Zika, WHO - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: Child sex abuse

Explanation:
In a first, the World Health Organisation has formulated clinical guidelines on responding to children and adolescents who have been sexually abused.

The guidelines put forward recommendations for the frontline health care providers - general practitioners, gynaecologists, paediatricians, nurses and others - who may directly receive a victim of sexual abuse or may identify sexual abuse during the course of diagnosis and treatment.

While Indian doctors have welcomed the new guidelines, they feel that there is more than just guidelines required in the country.

In 2010, the IAP released similar guidelines on 'recommendations on recognition and response to child abuse and neglect in the Indian setting.

Like the IAP guidelines, the new WHO guidelines too focus on the recommendations and good practice suggestions in terms of disclosure made by the child, obtaining medical history, conducting physical examinations and forensic investigations, documenting findings, offering preventive treatment for HIV post exposure, pregnancy prevention, and other sexually transmitted diseases, psychological and mental health interventions among others.

The guidelines highlight that child sexual abuse has a short-term as well as long-term mental health impact like lifetime diagnosis of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, externalising symptoms, eating disorders, problems with relationships, sleep disorders and suicidal and self-harm ideation and behaviours.

Health consequences of the abuse include the risk of pregnancy, gynaecological disorders such as chronic non-cyclical pelvic pain, menstrual irregularities, painful periods, infections and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

One of the most commonly seen mistakes in handling child sexual abuse cases is re-traumatising the child as well as his parents with questions. Such mistakes can be avoided if those dealing with such cases are well trained.

ANSWER: Zika

Explanation:
Scientists have developed the world's first plant-based Zika vaccine that may be more effective, safer and cheaper than other vaccines against the mosquito-borne virus.

Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or therapeutics available to combat Zika.

The vaccine developed by researchers from Arizona State University (ASU) in the US works against a part of a Zika viral protein, called DIII, that plays a key role for the virus to infect people.

All flaviviruses have the envelope protein on the outside part of the virus. It has three domains.

The domain III has a unique stretch of DNA for the Zika virus, and scientists exploited this to generate a robust and protective immune response that is unique for Zika.

The researchers first grew the envelope protein in bacteria, then prepared the DIII protein domain in tobacco plants.

The team then performed immunisation experiments in mice, which induced antibody and cellular immune responses that have been shown to confer 100 per cent protection against multiple Zika virus strains in mice.

The team's protein-based vaccine uses the smallest and most unique part of the Zika virus that can still elicit a potent and robust immune response.

A pseudovirus which is a fake virus displays only the DIII part of the envelope protein on the surface.

The vaccine produces a potent protective immune response, but also, that it does not produce antibodies that may be cross reactive for dengue, West Nile, yellow fever or others

Zika: Know More

• The worldwide Zika threat first emerged in 2015.
• It was responsible for infecting millions as it swept across the Americas.
• It struck great fear in pregnant women, as babies born with severe brain birth defects quickly overburdened hospitals and public health care systems.

ANSWER: An antibiotic compound

Explanation:
Researchers from a southeastern Spanish university announced the discovery of a molecule that could be used as a potential drug to fight the effects of a Zika virus infection.

San Antonio Catholic University of Murcia said that scientists belonging to its Bioinformatics and High-Performance Computing research group had found that a compound previously used as an antibiotic countered the symptoms of the mosquito-borne disease.

It’s a drug that had been withdrawn from the market because it had lost its potency as an antibiotic, but we know it can be administered to humans.

The molecular structure of the proteins involved in the Zika virus’ replication process was first described only a year ago.

Zika: Know More

• Zika virus is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae.
• It is spread by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegypti and A. albopictus.
• Its name comes from the Zika Forest of Uganda, where the virus was first isolated in 1947.
• Scientific name: Zika virus
• Higher classification: Flavivirus
• Rank: Species
• Did you know: Serological tests, including immunofluorescence assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays may indicate the presence of anti-Zika virus IgM and IgG antibodies, according to WHO.

ANSWER: Saima Wazed Hossain

Explanation:
Saima Wazed Hossain was on 6 July 2017 appointed as the WHO’s Goodwill Ambassador for Autism in the South-East Asia region.

A globally renowned champion for the cause of autism spectrum disorder, Hossain has been appointed for a period of two years.

In the last one year while championing for the cause of autism for WHO, Hossain facilitated the ‘Thimphu Declaration’ on autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders at an international conference in Bhutan in April 2017.

As WHO Goodwill Ambassador, Hossain will be promoting the Thimphu declaration which emphasises on integrating the needs of autism affected people into national health and socioeconomic development plans.

Hossain was designated as WHO Regional Champion for Autism in May 2016.

Autism: Know More

• Autism is a life- long disability that affects brain functioning.
• When left without proper treatment and support, Autism can cause significant impairment in exercising of an individual’s human rights and fundamental freedoms.
  Globally, autism prevalence rates are estimated to be 160 cases in a population of 10000.
• In low and middle income countries, children with autism do not get the medical attention and care they need.

ANSWER: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Explanation:
Former Ethiopian Health Minister Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been elected as the new Director-General of the World Health Organisation.

This election has earned the distinction of being the first election which saw the participation of all WHO member states in the voting process.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus defeated the other two contendors to the post, namely, UK’s Dr David Nabarro and Pakistan’s Dr Sania Nishtar.

The head of the organization is the Director-General (DG), appointed by the World Health Assembly. Earlier stincts of Dr Tedros includes the post of Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Minister (2012-2016) and Health Minister (2005-2012).

He has also served as chair of the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Also as chair of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership Board, as well as co-chair of the Board of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.

During his tenure at the helm of WHO, Dr Tedros will have to tackle challenges like the spread of the Zika virus and Ebola, along with existing challenges posed by Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, to name a few.

WHO is also at present facing the financial challenges as a result of the squeeze on donor funds. WHO The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health.

WHO: Know More

• Established on 7 April 1948, it succeeded the Health Organization, which was an agency of the League of Nations.
• It is a member of the United Nations Development Group and its headquarters are located at Geneva. WHO flag features the Rod of Asclepius as a symbol for healing

ANSWER: Founding of WHO in 1948

Explanation:
World Health Day is on the 7th of April each year. This day marks the anniversary of the World Health Organization which was founded in 1948.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the leading global health authority within the United Nations System.

The work of WHO is varied and can mostly be summarized through their 6 point agenda.

• Promote Development
• Foster Health Security
• Strengthen Health Systems
• Harness information, research and evidence
• Enhance Partnerships
• Improve Performance

WHO uses the anniversary of their founding day not only as an opportunity to celebrate the organization and its work but also as an opportunity to highlight a current global health priority.

For each World Health Day, WHO designates a health challenge or theme. Previous years themes have included:

• Road Safety (2005)
• Shape The Future Of Life (2003)
• Protecting Health From Climate Change (2008)
• International Health Security (2007)
• Anti microbacterial Resistance: No Action Today No Cure Tomorrow (2011)
• Aging and Health (2012)

Each year is given a theme to highlight a different global health concern. This year’s (2017) is Depression: Let's Talk.

WHD 2017 is the highlight of a year-long campaign which seeks to raise awareness of depression and encourage those who are suffering with it to seek and get help.

Previous themes have included diabetes, vector-borne diseases, protecting health from climate change and road safety.

Depression: Know More

• Depression is the leading cause of ill health world wide, according to WHO.
• It is estimated that more than 300 million people are living with depression, an increase of more than 18 per cent between 2005 and 2015.
• Depression has strong links with other noncommunicable disorders and diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, and increases the risk of substance abuse.
• Depression is also an important risk factor in suicide, which claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year.
• Treatment usually involves psychotherapy, antidepressant medication or a combination of both.
• The so-called talking cure administered by general doctors, nurses, or health care workers can be just as effective.

ANSWER: Unite to End TB

Explanation:
This year, the theme of World TB Day 2017 is Unite to End TB.

WHO has placed a special focus on uniting efforts to Leave No One Behind.

India has the highest number of TB patients internationally.

This constitutes about 25 percent of all cases.

While urban TB afflicts more individuals annually, a similar case in rural area remains infectious for a longer time period as per new research findings.

WHO: Know More

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Founded: 7 April 1948
• Head: Margaret Chan
• Customer service: 011 6656 4800
• Founders: India, Philippines, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Colombia, more
• Parent organization: United Nations

ANSWER: 12 families

Explanation:
WHO on 28th Feb 2017 published its first ever list of antibiotic-resistant "priority pathogens" - a catalogue of 12 families of bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health.

The list was drawn up in a bid to guide and promote research and development (R&D) of new antibiotics.

This is as part of WHO’s efforts to address growing global resistance to antimicrobial medicines.

The list highlights in particular the threat of gram-negative bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics.

These bacteria have built-in abilities to find new ways to resist treatment and can pass along genetic material that allows other bacteria to become drug-resistant as well.

The WHO list is divided into three categories according to the urgency of need for new antibiotics: critical, high and medium priority.

Priority 1:	CRITICAL
	Acinetobacter baumannii, carbapenem-resistant
	Pseudomonas aeruginosa, carbapenem-resistant
	Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant, ESBL-producing
Priority 2:	HIGH
	Enterococcus faecium, vancomycin-resistant
	Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant, vancomycin-intermediate and resistant
	Helicobacter pylori, clarithromycin-resistant
	Campylobacter spp., fluoroquinolone-resistant
	Salmonellae, fluoroquinolone-resistant
	Neisseria gonorrhoeae, cephalosporin-resistant, fluoroquinolone-resistant
Priority 3:	MEDIUM
	Haemophilus influenzae, ampicillin-resistant
	Streptococcus pneumoniae, penicillin-non-susceptible
	Shigella spp., fluoroquinolone-resistant

ANSWER: None of the above

Explanation:
The WHO for the first time has recommended HIV self-testing in the privacy of one's home using HIV kit. This is a move that may result in a major breakthrough in HIV treatment by improving access to diagnosis.

The UN agency's guidance has even prompted the health ministry here to evaluate the proposal.

Lack of HIV diagnosis is one of the biggest problems of this disease

Estimates show around 87% of HIV-infected people in India are not even aware that they are suffering from the disease and may be unknowingly spreading the virus.

Globally, around 40% of all people with HIV or over 14 million remain unaware of their status.

Self Testing and HIV AIDS

• Particularly relevant for people who find accessing tests in clinical settings difficult.
• Results of the test can be seen within 20 minutes or less.
• Those with positive results are advised to seek confirmatory tests at health clinics.
• In 2015, the total number of people living with HIV in India were estimated at 21.17 lakh.
• Around 86,000 new HIV cases were found.

ANSWER: TB

Explanation:
The World Health Organisation on 13th Oct 2016 released the Global Tuberculosis Report 2016 showcasing that countries need to move on faster to prevent as well as detect and treat TB.

• The report highlights the inequalities among countries in enabling people with TB to access existing cost effective diagnosis and treatment interventions that can accelerate decline in TB worldwide
• Report signals need for bold political commitment and increased funding to access cost effective diagnosis and treatment for meeting international targets
• In an effort to respond to TB, more than 3 million lives have been saved in 2015; the TB burden is higher than previously estimated indicating survey data from India
• In the year 2015, there were 10.4 million new TB cases worldwide.
• Six countries accounted for 60 percent of the total burden with India bearing the most massive load, followed by Indonesia, China, Nigeria, Pakistan and South Africa
• An estimated 1.8 million people died from TB in 2015 of which 0.4 million were infected with HIV-AIDS
• While global TB deaths fell by 22% between 2000 and 2015, the disease was one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide in 2015
• Gaps in testing for TB and reporting new causes are a major issue- of an estimated 10.4 million new cases whereby 6.1 million were detected and notified, there was a gap of 4.3 million
• Additionally, the rate of reduction in TB cases remained static at 1.5 percent from 2014 to 2015
• The need is to accelerate this to 4-5 percent by 2020 as per the World Health Assembly approved end TB strategy
• Multi-drug resistant TB remains a crisis in public health with the WHO estimating that 480,000 people fell ill with MDR-TB in 2015
• The country carries a major burden of Multiple Drug Resistant TB long with China and the Russian Federation which account for nearly half of the cases globally
• In 2015, 22 percent of HIV positive TB patients were not enrolled on antiretroviral therapy
• Close to 84% of the financing available in middle and low income countries in 2016 was from domestic sources
• This was mostly accounted by BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India China and South Africa)
• Other low and middle income countries relied considerably on global donor financing with more than 75 percent coming from The Global Fund ti Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria
• WHO estimates that at least an extra 1 billion US dollar per year is required to accelerate the new vaccines, diagnostics and medicines
• India underreported TB for 15 years from 2000-2015, according to WHO which then underestimated the global TB epidemic
• India has reported only 56 percent of its TB burden in 2014 and 59 percent in 2015
• As India accounts for more than one quarter of the TB cases and deaths in the world, the revisions in estimated have a considerable impact on international estimates
• Revised estimates place the incidence of TB in India at 217 per 100,000 people in 2015 as against 127 which was previously estimated
• In fulfilment of the SDGs, numerous governments have agreed to end the RB epidemic at both the World Health Assembly and the United Nations General Assembly
• Targets include 90 percent reduction in TB deaths and 80 percent reduction in cases in 2030 as against 2015