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  • World Blood Donor Day 2024: Date, History, Significance and All That You Need To Know |

    The World Blood Donor Day is observed on June 14 of every year all over the world. It is a crucial event established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to promote awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products.

    History:

    In 1940, a scientist called Richard Lower performed a blood transfusion between two dogs without any ill effects. This breakthrough allowed the development of modern blood transfusion techniques and made blood donation and transfusion a regular procedure in the healthcare sector.

    The date was chosen to honor the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel Prize-winning Austrian immunologist who discovered the ABO blood group system, which revolutionized blood transfusion practices. From that day onwards, the day has been celebrated as World Blood Donor Day.

    Theme:

    Each year, the celebration is marked by a specific theme that highlights different aspects of blood donation, the theme of this year is “20 years of celebrating giving: thank you, blood donors!”. The theme is to get more individuals to routinely donate blood and to express gratitude and support to the volunteers for giving freely of their blood in exchange for gifts that can save lives. On this day, people are inspired to give blood, save lives, and spread awareness of the advantages of doing so.

    Significance:

    According to WHO’s official website “The 20th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day is an excellent and timely opportunity to thank blood donors across the world for their life-saving donations over the years and honor the profound impact on both patients and donors. It is also a timely moment to address continued challenges, and accelerate progress towards a future where safe blood transfusion is universally accessible.”

    Around the world, events are planned to honor this day. Hospitals, blood banks, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) organize blood donation drives to promote and facilitate donations. To reduce transfusion-transmitted illnesses, public health initiatives strive to debunk myths, inform the public about the advantages of blood donation, and encourage safe donation practices. Recognition events celebrate the lives they have saved by honoring seasoned and consistent donors.

    A major factor in the success of World Blood Donor Day is community involvement. Events like conferences, workshops, and social media campaigns aid in message dissemination and audience engagement. All levels of participation are welcome, from lone contributors to local groups and governmental entities.

    People can participate in World Blood Donor Day by giving blood at nearby facilities or drives, raising awareness on social media, volunteering for charitable causes, and teaching others about the value and advantages of blood donation. People throughout the world can ensure that safe blood is available whenever and wherever it is required by banding together for this cause, strengthening a feeling of common humanity and global solidarity.

    On World Blood Donor Day, everyone is urged to support this life-saving initiative by highlighting the critical role that blood donation plays in saving lives.

  • ‘100 Times Worse Than Covid’: Scientists Warn Of Lethal Bird Flu Pandemic | world news

    NEW YORK: In a concerning development reported by the New York Post, experts have issued warnings about a potential bird flu pandemic, which they claim could be “100 times worse than COVID.” The discovery of a rare human case in Texas has raised alarms among scientists and health officials. The H5N1 avian flu, which emerged as a new strain in 2020, has spread rapidly, affecting wild birds across all states, as well as commercial poultry and backyard flocks. Recent cases in mammals, including infected cattle herds across four states, have escalated concerns.

    At a panel discussing the issue, Suresh Kuchipudi, a prominent bird flu researcher, emphasized the long-standing threat posed by the H5N1 virus. He highlighted its ability to infect various mammalian hosts, including humans, making it a global pandemic threat. John Fulton, a pharmaceutical industry consultant, echoed these concerns, suggesting that the potential impact of the virus could surpass that of COVID if it mutates while maintaining a high fatality rate. “This appears to be 100 times worse than COVID — or it could be if it mutates and maintains its high case fatality rate,” John Fulton, a pharmaceutical industry consultant for vaccines and the founder of Canada-based BioNiagara who organized the meeting, was cited as saying.

    With a fatality rate of around 52% among humans infected since 2003, according to the World Health Organization, H5N1 presents a significant health risk. Symptoms are similar to other flu strains but can lead to severe pneumonia, with some cases resulting in death.

    Recent Case In Texas

    A dairy worker in Texas who contracted the virus reported symptoms consistent with conjunctivitis. While the CDC assured the public of low risk, the situation is being closely monitored due to the unprecedented detection of the virus in cattle.

    Potential For Mutation And Rapid Spread

    The detection of the virus in cattle raises concerns about mutation and potential human transmission. Experts warn that if H5N1 mutates to spread efficiently among humans, it could lead to large-scale transmission due to the lack of immune defenses.

    Preventive Measures And Vaccine Development

    Efforts are underway to develop vaccines and preventive measures against the virus. The US is already testing vaccine components, and candidate vaccine viruses show promise in protecting against H5N1. Both the CDC and the White House have emphasized the seriousness of the situation, with ongoing monitoring and efforts to keep the public informed and safe. As the world grapples with the evolving threat of the H5N1 avian flu, vigilance and coordinated global efforts remain crucial to prevent a potential pandemic.

  • WHO approves second malaria vaccine, Serum Institute of India can make 10 crore doses

    The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday authorized the second malaria vaccine. This decision can provide countries with a cheaper and more effective option than the first malaria vaccine. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the UN health agency is approving the new malaria vaccine on the advice of two expert groups. Expert groups have recommended its use in children at risk of malaria. Tedros said, as a malaria researcher, I dreamed of the day when we would have a safe and effective vaccine against malaria. Now we have two vaccines.

    Oxford University has developed a new three-dose vaccine with the help of Serum Institute of India. Research has shown that it is more than 75 percent effective and protection lasts for at least another year with a booster dose. Tedros said that its single dose would cost around $2 to $4 and it could be available in some countries next year. Earlier this year, regulatory authorities in Ghana and Burkina Faso approved the vaccine.

    John Johnson, working with ‘Doctors Without Borders’, said, this will be another weapon at our disposal but it will not eliminate the need for mosquito nets and mosquito sprays. This vaccine is not going to prevent malaria. WHO had termed the first malaria vaccine in 2021 as a historic effort towards eradicating this dangerous disease. The vaccine, called ‘Mosquirix’, manufactured by GSK, is only about 30 percent effective and requires four doses, and its protection wanes within a few months.

    The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation last year withdrew funding for Mosquirix, saying it was low-impact and the money would be better spent elsewhere. GSK has said that it can produce about 1.5 crore doses of its vaccine in a year, while the Serum Institute of India has said that it can produce up to 20 crore doses of the Oxford vaccine in a year.