Human metapneumovirus (HMPV)

News:

• Last week, China’s diseases control authority said that it was piloting a monitoring system for pneumonia of unknown origin, with cases of some respiratory diseases expected to rise through the winter.

Introduction:

• Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that causes mild infections similar to that caused by a common cold.
• First identified by scientists in 2001, the virus belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, of which respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), measles and mumps are also members.
• HMPV can cause both upper and lower respiratory tract infections and is generally seen in winter and early spring.
• Children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to the infection and to developing complications from it.

Signs and symptoms of HMPV:

• Symptoms can resemble those caused by a common cold.
• The estimated incubation period is three to six days.
• In most people, the illness goes away on its own within a few days, with rest and supportive care at home.
• In a few people however, complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia may arise, requiring medical care.

Spreading:

• HMPV spreads through contact with an infected person or touching objects that have the virus on them.
• This can be through: secretions from coughs, sneezes; close contact with someone who has the infection such as shaking hands, hugging; touching a doorknob or a phone or a keyboard that may be contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes.

Treatment:

• There is no vaccine and there is no specific antiviral to treat HMPV.
• Most people require over-the-counter medications to relieve fever and pain, possibly with a decongestant.
• Antibiotics will not work for HMPV.

Prevention:

• Yes, as with most other respiratory viruses, the best way to protect yourself from illness is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, avoid close contact with infected persons, avoid touching your face, nose, eyes and mouth and wear a mask if you think you may be infected, so that you can prevent transmitting it to others.
• People with lung conditions such as asthma or Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be extra cautious and protect themselves from infection.

Health Ministry monitoring situation:

• In light of the reports from China, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring respiratory and seasonal influenza cases in the country, and is in touch with international agencies, according to official sources.

• The data from December 16-22, indicates a recent rise in acute respiratory infections, including seasonal influenza, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (HMPV); however, the overall scale and intensity of respiratory infectious diseases in China this year is lower than last year.
• A seasonal increase in respiratory pathogens is expected in the northern hemisphere, particularly during the winter period.

Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT)

Introduction:

• Bone marrow transplantation involves replacing damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy cells, often used to treat conditions such as leukaemia, lymphoma, aplastic anaemia, thalassemia, and certain immune disorders.
• BMT is broadly categorised into: Autologous Transplantation, where we use the patient’s own stem cells; and Allogeneic Transplantation where we use stem cells from a donor, often requiring precise matching of Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA).

BMT in India:

• The development of haploidentical (half-matched) transplants has been a game-changer.
• It allows parents, children, or siblings to serve as donors, increasing the pool of potential matches.
• Today, bloodless transplants too are possible, and the availability of growth factors has facilitated this.
• Reduced Intensity Conditioning (RIC) also called as Mini Transplants.
• Traditional BMT often required high-dose chemotherapy or radiation, which is taxing on patients, especially older individuals or those with comorbidities.
• Reduced intensity conditioning has made transplants safer and more feasible for a broader demographic.
• India has also made progress in utilising umbilical cord blood as a source of stem cells.
• Cord blood banks have proliferated, offering an alternative for patients who cannot find a suitable bone marrow donor.

Graft vs host disease:

• A significant portion of mortality and morbidity in allogenic transplantation is due to graft vs host disease which affects the skin, intestine, liver and antimicrobial immunity.
• The availability of new and advanced drug therapies and the usage of cellular therapy like mesenchymal cells and concentrated T-regulatory cells has revolutionised the treatment of this once-fatal complication.
• Most patients can be saved with these new approaches.
• However, infections do remain a significant risk for BMT patients due to their immunocompromised state.
• Indian hospitals have adopted stringent infection control protocols, including specialised isolation units and advanced antimicrobial treatments, reducing post-transplant complications.
• Emerging therapies such as CAR-T cell therapy and CRISPR gene editing hold promise for conditions such as leukaemia and thalassemia.
• While these are still in the nascent stages in India, research and trials are ongoing, paving the way for cutting-edge treatments.
• Technology has been the cornerstone of advancements in BMT.
• From advanced HLA typing techniques to AI-driven algorithms that match donors with recipients, India has embraced innovation to enhance success rates.
• Telemedicine has also played a crucial role, allowing experts from urban centers to guide treatment in remote areas.

The challenges ahead:

• Despite all of these achievements, several hurdles remain: primary among them is donor awareness.
• While registries have grown, awareness about bone marrow donation remains limited.
• More educational campaigns are needed to dispel myths and encourage participation.
• It is also true that access to advanced BMT facilities is still concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural populations underserved.
• Another issue that is of concern is long-term care for BMT patients, including monitoring for relapse and managing complications.
• All of these require further strengthening.
• Clearly, greater investment in research is needed to make cutting-edge therapies like gene editing widely available.
• Every success story in BMT is a testament to human resilience and scientific progress.
• From children cured of thalassemia to adults given a second chance at life after battling leukaemia, these stories inspire hope.
• They also underscore the importance of continuing advancements and making these life-saving procedures accessible to all.

