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Published on: Apr 04, 2020
3 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Declaring A Pandemic — What Does This Mean ?

Its finally happened. Three months after the first case was reported in Wuhan, China, and after a 13 fold increase in cases in just two weeks, the World Health Organisation has designated COVID-19 a pandemic. This disease has resulted in over 121,500 confirmed cases across 114 nations, and 4,300 deaths, over 3,000 of them in China alone.

The WHO has shown alarm at some countries that have shown “alarming levels of inaction” and hope the new designation of pandemic will shock these nations into action. “This is not just a public health crisis, it is a crisis that will touch every sector,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, at a media briefing. “So every sector and every individual must be involved in the fights.”

Despite this new update, it is not too late for nations to act, and countries can still impact the course of the outbreak by detecting, testing, treating and isolating patient, with further education to the public and contact tracing of cases.

WHAT IS A PANDEMIC

An epidemic is an increase in the spread of a disease within a community, and can be relatively common. Sometimes a single disease may spread rapidly in a small, unprepared community creating an epidemic. This is happening more often with the prevalence of the anti-vaxx movement, as immunity falters against preventable diseases like measles.

A pandemic on the other hand is the global outbreak of a serious new illness that is “sustainably transmitted throughout the world”. It is not a descriptor that is used lightly, as declaring a pandemic could “cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over,” if used incorrectly. There has been much discussion whether the declaration of N1N1 “swine flu” as a pandemic caused unnecessary panic, overwhelmed emergency services or caused excessive expenditure on antiviral medication.

Though they were concerned by the spread of the disease and came close by labelling it a “pandemic potential”, the WHO were reluctant to declare it one. Unfortunately, after 2 months of assessing the outbreak, members of the WHO were concerned “both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.” There is no threshold, number of deaths, number of countries affected.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE COUNTRIES?

According to the World Bank, the annual global cost of a severe pandemic is around $570 billion, or 0.7% of the entire world’s income. This estimation is realised as more people stay at home and more authoritative measures are enforced by governments. At this time, Italy has not put in place nationwide quarantine with further closure of almost all shops and services bar food shops and chemists.

The UK is expected to move from the “containment” phase of the outbreak, aimed at halting the spread of the disease”, to “delay”. This instead accepts the disease cannot be contained, and instead looks to slow its progression. Measures such as “social distancing”, isolation of those showing minor viral symptoms and cancellation of social events. To prepare for the UK epidemic a £30bn package has been prepared to boost the economy during the COVID outbreak.

India has suspended all tourist visas and e-visas until April 15ht as a pandemic is declared. All incoming travellers including Indian nationals will be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days if they have visited China, Italy, Iran, Korea, France, Spain and Germany after 15ht February. Advice has also been given to avoid all non-essential travel abroad.

South Korea has ramped up testing, performing around 4,000 tests per million people between 3rd January and 11th March. In comparison to 1,000 per million in Italy, 400 per million in the UK and only 28 in the UK. This has been due to differences in government responses, the severity of outbreaks in each country and the nature of the healthcare system in each country.

The steady decrease in new coronavirus cases in South Korea has been attributed to this mass testing, improved public communications and the use of new technology to aid diagnosis and management. Interestingly it has been achieved without the drastic quarantine procedures in place in China and Italy.

WHAT SHOULD I DO

Washing your hands has been emphasised by almost all public health agencies and governments. And you should continue to follow this advice. Soap and water is one of the most effective ways to destroy the virus on your hands, and helps prevent its spread.

It is also important to avoid panic, and to not hoard soap, food and toilet roll. Do not trust forwards on WhatsApp or treatment advice suggested, as these can be ineffective or even dangerous. Recently 27 people died from alcohol poisoning after a myth was spread stating strong alcohol could cure coronavirus.

Similarly be wary of false cures being sold online or by un reputable stores. Currently there is no cure for COVID, and supportive treatment is required for those who fall extremely ill.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should self-isolate and notify your local health authorities. Symptoms include fever, cough, sneezing, general lethargy and joint pain, symptoms similar to the flu.

If you have confirmed COVID and have been asked to quarantine yourself, PLEASE STAY INDOORS. There have been instances of infected people continuing to partake in everyday activities, resulting in the spread of the infection, sometimes to vulnerable children and the elderly.

Dr Rajan Choudhary, Product Head, Second Medic Inc, UK

www.secondmedic.com

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Genetic Testing Services India: How DNA-Based Insights Are Transforming Preventive Healthcare

Genetic testing services in India have rapidly expanded over the last decade, becoming a vital part of preventive healthcare, early diagnosis, and personalized treatment planning. As medical science advances, understanding one’s DNA has become more accessible, accurate, and meaningful. Genetic testing empowers individuals with information about hereditary risks, potential health challenges, and personalized lifestyle recommendations based on their biological blueprint.

With rising chronic disease rates, cancer cases, and lifestyle-driven health issues, India is now embracing DNA-based healthcare as an essential tool for early detection and long-term prevention. SecondMedic integrates genetic insights into its preventive care ecosystem, helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their health.

The Growing Importance of Genetic Testing in India

India has a diverse population with complex genetic structures, making genetic testing particularly valuable. Many hereditary conditions often go undiagnosed until symptoms appear, which sometimes leads to delayed treatment.

Several factors are driving the growth of genetic testing in India:

Increased awareness of hereditary diseases
Rising cancer and cardiac risk among younger populations
Demand for preventive and precision healthcare
Wider availability of DNA-testing technology
Integration of genomics into clinical practice

As people seek more personalized healthcare, genetic testing has become a powerful tool for understanding risk factors long before they cause illness.

What Genetic Testing Reveals About Your Health

Genetic testing examines specific DNA markers to determine predispositions and inherited risks. The results provide clarity about future risks, potential conditions, and biological tendencies that influence long-term health.

Genetic testing can reveal:

Predisposition to cancer
Heart disease risk
Diabetes and metabolic disorders
Thyroid and hormonal disorders
Lipid metabolism issues
Neurological and genetic syndromes
Response to medicines (pharmacogenomics)
Carrier status for inheritable conditions

This information creates a foundation for preventive action, lifestyle modification, and informed medical decisions.

Types of Genetic Testing Available in India

India’s genetic testing ecosystem offers several categories of tests designed for different health needs.

Common types include:

Hereditary cancer risk testing
Cardiac risk genetic screening
Metabolic and lifestyle-based DNA tests
Carrier screening for inheritable conditions
Pharmacogenomic testing
Newborn screening
Whole exome or genome sequencing

SecondMedic works with leading genetic laboratories to deliver clinically validated tests integrated with actionable health insights.

Genetic Testing and Preventive Medicine

Preventive healthcare becomes far more effective when guided by genetic insights. Instead of waiting for symptoms, individuals can take proactive steps based on their specific risk profile.

Genetic testing supports preventive care by:

Identifying risks early
Recommending personalized diet and exercise plans
Providing medication compatibility insights
Monitoring high-risk individuals more closely
Guiding screening schedules

This approach significantly reduces the likelihood of severe disease progression.

Integration of Genetic Testing with Precision Medicine

Precision medicine aims to deliver treatments tailored to individual biology. Genetic testing is central to this approach, helping doctors customize care.

Genetic insights influence:

Selecting the right medications
Determining accurate dosages
Avoiding harmful drug reactions
Recommending targeted therapies
Planning long-term health strategies

SecondMedic combines genetic data with electronic health records, lab reports, and lifestyle assessments to build comprehensive care plans.

Genetic Testing and Family Health Management

Understanding genetic risks does not only benefit individuals—it supports entire families. Many conditions are passed down through generations and early awareness can help protect family members.

Genetic testing helps families identify:

Hereditary cancer patterns
Recessive or dominant genetic traits
Chromosomal conditions
Diseases likely to appear later in life

SecondMedic provides family-focused genetic counseling that helps relatives assess their own risks based on shared history.

Safety, Accuracy, and Reliability of Genetic Testing

Modern genetic testing is safe, non-invasive, and highly reliable. Most tests require only a saliva sample or a painless cheek swab. Laboratories then analyze DNA using advanced sequencing technologies.

Accuracy is ensured through:

Globally validated testing panels
High-depth DNA sequencing
Cross-verified genetic markers
Clinically certified laboratories
Medical review of results

SecondMedic ensures that genetic reports are interpreted by certified experts for practical application.

The Role of Genetic Counseling in DNA-Based Healthcare

Raw DNA data alone is not enough. Patients need clear guidance on how to understand and apply genetic results. Genetic counseling helps individuals navigate results confidently and make informed decisions.

Counseling includes:

Explanation of risk levels
Genetic pattern interpretation
Clear preventive recommendations
Family planning guidance
Personalized lifestyle strategies

SecondMedic offers genetic counseling alongside reports to ensure meaningful, actionable insights.

How SecondMedic Integrates Genetic Testing into Preventive Care

SecondMedic creates a seamless experience where genetic testing becomes part of a broader health management plan. After receiving results, individuals gain access to personalized nutrition, fitness, screening schedules, and digital monitoring tools.

SecondMedic’s approach includes:

Personalized DNA-based health reports
Doctor-reviewed insights
Custom preventive health plans
Ongoing monitoring and follow-up
Integration with AI-based risk scoring
Virtual consultations with specialists

This ensures long-term support based on accurate genetic understanding.

The Future of Genetic Testing in India

Genomics is set to transform Indian healthcare in the coming years. As technology becomes more affordable and awareness grows, genetic testing will become a routine part of preventive health.

Upcoming trends include:

Widespread use of pharmacogenomics
DNA-based nutrition personalization
Expanded newborn genetic screening
AI-driven genetic interpretation
Integration with national digital health records
Genetic-based early disease prediction

SecondMedic aims to make genetic testing accessible, affordable, and clinically meaningful for individuals across India.

Conclusion

Genetic testing services in India are unlocking powerful insights that empower individuals to take control of their health. Through DNA-based risk assessment, hereditary screening, and precision medicine, genetic testing creates a pathway to informed, preventive, and personalized healthcare. SecondMedic integrates these insights into comprehensive wellness plans, giving users long-term guidance for healthier living.

To book genetic testing or explore DNA-based health programs, visit www.secondmedic.com

References

NITI Aayog – Genomics and Precision Medicine India
ICMR – Genetic Disorders in India 2024
IMARC – Indian Genetic Testing Market Report
WHO – Human Genomics in Healthcare
Nature Genetics – Global Genetic Risk Studies

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