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.

Panic has gripped the residents of two villages in Rajasthan's Salumbar district, where five children have reportedly died within five days. The reason: an unknown disease characterized by a sudden onset of fever that worsens rapidly, and claims the lives of children within 24 hours.

According to officials, the children who died were between 2 and 4 years old, and all of them developed high fever, convulsions, and vomiting before their condition worsened rapidly.

Besides the five children who died, another 8 children are reportedly showing similar symptoms of the unknown disease.

The incident has been reported from Ghata and Lalpura villages in Lasadiya block.

The Disease Yet To Be Identified

The deaths have created fear among villagers, who submitted a memorandum to the SDM and health officials, seeking immediate action and identification of the disease.

District officials, along with a medical team, have reached the villages. The District Collector has ordered an inquiry. Medical teams are currently stationed in the villages, according to local media reports. Blood samples and other tests are being conducted to check for viral infection, brain fever, or any seasonal illness.

After preliminary treatment, five of the eight children newly affected with the mystery illness were referred from Lasadiya CHC to Udaipur District Hospital. Meanwhile, three children were referred to Salumbar District Hospital.

"Seventeen teams have been deployed in Lalpura and Ghata villages. Around 562 families live in this area," said Dr. Dinesh Rai Sapela, Additional District Collector.

Health teams are also conducting door-to-door screening, as well as collecting blood samples. These samples have been sent to RNT Medical College in Udaipur for testing.

“The exact cause behind the deaths is not yet known. It could be a viral infection or a seasonal disease, but confirmation will only come after test results,” said BCMO Dr Sintu Kumawat.

Meanwhile, Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, stated that the Chief Medical and Health Officer of the Salumbar district has been instructed to form teams of health workers to ensure intensive screening of children exhibiting fever symptoms—not only in the affected villages but also throughout Salumbar and its surrounding regions, media reports said.

“Immediate treatment will be provided to any child showing symptoms. Critically ill children are to be referred without delay to district hospitals or medical college facilities,” Rathore said.

Authorities have also initiated preventive measures against possible mosquito-borne diseases, including anti-larval activities, source reduction, and fogging operations in the affected areas.

The Delhi government has announced the expansion of the newborn screening program to improve long-term health outcomes of children.

The move is aimed at achieving near-universal screening at government health facilities and outreach centers, according to an official statement.

From the earlier mandated 1.5 lakh children, the government has expanded the Mission ANMOL (Advanced Newborn Monitoring for Optimal Lifecare) to 2.5 lakh infants to ensure early detection of congenital disorders, PTI news agency quoted the officials as saying.

“The scale-up would enable early identification and management of metabolic, endocrine, functional, and visible congenital conditions, improving long-term health outcomes,” said Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh.

Notably, the program will focus on timely intervention and follow-up care for conditions such as

• congenital hypothyroidism,
• congenital heart defects,
• hearing impairment,
• retinopathy of prematurity.

What Is Mission ANMOL

Mission ANMOL was announced by the Delhi government on March 24, 2026, during the Delhi Budget session 2026–27.

Under the ANMOL scheme, 56 types of tests will be conducted using a single drop of blood from newborns, completely free of cost in both public and private hospitals.

Delhi Chief Minister, while presenting the Budget, said the scheme aims to ensure that such tests are not seen as a burden.

"Children are dear to all, they are ‘anmol' (translated as invaluable). To prevent genetic disorders, which are extremely expensive to treat, we are launching this scheme," the Chief Minister said.

Also read: Cancer Is The 10th Leading Cause Of Death In Indian Children: Study

How Will Mission ANMOL Work?

Mission ANMOL will adopt a technology-driven and integrated approach aligned with national guidelines to make comprehensive newborn screening a standard practice across Delhi's public health system.

To support implementation, the government has approved 148 positions under the program, including continuation of 73 existing staff and addition of 60 staff nurses and 15 optometrists, according to officials.

The nurses will assist in sample collection, especially for pre-term and critically ill infants, and help coordinate care and transport, while optometrists will support screening for retinopathy of prematurity, they said.

The initiative will also strengthen coordination among hospitals, laboratories, and program units to ensure all newborns are screened before discharge, with special emphasis on high-delivery-load hospitals and neonatal intensive care units.

Singh said the expanded program reflects the government's commitment to strengthening neonatal healthcare and ensuring that no child is left behind.

Also read: 41 million children aged 5-19 living with high BMI in India: Study

Why Newborn Screening Is Important?

Newborn screening can find the disease before the baby looks sick, and enable early treatment and possible cure for many genetic and metabolic diseases.

Genetic disorders can be life-threatening, impact growth, and even lead to physical and intellectual disabilities. The early screening tests detect hidden conditions early, preventing irreversible brain damage or physical disabilities.

Screening within 24 to 72 hours of birth can provide early access to medical care.

The screening test typically collects a blood sample from the heel of the baby by pricking, and the sample is sent to a laboratory for a biochemical test for screening of inherited conditions.

South Africa's National Department of Health has announced that it has received a first consignment of 37,920 doses of the groundbreaking, six-monthly HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir.

Lenacapavir is the first twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) product that can help tackle the burden of HIV worldwide.

South Africa has the world's largest HIV-positive population of approximately 8 million people, with over 6 million currently on antiretroviral treatment.

“The department will, in the next few weeks, announce the official launch of this game changer where the phased implementation plan will be outlined,” said department spokesperson Foster Mohale, in a statement.

"Lenacapavir is preventive medicine, not a vaccine, considered one of the most exciting HIV prevention advances in years," Mohale said.

The Department noted that the medicine is expected to be sustain nearly half a million people in South Africa over the next two years, the statement said, adding that is will be officially rolled out in May.

Notably, the initial phase will target high-incidence districts and vulnerable groups.

What Is Lenacapavir?

Lenacapavir is a critical tool for reaching the Global AIDS Strategy goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Lenacapavir injection as an additional PrEP option offers a highly effective, long-acting alternative to daily oral pills and other shorter-acting options.

With just two doses per year, lenacapavir is a transformative step forward in protecting people at risk of HIV -- particularly those who face challenges with daily adherence, stigma, or access to health care.

Marketed under the brand name Yeztugo, lenacapavir, developed by global pharma major Gilead Sciences, costs $28,218 per person per year.

However, it is being provided to South Africa through a $29-million USD grant from the Global Fund.

The shot was tested in two major studies involving high-risk groups: one with young women and teenage girls in South Africa and Uganda, and another with gay men and gender-diverse individuals in several countries. In both cases, the results were striking.

The women who received the shot had zero new HIV infections, compared to around 2% in those on daily pills. In the second study, the twice-yearly shot proved just as effective for men and gender non-conforming individuals.

“This really has the possibility of ending HIV transmission,” said Greg Millett of amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

Lenacapavir: How Does It Work?

Yeztugo is administered as two small injections in the abdomen, forming a medication "depot" that slowly releases the drug into the body over six months.

However, people must test negative for HIV before receiving it, as it doesn’t treat existing infections or prevent other sexually transmitted diseases.

Lenacapavir: Why Access Is A Challenge?

Despite its potential, concerns remain over who will actually benefit from lenacapavir.

In the US, only about 400,000 people currently use any form of PrEP — a small fraction of those who could benefit. And structural issues like cuts to public health funding, limited insurance access, and stigma pose significant barriers.

Globally, the challenge is even greater. While Gilead has struck deals with six generic drug makers, including four Indian, to provide low-cost versions of the shot for 120 low-income countries, critics argue that middle-income nations have been left out.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima noted that at current prices, the shot “will change nothing” for many who need it.