Science and Technology
Context: Recently, the 16th Asian Conference on Diarrhoeal Disease and Nutrition (ASCODD) was held at Kolkata.
Theme: “Prevention and control of cholera, typhoid and other enteric diseases in low and middle-income countries through community participation: beyond the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic”.
Focus Areas:
- Epidemiology of cholera and typhoid
- Roadmap to end Cholera by 2030, Cholera vaccine development and rapid diagnostics,
- Contemporary perspectives of antimicrobial resistance of enteric bacteria: new Initiatives and challenges,
- Enteric bacterial infections, including Shigella spp, epidemiology, burden, and
- vaccines against other viral infections, including Hepatitis,
- Lessons learned about diarrhoea research during the COVID pandemic.
About Diarrhea:
- Gastrointestinal infection leading to Loose, watery and possibly more-frequent bowel movements
Caused by:
- A Variety of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms.
- Infection is spread through contaminated food or drinking-water, or from person to person as a result of poor hygiene.
- Associated with other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or weight loss.
- Measures to treat diarrhoea:
- Rehydration with oral rehydration salts (ORS) solution
- Rehydration may require intravenous fluids in case of severe dehydration or shock.
- Zinc supplements
- Nutrient-rich foods.
Achievements of India:
- India successfully ran a free vaccination program with record break vaccination of more than 219 crores.
- India provided vaccinations to other nations so that it can win over the pandemic together. Effective use of safe and affordable vaccines,
- Various Health initiatives under Digital India initiative:
- Online Registration System,
- eHospital for hospital management,
- eSanjeevani telemedicine app
Source: PIB
