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 US has witnessed 50 large tuberculosis outbreaks (defined as 10 or more related cases in three years) across 23 states from 2017 through 2023, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report showed that the numbers, primarily involving U.S.-born persons, have more than doubled in recent years and disproportionately affected socially and economically vulnerable populations.

The outbreaks accounted for 1,092 of the 61,993 cases reported during the period. Two-thirds of large outbreaks occurred within family and social networks. Persons with TB in large outbreaks reported substance use, homelessness, and incarceration more often than did other persons with TB.

The numbers also show a sharp increase from the 24 identified from 2014 to 2016, suggesting that transmission within family and social networks is an ongoing issue, despite the US having one of the lowest TB incidence rates in the world.

“Approximately 80 per cent of large outbreak-related cases occurred among US-born persons. The identification of large outbreaks in approximately one-half of US states, including many with TB incidence below the national average, indicates that maintaining public health capacity for TB outbreak prevention, detection, and response remains critical even in jurisdictions with low TB incidence,” said corresponding author Kala M. Raz, from the Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, CDC

What Are The Key Finding?

Notably, the report showed that people involved in the large outbreaks differed from other TB patients. The differences include:

• Nearly 80 per cent of cases were among US-born people, compared to 26 per cent in non-outbreak TB cases
• Substance use was more common (27 per cent vs 12 per cent)
• Around 9 per cent were homeless, compared to 5 per cent in non-outbreak cases
• Over 11 per cent had been incarcerated, vs 3 per cent in non-outbreak TB
• More cases were seen in children under 15 (15 per cent vs 3 per cent)
• Higher share among adults aged 25–44 (40 per cent vs 29 per cent)
• Fewer cases in adults 65+ (8 per cent vs 26 per cent)
• About two-thirds of outbreaks spread within families or social circles
• Around one-quarter occurred in group settings like workplaces, prisons, care homes, universities, and shelters
• Outbreaks were reported in 23 states, including those with lower TB rates
• Large outbreaks made up 1.7 per cent of total TB cases (2017–2023)

How To Control

The CDC report calls for maintaining public health capacity for TB outbreak detection, prevention, and response, even in areas with low TB incidence.

Importantly, they pressed for national genomic surveillance to help prevent and control outbreaks at the local levels.

They also emphasize the need for targeted public health strategies focused on populations at increased risk, particularly those experiencing housing instability, substance use, or incarceration.

What Is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body. It is transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Without proper treatment, TB can be fatal.

What Are The Symptoms?

Persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks

Fever

Night sweats

Unexplained weight loss.

In a significant public health move, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, has deployed India’s first portable MRI for bedside brain scans, marking an important milestone for neurological care across the country.

The MRI system, installed at the AIIMS’ Center for Neurological Conditions, will enable rapid brain imaging for critically ill patients in ICUs, emergencies, and neurosurgical care.

The ultra-low-field device can be wheeled directly to patients, eliminating the need for dedicated MRI suites or risky patient transfers.

“Bedside brain imaging transforms how we care for our most critically ill patients. At AIIMS, we manage thousands of stroke and ICU patients annually, where rapid neuroimaging is essential—yet transport to conventional MRI is often unsafe or impossible,” said Dr. Shailesh Gaikwad, Head, Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Neuroradiology and Chief of Neuroscience Centre, AIIMS New Delhi, in a statement.

Bedside MRI: The Swoop system

The Swoop MRI system, developed by US-based medical technology company Hyperfine, is the world's first FDA-cleared, portable, and ultra-low-field magnetic resonance brain imaging system capable of providing imaging at multiple points of care.

It is expected to improve rapid diagnosis in stroke, trauma, ICU monitoring, pediatrics, and post-operative neurosurgical care.

Across the world, portable bedside MRI systems are being used in hospitals in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, New Zealand, and various EU countries.

“The Swoop system eliminates that barrier. Now our clinicians can obtain diagnostic images at the point of care, enabling faster decision-making in neurology, trauma, and critical care," Dr Gaikwad explained.

Also read: India’s Vaccine Initiatives: HPV For Girls, Indigenous Dengue Shot On The Horizon

He added that as AIIMS Delhi "serves as a referral center across India, this deployment signals what's possible when technology and clinical need align to advance neurological care”.

The technology enables faster decision-making in emergencies, in cases where conventional imaging is difficult or unsafe.

The installation in AIIMS Delhi follows regulatory approval in India, Hyperfine said in a statement.

Experts stated that the development could significantly expand access to brain imaging and strengthen research in point-of-care neurodiagnostics nationwide.

How The Swoop System Is Better Than Conventional MRIs?

Conventional high-field MRI systems require dedicated shielded rooms, specialized infrastructure, and patient transport.

For critically ill patients in ICUs, trauma bays, neurosurgery wards, neonatal units, and emergency departments, transport is often not feasible. These limitations can delay diagnosis and treatment and impact outcomes.

On the other hand, the Swoop system

• Requires no dedicated room,
• No specialized power,
• No patient transfer
• It can be wheeled to the patient’s bedside in the ICU, trauma center, stroke unit, or neonatal ward and obtain brain images when and where they are needed most.

“Bringing the Swoop system to AIIMS New Delhi is an important milestone following regulatory approval last December. India has a significant unmet need for accessible brain imaging. Deployment at the country’s leading institution signals the start of bringing point-of-care brain MRI to sites of care and institutions across India, where it can serve clinicians and their patients across neurological conditions,” said Maria Sainz, President and CEO of Hyperfine.

The Swoop system deployment at AIIMS New Delhi also establishes a foundation for clinical research. The AIIMS New Delhi team plans to document outcomes, contribute to peer-reviewed publications, and advance India’s role in the growing global evidence base for point-of-care brain imaging.

Leprosy will soon be a notifiable disease in India’s national capital, Delhi, in a move to boost surveillance, improve early diagnosis and treatment, the state health department has said.

The Delhi Health Department has submitted the proposal, under the Delhi Epidemic Diseases Act, for necessary approval. Once approved, Delhi will join states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and West Bengal that have already made leprosy notifiable.

“Leprosy is completely curable. Making it a notifiable disease will help us find hidden cases, stop transmission, and ensure every patient gets standard treatment with dignity. This is a critical step towards honoring our commitment to a leprosy-free Delhi and supporting India’s journey towards the interruption of its transmission by 2030,” Health Minister Pankaj Singh said, in a statement.

Why Notifying Leprosy Is Important?

More than 40 per cent of leprosy patients are managed by private health facilities in India, revealed a recent pan-India study. As a result, most go unreported to the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP).

Cases that go unreported continue to spike the risk of transmission. The variance in treatment protocols also raises the threat of drug resistance. WHO's Independent Evaluation of the NLEP program in India suggests that leprosy should be included in the list of diseases mandatory for notification.

According to the Ministry, the notification will mandate all government and private healthcare providers, including clinics, hospitals, and individual practitioners, to report every new leprosy case to the District Leprosy Officer.

Mandatory notification will

• boost surveillance
• boost targeted interventions
• lead to early diagnosis
• prompt early treatment with standard Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT)
• reduce disability risk
• prevent transmission through timely contact tracing and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP),
• reduce stigma and discrimination by normalizing leprosy as a treatable medical condition,
• improve treatment compliance and reduced defaulter rates,
• boost ownership among all healthcare establishments toward the common goal of leprosy eradication.

The proposed notification will be issued following the advice of the Delhi Government as per the GNCTD Act 1991. Detailed reporting formats and guidelines will be shared with all health institutions and practitioners across the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

Also read: ORS For Schoolchildren, Cool Roofs, Misting Systems: Here's All About Delhi’s Heatwave Action Plan 2026

What Is Leprosy?

Leprosy is also known as Hansen's disease. It is a chronic infectious disease that is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It affects the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract mucosa, and eyes.

If it is not treated promptly, it could lead to permanent nerve damage, disabilities, and social stigma. However, the condition is fully curable with multidrug therapy, and early detection could prevent further complications.

Leprosy is also a neglected tropical disease (NTD), which occurs in more than 120 countries, with around 2,00,000 new cases reported every year.

The Prevalence Of Leprosy In India

India achieved the official elimination of leprosy as a public health problem (less than 1 case per 10,000 population) nationally in December 2005. However, the country still accounts for approximately 59 per cent of global annual new leprosy cases.

As per data from the Health Ministry, till March 2025, 31 states/UTs and 638 districts have achieved less than 1 case per 10,000 population of leprosy, with a prevalence rate of 0.57 per 10,000.

The NLEP now targets "Zero Transmission, Zero Leprosy" by 2027 through early detection, free multidrug therapy (MDT), and stigma reduction.

Under the NLEP, the government provides services such as free diagnosis and treatment (MDT) at all government health facilities, microcellular rubber footwears for patients, free assistive devices for leprosy patients, self-care kits for patients with ulcers, and reconstructive surgery for Grade 2 deformities with a welfare allowance of Rs 12,000.

All services under NLEP are available free of cost at all government health facilities.