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Legendary <keyword id="19918921" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hollywood-actor" source="keywords">Hollywood actor</keyword> <keyword id="20740436" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Al-Pacino" source="keywords">Al Pacino</keyword>, known for his iconic roles in The Godfather trilogy and Scarface, recently opened up about a terrifying moment during the <keyword id="19897423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="keywords">COVID-19</keyword> pandemic when he thought he had "experienced death." The 84-year-old actor, in an interview with <keyword id="20038431" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="People-magazine" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="People magazine" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="People magazine">People magazine</keyword>, recounted how he fainted while battling the virus in 2020 and was left questioning his very existence when a nurse attending to him couldn’t detect a pulse.<br /><br />Pacino revealed that it was his "great assistant" Michael Quinn who quickly acted, summoning paramedics to his <keyword id="19914983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Los-Angeles" source="keywords">Los Angeles</keyword> home. "He got the people coming, because the nurse that was taking care of me said, 'I don't feel a pulse on this guy,'" Pacino recalled, describing the scene as something straight out of a movie.<br /><br />For a brief moment, the actor believed he had passed away. "I thought I experienced death," Pacino said, "because how did all those people gather together? There was an ambulance in front of my house, six paramedics in my living room, and two of my doctors in space suits. I opened my eyes and thought, 'What happened to me?'"<br /><br />But despite the dramatic circumstances, Pacino doesn’t seem too shaken by the ordeal. "Everybody thought I was dead. I didn't," he said. "If I was dead, I fainted. And when I came to, it was all gone."<br /><br />Quoting Shakespeare's famous line from Hamlet—“To be, or not to be”—Pacino mused on the fragility of life but admitted the experience didn’t leave any lasting change on how he lives. When asked whether the health scare had any effect on his outlook, Pacino simply responded, "Not at all."<br /><br />Pacino, who has lived a life filled with memorable roles, fame, and critical acclaim, seems to be taking this near-brush with death in stride. In fact, he’s keeping busy, with his upcoming memoir *Sonny Boy* on the horizon and a role in <keyword id="19920478" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Johnny-Depp" source="keywords">Johnny Depp</keyword>'s directorial project *Modi - Three Days on the Wing of Madness*, which is set for a December 5 release.<br /><br />While many may see such a health scare as a turning point, Pacino remains remarkably unchanged by it. His outlook on life and death, much like his characters on screen, is marked by a sense of calm amidst the chaos. Whether fainting during a pandemic or standing before the camera, Pacino's resilient spirit continues to define him as one of Hollywood's most enduring stars.<br />

'I thought I experienced death': Al Pacino talks about battling Covid-19

After years of intensified focus on <keyword id="19897423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="keywords">COVID-19</keyword>, <keyword id="19992404" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tuberculosis" source="keywords">tuberculosis</keyword> (TB) has once again emerged as the leading <keyword id="20564668" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="infectious-disease" source="keywords">infectious disease</keyword> killer worldwide. This resurgence is a sobering reminder that despite our pandemic response, TB has continued to claim lives, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where resources are often stretched thin.<br /><br />According to the latest <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organization" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Health Organization" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="World Health Organization">World Health Organization</keyword> (<keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords">WHO</keyword>) report, approximately 8.2 million people were diagnosed with TB in 2023, marking the highest number of cases recorded since global monitoring began in 1995.<br /><h2><keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> and Indonesia</h2>The recent spike in TB cases is largely driven by increases in two countries — India and Indonesia. Together, they accounted for 45% of the global rebound in TB diagnoses between 2021 and 2023, underscoring their critical role in the worldwide fight against TB. Three other countries, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Pakistan, also made significant contributions, collectively accounting for another 32% of the increase. This means that more than three-quarters of the global resurgence in TB can be traced to these five countries alone.<br /><br />One key reason for these increases is the “backlog” effect created by COVID-19 disruptions. During the pandemic, healthcare systems in many countries, including India and Indonesia, had to shift focus to COVID-19, which delayed TB diagnosis and treatment. In 2023, as these countries ramped up recovery efforts, many previously undetected TB cases surfaced, creating an apparent spike in reported numbers. This trend highlights the importance of sustainable healthcare infrastructure capable of handling simultaneous health crises.<br /><h2>Gaps in TB case detection</h2>Despite the daunting increase in TB cases, some countries have made notable progress in <keyword id="23741990" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="treatment-coverage" source="keywords">treatment coverage</keyword>. Among the 30 high-burden TB countries, those with the highest levels of treatment coverage in 2023 included Brazil, India, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia, with coverage rates surpassing 80%. India’s <keyword id="21052657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-tuberculosis-elimination-program" source="keywords">National Tuberculosis Elimination Program</keyword> (NTEP) has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in this, aiming to eradicate TB by 2025 — five years ahead of the global target. By focusing on expanded testing, improved diagnostic tools, and more accessible treatment options, India has achieved high treatment coverage levels despite the challenges.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114732986" title="Air Quality Alert: Nearly 30% of asthma cases tied to fine particulate matter exposure from bad air" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>However, a significant treatment gap remains. The difference between estimated TB incidence and actual diagnoses still affects millions, especially in countries with large populations like India, Indonesia, Pakistan, China, and Myanmar. These five nations together account for about 50% of the global gap in reported TB cases, with India alone responsible for 16% of the discrepancy.<br /><h2>India’s unique position in the global TB fight</h2>As the nation with the largest share of global TB cases, India has a unique and critical responsibility in addressing the disease. The high TB burden in India is tied to several factors, including undernutrition, poverty, and limited access to healthcare in rural areas. Moreover, with 26% of all TB cases globally, India’s battle against TB will significantly impact the global fight. The government’s financial support for TB-affected households also aims to reduce the economic burden of treatment.<br /><br />However, challenges remain, especially with <keyword id="22004277" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="multidrug-resistant-TB" source="keywords">multidrug-resistant TB</keyword> (MDR/RR-TB). While treatment success rates for MDR/RR-TB have reached 68%, diagnosing and treating all drug-resistant cases is an ongoing challenge. In 2023, India’s coverage of preventive treatment for TB among people living with HIV and close contacts of TB patients also saw improvements, but underfunding continues to limit the full scope of TB elimination efforts.<br /><h2>Global funding gaps</h2>Global funding shortages for <keyword id="21039793" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="TB-prevention" source="keywords">TB prevention</keyword> and treatment are a significant hindrance to progress. Only $5.7 billion of the targeted $22 billion in funding was met in 2023, and for LMICs — where nearly all of the TB burden lies — the available funding falls well short of their needs. The United States remains the largest bilateral donor, and contributions from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria are crucial. However, these funds are not enough to meet essential TB service requirements, leaving healthcare systems under-resourced.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114646545" title="Doctors struggle to treat long Covid patients in India; researchers point to inadequate studies" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Even in 2022, only one-fifth of the $5 billion target for research funding was achieved, as per the report. This underfunding hampers the development of improved diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines, which are crucial to TB prevention and treatment. <br /><br />Moreover, many of the drivers of TB are related to social factors, such as undernutrition, smoking, alcohol use, and diabetes, making it imperative to address these root causes. For instance, almost half of the TB-affected households globally face what the WHO calls "catastrophic costs" in seeking treatment. This burden is particularly severe in India, where low-income families often forgo treatment due to financial constraints.<br /><br />As WHO’s Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus puts it, "The fact that TB still kills and sickens so many people is an outrage, when we have the tools to prevent it, detect it, and treat it.”<br /><br />The WHO’s Global tuberculosis report 2024 can be accessed <a href="https://www.who.int/teams/global-tuberculosis-programme/tb-reports/global-tuberculosis-report-2024">here</a>.<br />

Tuberculosis dethrones COVID-19 as world’s top infectious killer again; Half of all new cases from India, Indonesia

<keyword id="20207838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dsp-mutual-fund" source="keywords">DSP Mutual Fund</keyword>'s September 2024 Netra report credits <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s strong economic recovery to increased fiscal expenditure. The report, which tracks current economic trends and market insights through various charts, emphasizes the need for the private corporate sector and households to play a larger role in sustaining the ongoing growth momentum.<br /><br />Netra also pointed out an unsettling calm in the markets, with the Nifty 50 TRI index maintaining an impressive 53-month streak without a 5% decline and 13 years without a drop greater than 10%.<br /><br />Sahil Kapoor, Head of Products and Market Strategist, DSP Mutual Fund, said, "The calm in the markets, marked by an unnerving lack of volatility, is a double-edged sword. While it provides a sense of stability, it also masks underlying risks that could surface unexpectedly, catching investors off guard. To ensure a sustainable recovery, there is a need for the private sector and households to take the lead, transforming fiscal stimulus into lasting economic growth."<br /><br />However, the report notes a shift in market dynamics, with the momentum factor, which has outperformed since the COVID-19 bottom, beginning to lose its dominance. At the same time, the quality factor, which had underperformed over the last four years, is now seeing a resurgence, potentially indicating a change in market leadership that could favour quality-orientated funds, both active and passive.<br /><br />The report highlights the critical role government spending has played in the recovery, with a focus on capital investments crucial for future growth. However, contributions from the private corporate sector and households have lagged. It also draws attention to a slowdown in India's per capita consumption, approaching lows seen in previous cycles. Given that consumption accounts for around 60% of GDP, it is vital that this sector grows at a rate exceeding GDP growth to stimulate private capital expenditure.<br /><br />India's <keyword id="487578" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tax-collections" source="Orion">tax collections</keyword> have demonstrated robust growth, with gross tax revenue showing a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14 %.<br /><br />This growth, largely driven by <keyword id="6354751" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="income-tax" source="Orion">income tax</keyword>, indicates a rising dependency on capital gains and stock market performance, introducing new vulnerabilities to the economy.<br /><br />The banking and financial services sector (<keyword id="19910880" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bfsi" source="keywords">BFSI</keyword>) has emerged as a key driver of market earnings, recording a 12 % increase in profit after tax (PAT) growth, significantly outpacing the 4.6 % growth observed in non-BFSI Nifty 50 companies. This disparity underscores the sector's importance in India's economic story and highlights promising investment opportunities. <br /><br />

