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.

Even as the Ebola outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo Ebola virus continues to spread, a new case study has revealed a striking finding: the lesser-known virus can remain at very high levels in a patient’s throat.

Ebola viruses are primarily known to attack the vascular system, damaging blood vessel integrity and disrupting the body’s ability to clot. This can lead to severe fluid loss, organ failure and, in some cases, internal or external bleeding.

However, a case study of a 39-year-old American healthcare worker infected with Bundibugyo Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) found that his throat carried more than 10 times as much viral RNA as his blood.

The patient was later medically evacuated to Germany, where he received experimental treatment at a high-level isolation unit in Berlin.

Throat Carried 10 Times More Virus

On day five of illness, testing showed:

• Throat: About 90 million viral RNA copies/mL
• Blood plasma: About 7 million copies/mL
• Difference: The throat had more than 10 times the viral RNA found in blood.

The case was published in Nature Medicine by researchers from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, with collaborators including the CDC, US Department of State, Robert Koch Institute, Emory University and Congo’s Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale.

How Was He Exposed?

The healthcare worker had performed an ultrasound nine days before symptoms began.

Eight days before symptoms, he performed two surgeries using standard personal protective equipment and reported no specific high-risk exposure.

He voluntarily isolated himself when symptoms began. His early symptoms included:

• Severe muscle pain and malaise
• 38.9°C fever despite acetaminophen
• Positive pan-Ebola PCR on plasma by day two

By day three, he developed abdominal pain, vomiting, confusion and orthostatic symptoms.

Experimental Treatment Was Given

Bundibugyo Ebola virus has so far caused three recorded outbreaks, but there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific treatments for the disease.

The patient had received a dose of rVSV-ZEBOV 41 months earlier, but that vaccine targets the Zaire species.

He received the investigational antibody cocktail MBP134 on day four, along with a 200 mg loading dose of remdesivir off-label.

He reached Berlin on day five with thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia and elevated liver enzymes.

Viral RNA Cleared From Most Samples

By day 13, viral RNA was below detection levels in his:

• Plasma
• Throat
• Urine
• Stool

However, the virus was still detected in semen on day 20 but was gone by day 25. Three laboratories failed to culture live virus from throat, plasma or semen samples, the report said.

The researchers cautioned that this cannot be directly attributed to MBP134 because pre-treatment culture data were unavailable. The patient was discharged 22 days after symptom onset.

His Immune System Also Responded

Researchers found rising antibodies against the virus between days five and six, along with virus-specific IgM and IgA, suggesting that his own immune system mounted a response despite receiving monoclonal antibodies.

However, the researchers stressed that the case does not prove MBP134, remdesivir or their combination works. Larger studies are needed.

Congo Ebola Outbreak

Congo declared the outbreak in Ituri Province on May 15, 2026, followed by a WHO public health emergency of international concern two days later.

As of August 22, the ECDC reported:

• 5,514 confirmed cases
• 2,642 deaths
• 4,607 cases and 2,065 deaths in Ituri

The Cyclospora outbreak ongoing in the US since May this year has reached 17,180 cases, compared with 1,180 cases through August last year, according to the latest figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The cases, reported across 48 states plus the District of Columbia, include two deaths, while 922 people have been hospitalized.

In addition, the CDC is investigating 11,844 additional cases that have not yet been laboratory-confirmed. The federal agency added that the true number of people sick with cyclosporiasis is likely higher because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Cyclospora.

“Recent illnesses may not yet be reported due to the time it takes to identify and report Cyclospora cases. It can take about six weeks from the start of symptoms to when CDC receives the case information,” the CDC said.

Cyclospora Cases Expected To Dwindle

Historically, the cyclosporiasis season in the United States runs from May 1 through August 31, so cases should dwindle as summer ends, the CDC said.

The largest outbreak this summer was reported in Michigan. Last week, Michigan noted a 3% increase in cases, bringing the state's total to 14,277 cases.

Outbreak Linked To Iceberg Lettuce

The outbreak has been linked to iceberg lettuce, particularly lettuce produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico. The lettuce was sold at stores and at Taco Bell restaurants across the US before it was recalled.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by a parasite that spreads through food and water contaminated with infected human feces.

The Food and Drug Administration, which oversees food safety, has said it is “confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce related to this specific Cyclospora outbreak is off the market.”

While an average American reportedly eats about 18.3 pounds of lettuce each year, consumers purchased about 7.6 million fewer pounds of lettuce during the four weeks ending July 18 compared with the same period last year, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Is It Safe To Eat Lettuce Right Now?

Food safety experts noted that people can eat lettuce now, but should choose their greens wisely.

“Consumers should make informed choices rather than avoiding leafy greens altogether,” said Darin Detwiler, a professor at Northeastern University, Food & Wine reported.

Because the recalls so far are tied to specific products from one producer and have not expanded to include other lettuce producers, other products are likely OK, Detwiler said.

“Consumers should follow FDA and CDC recall information rather than assuming every leafy green product is unsafe,” he said.

Wade Syers, an extension specialist for food safety at Michigan State University Extension, said the ongoing Cyclospora investigation “does not mean all lettuce or all leafy greens are unsafe.”

How To Prevent Cyclospora Infection

To reduce the risk of infection, the CDC recommends:

• Wash your hands before handling food.
• Wash fresh produce under running water before eating, preparing or cooking it.
• Cook food to at least 158°F (70°C) to kill Cyclospora.
• Follow CDC and FDA recall notices and avoid recalled products.
• Avoid bagged salad mixes.

Food safety has become a serious concern in the US in recent months, with a large number of products recalled over contamination, bacterial infections, and other health risks.

The latest recalls involve rice over potential foreign material contamination and mini doughnuts over undeclared milk that may trigger allergic reactions.

Mini Donuts Recalled Over Undeclared Milk

Packages of mini donuts sold nationwide are being recalled after a consumer reported an allergic reaction linked to the product, USA Today reported.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Better Bakehouse Snack Company is recalling certain lots of Donutful Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Cake Donuts because they may contain undeclared milk.

People with a milk allergy or severe sensitivity to milk could face a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the affected product, the FDA said.

The food regulator noted that the consumer who suffered the allergic reaction has fully recovered. The manufacturer has identified the cause of the mislabeling and taken corrective measures.

Also read: From Dog Food To Fruit Bars: Over 10 Products Recalled In US Over Contamination

Which Doughnuts Are Being Recalled?

The recalled doughnuts are limited to a specific lot manufactured and distributed in March 2026. The product was shipped to retailers nationwide and sold through Amazon.

Consumers should check the following details to determine whether they have the recalled product:

• Product: Donutful Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Cake Donuts, 10 Mini Donuts
• Package: 7.05-ounce carton containing five 1.41-ounce (40g) pouches
• UPC: 3 50041 39210 3
• Best If Used By: September 15, 2026
• Lot Code: 26078

The FDA advises consumers to dispose of the affected product and obtain a refund from the point of purchase with a receipt, or return the product for a refund.

54,648 Pounds of Rice Recalled Over Foreign Material

An FDA update on August 25 provides more details about an April 2026 rice recall involving Lundberg Family Farms.

The company's Jasmine white rice was recalled because of potential contamination with foreign materials.

According to the FDA, 27,324 packages of 32-ounce rice were recalled, totaling 54,648 pounds. Lundberg-branded rice was also part of the recall initiated by the FDA in April this year.

The recalled rice was distributed in:

• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Illinois
• North Carolina
• New Hampshire
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Washington
• Wisconsin

Consumers can identify the affected products using these details:

• UPC: 073416040281
• Lot/Best Before: 260201MA, 01FEB2027; 260202MA, 02FEB2027

The expiration dates are February 1 and February 2, 2027. Consumers who were unaware of the earlier recall announcements may still have the affected product at home.

What Is the Risk From the Recalled Rice?

The recall follows the FDA's May 7 Class II classification.

According to the FDA, a Class II recall involves a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the likelihood of serious adverse health consequences is remote.