Pakistan continues to be dealing with a polio outbreak as four fresh cases have emerged, pushing the national tally to 37 this year, according to health officials on October 19, 2024. Health officials said that the regional reference laboratory for polio eradication at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad confirmed wild poliovirus type-1 (WPV1) in two children-one from each Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

In recent cases, a girl has been affected from Pishin, and two boys from Chaman and Noshki of Balochistan, and a girl from Lakki Marwat in KP. These are the first detections of the virus within Noshki and Lakki Marwat this year; isolated cases of poliovirus were previously reported within Chaman and Pishin. The province of Balochistan was the worst hit with 20 cases, Sindh had 10, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had five, and Punjab and Islamabad had one case each.

A gigantic fight against polio has been on going in Pakistan- especially in Balochistan and southern KP-over the last two years. Immunisation campaigns have often been suspended or delayed because of local protests, insecurity, and community boycotts. Consequently, quite a number of children did not get the necessary vaccinations, making existing patches of vulnerability for the virus to flow within those pockets.

Noshki, located near Afghanistan's border, and Lakki Marwat have also recently reported some positive environmental samples that confirm the virus is present here, said a local reference laboratory official. Samples of latest cases are currently under genetic sequencing for checking spread of virus and origin.

As the threat of polio continues to grow, Pakistan has vowed to mount a nationwide campaign against it beginning from October 28. With the zeal to tackle the menace in the most effective manner, over 45 million children under the age of five will be vaccinated across the country.

Today, Afghanistan and Pakistan remain one of the few countries where polio has not yet been eradicated. The WHO said the virus remains a potential serious public health threat in areas with low vaccination coverage and weak surveillance.

India On Alert Against Polio

The country declared itself polio-free since 2014 and has kept the disease on bay almost a decade with very robust vaccination programs; however, two cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus cases reported in recent days from Meghalaya create some amount of doubts over a possible resurgence. Experts observe that in India, despite these detections taking place, strong coverage of vaccination at 90-95% and mandatory surveillance measures keep the risk of this widespread outbreak at bay.

The experts point out, however, that such stable situation in India requires continued surveillance. "Countries like Pakistan and parts of Africa remain at a high risk because vaccination rates in those areas are much lower," Dr. Siddharth, public health expert, said. Vaccination is an indispensable act in order to avoid the spread of this incapacitating disease that manifests most importantly as a nervous system affliction leading to the paralysis of a long period.

With concerted efforts from health authorities, there is hope someday that the scourge of polio will be completely eradicated from the face of the earth and future generations will never suffer from its effects.

Did Robert F Kennedy Jr. lie during his 2025 confirmation hearings to become US health secretary? US senators have opened up an investigation into whether Kennedy misled Congress about his 2019 trip to Samoa, months before a measles outbreak killed 83 people.

Ron Wyden of Oregon, incoming chair of the Senate Finance Committee, has launched an investigation into evidence that Kennedy “unlawfully lied” during his confirmation hearings, The Guardian reported.

Wyden is also expected to seek records from Children's Health Defense (CHD), the anti-vaccine non-profit Kennedy headed at the time, including documents related to his Samoa visit.

“We are beginning an investigation into evidence that Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy, Jr unlawfully lied to Congress on multiple occasions,” Wyden said in a letter to the group sent on Wednesday and obtained by The Guardian. The letter was also signed by Angela Alsobrooks, a Democratic senator from Maryland.

The investigation comes as the US faces its worst measles crisis in decades. More than 5,000 cases and eight deaths have been reported in 2026, the highest annual case count since 1991. The country is also at risk of losing its measles elimination status, achieved through decades of public health and vaccination efforts.

Also read: US Set To Lose Measles-Elimination Status After 26 Years: Prof Devi Sridhar Explains Reasons Behind Resurgence

What Is The Controversy Surrounding RFK Jr's Samoa Trip?

Kennedy allegedly misrepresented the purpose of his 2019 Samoa visit during two congressional hearings last year, telling lawmakers that the trip had “nothing to do with vaccines”.

However, letters obtained by The Guardian and the Associated Press in August reportedly contradicted his testimony.

In a letter to the Samoan prime minister before the visit, Kennedy explicitly said he wanted to study the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. He used the words “vaccine” or “vaccination” eight times.

