March 9, 2023

Myanmar detects closest known relatives of Covid virus in humans

NEW DELHI, MAR 8

(IANS): Scientists have for the first time detected the closest known relatives of Covid in more than 12 per cent of people living in rural Myanmar, indicating that “zoonotic spillover is occurring”.

An international team of scientists from US, Singapore and Myanmar screened the blood of 693 people in Myanmar between 2017 and 2020. The participants belonged to communities that engaged in extractive industries and bat guano harvesting from rural areas in Myanmar.

The findings, published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, showed that 12.1 per cent people were seropositive for sarbecoviruses — the family of Coronaviruses to which SARS-CoV belongs.

These viruses, with potential to jump from animals to humans, had never previously been detected in humans. They have so far been detected in bats.

“Exposure to diverse sarbecoviruses among highrisk human communities provides epidemiologic and immunologic evidence that zoonotic spillover is occurring,” wrote Tierra Smiley Evans, from University of California, and authors in the paper.

While the paper identi-

State JD(U) committee dissovled for backing Rio

Pawar clears proposal of NCP MLAs to join Rio’s govt

years ago — similar to the new-found viruses.

Among a set of 70 samples taken from people working in elephant logging camps, 32 per cent had been exposed to RaTG13. About 1.4 per cent people were also found exposed to BANAL-52.

DIMAPUR, MAR 8 (NPN): Janata Dal (United) has disapproved the Nagaland unit’s support extended to the NDPP-BJP government in Nagaland without consulting the central party.

According to reports, the lone JD(U) legislator Jwenga Seb and State JD(U) president Senchumo NCN Lotha had called on chief minister Neiphiu Rio at his residence in Kohima on Wednesday and submitted the letter of support.

DIMAPUR, MAR 8 (NPN): Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)

of main opposition party.

fied exposure to a range of bat and pangolin sarbecoviruses, the data suggests that RaTG13 is the sarbecovirus most frequently spilling over to people in Myanmar. RaTG13, the closest known relative to SARSCoV-2, was discovered by Pasteur Institute researchers in 2020, in a cave in Yunnan, China, along the border with Myanmar. It was 96.1 per cent identical to SARSCoV-2 overall and the two viruses probably shared a common ancestor 40-70

BANAL-52, which shares 96.8 per cent of its genome with SARS-CoV-2, was also discovered by Pasteur Institute researchers in 2021 from horseshoe bats in Laos.

“Our findings underpin the critical importance of continued surveillance at the rural wildlife-human interface in Southeast Asia, where some of the highest levels of known mammalian diversity exist and where future emergence of zoonotic diseases is likely,” the researchers said.

Adenovirus: 3 more child deaths reported from Kolkata

KOLKATA, MAR 8

(IANS): Adding further panic over the adenovirus spread in West Bengal, deaths of three more children, admitted to two hospitals in Kolkata with related symptoms, have been reported during the last 24 hours.

Of the three fresh deaths, two have been reported from Calcutta Medical College & Hospital and one from B.C Roy Childrens’ Hospital. Though the state Health Department has stopped issuing any bulletin on virus related deaths, there are claims of 48 deaths during the last 11 days.

One of two children reported to have died at the

NCF flays firing incident at Lok Sabha MP’s house

DIMAPUR, MAR 8 (NPN): Naharabri Community Forum (NCF) and GBs of Naharabri have strongly condemned the firing incident at the residence of Lok Sabha MP Tokheho Yepthomi, by some miscreants on March 6 at around 11 p.m. In a statement, NCF chairman Phoishe Zhimomi and GB Naharbari Joseph Mero urged the law enforcing agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book as per the law at the earliest. It was learnt that the police visited the spot and initiated investigation into the incident. An FIR has been registered in connection with the incident.

Calcutta Medical College & Hospital is Sayan Pal (10 months) of a family residing in Hooghly district. He was referred to the hospital from Imambara Sadar Hospital in Chinsurah in Hooghly. The second death in the same hospital during the last 24 hours was of Sheikh Tamim (six months). He was admitted to the hospital on February 26 with flu-like symptoms. Samrat Barik (10 months) also passed away in the B.C. Roy Childrens’ Hospital. One of his family members told media persons that he was admitted to the hospital a week back with severe lung infection, fever, and breathing problems.

Deaths underreported

Lashing out at the West Bengal government over the Adenovirus spreading among children in the state, Dr Manas Gumta, general secretary of the Association of Health Service Doctors alleged that the Bengal government “underreported” the number of deaths caused by infection of the virus, reports news agency ANI. “This we had seen earlier also during the time of Covid. The government is not fully transparent in reporting the number of deaths due to Adenovirus,” Dr Gumta said. He also said that the infections due to

Mhathung appointed as Pro-tem Speaker of NLA

DIMAPUR, MAR 8

(NPN): Nagaland governor

La. Ganesan has appointed

NDPP legislator Mhathung Yanthan as the pro-tem Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

Sources informed Nagaland Post that the pro-tem Speaker will administer the oath of office to the newly elected legislators at a special session of the state assembly to be held soon.

