12 Feb 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 12 Feb 2023:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. SC steps in for undertrial prisoners unable to furnish surety, bail bonds
HEALTH
1. Mammalian spread of H5N1 and its pandemic potential
C. GS 3 Related
INDIAN ECONOMY
1. Millets for a healthier future
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
GEOGRAPHY
1. Why were the Turkey earthquakes so deadly?
INTERNATIONAL RELATION
1. How is govt. ramping up border infrastructure?
F. Prelims Facts
1. Beaches in Visakhapatnam are now heading towards a disaster, say experts
2. World Hindi Conference in Fiji to highlight links with Pacific Ocean region: MEA
G. Tidbits
1. Agasthyarkoodam’s lost observatory
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

Category: HEALTH

1. Mammalian spread of H5N1 and its pandemic potential

Syllabus: Issues related to health.

Mains: Outbreaks of H5N1.

Prelims: H5N1.

Details:

  • Avian influenza (bird flu) is a highly contagious viral infection that impacts birds.  However, rarely it can infect mammals through a phenomenon called spillover, and spread among them. 
  • There are various subtypes of avian influenza viruses that range from low pathogenic to highly pathogenic types. One of the highly pathogenic subtypes is H5N1.
  • Apart from causing severe disease and death in birds, H5N1 has also caused human infections through close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. It is often fatal. 
  • Several instances of the spread of H5N1 among mammals have been reported. Concerns are raised about its spillover among humans and the risks of the human pandemic. 

Also read: Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) | Facts for UPSC Science and Technology

Associated concerns:

  • The H5N1 can potentially impact mammals like ferrets, minks, seals, and domestic cats when during their contact with infected birds or their feces or while consuming the infected carcasses.
  • They can further serve as reservoirs. Moreover, the virus could evolve to adapt to new hosts and might lead to further outbreaks.
  • Along Russia’s Caspian Sea coast there was a mass mortality event that killed nearly 700 seals. Scientists are investigating the potential mammalian spillover as an H5N1 variant was detected in wild birds of the region a few months ago.
  • Similarly, in February 2023, Peru registered cases of H5N1 in sea lions and a dolphin. Additionally, a lion in a zoo also died from H5N1. 
  • The U.K. communicated the cases of otters’ and foxes’ death due to H5N1 infection. 
  • Notably, wildlife ranging from foxes, coyotes, and raccoons scavenge on infected birds or bird carcasses. 
  • It was found that the only recorded incidents of intra-mammal transmission of the virus were among mink in captivity at a farm in Spain (in 2022).
  • H5N1 outbreaks cause severe economic impacts like 
    • Huge losses to the poultry industry 
    • Threatens food and vaccine security (eggs are used for vaccine production)
    • Raises concerns about animal welfare

Details of some outbreaks across the world:

  • The first detected case of the H5N1 avian influenza virus was in 1996 on a goose farm in China. 
  • It was followed by a major outbreak in 1997 among poultry in Hong Kong. It also spread to the human population and left 6 people dead and 18 infected. 
  • In the year 2004, an outbreak occurred in several countries in Asia which further resulted in a global outbreak. 
  • Several European and Asian countries reported H5N1 in poultry in 2013 and 2014. 
  • The virus is majorly spread among countries due to migratory birds. 
  • Around 800 cases of human H5N1 infections have also been reported (as of February 2023) with a high fatality of 53%.
  • A new strain namely 2.3.4.4b emerged in 2020. It spread across Asia, Africa, and Europe and later to North(2021) and South America (2022). 
  • It was found that H5N1 sequenced from the mink farm in Spain showed several mutations like T271A that increase viral replication in mammalian tissues. 

Way Ahead:

  • To prevent outbreaks and spillovers, the following measures are required:
    • Vaccination of poultry
    • Safe disposal of dead birds or carcasses
    • Quarantine and culling of affected animals
    • Using personal protective equipment while handling birds
    • Improved surveillance and monitoring of birds and other animals
  • Molecular surveillance of H5N1 and its subtypes is important to understand and respond to outbreaks.  Thus, Genome sequencing can be employed to keep a close watch on mutations and virulence factors.

Also read: What is Genome – Brief Facts | UPSC | BYJU’S

Nut Graf: Several incidents of the mammalian spread of the H5N1 virus have been reported across the world. Disease and genomic surveillance as an integrated approach are required to keep a close watch on the future outbreak, as it can help prepare for potential pandemics.

2. World Hindi Conference in Fiji to highlight links with Pacific Ocean region: MEA

Syllabus: International Relations.

Prelims: World Hindi Conference.

Details:

  • The 12th World Hindi Conference will be held in Fiji from 15 to 17 February 2023.
  • The Government of India is taking efforts to promote Hindi and enhance its stature among the world languages.
  • It is also making efforts to ensure a rightful place for Hindi at the UN and the places that hosted Indian Indentured labours in the 19th century.
    • Currently UN provides all the important messages and press releases in Hindi. This facility is also available for Bangla and Urdu.
  • It was highlighted that World Hindi Conference in Fiji would also provide an opportunity to highlight the links between India and the Pacific Ocean region.
  • A delegation of around 270 academics, experts, and Hindi writers would participate in the upcoming conference.
  • The first World Hindi Conference was held in 1975 in Nagpur.
  • The official language of Fiji is Hindi.

G. Tidbits

1. Agasthyarkoodam’s lost observatory

  • Agasthyarkoodam on the Western Ghats once (in Nineteenth-century) housed an observatory that was established by Scottish meteorologist John Allan Broun.
  • Broun used it to record magnetic and meteorological observations in tandem with the Thiruvananthapuram astronomical observatory.
  • Broun’s astronomical research in India began after he was invited by the ruler of the erstwhile Travancore Uthram Tirunal Marthanda Varma to helm the Thiruvananthapuram (then Trevandrum) observatory following the death of its first director John Caldecott in 1849.
  • As terrestrial magnetism research requires simultaneous measurements from two different locations, he established his second observatory at  Agasthyar mountain at a height of 6,200 ft above sea level.
  • The observatory started recording observations in July 1855. However, it was closed in 1881 by the then Madras Governor Sir William Denison.
  • Notably, Broun was awarded the Keith Medal from the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Medal from the Royal Society of London.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. With respect to Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which of the following
statements is/are correct? (Level- Moderate)
  1. It is a statutory body under the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
  2. Films can be exhibited to the public only after they have been certified by the CBFC.
  3. Films are certified into four categories in India.
  4. An applicant aggrieved by the decision of the CBFC can file an appeal with the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT).

Options:

  1. 1 and 3 only
  2. 1, 2, and 3 only
  3. 2 only
  4. 1, 2, and 4 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct: CBFC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
  • Statement 2 is correct: CBFC’s function is to regulate the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952.
  • Statement 3 is correct: Films are categorized under 4 categories in India namely U (Unrestricted), UA (unrestricted public exhibition, with parental guidance for children under 12), A (Adult), S (restricted to specialized audiences, such as Doctors or Scientists)
  • Statement 4 is incorrect: FCAT was abolished in 2021 and appeals can be made only in a High Court.
Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to Agasthyarkoodam:(Level-Difficult)
  1. It is situated in the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats
  2. Agasthyarkoodam is a part of Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve which lies on the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu
  3. The Thamirabarani River originates from the Agastyarkoodam peak 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct: Agastyaarkoodam is one of the peaks in the Western Ghats of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is situated in the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Statement 2 is correct: The peak is a part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.
  • Statement 3 is correct: The perennial Thamirabarani River originates from the eastern side of the range.
Q3. With respect to quasicrystals, which of the following statements is/are correct? 
(Level- Moderate)
  1. Quasicrystals have been used in surgical instruments, LED lights, and non-stick frying pans. 
  2. They have poor heat conductivity, which makes them good insulators.

Options:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

  • Statement 1 is correct: Quasicrystal or quasi-periodic crystals are used in surgical instruments, LED lights, and non-stick frying pans. They are also used in Selective solar absorbers, broad-wavelength reflectors, and bone repair and prostheses applications.
  • Statement 2 is correct: They have poor heat conductivity thereby making them good insulators.
Q4. Who was the author of 'Satyarth Prakash'? (Level- Easy)
  1. Dayanand Saraswati
  2. Gopal Krishna Gokhale 
  3. Mahatma Gandhi
  4. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: 

  • Satyarth Prakash was originally written by Dayanand Saraswati in Hindi in 1875.
Q5. Consider the following statements: (Level- Easy)
  1. The repo rate is the rate at which other banks borrow from the Reserve Bank of India. 
  2. A value of 1 for the Gini Coefficient in a country implies that there is perfectly equal income for everyone in its population.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

  1. 1 only 
  2. 2 only 
  3. Both 1 and 2 
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: 

  • Statement 1 is correct: The repo rate refers to the rate at which other banks borrow from the RBI.
  • Statement 2 is not correct:  A Gini coefficient of 0 reflects perfect equality (where all income or wealth values are the same), whereas a Gini coefficient of 1 (or 100%) reflects maximal inequality among values.

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 12 Feb 2023:- Download PDF Here

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