Think Nipah has spread to your city? Here's its state-wise status update

As concern over the Nipah virus outbreak increases with the infection claiming at least 16 lives in Kerala, state governments across the country are gearing up for any incidence of infection in their respective jurisdictions.

Over the past two weeks, in the wake of Nipah's spread, state governments in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Telangana, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan have issued health advisories to warn people of the dangers as well as the symptoms of the infection. In these advisories, the authorities have asked people to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of Nipah.

Further, any cases of low-grade fever among people are advised to be reported to hospitals.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has written to the Queensland government in Australia, asking it to provide an antibody developed there to test if it can "neutralise" the virus in humans.

"We have asked them to give their monoclonal antibody for conducting a test in India to find out if it can neutralise the Nipah virus in humans. The antibody has only been tried in vitro (happening outside the body in artificial conditions, often in a test tube) and has been found to be effective. But it has not been tested on humans," said ICMR Director General, Dr Balram Bhargava, while clarifying that it will not lead to the creation of a vaccine.

Summer Care for Pregnant Women

HEALTH NEWS - Proper care during pregnancy tips is a must, the same is more so important in summers. If one is pregnant in the middle of the summer then at times the heat can be real discomforting. Mentioned below are few tips using which pregnant women can take care of themselves and fight heat in the summer season.

Stay Hydrated - Pregnant women often see the temperature of their bodies increase. The goal is to keep it stable. To combat heat, the number one tip is good internal hydration. This can be done through ample consumption of liquids; mainly water, but also fruit juice or intake of fresh vegetables with high water content. Thanks to their minerals and enzymes they are particularly beneficial. Thus in addition to drinking a lot, it is strongly recommended to include in one's diet, fruits, vegetables and soups or broths. Conversely, some too sweet drinks can cause a sensation of thirst shortly after ingestion thus avoid them as much as possible.

Cold Shower - To withstand high temperatures in summers, there is nothing better than baths or showers at room temperature. Although cold water showers are more tempting and desirable during hot weather, but they tend to increase body temperature because our body has to work to adapt to the ambient temperature. That's why; a few minutes after a cold shower one will be hot again. But a cold shower at dawn or just before bed will refresh you for several hours. If one is not used to it, do it gradually, starting with the shower head on your feet, legs and then your arms. Make the belly last, while massaging it in circular motions.

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Veteran Bollywood star Vinod Khanna dies at 70

Vinod Khanna, the yesteryears Bollywood superstar, died at the age of 70 on Thursday. He was battling cancer.

He worked in more than 100 films.

He was an active politician, and a sitting Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur, Punjab. Vinod Khanna was born on 6 October, 1946.

He is survived by his wife Kavita Khanna, sons Rahul, Akshaye and Sakshi, and daughter Shraddha Khanna. Before marrying Kavita, Vinod Khanna was married to Getanjali but they later got divorced.

His polupar movies include Mere Apne, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Gaddaar (1973 film), Jail Yatra, Imitihaan, Inkaar, Kuchhe Dhaage, Amar Akbar Anthony, Rajput, Qurbani, Kudrat, Dayavan, Kaarnama,Suryaa: An Awakening and Jurm.

Vinod Khanna received the Filmfare award in the best supporting actor category for Haath Ki Safaai, and in 1999 he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and again in 2007 he won a lifetime achievement award at the Zee Cine Awards.

In late 2016 and early 2017, news about his detoriating health started coming in, this kept him away from a public eye. In his last days he was surrounded by all his children and wife Kavita.
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