COVID-19: Source, Symptoms, Screening, Prevention and Treatment

Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the newly acquired SARS-COV2 virus. The disease is rapidly changing, as well as our understanding of the emerging virus. Not knowing what it was at the beginning of the year 2020, scientists have been able to classify, track, classify, and establish diagnostic tests. Severe illness may strike the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. Conclusion: Over the past four decades, the emergence of new infectious, global threats has reshaped national and international thinking and the level of public health responses needed to combat these threats. All countries are at risk of new diseases, according to International Health Regulations.

Law of the Sea and the Pandemic—Humanitarian Principles under Siege?

In the COVID-19 pandemic two particular issues have arisen in relation to borders and the law of the sea: the right of ships—particularly cruise ships—to enter port and the ongoing restrictions on seafarers aboard merchant ships. In these cases, the sovereign interests of states in preventing the spread of a dangerous virus have been pitted against the humanitarian interests of those onboard the vessels. This article first describes the humanitarian concerns created by states’ responses to the emergence of COVID-19. It then discusses the various legal principles that apply to the situation, primarily the International Health Regulations, the doctrine of distress and the Maritime Labour Convention. Finally, it considers whether any lessons can be learned from this experience to hopefully lessen humanitarian problems if another pandemic happens in the future.

Telemedicine and telehealth: an Italian and UK perspective

On January 30, 2020, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the international outbreak of new coronavirus 2019-nCoV (Public Health Emergency of International Concern -PHEIC), as enshrined in the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005). The current pandemic has uncovered our vulnerability and fears turning our lives upside down. We have been forced to a more resourceful approach with a view to contain and limit potential damage. The current events have put significant strain on hospital organisations all over the world.

A pandemic treaty, revised international health regulations, or both?

Background A special session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) will be convened in late 2021 to consider developing a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response – a so-called ‘Pandemic Treaty’. Consideration is given to this treaty as well as to reform of the International Health Regulations (IHR) as our principal governing instrument to prevent and mitigate future pandemics. Main body Reasons exist to continue to work with the IHR as our principal governing instrument to prevent and mitigate future pandemics. All WHO member states are party to it. It gives the WHO the authority to oversee the collection of surveillance data and to issue recommendations on trade and travel advisories to control the spread of infectious diseases, among other things. However, the limitations of the IHR in addressing the deep prevention of future pandemics also must be recognized. These include a lack of a regulatory framework to prevent zoonotic spillovers. More advanced multi-sectoral measures are also needed. At the same time, a pandemic treaty would have potential benefits and drawbacks as well. It would be a means of addressing the gross inequity in global vaccine distribution and other gaps in the IHR, but it would also need more involvement at the negotiation table of countries in the Global South, significant funding, and likely many years to adopt. Conclusions Reform of the IHR should be undertaken while engaging with WHO member states (and notably those from the Global South) in discussions on the possible benefits, drawbacks and scope of a new pandemic treaty. Both options are not mutually exclusive.

Assessment of the Receptivity of Dengue Vector Breeding through Pre- and Post-Monsoon Vector Surveillance at Some International Airports in India

As per the International Health Regulations (2005), all the International airports and seaports are to be kept free from the risk of infection through any pathogen transmitted by vectors, thereby resulting in public health hazard. Therefore, all the international airports and seaports premises are to be kept free from any vector breeding along with the 400 perimeter areas surrounding the airports and seaports. To assess the receptivity of Vector breeding i.e. Aedesaegypti (Vector for Dengue, Yellow fever, Zika and Chikunguniya), the entomological teams from the Centre for Medical Entomology and Vector Control, NCDC have been undertaking vector surveillance activities (Pre & Post Monsoon) at POE’s of some International Airports & Seaports. The vector surveillance is being done on regular basis and the findings are being shared with the respective authorities for undertaking immediate control measures. From the years 2015 to 2020, Dengue vector surveillance activities were carried out at 10 international airports including 400 meters peripheral areas during pre- and post-monsoon periods. An attempt has been made to describe the receptivity of the airports with the key findings with entomological indices with regard to the prevention and control of dengue vector and for proper planning to undertaking timely control measures to regulate the International Health Regulations in the respective international airports. Such studies on the assessment of receptivity would help the local airport health authorities in understanding the breeding potential habitats of Aedes vector and planning the appropriate vector control strategy in the respective areas.

The COVID-19 variants: an overview

The outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was initially noticed in a seafood market in Wuhan city in Hubei Province of China in mid-December 2019 which has now spread to 223 countries/territories/areas worldwide. World Health Organization (WHO) under International Health Regulations (IHR) has declared this outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on 30th January 2020 subsequently declared a pandemic on 11th March 2020.