If hand sanitisers kill 99.99% of germs, then who are those 0.01% who survive? There are three major kinds of germs which remain active even when you have used your sanitiser.

Norovirus

Among them, is the norovirus that causes diarrhoea and vomiting outbreaks in places like cruise ships and schools. It is superior to many other viruses because it has a protein capsid, which is resistant to the effects of alcohol.

Norovirus is a group of viruses that causes common illnesses and is also very contagious. It is especially active in the colder month and comes back seasonally. The first norovirus outbreak occurred in Norwalk, Ohio, USA, in a school in 1968, this is where it gets it name from.

Enterococcus faecium

The next on the list is enterococcus faecium, and it lives in the gut. As per a 2024 study titled Enterococcus faecium: evolution, adaptation, pathogenesis and emerging therapeutics, published in Nature journal, it is a Gram-positive bacterium that is a core member of the intestinal microbiota of humans and animals and an opportunistic pathogen that causes life-threatening infections, particularly among hospitalized patients. It mutates in a way that it absorbs carbohydrates and forms a gooey, slime-like substance called the biofilm, which makes it resistant to alcohol.

Clostridium Difficile

Another one is clostridium difficile. This is responsible for causing horrendous diarrhoea and vomiting in hospitalised patients. It also has a remarkable ability to respond to environmental stressors including alcohol gel by going to sleep. It produces spores and allows all metabolic activity.

Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a type of bacteria that can cause colitis, a serious inflammation of the colon. Infections from C. diff often start after you've been taking antibiotics. It can sometimes be life-threatening.

Why Do You Label Read 99.99%?

Apart from the germs and pathogens, another reason why your label reads that it kills 99.99% is to avoid any legal hassles. If someone uses a specific product and falls sick, then the person cannot sue the company as the company did not give a 100% safety guarantee against the germs.

A better way to be healthy is always to clean your hands with soap and water and wear gloves wherever is possible.

Indian health authorities are moving quickly to control a Nipah virus outbreak after five confirmed cases and the quarantine of nearly 100 people in West Bengal. Officials said three fresh infections were detected earlier this week, adding to two earlier cases involving a male and a female nurse. Both nurses were employed at a private hospital in Barasat, close to Kolkata. According to Press Trust of India, the newly confirmed patients include a doctor, a nurse, and another healthcare worker.

Nipah Virus Outbreak India: What Is Nipah Virus?

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic infection, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the primary carriers, but the virus can also be transmitted through pigs and other animals such as goats, horses, dogs, or cats. According to the Cleveland Clinic, infection can occur when:

• People or animals come into contact with bodily fluids like blood, urine, stool, or saliva from an infected animal.
• People consume food items contaminated by infected animals.
• People have close contact with someone infected with Nipah virus, most often while providing care.

The most effective way to reduce the risk of Nipah virus is to avoid contact with sick animals, particularly bats and pigs, in regions where outbreaks have been reported. It is also advised to stay away from foods that animals could contaminate, such as raw date palm sap or partially eaten fruit. Since Nipah can spread between people through bodily fluids, caution is essential when interacting with infected individuals.

Nipah virus can lead to symptoms ranging from mild illness to severe disease, including encephalitis, which can be fatal. At present, there is no specific drug or vaccine available, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms and providing supportive care.

Preventing Nipah virus relies on strict infection control practices, including the use of protective gear, proper surface disinfection, and avoiding areas or animals linked to known outbreaks.

Nipah Virus Outbreak India: Where Is Nipah Virus Found?

People traveling to countries prone to Nipah outbreaks, such as Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, or India, are advised to take extra precautions. Other regions, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Madagascar, the Philippines, and Thailand, may also be at risk because the bat species responsible for spreading the virus are present there.

Nipah Virus Symptoms and Causes

Early signs of Nipah virus infection may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Difficulty breathing
• Cough and sore throat
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Muscle aches and extreme weakness

Symptoms usually appear within four to 14 days after exposure. Many people first experience fever or headache, followed by breathing problems such as cough or shortness of breath.

