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.

The Cyclospora outbreak ongoing in the US since May this year has reached 17,180 cases, compared with 1,180 cases through August last year, according to the latest figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The cases, reported across 48 states plus the District of Columbia, include two deaths, while 922 people have been hospitalized.

In addition, the CDC is investigating 11,844 additional cases that have not yet been laboratory-confirmed. The federal agency added that the true number of people sick with cyclosporiasis is likely higher because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora.

“Recent illnesses may not yet be reported due to the time it takes to identify and report Cyclospora cases. It can take about six weeks from the start of symptoms to when CDC receives the case information,” the CDC said.

Cyclospora Cases Expected To Dwindle

Historically, the cyclosporiasis season in the United States runs from May 1 through August 31, so cases should dwindle as summer ends, the CDC said.

The largest outbreak this summer was reported in Michigan. Last week, Michigan noted a 3% increase in cases, bringing the state's total to 14,277 cases.

Outbreak Linked To Iceberg Lettuce

The outbreak has been linked to iceberg lettuce, particularly lettuce produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico. The lettuce was sold at stores and at Taco Bell restaurants across the US before it was recalled.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by a parasite that spreads through food and water contaminated with infected human feces.

The Food and Drug Administration, which oversees food safety, has said it is “confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce related to this specific Cyclospora outbreak is off the market.”

While an average American reportedly eats about 18.3 pounds of lettuce each year, consumers purchased about 7.6 million fewer pounds of lettuce during the four weeks ending July 18 compared with the same period last year, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Is It Safe To Eat Lettuce Right Now?

Food safety experts noted that people can eat lettuce now, but should choose their greens wisely.

“Consumers should make informed choices rather than avoiding leafy greens altogether,” said Darin Detwiler, a professor at Northeastern University, Food & Wine reported.

Because the recalls so far are tied to specific products from one producer and have not expanded to include other lettuce producers, other products are likely OK, Detwiler said.

“Consumers should follow FDA and CDC recall information rather than assuming every leafy green product is unsafe,” he said.

Wade Syers, an extension specialist for food safety at Michigan State University Extension, said the ongoing Cyclospora investigation “does not mean all lettuce or all leafy greens are unsafe.”

How To Prevent Cyclospora Infection

To reduce the risk of infection, the CDC recommends:

• Wash your hands before handling food.
• Wash fresh produce under running water before eating, preparing or cooking it.
• Cook food to at least 158°F (70°C) to kill Cyclospora.
• Follow CDC and FDA recall notices and avoid recalled products.
• Avoid bagged salad mixes.

Food safety has become a serious concern in the US in recent months, with a large number of products recalled over contamination, bacterial infections, and other health risks.

The latest recalls involve rice over potential foreign material contamination and mini doughnuts over undeclared milk that may trigger allergic reactions.

Mini Donuts Recalled Over Undeclared Milk

Packages of mini donuts sold nationwide are being recalled after a consumer reported an allergic reaction linked to the product, USA Today reported.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Better Bakehouse Snack Company is recalling certain lots of Donutful Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Cake Donuts because they may contain undeclared milk.

People with a milk allergy or severe sensitivity to milk could face a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the affected product, the FDA said.

The food regulator noted that the consumer who suffered the allergic reaction has fully recovered. The manufacturer has identified the cause of the mislabeling and taken corrective measures.

Also read: From Dog Food To Fruit Bars: Over 10 Products Recalled In US Over Contamination

Which Doughnuts Are Being Recalled?

The recalled doughnuts are limited to a specific lot manufactured and distributed in March 2026. The product was shipped to retailers nationwide and sold through Amazon.

Consumers should check the following details to determine whether they have the recalled product:

• Product: Donutful Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Cake Donuts, 10 Mini Donuts
• Package: 7.05-ounce carton containing five 1.41-ounce (40g) pouches
• UPC: 3 50041 39210 3
• Best If Used By: September 15, 2026
• Lot Code: 26078

The FDA advises consumers to dispose of the affected product and obtain a refund from the point of purchase with a receipt, or return the product for a refund.

54,648 Pounds of Rice Recalled Over Foreign Material

An FDA update on August 25 provides more details about an April 2026 rice recall involving Lundberg Family Farms.

The company's Jasmine white rice was recalled because of potential contamination with foreign materials.

According to the FDA, 27,324 packages of 32-ounce rice were recalled, totaling 54,648 pounds. Lundberg-branded rice was also part of the recall initiated by the FDA in April this year.

The recalled rice was distributed in:

• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Illinois
• North Carolina
• New Hampshire
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Washington
• Wisconsin

Consumers can identify the affected products using these details:

• UPC: 073416040281
• Lot/Best Before: 260201MA, 01FEB2027; 260202MA, 02FEB2027

The expiration dates are February 1 and February 2, 2027. Consumers who were unaware of the earlier recall announcements may still have the affected product at home.

What Is the Risk From the Recalled Rice?

The recall follows the FDA's May 7 Class II classification.

According to the FDA, a Class II recall involves a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the likelihood of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

Belgium has been hit by a Salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated eggs, with more than 300 people falling ill, according to the country’s food safety agency. The outbreak comes after similar Salmonella outbreaks linked to contaminated eggs were reported in the US and UK.

Eggs Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

According to the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC), the outbreak has been linked to eggs produced by Laerco, a company based in Geel in northern Belgium.

“Salmonella is relatively common in Belgium, but we never had such a broad cluster with so many people hit,” an AFSCA spokesperson said.

No deaths have been reported in connection with the Belgian outbreak. However, officials warned that the actual number of cases could be higher, as some people may have experienced mild or no symptoms and did not seek medical testing, BOL News reported.

Eggs Recalled Across Europe

Also read: UK Food Agency Warns Vulnerable Groups to Avoid Runny Eggs: Who Is At Risk And Which Foods To Avoid

Salmonella was first detected at Laerco’s Geel facility at the end of April. In May, a large-scale recall was launched, with all eggs from the site withdrawn from the market.

The affected products were distributed through several major supermarket chains, including Colruyt, Delhaize, Aldi and Carrefour.

The precautionary recall was also extended to Luxembourg. FASFC notified several other European countries that may have received the eggs, including the Netherlands, France, Italy and Portugal.

As many as 2 million potentially contaminated eggs may have been sold, according to authorities.

Poultry Farm Closed

AFSCA first discovered the contamination in May and responded by recalling the affected eggs and closing one henhouse at the farm in Flanders.

However, additional cases were reported in the following months. Officials expanded the investigation and closed the entire farm. The poultry were subsequently destroyed after a second egg recall was issued on August 10.

Secondary testing found that the bacteria had spread across multiple sheds despite initial isolation efforts, Euronews reported.

UK, US Report Salmonella Cases

Read More: From Dog Food To Fruit Bars: Over 10 Products Recalled In US Over Contamination

The Belgian outbreak comes after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) linked two deaths and 474 illnesses to three separate Salmonella Enteritidis clusters across the UK.

The US is also experiencing a Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) upgraded the recall to its highest risk level and classified nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs as “Class I”, its most serious category for products that could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

The multistate Salmonella outbreak has been linked to Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. person.

What Is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that commonly causes diarrhea and gastrointestinal illness.

Common symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting
• Fever

Symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria.

Most people recover from Salmonella infection without medical treatment. However, children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems may develop serious illness requiring medical care.

It can spread through contaminated food, including:

• Eggs
• Poultry
• Meat
• Unpasteurized dairy products
• Fresh produce

The bacteria can also spread through contact with contaminated environments or from person to person.

How To Stay Safe

Health officials have advised consumers to follow recall instructions and avoid eating affected eggs. UK officials also urged vulnerable people to avoid undercooked or runny eggs, especially when dining out.

• Refrigerate items promptly
• Cook eggs thoroughly
• Wash your hands
• Sanitize surfaces
• Check for recalls
• Wash before use.