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.

Australia has maintained its measles elimination status since 2014, but a new report has revealed a massive gap: an estimated 1.7 million Australians may not be adequately protected against the highly contagious virus.

The update comes as measles cases linked to overseas travel continue to rise, raising concerns that infections imported from other countries could trigger outbreaks in communities where vaccination coverage is not high enough.

The study, led by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), estimated that 6.7% of Australians were susceptible to measles in 2019, leaving overall population immunity at 93.3%.

Researchers say this is around the lower end of the 93-95% level generally considered necessary to prevent sustained measles transmission.

Australia Has Measles-Vulnerable People Despite Elimination Status

When a country has elimination status of measles, it does not mean that every person in the country is immune or that the virus can infiltrate.

Instead, elimination means there is no ongoing transmission of measles within the country. Imported cases can still occur when infected people arrive from countries where the virus continues to infect the local population.

Australia has previously maintained elimination despite imported infections because vaccination has kept the virus from spreading continuously through communities. But the new analysis suggests that this protection is not evenly distributed across the population.

“While we have maintained our measles elimination status since 2014, protection isn't shared evenly across the population, and the margin for error is relatively small,” lead author Zoë Croker said.

Also read: Donald Trump's Order To Change Childhood Vaccine Schedule: Which US States & Countries Have Opposed To It?

Which Australians Are Most Vulnerable?

The researchers found important immunity gaps among several age groups in the country. People born from the late 1970s onwards showed increased susceptibility, with every birth group from 1977 onwards estimated to have at least 5% of people susceptible to measles.

Some of the gaps may be due to changes in Australia's vaccination programs over the years. People born between 1977 and 1983, for example, were more likely to have received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine.

There are also younger adults who may have missed the second dose when it was introduced, while babies are naturally vulnerable because they are too young to have completed their routine vaccination schedule.

The analysis also found that people aged 15 to 35 accounted for half of all measles cases reported in Australia between 2008 and 2022.

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Experts' Take

Measles is among the most contagious infectious diseases known. That means even a relatively small immunity gap can become crucial when the virus is introduced into a susceptible community.

Australia recorded just single-digit measles cases in 2022, but notifications increased to 181 cases in 2025, with 113 cases already recorded in 2026, according to recent surveillance data.

“Even relatively small immunity gaps in communities can create opportunities for the virus to spread when cases are imported from overseas,” Croker said.

Senior author Professor Frank Beard also warned that some communities and regions could have considerably larger immunity gaps than the national average.

“What’s happened overseas is a reminder that elimination status isn’t guaranteed, it has to be actively maintained,” Beard said.

How To Prevent A Potential Infection?

Experts are urging Australians born during or after 1966, particularly those planning international travel, to check whether they have documented evidence of receiving two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.

People who cannot confirm their vaccination history are being advised to speak to their GP or immunisation provider.

AlsAs the UK is going through its fifth heatwave this summer, even corporate employees working in air-conditioned offices are facing its brunt.

Many look forward to leaving the sweltering confines of their homes for some much-needed respite in air-conditioned workplaces. But not everyone is able to find relief.

AC Becomes Must-Have For Overheated London Offices

Temperatures reached 38.1°C at Kew Gardens in west London on August 13, making it the hottest day of the year so far and one of the hottest temperatures ever recorded in the UK.

The continually high mercury has exposed a bigger problem for office workers. While some older properties do not have air conditioning, others have systems that cannot withstand high temperatures and have broken down.

Those built in the last 20 to 30 years, as most of the buildings in Mayfair, might offer only cooling units and lack adequate mechanical cooling.

But those equipped with functioning air conditioners may get comfortable inside the office, cooler air does not remove the need to stay hydrated.

Also read: US July Heat Breaks 132-Year Record: UK, France Brace For 5th Heat Wave Of 2026

Sitting In Air-Conditioned Spaces For Long Hours Raises Dehydration Risk

Dehydration is often associated with excessive sweating and not drinking enough fluids. One may never comprehend how an office worker sitting inside a cool office could ever be at the risk of getting dehydrated.

But here's a grim truth: An office worker is at a much higher risk of dehydration due to various reasons. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in. During hot weather, sweating is one of the body's main ways of getting rid of excess heat.

Air conditioning lowers the surrounding temperature, which can affect how intensely you feel the heat. But if you have already been sweating during your commute, sitting in a cool room does not automatically replace what your body has lost.

Also read: UK, France Brace for Another Heatwave: How Hot Weather Can Affect Medicines

Additionally, not drinking enough fluids could further raise the risk as thirt is not always a reliable signal.

The UK Health Security Agency advises people to drink regularly throughout hot weather rather than waiting until they feel thirsty. It also recommends replacing fluids and electrolytes when sweating heavily.

The signs and symptoms of dehydration are also easy to miss as they don't present in traditional ways with sweating, dry mouth, dizziness, and more.

In an office, it shows up in a subtle manner. For example, a dull headache that gets dismissed as a side effect of prolonged gazing at screens, trouble concentrating that gets addressed with more caffeine and fatigue that is most likely to be neglected.

How To Stay Hydrated During A Heatwave?

