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.

Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn has welcomed the UK government’s plans to review progress in brain cancer research after years of campaigning for better treatment and greater investment in research.

Goodburn, 25, revealed in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with three inoperable brain tumors. In August, he broke down during an interview on BBC Breakfast as he spoke about the challenges faced by patients with brain cancer and their families.

He appealed to the government to invest more in research, urging it to “give us a chance to fight for our lives.” His plea led to a meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

The government has now announced a new national brain cancer clinical lead and a review of progress in brain cancer research, with the aim of helping patients access treatments sooner, the BBC reported.

Goodburn thanked the prime minister, saying all three of his requests had been “promised to some extent,” although the details still needed to be worked out.

Burnham described Goodburn as an “inspiration to us all” and said he was “delighted” to welcome him to Downing Street.

“He has spoken passionately about the need for change on brain cancer, and he's right: progress hasn't been good enough, here or anywhere else. Families facing this disease can't afford to wait,” Burnham said.

How Will the Brain Cancer Review Work?

Also read: 'Give Us a Chance to Fight': Archie Goodburn Makes Emotional Appeal For Better Brain Cancer Research; UK PM Responds

According to the BBC, the review will be led by Professor Anthony Chalmers, chair of clinical oncology at the University of Glasgow. It will assess progress in brain cancer research since 2018 and identify “what is still holding progress back.”

The review will be followed by a national cancer plan aimed at getting new treatments “out of the lab and to patients faster,” Downing Street said.

The prime minister has also asked the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to complete its review of regulations for medicines used to treat rare conditions sooner.

Goodburn has urged the regulator to finish the review within two years rather than three, bringing forward potential changes that could help patients access new treatments sooner.

Scotland Pledges Support for Brain Cancer Care

Read More: Saba Ali Khan Opens Up About Brain Tumour: Can It Go Unnoticed If You Walk, Talk And Work Normally?

Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who also recently met Goodburn, highlighted the Scottish government's commitment to supporting more clinical trials.

“We are proud to support national leadership for brain cancer through the Scottish Adult Neuro-Oncology Network,” Swinney said.

The network brings together clinicians, patients and voluntary sector representatives to improve care for people with brain cancer across Scotland.

“We will give careful consideration to any further role which Scotland could play to give people living with brain cancer a faster route from research to treatment,” he added.

Archie Goodburn's Brain Cancer Diagnosis

READ: Survival In Aggressive Brain Tumors Improves By Up To 50% in India, Say Doctors

The Edinburgh-born swimmer sought medical tests after experiencing numbness and seizures while training for the 2024 Olympic trials. He was diagnosed with three large oligodendrogliomas, a rare type of tumor that can affect the brain and spinal cord.

He underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but surgery to remove the tumors was not possible.

Despite his diagnosis, Goodburn competed at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, reaching the final of the 50-meter breaststroke but narrowly missing out on a medal.

Charity Brain Tumour Research has described brain tumors as the cancer most likely to kill people under 40 in the UK.

“One of my dreams is that we see a future where brain cancer isn't the biggest killer of patients under 40,” Goodburn said during the Commonwealth Games.

Retatrutide, an experimental loss drug being called the 'Godzilla' of weight loss jabs, has been reported to cause 129 symptoms, including burning sensation on skin, panic attack, a racing heartbeat and depression. It earned the nickname after clinical trials indicated that it could be more powerful than Ozempic and Mounjaro.

The discovery has raised concerns, especially amid the growing use of the drug outside clinical trials. Retatrutide is still being studied and has not yet been approved for general use but it is being bought illegally in the UK as well as across the world.

Study Identifies 129 Serious Symptoms

According to Daily Mail, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, analysed 148,640 Reddit posts related to retatrutide and identified 13,589 users who claimed to be taking retatrutide and analysed the side effects they reported. Of these, 7,823 reported at least one side effect, researchers identified 129 different symptoms.

The reports included physical symptoms as well as psychological complaints. But it does not prove that this weight loss drug is directly responsible for these side effects. The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

Social media reports can help identify safety concerns, but they have limitations. Researchers cannot independently verify every user’s medical history, the product they took, its ingredients or whether another condition could explain their symptoms.

The side effects were split into 14 different categories, including gastrointestinal problems, mental disorders, heart problems and skin changes. The most common side effect was increased appetite surprisingly which was seen in almost one in five users, affecting 1,336 people.

Fatigue was the second most reported symptom, which was flagged by around 15% of the users, which means almost 1, 188 patients. Nausea, on the other hand, was on top of the list of gastrointestinal issues, affecting fewer than one in 10.

Also read: 21% In 80 Weeks: Lancet Study Finds Lilly’s Retatrutide Delivers One Of The Biggest Weight Losses Ever

About Retatrutide

Retatrutide is being developed by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly as a treatment for obesity. It works on three hormone receptors involved in regulating appetite, blood sugar and energy balance: GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon.

The drug has attracted attention because clinical trials have shown substantial weight loss. In a Phase 2 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, participants receiving the highest dose lost an average of 24.2% of their body weight over 48 weeks.

It also delivered nearly 21% average weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity, according to results from a large Phase 3 trial published in The Lancet.

In the TRIUMPH-2 trial, people who received the highest 12 mg dose lost an average of 20.8% of their body weight over 80 weeks, equivalent to about 49.6 pounds or 22.5 kg.

However, promising results do not mean the drug is suitable for unsupervised use, especially since it is unapproved.

Also read: 2 Indians Charged In US Over Fake Ozempic Scheme: How To Spot Counterfeit GLP-1 Drugs

Side Effects Reported In The Clinical Trials

In controlled clinical trials, the most frequently reported side effects have included nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation. These gastrointestinal problems were generally more common at higher doses and during dose increases.

Researchers have also reported increased heart rate and skin sensitivity in some participants. In the Phase 2 trial, adverse events related to skin sensitivity were reported in 7% of participants receiving retatrutide, compared with 1% in the placebo group.

The symptoms reported in online discussions, including panic attacks and depression, require careful interpretation. Their appearance in user posts does not, by itself, prove that the drug caused them or establish how frequently they occur among people taking retatrutide under medical supervision.

Retatrutide remains under study, which means its safety profile is still being assessed by researchers. Products sold online or through unlawful ways may not contain the right advertised drug.

Professor Naveed Sattar, professor of cardiometabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, warned against purchasing unlicensed weight-loss products online. “I would urge people to avoid buying unlicensed weight-loss products online,” he said, according to Daily Mail. “There is no certainty about what these products contain, and without proper regulatory oversight there is a risk of adverse effects.”

Indonesia’s Central Kalimantan and Sumatra are shrouded in thick orange-yellow smog as wildfires rage across the regions. The smoke has spread across Southeast Asia, obscuring Singapore’s skyline, reaching the Philippines and forcing school closures in parts of Malaysia.

Indonesia’s Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) exceeded 1,200 on Wednesday, more than four times the “hazardous” threshold of 300, according to Environment Ministry data.

Fueled by El Niño-related dry conditions, the country is experiencing its most intense wildfire season in 11 years since mid-July. Authorities have recorded more than 280,000 respiratory problems in haze-affected regions since August 18, as fires burned through hundreds of thousands of hectares across Borneo and Sumatra.

Indonesia Plans Dry-Ice Trial To Reduce Haze

Also Read: Landmark Study Links Air Pollution To Higher Hospital Admissions For Cancers & Mental Health Disorders: Lancet

Indonesia plans to deploy 1.5 tons of dry ice, the solid form of carbon dioxide, over South Sumatra using Cessna aircraft to reduce the haze. The trial will focus on the Palembang area, with the approach potentially extended to other regions if successful, BBC reported.

Dry ice can cool the air and encourage cloud formation under suitable atmospheric conditions. However, its effectiveness in reducing wildfire haze will depend on local weather conditions and the method used.

Toxic Haze Spreads Across Southeast Asia

The smoke has reached Singapore, Malaysia, East Timor and the Philippines. Singapore’s National Environment Agency reported its highest air pollution warning level in the western part of the country on Wednesday. Fine particulate pollution also exceeded the World Health Organization’s recommended annual average exposure level, BBC reported.

Singapore has introduced subsidies for haze-related medical treatment and begun distributing N95 masks to eligible residents during periods of very unhealthy air pollution.

How Can Wildfire Smoke Affect Your Health?

Read More: Delhi Air Pollution Is Back: What Days Of Poor AQI Can Do to Your Lungs

A 2025 study published in Epidemiology found that the effects of wildfire smoke exposure on the heart and lungs may persist for up to three months after the smoke clears. Higher smoke pollution levels were also associated with an increased risk of health problems.

Why Is Wildfire Smoke Harmful?

Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter called PM2.5, which can penetrate deep into the lungs. Some particles can enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation.

Smoke may also contain toxic substances released by burning plastics, homes, vehicles, electronics and industrial materials.

Health Risks Of Wildfire Smoke

Prolonged exposure can affect several aspects of health:

• Lung health: Coughing, reduced lung function, worsening asthma and COPD, and other respiratory problems.
• Heart health: Fine particles can contribute to cardiovascular stress and heart-related complications.
• Brain health: Exposure may be associated with headaches and other neurological effects.
• Mental health: Wildfires, displacement and evacuations can contribute to anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Cancer risk: Research is investigating possible links with lung, breast, colorectal and bladder cancers, as well as certain blood cancers. Evidence remains limited, and these associations do not establish direct causation.

Children, older adults and people with existing heart or lung conditions are particularly vulnerable.

How To Protect Yourself From Wildfire Smoke

Even after visible smoke clears, harmful particles may remain in the air. To reduce exposure:

• Check air quality before going outdoors.
• Stay indoors and avoid strenuous outdoor activity when pollution is high.
• Use a HEPA air purifier to reduce indoor airborne particles.
• Wear a well-fitted N95 mask if going outdoors is unavoidable.
• Keep windows and doors closed when smoke levels are high.
• Continue prescribed medications for asthma or heart disease.
• Seek medical care for persistent or worsening cough, chest pain or breathlessness.