Birthdays are exciting for everyone. There's celebration, a cake, and balloons. But what if it goes wrong? This is what happened with Giang Pham, from Vietnam, who was celebrating her 33rd birthday on February 14, when a hydrogen balloon in her hand touched the flame from the candle on the cake and exploded on her face.

This incident was also captured on camera. The footage clearly shows how the balloon blew up as soon as it touched the flame. Her friends were shocked and can be heard gasping in the background as they saw this.

In the days following the incident, she also shared photos on her Instagram showing her bandaged face, and revealed the first-degree burns on her hand and second-degree burns on her face. However, the good news was that her vision was unaffected, though for her face to recover, it would take months.

She is now also warning others about the risks of using highly inflammable hydrogen balloons. The other alternative could be a helium balloon, which you could fly higher and they remain on the ceiling.

Health Update

She revealed that her doctor estimated up to six months for her skin to recover. She would still have to go to the hospital for dressing and treatment. Another such case happened with a woman named Tine from Australia, when on her son's 7th birthday, the balloon exploded and "shook her house". Her son was burned in the forearm.

Such incidents happen because decorators want to save the cost by replacing helium with hydrogen, which is highly inflammable.

In Healing

Giang shared that she experienced second-degree burn on her face and first-degree burn on her hands. As per John Hopkins Medicine, first degree burns affect only the epidermis, or the outer layer of skin. The burn site becomes red, painful, dry, however, there are no blisters. A mild sunburn could be an example of such a burn. This is also called superficial burns.

Whereas, second degree burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of the skin. The burn site appears red, blistered and could also be swollen and painful. This is also known as partial thickness burn.

Then comes the third degree burns, also known as full thickness burn. This destroys the epidermis and dermis and could also damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. However, when the bones and muscles are burned, it could be referred to as a fourth degree burn. The burn sit appears white or charred and there is no feeling in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed.

How burns are treated?

The right way to treat a burn depends on its depth and how much of the body it covers. While minor, superficial burns can be managed at home, deeper or larger burns may need medical attention. Keep these essential guidelines in mind:

Do:

• Remove the source of the burn immediately – For example, take off clothing soaked in hot liquid to prevent further damage.
• Run cool water over the burn – This helps soothe the skin, except in cases of certain chemical burns.
• Keep the burn clean and protected – Cover it with a clean, non-stick bandage when possible.
• Seek medical help – If the burn is deeper than a superficial layer, larger than your hand, or full-thickness, see a doctor.

Don’t:

• Use home remedies like bleach or butter – These can make the burn worse.
• Apply ointments or creams on deep burns – They can trap heat and worsen the injury.
• Put ice on the burn – It can cause more damage to the skin.
• Pop blisters – This increases the risk of infection.

Knowing these simple steps can make a big difference in burn care and healing.

Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India today announced that QDENGA (TAK-003) has become the first dengue vaccine to receive approval in India, marking a major milestone in the country's fight against the mosquito-borne disease.

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted market authorization for QDENGA to prevent dengue in individuals aged 4-60 years. According to Takeda, it is India's first approved dengue vaccine and can be administered regardless of previous dengue infection, without requiring pre-vaccination testing.

"Since its launch in 2022, QDENGA has been approved in 43 countries, with more than 32 million doses distributed globally. This approval marks an important step forward in strengthening dengue prevention in India," said Dr. Mahender Nayak, Head of Intercontinental Markets.

QDENGA Vaccine: Why The Approval Matters

The approval comes at a critical time as dengue cases in India have risen sharply over the past two decades.

India accounts for nearly one-third of the global dengue burden. In 2025, more than 113,000 dengue cases were officially reported, although modelling studies suggest the true number of infections may run into tens of millions annually due to underreporting.

Rapid urbanization, climate change and widespread mosquito breeding have made dengue a year-round public health concern. Since there is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue, prevention remains the most effective strategy.

