0230/2020 - Suscetibilidade dos sobreviventes da tragédia de Bhopal – isocianato de metila (CIM) – gás e seus filhos ao COVID-19: O que sabemos, o que não sabemos e o que devemos?
Susceptibility of the Bhopal–methyl isocyanate (MIC)–gas–tragedy survivors and their offspring to COVID-19: What we know, what we don’t and what we should?
Author:
• Chinnu Sugavanam Senthilkumar - Senthilkumar, C.S - <sengenetics@gmail.com>ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3638-8719
Co-author(s):
• Tahir Mohi-Ud-Din Malla - Malla, T.M.U.D - <tahirachg@gmail.com>ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9266-6413
• Sameena Akhter - Akhter, S - <sameenaakhter@rediffmail.com>
ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2870-7705
• Nand Kishore Sah - Sah, N.K - <nandksah1@gmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8083-523X
• Narayanan Ganesh - Ganesh, N - <nganeshresearch@gmail.com>
ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6735-3420
Abstract:
AbstractThere is credible evidence that the 1984–Bhopal–methyl isocyanate (MIC)–gas–exposed long-term survivors and their offspring born post-exposure are susceptible to infectious/communicable and non-communicable diseases. Bhopal’s COVID-19 fatality rate suggests that the MIC–gas tragedy survivors are at higher risk, owing to a weakened immune system and co-morbidities. This situation emboldened us to ponder over what we know, what we don’t, and what we should know about their susceptibility to COVID-19. This article aims at answering these three questions that emerge in the minds of public health officials concerning prevention strategies against COVID-19 and health promotion in the Bhopal MIC-affected population (BMAP). Our views and opinions presented in this article will draw attention to prevent and reduce the consequences of COVID-19 in BMAP. From the perspective of COVID-19 prophylaxis, the high-risk individuals from BMAP with co-morbidities need to be identified through a door-to-door visit to the severely gas-affected regions and advised to maintain good respiratory hygiene, regular intake of immune-boosting diet, and follow healthy lifestyle practices.