In more serious cases, the infection can progress to encephalitis, a dangerous brain inflammation. Severe symptoms may include:

• Confusion or altered mental state
• Slurred speech
• Seizures
• Coma
• Severe breathing distress

Experts do not fully understand why some people develop serious illness while others experience mild or no symptoms at all.

Nipah Virus: How Contagious Is It?

Nipah virus is infectious and can spread from animals like bats and pigs to humans through bodily fluids or contaminated food. It can also pass between people through close contact, especially in caregiving settings. While it can spread via respiratory droplets in enclosed spaces, it is not considered highly airborne and usually requires close, prolonged contact for transmission. Common routes include direct exposure to infected animals or their fluids, consuming contaminated fruits or date palm sap, and contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, or blood from an infected person.

Nipah Virus Outbreak India: Who Is Most At Risk?

People most at risk of Nipah virus are those who are more likely to come into close contact with infected animals or patients. This includes:

• Healthcare workers caring for Nipah patients, especially without proper protective equipment
• Family members and caregivers who have close physical contact with infected individuals
• People living near bat habitats, particularly fruit bat roosting areas
• Those who consume contaminated food, such as raw date palm sap or fruits partially eaten by bats
• Farmers, animal handlers, and slaughterhouse workers who work with pigs or other animals that can carry the virus
• Residents of outbreak-prone regions in India and Bangladesh, where Nipah cases recur
• People with weak immunity, who may develop more severe illness after infection
• Close, prolonged contact is the biggest risk factor. Casual contact in public spaces is far less likely to spread the virus.

High ammonia levels in the Yamuna, along with reduced water supply from Haryana via the Munak Canal, have triggered a water shortage across several parts of Delhi. Seven out of the city’s nine water treatment plants have been impacted. Delhi’s largest facility at Wazirabad, which normally supplies around 140 MGD (million gallons per day), has been shut down entirely. Meanwhile, the Chandrawal plant is operating at only half its capacity and is supplying close to 100 MGD to the capital.

Delhi Water Crisis

Localities facing disruptions include IGI Airport, Dwarka, Shalimar Bagh, Sultanpuri, Raja Garden, Rajouri Garden, Karala, Bawana, Prashant Vihar, Madhu Vihar, Mangolpuri, Paschim Vihar, Mayapuri, Janakpuri, and nearby areas. In a statement, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) said, “To make up for the diversion, Haryana is supplying water to DJB. Residents are advised to use water carefully during this period.” Officials have indicated that the water crisis could persist until February 4, 2026.

What Happens When Water Has High Ammonia Content?

Elevated ammonia levels in drinking water can pose serious health concerns, especially when concentrations cross safe limits such as 0.5 ppm (parts per million). Here’s how excess ammonia can affect the body.

1. Respiratory Issues

Ammonia can irritate the airways, leading to symptoms like coughing, a runny nose, chest discomfort, and difficulty breathing if consumed or inhaled from contaminated water. People with asthma or existing lung conditions may experience aggravated bronchitis or face a higher risk of pneumonia.

2. Neurological Effects

Ammonia acts as a neurotoxin and can enter the bloodstream, interfering with normal brain function. This may result in headaches, dizziness, confusion, or trouble concentrating. In cases of heavy exposure, it can cause nausea, vomiting, or poisoning accompanied by breathing distress.

3. Organ Damage

Long-term exposure to ammonia can strain the kidneys by increasing their workload, which may eventually impair function. It can also raise nitrite and nitrate levels in the body, increasing the risk of vascular problems, and has been linked to reproductive concerns such as infertility or low birth weight.

4. Skin and Eye Irritation

Direct contact with water containing high ammonia can irritate the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, sometimes causing rashes or conjunctivitis. Children, pregnant women, and older adults are especially vulnerable and should be extra cautious.

How To Check For Ammonia In Water At Home?

There are a few simple ways to identify possible ammonia contamination at home without laboratory testing.

Indicators

Ammonia gives off a sharp, pungent smell often compared to fish or household cleaning agents, which can be noticeable even at low levels of 0.5–1 mg/L. The water may also taste bitter, earthy, or moldy. If you notice these signs, avoid using the water. Checking the pH can also help, as ammonia can push pH below 7, making the water more acidic. pH test strips are an easy option for this.

