The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports another infant death due to whooping cough, bringing the total to 10 since the outbreak began last November. With over 10,000 cases reported, the infection continues to spread, peaking at 2,427 cases in May. Babies under three months are most at risk. Vaccination during pregnancy provides 92% protection against infant death, but uptake has declined to 58.9% from 72.6% in 2017. Dr. Mary Ramsay of the UKHSA urges pregnant women to vaccinate to protect their babies amid this severe outbreak.

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, surgeons at Shanghai Chest Hospital have successfully performed lung tumor removal surgery from 5,000 km away using advanced domestic surgical robots. The operation, conducted remotely by Dr. Luo Qingquan from Shanghai while the patient was in Kashgar, took just one hour. This landmark procedure, the first of its kind in China, highlights the potential of remote robotic surgery to benefit patients in remote areas. The video of the operation has gone viral, showcasing the remarkable progress in medical technology.

A severe outbreak of norovirus has gripped Hyderabad's Old City, with areas like Dabeerpura and Yakutpura reporting up to 100 cases daily. The surge has overwhelmed hospitals, with many patients experiencing high fever, severe gastritis, dehydration, and low blood pressure. Doctors suspect large-scale water contamination as the source. Some patients require ventilator support due to respiratory distress, while others suffer kidney failure needing dialysis. The situation is dire, with experts noting an alarming increase in cases over the past three weeks, necessitating urgent medical intervention and water quality checks.

Kerala health officials are working to control a Nipah virus outbreak following the death of a 14-year-old boy from Malappuram. A contact list of 350 people has been prepared, with 101 considered high-risk, including 68 healthcare workers. Six individuals from Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram, who had contact with the boy, have shown symptoms. Authorities are investigating the source, suspected to be fruit contaminated by bats. Precautionary measures, including mandatory masks and 21-day isolation for close contacts, are in place.

A 14-year-old boy from Malappuram, Kerala, who tested positive for the Nipah virus, died of cardiac arrest on Sunday, confirmed Health Minister Veena George. After being diagnosed at NIV-Pune, he was moved to Kozhikode Medical College, where he succumbed despite revival efforts. His cremation will follow international protocols. Currently, three individuals are isolated at Kozhikode Medical College. The Centre has deployed a joint outbreak response team to assist with case investigations and containment measures. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan expressed confidence in the state’s ability to manage the situation.

Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel announced that the Chandipura virus has claimed 16 lives and resulted in 50 reported cases across the state. Among these, 14 cases were reported in Himmatpur, with seven patients currently hospitalized. The virus has also affected three individuals from other states. Symptoms, primarily seen in children, include swelling and diarrhea. However, encephalitis might also be contributing to these symptoms. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel has reviewed the situation, instructing officials to spray Malathion powder and provide intensive treatment to patients. Preventive measures are being enforced at the grassroots level by health workers.

The Union health ministry, alongside experts from AIIMS and NIMHANS, reviewed Chandipura virus and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Since June 2024, 78 AES cases have been reported, mostly in Gujarat, resulting in 28 deaths, with 5 linked to the Chandipura virus. Experts stressed the need for comprehensive studies and highlighted vector control, hygiene, and public awareness as crucial measures. Gujarat's government plans a mega drive for vector control to combat the spread of these diseases, primarily affecting children.

The Union health ministry has rejected a US-based study claiming India's Covid-19 deaths were significantly underreported. The study, published in Science Advances, estimated 1.19 million excess deaths in 2020, eight times higher than official numbers. The ministry called the findings "unacceptable" and "untenable," citing critical flaws in methodology. The study's estimates far exceeded WHO's calculations, sparking controversy. The ministry stands by its official Covid-19 death toll, dismissing the study's claims as unacceptable. A fierce debate has ensued over the accuracy of India's pandemic mortality data.

The Chandipura virus outbreak in Gujarat has claimed 15 lives, with a four-year-old girl confirmed as the first victim by the National Institute of Virology in Pune. The virus has spread to nearly a dozen districts, including Sabarkantha, Aravali, Mehsana, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Morbi, and Panchmahal. So far, 29 suspected cases have been reported, primarily affecting children. The virus causes flu-like symptoms, body aches, diarrhoea, vomiting, and acute encephalitis, and is transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies. Health officials stress the importance of early detection and prevention. There is no specific antiviral treatment; care focuses on managing symptoms. Preventive measures include using insect repellents, wearing protective clothing, and improving sanitation to reduce sandfly breeding sites.

Gujarat has reported its first death from the Chandipura virus, a four-year-old girl from Aravalli district. She died at a civil hospital in Sabarkantha district, with tests confirming the presence of the virus. The state has seen 29 cases of Chandipura virus so far, with 14 suspected deaths under investigation. The virus causes fever and acute encephalitis, with symptoms similar to flu. Meanwhile, a patient from Rajasthan's Udaipur died at a Gujarat hospital due to suspected Chandipura virus infection. Health officials are investigating the cases and monitoring the situation to prevent further spread of the virus.