DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS

07.02.2025

GS-1 Geography 

About The News:                                                 

• Thousands of residents have fled the island of Santorini after a swarm of earthquakes shook the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea on Tuesday morning.

Key points for prelims

Santorini Island:

• Santorini, or Thera, as it is also known, is a volcanic crater island that is located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea in southeastern Greece.
• It is the southernmost island in the Cyclades island group.
• It is located approximately 128 nautical miles southeast of the Greek mainland and about 63 nautical miles north of Crete, the largest Greek island.
• Santorini is the remaining portion of an exploded volcano and forms the most active volcanic center of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc.
• Santorini’s volcano is one of the few active volcanoes on Greek and European land.
• It is well known for its sea-filled volcanic caldera that is surrounded by high colorful cliffs on its three sides.
• It is also known for its pristine whitewashed houses spread across jagged cliffs, astonishing blue waters, dramatic views, fabulous sunsets, and the ancient settlement of Thira.
• NEWS 2: Exercise Ekuverin
  
  

GS-03 Defence and Security

About The News:

• Recently, the 13th edition of joint military exercise ‘Ekuverin’ between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force has commenced.

Key points for prelims:

Exercise Ekuverin:

• Ekuverin meaning ‘Friends’ in Dhivehi language started in the year 2009.
• It is a bilateral military annual exercise conducted alternatively in India and Maldives.
• Aim of Exercise Ekuverin: It is aimed at enhancing interoperability in counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations, and carry out joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
• It is being conducted in Maldives this year. In 2023, it was conducted at Chaubatia in Uttarakhand.
• Both nations have very close and friendly relations in economic, cultural and military cooperation.
• ‘Ex Ekuverin’ will assist in further bolstering these ties between the two nations.

Other Exercise between India and Maldives:

• Exercise Ekatha: It is an annual exercise conducted between the navies of India and Maldives.

GS-03 Science and Tech 

About the news:

• Recently, an eight-year-old girl from Kottakkal in Malappuram district of Kerala died after undergoing around two months of treatment for brucellosis.

Key points for prelims:  

Brucellosis Disease:

• It is a bacterial disease caused by various Brucella species, which mainly infect cattle, swine, goats, sheep and dogs.
• Humans acquire it through direct contact with infected animals, by eating or drinking contaminated animal products or by inhaling airborne agents.
• Most cases are caused by ingesting un-pasteurised milk or cheese from infected goats or sheep.
• Human-to-human transmission is very rare, says the WHO.

Symptoms of Brucellosis Disease:

• Fever, weakness, weight loss, and general a feeling of discomfort are some of the common symptoms.
• In many patients, they can be mild and may not get diagnosed at all.
• The incubation period can vary from one week to two months, but it usually lasts between two and four weeks.

Who is at risk?

• It affects people of all ages.
• The WHO says that people who work with animals and are in contact with their blood, placenta, foetuses and uterine secretions have an increased risk of contracting the disease.
• This method of transmission primarily affects farmers, butchers, hunters, veterinarians and laboratory personnel.
• Treatment for Brucellosis Disease: It is usually treated with antibiotics.
• Prevention of Brucellosis Disease: Vaccination of cattle, goats and sheep is among the prevention options.
• Pasteurisation of milk for direct consumption and for creating derivatives such as cheese is an important step to prevent its transmission from animals to humans.

Mains Questions:

• Santorini Island, a part of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, recently experienced seismic activity, leading to large-scale evacuations. Discuss the geological significance of Santorini and its impact on the region’s geography and tourism. How can countries prone to volcanic activity enhance disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies