Eight babies have been born in the UK free from hereditary mitochondrial disease thanks to groundbreaking IVF using DNA from three people. The method combines a mother’s egg, father’s sperm, and healthy mitochondria from a donor to prevent passing on the debilitating condition. Children inherit 99.9% of their DNA from their parents and 0.1% from the donor. The Newcastle Fertility Centre confirmed all babies are healthy and meeting milestones. Experts say this offers new hope to families affected by hereditary mitochondrial disorders. Around 20-30 such births are expected yearly in the UK despite ethical debates surrounding genetic modification. (PC: BBC)

India is on the brink of a major public health breakthrough as the Serum Institute of India nears completion of Phase 3 trials for the country’s first homegrown dengue vaccine. Named TetraVax-DV, the vaccine is designed to offer protection against all four serotypes of the dengue virus. The trial, which began in 2023, has enrolled nearly 50% of the targeted participants across 20 sites in both urban and rural areas. Early safety data has shown promising results with no serious adverse effects reported. If successful, the vaccine is expected to be available by 2026, offering a critical tool to combat the seasonal dengue outbreaks that afflict millions in India every year. (PC: The Times of India)  

The Health Ministry has said there is no link between Covid-19 vaccines and sudden cardiac deaths in young adults. Studies by ICMR and NCDC found that such deaths are mostly due to genetics, lifestyle, stress, and post-Covid issues. “These studies have conclusively established that there is no direct link between COVID-19 vaccination and the reports of sudden deaths in the country,” the ministry stated. This comes after Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah raised concerns over 22 heart attack deaths in Hassan district. An expert panel is now studying the cases. The ministry warned against “false and misleading” claims that create vaccine fear. (PC: AP)

In the 123rd episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on June 29, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated key national milestones, emphasizing India’s growing global influence in health and social welfare. He praised the overwhelming participation in International Yoga Day, especially the record-breaking gathering of over three lakh people in Visakhapatnam. Modi also proudly announced that India has been declared trachoma-free by the World Health Organization, attributing the success to initiatives like Swachh Bharat and Jal Jeevan Mission. Highlighting social security advancements, he cited an ILO report revealing that nearly 95 crore Indians now benefit from social protection schemes—an impressive rise from just 24 crore in 2015. (PC: PTI)  

Maharashtra recorded 53 fresh COVID‑19 infections on Friday, June 20, raising its cumulative case count since January 1, 2025, to 2,281, with no fatalities reported in the last 24 hours . The active caseload stands at 340 patients, with Pune (18), Mumbai (11), Nagpur (8), and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (6) leading new infections . To date, 24,635 samples have been tested statewide, with 83.7% recovery as 1,909 individuals have recovered . Health officials continue ILI/SARI surveillance and emphasize testing patients with mild symptoms. (PC: NDTV)

Dr. Salvador Plasencia has agreed to plead guilty to four federal counts of distributing ketamine in connection with actor Matthew Perry’s fatal overdose in October 2023. Prosecutors allege Plasencia provided Perry at least 20 vials of ketamine via his Malibu urgent‑care clinic and through another physician in exchange for cash, and trained Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, to inject the drug. Texts reveal Plasencia mocking Perry as “a moron” ripe for exploitation. While he faces up to 40 years in prison, the fatal dose allegedly came from dealer Jasveen “Ketamine Queen” Sangha, who maintains innocence and will stand trial in August 2025. (PC: The Independent)

A 14‑member central health team including ICMR, NCDC, WHO and FSSAI officials has arrived in Jajpur, Odisha, to respond to a cholera outbreak linked to a community feast attended by over 2,500 people. Fourteen deaths and around 1,500 hospitalisations have been confirmed, with Vibrio cholerae detected in eight of 41 stool samples. Severe dehydration and acute diarrhoea are being managed with ORS, IV fluids, and extra medical staff deployed from Cuttack’s SCB Medical College. Authorities have sealed an illegal water bottling plant, are disinfecting wells and tubewells, fixing pipelines, and advising boiled‑water use. The situation is stabilising, but officials urge prompt treatment to avoid further escalation. (PC: Times of India & Scientific American)

A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, has emerged, accounting for over 10% of global infections. Confirmed cases have been reported in Northern Ireland and Wales. While there is no evidence that NB.1.8.1 causes more severe illness, experts suggest it infects cells more efficiently and may trigger gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea, constipation, and nausea. The World Health Organization has designated it a “variant under monitoring”. First detected in January 2025, NB.1.8.1 has spread to the US, Australia, Thailand, China, and Hong Kong. Due to reduced testing, tracking infections has become increasingly difficult. (PC: Yale Medicine)

Two Chinese researchers, Yunqing Jian (33) and Zunyong Liu (34), have been indicted in Michigan for allegedly smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a fungus causing “head blight” in wheat, barley, maize, and rice into the United States, prosecutors say. The US Justice Department flags it as a “potential agroterrorism weapon” linked to economic losses and health hazards like liver damage and reproductive defects. China expert Gordon G. Chang warned on Fox News this could be an act of war—“something worse than Covid”urging severance of US - China ties. Critics argue the fungus is already established and controllable with fungicides. The government now faces a stark choice on biosecurity and diplomacy. (PC: Wikipedia)

As of June 8, India has 5,755 active COVID-19 cases, with 391 new infections and 4 deaths in the last 24 hours, said the Health Ministry. Kerala reported the highest rise with 127 new cases, followed by Gujarat (102) and Delhi (73). So far in 2025, 5,484 patients have recovered and 59 people have died. States with new deaths include Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Only Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, and Chandigarh reported no new cases. Hospitals across India are now running mock drills to check oxygen, ventilator, and medicine availability in case of a bigger COVID-19 surge. (PTI)