TNPSC Current Affairs October 06, 2020

Topic: Awards and Honours

Nobel Prize for Physiology/Medicine 2020

Americans Harvey J Alter and Charles M Rice, and British scientist Michael Houghton were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology, 2020 for the discovery of the Hepatitis C Virus.

The Hepatitis C virus was discovered in 1982 by screening millions of DNA samples.

The Nobel award comes with a gold medal and prize money of 10 million Swedish kronor (over USD 1,118,000) and was created by Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel.

Hepatitis:

Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. It’s commonly caused by a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis like autoimmune responses, medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol.

There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D, and E. World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on 28th July to enhance awareness of viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis C:

Hepatitis C is caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). It is transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids, typically through injection drug use and sexual contact.

According to the World Health Organization, about 71 million people in the world have chronic infection with the Hepatitis C virus, which is also a major cause of liver cancer.

A vaccine for the disease has still not been developed but it can be treated with the help of anti-viral drugs.

Significance of the Discovery:

The discovery helped in finding a cure for the disease, and effective anti-viral drugs are now available. Tests have also been developed to identify blood containing this virus, so that infected blood is not given to any patient.

Hepatitis in India:

40 million people are chronically infected with the Hepatitis B virus and 6 to 12 million with the Hepatitis C virus.

In 2018 the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) was launched which has the target to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030. The program is the largest program for Hepatitis B and C diagnosis and treatment in the world.

Hepatitis B is included under India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) which provides free of cost vaccination against a total of 12 vaccine-preventable diseases.

The first recombinant DNA-based vaccine for Hepatitis B infection was made in India by Hyderabad-based Shantha Biotech.

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Topic: General Administration, Profile of States

Issues in Goa Lokayukta

Recently, Justice Prafulla Kumar Misra has retired from the post of Goa Lokayukta and has highlighted the issues related to the state office and the proceedings.

Lokpal and Lokayukta:

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 provided for the establishment of Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for States. “India Against Corruption Movement” led by Anna Hazare put pressure on the then government at the Centre and resulted in the passing of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2013, in both the Houses of Parliament.

It received assent from the President on 1st January 2014 and came into force on 16th January 2014. These institutions are statutory bodies without any constitutional status. They perform the function of an “ombudsman” and inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for related matters. The term Lokpal and Lokayukta were coined by Dr L. M. Singhvi.

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Topic: Welfare Oriented Schemes and their Utilities

MoU Under PM SVANidhi

Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swiggy to onboard street food vendors on its e-commerce platform.

This move is a part of the Prime Minister Street Vendor’s Atmanibhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme.

An updated and modified version of PM SVANidhi Dashboard, which facilitates users not only with a better granular view of the scheme’s performance but also with additional tools for comparisons, has also been launched.

Key facts:

The MoU will give the vendors online access to thousands of consumers and help them grow their businesses. It aims to radically transform the business of street vendors across cities, by facilitating them to receive orders and serve customers using online mode of business.

It becomes important during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic where physical distancing is the key to check it’s spread. To empower street vendors with digital technology and facilitate greater income-earning opportunities through e-commerce platforms.

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Topic: Terms in News

What is an Adjuvant?

An adjuvant is a pharmacological or immunological agent that improves the immune response of a vaccine. Adjuvants may be added to a vaccine to boost the immune response to produce more antibodies and longer-lasting immunity, thus minimizing the dose of antigen needed.

Why in News?

Bharat Biotech has entered into a licensing agreement with Kansas-based ViroVax for use of adjuvant Alhydroxiquim-II in its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

First plane for the exclusive use of VVIPs

The country’s first-ever VVIP plane, a Boeing 777-300 ER, landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport of Delhi. The two Boeing aircrafts, purchased for the President, Vice President and the Prime Minister of India, are called Air India One.

It is equipped with an advanced and secured communication system that allows availing audio and video communication functions mid-air without any worries of hacking or being taped.