India's strong economic recovery is led by fiscal expenditure: DSP MF

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="23944870" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sonya-Moore" source="keywords">Sonya Moore</keyword> decided that if Trump won in 2016, she would leave the US.</li><li>She followed through and has been living abroad for seven years.</li></ul>"If Trump wins this election, I'm <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-reelected-americans-are-planning-to-flee-in-droves-2024-3">moving out of the country</a>."<br /><br />I said those words in November 2016. So did a lot of other Americans: so many, in fact, that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/canadian-immigration-site-crash-election-2016-11">Canada's immigration website crashed</a> as votes were being tallied due to increased traffic. No joke.<br /><br />I don't know how many others <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-who-left-us-because-of-trump-talk-biden-presidency-2020-12">followed through on that declaration</a>, but I did. Trump won the election, and 9 months later, I left the US. <br /><br />Full disclosure: Trump becoming president was not the only reason I left — it was also about being fed up with my corporate job, coupled with a strong desire to explore the world.<br /><br />I was 37, single, with no children or pets, so I was free to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/working-mom-quit-job-expat-move-abroad-qatar-singapore-2023-12">quit my job</a>, uproot myself, and take off. I did own a house at the time, which I sold a few months after I left.<br /><br />Upon my departure, I didn't have much of a plan other than the intention to spend some time slowly exploring Asia and teaching English when I needed to make money. This no-plan thing was out of character for me, but I was very comfortable with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/southeast-asia-travel-mistakes-packing-weather-clothing-traditions-medicine-2024-4">solo international travel</a>, thanks to previous study abroad experiences and 14 years of intensive overseas work-related travel. <br /><br />  <div type="image" title="Sonya Moore in Siem Reap, Cambodia" height="1280" width="1600" msid="115071450" hostid="261"></div><h2>The move opened a new chapter in my life</h2>As months unfolded, I discovered that when you leave space for it, life guides you to the places, people, and opportunities that are meant for you.<br /><br />Seven years later, I'm still living <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boomer-couldnt-afford-retirement-in-california-moved-abroad-travel-happy-2024-10">happily outside the US</a>. While my decision to leave opened up a horizon of experiences beyond my wildest dreams and led me to the man of my dreams, it hasn't all been a bed of roses. <br /><br />The first year, I lived off savings while traveling slowly through Asia. I started my travels in India, where I spent 10 days at a silent meditation retreat, attended teachings by the Dalai Lama, and took a <keyword id="20626363" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="yoga-teacher-training" source="keywords">yoga teacher training</keyword>. I promptly got hooked on teaching yoga. <br /><br />After four months in India, I continued <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-to-pack-traveling-in-southeast-asia-singapore-thailand-bali-2023-9">making my way through Asia</a> for eight more months. I swam in the crystal clear waters of the Maldives, visited healers in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-family-kids-bali-decompress-relocate-slow-life-work-remote-2024-10">Bali</a>, witnessed breathtaking sunrise views from mountaintops in Laos, went island-hopped through the Philippines, rode motorbikes around Thailand's islands, and discovered ancient pagodas in Myanmar<br /><br />The cost of living in much of Asia is so low that savings can stretch a long way. I have high standards for my accommodations, and while traveling, I usually spent around $20 to $25 per night on hotels. Lower-maintenance friends of mine found simpler places for $6 per night in India. Meals usually cost around $3. After six weeks in India, I considered a lunch bill of $5 to be expensive. <br /><br /><h2>There have been times along the way when I've felt lost </h2>From time to time, I experienced stretches of feeling <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/relocation-moved-to-milan-living-abroad-emotionally-exhausting-unspoken-truths-2023-9">unsettled and lacking a sense of purpose</a>. <br /><br />Over the years, I learned that those periods of doubt and uncertainty will continue to surface. But I also learned to just keep trusting, and the way forward would eventually reveal itself. <br /><br />People often ask me if I was ever afraid while <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-women-need-to-know-traveling-solo-southeast-asia-tips-2022-12">traveling alone through Asia</a>. I never was — except a couple of times in India when riding on some precariously high Himalayan roads with no guardrails. But of people? I never had a reason to be. <br /><br />After a year away, I found an opportunity to teach yoga in a small mountain town in Myanmar. Life there was quiet, simple, and beautiful. I lived there for 9 months, and I was profoundly happy most of the time. But there were times <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/loneliness-how-to-make-friends-remote-worker-freelancer-new-city-2024-2">I felt lonely</a>. <br /><br />The locals were sweet and kind, with love in their eyes and actions, but I missed friends who spoke my language fluently, with whom I could have deep conversations over a glass of wine. And the dating scene? Nonexistent.<br /><br />  <div type="image" title="Sonya Moore kissing a man at the airport" height="2118" width="1754" msid="115071453" hostid="261"></div><h2>I found love during my travels</h2>Another yoga teaching opportunity took me to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Siem Reap is not a big city, but after my small-town Myanmar life, it felt like Manhattan. There were so many restaurants, bars, social events, friends, and even some attractive single men. <br /><br />I fell in love with the town, the quality of life, and the locals. It was easy to get a tourist or work visa to live here long term, and it was almost as inexpensive as India and Myanmar.<br /><br />I was living in Siem Reap when COVID-19 hit. By that time, I was in a <keyword id="20752574" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="long-distance-relationship" source="keywords">long-distance relationship</keyword> with a French man I met during my travels. After the closed borders of the pandemic kept us apart for 7 months, I moved to France to be with him. <br /><br />Our story was long and winding, but it felt like destiny. He <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/my-partner-couple-travel-together-full-time-one-date-2024-5">loves global travel</a> like I do. We've been together for four years and are living together in Papua New Guinea. Our plan is to go back to a nomadic slow-travel lifestyle. My career has gradually evolved to encompass creative pursuits that light me up inside: retreats, writing, photography, and yoga.<br /><br />I am deeply grateful to my former self for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/live-abroad-cheap-low-cost-living-high-quality-life-2024-1">choosing to leave the US</a>. I sometimes miss family and friends, but thanks to technology, our connection stays alive across the distance, and I go back to visit once a year. <br /><br />I still love America and feel lucky to have been born and raised there. But there's a big world out there waiting to be discovered.<br /><br /><em>Do you have a personal essay about relocating to Asia that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor at </em><a target="_blank" href="mailto:akarplus@businessinsider.com"><em><u>akarplus@businessinsider.com</u></em></a><em>.</em><br /><br /><i>November 11, 2024 — An earlier version of this story mentioned Trump becoming president was not the reason Moore left, it was not the only reason. </i><br />

I swore I would leave the US if Trump won the 2016 election. Here's how that worked out for me.

A week or two of cold and cough can make you conjure up some pretty odd conspiracy theories. The freshest one that I cooked up this week is that 'Big Tissue' wishes to keep everyone sick, and therefore they collaborate with 'The Scientists' to keep them from making a cure.<br /><br />After all, the world witnessed researchers demonstrate incredible and hasty success in combating <keyword id="19897423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="keywords">COVID-19</keyword>, and yet, the <keyword id="20237676" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="common-cold" source="keywords">common cold</keyword> remains an seemingly elusive target. But far from being an actual conspiracy, there are several real reasons why we haven’t yet cracked the code to curing the cold, despite decades of research. So grab your tissues, folks, and let's get into them.<br /><h2><keyword id="23387393" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="viral-diversity" source="keywords">Viral diversity</keyword></h2>One major hurdle in curing the common cold is the sheer diversity of viruses involved. Over 200 viruses can cause cold symptoms, with <keyword id="23387392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rhinoviruses" source="keywords">rhinoviruses</keyword> responsible for up to 75% of cases. Rhinoviruses alone consist of more than 160 known strains. This viral diversity makes it extremely difficult to develop a universal vaccine or treatment. Unlike SARS-CoV-2, which has one main spike protein target, cold viruses come in a dizzying array of structures and behaviours, requiring a vast array of medical solutions.<br /><br />In contrast, when COVID-19 emerged, researchers focused primarily on one virus and one major target — its spike protein. That focus allowed for the rapid development of <keyword id="19953288" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccines" source="keywords">vaccines</keyword> using mRNA technology, like those from Pfizer and Moderna. For the common cold, a similar solution isn’t feasible due to the multiple viral families involved.<br /><h2><keyword id="20862236" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mutations" source="keywords">Mutations</keyword> and adaptations</h2>Another issue is how quickly cold viruses mutate. Rhinoviruses, for example, are known for their high mutation rates. This rapid evolution allows them to evade the immune system, which is why even if you’ve had a cold before, you're not immune to future infections from different strains.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113757960" title="Healthcare in India faces massive strain as costs rise by 14% annually; most expenses paid out-of-pocket" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>This rapid mutation is akin to how COVID-19 has evolved into variants, but with cold viruses, it happens on an even greater scale. Scientists fear that if they developed a vaccine, new strains would quickly render it ineffective, much like how seasonal flu vaccines must be reformulated annually.<br /><h2>Mildness of the illness</h2>Ironically, one reason the common cold hasn’t been cured is because it’s too mild to warrant massive investment. Most people recover from a cold without medical intervention. While cold symptoms are annoying — runny nose, sore throat, cough — they rarely escalate into serious illness. As a result, pharmaceutical companies and governments have little financial incentive to pour billions into research for a disease that poses no significant threat to public health.<br /><br />COVID-19, on the other hand, caused severe illness and death on a global scale, spurring massive investment from both the public and private sectors. Governments and companies alike invested heavily in research and fast-tracked vaccines, which led to solutions much quicker than we’ve seen for colds.<br /><h2>Complex, complex immune system</h2>The immune system’s response to cold viruses is also a significant factor. Studies have shown that repeated exposure to cold viruses over a lifetime results in limited immunity. For instance, research from Harvard points out that even though the body produces antibodies after a cold, the <keyword id="20082133" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="immune-response" source="keywords">immune response</keyword> isn't strong enough to prevent future infections from slightly different strains. This is in stark contrast to diseases like measles, where one infection can result in lifelong immunity.<br /><br />COVID-19 benefitted from its novelty. The immune system had never encountered SARS-CoV-2 before, making it easier to target with vaccines that produce a strong and specific immune response.<br /><br />Here’s an additional fun fact: because there are SO many different strains of common cold-causing viruses, research says that it is unlikely that you will be infected with the same strain of common cold twice throughout your life!<br /><h2>Attempts to develop treatments</h2>There have been attempts to develop treatments for the common cold. Some researchers have targeted the way viruses enter and replicate in human cells. For example, a 2018 study explored inhibiting the protein that cold viruses use to replicate, showing some promise in early trials. However, most of these treatments are in the experimental phase, and none have been widely successful yet.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113284254" title="Gastro problems could heighten Parkinson&amp;#39;s disease risk by 76%, study finds" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>In recent years, attention has shifted towards using broad-spectrum antiviral drugs that can target multiple viruses at once, similar to how some antibiotics work against a range of bacteria. However, this approach has yet to yield a major breakthrough.<br /><br />The idea of a universal cure for the common cold remains distant, but advances in genetic research and vaccine technology offer some hope. For example, CRISPR technology may allow scientists to edit out the genetic components that cold viruses rely on to replicate. Additionally, the mRNA technology used for COVID-19 vaccines has opened new possibilities for antiviral treatments, although these applications are still in early stages.<br /><br />Research continues, but for now, humanity may have to continue battling sniffles and coughs the old-fashioned way: with rest, fluids, and time.<br />

How did we manage to deal with COVID-19 so quickly, but the common cold still remains a persisting problem?

The <keyword id="23195354" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="COVID-XEC" source="keywords">COVID XEC</keyword> variant has recently gained attention due to its <keyword id="23204106" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rapid-spread" source="keywords">rapid spread</keyword> across Europe and concerns that it might soon become dominant. First identified in Germany in June 2024, the variant has since been detected in over a dozen countries, including the UK and the US. As with other variants of <keyword id="20249557" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SARS-CoV-2" source="keywords">SARS-CoV-2</keyword>, <keyword id="23204107" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="xec" source="keywords">XEC</keyword> is a subvariant of <keyword id="19895062" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="omicron" source="keywords">Omicron</keyword>, and the symptoms of the disease caused by the KP.3 lineage virus largely mirror those of previous strains, including fever, cough, sore throat, headaches, and muscle aches.<br /><h2>Is XEC more dangerous?</h2>Although the XEC has shown signs of being more contagious than other recent variants, experts do not believe it poses a greater risk of severe disease for most people. Dr Eric Topol, a leading voice in COVID research, suggests that while XEC may soon outcompete other subvariants due to its <keyword id="20551797" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="transmissibility" source="keywords">transmissibility</keyword>, <keyword id="23043733" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="existing-vaccines" source="keywords">existing vaccines</keyword> should still offer protection. This is because XEC remains an <keyword id="19919614" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Omicron-subvariant" source="keywords">Omicron subvariant</keyword>, meaning it shares enough genetic similarity for current vaccines to be effective.<br /><h2>Should you be worried?</h2>While XEC is spreading, experts emphasise that its arrival doesn’t signal a drastic shift in the COVID landscape. It’s not a new strain requiring another Greek letter designation, and it hasn't been shown to cause more severe disease compared to other Omicron subvariants. However, with colder months approaching in the Northern Hemisphere, where <keyword id="20163355" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="respiratory-infections" source="keywords">respiratory infections</keyword> typically increase, XEC’s impact might be more noticeable.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113246996" title="Mpox outbreak: Understand what your insurance covers for Mpox treatment" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>While the new COVID XEC has begun to rapidly spread across Europe, North America, and some parts of Asia, fortunately, there have not yet been confirmed reports of the variant reaching India.<br /><br />To reduce your risk, it's essential to stay up to date with vaccinations, practise good hygiene, and remain vigilant, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces. While we’re no longer in the early stages of the pandemic, <keyword id="19897423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="keywords">COVID-19</keyword> remains unpredictable, and experts continue to monitor variants like XEC closely.<br />

COVID XEC: Should you worry about the new fast-spreading Omicron subvariant?

The <keyword id="22407175" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="U-WIN" source="keywords">U-WIN</keyword> portal, a replication of the <keyword id="19897423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="keywords">Covid-19</keyword> vaccine management system Co-WIN, is set for a pan-India launch likely by the end of August, aiming to maintain an electronic registry of routine immunisations, official sources said. Currently, U-WIN is in pilot mode across all states and Union Territories, except for West Bengal, which is yet to start uploading data, the sources told PTI, adding that it is still under consideration in the state. <br /><br /> The U-WIN platform captures every <keyword id="19933690" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccination" source="keywords">vaccination</keyword> event for pregnant women and children under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). <br /><br /> Minister of Finance <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> had announced in the interim Budget for 2024-2025 that U-WIN, along with intensified efforts under Mission Indradhanush, will be rolled out nationwide for managing <keyword id="21423640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="immunisation" source="keywords">immunisation</keyword>. <br /><br /> "The U-WIN will ensure timely administration of vaccine doses by digitally recording every vaccination event under the Universal Immunisation Programme among all pregnant women and children aged 0-5 years," an official told PTI. <br /><br /> "The portal will target 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore infants (0-1 years) annually by providing 11 vaccines against 12 vaccine preventable diseases -- diphtheria, measles, rubella, and tetanus through more than 1.2 crore vaccination sessions across the country," the official added. <br /><br /> The platform generates a uniform QR-based, digitally verifiable e-vaccination certificate, similar to Covid vaccination certificate, which can be accessed anytime by the citizens through a single click. <br /><br /> Vaccination records under UIP are being maintained manually as of now. So this will do away with the hassle of keeping a physical record, the officials explained. <br /><br /> It will enable the digitisation of session planning, and updating vaccination status on a real-time basis, they added. <br /><br /> "Also, there is no mechanism of individual tracking. There is also lack of awareness among beneficiaries about session location and date especially in urban areas and iniquity in immunisation coverage in states and UTs," another official said. <br /><br /> "Besides, another major issue is that immunisation at private health facilities is not recorded," the official added. <br /><br /> The U-WIN is going to be the single source of information for immunisation services which will record pregnancy details and outcome, newborn registration and immunisation at birth. It will update vaccination status, and delivery outcome, among others, on real time, the official said. <br /><br /> As of July 9, 2024, the pilot has registered 5.33 crore beneficiaries on U-WIN. Over 83.55 lakh vaccination sessions have been digitally conducted, and 18.15 crore vaccine doses have been recorded. <br /><br /> The platform aims to reduce zero-dose and left-out children through a name-based tracking mechanism and empower citizens with anytime, anywhere access to vaccination services, particularly benefiting migratory populations, the official said. <br /><br /> "The U-WIN portal is likely to be launched pan <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> in August end," the official stated. <br /><br /> Citizens can self-register for vaccinations via the U-WIN web portal or its Android mobile application, select preferred vaccination centres, and schedule appointments. Automated SMS alerts inform citizens about registration confirmations, administered doses, and upcoming dose reminders, ensuring timely and age-appropriate vaccinations. <br /><br /> It also facilitates the creation of Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs for comprehensive health record maintenance. <br /><br /> The U-WIN also supports the frontline workers to digitally record all vaccination events for children and pregnant women for complete, accurate and easy record maintenance, the official said.

Pan-India rollout of U-WIN to track routine immunisations likely by Aug end

As many as 290 cases of <keyword id="21545939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="KP-2" source="keywords">KP.2</keyword> and 34 cases of <keyword id="21748081" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="KP-1" source="keywords">KP.1</keyword>, both sub-lineages of COVID-19 that are responsible for surge in cases in Singapore, have been found in India, according to official data. However, a source in the Union health ministry told PTI that they are all sub variants of <keyword id="20115417" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="JN1" source="keywords">JN1</keyword> and there is no associated increase in hospitalisation and severe cases. <br /><br /> "So there is no reason for concern or panic. The mutations will keep happening at a rapid pace and this is the natural behaviour of viruses like SARS-CoV2," the source said. <br /><br /> The source further said that the INSACOG surveillance is sensitive and is able to pick up the emergence of any new variant and samples are also picked from hospitals in a structured manner to detect any change in the severity of disease due to virus. <br /><br /> Data compiled by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) showed that 34 cases of KP.1 have been found across seven states and UTs with 23 cases registered from West Bengal. <br /><br /> The other states are Goa (1), Gujarat (2), Haryana (1), Maharashtra (4) Rajasthan (2) and Uttarakhand (1). <br /><br /> As many as 290 cases of KP.2 have been registered with Maharashtra reporting the highest number at 148, according to the data. <br /><br /> The other states and Union territories are Delhi (1), Goa (12), Gujarat (23), Haryana (3), Karnataka (4), Madhya Pradesh (1), Odisha (17), Rajasthan (21), Uttar Pradesh (8), Uttarakhand (16) and West Bengal (36). <br /><br /> Singapore is seeing a new COVID-19 wave as the authorities recorded more than 25,900 cases from May 5 to 11 with KP.1 and KP.2 accounting for over two-thirds of cases in Singapore. <br /><br /> Globally, the predominant COVID-19 variants are still JN.1 and its sub-lineages, including KP.1 and KP.2. <br /><br /> KP.1 and KP.2 belong to a group of COVID-19 variants scientists have nicknamed 'FLiRT', after the technical names of their mutations. <br /><br />The strains in FLiRT are all descendants of the JN.1 variant, an offshoot of the Omicron variant. KP.2 was classified by the World Health Organization as a Variant Under Monitoring.

290 cases of COVID-19 variant KP.2, 34 cases of KP.1 detected in India: INSACOG data

With hundreds of finger-licking preparations, India loves chicken in a way that may be indescribable to a non-resident. However, with the way things are progressing in the avian world, we could soon see a surge in disdain for the delectable meat, and in perhaps the same way the masses denounced bats during the COVID-19 pandemic.<br /><br />In a surprising and alarming twist, <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07849-4">new research</a> has found that <keyword id="20633083" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="avian-influenza" source="keywords">avian influenza</keyword>, or <keyword id="20396857" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bird-flu" source="keywords">bird flu</keyword>, has jumped from birds to dairy cattle across many parts of the United States. Initially detected in wild birds, the <keyword id="21348322" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="H5N1" source="keywords">H5N1</keyword> had led to symptoms like reduced appetite, respiratory distress, and a significant drop in milk production.<br /><br />"This is one of the first times that we are seeing evidence of efficient and sustained mammalian-to-mammalian transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1," said Diego Diel, a virology expert who has written extensively about the topic.<br /><br />As per the new report, significant amounts of the virus has now been identified in the mammary glands of infected cows, meaning their milk itself has the ability to infect others. Researchers have even documented cases where cats and a raccoon became infected, likely from consuming the raw milk from infected cows. Although pasteurisation has shown the ability to kill the virus, the newfound ability to jump from cows to other mammals remains particularly troubling, especially considering how reliant we are on cow products such as beef and milk.<br /><h2>Human cases and <keyword id="22448349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pandemic-potential" source="keywords">pandemic potential</keyword></h2>If you’re feeling comfortable in the thought that the virus has some ways to go before humans need to be concerned, you might want to think again. So far, 11 human cases have already been reported in the US, primarily linked to cattle and <keyword id="20524711" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="poultry-farms" source="keywords">poultry farms</keyword>. While these cases have resulted in mild symptoms, experts worry that the virus could mutate, enhancing its transmissibility among humans. This possibility is a significant concern for scientists and health authorities.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="109054967" title="Scientists warn of bird flu pandemic that could be &amp;#39;100 times worse&amp;#39; than COVID after rare human case found in US" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Further, as viruses do, H5N1 is already evolving at a rapid pace. A <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2024.07.14.603367">separate study </a>led by researchers at UNC Charlotte found that the latest variants of H5N1 are getting better at evading antibodies, including those in humans. According to the researchers, these mutations could potentially lead the virus towards pandemic status if it continues to adapt and spread among mammals.<br /><h2>Will developing nations be able to cope?</h2>Given these developments, continuous monitoring of the virus in both animals and humans is critical. The US Department of Agriculture has funded H5N1 testing programs to detect and manage outbreaks early. Enhanced biosecurity measures and quarantine protocols will undoubtedly be critical to prevent the virus from spreading to pandemic levels.<br /><br />However, this is a task much easier said than done for developing countries, who often lack the infrastructure and resources needed for such robust surveillance and response. Many of these countries have limited access to advanced diagnostic tools, vaccines, and antiviral treatments. This disparity leaves large portions of the global population vulnerable to the spread of H5N1.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="110941217" title="WHO confirms human case of bird flu in India! H9N2 virus detected in a four-year child in West Bengal" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The World Health Organization has repeatedly stressed the need for global cooperation and support to strengthen health systems in underprepared regions. Without adequate resources, these countries may struggle to detect and contain the virus, potentially allowing it to spread unchecked. This not only endangers local populations but also increases the risk of a global pandemic.<br /><br />The implications of these studies are clear: the H5N1 virus is moving closer to pandemic potential. As it spreads among mammals, the risk of it adapting to humans increases. The world needs to prepare now to avoid being caught off guard, as was the case with the COVID-19 pandemic.<br />

Cows are now spreading bird flu to each other — here's why that's problematic for humans

