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How are people in Delhi handling the heat wave?

Published

8 months ago

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Authorities in Delhi have been compelled to issue a red alert due to the extreme weather that has hampered regular activities in the capital city.

The 24-year-old gig worker Rohit Garg was admitted to the Safdarjung hospital in the capital when he started to shiver and his body temperature increased. He passed out at his final destination from exhaustion from riding his two-wheeler and delivering food packages in the intense heat that was engulfing Delhi.

“He became severely dehydrated, and his blood sugar level plummeted. He got a heat stroke, so we had to put him through rehydration therapy,” Dr. Ashutosh Singh stated.

Construction worker Jagan Das recently made a full recovery following a four-day stay in a local hospital on intravenous fluids.

Being dehydrated, I’m lucky to be alive. Ten-hour shifts in sweltering heat depleted me,” Das remarked.

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Delhi in the heat

As the intense heat in Delhi persists, multiple hospitals have made plans to handle patients experiencing heat-related illnesses like fatigue and stroke. A few have established specialised clinics to care for people with heat-related illnesses.

Hospitals are required by the Delhi government to create a heat-relief action plan and make sure they are equipped to handle heat-related incidents (HRIs). 10% to 15% more patients with heat-related illnesses have visited the emergency room and OPD in the past two weeks.

Sumit Ray, the medical director of Holy Family Hospital, told DW that “our hospital staff is being sensitised for quick pick up of diagnosis and we are ready with rehydration therapy, depending on the severity of heat stroke patients.”

The India Meteorological Department issued a “red alert” on hazardous weather in the nation’s capital since there is no sign of relief from the heat anytime soon. The greatest temperature of the season thus far was recorded at Najafgarh in south Delhi, with a maximum temperature of 47.8 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit).

The government of Delhi ordered all schools that haven’t already closed for the summer to do so right away.

The zoo’s management have started implementing preventive measures, such hosing down animals and installing water coolers in enclosures, in response to reports of low visitation from public parks and markets.

High temperatures have an impact on

Though rising temperatures can pose major health hazards, no support is forthcoming for low-income households and outdoor workers in Delhi.

“We bear the brunt of the heatwave — dehydration and heatstroke — almost daily, and there is an absence of basic facilities from the scorching sun,” Meena Devi, a regular worker in construction

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Many contractors neglect to give their workers the necessities. The well-being of employees is seriously jeopardised by hazardous working circumstances and limited access to quality healthcare services.

“It is challenging to work, but if I don’t, I won’t receive pay,” said Devi, who had a scarf covering her face and head. She continued by saying that her two small children, who she brings to the site, suffer from the heat as well.

The water supply was cut off by the local authorities last week, forcing many people to walk a painful kilometre to get water from trolleys that were loaded with buckets.

The people most impacted by this climate are the impoverished and homeless, who either work outside or sleep outside. Many turn to improvised methods to mitigate the effects of intense heat, like tarps and finding shade next to trees and parks.

“There are now more heatwave days than ever before. Rag picker Hiralal Paswan stated, “We have to contend with not only the daytime heat but also the high nighttime temperatures.”

Managing intense heat

Even political candidates and party staff take a break from outside campaigning between noon and three o’clock in the afternoon during the ongoing election campaign, even when temperatures reach as high as fifty degrees Celsius.

“When the sun is at its fiercest at this time, our door-to-door campaigning, where workers distribute pamphlets, paste stickers, and tell voters about party symbols, come to a brief halt,” Raghu Jain, an activist for the party, stated.

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However, this is just a short-term relief. Heat stress is bad for the body, and a number of workers have passed out from extreme fatigue,” Jain continued.

It can be challenging to quantify the effects of heat, and estimates of the annual mortality toll from intense heat range from a few hundred to a thousand.

Dense populations of buildings and concrete surfaces raise the temperature, particularly in places lacking in greenery or trees, causing heat islands that disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities.

Wet bulb temperatures, a measurement of heat and humidity that indicates the point at which the body can no longer cool itself, would rise to such high levels that individuals directly exposed for six hours or longer would struggle to survive, according to experts, if present warming trends persisted.

According to Sunita Narain, head of the Centre for Science and Environment, “a large portion of our population is highly vulnerable to heatwaves due to the possession of fewer household amenities as well as literacy rates literacy and access to water and sanitation.”

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Fashion

In a lavender Manish Malhotra saree, Hania Aamir sports her most gorgeous ethnic ensemble to date. View its astounding cost.

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2 weeks ago

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January 7, 2025

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Hania Aamir serves stunning ethnic fashion inspiration in lavender Manish Malhotra tissue saree. Wondering how much it costs? Scroll down for all the details.

Hania Aamir is leaving fashion lovers spellbound with her stunning ethnic diaries. The Pakistani actor has been rocking back-to-back traditional outfits by Indian designers, turning her Insta feed into a goldmine of fashion inspo. For her latest look, the 27-year-old slipped into six yards of grace and looked straight out of a royal fairytale. Let’s break down her saree look and steal some style tips for your ethnic wardrobe. Hania Aamir stuns in lavender saree
On Monday, Hania took to Instagram and uploaded a series of gorgeous snaps accompanied by the caption “gave mermaid.” Draped in a dreamy lavender saree, the star looked absolutely breathtaking while serving some striking glam poses. Let’s take a moment to soak in her ethereal beauty.

Hania’s saree is crafted from luxurious tissue fabric and features intricately embroidered borders, showcasing stunning zari work, beads, and sequin detailing throughout. Draped to perfection, she let the pallu elegantly cascade from her shoulder, adding a regal charm to her look. She teamed it up with a matching embroidered blouse, complete with delicate handmade tassels at the back.

How much does her saree cost?
Can’t stop swooning over Hania’s gorgeous saree? We’ve got all the details you need to add this stunner to your collection. Her six yards is straight from the shelves of ace designer Manish Malhotra and is priced at ₹3,95,000.

Hania accessorised her ethnic look with dazzling diamond jewellery, including statement drop earrings, a chic choker necklace, a sleek bracelet, and a stunning ring adorning her finger. Her dewy makeup featured shimmer eyeshadow, winged eyeliner, mascara-coated lashes, blushed cheeks, a luminous highlighter, and glossy nude lipstick. With her long, luscious tresses left loose in a side partition, she perfectly finished off her look.

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Health

Knowing the main distinctions and risks between HMPV and COVID-19.

Published

2 weeks ago

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January 7, 2025

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As India logs 5 cases of HMPV, here’s all you need to know about how human metapneumovirus is different from Covid-19 and warning signs to watch out for.

HMPV virus is not a novel virus – it was first isolated in 2001 by Van den Hoogen and her colleagues in Netherlands in the nasopharyngeal secretions of children with respiratory tract infections. The virus was named human metapneumovirus because it was a metapneumovirus that used humans as a host.

The human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild cold-like symptoms. Studies show it has circulated in human populations since the 1970s, though it was first identified by scientists in 2001.

The virus accounts for 4-16% of acute respiratory infections globally, with cases usually peaking between November and May. While most adults have developed immunity through previous exposure, hMPV can cause more severe symptoms in infants encountering it for the first time and in people with weakened immune systems.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Sangeeta V Budur, Consultant – Paediatrics and Paediatric Intensive Care at Aster RV Hospital, shared, “It is known to cause a range of illnesses from mild upper respiratory infections to severe pneumonia , bronchiolitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. About 5 to 25% of the acute pediatric lower respiratory tract infections are associated with HMPV. The viral outbreaks peak in winter and spring season in northern hemisphere and June and July in southern hemisphere.”

Who are the vulnerable population?
Dr Sangeeta V Budur revealed, “No age group is immune to the virus, reinfection occurs throughout the life but subsequent infections are mild. Infants, children under 2 years, elderly, Immuno-compromised persons or those with underlying chronic medical conditions are more vulnerable to the severe disease. The HMPV infection appears to be ubiquitous, as virtually all children are exposed by the age of 5 years.”

How does it spread?
According to Dr Sangeeta V Budur, just like any other respiratory illness, HMPV spread via respiratory droplets i.e. coughing, sneezing or contact with infected secretions.

How is it different from Covid -19 ?
Dr Sangeeta V Budur informed, “Both viruses cause minor respiratory symptoms in most of the infected people but Covid -19 has a broader spectrum of symptoms involving multiple body systems and a higher potential for systemic complications. The comparison between the two viruses is difficult though the spread is through the droplets via the respiratory route in both. HMPV is less transmittable and has less severe symptoms as compared to Covid-19.”

What are the symptoms of HMPV virus?
Dr Sangeeta V Budur answered, “Most of the symptoms are mild flu like lasting 5- 7 days requiring outpatient visits. But in children under five , HMPV is responsible for 3-10% of hospital admissions. Among the hospitalized children high grade fever, respiratory distress, wheezing rare the predominant symptoms.”

What are the respiratory illnesses caused by HMPV?
As per Dr Sangeeta V Budur, HMPV is mainly known to cause upper respiratory tract infection in most of the children but bronchiolitis, severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome in few which require hospitalization, oxygen therapy including mechanical ventilation.

How to diagnose HMPV infection?
Dr Sangeeta V Budur highlighted, “Diagnosing HMPV based solely on symptoms is difficult, as it mimics other respiratory infections like respiratory syncytial virus( RSV) and influenza. PCR testing on nasopharyngeal secretions for detecting HMPV RNA is the gold standard. In India, surveillance systems like ICMR and the Integrated disease surveillance Programme( IDSP) regularly test for respiratory viruses including HMPV.”

What are treatment options for HMPV?
There is no specific antiviral drug available. Dr Sangeeta V Budur said, “Treatment is mainly symptomatic and supportive with antipyretics and antihistaminics. Hospitalised children may need oxygen therapy , nebulizations and rarely mechanical ventilation among the severely infected.”

What are preventive measures for HMPV?
As of now there is no targeted therapy/vaccine available for HMPV. Dr Sangeeta V Budur suggested, “Proper hand hygiene – washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 30 seconds. Cough etiquette such as covering the nose and mouth while sneezing and coughing, wearing a mask can limit the spread of the virus. Avoiding close contact with infected individuals, regularly disinfecting touched surfaces are additional measures.”

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Health

HMPV: Bengaluru Hospital’s 8-month-old is said to have tested positive.

Published

2 weeks ago

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January 6, 2025

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The infant and its family had no history of recent travel and did not show any symptoms of concern.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has confirmed two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka, identified through routine surveillance for respiratory viral pathogens.

As part of ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses nationwide, the ICMR detected these two cases. One case involves an eight-month-old male infant in Bengaluru, whose sample collected on January 2 tested positive for HMPV. According to sources in the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) health department, the infant and their family had no recent travel history and showed no concerning symptoms.

The second case involves a three-month-old female infant with a history of bronchopneumonia, who tested positive for HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. She has since been discharged and is recovering, the Union Health ministry said.

HMPV primarily affects children and is known to be present in about 0.7 per cent of flu cases globally. However, Karnataka health officials have stated that they lack detailed information on the specific strain in question.

Responding to the developments, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Monday, “This is not India’s first case. The virus has been around for years, but this could be a new strain. More details are needed to ascertain that.”

What is HMPV?
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has recently garnered attention due to videos and reports circulating on social media, suggesting that hospitals in China are overwhelmed by a surge in respiratory illnesses, including HMPV. Posts also claim that outbreaks of multiple viruses, including HMPV, influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19, have contributed to overcrowding in both hospitals and cemeteries.

HMPV, first identified in 2001 by researchers in the Netherlands, is a significant cause of acute respiratory infections, according to the American Lung Association. The virus primarily spreads through close contact with infected individuals, either through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, or by touching contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs or toys.

In the United States, HMPV typically circulates more frequently during the winter and spring months, overlapping with other respiratory infections like Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the flu.

Symptoms of HMPV
The symptoms of HMPV can vary in severity and commonly include cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat. Some individuals may also experience wheezing and shortness of breath (dyspnea). In certain cases, a rash may develop as part of the infection.

According to Google Trends, searches for ‘HMPV virus symptoms’ surged on Sunday and peaked on Monday. Related queries included ‘fatigue,’ ‘fatigue meaning,’ ‘HPV virus cases in India news,’ ‘nasal congestion,’ and ‘HMPV virus in Bangalore’. Most searches originated from Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The spike followed reports of two HMPV cases detected in Karnataka on Monday.

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