“I am writing this letter to you in the hope that we might be helpful to the people of your great nation,” he wrote, suggesting that the deaths of two children following MMR vaccination could have resulted from manufacturing issues.

“I would propose my team conduct detailed health informatics assessment in Samoa of what happened with your MMR vaccines,” Kennedy wrote.

How Is Kennedy's Visit Linked To Samoa's Measles Outbreak?

Kennedy visited Samoa just months before a measles outbreak killed 83 people. Critics have argued that his presence emboldened anti-vaccine activists and worsened the country's vaccination crisis.

Children were among those who died in the outbreak, which exposed the consequences of low vaccination coverage.

Kennedy has denied the allegations, saying he never made public statements about vaccines or discouraged Samoans from getting vaccinated.

Read More: EXCLUSIVE: Ex-CDC Vaccine Advisor Says Measles Outbreak Bigger Than Reported, Slams RFK Jr’s ‘No-See Evil’ Approach

Why Is RFK Jr Under Scrutiny?

The letters have raised questions about the purpose of Kennedy's visit and the accuracy of his congressional testimony.

During his confirmation process, Kennedy pledged to maintain existing vaccine policies. However, after taking office, he moved to change several of them.

“We are deeply concerned by the tactics Kennedy has used – both before and during his tenure as secretary – to stand in the way of children receiving life-saving vaccinations,” the two Democratic senators wrote.

“In Samoa and in the United States, unvaccinated children have died tragic and preventable deaths during measles outbreaks. We intend to hold Secretary Kennedy accountable for the grave harm he has caused to vulnerable children. We also intend to hold him accountable for any false statements made to Congress, a crime that undermines the Senate’s ability to fulfill its constitutional duties.”

What Has Kennedy Said About Measles Vaccination?

Long known for his vaccine-skeptic views, Kennedy has spent years amplifying misinformation about vaccines, including the MMR vaccine.

But as measles cases mounted in the US, he urged American parents to vaccinate their children during an August CNN interview, marking a notable shift in his public messaging.

The appeal came as US measles cases surpassed the 2025 annual total.

"I've never questioned the efficacy of the MMR vaccine," the health secretary told CNN. However, the damage had already been done, with cases continuing to rise and eight deaths reported in 2026.

BidenAmid rising prostate cancer cases, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has revised its screening guidelines, recommending earlier testing for men at higher risk to improve early detection.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men after skin cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the US. An estimated 333,830 men will be diagnosed and more than 36,000 will die from the disease in 2026.

Updated for the first time since 2010, the guidelines, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, introduce age- and risk-based screening schedules. They aim to detect potentially aggressive cancers while limiting unnecessary tests and treatment.

Former President Joe Biden urged men to get tested for prostate cancer after the American Cancer Society changed its screening guidelines, four days after he said his own fight with the disease has been slowing him down.

"I know firsthand the toll of this disease, and I know that catching it early saves lives. So talk to your doctor, get screened, and let’s keep working to end cancer as we know it," Biden shared in a post on X.

What Has Changed In The New Screening Guidelines?

Previously, the ACS recommended that men discuss the benefits and risks of screening with their doctors without prescribing a specific schedule.

The revised guidelines recommend prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests at different intervals based on age and risk.

1. Men At Average Risk: Ages 50–69: PSA testing every two years.

2. Men At Higher Risk

Black men:

• Begin screening at 45, with annual PSA testing until age 69.

Men with an affected father, brother or son should begin screening at 45 and continue through age 69.

• Annually: If a close relative was diagnosed before 65, or more than one close relative has had prostate cancer.
• Every two years: If only one close relative was diagnosed at 65 or older.

Men with inherited genetic risk:

Men with inherited conditions such as BRCA2 mutations, or those with a close relative carrying a high-risk mutation who have not been tested, should discuss screening with their doctor.

3. Screening After Age 70

• Ages 70–74: Discuss the benefits and risks with a doctor. Those opting for screening should undergo PSA testing every two years.
• Ages 75–79: Screening is not routinely recommended. Exceptionally healthy men with rising PSA levels may discuss continuing with their doctor.
• Age 80 and above: Screening is discouraged.

Screening is also not recommended at any age for men in poor health who are not expected to live another 10 years.

What Happens If Your PSA Level Is High?

An elevated PSA does not necessarily mean prostate cancer or an immediate need for a biopsy. The ACS considers PSA levels high at:

• 3 ng/mL or higher in men younger than 70.
• 6.5 ng/mL or higher in men aged 70 and above.

If elevated, the test should be repeated, preferably within two weeks to three months. If levels remain high, further evaluation may include:

• Prostate MRI: To identify suspicious areas.
• Biomarker testing: To assess cancer risk.
• Prostate biopsy: To confirm cancer when indicated.

These additional steps can help avoid unnecessary biopsies and reduce screening-related harms.

Active Surveillance For Low-Risk Prostate Cancer

For men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer, the ACS recommends active surveillance as the initial management approach. This involves:

• Regular PSA testing.
• Periodic biopsies.
• MRI scans, when appropriate.

Treatment may be considered if monitoring shows that the cancer is becoming more aggressive.

Prostate Cancer: Why Early Screening Matters?

"Early prostate cancer usually doesn't cause signs and symptoms, which is why screening is important," said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the ACS.

When symptoms occur, they may include:

• Difficulty urinating or a weak urine stream.
• Frequent urination, particularly at night.
• Blood in the urine or semen.

Advanced prostate cancer may cause bone pain if the disease spreads to the bones or other organs.

However, these symptoms can also indicate conditions other than cancer. Men experiencing them should consult a doctor.

India has intensified its efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) through early detection, advanced diagnostics, nutritional support and community participation under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, launched in September 2022, the Union Health Ministry said.

Citing the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026, the ministry said India recorded a 38% decline in TB mortality since 2015, outperforming the global reduction of 35%. The country also achieved a 94% treatment success rate among patients with drug-susceptible TB.

TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: 15 Lakh Asymptomatic Cases Detected

The campaign has expanded its screening efforts through intensified 100-day campaigns, including initiatives launched on December 7, 2024, and March 24, 2026.

Between December 7, 2024, and November 8, 2026, more than 25 crore people were brought under TB screening activities.

According to the ministry, the screening drive resulted in:

• More than 11 crore chest X-rays conducted.
• Over 3 crore nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) conducted.
• 48.64 lakh TB cases detected, including 14.97 lakh asymptomatic cases.

"The detection of nearly 15 lakh asymptomatic cases is particularly significant, demonstrating the effectiveness of proactive screening in identifying individuals who might otherwise remain undiagnosed. Early identification facilitates timely treatment and provides opportunities to reduce TB transmission and prevent severe disease," the ministry said.

How The Intensified TB Screening Campaign Works

The first intensified 100-day campaign was launched on December 7, 2024, across 347 high-priority districts in 33 states and Union Territories. It was subsequently expanded nationwide to strengthen early detection, particularly among vulnerable and high-risk populations.

A second intensified 100-day campaign, launched on March 24, 2026, focused on screening in 1.58 lakh high-risk villages and wards, congregate settings and vulnerable populations.

Technology And Innovation In TB Diagnosis And Care

The campaign uses chest X-rays and rapid molecular diagnostic tests to identify and diagnose TB cases. Portable AI-enabled digital X-rays and other technology-enabled tools have also been deployed to strengthen screening and diagnosis.

• AI-enabled X-rays: Portable digital X-rays supported by artificial intelligence help strengthen screening and early detection.
• Rapid molecular testing: Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) enable faster TB diagnosis.
• Ni-kshay digital platform: Supports patient tracking, treatment monitoring and programme management, helping ensure continuity of care.
• Comorbidity screening: TB screening is integrated with the identification and management of diabetes, undernutrition and other comorbidities.

What Happens After TB Detection?

The campaign focuses on prompt treatment initiation, differentiated patient care, nutritional assistance and continued community-based support to improve treatment outcomes.

Through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, eligible patients receive financial assistance towards their nutritional requirements during treatment. The Ni-kshay Mitra initiative encourages individuals, institutions and organisations to provide nutritional and psychosocial support.

The ministry said 67,933 panchayats were declared TB-free in 2025, reflecting efforts to involve communities in India's TB elimination programme.

India Records 38% Decline In TB Mortality

According to the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026, India's estimated TB mortality rate declined from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 18 per lakh in 2025, representing a 38% reduction.

The country also recorded a 94% treatment success rate among patients with drug-susceptible TB.

The government said 96% of the TB programme's funding requirements are being met through domestic resources.