1. Karwar Port

Why in News?

• The High Court of Karnataka has recently directed the State government to stop all the developmental activities being undertaken at Karwar port under the Sagarmala project.

About Karwar Port:

• It is located in Uttar Kannada district at the Southern side of the Kali River.
• It is sandwiched between the Arabian sea on one side and the Western Ghats on the other.
• It is known as Kashmir of Karnataka as it is blessed with a wide variety of flora and fauna.

About Sagarmala Project:

• It aims at holistic port infrastructure development along the 7,516-km long coastline through modernisation, mechanisation and computerisation.
• It also includes the establishment of rail/road linkages with the port terminals, thus providing last-mile connectivity to ports; development of linkages with new regions enhanced multi-modal connectivity including rail, inland water, coastal and Road Services.

2. Ophichthus Kailashchandrai

Why in News?

• Recently, a new snake eel (Ophichthus Kailashchandrai) species has been discovered in the Bay of Bengal.

About Snake eel:

• It is named as Ophichthus kailashchandrai to honour the vast contributions of Dr Kailash Chandra (Director of Zoological Survey of India) to Indian animal taxonomy.
• It lives at a depth of around 50 metres in the sea.
• It is 420 mm to 462 mm in length and light brown in colour, with white fins.
• The outer surface of their bodies is slimy but they are not poisonous.
• Their teeth are moderately elongated, conical and sharp and thus they feed on Small Fish and Crabs.

3. Measles

Why in News?

• Recently, India has helped the Maldives in tackling measles outbreak by providing over 30,000 doses of Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccine.

About Measles and Rubella Measles:

• Measles:
• Measles is a viral infection of the respiratory system which can spread through contact with infected mucus and saliva. An infected person can release the infection into the air when they cough or sneeze. It is the leading cause of death in children.
• It is a highly-contagious virus and spreads rapidly in unvaccinated children, causing symptoms from rash to blindness, pneumonia to death.
• Its Symptoms are Cough fever, red eyes etc. A widespread skin rash is a classic sign of measles.
• A vitamin A deficiency is considered to be a risk factor for measles. Children with too little vitamin A in their diets have a higher risk of catching the Virus.
• Rubella (German Measles):
• Rubella virus is the primary cause of congenital rubella syndrome leading to abortions and children born with birth defects of heart, eye and brain.
• It is a mild viral infection that occurs most often in children and young adults.
• Its infection during pregnancy can cause abortion, stillbirth and may lead to multiple birth defects in the new born; like blindness, deafness, heart defects; known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). India accounts for around one third of all children born worldwide with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).
• Both Measles and Rubella can be prevented by a highly-effective Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccine.