Novel technologies and innovations for prevention and treatment of “Infectious Diseases†including Ebola
Harish Mohan Mudgal
Government of Rajasthan, India
: J Immunol Tech Infect Dis
Abstract
I nfectious diseases (communicable diseases) are major cause of morbidity and mortality in majority of countries across the globe, predominantly in lower and middle income countries. The reasons can be attributed to myriads of causes starting from poor health infrastructural support to diagnostic errors and lack of early response in dealing with the outbreaks. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) also have also targeted communicable diseases in MDG no 4 & 6 to minimizing the incidence and subsequent mortalities. Communicable diseases, maternal, neonatal and nutrition conditions collectively are responsible for 23% of global deaths. HIV and childhood diarrhea alone have contributed to 1.5 million deaths each in 2012 globally. Estimated 6.6 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday; almost all (99%) of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries and the major killers are childhood pneumonias, diarrheal diseases. Advent of vaccines, diagnostics and new treatment modalities has shown a great success in reducing the mortality due to infectious diseases. Vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) have battled out successfully, globally, with the introduction of newer vaccines. The reduction in the mortality has been achieved in various countries by incorporation these vaccine in the National health programs e.g. Introduction of pentavalent in Indradhanush (Immunization Initiative against seven VPDs) in India. Recent triumph against Polio in India was a collective effort of rapid diagnoses by virtue of primary isolation of virus from stools and potent (newer) bivalent and monovalent Oral Polio Vaccine. Furthermore recent outbreaks of Ebola in Guinea, Liberia & Sierra Leone {20 confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported in the week to 21 June} and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome corona virus (MERS CoV) in Asia, Americas, Middle East and Europe has raised a concern towards global public health initiatives and tools to combating them. Rapid assessment of Ebola diagnostics e.g. Real Star Filo virus Screen RT-PCR Kit 1.0, Antigen Rapid Test Kit, Re EBOV, Life river Ebola Virus (EBOV) Real Time RT-PCR Kit and finally X pert Ebola Test have enabled health workers to rapidly diagnose the quantum of cases. Convalescent whole blood donated by Ebola recovered patients has been administered in Sierra Leone and also in Liberia. Ebola vaccine trials and testing are being done in in West Africa. However, no vaccine against MERS CoV is available currently. The role of Primary Health Education, Political commitment and intersect oral cooperation in spreading awareness about occurrence and prevention of infectious diseases is vital. Global health commitment towards research and development of new diagnostics and treatment options serve a pivotal role in prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. M-health (mobile health) Initiatives can prove vital in disseminating awareness in health programs globally
Biography
Harish Mohan Mudgal has completed MBBS in 1997 from S.P medical College, Bikaner India and had started working with the Government of India from 2008. I completed DHHM (Diploma in Hospital & Health Management) from IIHMR (Indian Institute of health management & Research) in 2003-2004. In 2005 I got deputed to the World Health Organization Polio project in India and supported Polio/measles Eradication activities in various parts of the country. I left the project in 2010 September to pursue Master’s in Public Health from LSHTM (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) from 2010 to 2011. After graduating from the School I worked as a freelance consultant with in London for about a year. From 2012-2013 I went to Nigeria to support the Immunization programs with WHO-CDC collaboration. I left Nigeria in 2013 October to Joining Government services back in India till today.
E mail:drphindia@gmail.com
