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 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide), typically used to control Type 2 diabetes, to also reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke, the American drug maker said.

Mounjaro is already approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar in adults and children aged 10 and older with Type 2 diabetes. It targets the GLP-1 protein and is also used for weight loss. In the US, the obesity version is sold under the brand name Zepbound.

Mounjaro: What Cardiovascular Risks Can It Reduce?

The FDA approved Mounjaro to lower the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including:

• Cardiovascular death
• Non-fatal heart attack
• Non-fatal stroke

Also read: UK Woman Dies After Sudden Abdominal Pain Following Increase In Her Mounjaro Dose

The approval applies to adults with Type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for these events.

“For people with Type 2 diabetes, heart disease is the leading cause of death, and Mounjaro – the number 1 most prescribed branded Type 2 diabetes medicine for adults in the US – now gives them a proven way to lower that risk, adding to the strong foundation it has already built in A1C and weight,” said Kenneth Custer, executive vice president and president, Lilly Cardiometabolic Health.

How Was Mounjaro Approved?

The FDA approval was based on results from a trial that showed Mounjaro outperformed Trulicity, Lilly’s older diabetes drug, in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in a large, head-to-head study.

The trial showed that Mounjaro reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 8% more than Trulicity.

It was the largest and longest tirzepatide study to date, enrolling more than 13,000 participants across 30 countries over more than four and a half years.

The most commonly reported adverse events in SURPASS-CVOT for Mounjaro were gastrointestinal-related, generally mild to moderate in severity, and occurred primarily during the dose-escalation period.

What About Novo Nordisk’s Drugs?

Read More: GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro Tied To Over 60 Reported Deaths In Australia

“Mounjaro is the first and only GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist proven to lower heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death risk in adults with Type 2 diabetes at high risk for these events – in addition to its established A1C and weight loss benefits,” according to Lilly.

However, Danish rival Novo Nordisk secured FDA approval for its weight-loss drug Wegovy to lower heart risks in 2024 in overweight or obese adults without diabetes.

In 2025, the FDA also approved its older diabetes drug, Rybelsus, to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in diabetic patients.

What Is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a brand name for tirzepatide, an injectable weekly treatment first approved by the US FDA for the control of Type 2 diabetes.

Unlike older weight-loss drugs that act on metabolism or suppress appetite as their primary mechanism, Mounjaro acts on two key hormones: GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). These control the release of insulin and sensations of fullness.

By mimicking their action, Mounjaro decreases hunger and enhances blood sugar control — two key obstacles in successful weight maintenance.

How Does Mounjaro Work?

The key to Mounjaro’s success is tirzepatide, a dual-acting peptide that acts on receptors in the brain and stomach. When taken, it sets in motion a chain reaction of signals that tell the brain that you are full, helping reduce cravings and overeating.

Mounjaro also makes the body more responsive to insulin. In people with obesity, insulin resistance is frequent and can make weight loss more difficult. By enhancing insulin action, Mounjaro helps the body better control blood sugar and store less fat. In a sense, Mounjaro doesn’t simply allow you to eat less — it allows your body to use what you eat more efficiently.

A team of Australian scientists has developed cyborg cockroaches for medical missions. Researchers from the University of Queensland fitted Giant Burrowing Cockroaches with a removable navigation system that enables them to be remotely piloted through complex terrain and rubble.

The cockroaches are equipped with cameras and miniature medical injectors to deliver supervised emergency care to people trapped in collapsed buildings or caves.

What's The Purpose?

Called ‘Paraborgs’, the cyborg insects go beyond searching for survivors to actively assisting them. In the paper, published in Advanced Science, the researchers said the long-term vision is to deploy swarms of specialized cyborg insects at disaster sites, with each performing a complementary role.

“The vision is not to replace first responders, but to give them another way to see, reach and potentially help people when direct access is impossible,” said Dr Vo-Doan from the UQ Biorobotics Lab.

Director of the UNSW Medical Robotics Lab Associate Professor Thanh Nho Do said the Paraborg technology could extend the reach of emergency medicine.

“From a biomedical perspective, the opportunity is to bring treatment to a patient when the patient cannot yet be brought to treatment,” Associate Professor Do said.

