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 32-year-old man from Visakhapatnam was treated repeatedly for suspected tuberculosis for nearly six years before doctors diagnosed him with a rare inflammatory disease called Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.

The man complained of recurrent swelling of his lymph nodes and was treated for tuberculosis despite the symptoms continuing to return.

In 2026, he was treated at KIMS Hospitals after developing a painful swelling in his right armpit. A lymph-node biopsy eventually led to the diagnosis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.

The case highlights a concerning but noteworthy issue of misdiagnosis, especially when a rare condition resembles infections like TB and even certain cancers.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease Affects Lymph Nodes

It is most commonly seen in young adults and frequently involves the lymph nodes in the neck. It is characterised by fever and tender lymph-node swelling. Some patients may also experience fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, or skin rashes.

The exact cause of the disease is still unknown. Researchers have proposed that infections may trigger an abnormal immune response, but no single infectious agent has been established as the cause.

Also read: TB Usually Attacks The Lungs, But It Can Affect The Skin Too- 1.5% People Are Living With The Struggle

Kikuchi Disease Can Be Mistaken For TB And Cancer

The condition can be particularly difficult to distinguish from other causes of enlarged lymph nodes. In countries like India, where tuberculosis is common, TB lymphadenitis is widely suspected when someone develops persistent or recurrent lymph-node swelling.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease can present with similar symptoms and inflammatory changes. There have been documented cases in which KFD was initially mistaken for tuberculosis. It can also resemble lymphoma and lymph-node involvement associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Kikuchi disease is not cancer, but its presentation can sometimes look similar to lymphoma, particularly when a patient has persistent lymph-node enlargement. This is one reason doctors may need a biopsy rather than relying only on symptoms or imaging.

Also read: Every Cough Or Episode Of Breathlessness Is Not Asthma

How Is Kikuchi Disease Diagnosed?

There is no specific blood test that can definitively diagnose Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. Doctors generally rely on histopathological examination of an affected lymph node, usually following an excisional biopsy.

Under the microscope, characteristic areas of necrosis and specific immune cells called histiocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells can help establish the diagnosis. The absence of certain inflammatory cells, particularly neutrophils, also helps distinguish KFD from some infections. This is noteworthy as just the presence of an enlarged lymph node cannot reveal its underlying cause.

Symptoms of this disease generally improve without aggressive treatment, and with supportive care, including medicines to control pain and fever. Corticosteroids may be considered in severe or complicated cases.

However, patients diagnosed with KFD may need follow-up as it is associated with autoimmune conditions, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus.

Vizag Case Puts Focus On The Importance Of Reassessment

The Visakhapatnam man's prolonged treatment for suspected TB illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing rare inflammatory diseases when their symptoms overlap with more common conditions.

Persistent or recurring lymph-node swelling despite treatment should prompt doctors to reassess the diagnosis and consider other possibilities, including inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disease and malignancy.

Continuing its biggest food safety crackdown in years, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) inspected Pernod Ricard’s plant in Bengaluru.

While FSSAI officials have not issued any adverse findings against Pernod, they reportedly collected samples of Blenders Pride and Royal Stag whisky for testing.

“Regulatory inspections are an established part of the industry's compliance framework, and we are working constructively with the authorities,” Pernod said in a statement to Reuters. The French company added that it maintains robust quality and safety standards.

FSSAI Inspects Pernod Plant

FSSAI officials inspected the Pernod plant over two days, collected liquor samples for testing and sought some documentation.

According to Pernod, Blenders Pride is among its top premium blended whiskies in India, while Royal Stag is the first whisky in India not to use any artificial flavourings.

Also read: After FDA Crackdowns, Karnataka Launches QR Code To Report Food & Drug Safety Violations Instantly

FSSAI's Visit to Diageo Plant

The inspection comes close on the heels of FSSAI’s visit to Diageo’s plant, also in Bengaluru. The regulator seized around 18,000 boxes of whisky and vodka bottles, citing the alleged lack of markings showing that the bottles were made using safe, food-grade recycled plastic, Reuters reported.

It also flagged issues over labelling and the alleged addition of whisky flavouring to its whiskies.

FSSAI Widens Food Safety Crackdown

The food standards regulator has stepped up enforcement across packaged foods, edible oils, sweeteners, high-caffeine beverages and energy drink makers, including PepsiCo, with the drive gathering pace since July.

In recent weeks, FSSAI has acted against or scrutinized products and companies over misleading claims, hygiene and food-safety violations, non-compliant ingredients, labelling issues and failure to meet prescribed standards.

The latest in the list includes companies such as Amway India, Emami and Bonn Biscuits, which were pulled up by the food regulator over the use of the term “100%” on food labels, packaging and promotional or advertising materials where such claims could mislead consumers.

Read More: From Liquor to Dabur to VKC Nuts, FSSAI Crackdown Puts Food Safety in Focus: Why It Matters

Companies Remove ‘100%’ Claims

Following the intervention, six companies — Bonn Biscuits, Emami, Apis India, Amway India, Juza Foods and Masterchow Foods — took corrective action and removed “100%” claims from their products or advertisements.

• Emami withdrew the “100%” claim for its Zhandu Honey product.
• Apis India removed similar “100%” claims from its honey products.
• Bonn Biscuits removed the claim from a Jeera Bite advertisement for Bonn Cummin Flavor Jeera Bite Biscuits, 76 gm.
• Juza Foods in Kerala removed “100%” claims from various baby food products.
• Masterchow Foods Pvt Ltd withdrew the claim from its Ramen Noodle product.

Previous Crackdowns

FSSAI has also taken action against energy drink makers and alcoholic beverage manufacturers over regulatory violations.

More recently, the food regulator tightened packaging rules for pan masala. Under the new Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, notified on August 10, pan masala packaging can no longer use plastic-based materials, plastic laminates, aluminium foil or metallized layers.

Pan masala can now be packaged in materials made of paper, paperboard, cellulose and other naturally derived materials, provided they are completely free from plastic and synthetic polymers. Tin and glass containers are also allowed.

FSSAI also warned influencers to ensure, before endorsing a food product, that the claims made “are truthful, verifiable & compliant with the law.”

“With great influence comes great responsibility! Promoting misleading or unverified food claims can attract legal consequences,” it said.

A legal battle ensued over a surrogate pregnancy after a California couple sued their surrogate for more than $100,000, alleging she broke their agreement by refusing to terminate the pregnancy after their unborn baby was diagnosed with a serious heart defect.

The case involves McKenna West, a 28-year-old nurse from Alaska, and intended parents Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed of California. The dispute began after a 20-week scan showed that the fetus had hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a rare congenital heart defect in which the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped.

The baby, referred to as Gabriel by West and Rumi by the intended parents, was born in Texas on August 12 and is now receiving specialist medical care. The parents have custody of the newborn, while West's legal counsel has challenged the parental arrangement.

A Diagnosis That Changed The Surrogacy Agreement

According to the parents' lawsuit, their surrogacy agreement contained a provision allowing termination if the fetus developed a serious abnormality.

After doctors diagnosed HLHS at around 20 weeks, Gilkar and Ahmed asked West to terminate the pregnancy. According to court filings, West initially agreed to the process but later changed her mind and refused to undergo an abortion.

West travelled from Alaska to Texas while pregnant, saying she wanted the baby to be born close to specialists capable of treating HLHS. The disagreement has eventually turned into a legal dispute involving California, Alaska and Texas, with different arguments about the surrogacy contract, parental rights and decision-making.

Also read: Decoding The Fertility Markers

Parents Seek More Than $100,000

The latest lawsuit, filed by Gilkar and Ahmed, accuses West of breaching the surrogacy agreement by refusing to terminate the pregnancy.

They are seeking more than $100,000 in damages, according to the latest reports. Earlier proceedings also involved claims over financial penalties under the surrogacy agreement, with reports citing amounts as high as $250,000. West continues to dispute the allegations and has been fighting a separate legal battle over her rights concerning the baby.

Also read: Maternal Anemia: Why It’s A Major Pregnancy Risk For Indian Women And How to Prevent It

What Is HLHS?

HLHS is a complex congenital heart defect that affects the left side of the heart, including the left ventricle and major blood vessels.

As the left side cannot adequately pump oxygen-rich blood to the body, newborns with HLHS require immediate medical treatment after birth, which usually involves a series of surgeries.

While HLHS remains a serious lifelong condition, advances in surgery and intensive care can help children lead a normal life well into their adulthood.

Texas Court Ordered Life-Saving Treatment

Before the baby's birth, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked the court to ensure that the newborn would receive medically necessary treatment. A Texas judge subsequently ordered that life-saving care be provided after birth and prevented the baby from being taken out the state while the case was being considered.

Paxton said, “Baby Gabriel deserves a chance at life.” The parents' lawyer, however, accused the Texas attorney general and West of turning a private family crisis into a political agenda. After the birth, attorney Lee Budner said the baby was in his parents' physical custody and receiving specialist care.