PNEUMONIA AND DIARRHOEA PROGRESS REPORT

• Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported that Pneumonia contributes 16.9% of infant deaths and it is the 2nd highest cause of infant mortality (after prematurity & low birth weight).
• In November 2020, the annual Pneumonia and Diarrhoea Progress Report was released by the International Vaccine Access Centre (IVAC).

Important points:

• Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection of the lungs. It is also a Pneumococcal disease caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus.
• It doesn’t have one single cause – it can develop from either bacteria, viruses or fungi in the air.
• Children whose immune systems are immature (i.e. newborns) or weakened – such as by undernourishment, or diseases like HIV – are more vulnerable to pneumonia.
• Pneumonia is contagious and can be spread through coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread through fluids, like blood during childbirth, or from contaminated surfaces.
• Pneumonia caused by bacteria is easily preventable with vaccines. 3 doses of the primary vaccine (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) to prevent it are recommended.
• A new vaccine for one of the main viral causes of pneumonia is under development.
• India has introduced nationwide rollout of PCV under Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
• Together, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria and Pakistan account for more than half of all deaths due to pneumonia among children under 5.
• Annually, India witnesses an estimated 71% of pneumonia deaths and 57% of severe pneumonia cases.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT