National

UP to Launch MDA Campaign on February 10 Aiming to Safeguard 11 Million People from Lymphatic Filariasis

Published

2 years ago

February 8, 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government is set to initiate a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign on February 10 across 14 districts as part of its national elimination program for Lymphatic Filariasis. The initiative aims to provide preventive medicines to nearly 11 million residents to safeguard them from this disease.

The Department of Medical and Health Services in Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with Global Health Strategies, recently held a workshop focused on the essential role of media in promoting the Filaria Elimination Programme.

Dr. R P Singh Suman, the Director General of Medical and Health Services, announced that the MDA campaign will be deployed in 45 designated blocks throughout 14 districts. In 19 blocks spanning eight districts, including Ballia, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Jaunpur, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Sonbhadra, and Chitrakoot, two medications—DEC and Albendazole—will be administered.

Moreover, in 26 blocks across six districts such as Lucknow, Unnao, Amethi, Bareilly, Prayagraj, and Barabanki, three drugs—DEC, Albendazole, and Ivermectin—will be provided during the campaign.

To ensure community safety against filariasis, healthcare workers will supervise the intake of anti-filariasis drugs, and no drugs will be distributed separately. Dr. Suman stressed that consuming these anti-filarial medications once a year for five consecutive years would result in lifelong protection from the disease for community members.

Dr. A K Choudhary, Additional Director for Malaria & VBD, clarified that certain groups—children under two years, pregnant women, and severely ill individuals—should avoid these medications. He added that Albendazole tablets should be chewed before swallowing. For the upcoming MDA program, 8,816 teams have been organized to administer anti-filarial drugs to roughly 11 million eligible beneficiaries while supervised by healthcare professionals.

Dr. Choudhary also noted that measures for Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) are being implemented to care for patients with lymphedema and hydrocele, ensuring they receive appropriate treatment. He assured that anti-filarial drugs are safe, even for individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, or arthritis. Healthy individuals typically do not experience side effects; however, symptoms like vomiting, dizziness, itching, or nausea may indicate the presence of filarial parasites in the body that the medication is eliminating. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) will be stationed at each block to handle any reported adverse reactions.

Dr. Madhu Gairola, Director of Communicable Diseases, emphasized that lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) poses a significant public health challenge as it is transmitted through mosquito bites. As stated by the World Health Organization (WHO), lymphatic filariasis is among the foremost causes of long-term disability globally. Typically contracted in childhood, this infection can cause lasting damage to the lymphatic system, leading to severe swelling of body parts if left untreated. Chronic complications associated with filariasis may include:
– Hydrocele (swelling of the scrotum)
– Lymphedema (swelling of limbs)
– Chyluria (milky-white urine resulting from lymphatic fluid leakage)

National

11 Hospitalised After Dead Lizard Found in Birthday Cake

Published

2 days ago

August 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Maharashtra : Eleven people were hospitalised after eating a birthday cake that allegedly contained a dead lizard in Nalasopara, Maharashtra.

The incident took place during a birthday celebration. The affected group included seven children and four women.

According to reports, they complained of sudden stomach and chest pain shortly after eating the cake.

They were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Doctors said that all 11 patients are in stable condition.

The incident has raised serious concerns about food safety and hygiene standards in bakeries.

The case comes amid growing concerns over food safety in Maharashtra. Earlier, a rat was allegedly seen inside an ice cream freezer at a Blinkit store in Thane’s Godrej Hill area in Kalyan.

In another incident, food safety officials suspended the FSSAI licence of a Blinkit-linked facility in Malad West after finding several violations.

The recent incidents have increased calls for stricter checks on food storage, hygiene and safety standards across the state.

National

Dead Russell’s Viper Found on Vande Bharat Express

Published

2 days ago

August 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Ernakulam: A dead Russell’s viper was found on a passenger seat inside a Vande Bharat Express in Ernakulam, causing panic among passengers.

The incident took place on Friday, August 14, at around 2.30 pm. The train was scheduled to leave Ernakulam Junction for Bengaluru.

The incident came to light before the train began its journey. Vinu Varghese, who works for an insurance company in Ernakulam, had booked a ticket to travel to Coimbatore with his two-year-old child.

When he returned to his seat after visiting the restroom, he noticed the dead snake lying on the seat. He was shocked and immediately informed the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) and railway staff.

The railway staff quickly responded to the situation. With the help of passengers, they removed the dead snake from the coach.

After the snake was removed, the passengers felt relieved. Vinu Varghese later filed an official complaint through the railway portal.

In his complaint, he questioned the safety and cleanliness standards on the train. He said passengers pay a significant amount for travelling on Vande Bharat trains and expected better safety measures.

Varghese said the railway staff later apologised for the incident.

The incident has also raised questions about how a snake entered the passenger compartment. Vande Bharat trains are air-conditioned and have sealed gangways and automatic doors that open only at designated stations.

The incident has raised concerns about pest control and safety protocols on the train. Railway authorities have ordered a detailed investigation into the matter.

This is not the first reported incident involving a snake on a Vande Bharat train. In December 2025, a passenger was allegedly accused of deliberately placing a snake inside the Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat Express.

National

West Bengal Man Detained in Bengaluru over Alleged Terror Links

Published

3 days ago

August 15, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bengaluru: Bengaluru police have detained a 25-year-old man from West Bengal over his alleged links with a terror group.

The accused has been identified as Asafool Mallik. He is a native of Naopara village in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.

Police detained Mallik in the Jigani area after receiving information about his alleged suspicious online activities.

According to the police, Mallik had allegedly established contact with a person identified as Imran Haider through Facebook. Haider, who is from Afghanistan, is suspected to have links with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Police said Mallik allegedly wanted to travel to Afghanistan and join the group. He also allegedly discussed retaliatory attacks against the Pakistan Army and possible attacks in India.

Mallik had reportedly applied for a visa to travel to Afghanistan. However, he later dropped the plan due to financial difficulties and family responsibilities, police said.

Mallik was living near APC Circle in Jigani. He had been working as a security guard at Tata Advanced Limited in the Jigani Industrial Area since December 2025.

Police said they received information about his activities while conducting patrols in the Bommasandra Industrial Area.

During questioning, Mallik allegedly said he was angry over what he believed were attacks on Muslims in Pakistan. He also reportedly expressed anger over Pakistan’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Police further said Mallik was allegedly being encouraged to retaliate if Muslims faced difficulties in India.

Police later examined Mallik’s mobile phone. They allegedly found chats, voice calls and audio conversations between Mallik and Haider.

The police are now examining the chats, recordings and other material recovered from the phone.

The investigation is underway to determine the extent of Mallik’s alleged links with the terror network.