Current Context : Recently, a cholera outbreak in Jajpur, Odisha, in June 2025 has resulted in 5 deaths and around 500 hospitalisations, prompting deployment of a 14‑member central medical team for containment. About Cholera Cause: Bacterium Vibrio cholerae, typically through contaminated water or food. Symptoms: Profuse watery diarrhoea, vomiting, rapid dehydration; can be fatal within hours if untreated. Transmission: Fecal‑oral route; even asymptomatic carriers can spread infection. Preventive Measures: Boiled/treated drinking water; chlorination of wells and hand‑pumps. Health education on sanitation and hygiene. Vaccination (where available) in high‑risk areas.Read More

Current Context: Sudan’s Ministry of Health reported a severe cholera outbreak from 20–27 May 2025, with 2,729 infections and 172 deaths in one week, predominantly in Khartoum State. ABOUT CHOLERA OUTBREAK Cause: Infection by Vibrio cholerae through contaminated water/food. Symptoms: Acute watery diarrhea, vomiting, leading to rapid dehydration and death if untreated. Prevention & Treatment: Requires access to clean water, sanitation, Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), and prompt antibiotic therapy. ABOUT SUDAN Located in Northeast Africa. Lies within the Nile River basin. The third-largest country in Africa by area. Capital: Khartoum (situated at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile).....Read More

Current Context: India has been awarded the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by the World Health Organization (WHO) during the 78th World Health Assembly held in Geneva. About Trachoma Cause: A contagious eye infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis; classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease by the WHO. Impact: Repeated infections can lead to irreversible blindness due to scarring of the inner eyelid and corneal damage. Transmission: Spread through personal contact, contaminated items, or flies that have come into contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person. Indian Initiative: The....Read More

Current Context: The World Health Organization has confirmed a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea, marking the first such occurrence since 2018. About Polio: A highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. Transmitted person-to-person through the fecal-oral route, contaminated water or food. Primarily affects children under 5 years of age. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the neck, and pain in limbs. Can lead to total paralysis in severe cases.Read More

Current Context: In response to the rising global threat of encephalitis and its impact on public health, the UK-based Encephalitis International launched a global campaign to promote the importance of vaccination as a preventive measure. About Encephalitis: Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain caused by infections (viral, bacterial) or autoimmune responses, leading to brain swelling and symptoms like headaches, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, mental confusion, and seizures. Causes: Common pathogens include Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), Influenza, and West Nile Virus. Symptoms: Fever, headache, mental confusion, and seizures are typical indicators of encephalitis. India’s Efforts: Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): Provides....Read More

Current Context: The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, is organizing the National Ayush Mission (NAM) Conclave 2025 on May 1–2 at Kaivalyadham, Lonavala, Maharashtra. The event will bring together policymakers, Ayush professionals, researchers, and industry leaders to shape the future of Ayush-based healthcare in India and promote integration of traditional systems with modern healthcare. About Organised By: Ministry of Ayush, Government of India Document Launch: Blueprint for Ayush Policy 2025 Standard Treatment Guidelines (STG) on Metabolic Disorders About the National Ayush Mission (NAM) Launch Year: 2014 Objective: Enhance availability, accessibility, and quality of Ayush healthcare servicesRead More

Current Context: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), through its Grand Challenges India (GCI) initiative at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), announced the successful scientific review and validation of India’s first indigenously developed Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test kits for cervical cancer screening. About Developed by Molbio Diagnostics Ltd., Bangalore and Mylab Discovery Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Pune. Validation supported by World Health Organization (WHO)’sInternational Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Aims to strengthen cervical cancer diagnostics through affordable, indigenous solutions. Part of efforts to promote healthcare innovation under the biotechnology sector.Read More

Current context: Union Health Minister Dr. Jagat Prakash Nadda launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella (MR) Elimination Campaign 2025–26, reaffirming India’s target to eliminate both diseases . Key Highlights: Campaign Aim: Achieve zero measles and rubella cases by 2026. Ensure >95% MR vaccine coverage across all districts. Current Progress: MR first-dose coverage: 7% MR second-dose coverage: 92.2% 332 districts: Zero measles cases (Jan–Mar 2025) 487 districts: Zero rubella cases (Jan–Mar 2025) India awarded Measles and Rubella Champion Award 2024 Strategic Focus: Rapid outbreak response and inter-departmental coordination. Strengthened surveillance via Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). Multilingual public awareness campaigns to address....Read More

Current Context: The Government of India is ramping up the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive for girls aged 9–14, aligning with the 2024 Interim Budget. About Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Over 200 virus types; 40+ are sexually transmitted. Types 16 & 18 cause most cervical cancer cases. World's most common Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). Often silent but can lead to cancer on persistence. Vaccines in India Gardasil 4 (MSD) & Cervavac (Serum Institute): 4-type protection. Gardasil 9: Covers 9 HPV strains for broader immunity. Government Action Recommended by National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI). Included in Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).....Read More

Current Context: Gujarat has made significant progress in tuberculosis (TB) elimination, achieving 95% of its registration and treatment targets in 2024, under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program. Key Facts: Registration and Treatment: Target: 145,000 TB patients. Achieved: 137,929 registered (95%), with 124,581 completing treatment (90.52% success rate). Financial Support: Scheme: Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY). Incentive: Rs 1,000/month for each TB patient during treatment. Reach: 131,501 patients supported. Nutritional Support: Nikshay Mitras Registered: 10,682. Nutrition Kits Distributed: 349,534 kits to TB patients. 100-Day Intensive TB Campaign: Launched in December 2024, covering 16 districts and 4 municipal corporations. Screening:75 lakh people screened.....Read More