Chlorine Residual Test

When ammonia reacts with chlorine, it forms chloramines, which lowers free chlorine levels to below 0.4 mg/L. You can test tap water using pool test strips or chlorine kits. Low readings may point to the presence of ammonia and serve as a useful indirect indicator in treated water supplies.

Safety Tips And Precautions

If you live in an area at risk of ammonia contamination, taking precautions is essential to reduce health issues such as irritation, nausea, or neurological symptoms. Here are some practical steps to follow.

1. Use Certified Filtration

Install reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters that are certified to remove ammonia and chemical contaminants, such as those meeting NSF/ANSI 58 standards. These systems are effective at trapping ammonia ions, unlike basic filters, and make drinking water safer for daily use.

2. Avoid Boiling Alone

While boiling kills bacteria, it can cause ammonia to vaporise, concentrating it in the remaining water and steam. Avoid inhaling the vapours or relying on boiling alone. If boiling is unavoidable, combine it with proper filtration or allow the water to cool uncovered in a well-ventilated space so gases can dissipate before storage.

3. Safe Handling

Always test water if contamination is suspected. In case of exposure, rinse skin or eyes with lukewarm water for 15–30 minutes and seek medical attention if there are burns or if the water has been ingested. Keep ammonia-based cleaning products away from food preparation areas and out of children’s reach to prevent accidental mixing or exposure.

A GP has warned that people can catch Covid more than once in a short span, including while they are still unwell from a previous infection. In some cases, this may even involve picking up two strains of the virus at the same time, a situation doctors are calling “double Covid”.

Doctor Warns of ‘Double Covid’ as UK Cases Rise

New figures from the UK Health Security Agency show confirmed Covid cases have risen by 11 per cent. In the week leading up to January 9, 51 deaths were recorded and more than 500 people were in hospital with the virus.

Can You Catch Covid Twice at the Same Time?

Speaking to the BBC, GP Dr Nish Manek said it is possible to be infected again while still dealing with ongoing symptoms, including long Covid. She explained that having long Covid does not provide immunity against reinfection.

According to Dr Manek, protection from a previous infection or vaccination reduces over time. New variants are also better at evading the immune system, making repeat infections more likely.

Why Long Covid Does Not Protect You

As a result, someone managing long Covid symptoms may still catch Covid again. A fresh infection can trigger a relapse of symptoms or slow down recovery.

She added that a positive test may reflect either the same strain or a new variant. In both cases, it is still Covid and should be taken seriously.

Vaccines Still Reduce Severe Illness

Dr Manek stressed that vaccination remains important. While vaccines may not fully prevent infection, they significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation.

She said Covid continues to change and remains present in the community. Simple protective steps still matter, including testing when unwell, wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, and staying up to date with vaccinations.

Which Covid Variants Are Circulating Now

Latest Covid Symptoms to Watch For

Doctors say symptoms linked to current variants often affect the upper respiratory tract and can feel similar to a bad cold or flu.

Commonly reported symptoms include a very painful sore throat described as feeling like razor blades, a hoarse voice with swollen glands, blocked or runny nose, sneezing, and extreme tiredness. Fever, a persistent cough, and body aches are still widely seen.

Loss of taste or smell is now reported far less often than during the early stages of the pandemic.

Who Is Eligible for a Covid Vaccine in the UK

The UK has moved to a targeted vaccination approach, focusing on those most at risk of serious illness.

The current winter vaccination programme is coming to an end. The final date to receive this dose is January 31, 2026. You are eligible if you are aged 75 or over, live in a care home for older adults, or are aged six months or older and immunosuppressed due to medical treatment or long-term conditions.

A spring booster programme has been confirmed for 2026. Appointments are expected to open in late March, with vaccinations starting from April 13. Eligibility criteria remain the same as the winter programme.

How To Book Your Covid Vaccine?

Doctors continue to urge those eligible to get vaccinated while doses are still available.