TNPSC Current Affairs July 08, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs July 08, 2020 (08/07/2020)

Topic: Latest Inventions on Science and Health, International News

Bubonic Plague

Recently, reports of an outbreak of bubonic plague in Mongolia, China and far east Russia have emerged, caused mainly by Tarbagan Marmot (a species of Marmot).

It has been compared to the Covid-19 pandemic which was apparently spread by the consumption of bat meat.

Local authorities announced that the warning period will continue until the end of 2020 since the plague ran the risk of spreading.

Marmot (genus Marmota) belongs to the squirrel family (Sciuridae) within the order Rodentia.

What is the plague?

The plague is a disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, which is found in animals, particularly rodents. It can be transmitted to humans through infected animals and fleas.

In the Middle Ages (5th-15th century), plague was also known as the ‘Black Death’ as it was responsible for the deaths of millions of people in Europe.

There are three types of plague:

Bubonic plague: This infects a person’s lymphatic system (which is a part of their immune system), causing inflammation in the lymph nodes. If left untreated, the bubonic plague can also convert into either pneumonic of septicemic plague. Its symptoms include fever, chills, weakness and headaches.

Pneumonic plague: According to WHO, pneumonic plague is the ‘most virulent form of plague’ and can be fatal within 24 to 72 hours. It occurs when the bacteria infects the lungs. It is the only type of plague that can be transmitted from human to human. Symptoms are chest pain, fever and cough. It is highly contagious and transmissible merely by coughing.

Septicemic plague: This is when the bacteria enters the blood stream and multiplies there.

If left untreated, pneumonic and bubonic plague can lead to septicemic plague. A person infected by septicemic plague may also notice their skin turning black.

How to treat and control plague?

The plague is a life-threatening disease but if caught early, can be treated with antibiotics. However, without prompt treatment, the disease can lead to serious illnesses and even death.

At times, antibiotics alone are not enough —additionally intravenous fluids and extra oxygen are required to treat a person.

Since it is highly contagious, those who are infected with pneumonic plague are kept in isolation.

And people in close contact with the person infected are given a dose of antibiotics as a preventive measure.

Topic: International Events

Financial and technological commitments under UNFCCC and Paris agreement

The fourth edition of the virtual Ministerial on Climate Action was recently held. The meeting was co-chaired by European Union, China and Canada.

Outcomes of the meet:

Developed country parties were called upon to do their part as envisaged under UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement, for extending financial and technological support to developing countries.

What was announced under the Paris Agreement?

At the Paris Conference in 2015 where the Agreement was negotiated, the developed countries reaffirmed the commitment to mobilize $100 billion a year in climate finance by 2020, and agreed to continue mobilizing finance at the level of $100 billion a year until 2025.

What is the Paris Agreement?

It is a historic international accord that brings almost 200 countries together in setting a common target to reduce global greenhouse emissions in an effort to fight climate change.

The pact seeks to keep global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels, and to try and limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

To this end, each country has pledged to implement targeted action plans that will limit their greenhouse gas emissions.

The Agreement asks rich and developed countries to provide financial and technological support to the developing world in its quest to fight and adapt to climate change.

About UNFCCC:

The UNFCCC was adopted in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit, which marked the beginning of the international community’s first concerted effort to confront the problem of climate change.

Known also as the Rio Convention, the UNFCCC established a framework for action to stabilise concentrations of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere. The UNFCCC entered into force in 1994.

Topic: Places in News, Latest Diary of Events

Idlib

Why in News? Syrian and Russian planes have carried out deadly aerial strikes on schools, hospitals and markets in Idlib province. UN investigators have termed these attacks as war crimes.

Where is Idlib?

Idlib is a city in northwestern Syria, 59 kilometers southwest of Aleppo, which is the capital of the Idlib Governorate. It has an elevation of nearly 500 meters above sea level.

Topic: Latest inventions on Science and Health

Golden Birdwing: India’s Largest Butterfly

Recently, a Himalayan butterfly known as Golden Birdwing (Troides aeacus) has been discovered as India’s largest butterfly after 88 years.

It has replaced an unknown specimen which a british army officer Brigadier Evans had recorded in 1932.

Key facts:

The female was recorded from Didihat in Uttarakhand, the male was from the Wankhar Butterfly Museum in Shillong, Meghalaya.

With a wingspan of 194 mm, the female of the species is marginally larger than the Southern Birdwing (190 mm).

Earlier, the largest Indian butterfly that was recorded in 1932 was an individual of the Southern Birdwing (Troides minos), which was then treated as a subspecies of the Common Birdwing (Troides helena).

However, the specimen that Evans measured was unknown and no other butterfly measured as much as the 190 mm that he recorded.

The male Golden Birdwing is much smaller at 106 mm.

Measurement: The only measurement used in the study of Lepidoptera is wingspan in which butterflies are measured from the wing base to the tip.