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.

Popular GLP-1 drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound have transformed the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, a new study suggests they may be linked to a rare but serious brain disorder caused by vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency.

Researchers from Israel’s Sheba Medical Center identified 15 cases of Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) among people taking GLP-1 medications containing semaglutide or tirzepatide.

The findings suggest that nutritional deficiencies, particularly of vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, may contribute to the development of Wernicke’s encephalopathy.

What Did the Study Find?

Published in Clinical Nutrition, the study examined 195,979 cases and identified 15 reports of WE in 2023 and 2024.

Most patients experienced gastrointestinal problems, including severe vomiting, loss of appetite, malnutrition or rapid weight loss. These factors can reduce food intake and increase the risk of vitamin B1 deficiency.

Only two patients had the classic symptoms of WE: altered mental status, difficulty walking and abnormal eye movements.

Researchers described the findings as a potential safety signal and called for greater clinical awareness, particularly among patients experiencing severe gastrointestinal symptoms.

“WE is a potentially rare but severe adverse event of GLP-1 RA treatment, mainly with semaglutide or tirzepatide,” the researchers said. “As early detection may prevent neurological sequelae, increased clinical awareness is warranted, especially in individuals experiencing severe gastrointestinal symptoms.”

Can GLP-1 Drugs Cause Vitamin Deficiency?

GLP-1 drugs suppress appetite and can reduce food intake, potentially limiting consumption of vitamin B1-rich foods such as pork, fish and whole grains.

Vitamin B1 is essential for proper nerve function. Without enough of it, patients can develop confusion, problems with balance and coordination, and abnormal eye movements.

In its early stages, thiamine deficiency can cause vague, nonspecific symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, irritability and abdominal discomfort.

Researchers said the findings should help doctors educate patients about the potential risk and monitor for warning signs.

What Is Wernicke’s Encephalopathy?

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a rare neurological disorder caused by severe vitamin B1 deficiency. Symptoms can include confusion, problems with coordination and abnormal eye movements.

The classic symptom triad is often absent, making the condition difficult to recognize. If untreated, WE can cause permanent neurological damage, progress to Korsakoff syndrome or result in death. Korsakoff syndrome is a permanent condition marked by memory loss, confusion, and changes in personality.

Should You Take Supplements?

Experts do not recommend routinely taking supplements with GLP-1 drugs unless a deficiency is confirmed or nutritional needs cannot be met through diet.

A balanced diet containing fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, dairy or fortified alternatives, and lean or plant-based proteins can help maintain adequate nutrient intake.

Experts also caution that products marketed specifically as “GLP-1 support” supplements may have limited evidence behind their claims.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced to hold a public hearing on the potential therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs, as the Donald Trump administration pushes to accelerate research and development of these treatments for serious mental illnesses.

The hearing, it said, will examine their potential use in supervised and supportive settings, including patient safety, provider training, access and data collection.

In a statement, the FDA said it is collaborating with federal partners and holding “this public hearing to obtain feedback and perspectives on issues associated with the potential future therapeutic use of drug products containing a psychedelic drug substance in supervised and supportive settings”.

What Will The FDA Hearing Discuss?

Also read: Ibogaine: Why Donald Trump Is Pushing US FDA To Fast-track This Psychedelic

The hearing will focus on what would be needed for the potential therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs in supervised and supportive settings.

Key areas include:

• Provider training and credentialing

• Patient safety

• Access to treatment

• Data collection and standardization

Emerging research shows psychedelics can help improve mental health, especially in conditions where traditional treatment approaches have not been useful. However, these drugs also come with several health risks that cannot be overlooked.

The hearing is part of broader US efforts to increase clinical trial participation, data sharing and real-world evidence on psychedelic drugs. The FDA hearing does not amount to approval of psychedelic treatments. Instead, it could help shape how the US approaches their potential future use in medical care.

What Does This Mean For Depression And PTSD?

The FDA has already taken steps to speed up the development of psychedelic treatments for mental health conditions.

In April 2026, the agency issued national priority vouchers to companies studying psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), psilocybin for major depressive disorder (MDD), and methylone for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The FDA has also granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to psychedelic drug programs involving MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for TRD and MDD.

Research over the past decade has suggested that MDMA-assisted therapy may help reduce PTSD symptoms, while psilocybin-assisted therapy has shown promise for treatment-resistant depression in clinical studies.

For people who do not get lasting relief from existing treatments such as antidepressants and psychotherapy, psychedelic-assisted therapy could potentially offer another treatment option.

However, these designations and regulatory steps do not mean that these drugs have been approved as safe or effective treatments. Neither a national priority voucher nor Breakthrough Therapy designation is a substitute for FDA marketing approval.

Read More: Psychedelic Compound Found In 'Magic Mushrooms' May Help Prevent Painful Chemotherapy Side Effects, Study Finds

Why Is The US Accelerating Psychedelic Research?

The push has expanded beyond the FDA. In 2026, the White House, Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have also become involved in efforts to accelerate research into psychedelic treatments, including psilocybin, MDMA and ibogaine.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has partnered with the VA to accelerate the development of psychedelic-assisted therapies for veterans with conditions including PTSD, depression and traumatic brain injury.

Separately, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill that would require the US Department of Defense to evaluate whether ongoing psychedelic research, particularly involving psilocybin, could benefit active-duty service members and veterans transitioning to civilian life.

A total of 1,370 mpox cases and seven deaths were reported globally in July, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which continues to assess the global public health risk from the multi-country outbreak as moderate.

The WHO external situation report, published today, is based on data from 32 countries across four WHO regions. The case fatality ratio (CFR) was 0.5%.

About three-quarters of the cases were reported in the WHO African Region.

Madagascar Reports Highest Cases

Madagascar reported the highest number of cases, with 703 cases and seven deaths, followed by Angola (138), China (88), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (85) and Kenya (55).

Between July 6 and August 16, Madagascar reported 785 cases, while deaths remained at seven. Angola reported 184 cases, Kenya 94, the Democratic Republic of the Congo 41 and Cameroon 28.

The WHO noted that Congo's figures may be affected by delays in mpox reporting as the country focuses on its response to the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak.

65,784 Mpox Cases Reported Since January 2025

From January 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026, a total of 65,784 mpox cases and 264 deaths were reported across 105 countries.

“WHO conducted a global mpox rapid risk assessment in August 2026; the overall global public health risk associated with the mpox multi-country outbreak was again assessed as moderate,” the WHO said.

“WHO continues to consider the ongoing multi-country mpox outbreak a graded emergency, with new outbreaks reported in multiple countries and over a thousand confirmed cases reported every month,” it added.

The WHO urged countries and partners to maintain mpox surveillance, notification and coordinated preparedness and response activities.

The WHO Director-General's standing recommendations on mpox have been extended until August 2027.

Clade Ib Mpox Spreads

Mpox transmission continues to affect key populations, largely through sexual transmission, followed by household spread and community outbreaks. All clades of monkeypox virus (MPXV) continue to circulate.

In July, the African Region reported more confirmed cases than in June, while the Americas, Western Pacific, European and South-East Asia regions reported fewer cases. The Eastern Mediterranean Region reported no confirmed cases.

Eleven African countries reported active transmission between July 6 and August 16, with 1,153 confirmed cases and seven deaths.

Chile and Hungary reported clade Ib MPXV for the first time. Several European countries, including the UK, have reported community transmission of clade Ib.

Mpox Vaccine Shows Promising Early Results

The first human trial of BNT166a, an mRNA-based mpox vaccine developed by BioNTech, showed encouraging early results.

The vaccine was generally safe and well tolerated and triggered strong antibody responses across all dose levels, including in people who had and had not previously received vaccination against related viruses.

The trial involved 64 adults and was primarily designed to assess safety and immune responses, rather than whether the vaccine prevents infection.

“These findings are an important step forward in the development of a new generation of vaccines against mpox. We’ve shown that this mRNA vaccine approach can safely generate strong immune responses in people, which is very encouraging," said Professor Saul Faust, UK Chief Investigator for the trial.

The vaccine is now progressing to a larger trial to assess its effectiveness in real-world settings.