Why in News?
India has sent 13 tonnes of BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin) vaccines along with essential materials to Afghanistan.
This initiative aims to strengthen Afghanistan’s child immunisation programme, especially in preventing tuberculosis (TB) among children.
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine
- Developed in 1921
- Derived from: Mycobacterium bovis (attenuated strain)
- Type: Live attenuated vaccine
- It is the only licensed vaccine against TB
What is TB?
- A bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Transmission
- Spreads through airborne droplets
- Occurs when an infected person-Coughs, Sneezes
Types of TB
Pulmonary TB
- Affects the lungs
- Most common and highly contagious
Extra-Pulmonary TB (EPTB)
- Affects other organs:
- Lymph nodes
- Bones (Pott’s disease)
- Kidneys
- Brain
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