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.

Melanie Sykes has shared an encouraging health update, revealing that she is experiencing what she describes as “Post-Traumatic Growth.” On Friday, the former television presenter, 55, spoke openly on Instagram about feeling “vibrating high” after what she called moving through deep trauma. Her comments come amid an ongoing struggle with an autoimmune condition that has caused widespread inflammation and left her almost two-thirds bald.

Melanie Sykes Reveals She’s Living With ‘Post-Traumatic Growth’

In her message, Sykes reflected on how difficult periods do not last forever and introduced the idea of post-traumatic growth to her followers. She explained that it is possible to live with PTSD while also experiencing growth at the same time. “I’m in both camps,” she said, adding that people can hold pain and progress together, as long as they take care of themselves, allow space for grief, process what has happened, and then move forward in ways that bring happiness and meaning.

What Is ‘Post-Traumatic Growth’

Post-Traumatic Growth, often referred to as PTG, describes the positive psychological change that can emerge after someone has faced severe stress or trauma. Rather than simply managing or surviving the experience, people may find new depth in how they see life, feel stronger connections with others, discover fresh possibilities, or undergo spiritual or existential shifts. According to the National Institute of Health, PTG is not about bouncing back to how life was before. Instead, it reflects a deeper transformation that can take a person beyond their pre-trauma sense of self.

How Is Post Traumatic Growth Different From PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is marked by ongoing distress following trauma, including intrusive thoughts, avoidance, heightened alertness, and emotional suffering. PTG, on the other hand, refers to the positive psychological changes that can arise after working through trauma, such as greater appreciation for life, stronger relationships, personal strength, and shifts in belief or purpose. As noted by the National Institute of Health, the key difference lies in the outcome. PTSD is considered a mental health disorder, while PTG is a process of meaning-making and growth. Importantly, the two can exist together, with some individuals experiencing distress and growth at the same time.

At its core, PTSD reflects the painful impact of trauma, while post-traumatic growth represents the possibility of positive change that can develop through the long and often difficult path of healing, sometimes alongside or after living with PTSD.

What Condition Is Melanie Sykes Going Through?

Melanie lives with an autoimmune condition, a disorder in which the body’s immune system, meant to protect against infections, wrongly targets its own healthy cells, tissues, and organs. This immune response leads to inflammation and ongoing damage. Common autoimmune diseases include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes. Although there is no cure, treatment usually focuses on controlling symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and swelling and helping people manage the condition in daily life.

Just hours after GRAP-3 restrictions were implemented, authorities tightened pollution controls in Delhi and surrounding areas on Saturday evening by moving to GRAP-4.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)—the central agency responsible for monitoring and managing pollution in Delhi and neighbouring states—had imposed GRAP-3 curbs as the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassed 400, entering the ‘Severe’ category.

By evening, the CAQM reported that the AQI, which was 431 at 4 pm, continued to rise and reached 441 by 6 pm. Under the GRAP system, air quality is divided into four levels: Poor (AQI 201–300), Very Poor (AQI 301–400), Severe (AQI 401–450), and Severe Plus (AQI above 450).

The CAQM stated, “Considering the current air quality trend and to prevent further deterioration in the region, the Sub-Committee on GRAP has decided to implement all measures under Stage IV of the existing GRAP – ‘Severe+’ Air Quality (Delhi AQI > 450) – with immediate effect across the entire NCR. These measures are in addition to the actions already in place under Stages I, II, and III.”

The commission added that the primary reason for the worsening AQI was the weak Western Disturbance moving toward north-west India, rather than local emissions.

GRAP 4 In Delhi: Schools Shift to Hybrid Classes

While schools in Delhi remain open, classes for several grades have moved to a hybrid format, combining both in-person and online learning. The Delhi Directorate of Education (DDE) issued a circular directing all government, aided, and private schools under DOE, NDMC, MCD, and Delhi Cantonment Board to adopt hybrid classes for students up to Class IX and XI wherever online teaching is feasible.

The circular, dated December 13, states: “All Heads of Schools…are directed to conduct classes in schools for children up to Class IX and XI in a ‘Hybrid Mode’ i.e., both physical and online mode (wherever online mode is feasible) with immediate effect until further orders.”

GRAP 4 In Delhi: Are Delhi Schools Open Today?

Yes, all schools under the Delhi Directorate of Education remain open. Students up to Class IX and Class XI can attend classes either physically or online, depending on what they or their parents choose. The hybrid arrangement will continue until further notice. The directive also applies to schools managed by NDMC, MCD, and Delhi Cantonment Board. School authorities have been asked to promptly inform parents and guardians about the arrangements.

GRAP 4 Activated as Pollution Worsens

The move comes after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) declared Stage 4 of GRAP with immediate effect, as Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged into the ‘severe’ category. At 6 am on Sunday, the AQI in the city stood at 462, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app.

GRAP 4 In Delhi: Restrictions Under Stage 4

Stage 4 maintains all measures from Stage 3 and introduces stricter curbs to limit pollution. Among the new restrictions is a total ban on truck traffic entering Delhi, except for vehicles carrying essential goods or providing critical services. Trucks powered by LNG, CNG, electricity, and BS-VI diesel are exempt from the ban.

At-risk groups are being encouraged to get their flu jabs as concern grows over rising flu cases across the UK. The NHS has warned of a possible “tidal wave” of infections after flu activity began earlier than usual this season, with some schools already forced to shut because of outbreaks.

A post shared this week by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on X urged people to take vaccination seriously. It said: “Help protect yourself with a flu vaccine, it’s just like protective armour for those with long-term health conditions like #kidney disease. Stay strong. Get vaccinated.”

What Is The H3N2 Flu Strain?

Health officials have described the newly emerging H3N2 flu strain as particularly “unpleasant” and warned that the NHS may be heading toward a heavy surge in cases in the run-up to Christmas.

Flu-related hospital admissions have already risen by 56 per cent compared with the same period last year, and specialists say the worst of the season may still lie ahead. In response, health leaders have advised people to wear a face covering in public if they are feeling unwell and have urged everyone who qualifies for a flu jab to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

How Can Flu Vaccine Protect From the Flu?

Flu vaccines are meant to protect against influenza, which can be dangerous and even fatal for some groups. Every autumn or early winter, the NHS rolls out the flu jab programme for people who are more likely to develop serious complications from the virus.

Eligibility For Flu Vaccine In UK

According to official UKHSA guidance, six main groups became eligible for the flu vaccine from September 1 this year, while another six groups were added from October 1.

From September 1, this included:

• Pregnant women
• All children aged two or three years old on August 31, 2025
• Children with certain long-term health conditions (aged six months to under 18 years)
• Primary school-aged children (from reception to Year 6)
• Secondary school-aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
• All children in clinical risk groups aged from six months to under 18 years

And from October 1, 2025, this included:

• Everyone aged 65 years old and over
• Anyone aged 18 to 65 with long-term health conditions

Health and social care workers may also be offered the flu jab through their workplace. The NHS says it is generally safe to have the flu vaccine at the same time as other jabs, including COVID-19 and shingles vaccines.

The RSV vaccine is usually given separately, but NHS guidance notes that a doctor may decide to give both vaccines together in certain situations.

Super Flu Cases In UK

Amid the recent rise in flu cases, a Downing Street spokesperson also reiterated guidance this week, saying: “There is long-standing guidance in place for people on a range of measures they can consider taking to help limit the spread of winter bugs if they have flu-like symptoms.

“This is neither new nor an instruction but simply something people can consider when trying to limit the spread of winter respiratory illnesses.”

Citing a previous Mirror report, they added: “It’s been a long-standing position. The best defence against flu is the vaccine, which is why we’re ramping up our vaccination efforts this winter with almost 17 million flu jabs already delivered, which is 350,000 more than this time last year.”

The NHS App can be used to check whether you are eligible for a flu jab. Vaccinations are available through GP surgeries, selected pharmacies, maternity clinics, and care homes.