One of the most straightforward ways to stay hydrated in an office during heatwaves is to drink water and other fluids regularly throughout the day.

UKHSA recommends drinking more fluids than usual in hot weather and considering rehydration drinks if you are sweating heavily.

The urge to gulp down multiple cups of coffee while working is persistent. But limiting excessive caffeine and alcohol can also help as they may contribute to fluid loss.

With repeated heatwaves becoming the top highlight of British summers, staying cool and staying hydrated need to go hand in hand in order to avoid getting dehydrated.

A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) found E. coli bacteria in drinking water from water coolers at several major railway stations across the country.

The report also flagged unhygienic conditions in railway washrooms and other passenger amenities. The audit found that 458 of the 512 stations examined — more than 89 per cent — did not meet prescribed standards for minimum essential amenities.

"Bacteriological analysis of drinking water was not carried out at 59 stations over six zones," the CAG said in its report, Passenger Amenities and Sanitation at Non-Suburban Railway Stations in Indian Railways, tabled in Parliament on August 12.

Water samples from coolers tested positive for E. coli at two stations in Southern Railway, one in South Central Railway, four in Central Railway and one in Eastern Railway.

The report also found total coliform bacteria, including E. coli, in tap water samples collected from platforms at several stations during 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Following the findings, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed immediate steps to improve the safety of drinking water at stations.

The Railway Ministry said a new "tank-to-tap" filtration system would be installed at around 20,000 locations, including water coolers. The measures include replacing water tanks, regular water-quality testing at source and outlet points, centralized monitoring, accountability, and scheduled cleaning and maintenance of storage tanks.

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What Is E. Coli?

Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is a group of bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of humans and animals.

HealthandMe spoke to Dr. Pawan Kumar Goyal, Senior Director - Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, about E. Coli infection, its symptoms and how to prevent it.

Dr. Pawan Kumar Goyal explains, "Most E. coli strains are harmless and are part of the normal bacteria present in the gut. However, some strains can cause infections, particularly when they enter the body through contaminated food or water."

What Happens During an E. Coli Infection?

Dr. Goyal says, "The presence of E. coli in drinking water is an important indication of faecal contamination. It suggests that the water may have come into contact with human or animal waste and may contain other disease causing organisms as well."

Harmful E. coli strains most commonly affect the digestive system, causing diarrhea, abdominal pain, and gastroenteritis. Some strains can also cause urinary tract infections.

Certain strains produce Shiga toxin, which can cause serious complications, including kidney damage, particularly in children and older adults.

Common Signs of E. Coli Infection

Symptoms can vary depending on the strain and the part of the body affected. Dr. Goyal says the common gastrointestinal symptoms include:

• Diarrhoea, which may sometimes be severe or contain blood
• Abdominal cramps and pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and weakness
• Reduced appetite

Watery diarrhea is often one of the earliest symptoms of E. coli infection of the gastrointestinal tract.

Read More: Amid Cyclospora, Salmonella Outbreaks, US FDA Issues Guidance on Ready-to-Eat Produce

Treatment For E. Coli

Talking about the treatment for E. Coli infection, Dr. Goyal explains, "Treatment depends on the strain of E. coli and the severity of infection. Adequate fluids and electrolytes are important in most cases. Antibiotics are not appropriate for every E. coli infection and should only be taken following medical assessment, as certain infections may worsen with inappropriate antibiotic use."

Not every E. Coli infection turns severe. However, certain symptoms must be addressed clinically as they could lead to complications.

Dr. Goyal says, "For most healthy adults, the infection may settle with appropriate fluid replacement and supportive care. However, severe diarrhoea can cause dehydration, which can become dangerous if not treated in time."

The expert also spoke about serious complications from E. Coli infection that could lead to renal damage.

He says, "Certain E. coli strains can also cause haemolytic uraemic syndrome, a serious complication that can affect the kidneys.

The expert also said that young children, older adults and people with weakened immunity may be at greater risk of complications.

He adds, "Persistent diarrhoea, blood in stools, high fever, reduced urination, dizziness or signs of significant dehydration require prompt medical attention. Early recognition and appropriate treatment can prevent complications."

How To Protect Yourself From E. Coli?

E. coli can spread through contaminated food, water and fecal matter. Basic hygiene and safe food practices can help reduce the risk.

Dr Goyal recommends, "Prevention depends largely on maintaining good hygiene and ensuring access to safe drinking water. Hands should be washed thoroughly before eating and after using the toilet. Water from an uncertain source should be avoided, and properly treated or boiled water should be used where safety is in doubt."

Other preventive measures include:

Maintain Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating or cooking and after using the toilet, changing diapers or handling animals.

Practice Safe Food Handling: Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods. Use separate utensils and cutting boards, and clean kitchen surfaces thoroughly after handling raw meat.

Cook Food Thoroughly: Cook ground meat to at least 160°F (71°C) and poultry to 165°F (74°C). A food thermometer can help ensure food reaches a safe temperature.

Wash Fruits and Vegetables: Wash produce under running water before eating, even if you plan to peel it.

Choose Safe Drinking Water: Drink pasteurized milk and juices and use boiled or treated water. Avoid unpasteurised products and untreated water, which can carry harmful E. coli strains.