"India carries a substantial dengue burden, and all four dengue virus serotypes co-circulate in several regions. QDENGA is designed to protect against all four serotypes regardless of prior exposure," said Dr. Goh Choo Beng, Medical Affairs Head, Southeast Asia & India Cluster.

QDENGA: Scientific Evidence

The DCGI approval is supported by Takeda's global clinical development programme comprising 19 Phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials involving more than 28,000 participants in dengue-endemic and non-endemic regions.

The pivotal Phase III TIDES (DEN-301) study enrolled more than 20,000 participants across eight countries and evaluated the vaccine's long-term safety and effectiveness.

Key findings include:

• 80.2% vaccine efficacy against virologically confirmed dengue one year after the second dose.
• 90.4% efficacy against dengue-related hospitalization at 18 months.
• 84.1% protection against dengue-related hospitalization after 4.5 years.
• Safety and efficacy data demonstrating protection for up to seven years across all four dengue virus serotypes.

The approval is also supported by an Indian Phase III (DEN-302) trial involving participants aged 4-60 years, which found QDENGA to be safe, well-tolerated and immunogenic in children, adolescents and adults.

What Is QDENGA?

QDENGA (TAK-003) is a live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes.

It is administered as two 0.5 mL subcutaneous doses, given three months apart.

The vaccine is built on a DENV-2 backbone, incorporating structural proteins from DENV-1, DENV-3 and DENV-4 to provide broad immune protection.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends QDENGA for use in dengue-endemic settings without the need for pre-vaccination screening. The vaccine is also included in the WHO List of Prequalified Vaccines, allowing procurement through agencies such as UNICEF and PAHO.

The vaccine has been approved in 43 countries across Asia, Latin America and Europe. It is already part of Brazil's National Immunization Program and is available through public immunization programmes in Argentina, Colombia and Indonesia.

Who can take QDENGA?

The vaccine is approved in India for people aged 4-60 years to help prevent dengue disease.

Manufacturing In India

Takeda had partnered with Indian vaccine manufacturer Biological E in 2024 to expand production of QDENGA.

Under the agreement, Biological E plans to manufacture 50 million doses annually, supporting Takeda's goal of producing 100 million doses globally each year by the end of the decade.

COVID-19 is seeing a renewed uptick in India, with 339 infections reported between July 1 and July 16, according to the Andhra Pradesh Health Department.

Andhra Pradesh has reported four COVID-related deaths and 19 active cases, prompting heightened surveillance after officials identified the Omicron RF.5 sublineage in infected patients in the state.

The presence of RF.5 sublineage in Andhra was confirmed through genome sequencing of patient samples from YSR Kadapa district at the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.

COVID-19 Cases Reported

According to the Andhra Pradesh Health Department states that reported COVID infections fromJuly 1-16 include:

• Kerala: 115
• Karnataka: 64
• Maharashtra: 43
• Tamil Nadu: 39
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: 18
• Delhi: 18
• Rajasthan: 12
• Other states: Remaining cases

What Is Omicron RF.5?

RF.5 is an Omicron sublineage identified through genome sequencing. The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring the variant after it was reported in higher numbers in Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia, prompting Indian health authorities to closely track its spread.

According to the Andhra Pradesh government, RF.5 evolved naturally from the Omicron JN.1 lineage through the LF.7 and PY.1.1.1 sublineages.

Officials said it is not a recombinant variant, meaning it evolved within a single genetic lineage rather than through the combination of two different variants.

Is RF.5 Dangerous? What Are The Key Symptoms?

Based on current evidence, Dr. Vishnuvardhan said there is no indication that RF.5 causes more severe disease than other Omicron subvariants currently in circulation, although continued surveillance remains important.

The symptoms of RF.5 are similar to those seen with other Omicron variants and include:

• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fever
• Headache
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Fatigue
• Body aches

Key Spike Mutations In RF.5

In a post on X, Dr. Vipin M. Vashishtha, Member of the WHO Vaccine Safety Net (VSN), said RF.5 carries several spike mutations that may influence how the virus behaves:

• K478E and Q485E: May affect antibody binding.
• V152I and Q79E: May contribute to immune evasion.
• N501Y: May increase ACE2 receptor binding.
• D614G: May increase infectivity.

However, Dr. Vashishtha said these mutations alone should not be considered reliable predictors of disease severity. RF.5 continues to be monitored through WHO genomic surveillance.

Should You Be Concerned?

According to health officials, there is currently no cause for alarm.

• RF.5 is a naturally evolved descendant of the JN.1 lineage.
• There is no evidence that it causes more severe illness than other circulating Omicron variants.
• Its symptoms are similar to those of recent Omicron subvariants.
• Health authorities will continue genomic surveillance to monitor its spread.

How to Stay Safe

Health officials advise people to:

• Wear a mask in crowded indoor settings.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Ensure good indoor ventilation.
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination.

Amid the ongoing Cyclospora parasite outbreak linked to lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, the produce company has recalled shredded iceberg lettuce distributed across 27 US states over possible contamination concerns.

The outbreak, which has been under investigation for more than a month, has sickened over 5,000 people across at least 34 states, causing widespread cases of diarrhea.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initially linked the outbreak to lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to Taco Bell restaurants in five states earlier this week. However, a recall notice issued by the company late last week indicated that the potentially contaminated lettuce had a much wider distribution.

Taylor Farms said it is "actively removing" the affected products, has suspended distribution of iceberg lettuce imported from Central Mexico to the United States, and is no longer receiving products from the implicated lot.

"Consumers who have purchased the recalled iceberg lettuce should discard it immediately and not consume it," the company said.

States Where Taylor Farms Recalled Lettuce

Also read: Cyclospora Parasite Outbreak: Why You Should Avoid Packaged Salads and Go For Loose Greens

According to Taylor Farms, the recalled shredded iceberg lettuce was distributed between June 29 and July 16 in:

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The recall notice includes product descriptions, brand abbreviations and use-by dates but does not identify specific retailers, restaurants or product names.

"At this time, Taylor Fresh Foods has not publicly provided distribution information or a list of customers who received the product that was voluntarily removed from the market," the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said.

The FDA also noted that an earlier lettuce sample from Taylor Farms initially tested positive for Cyclospora but later determined the result "should be considered a false positive."

"FDA and state partners continue to collect and analyze product samples," the agency said, adding that no confirmed positive samples have been identified so far.

Taylor Farms also said on social media that none of its Taylor Farms-branded salad kits are associated with the outbreak. Most of the recalled lettuce was sold in large bags to food-service operations, including restaurants, with many products blended with romaine lettuce.

Further, media reports stated that several companies have begun removing affected products from stores and supply chains.

The list includes

• Walmart,
• Sysco,
• US Foods,
• Jack in the Box,
• Taco Bell.

Food Safety Concerns

Food safety experts said that additional distributors and restaurants may also have received the recalled lettuce, even if they have not publicly disclosed it.

The FDA said Taylor Farms "has not publicly provided distribution information or a list of customers who received the product that was voluntarily removed from the market." Current FDA regulations do not require companies to disclose that information.

Sandra B. Eskin, chief executive of Stop Foodborne Illness, said the lack of transparency can limit the effectiveness of recalls. She added, "The whole point is to quickly identify the product and make sure no one else eats it."

How To Reduce Your Risk?

Health officials recommend:

• Avoid eating shredded iceberg lettuce
• Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under clean running water, even if they are labeled pre-washed.
• Follow safe food-handling practices.
• Stay updated on food recalls and outbreak alerts.
• Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms develop.

Experts also recommend choosing whole heads of lettuce instead of bagged greens. Remove the outer leaves, wash the inner leaves thoroughly under running water, and cook produce whenever possible, as heat is the most effective way to kill Cyclospora.