The far-reaching consequences of the <keyword id="19955291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19-pandemic" source="keywords">COVID-19 pandemic</keyword> have reshaped humanity’s future in ways we are only beginning to understand. This global health crisis didn’t just disrupt lives—it also shattered nearly a decade of global health progress, a startling new report by the <keyword id="19902256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organisation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Health Organisation" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="World Health Organisation">World Health Organisation</keyword> (<keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="WHO" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="WHO">WHO</keyword>) has revealed.<br /><br />According to the <keyword id="21164185" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Statistics" source="keywords">World Health Statistics</keyword> 2024 report, the <keyword id="8763838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="Orion">COVID-19</keyword> pandemic reversed over a decade of advancements in <keyword id="21716169" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-life-expectancy" source="keywords">global life expectancy</keyword> within a mere two years. From 2019 to 2021, <keyword id="14078" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="life-expectancy" source="Orion">life expectancy</keyword> worldwide plummeted by 1.8 years, dropping to 71.4 years. Similarly, global <keyword id="21842689" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="healthy-life-expectancy" source="keywords">healthy life expectancy</keyword> decreased by 1.5 years, falling to 61.9 years. The last time both these levels were so low was back in 2012!<br /><br />The report also underscores the uneven impact of the pandemic across different regions. The WHO regions of Southeast Asia and the Americas were hit the hardest, experiencing a decline in life expectancy by approximately three years and a drop in healthy life expectancy by 2.5 years between 2019 and 2021. In stark contrast, the Western Pacific Region saw minimal effects during the same period, with losses of less than 0.1 years in life expectancy and 0.2 years in healthy life expectancy.<br /><br />Furthermore, COVID-19 swiftly became a leading cause of death, ranking as the third highest globally in 2020 and the second in 2021, claiming nearly 13 million lives during this period. The latest data indicates that, except in the African and Western Pacific regions, COVID-19 was among the top five causes of death, notably becoming the leading cause of death in the Americas for both years.<br /><br />“There continues to be major progress in global health, with billions of people who are enjoying better health, better access to services, and better protection from health emergencies. But we must remember how fragile progress can be,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. <br /><br />“In just two years, the COVID-19 pandemic erased a decade of gains in life expectancy. That's why the new <keyword id="21604359" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pandemic-Agreement" source="keywords">Pandemic Agreement</keyword> is so important: not only to strengthen global health security, but to protect long-term investments in health and promote equity within and between countries.”<br /><br />The new Pandemic Agreement, also known as the ‘Pandemic Accord’ or ‘Pandemic Treaty’, is an international pact currently under negotiation by the 194 member states of the WHO. This accord aims to enhance global readiness and response to pandemics, ensuring the world can effectively prevent, prepare for, and respond to future health crises.<br /><br />The negotiation process is spearheaded by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), established by the <keyword id="20294860" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-assembly" source="keywords">World Health Assembly</keyword> in 2021. The INB's goal is to finalise the agreement for adoption at the 2024 World Health Assembly, scheduled from May 27 to June 1 in Geneva, Switzerland. This year's Health Assembly theme, ‘All for Health, Health for All,’ underscores the universal commitment to this crucial initiative.<br />

COVID-19 pandemic caused global life expectancy to fall back to 2012 levels, erasing a decade’s worth of progress: WHO

<keyword id="19897423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="keywords">COVID-19</keyword>, the unwelcome guest that never quite leaves, may well be in the process of ushering in a fresh global wave, with <keyword id="6356662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="singapore" source="Orion">Singapore</keyword> potentially on the front lines.<br /><br />The Singapore government is on alert, with its Ministry of Health reporting a significant rise in COVID-19 cases. There was a doubling of infections in the first half of May, with the numbers increasing from 13,700 in the first week of this month to 25,900 in the second (May 5 to 11). <br /><br />Hospitalisations have also spiked, with average daily admissions rising from 181 to around 250 in the same period. To manage hospital bed capacity, public hospitals have been directed to reduce non-urgent elective surgeries and transfer suitable patients to care facilities.<br /><br />Health Minister <keyword id="19895083" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ong-Ye-Kung" source="keywords">Ong Ye Kung</keyword> has indicated that Singapore is in the early stages of this wave, which is expected to peak between mid- and end-June. <br /><br />Recognising Singapore's role as a major transport and communications hub, Ong has acknowledged that the city-state is likely to experience COVID-19 waves earlier than other regions. An uptick in infection numbers has also been observed in the neighbouring countries as well, including Philippines. However, no alarming rise in hospitalisation has been reported yet.<br /><br />Regional reports are attributing this surge to new COVID-19 variants, collectively termed FLiRT. This name is based on the technical names for their mutations, one of which includes the letters "F" and "L", and another, the letters "R" and "T". The FLiRT group comprises of variants KP.1, KP.2, KP.3, JN.1.1 and JN.1.7.<br /><br />At present, KP.1 and KP.2 make up over two-thirds of cases in Singapore. While the WHO has classified KP.2 as a variant under monitoring, there is no evidence suggesting these variants are more transmissible or cause more severe illness than existing strains.<br /><br />Nevertheless, Ong has urged high-risk groups, including those aged 60 and above, medically vulnerable individuals, and residents of aged care facilities, to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose if they haven't been vaccinated in the past year. The public has also been advised to consider wearing masks again.<br /><br />Ong emphasised that there are no current plans for social restrictions, as Singapore treats COVID-19 as an <keyword id="21743830" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="endemic-disease" source="keywords">endemic disease</keyword>. He noted that additional measures would only be considered as a last resort.<br /><br />“COVID-19 is just something that we have to live with. Every year, we should expect one or two waves,” he said.<br /><br />Meanwhile, 91 cases of the <keyword id="21640619" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FLiRT-variants" source="keywords">FLiRT variants</keyword> have been detected in India. However, there have been no reports of severe cases or unique symptoms associated with these variants so far.<br /><br /><em>(With inputs from TOI)</em><br />

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