India plans to deploy antibody tests for COVID-19
Context :
The Union government okayed antibody tests for the novel coronavirus (covid-19) April 4, 2020.
What is Antibody Test :
Antibody tests mean analyzing a patient’s sample, generally blood sample, for the presence/absence of a particular antibody or for the amount of antibody that is present. Antibodies are part of the body’s immune system. These antibodies are immunoglobulin proteins that protect people against such as viruses, bacteria, chemicals, or toxins. Antibodies are created to recognize a specific structure on an invading foreign cell or particle.
How its works :
- The Antibody test reveals if the antibodies were released in response to infection by the coronavirus in individuals who may not have shown symptoms of the disease.
- The positive cases of the antibodies test will be made to do RT-PCR tests, which can reveal the presence of the virus. Once confirmed, the people will be quarantined at home.
- Testing negative will mean the persons don’t house the virus — either they haven’t been infected or are yet to develop antibodies after being infected.
- It’s possible those negative in the antibody test need a PCR test, but may not get it. They will be given another antibody test at home after 10 days. If that comes positive, it will mean mean they have developed antibodies and will be quarantined at home.
- Not everybody will be given these tests. Patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) with symptoms like cough, cold, low-grade fever or sore throat and living in one of the clusters of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will be included.
- Companies that have CE-In-Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) approved kits can use them after proper approval from the Drug Controller General of India and an intimation to ICMR.
Need :
- Experts believe rapid antibody tests will help to enhance screening and identifying capabilities.
- The new tests are most suitable to detect whether the disease is spreading in the hotspots.
- The new testing kits are priced between Rs 2,000-3,000 depending on their availability.
Measures to ensure smooth harvesting of Rabi Crop
context :
Central government taking several measures (regarding covid-19, pandemic) to ensure the smooth harvesting of Rabi Crop and the sowing of the summer crop.
Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare conducted a video conference with all States and Insurance companies to review the payment of claims and also the status of Conduct of Crop Cutting Experiments, CCEs for Rabi crops.
The implementation of Smart Sampling Technique ensures that the farmers do not suffer from any adverse fall out during the lockdown period. The letters issued to all States for co-witnessing Crop Cutting Experiments.
Phyto-Sanitary Certification :
Phyto-Sanitary Certification export consignments and Import releases of plant and plant products are continuing. Around of 3,776 PSCs have been issued for export consignments and 1,074 import consignments. Kisan Call Centres at all 21 locations are being operated by diverting calls to personal mobile numbers of Farm Tele Advisors who are now operating from homes. All 454 KCC seats are being operated daily between 6 A.M. to 10 P.M. Call flow is about 15 thousand to 20 thousand per day.
Source : the hindu
World Food Programme COVID-19 has little impact on global food supply chain
Context :
World Food Programme (WFP) conveyed the rapidly growing novel Coronavirus pandemic so far, having little impact on the global food supply chain, but that could change for the worse if major food importers remain anxious.
The UN agency’s global markets for basic cereals are well-supplied, and prices are generally low. However, given the highly globalized nature of food production and supply, commodities need to move from the world’s breadbaskets to where they are consumed, and the novel Coronavirus-related containment measures are starting to make this more challenging.
The Disruptions are so far minimal; the food supply is adequate, and markets are relatively stable, noting that global cereal stocks are at comfortable levels. The outlook for wheat and other staple crops is positive for the rest of the year.
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination
Context :
According to a US-based research, a combination of reduced morbidity and mortality could make the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination a “game-changer” in the fight against novel coronavirus.
What is BCG Vaccine :
Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is a vaccine primarily used against tuberculosis (TB).
- In countries where TB or leprosy is common, one dose is recommended in healthy babies as close to the time of birth as possible.
- In areas where tuberculosis is not common, only children at high risk are typically immunized, while suspected cases of tuberculosis are individually tested for and treated.
How can TB vaccine help fight COVID-19 :
- The BCG vaccine contains a live but weakened strain of tuberculosis bacteria that provokes the body to develop antibodies to attack TB bacteria.
- This is called an adaptive immune response, because the body develops a defense against a specific disease-causing microorganism, or pathogen, after encountering it.
- Most vaccines create an adaptive immune response to a single pathogen.
- Unlike other vaccines, the BCG vaccine may also boost the innate immune system, first-line defenses that keep a variety of pathogens from entering the body or from establishing an infection.
But, what’s the concern now :
Doctors and scientists in India have expressed caution on this study, which argues that countries that have deployed the BCG-tuberculosis vaccine in their immunisation programmes have seen fewer deaths from COVID-19.
They say, it is premature for India, that has had a consistent TB vaccination policy since 1968, to take comfort from the study.