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.

Global childhood vaccination coverage improved in 2025, but 13.5 million children still did not receive a single vaccine in their first year of life, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases, according to the latest WHO-UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC).

The report found that 85% of children worldwide (about 110 million) completed the recommended three-dose diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine series, while 90% of infants (nearly 116 million) received at least one dose of the DTP vaccine.

Although the number of zero-dose children declined by nearly 750,000 compared to 2024, WHO and UNICEF said progress remains uneven.

"Every child, whether born into wealth or poverty, peace or conflict, deserves the life-saving protection that vaccines provide," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Measles Vaccination Still Below Target

The report highlights persistent gaps in measles immunization. An estimated 7.3 million infants received their first DTP dose but missed their first measles-containing vaccine (MCV1). Global measles coverage remains below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks:

• 84% received the first measles dose (MCV1)
• 77% received the second dose (MCV2)

The recent measles outbreaks in Bangladesh and the US, underscoring how immunity gaps can quickly lead to disease resurgence.

As per the latest data, Bangladesh’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths stands at 766, while the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide stands at 113,244.

The US is also experiencing a major measles resurgence, reporting over 2,231 confirmed cases across 42 jurisdictions. This puts the country on track to surpass 2025's total (2,289 cases), which was the highest in decades, threatening the nation's measles elimination status.

"These outbreaks underscore how quickly immunity gaps can lead to the resurgence and spread of this highly infectious disease," said Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Region.

Also read: England Confirms Third Measles Death: NHS Launches Catch-Up MMRV Vaccination Drive

Conflict and Poverty Leave Millions Unprotected

More than half of all zero-dose children live in fragile, conflict-affected or vulnerable settings, despite these countries accounting for only about one-third of the world's child population.

Immunization programs in these regions continue to face disruptions due to conflict, political instability, displacement and chronic underfunding.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said that while vaccination rates have rebounded from the declines seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of children remain unreached.

"Millions of vulnerable children are still being left unprotected due to conflict, displacement and poverty. No child should suffer from a disease that a simple vaccine can prevent."

Regional Progress Remains Uneven

The report based on data from 195 countries shows mixed progress since 2019:

• 100 countries have maintained at least 90% DTP3 coverage.
• 30 countries improved vaccination coverage after falling below the 90% mark before the pandemic.
• 65 countries continue to stagnate or decline, including 13 fragile or conflict-affected nations.
• The Americas and South-East Asia have recovered to or exceeded pre-pandemic vaccination levels, with South-East Asia emerging as the best-performing WHO region.
• Africa, Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean have improved but remain below 2019 levels, while the Western Pacific continues to lag behind its pre-pandemic baseline.

Funding Cuts Threaten Progress

WHO and UNICEF warned that reductions in international health funding could slow or reverse recent gains. The agencies called on governments and partners to:

• Strengthen immunization services in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
• Counter vaccine misinformation and improve public confidence.
• Increase domestic and international funding for immunization programs.
• Invest in stronger disease surveillance and immunization data systems.

The US is witnessing one of the largest outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. While infections have been reported in nearly 31 states, Michigan and Ohio remain the hardest hit.

According to the latest figures from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), more than 3,309 cases have been reported in Michigan as of July 14.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not yet identified the exact source of the outbreak, which has persisted for about a month.

Lettuce, Salad Greens Under Investigation

Also read: Cyclospora Parasite Outbreak: Why You Should Avoid Packaged Salads and Go For Loose Greens

The MDHHS says lettuce and salad greens are the leading suspected sources of the outbreak after cases climbed to more than 65 times Michigan's annual average.

"While the investigation is ongoing, current results point to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source for this outbreak, although other food items cannot be completely ruled out," the department said in a statement.

"Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation," said Michigan Chief Medical Executive Natasha Bagdasarian.

However, the authorities have not identified a specific grower or supplier responsible for the outbreak, and public health officials say there could be multiple sources.

Taco Bell's Role Under Scrutiny

US health officials are now investigating whether Taco Bell restaurants played a role in the multistate outbreak linked to contaminated fresh produce, the Washington Post reported.

Last week, notices at some Detroit-area Taco Bell restaurants informed customers that the chain was temporarily unable to sell lettuce, cilantro, onion, pico de gallo, and guacamole due to a nationwide recall.

Taco Bell said it had voluntarily removed certain fresh ingredients from select restaurants as a precaution.

"Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer," the company said in a statement.

It added that the temporary removal of limited ingredients would remain in place while authorities continue their investigation.

Read More: Want Healthier Lungs? Add More Kale And Spinach To Your Plate, Suggests Study

CDC: More Than 5,100 Cases Under Review

On July 14, the CDC said it had received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases since May 1. However, it is reviewing more than 5,100 cases to determine whether infections were acquired within the US.

No deaths have been reported, while about 1 in every 11 patients has been hospitalized, it said.

The CDC also said at least 400 cases across Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky appear to be epidemiologically linked, suggesting a common source of infection.

Foods to Avoid Until the Source Is Identified

Since lettuce and salad greens remain the leading suspected source, health officials advise consumers to be cautious with:

• Bagged salad greens
• Lettuce
• Fresh cilantro
• Pico de gallo
• Guacamole made with fresh produce
• Other uncooked fresh produce that may be linked to the outbreak

Authorities have not confirmed that these foods are the source, but they remain under investigation.

How to Reduce Your Risk

Bagdasarian recommended using whole heads of lettuce instead of bagged greens. Remove the outer leaves and thoroughly wash the inner leaves under running water before eating.

She also noted that heat is the most effective way to kill Cyclospora, so cooking produce, when possible, offers additional protection.

The CDC advised consumers to:

• Wash all fresh produce thoroughly under clean running water, even if it is labelled pre-washed.
• Follow safe food handling practices.
• Stay updated on food recalls and outbreak alerts.
• Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms develop.

Symptoms of Cyclosporiasis

Symptoms usually begin about one week after infection, although they can appear anywhere from two days to more than two weeks after exposure.

Without treatment, illness can last from a few days to a month or longer.

The CDC also cautioned that the true number of infections is likely higher because many people recover without seeking medical care or being tested, and recent cases may not yet have been reported.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is most likely to be bigger than what official figures suggest. It said that the true number of infections potentially two to four times higher than reported.

The alarming update comes as the outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the history.

Ebola Cases In DRC Near 2,000

As of July 14, 2026, health authorities confirmed recording 1,926 confirmed cases and 702 deaths due to Ebola, but WHO officials believe those numbers significantly underestimate the real picture of transmission as many infections are going undetected and unreported across communities.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting Regional Director for Emergencies at WHO, said the outbreak is spreading faster than surveillance systems can track it.

"We think, with some of our support and modelling, the scale of the outbreak is at least two to four times the number of cases we are finding," Ihekweazu said.

He also said that the DRC cannot tackle the epidemic by itself, appealing for international support and warning that the response is severely underfunded. WHO says it has received only about 40% of the $115 million required for the emergency response.

Also read: Congo Starts Ebola Treatment Trial As Cases Reach 1,427, Deaths Hit 440

Challenges In Containing DRC Ebola Outbreak

The outbreak was first declared in May and is centered in Ituri province. Infections have now spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo. Around 90% of reported cases remain concentrated in Ituri, particularly in the city of Bunia.

Health experts say one of the biggest challenges is that around 80% of new infections cannot be linked to known Ebola patients, indicating widespread hidden community transmission. Many patients are dying at home before reaching treatment centers, making contact tracing increasingly difficult.

Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks driven by the Zaire strain, the current epidemic involves the Bundibugyo virus, for which no licensed vaccine or approved treatment currently exists.

Scientists hope that ongoing clinical trials evaluating the antiviral drug remdesivir and the experimental antibody therapy MBP134 could help improve survival rates. The WHO and the DRC's National Institute of Biomedical Research recently began enrolling patients into the study.

Containment efforts are also being hampered by armed conflict, community mistrust, misinformation and strikes by local healthcare workers over unpaid wages. WHO has responded by expanding lab capacity and training more than 21,000 community health workers to strengthen surveillance and treatment.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also described the outbreak as spreading "substantially faster than previous Ebola outbreaks," noting that it surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases within just 40 days of response activation.

About Ebola

Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever first identified in 1976. Since then, more than 30 outbreaks have been recorded, primarily in Central and West Africa. Common symptoms of Ebola include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Weakness and fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising.