially known as the High-Level Working Group on the Western Ghats, was constituted in 2012 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in response to the recommendations made by the Madhav Gadgil-led Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP).
- The committee was tasked with reevaluating and reviewing the suggestions put forth by the Gadgil Commission regarding the conservation and management of the Western Ghats.
6. Key Objectives of the Kasturirangan Committee:
- Review Recommendations: The primary objective of the committee was to review the Gadgil Commission's report and assess its feasibility, considering the concerns of various stakeholders, including state governments and local communities.
- Identifying Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs): The committee aimed to identify and demarcate areas within the Western Ghats that required special conservation measures due to their ecological significance.
- Balanced Approach: The committee sought to strike a balance between environmental conservation and the region's developmental needs, taking into account economic activities, livelihoods, and social aspects.
7. Key Findings and Recommendations:
- Reduced Area under Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs): The Kasturirangan Committee proposed a reduction in the area designated as ESZs compared to the Gadgil Commission's recommendations. The committee identified 37% of the Western Ghats as ESZs, significantly less than the 64% suggested by the Gadgil panel.
- Categorization of Areas: The committee introduced a categorization of areas into cultural (human settlements) and natural (non-human settlements) regions. Cultural lands were proposed to be designated as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
- Three Categories of Activities: The committee classified activities within the ESZs into three categories - red, orange, and green. The red category included activities like mining, quarrying, and thermal power plants, which were banned. The orange category allowed regulated activities with appropriate permissions, while the green category permitted agricultural and horticultural practices.
- Local Participation: The Kasturirangan Committee emphasized the involvement of local communities in the decision-making process related to economic and developmental activities within the Western Ghats.
8. Western Ghats
- The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Mountain Range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most ecologically significant regions in India.
- Stretching approximately 1,600 kilometers along the western coast, it covers six states - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
- These ancient mountains are an essential ecological hotspot, holding immense biodiversity and playing a vital role in the country's environmental and climatic systems.
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Image Source: The Hindu
9. Key Features of the Western Ghats:
- Biodiversity Hotspot: The Western Ghats are recognized as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, home to a wide array of plant and animal species, many of which are unique and endemic. It is estimated that around 30% of the region's flora and fauna species are found only in the Ghats.
- Forest Cover: The Ghats encompass diverse forest types, ranging from tropical rainforests to deciduous and montane forests. These forests play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance, regulating water flow, and providing habitat for a vast variety of species.
- Rivers and Water Sources: The Western Ghats are the source of numerous rivers that provide vital water resources to millions of people and agriculture in the surrounding areas. These rivers are the lifelines for several states and support extensive agricultural activities.
- Monsoon Influence: The Ghats significantly influence the Indian monsoon pattern. The mountains act as a barrier, forcing moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea to rise and cool, leading to heavy rainfall on the windward side and creating a rain shadow on the leeward side.
- Indigenous Communities: The Western Ghats are home to various indigenous communities with rich cultural traditions and knowledge of sustainable practices. Their lifestyles and traditional ecological wisdom are closely linked to the region's natural resources.
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For Prelims: Madhav Gadgil Report, Kasturirangan Committee, Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs), Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), Western Ghats, and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For Mains: 1. Critically assess the challenges faced by the Madhav Gadgil Committee in garnering support for its ecological conservation proposals in the Western Ghats. (250 words).
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Previous year Questions1. 'Gadgil Committee Report' and 'Kasturirangan Committee Report', sometimes seen in the news, are related to (UPSC 2016)
A. Constitutional reforms
B. Ganga Action Plan
C. Linking of rivers
D. Protection of Western Ghats
Answer: D
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Source: The Indian Express
WMO REPORT
1. Context
- Asia, the world's most disaster-prone region, endured a harrowing year in 2022, as per the latest report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released on July 27, 2023.
- The continent witnessed a staggering 81 weather, climate, and water-related disasters that directly impacted over 50 million people.
- Tragically, around 5,000 lives were lost, and economic damages soared to a devastating $36 billion.
- The extent of these hazards surpassed the previous year, with a significant rise in affected populations, facilities, and economic losses.
2. Key Findings of the report
A Super Typhoon and Record-Breaking Heatwave
- Coinciding with the release of the report, a super typhoon struck China after battering Taiwan and the northern Philippines, claiming at least 25 lives.
- Adding to the extreme weather events, China experienced its highest-ever recorded temperature of 52 degrees Celsius on July 18.
Rising Temperatures and Extreme Weather
- The report points out that the mean temperature over Asia in 2022 was approximately 0.72 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average and a concerning 1.68 degrees Celsius higher than the 1961-1990 average.
- This temperature surge has resulted in severe consequences, leading to an increase in extreme weather events across the continent.
Drought Devastates China
- In 2022, China faced a severe drought in the Yangtze River Basin, the worst in six decades.
- This drought not only affected crops, vegetation, and drinking water supply but also incurred a staggering economic loss of about $7.6 billion.
Pakistan's Monsoon Woes
- Pakistan experienced severe floods and monsoon rainfalls, with 60 percent of normal total monsoon rainfall occurring within just three weeks.
- Urban and flash floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods wreaked havoc across the country.
- Over 33 million people were affected, and the calamities claimed the lives of more than 1,730 people, displacing almost eight million.
India's Deadly Floods
- India faced heavy and prolonged rainfall from May to September, triggering multiple landslides, river overflows, and floods.
- The disaster resulted in over 2,000 deaths and impacted 1.3 million people, making it the deadliest disaster event in India during 2022.
Economic Losses
- The report highlights that flood-related disasters caused economic losses surpassing the average for the 2002-2021 period.
- Pakistan incurred losses exceeding $15 billion, followed by China with over $5 billion and India with over $4.2 billion in damages.
Escalating Heat Waves
- Heatwaves emerged as a recurring extreme weather event in Asia in 2022.
- India and Pakistan experienced "abnormally warm conditions" during the pre-monsoon season (March-May). China, Hong Kong, and Japan also faced record-high temperatures.
Climate Change's Role
The 2023 annual report by the American Meteorological Society (AMS) confirms that climate change is intensifying extreme weather events worldwide, including floods, heatwaves, and droughts.
Impact on Agriculture
Asia's agriculture sector bore the brunt of climate-related disasters, accounting for more than 25 percent of all damage and losses due to floods, droughts, and tropical storms.
Melting Glaciers and Warming Seas
- Climate change's effects are further evident in the accelerating melting of four glaciers in the High Mountain Asia region, centered on the Tibetan Plateau, since the mid-1990s.
- Meanwhile, sea surface temperatures in the north-western Arabian Sea, the Philippine Sea, and the seas east of Japan are rising three times faster than the global average.
3. About World Meteorological Organization
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting international cooperation on atmospheric science, climatology, hydrology and geophysics.
- The WMO was founded in 1950 and has 193 member states.
- The WMO's mission is to "coordinate worldwide activities in the field of meteorology, operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences in the service of mankind."
- The WMO does this by providing a global framework for the collection, analysis and dissemination of weather and climate data; by developing standards and guidelines for meteorological and hydrological services; and by providing technical assistance to developing countries.
4. The Way Forward
- The WMO report serves as a crucial call to action, emphasizing the urgency of combating climate change and its devastating impact on Asia's vulnerable populations and ecosystems.
- Without global collaboration and mitigation efforts, the region's escalating climate disasters could have far-reaching and irreversible consequences.
