Current Affairs - Science

Gujarat has initiated a large-scale Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination drive to protect livestock and prevent the spread of this highly contagious viral infection. The campaign is being conducted under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) and runs from March 1 to April 15. It targets animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats, which are highly vulnerable to the disease. Veterinary teams are actively visiting villages and farms to administer vaccines and monitor animal health. The initiative also uses digital tools like the INAPH portal to track vaccination coverage and ensure effective disease control.

Zydus Lifesciences secured regulatory approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration for its innovative drug Desidustat, used to treat renal anaemia in chronic kidney disease patients. The drug functions as a HIF-PHI inhibitor, stimulating red blood cell production and improving iron metabolism. It has already shown strong clinical efficacy in Phase III trials conducted in China. The approval is significant due to China’s large CKD patient population. Additionally, the drug has been successfully marketed in India under the brand Oxemia, benefiting over 100,000 patients since its launch in 2022, highlighting its therapeutic effectiveness and commercial potential.

AIIMS Bhubaneshwar is the institution where Odisha’s first comprehensive Liver Transplant Unit and a Robotic Surgery System were inaugurated by Health Minister JP Nadda through a virtual event. This development marks a significant healthcare milestone for eastern India by enabling advanced organ transplantation and minimally invasive robotic surgeries. The new facilities are expected to greatly benefit patients from Odisha and neighbouring states by providing access to world-class treatment closer to home. The initiative also aligns with the broader vision of promoting organ donation awareness and strengthening healthcare innovation across the region.

The World Health Organisation has prequalified an additional novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to enhance global outbreak response against circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). This vaccine is genetically more stable than older oral polio vaccines and carries a lower risk of mutating into virulent strains while maintaining its ability to quickly stop virus transmission. The prequalification confirms that it meets international standards for safety, quality, and effectiveness, enabling global procurement and distribution. It also diversifies vaccine supply and strengthens worldwide efforts aimed at the final eradication of polio.

ICMR is the organisation spearheading the development of an improved Kyasanur Forest Disease vaccine in India. As the country’s apex body for biomedical research, it has taken responsibility for advancing an indigenous solution to protect vulnerable populations in the Western Ghats region. The vaccine has successfully completed animal studies and toxicity testing and has now entered Phase I human clinical trials after regulatory approval. Through collaboration with scientific and manufacturing partners, ICMR’s effort highlights India’s growing capability in vaccine research, regional disease control, and strengthening public health security.