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.

Millions of Americans rely on cetirizine, the generic version of Zyrtec, to keep seasonal allergies at bay. But a recent nationwide recall has raised concerns after some tablets were found to be contaminated with another medication, prompting FDA to warn consumers to check their medicine bottles.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that India-based company Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories, a division of J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., is voluntarily recalling four lots of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg because of potential cross-contamination with ranitidine, a medication used to treat heartburn and stomach ulcers.

Why Was The Allergy Medicine Recalled?

According to the FDA, the recall was initiated after a pharmacy technician noticed unusual tablets. Some cetirizine tablets had red dots or discoloration, which led to a proper investigation. The company later confirmed that certain tablets had been cross-contaminated with ranitidine during manufacturing.

The FDA, in its recall announcement, said, "Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories is voluntarily recalling four lots of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg to the consumer level due to cross contamination with Ranitidine."

Although no adverse events have been reported so far, the company is recalling the medication as a precaution because taking an unintended drug could pose health risks for certain patients.

Why Is Cross-Contamination A Grave Concern?

Cross-contamination occurs when traces of one medication accidentally end up in another drug during manufacturing or packaging.

In this case, people expecting to take an allergy medicine could unknowingly consume ranitidine which could lead to adverse effects.

While ranitidine was once commonly used to treat acid reflux and heartburn. The medication decreases the amount of acid made in the stomach, according to MedlinePlus and the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

The accidental exposure is particularly concerning for people who are hypersensitive to ranitidine or its ingredients.

According to the FDA, these individuals could experience reactions ranging from mild allergic symptoms to potentially life-threatening conditions.

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Which Medicines Are Affected In The Recall?

Consumers should check the lot numbers listed in the FDA recall notice to determine whether their medication is affected. The recall involves:

• Product: Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg
• Package: 100-count HDPE bottles
• Distributor: Rising Pharma Holdings Inc.
• Expiration: October 2028
• National Drug Code No. – 16571-401-10
• Lot numbers – GY825029, GY825030, GY825031, GY825032

What Are The Potential Health Risks?

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Although Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories said it has not received any reports of adverse reactions related to the recalled tablets, the contamination could pose a serious risk for people who are allergic or hypersensitive to ranitidine.

According to the recall notice, individuals who unknowingly take the contaminated tablets could experience anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of consciousness
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
• Angioedema (sudden swelling beneath the skin)
• Swelling of the throat or face
• Pruritus (itching)
• Urticaria (hives)

What Should You Do If You Have The Recalled Medication?

Consumers who have the affected cetirizine tablets should stop using the product and check whether their bottle belongs to one of the recalled lots. Anyone who develops symptoms like swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, hives, or dizziness after taking the medication should seek immediate medical attention.

The United Nations has warned that health workers responding to the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are facing growing risks as the virus has infected new areas, prompting urgent calls for stronger infection control measures, funding and global support.

The warning comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the outbreak has become one of the largest ever recorded in the country, with more than 2,400 confirmed Ebola cases and nearly 1,000 deaths. WHO said the outbreak continues to expand despite intensive response efforts.

According to WHO, the epidemic is being caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, a strain for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment, making containment and treatment even more challenging.

UN Warns Frontline Responders

The UN and its agencies have expressed concern that healthcare workers remain among the most vulnerable because they are in direct contact with infected patients and often work in unsafe environments conditions.

"Health workers are on the front line of this response and must be protected through adequate infection prevention measures, personal protective equipment, training and support," WHO officials have stressed as response teams continue to battle the outbreak.

On Monday, the UN warned on Monday that Ebola could spread in displacement camps in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, adding that overcrowding could increase transmission and new cases.

Also read: Ebola Outbreak: Confirmed Cases Hit 2,344, Deaths Rise To 930

The UN aid agency OCHA said that confirmed Ebola cases had been reported in "at least 16 displacement sites" across Ituri, the epicentre of outbreak.

"These sites host more than 270,000 displaced people, with overcrowding and limited access to basic services increasing the risk of disease transmission," OCHA said in a statement.

Separately, the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned that the movement of Ebola victims' bodies between different regions is increasing the risk of transmission, especially in communities where traditional burial practices involve close contact with the deceased.

"Transporting bodies over long distances creates additional opportunities for the virus to spread," the UN agency warned, urging safer burial practices.

Ebola Outbreak In DRC Expanding Faster Than Response

According to the World Health Organization, there have been 2,344 confirmed cases of Ebola in the DRC and at least 930 deaths.

More than 460 patients have recovered, while there are 192 suspected cases.

Marking the 17th outbreak, the current Ebola epidemic was declared on May 15 after several deaths were reported in Ituri.

WHO has warned that the outbreak is expanding faster than the response efforts, with transmission now occurring across multiple provinces. The agency said that even though some affected areas are starting to see stability, several hotspots continue to report persistent transmission and new cases.

Also read: Why Transporting Ebola Victims' Bodies Is Fueling Congo's Outbreak, UN Agency Issues Warning

"We are tailoring our response according to different transmission patterns," WHO officials said, noting that surveillance, contact tracing and treatment capacity continue to be expanded.

Health authorities are also increasingly concerned about infections with unknown transmission chains, suggesting that some cases are being detected too late for effective contact tracing.

Status Of Ebola Outbreak In Uganda

In neighboring Uganda, officials have reported encouraging progress. The country has discharged its last Ebola patient and has entered the WHO-required 42-day countdown before it can officially declare the outbreak over, provided no new infections are detected.

Uganda has recorded 20 confirmed Ebola cases, most linked to cross-border transmission from the DRC, and has not reported a new case since late June.

WHO, the UN and African health authorities continue to call for increased international funding, rapid deployment of medical teams and stronger protection for frontline healthcare workers.

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

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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

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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.