Jharkhand

• 14 Aug 2024

Campaign to end Discrimination Towards HIV Patients

Why in News?

According to the sources, a campaign will be started in Jharkhand on 1^st September, 2024 to create awareness for eliminating discrimination against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients.

Key Points

• It was announced during the launch of an intensified IEC (information, education, communication) campaign at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University auditorium.
• According to the Jharkhand State AIDS Control Society's Project Director the campaign will be conducted at district, block, and village levels.
  • Especially the youth will be made aware of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases through the campaign.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

• About:
  • HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system in the human body.
  • It primarily targets and damages CD4 immune cells, which are essential for the body's ability to fight infections and diseases.
    • Over time, HIV weakens the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers.
• Transmission:
  • HIV is primarily spread through the exchange of certain bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
• Severity:
  • If left untreated, the virus destroys a person’s immune system and they are said to be in the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome stage (AIDS) where they get several opportunistic infections that may result in death.
• Cure:
  • Although there are no cures for the infection at present, the disease can be managed using antiretroviral therapy.
    • These medicines suppress the replication of the virus within the body, allowing the number of CD4 immune cells to bounce back.

Injured Vulture with 'Dhaka' Inscription Found in Jharkhand

Why in News?

Recently, an endangered white-backed vulture with an injury was discovered in a dam in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district. The vulture had a metallic ring fitted to one of its legs, which was inscribed with the word 'Dhaka'.

Key Points

• The police suspect that John Malot, a bird researcher from Dhaka who is associated with the UK-based Royal Society for Protection of Birds, released the vulture after fitting it with a solar-powered radio tracking collar in order to monitor the bird's movements from Dhaka to Jharkhand.

Indian white-backed vulture

• They are medium-sized, dark vultures.
• Scientific name: Gyps bengalensis
• Distribution: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam.
• Habitat: Found mostly in plains and less frequently in hilly regions. Can also be seen in villages and cities near to cultivation.
• Features:
  • Adults are 75 to 85 cm tall.
  • White neck ruff, rump and under wing coverts.
  • Adults tend towards black coloration, while younger individuals are browner.
  • Their wingspan is 180 to 210 cm.
  • Weight: Ranges from 3.5 to 7.5 kg.
• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered