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.

Hypertension remains one of the leading causes of illness and premature death worldwide. Yet a handful of countries have managed to significantly reduce its impact through effective public health strategies.

South Korea—best known globally for K-pop, K-dramas, and K-beauty—is among just four countries in the world to achieve a hypertension control rate above 50 per cent, joining Canada, Costa Rica, and Iceland.

According to the latest Korea Hypertension Fact Sheet, South Korea's blood pressure control rate has climbed to 62 per cent, making it one of the highest in the world. This means that more than half of people diagnosed with high blood pressure have successfully brought it within a healthy range through treatment.

"The Republic of Korea is one of only four countries in the world that have reached a hypertension control rate above 50 per cent," said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a post on X.

Canada, Costa Rica, and Iceland also have hypertension control rates exceeding 50 per cent.

"South Korea continues to demonstrate high performance in hypertension management at the population level, with steady improvements in awareness, treatment, and control," the fact sheet, published in the journal Clinical Hypertension, noted.

How Did South Korea Achieve It?

According to the WHO, South Korea's hypertension control rate was only about 5 per cent two decades ago. Since then, the country has achieved a remarkable turnaround, contributing to an estimated 83 per cent reduction in stroke-related deaths.

“It’s the single most important thing to get right in healthcare… but most countries don’t,” Dr Tom Frieden, president of Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative working on global health threats, told The Telegraph. “South Korea is one of the rare successes in the world, on both the treatment and prevention of high blood pressure.”

As per experts, Korea's success is a result of

• targeted salt-reduction campaigns,
• affordable and accessible combination therapies,
• routine screening.

"Globally, every hour, over 1,000 lives are lost to strokes and heart attacks from high blood pressure, while hypertension control is one of the most cost-effective interventions in public health. This is why I call on world and health leaders to heed the Republic of Korea's experience," Tedros added.

What Can Other Countries Learn?

Prof. Hyeon Chang Kim, Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Yonsei University College of Medicine, highlighted three key lessons from South Korea's success that other countries can adopt to improve hypertension control.

1. Make Hypertension Control a Health-System Priority

2. Invest in Data and Monitoring

3. Ensure Long-Term Continuity of Care

The South Korean experience shows that sustained care, regular follow-up, and strong healthcare systems can significantly improve blood pressure control and reduce deaths from heart disease and stroke.

Hypertension: The Silent Killer

The Lancet estimates that approximately 1.7 billion adults worldwide are living with hypertension. However, fewer than 20 per cent have their blood pressure adequately controlled.

Hypertension can quietly damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels for years before symptoms appear. Because it often causes no noticeable signs, many people remain unaware they have the condition.

"Nine out of 10 times, hypertension does not cause symptoms. The only way to detect it is through regular screening," said Dr. Ambuj Roy, Professor of Cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.

How to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

To help reduce blood pressure and improve heart health, Dr. Roy recommends:

• Being physically active for at least 150 minutes per week
• Limiting processed and salty foods
• Staying adequately hydrated, especially during heatwaves
• Following a DASH-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.

Duloxetine, a widely prescribed antidepressant, has been recalled in the United States after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found potentially cancer-causing impurities above federal safety limits.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, duloxetine is commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and certain chronic pain conditions.

The FDA issued a notice stating the presence of N-nitroso-duloxetine, a nitrosamine impurity detected at levels exceeding the agency's recommended safety threshold. The recall affects nearly 370,000 bottles of prescription-only duloxetine delayed-release capsules USP, 30mg, 1000 Capsule bottles, distributed across the US.

The agency warned that exposure to nitrosamine impurities "may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to them above acceptable levels and over long periods of time."

The agency classified the action as a Class II recall, indicating that use of or exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, while the likelihood of serious health effects remains low.

How Is Duloxetine Linked to Cancer?

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Notably, this is the second duloxetine recall linked to the same impurity. In October 2024, more than 7,000 bottles were recalled because of potential nitrosamine contamination.

According to the FDA, people who take medications containing nitrosamines—even daily for up to 70 years—are not expected to face an increased cancer risk if nitrosamine levels remain at or below the recommended limits.

There is currently no direct evidence linking N-nitroso-duloxetine itself to cancer. However, it belongs to a class of compounds known as nitrosamines, some of which are considered probable human carcinogens.

Moreover, health risks associated with nitrosamines generally depend on both the amount and duration of exposure. Higher levels over extended periods are considered more concerning.

The US National Library of Medicine describes N-nitroso-duloxetine as a compound that is "suspected of causing cancer" and notes that it is toxic if swallowed.

At the same time, the California State Board of Pharmacy emphasizes that exposure does not automatically result in cancer. The agency notes that nitrosamines are commonly found in water and foods, including cured and grilled meats, dairy products, and vegetables.

"Everyone is exposed to some level of nitrosamines," the board states. "These impurities may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to them above acceptable levels over long periods of time."

What Are Antidepressants?

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Antidepressants are prescription medications used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and other conditions by increasing levels of certain brain chemicals involved in mood regulation.

Common classes of antidepressants include:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)

These medications often take several weeks to achieve their full therapeutic effect. Common side effects may include dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, and weight changes. Emerging research also suggests that side effects can vary significantly depending on the specific medication.

What Is Duloxetine?

Duloxetine belongs to a class of antidepressants known as SNRIs.

Cleveland Clinic explained that duloxetine is used to treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and certain types of chronic pain, including nerve, bone, and joint pain.

The medication works by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain—neurotransmitters that help regulate mood and pain perception.

The ongoing Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could continue for more than a year, as the outbreak has yet to reach its peak, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

In a statement, the global aid organization also expressed concern that the Ebola crisis could divert attention and resources from ongoing humanitarian emergencies and conflicts across the region.

"We are afraid that this could last one year to end this disease," said Bruno Michon, Operations Manager for the IFRC.

The warning echoes concerns raised by the NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which has said that the outbreak is currently spreading faster than response efforts can contain it.

The concerns come as both infections and deaths continue to rise. According to the DRC Ministry of Health, 29 new confirmed cases were recently reported, bringing the total number of infections to 837. Four additional deaths have pushed the death toll to 196, while the case fatality rate has increased to 23.4 per cent.

Meanwhile, 49 people have recovered from the disease, and approximately 376 patients remain in isolation.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, is spreading rapidly in remote areas of the DRC and neighboring Uganda.

Uganda has not reported any new cases. So far, the country has recorded 19 confirmed infections and two deaths.

Could It Become the Deadliest Ebola Outbreak?

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The Ebola outbreak in the DRC could surpass the deadliest Ebola epidemic on record—which claimed more than 11,000 lives in West Africa between 2014 and 2016—if it is not brought under control soon, according to Africa's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

"If we don't stop the outbreak very soon, it will be worse than what we had in West Africa and eastern DRC," Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said during a virtual meeting of African leaders and international donors in Burundi.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Kaseya said that tens of thousands of people who may have been exposed to the virus have not yet been traced.

"Contact tracing is a major indicator and a major issue. We are missing more than 26,000 people, and we don't know where they are, and we don't know if they are contaminating other people," he said.

Testing and Contact Tracing Challenges

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There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment specifically for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that it could take up to nine months before a vaccine candidate is ready.

Testing remains one of the biggest weaknesses in the outbreak response. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also voiced concern after visiting the DRC.

"I'm really worried," Tedros said, according to Stat News.

He explained that in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces—where the outbreak is concentrated—many residents view Ebola as a lesser threat compared with armed conflict, hunger, and other common deadly diseases.

"When the community is not taking it as its priority, it's very hard," Tedros said.

Many communities, particularly those affected by ongoing violence, still lack access to testing facilities and diagnostic kits. Treatment centers are also experiencing significant delays in receiving laboratory results, slowing efforts to identify and isolate infections quickly.

What Is Ebola?

Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever first identified in 1976. Since then, more than 30 outbreaks have been recorded, primarily in Central and West Africa.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Weakness and fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising

In severe cases, the disease can lead to organ failure, internal bleeding, shock, and death. Aid organizations warn that without stronger surveillance, expanded testing, faster laboratory turnaround times, and more effective contact tracing, the outbreak could continue to grow in the coming weeks and months.