Why in News ?
Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of suspected Heatstroke cases in May, with 5,204 cases, followed by Rajasthan (4,357), Andhra Pradesh (2,183), and Chhattisgarh (2,043).
What is Heatstroke Cases ?
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes
Today’s News :
Here were at least 80 deaths due to heatstrokes, including both confirmed and suspected cases, re- ported across the country in May, as well as 605 deaths reported due to various cardiovascular diseases, show Health Ministry data on heat-related illnesses and deaths. There have been 56 confirmed deaths due to Heatstrokes between March and May, of which 46 occurred in May alone
The highest number of confirmed Heatstroke deaths, 14, was reported in Madhya Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra with 11, and Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh with five deaths each.
In an advisory, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said that the country may experience above normal seasonal maximum temperature in line with the observed trend of summer- time temperatures. To reduce the health impact, health departments must ensure preparedness and in timely responses, it said.
The NCDC asked the States to start daily submission of data on heatstroke cases and deaths, emergency attendance, and total deaths from March, us- ing the Integrated Health Information Platform under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health.
The States were also asked to ensure that all hospitals and health facilities maintained a digital line list of heatstroke cases and deaths, both suspected and confirmed.
What is National Centre for Disease Control ?
The National Centre for Disease Control (previously known as the National Institute of Communicable Diseases) is an institute under the Indian Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
It was established in July 1963 for research in epidemiology and control of communicable diseases and to reorganize the activities of the Malaria Institute of India.
It has nine branches at Alwar, Bengaluru, Trivandrum, Calicut, Coonoor, Jagdalpur, Patna, Rajahmundry and Varanasi to advise the respective state governments on public health.
The headquarters are in Sham Nath Marg, in New Delhi.