Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
Recently, six people have died in Rwanda due to a Marburg virus outbreak. Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and primates. MVD is caused by the Marburg virus, similar to the Ebola virus, both from the Filoviridae family. The virus was first identified in 1967 in Marburg, Germany, linked to infected green monkeys. The African fruit bat is the reservoir host, and transmission occurs through direct contact with bodily fluids.

Notes:
India has become the world’s third largest producer and consumer of ethanol, primarily derived from sugarcane. The Food and Public Distribution Minister, Pralhad Joshi, highlighted that sugarcane cultivation increased by 18% over the last decade, contributing to a 40% rise in sugar production. The government’s support through Minimum Support Price has improved farmers’ income, positioning them as vital contributors to the renewable energy landscape, alongside initiatives like the national green hydrogen mission aimed at boosting India’s energy independence.

Notes:
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the National Legal Services Authority launched SARTHIE 1.0 to empower disadvantaged communities like Scheduled Castes, Transgenders, and Nomadic Tribes. The initiative aims to raise awareness and provide legal support to promote effective access to social welfare schemes. It facilitates collaboration between the executive and judiciary to advance social justice. NALSA, established under the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987, provides free legal services to eligible individuals and organizes Lok Adalats.

Notes:
Two critically endangered amphibian species, Micrixalus spelunca (cave dancing frog) and Nyctibatrachus indraneili (Indraneil’s night frog), were discovered in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. This biosphere reserve includes Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, Bandipur National Park in Karnataka, Mukurthi National Park, and Silent Valley, making it a vital area for biodiversity conservation.

Notes:
A National Level Multi-Stakeholder Consultative Workshop on Sustainable Oil Palm Cultivation under the NMEO-OP was recently held. The workshop focused on enhancing oil palm cultivation and production of crude palm oil in India. It involved various stakeholders to discuss sustainable practices and strategies for implementing the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP). NMEO-OP was launched by India in August 2021 to boost oil palm cultivation and crude palm oil production. It focuses on the Northeast region and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The scheme has a financial outlay of Rs 11,040 crore, with Rs 8,844 crore from the central government. It aims to increase oil palm cultivation from 3.5 lakh hectares to 10 lakh hectares by 2025-26 and crude palm oil production to 11.20 lakh tonnes.

Notes:
The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai granted GI tags to eight products from Assam, including ‘Bodo Jou Gwran’, a rice beer variant with about 16.11% alcohol, and ‘Bodo Napham’, a fermented fish dish. The Bodo community has a rich tradition of brewing and consuming rice beer, believing it originated from Lord Shiva.

Notes:
Silicosis is an incurable occupational disease resulting from inhaling silica dust, often found in mining environments. This dust causes lung hardening, leading to severe respiratory issues. In regions like Panna district, many miners have been misdiagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) due to similar symptoms. The disease has gained attention as health workers advocate for better recognition and compensation for affected individuals, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis and the dangers of working in silica-rich mines.

Notes:
The Conference on Maritime Decarbonization in India, co-hosted by the Ministry of Ports and the Asian Development Bank, concluded in New Delhi. It emphasized the importance of green shipping and sustainable port operations. It aimed to align India’s maritime sector with global climate goals, discussing initiatives like the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines and the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. This reflects India’s commitment to transforming its maritime industry for a sustainable future.

Notes:
Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in as Mexico’s first woman president. She pledged to strengthen women’s rights and maintain Mexico as a secure destination for international investment. Sheinbaum, aged 62, is a scientist and former mayor of Mexico City. The oath-taking ceremony took place in Mexico’s Congress, marking the beginning of her six-year term.

Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) approved the Alinity m MPXV assay, a real-time PCR test for mpox. This test detects the virus using swabs from skin lesions, providing immediate results. It helps health workers confirm suspected mpox cases quickly, aiding outbreak control. Mpox has caused over 800 deaths in 16 African countries this year, with limited testing contributing to its spread. The Alinity m MPXV assay is the first mpox test on the WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) for faster availability during health emergencies. Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease that spreads through human contact and infected animals.