sentinelgroup@gmail.com
HMPV outbreak
The Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has recently garnered attention due to a surge in cases in China. This respiratory virus, first identified in 2001, causes symptoms similar to the common cold, such as cough, fever, and runny nose. However, it can lead to more severe conditions like pneumonia, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. China has reported a significant increase in HMPV cases, particularly among children under 14 years old. The surge coincides with the colder months, which typically see a rise in respiratory infections. Health authorities in China have emphasized the importance of preventive measures such as wearing masks, frequent handwashing, and maintaining social distance to curb the spread of the virus.
While the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not classified the situation as a global health emergency, it has prompted health authorities worldwide to enhance monitoring measures. Countries like India have also reported cases of HMPV, though these have not been linked to the surge in China. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) continues to monitor respiratory infections, including HMPV, through its surveillance network. In the face of such outbreaks, it is crucial for individuals and communities to take responsibility for preventing the spread of respiratory viruses.
Chandan Kumar Nath
Sorbhog, Barpeta
Kite flying festival
The kite-flying festival of Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) is regarded as one of the biggest festivals celebrated in the western states of India. It marks the transition of the sun into the zodiacal sign of Makara (Capricorn) on its celestial path. The day is also believed to mark the arrival of spring in many parts of India. The tradition of kite-flying is said to have started among the royalty and nobility, which over the years gained popular appeal.
Kite flyers are known to use a strong, special string (known as manjha) which is made by applying glass powder on it to provide it a cutting edge. This practice of using an abrasive thread, especially for kite-fighting, poses a great threat to birds and even humans. The impact on birds, however, is much larger. Birds, when in flight, fail to notice the fine glass-coated thread, get entangled in it, and injure themselves, causing fractures, mutilation of wings, and nerve injuries. At times, the minute glass pieces used on the manjha get embedded in their bodies, adding to their painful misery and eventual death. Additionally, this string does not lose its strength even after getting wet, creating a potential threat for the birds, both local and migratory. With more kites competing for space with birds, the number of avian injuries has risen exponentially over the years.
I therefore appeal to all to take care of this important aspect so that birds are not hurt.
Jubel D'Cruz,
(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)
Unlocking NE’s blue economy
The value of human life and the creatures living in water needs no emphasis. Fish forms an important part of the diets of people around the world, particularly those who live near rivers, coasts, and other water bodies. The editorial, 'Unlocking the blue economy of Northeast,' published in your most popular esteemed daily on January 7, has rightly said that although the fish production in the Northeast region has increased significantly over the past few decades, surprisingly, the region continues to face persistent demand-supply gaps, which underlines the underutilisation of its huge potential, for which shortage is met through supplying fish from states like Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, as well as Myanmar and Bangladesh. This speaks volumes of local commercial production not being enough to meet the surging demand for fish. Our rivers and wetlands are natural fish gene pools. They give this region a critical advantage in commercial fish farming, but sadly, there are no concrete measures taken by the concerned department to protect the natural habitats of fish and other aquatic species from water pollution caused by various sources, more prominently the dumping of municipal solid waste of Guwahati near the corner of the Deepor Beel, adversely affecting the fish population of the wetland, while demonstrating the government as well as local administration's lackadaisical attitude towards conservation of wetlands ecosystems for its fish stock conservation. While the central government is taking up a number of projects to boost fish production in the region, each state of the region must undertake its own initiative on a mega scale to leverage the natural advantage to unlock commercial potential in order to occupy the driving seat in India's blue economy. Assam has been declared the first state to develop a fish seed policy in the country; therefore, we need meticulous planning and research to increase fish seed production to become the hub of fish seed suppliers in the entire region. If Assam is to retain its position of having the region's lion's share of overall fish production, it should first motivate farmers to realize the potential of untapped natural resources and secondly, impart necessary training to farmers on commercial fish cultivation and incentivize fish seed cultivation. The state governments of the Northeast need to create a congenial environment to attract fisherfolk in the region, so as to enable them to tap the export market of fish products by capitalising on Act East policy initiatives beyond meeting the demand-supply gap. Can we deny the importance of value-added fish products in Assam when these items are available in FISHFED's hygienic retail outlets, mainly at Rupnagar, Guwahati? Let this New Year be a year of fish farmers boosting their production, which involves huge employment opportunities to check seasonal migration of youth and farmers for unskilled work outside the region.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.
Earthquake warning
The earthquake that hit Tibet and left Nepal unnerved, leaving more than 150 dead and nearly 200 injured, should ring warning bells for urban planners of India. Repeated incidents of earthquakes in regions close to India are indeed a cause of worry, but the future prediction of the experts is scary, which should keep the Indian government and the people on their toes. In the past, experts had said that an earthquake above the intensity of 8 on the Richter scale is likely to hit the Himalayan region of India at any time. According to the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), approximately sixty percent of India's land mass is prone to earthquakes.
Since earthquakes cannot be forewarned, anticipatory defence and perfect planning are keys to mitigating the aftereffects of the quakes. The interconnected land plates between India, Nepal, and Burma appear to have rendered the northeastern and eastern parts of India extremely vulnerable to quakes. The previous quakes, especially the ones in Nepal, have left the plates fragile, weak, and prone to crumbling.
Most Indian cities, particularly those in the once serene northeast region, have become concrete jungles – large buildings and flats have replaced the old-world charm. The building code to be adhered to by architects has gone for a six, resulting in catastrophic possibilities for all those under the danger seismic zones.
Dr Ganapathi Bhat
(gbhat13@gmail.com)