WHEN AND WHY DO WE CELEBRATE WORLD ZOONOSES DAY.

 A zoonosis (zoonotic disease or zoonoses -plural) is an infectious disease that is transmitted between species from animals to humans (or from humans to animals). Tiny pathogens that are not visible to the naked eye, can jump from animals to humans causing diseases. With each passing year, World Zoonoses Day, which falls on July 6, gains more relevance. What causes zoonotic diseases? Can they lead to pandemics if left unchecked? Let's find out...

It was the 1800s. When nine-year-old Joseph Meister was mauled and bit by a dog in 1805. His parents were distraught, for, he had been bitten by a rabid dog. It was a time when rabies spelt a certain terrible death.

In desperation, on the advice of their doctor, Meister's parents approached a local scientist who was working on a rabies vaccine. He was none other than Louis Pasteur. When young Meister was bought in, the French chemist saw an opportunity to use a human test subject. He had already tested his vaccine on dogs and seen positive results. After consulting fellow scientists, Alfred Vulpian and Jacques-Joseph Grancher, on July 6, 1885, Pasteur administered the vaccine. To everyone's surprise, the youngster made a full recovery. It is to commemorate Pasteur's successful administration of the first rabies vaccine that July 6 is celebrated as World Zoonoses Day.

The human-animal connect

So, what is zoonosis? It is an infectious disease that plagues humans, and is usually caused by pathogens that jump from an animal to humans, like, rabies, for instance. The first infected human transmits the infectious agent to at least one other human, who then infects others. The pathogen can be a virus, parasite, bacterium, or prion

Black death

Diseases like the Ebola that wreaked havoc in some parts of Africa, and Nipah that led to health concerns in Kerala in 2018, are examples of zoonoses. While in the early 20th century. HIV was a zoonotic disease, it has now mutated into a human-only disease. Often, many zoonotic viruses recombine with human strains of the flu and can cause pandemics. The 2009 swine flu and the Spanish flu of 1918 are instances of this. An earlier occurrence of this is the plague or the Black Death that ravaged Afro-Eurasia between 1346 to 1353, peaking in Europe from 1347 to1351. Said to have spread from rodents to humans by the bite of infected fleas, it became a searing pandemic, leaving thousands dead in its wake.

Monkey pox

Monkey pox is an ongoing instance of zoonotic disease spread. While the first case in humans was identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, earlier this year, it began making an appearance in non-endemic countries too. It is avoidable by restricting contact with infected people or animals, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, wearing a mask, and sticking to high standards of hygiene.

Major causes

The emergence of such diseases began with the domestication of animals. Simply put, zoonotic transmission can occur when there is a contact with animals or consumption of animals or their products.

According to a United Nations Environment Programme and International Livestock Research Institute report, environmental causes such as climate change. wildlife exploitation and unsustainable agriculture are the prime reasons for the rise in such diseases. Contact with infected farm animals can lead to disease in farmers or others that come in contact with them. For instance, close interaction with infected cattle can lead to anthrax infection. In many cases, different types of food that come from animals can face zoonotic contamination, including seafood, eggs, meat, diary, and so on.

Did you know?

  • Sixty percent of all human infectious diseases are considered zoonoses
  • One of the largest zoonoses-related threats is food insecurity, due to livestock loss from antimicrobial resistance and disease.
  • Eighty percent of agents, that are deemed to have a potential for use in bioterrorism, are zoonotic pathogens. The World Organization for Animal Health encourages strong health monitoring systems for proper surveillance and prevention of zoonotic pathogens from being used as weapons.
  • The concentrated effort to study human-animal-environmental interactions is a field known as One Health
  • Rinderpest, also known as also cattle plague or steppe murrain was declared as eradicated in 2011.

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WHAT DAY IS NATIONAL ORGAN DONATION DAY?

August 13 is observed as World Organ Donation Day to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation.

This day strives to encourage people to donate their healthy organs after death in order to save more lives. Donating organs like the kidneys, heart, pancreas, eyes, lungs, etc can help save the lives of those who are suffering from chronic illnesses. Numerous people lose their lives due to the unavailability of healthy organs that could save them. This day aims to help people realise that volunteering to donate their organs after death can be life-changing for many.

First organ donation and a Nobel Prize

Modern medicine has evolved significantly and has made it possible for organs to be transplanted from one person to another and enables them to live a healthy life. The first-ever successful living donor organ transplant was done in 1954 in the United States. Doctor Joseph Murray won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1990 for successfully carrying out a kidney transplant between twin brothers Ronald and Richard Herrick.

Who can volunteer to be an organ donor?

Donating one's organs is giving someone a new life, anyone can volunteer to be an organ donor irrespective of their age, caste, and religion. It is, however, important to ensure that those volunteering to donate their organs do not suffer from chronic diseases like HIV, cancer, or any heart and lung disease. A healthy donor is of paramount importance. One can sign up to be a donor once they reach 18 years of age.

Credit : NDTV

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WHEN AND WHY WE CELEBRATED SLEEP DAY?

Every year on the third Friday of March, we celebrate the 'World Sleep Day'. World Sleep Day® is an annual event, intended to be a celebration of sleep and a call to action on important issues related to sleep, including medicine, education, social aspects and driving. It is organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society and aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders. World Sleep Day is a global awareness event held annually and hosted by World Sleep Society since 2008.

World Sleep Day is intended to be a celebration of sleep and a call to action on important issues related to sleep, including medicine, education, social aspects and driving. It is organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of World Sleep Society and aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders. World Sleep Day is held the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox of each year (exact date changes annually, but always on a Friday).

World Sleep Day has drawn attention from media and celebrities around the globe. More than 88 countries around the world have participated in World Sleep Day. World Sleep Society is not a patient organization; however, it is made up of a membership of sleep medicine and research professionals serving patients.

Credit :  World sleep society

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WHAT IS CELEBRATED ON 21 MARCH?

The International Day of Forests (also known as World Forestry Day) is celebrated every year on March 21. The day is to celebrate to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests, and trees outside forests, for the benefit of current and future generations as well as to increase the public awareness among communities about the values, significance and contributions of the forests to balance the life cycle on the earth.

The theme for International Day of Forests 2020 is “Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being”. This year’s theme fits into the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a call for the protection and revival of ecosystems around the world.

History of the day:

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree-planting campaigns.

Credit :  Current affairs

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WHAT IS CELEBRATED ON 20 MARCH?

The International Day of Happiness is celebrated throughout the world on 20 March. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly on 28 June 2012.  The International Day of Happiness aims to make people around the world realize the importance of happiness within their lives.

In 2015, the United Nations launched 17 Sustainable Development Goals to make people's lives happier. Its main development goals are eradicate poverty, reduce inequality and protect our planet.

The United Nations invites people of all ages to join in celebrating the International Day of Happiness. The General Assembly, Conscious that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal, Recognizing also the need for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness and the well-being of all peoples, Decides to proclaim 20 March the International Day of Happiness, Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to observe the International Day of Happiness in an appropriate manner, including through education and public awareness-raising activities.

Credit : Wikipedia 

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What is celebrated on 18 April?

International monuments day or world heritage day is celebrated every year on April 18. The day is observed to spread awareness about the dying culture and natural heritages. The International Day for Monuments was proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on 18 April 1982 and approved by the General Assembly of UNESCO in 1983.

What are monuments?

Monuments are old constructions that were created to honour a person or event. These could be anything from pillars and statues to forts and palaces. In fact, many ancient places of worship are considered monuments too. Heritage refers to the several aspects that are tied deeply to a culture, region, group, or even a nation. These aspects include traditions, beliefs, buildings, rituals, etc. Some of these are intangible. meaning they are not "physical" entities. A few examples of intangible heritage are knowledge, customs, values, oral folklore, languages, etc. The tangible ones are those that can be seen, and these include structures, memorials, artefacts such as paintings and sculptures, objects, etc. So, monuments are part of heritage, and are tangible.

Why are they important?

The importance of heritage and monuments cannot be stressed enough. For one, they are great teachers, holding a mirror to our hoary past. They take us through the times of our ancestors - informing us about how they lived and what they did. In fact, they can be described as immovable history books, giving us glimpses of a world that was centuries or decades ago. And, in the process, help us see how different or similar we are. We can understand their native wisdom and use it today, or learn from their mistakes so we never repeat them, and both can educate us to make this world better.

How can you help?

• Educate yourself: With the help of elders, do a thorough research about the monuments in your vicinity. Pick one and find out everything you can about it when and why it was built, who it was built by, how it is now, who maintains it, if it houses any precious artefacts, books written about it, etc. The explorations are simply limitless!

• Talk to people: Once you have discovered a monument, have discussions with like-minded people from your family, neighbours, and friends. Even better if it's a local historian. They are likely to share new insights with you. The result? The joy of learning!

• Make a visit: Nothing can match the thrill of visiting a place you've been reading up on or talking about to others. Imagine spotting engravings that offer a priceless peek into society from the 18th Century? In a language you're vaguely familiar with? Some sort of Da Vinci Code in your own backyard, won't you say?

• Be respectful: The urge to vehemently carve one's name on the wall of an ancient monument or deface it some other way is perhaps not uncommon. But the one good thing to learn from history is that we evolve to become better. And that alone should be a reason to never damage structures that are a living proof of our valuable past.

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What happened on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918?

The Great War (World War I) ended at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. At 5 a.m., Germany, bereft of manpower and supplies and faced with imminent invasion, signed an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside Compiégne, France. WWI left 9 million soldiers dead and 21 million wounded. At least 5 million civilians died from disease, starvation or exposure.

Berlin calls for talks

On October 3, Germany’s Emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II, appoints as chancellor Prince Max of Baden who has long advocated a negotiated peace with Britain, France and the United States. The very next day the new chancellor telegraphs U.S. President Woodrow Wilson to call for talks. The Allies demand Germany’s unconditional surrender and the Kaiser’s abdication. Pressure builds on Berlin. German forces, their spring offensive long exhausted, are beating a disorderly retreat. On November 3, German ally Austria-Hungary capitulates and signs an armistice.

German negotiators enter France

Tensions mount in Germany as naval forces mutiny at Kiel and a general strike is called on November 5. French officers, meanwhile, receive the order to allow safe passage of top German diplomats into Allied territory. On November 7, at 8.30 p.m., a ceasefire is sounded at La Capelle in northern France, near the Belgium border. It is the first in more than 50 months of war and allows the German delegation, led by Minister of State Matthias Erzberger, to cross into an Allied zone. The diplomats take a train to a secluded forest clearing near Compiegne to meet Allied forces commander General Ferdinand Foch.

Armistice signed

Night has fallen on the forest clearing when the messenger returns, on November 10, with the commander’s permission. Negotiations resume. For three more hours the Germans argue, clause by clause. Eventually there is a final version: by 5.20 a.m. on November 11, the armistice ending a war started four years earlier is signed in a train carriage in the woods. The news reaches the troops quickly, and is received with disbelief. Some commanders decide to continue fighting to the bitter end; others will not risk any further lives. On the stroke of 11 a.m. the ceasefire agreed just hours earlier is sounded by bugles and clarions along the hundreds of kilometres of front line that stretch across Europe. Soldiers gradually emerge from the trenches, stunned.

War is over

Celebrations erupt in the capitals of the Allied victors. Civilians pour into the streets, thronging the Place de la Concorde in Paris, Piccadilly Circus in London, New York’s Fifth Avenue, the Piazza Venezia in Rome. Church bells ring out at full peal and people dance in the streets.

Credit : The Hindu 

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What is Xray day?

November 8 is X-ray Day. X-rays were discovered in 1895 by German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, who received the first Nobel Prize for physics in 1901, yet never tried to patent his discovery.

The X-Ray was discovered by accident, as part of an experiment, where Wilhelm was attempting to ascertain whether or cathode rays could pass through glass. Nearby there was a chemically coated screen, and from it was emanating an odd glow, and dubbed the rays causing that glow X-Rays. Why you ask? Because he didn’t know what they were, so the ubiquitous ‘X for unknown’ was utilized. They’ve been called X-Rays ever since.

So what are x-rays really? They’re energy waves of electromagnetism that act in much the same way light rays do, but with an incredibly short wavelength. 1,000 times shorter than those of light to be precise. Once he discovered them, he began experimenting extensively with them, determining what they could and couldn’t pass through, and how they could be photographed. It was through this that he discovered that lead absorbed it almost completely, and human bone would stop it, creating a new and innovative way to see what was going on inside the human body.

X-Rays were used extensively during the Balkan War to locate shrapnel, bullets, and broken bones in soldiers in the field. X-Rays were used extensively in things like shoe-fittings until it became apparent that it wasn’t all fun and games. Now they’re used for things like security at airports, material analysis, and more, but with much more attention to safety.

The best way to celebrate World Radiography Day is to research X-Rays and what they’ve done for us. Then you can sit down and try to think of all the different ways that x-rays are used in modern living.

Credit :  Days of the year

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What is Xray day?

November 8 is X-ray Day. X-rays were discovered in 1895 by German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, who received the first Nobel Prize for physics in 1901, yet never tried to patent his discovery.

The X-Ray was discovered by accident, as part of an experiment, where Wilhelm was attempting to ascertain whether or cathode rays could pass through glass. Nearby there was a chemically coated screen, and from it was emanating an odd glow, and dubbed the rays causing that glow X-Rays. Why you ask? Because he didn’t know what they were, so the ubiquitous ‘X for unknown’ was utilized. They’ve been called X-Rays ever since.

So what are x-rays really? They’re energy waves of electromagnetism that act in much the same way light rays do, but with an incredibly short wavelength. 1,000 times shorter than those of light to be precise. Once he discovered them, he began experimenting extensively with them, determining what they could and couldn’t pass through, and how they could be photographed. It was through this that he discovered that lead absorbed it almost completely, and human bone would stop it, creating a new and innovative way to see what was going on inside the human body.

X-Rays were used extensively during the Balkan War to locate shrapnel, bullets, and broken bones in soldiers in the field. X-Rays were used extensively in things like shoe-fittings until it became apparent that it wasn’t all fun and games. Now they’re used for things like security at airports, material analysis, and more, but with much more attention to safety.

The best way to celebrate World Radiography Day is to research X-Rays and what they’ve done for us. Then you can sit down and try to think of all the different ways that x-rays are used in modern living.

Credit :  Days of the year

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What is the goal of World Autism Awareness Day?

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.

What is autism?

Autism is a neurological (relating to the nervous system) condition. Though it is not clear how and why it occurs, factors such as heredity and the environment are likely tied to it. Autism is a spectrum, meaning there's no one exact type or severity of characteristic defining it. The condition becomes evident during childhood, and lasts forever. People from any gender, community, country, or social position can have this condition. Some people may require a lot of help for day-to-day functioning, while some may need only a bit of support, and some others may not need any sort of assistance at all. Though it cannot be cured, treatment could go a long way in helping them handle the condition to lead a fulfilling life. In fact, there's evidence that many people with "mild forms" of autsim have gone to become "stars" in their respective fields.

What is it characterised by?

People's brain development and functioning influence how they undertand others and the world around them. For those with autism, brain functioning is slightly different. So, it impacts how they perceive

what is around them. For them, communication could be a bit of a hassle. In addition, they may feel a need for repeating a few actions. As mentioned earlier, since it is a spectrum, there are several other ways too in which it manifests. Some of them include having difficulty making eye contact, socialising or making friends, dealing with loud noises, strong smells, and crowds. adapting to new situations or changes, conveying one's thoughts clearly, etc.

However, having one or more of these aspects does not automatically mean that the person has autism. For instance, the absence of social interaction could simply be a sign of intense shyness. It is most important to understand this. What is equally important is to learn how to be kind to them.

How can we help?

It is not uncommon for children or adults to poke fun at those who are different from them. But kindness is definitely a recipe for inclusion and happiness. Irrespective of whether we have autism or any disability, we all deserve to be treated equally and with respect.

• Never bully, tease, or leave out someone because they are different.

• Remember that some things could be difficult for a person with autism. So try to be patient, helpful, and generous with your attention and time.

• Some of them may take longer than others to understand what is communicated. It would be good if you explain everything clearly to them.

 • Just like everyone else, people with autism have several positive traits. Find out what theirs is and encourage them.

• When you find them being bullied, stand up for them, and/or report the incident to a trusted adult.

• If you or someone you know appear to have autism, speak with a trusted family member, and visit a physician to understand it better.

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Why do we celebrate International Children's Book Day?

International Children's Book day is celebrated on the birth anniversary (April 2) of Danish author Hans Christian Anderson best remembered for fairy tales like Thumbelina, The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor's New Clothes and The Little Mermaid. Children's Book Day (ICBD) is organised by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), an international non-profit organization, to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children's books. Theme 2021: “The Music of Words.”

The goal of the day is to create and further in children a love of reading. The day also spotlights children’s books such as those written by Hans Christian Anderson.

Since 1967, the sponsoring organization International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) decides on a theme for the day and selects a member region to host the day. That region chooses local authors from the host country to write a message to children of the world. An illustrator designs a poster to go with the theme, and the material is used to promote children’s books and reading.

Activities around the world on this day include library scavenger hunts, writing competitions, announcements of book awards, and events with authors of children’s literature.

Credit : National day calendar

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Which day is World Health Day?

World Health Day is celebrated every year on April 7 to draw attention to a subject of major importance to global health. The theme for 2013 is high blood pressure, also known as raised blood pressure or hypertension. One in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure.