The way forward:

• It is now essential to reflect on the strides made in BMT and the path ahead.
• Collaborative efforts between the government, medical community, non-profits, and the private sector are crucial to overcoming existing challenges.
• Emphasis on research, donor awareness, and equitable healthcare access will ensure that India continues to be a beacon of hope for patients worldwide.
• India’s journey in bone marrow transplantation is a remarkable example of how innovation, dedication, and collaboration can transform lives.
• Let us honour the pioneers in this field, support ongoing advancements, and renew our commitment to saving lives through this miraculous medical intervention.
• Together, we can ensure that bone marrow transplantation remains a ray of hope for countless individuals battling life-threatening diseases.

Savitribai Phule

Context:

• Prime Minister paid tribute to Savitribai Phule, who came from a backward community and is considered an iconic woman social reformer, on her birth anniversary (January 3, 2025), lauding her as a pioneer in education and social reform.

About Savitribai Phule:

• The first Indian woman teacher, Savitribai Phule, was born on January 3, 1831, in the Maharashtra town of Naigaon, which is in the Satara District.
• She was not just a teacher but also a poet and social reformer who was instrumental in the advancement of women’s rights in India.
• She is also acknowledged as a pioneer in the feminist movement in India.
• In 19th-century India, she was a well-known social reformer and influential figure in the field of education.
• In recognition of her groundbreaking efforts to further women’s education, especially during a period when such concepts were groundbreaking, the day is observed as Women’s Education Day.
• The first female teacher in India to gain recognition for her contributions to women’s education and social rights was Savitribai Phule.
• Additionally, she worked for women from lower social classes.
• In 1848, she married Jyotirao Phule, a Maharashtra-born author and social activist.
• She was uneducated when she got married.
• Savitribai’s husband educated her and shared his expertise with her when she expressed her desire to become a teacher.
• In 1848, she and her husband founded the first school for females in India in Pune.
• After completing her primary schooling under Jyothi Rao’s guidance, she pursued her studies with her friends Sakharam Yeshwant Paranjpe and Keshav Shivram Bhavalkar.
• Poetry was something that Savitribai Phule loved.
• Her Marathi poetry promoted ideals such as equality, liberty, humanism, and the significance of education.

Savitribai Phule Jayanti: Significance

• This day honors the memory of Savitribai Phule, an Indian pioneer in women’s education whose contributions still motivate teachers today.
• The day honors the vital role that female educators play in the educational system, particularly in providing girls and women with access to school and empowering them.
• By guaranteeing that girls and women have the same chances as men and showcasing their potential as future leaders and educators, the event promotes gender equality in education.
• We are reminded of the transforming potential of education in attaining gender equality and empowering women in all spheres of society by the celebration of Savitribai Phule’s accomplishments.
• She was socially shunned at the time for advocating for women’s education.
• Savitribai was determined to educate all women in spite of the obstacles she encountered.
• During her tenure, she established 17 schools across the nation.
• She had established three schools that educated 150 females till 1851.

Celebrations on Savitribai Phule Jayanti/Women’s Teachers’ Day:

• Women’s Teachers’ Day is observed in Telangana to honor the priceless contributions made by female educators and to draw attention to how they have shaped society via education.
• This day also honors the memory of Savitribai Phule, an Indian pioneer in women’s education whose contributions still motivate teachers today.

H1B visas

News:

• Three weeks ahead of Mr. Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the debate on foreign guest workers’ visas for highly skilled professionals, the H-1B, has intensified which has literally created divisions in both the Democratic and the Republican parties.

More info:

• Indians are the main beneficiaries of the H-1B visas, which bring in the best of the talent and brains from across the world.
• Highly skilled professionals from India walk away with the overwhelming number of H-1B visas – which is Congressional mandated 65,000 every year and another 20,000 for those who received higher education from the U.S.
• President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20 in front of the U.S. Capitol, has come out in support of the H-1B, so has two of his close confidants, Tesla owner Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, both of whom have been tasked to head the newly created Department of Government Efficiency.
• Both Mr. Musk and Mr. Ramaswamy have argued that H-1B visas are essential to attract the best of the talent, as the U.S. falls short in many of the specialised fields.

About H-1B Program:

• The H-1B program applies to employers seeking to hire nonimmigrant aliens as workers in specialty occupations or as fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.
• A specialty occupation is one that requires the application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and the attainment of at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
• The intent of the H-1B provisions is to help employers who cannot otherwise obtain needed business skills and abilities from the U.S. workforce by authorizing the temporary employment of qualified individuals who are not otherwise authorized to work in the United States.
• The law establishes certain standards in order to protect similarly employed U.S. workers from being adversely affected by the employment of the nonimmigrant workers, as well as to protect the H-1B nonimmigrant workers.
• Employers must attest to the Department of Labor that they will pay wages to the H-1B nonimmigrant workers that are at least equal to the actual wage paid by the employer to other workers with similar experience and qualifications for the job in question, or the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of intended employment – whichever is greater.

• The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
• These occupations typically require a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a specific field.

Benefits for Employers:

• Access to a global pool of highly skilled talent
• Fill skill gaps in the U.S. workforce
• Remain competitive in a global market

Benefits for Employees:

• Opportunity to work in the U.S. in their field of expertise
• Gain valuable international work experience
• Potential pathway to permanent residency (a green card)