Icmr

Delhi air pollution toll: Over 200,000 emergency visits in past 3 years

Parliament data and an ICMR multi-city study show pollution spikes tracking a surge in Delhi breathing emergencies, with over 200,000 ER visits since 2022 and admissions rising

Metropolis launches GLP-1 monitoring test packages, targets obesity market

Metropolis Healthcare has rolled out three TruHealth GLP-1 test packages for patients preparing for or undergoing obesity treatment, as diagnostics firms move to tap the fast-growing segment

Centre to study microbial contamination in ayurvedic, herbal medicines

The decision follows an August 2025 study by the Indian Council of Medical Research, which raised serious concerns about the quality of herbal medicines sold in the market

1 in 9 persons tested found positive for infectious disease in ICMR study

Pathogens were found in 11.1 per cent of the 4.5 lakh patients tested by the network of labs under the Indian Council of Medical Research as part of efforts to identify viral infections of public health significance. The top five pathogens detected were Influenza A in acute respiratory infection (ARI)/ severe acute respiratory infections (SARI cases), dengue virus among acute fever and haemorrhagic fever cases, Hepatitis A in jaundice cases, Norovirus in among acute diarrheal disease (ADD) outbreaks and Herpes simplex virus (HSV) in Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases. The spread of infectious diseases rose from 10.7 per cent in the first quarter to 11.5 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, according to the report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) According to the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) network of ICMR, between January and March, out of 2,28,856 samples, 24,502 (10.7 per cent) were found to contain pathogens from April to June 2025, .

ICMR seeks industry partners to develop indigenous antibodies against Nipah

The Indian Council of Medical Research has successfully conducted animal trials using indigenously developed monoclonal antibodies for treating Nipah virus infection and has now sought collaboration with Indian industry partners for producing them to ensure their timely availability during outbreaks. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the antibodies produced by the immune system to protect against foreign substances and harmful pathogens. The Nipah virus (NiV), which has an extremely high fatality rate, has emerged as one of the most significant zoonotic threats to India, with repeated outbreaks recorded since 2001, according to the Expression of Interest (EoI) document issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The apex health research body has issued an EoI stating: "The ICMR is willing to collaborate with eligible organisations, companies, and manufacturers for the 'Development and Manufacturing of Monoclonal Antibodies against Nipah Viral

WHO redefines TB care with new focus on food and nutritional support

The new guidelines from WHO call for integrating nutrition into TB programmes worldwide, emphasising assessment, and targeted food support for those in need

Slouch-sit-scroll: Aiims study says high gadget use reshaping teen bodies

From neck pain to flat feet, Aiims researchers reveal how gadget-glued teens are already showing signs of musculoskeletal strain linked to prolonged screen use

All carbs, little protein: How rice, roti, sugar are hurting India's health

ICMR survey shows 62 per cent of Indian calories come from carbs, linking rice, roti and sugar to rising diabetes, obesity and why adding more protein could reverse the trend

ICMR licences multi-stage malaria vaccine 'AdFalciVax' to five companies

The selection of companies was made through an Expression of Interest (EoI) process launched by ICMR in July

874,000 cancer deaths in India in 2024: ICMR analysis reveals rising crisis

From oral to breast cancer, India faces rising cases with no age barrier with 1.56 million expected in 2024 and 2.46 million by 2045, highlighting a growing health crisis

South-South collaboration key to shared regional benefits: ICMR director

The South-South collaboration remains a priority through joint projects and capacity building to ensure that the region benefits from each other's expertise, ICMR Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl said, emphasising that "science and research must serve people directly". He made the remarks at the concluding day of the two-day regional meeting titled "Health Research and Innovations in Public Health: Exchange of Good Practices across RESEARCH Platform", organised by the Indian council of Medical Research (ICMR). The event, held at the Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, brought together senior representatives from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Timor-Leste to deliberate on strengthening health-research systems, facilitate the exchange of good practices and promote cross-border collaboration in South and Southeast Asia. The meeting marked an important milestone in fostering collaboration across South and Southeast Asia to ensure that health research directly informs policy, addresses regional priorities

ICMR study shows improved nutrition's impact in curbing TB; WHO agrees

A study funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has demonstrated the impact of improved nutrition in reducing tuberculosis cases and fatalities, with the WHO incorporating the findings into updated global guidance on controlling the disease. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of nutritional supplementation on tuberculosis incidence in household contacts of adults with microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis. Household contacts of 2,800 patients with microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis across 28 units of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme in four districts of Jharkhand were enrolled for this field-based, open-label, cluster-randomised controlled trial. The study, published by The Lancet, said that in India, tuberculosis and undernutrition are syndemic, with a high burden of TB coexisting with a high burden of undernutrition in patients and in the population. In a post on X on August 7, ICMR said the WHO has recogni

ICMR looks to commercialise malaria vaccine, invites EoIs for tech transfer

According to the EoI, ICMR-RMRCBB will also provide expert guidance and technical support for the production of the vaccine in all phases

ICMR's new care model to transform endometriosis, gynaec care in India

Backed by a five-year study, ICMR's new EndoCare India model brings multidisciplinary teams to treat endometriosis and gynaecological disorders impacting 42 million women across the country.

India's dengue vaccine Phase-3 trial enrolment to be completed by Oct: ICMR

Enrolment of about 10,500 participants in the phase III clinical trial of the indigenous one-shot Panacea Biotec developed dengue vaccine, DengiAll, is likely to be completed by October across 20 centres in India, according to ICMR scientists. So far, 8,000 participants in various centres at Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi and Bhubaneswar among others have received either the vaccine or a placebo as part of the trial sponsored by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec. The trial is co-led by ICMR-National Institute of Translational Virology and AIDS research in Pune, National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai and National Institute of Virology, Pune. Currently, there is no antiviral treatment or licensed vaccine against dengue in India. The results of the Phase-1/2 trial has shown no safety concerns for the one-shot vaccine, NIE Director Dr Manoj Murhekar said. "The participants enrolled in the Phase- III trial will be followed up for two-years. This

ICMR says Indians taking too much salt, launches study to address issue

Excessive salt consumption is fuelling a silent epidemic in India with people at increased risk of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disorders, according to scientists from ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology. The scientists have initiated a community-led salt reduction study to address the issue and are focusing on low sodium salt substitutes. While the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends less than 5 grams of salt per person per day, studies show that urban Indians consume around 9.2 grams/day, and even in rural areas it is around 5.6 grams/day - both higher than recommended. One promising tool in this effort is low-sodium salt substitutes -- ?blends where part of the sodium chloride is replaced with potassium or magnesium salts, Dr Sharan Murali, a senior scientist at National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) and principal investigator of the study, said. "Lesser sodium consumption helps reduce blood pressure and improves overall heart health, making ...

'Our vaccines are safe': Covishield makers support ICMR-Aiims findings

ICMR-Aiims studies found no link between Covid-19 vaccines and sudden deaths in adults; heart issues, genetics, and lifestyle factors were identified as primary causes, not vaccination

No link between Covid-19 vaccines and sudden deaths, says health ministry

ICMR and Aiims studies find that genetics, lifestyle and post-Covid factors-not vaccines-are responsible for sudden deaths in young adults

Drones can safely deliver blood in tough terrains, finds ICMR study

The integrity of blood components and parameters do not get compromised, and blood can be transported safely by drones, particularly in far-flung areas and difficult terrains, an ICMR study has found. The feasibility study to evaluate the efficiency and sustainability of drone-based delivery of blood saw the drone travel around 36 km in eight minutes, while a van took around 55 minutes to cover the same distance. The study titled "Adopting drone technology for blood delivery: a feasibility study to evaluate its efficiency and sustainability" tried to determine how drone delivery impacts the quality and stability of blood components after transport, compared to traditional delivery methods. The study published in the Springer Nature journal said that in the future, drones could be an option to deliver other important and time-sensitive medical supplies, such as emergency drugs or pharmaceutical products as well. Blood and blood component transfusions may be lifesaving for patients i

ICMR to procure 2 more mobile BSL-3 labs to boost India's outbreak response

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has initiated the process of procuring two more Mobile BSL-3 (MBSL-3) laboratories to step up outbreak response capabilities and bolster public health delivery, especially in remote and inaccessible areas. Called RAMBAAN, there are currently two such laboratories each stationed at ICMR's two institutes, the National Institute of Virology in Pune and the RMRC in Gorakhpur, UP. RAMBAAN is the first of its kind Rapid Action Mobile BSL-3 laboratory and is fully indigenous. It is field-deployable and designed to meet enhanced diagnostic demands during outbreaks of known and unknown high-risk pathogens. An initiative of ICMR, it was developed in partnership with Klenzaids Contamination Controls Private Limited, Mumbai, under the patronage of Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the apex research institute said. The MBSL-3 was successfully deployed and operationalised for the fir