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.

Specialty chocolate bars are being removed from store shelves after concerns were raised about possible salmonella contamination, the US Food and Drug Administration said on January 12. Spring & Mulberry has announced a voluntary recall of its Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bar, which has been sold online and at selected retail locations across the country since September, the FDA confirmed.

The issue was flagged during routine testing carried out by an independent laboratory. So far, no illnesses or negative health effects linked to the product have been reported.

As per The Independent, consumers who purchased the recalled chocolate are being advised to throw it away and seek a refund from Spring & Mulberry. The company has asked customers to contact them directly and provide a photograph of the chocolate bar showing the affected lot code.

Chocolate Bars Sold Across The US Recalled Over Salmonella Concerns

A well-known chocolate brand has issued a recall after possible salmonella contamination was detected. Spring & Mulberry, a Raleigh, North Carolina-based company, voluntarily recalled its Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bar following routine third-party testing that found traces of salmonella, according to an FDA notice released Monday.

The recalled bars have been sold online and through selected retail partners since September 15, 2025. Consumers can identify the affected product by its teal-colored packaging and the lot code 025255 printed on the back of the box and the inner wrapper.

What Is Salmonella?

• Bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than three days without improvement
• Diarrhea accompanied by a fever above 102 degrees
• Severe vomiting that makes it difficult to keep fluids down
• Signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, reduced urination, and dizziness when standing
• Abdominal cramps

Symptoms usually appear between six hours and six days after exposure. While most people recover within four to seven days, those at higher risk, including children under 5 and adults over 65, may develop more severe illness that requires medical care or hospitalization.

Affected Lot Code For Recalled Chocolates

The recalled Spring & Mulberry chocolate carries the lot code #025255. This code applies specifically to the Mint Leaf Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bar that has been pulled from the market due to the potential risk of salmonella contamination identified during routine lab testing.

Shoppers are urged to check their packaging carefully for the listed lot code. Anyone who has a bar with the affected code should not eat it. Instead, they should discard the product and contact Spring & Mulberry to request a refund.

As per USA TODAY, although no illnesses have been reported so far, the recall has been issued as a precaution to safeguard public health, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems. The FDA has shared further guidance on recall steps and salmonella symptoms.

The chocolate recall follows another FDA action just months earlier involving Doughy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough produced by Hudson River Foods in November, also due to possible salmonella contamination. That recall was later upgraded to a Class I recall on December 5 after officials determined that consuming the product could result in serious health effects or death.

A total of 113 units of the edible cookie dough were included in that recall. The affected products were sold in 12-ounce containers and carried a best-by date of July 4, 2026.

The UK’s drug regulator has cleared a higher-strength dose of the weight-loss injection Wegovy, as demand for the treatment is expected to rise sharply. The newly approved 7.2 mg dose is three times stronger than the current weekly dose of 2.4 mg. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, or MHRA, said the stronger dose can lead to weight loss of more than 20 per cent. Trial data reviewed by the regulator showed that around one in three adults living with obesity who took the higher weekly dose lost more than 25 per cent of their body weight after 72 weeks.

Weight Loss Jab To Launch Stronger Dosage In UK

The approval comes alongside research from the University of Oxford suggesting that people using drugs such as semaglutide, sold as Wegovy, and tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro, tend to lose weight while on treatment but regain it within about 20 months after stopping the injections. According to The Independent, people who lose weight through diet and exercise tend to maintain the loss for longer, close to four years on average, although some regain still occurs over time.

Researchers cautioned that people using weight-loss injections need long-term support, as their analysis showed weight returns more quickly after stopping the drugs than it does for those following traditional diet plans. The study also found that improvements in blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure fade once the medication is discontinued, leaving many patients back where they started. The Oxford-led research, published in the British Medical Journal, reviewed 37 studies involving more than 9,000 participants.

What Is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a widely used weight-loss injection containing the active ingredient semaglutide. Studies show that people on the standard maintenance dose of 2.4 mg lose an average of 17 per cent of their body weight over 68 weeks. A higher 7.2 mg dose has now been approved for use in the UK, with clinical trials indicating it can deliver weight loss of up to 21 per cent.

What is Wegovy 7.2mg?

Wegovy 7.2 mg is a new maintenance dose of the semaglutide-based weight-loss injection. Until now, the highest approved weekly dose was 2.4 mg. The stronger 7.2 mg option is being introduced by the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, following its submission to regulators for approval.

This new dose uses the same active ingredient, semaglutide, and works in the same way by helping overweight or obese adults lose weight. It does this by copying the action of the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, which helps regulate appetite and food intake.

Further studies examining the safety and effectiveness of the higher dose are already in progress. The latest findings from the STEP UP phase 3b trial were published in November 2025.

How Effective Is The Wegovy 7.2 Dose?

The STEP UP phase 3b trial assessed how safe and effective the 7.2 mg dose of Wegovy is. The study included 1,407 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either 7.2 mg or 2.4 mg of Wegovy, or a placebo, over an 11-month period.

The average weight loss recorded was:

• 20.7 per cent in the 7.2 mg group
• 17.5 per cent in the 2.4 mg group
• 2.4 per cent among those given a placebo

The approval follows recent findings showing that about 1.6 million people used Wegovy or Mounjaro last year. Another 3.3 million people said they would consider using weight-loss medications in the coming year.

According to The Independent, research by University College London based on a survey of 5,260 people found that 2.9 per cent of respondents were using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. Of those, 15 per cent were taking medication that is not licensed for that purpose. Researchers warned that using drugs off label, meaning for conditions they are not approved to treat, such as using diabetes drugs for weight loss, can carry safety risks if taken without proper medical supervision.

The Upstate South Carolina measles outbreak grew to 434 confirmed cases by Tuesday, officials reported. Health authorities said the outbreak has expanded quickly, with 124 new cases recorded in just a few days between January 9 and January 13, 2026.

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, around 409 people were placed under quarantine and 17 were kept in isolation as of Tuesday. Officials also confirmed that one individual, unaware they were contagious at the time, visited the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia on January 2 between 1 pm and 5 pm. Anyone who was at the museum during that window may have been exposed and has been advised to watch closely for symptoms.

What Is Measles?

Measles, also known as rubeola, is a highly contagious viral illness that typically causes fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a widespread red rash. It spreads through airborne droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus is extremely infectious and can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

While some cases are mild, measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and even death, especially in young children. A safe and effective vaccine has prevented millions of deaths worldwide, but outbreaks continue to occur in areas with low vaccination coverage, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Measles Cases Spreading In The US

South Carolina health officials said yesterday that the state’s measles count has reached 434 after confirming 124 new cases. At present, 409 residents are in quarantine and 17 are in isolation, with some quarantine periods expected to last until February 6.

Mobile vaccination units are operating this week, and officials are strongly encouraging residents to get vaccinated. “Getting vaccinated now can help people avoid long periods of quarantine at home after exposure to the measles virus. Vaccination within 72 hours of exposure can prevent measles infection,” the state’s department of public health said in its latest update.

Measles Symptoms

Measles can result in hospitalization and, in severe cases, death. Common symptoms include:

• High fever, which can rise above 104 degrees
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Tiny white spots inside the cheeks, gums, and on the roof of the mouth known as Koplik spots, appearing two to three days after symptoms begin
• A red, raised, blotchy rash that usually starts on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs within three to five days after symptoms start

Measles Vaccine Prevention

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the measles, mumps, and rubella or MMR vaccine is 97 percent effective against measles and 86 percent effective against mumps when both recommended doses are received.

The MMR vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunization schedule. The first dose is typically given between 12 and 15 months of age, followed by a second dose between ages 4 and 6. Children who are traveling internationally may receive the vaccine earlier.

As reported by CIDRAP, South Carolina allows religious exemptions from vaccination through a notarized form, without requiring a doctor’s approval. One of the schools linked to the early phase of the outbreak, Global Academy of South Carolina, reported a vaccination rate of just 17 percent during the 2024 to 25 school year.

Of the 434 measles cases tracked over the past six months, 378 patients were unvaccinated and 47 had an unknown vaccination status. Only six people were fully vaccinated, while three had received partial vaccination. About two thirds of all measles cases in South Carolina involve children and teens aged 5 to 17, accounting for 287 cases.