14 children contract Hepatitis, HIV infections during blood transfusions in UP hospital
Kanpur: In a concerning incident, fourteen children undergoing blood transfusions for Thalassemia at the government-run Lala Lajpat Rai (LLR) Hospital in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, have tested positive for infections including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV, according to doctors. The incident has raised alarm among medical professionals, as the minors now face heightened health risks in addition to their existing Thalassemia condition.
Dr. Arun Arya, the head of the paediatrics department at LLR Hospital and the nodal officer for the centre, expressed concern over the situation, highlighting the inherent risks associated with blood transfusions. He indicated that ineffective tests for viruses on donated blood might be the cause of the infections.
Currently, 180 Thalassemia patients receive blood transfusions at the centre, with each patient screened every six months for viral diseases. The 14 affected children had received blood transfusions at private and district hospitals, and in some cases, locally, when urgent medical intervention was necessary.
Dr. Arya emphasized that the blood transfusions had taken place during the "window period," a period after someone is infected when the virus may not be detected by standard tests. He noted that doctors should have vaccinated the children against Hepatitis B at the time of transfusion.
Among the infected children, seven tested positive for Hepatitis B, five for Hepatitis C, and two for HIV. The children, aged between 6 and 16, hail from different parts of the state, including Kanpur City, Dehat, Farrukhabad, Auraiya, Etawah, and Kannauj.
District-level officials are investigating the source of the infections under the Viral Hepatitis Control Programme. The team is tasked with tracing the origin of the infections, both for Hepatitis and HIV, ensuring a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding this concerning incident.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
ALSO READ: Chinese GPS tracker found on seagull near Karwar Coast
"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
