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.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is worsening, with confirmed cases rising to 1,048 and the death toll reaching 267, according to government data.

The country has also reported 112 recoveries, while contact tracing coverage has improved to 70.8%. However, significant gaps remain. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that at least 95% of contacts must be traced to effectively contain an outbreak.

The outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain, with no vaccine or anti-viral, is spreading rapidly, even as response measures are being intensified.

"The outbreak remains serious and is evolving very fast. However, I have seen a response that is growing stronger every day," said Marie-Roseline Belizaire, WHO Regional Emergencies Director for Africa, speaking to reporters in Bunia, the epicenter of the outbreak.

Suspected Cases In Israel Test Negative

Meanwhile, Israel's Health Ministry said test results for two men hospitalized on suspicion of Ebola infection were negative.

The ministry stressed that no confirmed Ebola case has been diagnosed in Israel and advised the public to avoid non-essential travel to areas experiencing active outbreaks.

In addition, it urged travelers returning from Ebola-affected regions who develop fever or unusual symptoms within 21 days of their return to stay home and avoid contact with others.

Nearly 3 Million Children at Risk

UNICEF has warned that nearly 3 million children and adolescents face growing risks in eastern DRC.

According to the UN agency, an estimated 2.95 million children and adolescents aged 18 and under — representing 54% of the population across 31 affected health zones — are at risk from both Ebola and the disruption of essential services.

In Ituri province alone, Ebola has left more than 130 children orphaned, creating an urgent need for protection and care.

“Our teams in Ituri have met children who have lost their mothers, and in some cases both parents, to Ebola," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "Children are trying to make sense of the threat while surrounded by rumors and online misinformation.”

Although the situation remains fluid, children and adolescents account for approximately 15% of confirmed Ebola cases and more than 25% of confirmed deaths in eastern DRC as of June 19.

Children and adolescents with confirmed Ebola are almost twice as likely to die as adults, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the outbreak on younger populations.

Children Affected In Uganda

In Uganda, 20 Ebola cases and two deaths have been confirmed among individuals who travelled from the DRC seeking testing and treatment.

Children have also been affected. One child has tested positive for Ebola, while 19 others are under quarantine monitoring, the UNICEF said.

“Children are especially vulnerable because they depend on caregivers and cannot distance themselves from a sick parent or sibling in the same way that an adult can. To better protect children, we need sustained access, and the resources needed to reach every affected community," Russell added.

Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon singles champion, has been banned from professional sport for four years after refusing an anti-doping test.

According to an independent tribunal, the 26-year-old provided “no compelling justification” for declining to provide a sample after being notified at her home by a doping control officer in December.

“We recognize that this is a significant ban. And the reason for that is that you can’t have an anti-doping system where a player is in a better place by refusing to take a test than they would be by taking the test and testing positive,” said Karen Moorhouse, chief executive of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

“That feeds into the structure of the doping rules that provides for a starting point of a four-year ban for refusing to take a test, the same as a starting point for testing positive,” she added.

The Czech player said in April that she feared for her safety when the officer called and claimed the officer had failed to follow protocol.

Vondrousova reached the French Open final in 2019, won an Olympic silver medal in 2021, and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 6.

“I have never doped, I have never had a positive test. Throughout my entire career, I have undergone countless anti-doping controls and have always stepped onto the court with a clear conscience. I cannot say what comes next. For the first time in my life, I do not have a plan,” she said in a statement.

She is suspended from all professional events until June 21, 2030, but has the right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

According to Vondrousova, the doping control officer did not adhere to the rules by approaching her outside the hour she had designated under the whereabouts rules. During the hearing, Vondrousova said stress and poor mental health had affected her decision-making, in addition to her safety concerns.

How Doping Tests Work

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Doping control (testing) is one tool that Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) use to level the playing field and protect clean sport.

As per the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), athletes playing at the national or international level can be subject to doping control and can be tested anytime or anywhere.

Here's how the process works as per WADA:

• Notification: A doping control officer (DCO) informs the athlete that they have been selected for testing.
• Reporting: The athlete must report to the doping control station, with limited exceptions such as medal ceremonies.
• Sample Selection: The athlete chooses a urine collection vessel or a blood collection kit.
• Sample Collection: Urine collection is witnessed by a DCO or chaperone. Blood samples are collected by a blood collection officer.
• A and B Samples: The sample is divided into A and B bottles. The B sample can be tested if the A sample returns a positive result.
• Sealing: The athlete seals the sample bottles.
• Quality Check: Urine samples are checked to ensure they meet laboratory standards. Additional samples may be required if they are too dilute.
• Documentation: The athlete completes a Doping Control Form (DCF), recording relevant information and receiving a copy.
• Laboratory Testing: The sealed sample is sent to a WADA-accredited laboratory for analysis, with the athlete's identity kept anonymous.

Amid a red alert for a severe heatwave in the UK, the Met Office has also warned of a "pollen bomb" that could significantly affect people with hay fever.

The forecaster said there is no evidence that pollen levels are worse this year, but symptoms may feel more severe due to a combination of high pollen counts and exposure to multiple pollen types.

A 2026 Lancet Countdown in Europe study found that climate change is altering the flowering seasons of plants that release allergenic pollen.

“The combination of the fairly breezy and dry weather is going to bring a lot of pollen into the air this week and for the coming weeks,” Alastair Culham, Professor of Botany at the University of Reading, told The Independent.

“We've seen quite a mixed year so far, a very warm, dry spring which brought pollen on early, and then a series of wet weather which has allowed the grasses to grow exceptionally well. Now the weather has warmed and dried, those grasses are going into flower and the level of pollen from grass is phenomenally high,” he added.

Also read: UK Issues Red Heat-Health Alert: How to Protect Yourself From Extreme Heat

What Is Causing the Pollen Bomb?

Rising temperatures, expected to exceed 30°C on several days this week, are causing trees and grasses to release large amounts of pollen into the air.

“Hay fever symptoms usually appear when the pollen count, which is a measure of the number of grains of pollen in one cubic meter of air, exceeds 50,” the Met Office said.

The agency noted that weather conditions influence how much pollen is released and spread. Humid and windy conditions help pollen travel, while rain can clear it from the air. On sunny days, pollen levels are typically highest in the early evening.

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Which Areas Will Be Most Affected?

The Met Office has warned that grass pollen will remain at high levels across England and Wales, with Yorkshire, the Midlands and the North West expected to experience very high counts.

Pollen levels are forecast to be very high across England on June 24, with temperatures reaching around 38°C in some areas.

Northern Ireland and Scotland are also expected to experience medium to high pollen levels throughout the week.

Read More: WHO Sounds Alarm on Europe's Extreme Heat: Here's How Hot It Could Get Across Countries

What Is Hay Fever?

Hay fever is a common allergy that causes sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes.

According to Allergy UK, one in four adults and one in eight children suffer from allergic rhinitis, the medical term for hay fever. Research suggests the number of sufferers is increasing each year.

The Lancet study found that hay fever sufferers now experience symptoms for up to two weeks longer than they did in the 1990s due to climate change.

Symptoms of Hay Fever

• Sneezing and coughing
• Runny or blocked nose
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
• Loss of smell
• Pain around the forehead and sides of the head
• Headache
• Fatigue

How to Protect Yourself

According to the UK NHS, hay fever can last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually resolves within one to two weeks. While there is no cure, symptoms can be managed when pollen levels are high.

Dos

• Apply petroleum jelly around your nostrils to trap pollen
• Wear wraparound sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat outdoors
• Shower and change clothes after being outside
• Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible
• Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
• Use a pollen filter in your car and a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner
• Take antihistamine drops, tablets or nasal sprays

Don't

• Cut the grass or walk on the grass
• Spend excessive time outdoors
• Keep fresh flowers inside the house
• Smoke or stay around smoke
• Dry clothes outside
• Let pets indoors if possible, as they can carry pollen inside.