It was also learnt that the election of the NLA Speaker would be held during the special session . In an order dated

March 7, Governor said:

“In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Clause 9(1) of Article 180 of the Constitution of India, I also appoint Shri Mathung Yanthan, a member of the 14th Legislative Assembly, to perform the duties of the Speaker of the said Legislative Assembly with effect from the date and time of vacation of the office of the Speaker of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly by Shri Sharingain Longkumer and until a Speaker is elected by that Assembly.”

Adeno or Covid are “internationally notifiable”, which means the government or World Health Organisation are accountable to report it. Dr Gumta also said that the preparations, done by the West Bengal government [to tackle its spread] are inadequate and that it has not learned a lesson from Covid. “The preparations by the West Bengal government are inadequate. Earlier, due to the government’s lack of preparedness in times of Covid, many people died, there was an oxygen crisis, ambulances fell short, and medicines and critical care unit ward everything ran short,” he said.

“We supported the Rio government on the basis of local issues of Nagaland,” Lotha had told a national daily.

Later, in a statement, JD(U) general secretary and Bihar MLC Afaque Ahmad Khan described as “high indiscipline” and “arbitrary” the support extended by its Nagaland unit to the newly formed government.

JD(U) general secretary informed that the party has, therefore, dissolved Nagaland state committee with immediate effect.

JD(U) had bagged one seat in the recently held elections to the 60-strong assembly of Nagaland.

“The central party comes to know that Nagaland state president of our party given letter of support to the chief minister of Nagaland without consulting the central party, its high indiscipline and arbitrary,” Afaque Ahmad Khan said.

supremo Shard Pawar has decided to accept the leadership of Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio “in the larger interest of the State of Nagaland.” However, it is still unclear whether NDPP-BJP coalition government would accommodate other parties. It may be noted that smaller parties like the NPP, JD(U), RPI(A), LJP(RV) have extended their support to the Rio-led government.

In a press release, NCP national general secretary North East in-charge Narendra Verma stated that party supremo took the decision on Tuesday morning after he conveyed the views and opinions of MLAs.

He said that Pawar also cleared the proposed list of NCP legislature party leader and his team.

At the first meeting of NCP legislature party held on March 4 at Kohima, Verma said the party discussed whether to be the part of the government or play a role

CEM apprehensive of having another opposition-less govt

DIMAPUR, MAR 8 (NPN): While congratulating the NDPP-BJP alliance for forming government for the second time in Nagaland, Clean Election Movement (CEM) team under the aegis of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) said it was apprehensive of having an opposition-less government in a democratic state.

“Though we feel apprehensive of having an opposition less government in a democratic state, it appears that regional political parties have become too weak to give a good fight,” Dr. Villo

Naleo convenor CEM said in a press note. However, he said that CEM would keep its fingers crossed, firstly to pray for them and secondly to see them making a difference. He said CEM wanted to bless the 60 MLAs with ‘Franciscan Benediction’.

“May God bless you with discomfort, at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships so that you may live deep within your heart,” Dr. Naleo said. CEM also prayed that God bless them “with anger at injustice, oppression,

The newly elected MLAs and Nagaland NCP unit were of the opinion that the party must be part of government in the larger interest of state of Nagaland and their own good relationship with the chief minister Rio.

However, the proposal of MLAs was left to the NCP national president Sharad Pawar, who eventually accepted to be part of Nagaland government.

In the just-concluded Nagaland Assembly election, NCP won seven out of 12 seats it contested.

At March 4 meeting, MLAs resolved to make Er. Picto Shohe as the leader of the NCP Legislature Party leader. It was also decided to make P. Longon as the deputy leader of the NCP Legislature party, Namri Nchang and Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe as the chief whip and whip of the party respectively while S Toiho was assigned as the spokesperson. NCP’s two other MLAs are Y Mankhao Konyak from Mon Town and A Pongshi Phom from Longleng.

Manik Saha sworn in as Tripura CM

and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.”

“May God bless you with tears, to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain to joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in the world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done, to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor. Amen,” the release stated.

AGARTALA, MAR 8 (AGENCIES): BJP leader Manik Saha on Wednesday took oath as chief minister of Tripura for a second term. In the swearing-in ceremony that took place in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP national president J.P. Nadda, eight others were inducted in the cabinet, including one from the IPFT. CPI (M)-led Left Front and alliance partner, Congress, did not attend the ceremony in protest against the post-polls violence allegedly perpetrated by BJP activists.

Patton confident ruling coalition will provide stable govt

Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAR 8 (NPN): Newly sworn-in deputy chief minister Y Patton exuded confidence that the NDPP-BJP alliance would provide a stable government as per the wishes of the people of Nagaland. He also acknowledged the electorate for giving their mandate to the coalition for the second term, assuring that the State government would strive to fulfil their aspirations in the best way possible.

Addressing a press conference at his official residence here on Wednesday, Patton claimed that Na -

gas had witnessed that the Central government under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime minister Narendra Modi and with support from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda was very sincere and serious in finding a final solution to the Naga political issue. He also claimed that the previous State Government led by chief minister Neiphiu Rio had played its role as facilitator with seriousness and assured of continuing to play a major role in finding permanent solution sooner than later under the present dispensation.

On whether the new

government would induct legislators from other parties, he asserted that both NDPP and BJP were confident of running the government smoothly and that the matter was yet to be discussed. “Since most of the political parties have

Covid can raise risk of liver problems, acid reflux, ulcers: Study

NEW YORK, MAR 8

(IANS): People who have had Covid-19 are at increased risk of developing gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as liver problems, acute pancreatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and ulcers, within a year after infection compared with people who haven’t been infected, according to a study.

People infected with Covid.-19 can also see an increased likelihood of constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating and vomiting.

“Gastrointestinal problems were among the first that were reported by

the patient community,” senior author Ziyad Al-Aly, a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University said. “It is increasingly clear that the gastrointestinal tract serves as a reservoir for the virus.”

The gastrointestinal system includes the mouth, throat, oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum and anus, as well as organs, such as the liver and pancreas, that produce enzymes to aid in the digestion of food and liquids.

For the study, published in the journal Nature Communications, the researchers analysed about

14 million medical records. They found that GI disorders were 36 per cent more likely in people with Covid-19 compared with those who had not been in-

fected with the virus. This includes people who were and were not hospitalised because of the virus.

Further, people who had Covid were also at a 62 per cent increased risk of developing ulcers in the lining of the stomach or small intestine; a 35 per cent heightened risk of suffering from acid reflux disease; and a 46 per cent increased risk of experiencing acute pancreatitis.

Covid patients were also 54 per cent more likely to suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, 47 per cent more likely to experience inflammation of the stomach lining, and 36 per

cent more likely to have an upset stomach without an obvious cause.

Similarly, those who had Covid-19 were 54 per cent more likely to experience digestive symptoms such as constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, vomiting and abdominal pain, the findings showed.

The researchers estimate that, so far, infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 have contributed to 42 million new cases worldwide.

“This is no small number, Al-Aly said. “It is crucial to include gastrointestinal health as an integral part of post-acute Covid care.”

submitted their letter of support, who knows we may have an opposition-less government,’ he said, but maintained that such decision would taken only after discussion between NDPPBJP alliance partners. Patton further pointed out that portfolio distribution was the prerogative of the chief minister and hoped that this would be done soon.

To a query, he disclosed that the first cabinet meeting was held right after the swearing-in ceremony where the ministers got introduced to each other, which was followed by the decision on election to ur-

ban local bodies (ULB).

Meanwhile, Patton also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all those who had contributed to the victory of NDPP-BJP alliance in the just-concluded Assembly election despite many challenges and difficulties faced during the electioneering process. He also congratulated all the elected legislators.

As BJP Legislative Party (BLP) leader and convener for Assembly election, Patton further thanked Modi, Shah, Nadda and BJP national secretary BL Santosh for their unconditional support and guidance.

Rev. Dr. Kavito appointed as BSI general secretary

DIMAPUR, MAR 8

(NPN): Rev. Dr. Kavito

Zhimo from Nagaland has been appointed as general secretary of Bible Society of India (BSI) Bangalore headquarters.

In a press release, BSI Dimapur auxiliary secretary Rev. Dr. Yiepetso Wezah informed that Rev.Dr. Kavito took over the office on March 1, 2023 from Rev. Dr. Mani Chacko, who had served the BSI for 12 years (2011-2023).

Rev. Wezah said it was “historic moment” for North East Indian to serve as general secretary BSI since its

formation in 1811. “We humbly pray that under his leadership we will be able to reach the Holy Bible to the unreached groups of people,” Rev. Dr. Wezah stated. BSI with its headquarters in Bangalore has 17 Auxiliaries across India. It has Centre for Translation, Shillong for the North East India.

Y. Patton (NP)

Rev. Dr. Kavito Zhimo