Every year, World Toilet Day is observed to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis and encourage action to solve it. The goal set by the United Nation is to achieve safe toilets for all by 2023, as a part of their Sustainable Development Goals.

The UN also states that 3.5 billion people live without proper sanitation and many children also lose their lives due to poor sanitation and unsafe water. This is why World Toilet Day is observed to raise awareness on this issue.

Theme

This year, the theme for World Toilet Day 2024 is "Toilets - A Place for Peace'. This focuses on the growing threat to sanitation that is caused by conflict, climate change, disaster and neglect. When there is a threat to using toilets, it can lead to many health risks.

Not using toilets for too long may lead to Urinary Tract Infection or UTI. For many who do not have access to clean toilets do not drink enough liquid or hold pee for too long. Doctors suggest that holding in pee for too long can cause bacteria to multiply and lead to UTI. By not drinking enough water, your bladder fails to tell the body to pee often, and can cause the bacteria to spread through the urinary tract, which can lead to infection.

Symptoms of UTI:

• Burning or stinging feeling while urinating
• Pain in pelvis or lower abdomen
• Constant urge to empty the bladder
• Strong or foul smelling urine
• Consistently dark urine
• Blood in urine

Holding in pee for too long can also cause your bladder to stretch, making it difficult or even impossible for the bladder to contract and release pee normally. It can also damage your pelvic floor muscles or could lead to kidney stones.

World Toilet Day History And Significance

To prevent such conditions, it is important that everyone has access to clean and safe toilets. In terms of history, the day was established in 2001, by the World Toilet Organization (WTO), which was founded by Jack Sim. However, it was officially recognised by the UN in 2013. The Government of Singapore worked with WTO to create the first UN resolution called Sanitation for All.

India too promotes safe and hygiene toilet through its Swachh Bharat Yojna.

A total of 52,10,302 girls across India have received the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine under the nationwide campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February, the government informed Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

The nationwide vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls was launched from Rajasthan's Ajmer as part of India's efforts to eliminate cervical cancer.

“The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign was launched on February 28, for approximately 1.2 crore eligible beneficiary girls aged 14 years across all 36 States and Union Territories. As of July 15, a total of 52,10,302 girls have received the HPV vaccine across the country,” Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Free HPV Vaccination

Read More: Fact Check: Common Myths Around HPV Vaccine And How It Will Prevent Cervical Cancer

The Minister said the HPV vaccine is being provided free of cost at designated government health facilities, including:

• Ayushman Arogya Mandirs–Primary Health Centers (PHCs)

• Community Health Centers (CHCs)

• Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) and District Hospitals (DHs)

• Government Medical Colleges (GMCs)

She also said the government's cervical cancer prevention strategy includes HPV vaccination, screening, early diagnosis at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), and treatment through Day Care Cancer Centers (DCCCs).

Immunization Coverage Remains Above 90%

The Minister also updated Parliament on India's immunization program.

“As per the National Health Policy 2017 goals, the National Full Immunization Coverage has been maintained more than 90% for the last four years,” Patel said. National full immunization coverage was:

• 94.7% in 2022–23

• 93.7% in 2023–24

• 98.3% in 2024–25

• 97.9% in 2025–26

Strengthening Pandemic Preparedness

Also read: Healthcare In India No Longer A Privilege, Becoming A Right: PM Modi

Patel also said that the government has taken several steps to improve preparedness for future pandemics and public health emergencies, including:

• Launch of the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) to strengthen public health infrastructure, disease surveillance, diagnostics, research, and emergency response.

• Strengthening the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) with trained multidisciplinary Rapid Response Teams (RRTs).

• Expansion of the Indian Council of Medical Research's Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) network to more than 160 laboratories for pathogen diagnosis.

Meanwhile, the Nationwide Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) network under ICMR has been expanded to 163 laboratories, comprising 11 Regional VRDLs, 27 State VRDLs and 125 Medical College VRDLs, to strengthen diagnostic capacity across the country.

Cervical Cancer Cases Decline

Read to Know: SHetA2: India's Indigenous Drug Candidate For Cervical Cancer

Meanwhile, recent data from the ICMR's National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP) show that India has recorded a significant decline in its cervical cancer burden.

According to the latest estimates, new cervical cancer cases have fallen by 37% over the past decade, declining from about 1.27 lakh cases annually to around 79,000, marking a major public health milestone in the fight against one of the country's most common cancers among women.

Unlike many other cancers, cervical cancer is considered highly preventable through HPV vaccination, regular screening, and timely treatment of precancerous lesions.

The WHO global targets for 2030 include vaccinating 90 percent of girls by age 15, screening 70 percent of women by ages 35 and 45, and ensuring 90 percent of women with pre-cancer and invasive cancer receive appropriate treatment.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have uncovered how an experimental vaccine booster molecule activates the body's immune system, a breakthrough that could help researchers develop safer and more effective vaccines in the future.

The study, published this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), provides the first detailed structural view of how a synthetic molecule called EP67 binds to and activates an important immune receptor known as C5aR1. The findings offer researchers a molecular blueprint for improving vaccine adjuvants, the ingredients added to vaccines to strengthen and prolong immune protection.

Unlike vaccines, which train the immune system to recognize a specific pathogen, adjuvants help amplify the body's immune response, making vaccines more effective.

Inspired By The Body's Natural Immune System

Also read: US Reports 2,260 Measles Cases In Just Over Six Months Of 2026: CDC

The researchers developed EP67 by taking inspiration from C5a, a naturally occurring immune protein released during bacterial and viral infections. While C5a helps activate immune cells to fight infections, prolonged activation can trigger harmful inflammation and damage healthy tissues.

To overcome this challenge, the IIT Kanpur team engineered EP67, a much smaller version consisting of just 10 amino acids.

The molecule retains the beneficial immune-stimulating properties of C5a while limiting the inflammatory effects. According to the researchers, EP67 selectively activates dendritic cells and macrophages, two immune cells that play a central role in generating long-lasting immunity, while largely avoiding activation of neutrophils, immune cells that are often responsible for excessive inflammatory responses.

This selective activation makes EP67 a promising candidate as a vaccine adjuvant capable of producing stronger immune protection without triggering inflammation.

Earlier Studies

Previous animal studies have shown the potential of EP67 in boosting vaccine responses.

When incorporated into experimental vaccines against multiple viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, mice developed stronger immune responses than those receiving vaccines alone. Researchers also observed faster recovery in infected animals.

Beyond vaccines, EP67 has also shown promise against bacterial infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a major antibiotic-resistant pathogen.

However, the molecule has not yet entered clinical use in humans, and additional preclinical research will be required before human trials can begin.

Although scientists had previously observed EP67's immune-boosting effects, precisely how the molecule worked remained vague for a long time.

The IIT Kanpur researchers found that EP67 binds to C5aR1, a receptor located on the surface of immune cells. C5aR1 belongs to the large family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are involved in transmitting signals into cells and are among the most common targets for modern medicines.

Using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), the team captured near-atomic-resolution images showing EP67 adopting a hook-like shape that fits into the centre of the receptor, switching it on and initiating immune activation.

The structural insights have already enabled researchers to redesign EP67 by modifying its amino acid sequence to improve its stability and receptor binding. The next steps would be refining the formulation and introducing it in pre-clinical tests.

People living with Type 2 diabetes may be significantly more vulnerable to severe, potentially life-threatening complications from dengue, according to a new review by diabetes specialists.

The paper, presented in July 2026 and slated for publication in the International Journal of Diabetes & Technology (IJDT), also recommends combining dengue vaccination into routine diabetes care in dengue-endemic regions to better protect patients who are at high risk.

The review comes as many countries, including India, continue to witness surges in dengue cases during the monsoon months.

Can Type 2 Diabetes Make Dengue More Severe?

Also read: Will Waterborne Diseases Rise In The Future? New Study Says Climate Change Could Be A Major Driver

According to the researchers, chronic high blood sugar weakens the immune system and damages blood vessels, making it harder for the body to fight dengue infection.

It increases the risk of vascular leakage, severe bleeding, organ damage, and other complications associated with severe dengue.

The review notes that diabetes contributes to chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and impaired immune responses, all of which may worsen the course of dengue infection.

The researchers argue that dengue prevention should become part of routine diabetes management in countries where dengue is endemic. Lead author Dr. Jothydev Kesavadev, diabetologist, said, "People with Type 2 diabetes represent a particularly vulnerable group during dengue outbreaks.

Preventive strategies, including vaccination where appropriate, should become an integral part of diabetes care to reduce severe illness and deaths."

The review was co-authored by several diabetes specialists from across India, including Dr. Niti Pall, President-Elect of the International Diabetes Federation Europe.

It was presented during the 14th Jothydev's Professional Education Forum Annual Global Diabetes Convention in Kovalam, Kerala, and its publication was formally released by Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan.

Earlier Research

Also read: DengiAll, India's First Dengue Vaccine Clears Phase III Trials, May Soon Enter Markets

While the current paper is a review rather than a new clinical trial, it is supported by a growing body of evidence. A 2024 review published in Health Science Reports found that diabetes is significantly associated with severe dengue, death, elevated liver enzymes, and thrombocytopenia.

Similarly, a 2025 review in the International Health journal concluded that accumulating evidence increasingly supports diabetes as an important comorbidity contributing to poor dengue outcomes.

Should People With Diabetes Receive The Recently Approved Dengue Vaccine?

Also read: India’s First Approved Dengue Vaccine: Takeda’s QDENGA Protects Against All Four Virus Serotypes

The findings come as India recently approved its first dengue vaccine, QDENGA (TAK-003). The vaccination should follow national guidelines and individual medical advice. Experts emphasize that vaccination complements, rather than replaces, mosquito bite prevention measures.

QDENGA (TAK-003) is a live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes.

It is administered as two 0.5 mL subcutaneous doses, given three months apart.

The vaccine is built on a DENV-2 backbone, incorporating structural proteins from DENV-1, DENV-3 and DENV-4 to provide broad immune protection.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends QDENGA for use in dengue-endemic settings without the need for pre-vaccination screening. The vaccine is also included in the WHO List of Prequalified Vaccines, allowing procurement through agencies such as UNICEF and PAHO.

Precautions

Experts recommend that people with diabetes:

• Maintain good blood sugar control.
• Avoid mosquito bites by using repellents, long-sleeved clothing, and eliminating stagnant water around homes.
• Seek medical attention immediately if dengue symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, bleeding, or rash develop.
• Discuss dengue vaccination with their healthcare provider if they live in an endemic region and are eligible under national recommendations.