In recent decades, enhancements in health services, environmental protection, economic development, and other factors have led to improvements in the health of people across the Region of the Americas. Nevertheless, an estimated one million premature deaths per year are attributable to known avoidable environmental risks. 

Air pollution, contaminated water, inadequate sanitation including solid waste management, risks related to certain hazardous chemicals, and negative impacts of climate change are the most pressing environmental public health threats in the Region. These threats to public health are compounded by weak governance practices and potential inequities in health as well as by limited leadership, expertise, and resources in the health sector. 

However, this theme of Our Planet, Our Health should be a powerful reminder to us that the resolution of many of these issues are beyond the exclusive purview of the health sector and, as a consequence, an effective response will demand whole- of- government and whole- of- society approaches. 

Credit : PAHO

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Which day is Pi (? )Day?

March 14 day is Pi Day! Pi (Greek letter "  ") is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant - the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter - which is approximately 3.14159. Pi has been calculated to over one trillion digits past its decimal.

The first official Pi Day celebration took place on March 14, 1988, at the San Francisco Exploratorium. Noted physicist, Larry Shaw was the organiser of this event. This day got a boost when the US House of Representatives recognised March 14 as the Pi Day. The first ten digits of Pi are 3.1415926535. How many digits can a man memorise? Suresh Kumar Sharma of India set the world record and memorised 70,030 digits in 2015. 

On this day several programmes take place across the world with certain activities. Students try to solve typical mathematical problems. In educational institutions and science centres, pi memorisation challenge happens, numerical fun and quiz programmes are organised. Some of the dishes are named on pi such as pizza pie, fruit pie and so on. This celebration aims to enhance the interest of people in mathematics and physics.

Credit : Maps of India

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Cluster Headache Awareness Day (March 21)

The 21st of March is the “Cluster Headache Awareness Day”, a prominent event to promote CH on scientific and public levels. The spring equinox represents the perfect choice for a disease with such a great circadian and circannual  rhythmicity. Indeed, a vast majority of CH subjects experienced a CH reactivation during the seasonal shift in spring and autumn; in some cases, the circannual timing becomes so scheduled that patients do not plan activities and slowly slide toward social withdrawal just for the fear of a novel cluster period. The 21st of March is well remembered by CH patients, because starting from this date when the daylight increases there are positive effects for patients with night attacks.

With a prevalence of 0.12%, Cluster Headache (CH) is the most frequent trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia. CH is characterised by a typical clinical picture, namely a strictly unilateral, very severe, headache lasting 15 to 180 minutes associated with prominent cranial autonomic features, which are lateralized and ipsilateral to the headache.

In its episodic subtype (85% of CH subjects), CH attacks are present only in limited period of the years, lasting weeks to months (the so-called cluster periods), alternating with remission phases of at least 3 months of duration. By contrast, in the chronic CH subtype the remissions are shorter or not present at all, and the burden on the individual becomes not imaginable.

During the day, CH subjects may experience several attacks during day, often distributed during the night and with a typical circadian rhythm.

People suffering from CH consistently report severe limitations in activities of daily living and social-activity participation. Nonetheless, their working activity and career may be hindered.

CH has historically been considered as “rare”. If it is true that its prevalence falls far below migraine, it is also true that CH does not represent a rare disease. All in all, the direct and indirect (work absenteeism, sick leave, and so on) costs make CH a burden not only for the individual but for the society globally.

Therapeutic options are still limited, with most of the preventive medications being non-CH specific and borrowed from other medical conditions. Subcutaneous sumatriptan and high-flow oxygen represent the first-line choices for the acute management of CH pain. A novel anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody, which proved effective in migraine, has been approved for the preventive treatment of episodic CH, but not for the most severe chronic CH subtype. Long-term observation is needed to confirm the real-life impact of these novel drugs, hoping for a novel and specific alternative to treat CH.

Finally, CH is still little known outside the headache centres leading to diagnostic delay, low quality of counselling to the patients and sub-optimal therapeutic management.

Credit : International Headache Society 

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150th YEAR OF PUBLICATION - WAR AND PEACE


         



       



          2019 marks the 150th year of one of the greatest novels ever written - Leo Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’. This classic work from Russia was first published in the book form in 1869.



          Tolstoy took almost seven years to finish this epic work, and a Russian magazine named ‘Messenger serialized some portions of it during 1865-67. But the full novel came out as a book only in 1869. The story, woven around Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, covers a period of over fifteen years. The unique literary style and the historical context make ‘War and Peace’ a monumental work.



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