“The long-term goal is targeted, human-supervised intervention in places conventional medical technologies cannot access.”

Why Cockroaches?

Dr Vo-Doan said the research demonstrates how cyborg technology can be adapted across different insect platforms.

“Rather than building one robot to do everything, we can harness the natural strengths of different insects and equip them for different missions,” Dr Vo-Doan said.

The larger cockroaches provide greater capacity to carry specialized rescue and medical equipment.

The cockroaches, like the team’s previous cyborg insect models, are anaesthetized during electrode and microchip fitting. They live for as long as other cockroaches once the harnesses are removed.

What About Cyborg Beetles?

The team has previously demonstrated cyborg beetles capable of controlled climbing. They have shown they can remotely guide the movement of common darkling beetles using a video game controller.

The beetles are fitted with removable microchip backpacks that use electrodes to stimulate the insect's antenna or hardened forewings.

The programmable controls allow for precise directional guidance without affecting the lifespan of the beetle.

How Can The Cyborg Cockroaches Aid In Rescue?

Superintendent Tim Hassiotis, Manager Natural Disaster and Humanitarian at Fire and Rescue NSW, said the technology could extend the reach of rescue teams.

“If cyborg insects can safely enter spaces we can’t, locate casualties and ultimately help deliver emergency care, they could become another valuable tool in the future of urban search and rescue,” Superintendent Hassiotis said.

What Could The Future Hold?

Dr Vo-Doan said the longer-term vision was to deploy swarms of specialized cyborg insects, with individuals performing complementary roles.

“Some could carry cameras and environmental sensors, while others could carry specialized emergency or medical equipment,” he said.

“Hopefully, within the next 5 to 10 years, we could see cyborg insect rescue teams deployed to help people in real emergencies, provided we have the resources to accelerate the research and field testing.”

A North Carolina teen is reportedly critically ill after being infected with a rare “brain-eating” amoeba called Naegleria fowleri, according to health officials.

The case comes barely a week after an 8-year-old Louisiana girl died after contracting the infection.

North Carolina Teen Critically Ill

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced on August 27 that a teen resident had been infected with the rare amoeba, which is commonly found in freshwater. The teen is critically ill and receiving medical care.

The department said it is not releasing further information to protect the family’s privacy. The source of the infection is under investigation.

“While these infections are very rare, this is an important reminder that this amoeba is present in our state and across the US,” North Carolina State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore said in a statement.

What Happened To The Louisiana Girl?

Eight-year-old Lillian Smart of Ruston died on August 22, just one day after her eighth birthday. She had been hospitalised since August 15 after developing the infection, which was believed to have been acquired while swimming in Lake Claiborne.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed the case on August 19 but did not publicly identify the child.

One of the biggest challenges is the speed at which the infection progresses. According to recent CDC data cited in coverage of the Louisiana case, 173 Naegleria fowleri infections were documented in the US between 1937 and 2025, with only four known survivors. This puts the fatality rate at roughly 97%.

What Is Naegleria fowleri?

Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba naturally present in warm freshwater such as ponds, lakes and rivers. It is not found in salt water or properly maintained and chlorinated pools.

The amoeba does not cause illness if swallowed. However, it can be fatal if water containing the amoeba is forced up the nose and reaches the brain. This can happen during activities such as jumping into water, diving and water-skiing.

Symptoms Of Naegleria fowleri Infection

The infection caused by N. fowleri, also called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), starts with symptoms including:

• Severe headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting

The infection can then progress to:

• Stiff neck
• Seizures
• Coma

These rare infections usually occur when it is hot for prolonged periods, leading to higher water temperatures and lower water levels. Naegleria fowleri grows best at higher temperatures, up to 115°F.

How To Stay Safe?

While there is no way to eliminate the amoeba from the environment, some safety measures can reduce the risk:

• Prevent water from going up your nose by holding your nose shut, using nose clips or keeping your head above water during warm freshwater activities.
• Avoid putting your head underwater in hot springs and thermal waters.
• Avoid jumping or diving into warm freshwater during periods of high water temperatures and low water levels.
• Avoid digging in or stirring up sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow.