Hark! It’s the season: for flu

Hark!

It’s the season: for flu Health Matters left There is a need to take precautions as monsoon and winter set in, in many parts of the world.

Getty Images/iStockphoto Getty Images/iStockphoto https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/b70394/article71630778.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/BL07_Coughing_fog.jpg torwai Asian woman are going to work.she wears N95 mask.prevent PM2.5 dust and smog.she is coughing istock photo for BL On unheard-of pathogens, pollution and climate-related health risks, regulation in the healthcare sector, our diets, and more (In the weekly Health Matters newsletter,  Ramya Kannan writes about getting to good health, and staying there. You can subscribe here to get the newsletter in your inbox.) https://www.thehindu.com/newsletter-subscription/?nl_id=9848&utm_source=website_article_health_matters&utm_campaign=newsletter_signup&utm_medium=website It is officially the flu season with winter and monsoon seasons creeping in on large parts of the world.

There is a need to take precautions and be aware of the risks of the season, particularly at a time when we are hearing of old viruses resurging, or new, never-before heard pathogens rearing their heads, even known microorganisms that cause disease among humans, after a zoonotic spillover.  As in the case of the Shamonda virus.

Last week France reported the first human Shamonda virus case, a virus usually circulating amongst livestock.

The severely immunocompromised patient died, spurring global public health concerns.

While France said there was no health risk as a result of this, there are definitely problems when a new pathogen crosses the barrier.

For everything we currently know about the Shamonda virus, read Athira Elssa Johnson’s explainer, here.

France reports first human Shamonda virus case, says no health risk storyline 1 Shamonda virus, the livestock pathogen detected in human for the first time | Explained storyline 1 She also writes on Melioidosis in India: a potentially deadly infection that may be going undetected.

Melioidosis caused by B. pseudomallei which is found in soil and water in tropical and subtropical regions, can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infection, skin and soft-tissue infections, abscesses in organs such as the liver and spleen, septic arthritis and bone infections.

It can also affect the kidneys, muscles and prostate.  Melioidosis in India: a potentially deadly infection that may be going undetected storyline 1 Meanwhile, as the second patient in Nigeria, a relative of the first case of death from Ebola in the nation, also died of Ebola, some hopeful news came from DR Congo where the Ebola vaccine trial began for the Bundibugyo strain.  Ebola vaccine trial begins in DR Congo storyline 1 In the U.

S., where an early U.

S. flu season has set in, doctors warned that the current strain may signal a higher risk for younger people; and urged them to get shots.  Early U.

S. flu season, current strain may signal risk for younger people; doctors urge shots storyline 1 Talking of the weather, it is also time to discuss pollution and climate-related health effects.

Nikhil M.

Babu writes that air pollution in Delhi-NCR has come ahead of winter.

How is air pollution in Delhi-NCR ahead of winter? storyline 1 In Mumbai, Yohaan Varghese says another crisis is brewing, as attention remains on the northern States.

Mumbai recorded 231 days of ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ air quality in 2026.

The BMC has been forced to unveil a winter pollution action plan.

Mumbai records 231 days of ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ air quality in 2026; BMC unveils winter pollution action plan storyline 1 Geetha Srimathi interprets a global report that claims: Extreme weather, harmful chemicals escalating health risks among food workers.

Extreme weather, harmful chemicals escalating health risks among food workers, finds global report storyline 1 As a bellwether State for healthcare in the country, what happens in Kerala affects the entire nation, in some way.

The Spinal Muscular Atrophy controversy, currently brewing in the southern State too could contain lessons for the nation.

First do read C.

Maya’s explainer on what this controversy is all about, here.

After the government switched the drug in its SMA programme from branded to generic, parents of children living with SMA have been asking for a switch back to the branded version; meanwhile the label on a drug bottle has sparked concerns, and political parties have now latched on to the issue.

What is the controversy over the spinal muscular atrophy drug in Keralam?

Explained storyline 1 CPI(M) turns the heat on Keralam govt. over SMA drug controversy storyline 1 Meanwhile, experts have opined that the Row over SMA drug distribution in Keralam is unwarranted and a hospital rejected charges of ‘clinical trial drugs’ given to children.

Further a doctor at SAT Hospital said Parents were actually counselled about the generic drug that was to be used ahead of administration.

Row over SMA drug distribution in Keralam unwarranted, say experts storyline 1 SAT Hospital in Keralam rejects charges of ‘clinical trial drugs’ given to SMA-afflicted children storyline 1 Parents were counselled about generic drug, says doctor in charge of SMA clinic at SAT Hospital storyline 1 We are sure to be following up this story until it reaches its logical conclusion.  Further on the regulation scenario in the health care/medical sector, the issue of prices of drugs was top of the agenda after the recent Supreme Court judgement.

Devyanshi Bihani looked at data and found that ₹8,447 crore in medicine overcharging claims remain outstanding as SC seeks wider price controls. ₹8,447 crore in medicine overcharging claims remain outstanding as SC seeks wider price controls storyline 1 Bindu Shajan Perappadan wrote on the concerns over the National Medical Commission withdrawing the 2023 Rules on medical education standards.

While the government claims this has been done to eliminate duplication and multiple overlaps, it has raised questions about how violations by medical colleges will be penalised, and how compliance with prescribed standards will be verified under the remaining regulatory framework.  NMC withdraws 2023 rules on medical education standards, raising accountability concerns storyline 1 She also recorded the disability lobby’s demand that the Centre classify communication aids as essential products.

Disability group urges Centre to classify communication aids as essential products storyline 1 Dr.

C.

Aravinda explained what the National Medical Commission’s new guidelines say about advertising in medicine, while Afshan Yasmeen reported a Lancet review that called for clinical assessment over routine scans for back pain.  Explained: What do the National Medical Commission’s new guidelines say about advertising in medicine? storyline 1 Back pain: Lancet review calls for clinical assessment over routine scans storyline 1 It may no longer be an overstatement to say ‘diet is everything’ when it comes to staying on the good side of health.

Studies have proven, increasingly, the impact of a diet over the body’s ability to handle disease, fight various conditions and stay on the path of good health.  This recent UK-Chennai collaborative study showed that good-quality diets are associated with better cholesterol levels even among those with a genetic predisposition.

Good-quality diets associated with better cholesterol levels even among those with genetic load storyline 1 Jacob Koshy wrote about a study that claimed Plant-based meat yielded a higher share of absorbable protein than traditional meat, and on the side of plants, still, Vasudevan Mukunth asked if the Centre’s new fortified potato variety the Centrecan address India’s hidden hunger or undernutrition problem.  Plant-based meat yields higher share of absorbable protein than traditional meat: study storyline 1 Can the new fortified potato variety the Centre is promoting help with India’s hidden hunger problem? storyline 1 And more: I wrote on Lymphatic drain massage; and how Medicine is placed as a central plot in modern Tamil literature  All you need to know about: Lymphatic drain massage storyline 1 Medicine as a central plot in Tamil literature storyline 1 Dr.

B.

K.

Madhusudhan explained What happens inside the brain during a stroke?

What happens inside the brain during a stroke? storyline 1 Dr.

Margubur Rahaman and Ankit Mishra wrote: Why West Bengal’s C-Sections, at nearly 1 in 2 births, demand a hard look Why West Bengal’s C-Sections, at nearly 1 in 2 births, demand a hard look storyline 1 Microsoft develops AI tool that can diagnose ‘sequentially’ like a doctor  Microsoft develops AI tool that can diagnose 'sequentially' like a doctor storyline 1 K.

Sreedevi wondered if we are in danger of outsourcing all of childhood’s learning curves to AI?  Are we in danger of outsourcing all of childhood’s learning curves to AI? storyline 1 In our 56th episode of the Health Wrap, we talk about Early Alzheimer’s, cancer research paper mills and treatment access.

Do catch the video online.

Early Alzheimer’s, cancer research paper mills and treatment access | Health Wrap 56 video 1 (There is much more, do head to our health page and subscribe to the health newsletter here)  https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/?utm_source=health_matters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter&pnespid=56VgVi1ebLETw.

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