The World Health Organization has dismissed comparisons between the recent Hantavirus outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that the situation remains contained and manageable. Concern rose after eight cases, including three deaths, were linked to an outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. WHO official Maria Van Kerkhove said hantavirus is a well-known virus that has existed for years and differs significantly from COVID-19. WHO officials believe the outbreak will remain limited if public health measures, international cooperation and contact tracing continue effectively, while maintaining that the overall public health risk remains low. (PC: Reuters)

Health teams in hazmat suits evacuated suspected hantavirus patients from cruise ship MV Hondius as global authorities stepped up monitoring of a rare outbreak linked to the Andes strain. The Dutch-flagged vessel, carrying about 150 passengers and crew, reported at least eight confirmed or suspected cases after three passengers died. The World Health Organization said the Andes strain is the only hantavirus known to occasionally spread between humans through close contact. Passengers were confined to cabins while medical teams carried out testing and contact tracing. Spain agreed to receive the ship under controlled conditions as health agencies across Europe and South America continued surveillance and quarantine planning. (PC: NDTV)

Scientists say temperature alone does not show the full danger of summer heat in India. High humidity can stop sweat from cooling the body, raising the risk of illness and death. Experts track this using wet-bulb temperature, which measures heat and moisture together. A Penn State study found healthy adults struggled to control body temperature at 31°C wet-bulb temperature, lower than earlier estimates. Coastal and monsoon-hit parts of India face higher risk because humid air is common there. The India Meteorological Department has warned of above-normal heatwave days this summer. Experts say humid heat can be more dangerous than dry heat. (PC: India Today)

Bangladesh has started an emergency vaccination drive after a fast-spreading measles outbreak is suspected to have killed over 100 people, mostly children, since mid-March. Health officials reported more than 7,500 suspected cases, with over 900 confirmed. The surge is far higher than 2025 totals. Officials said many infected children are below nine months, the age for routine vaccines. “Vaccines are foundational to child survival,” said a Unicef representative, warning young children are at serious risk. Authorities linked the outbreak to gaps in immunisation, delayed campaigns since 2020, and vaccine shortages tied to procurement and political disruption. (PC: BBC)

Bird flu (H5N1) has been confirmed in Kerala’s Alappuzha district, specifically in Ward 7 of Muhamma grama panchayat, prompting urgent containment steps. Authorities have ordered the culling of 5,961 domestic birds within a one-kilometre radius of the outbreak epicentre to prevent further spread. Rapid response teams from the Animal Husbandry Department have been deployed, with culling operations scheduled to begin soon. The decision was taken during an emergency meeting led by the district collector. Residents have been advised to remain vigilant, report unusual bird deaths, and follow safety protocols while handling poultry. (PC: The Hindu)

A leaked internal report from the UK Health Security Agency has revealed 340 suspected measles cases in London since the start of 2026, with 123 confirmed. The outbreak is particularly alarming as 34 confirmed cases were directly linked to a single school in Enfield, north London, between January 20 and February 7. The majority of cases affect children aged one to four, with 42 cases recorded among children from the most deprived areas. Between January 2024 and February 2026, England recorded 1,117 measles cases overall, with 597 in London alone, causing the UK to lose its measles elimination status. Health officials are urgently urging parents to vaccinate children, citing dangerously low MMRV vaccine uptake in areas including Hackney and Enfield. (PC: X)

India's Union Health Ministry is set to launch a nationwide, free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme targeting adolescent girls aged 14 years. The vaccination will be entirely voluntary and free of cost, ensuring equitable access across all socio-economic groups. India will deploy Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine offering protection against HPV types 16 and 18, the primary causes of cervical cancer as well as types 6 and 11. Health Ministry officials confirmed that global and Indian scientific evidence supports a single-dose regimen as providing robust and durable protection when administered to girls within the recommended age group, marking a landmark step in India's public health and women's healthcare landscape. (PC: Getty Images)

H5N1 avian influenza has been detected in Chennai following the sudden death of hundreds of crows across the city. Officials tested bird samples from Adyar and confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The state issued a public advisory and began containment steps. Residents have been told not to touch dead birds and to inform authorities about new cases. Officials ordered safe disposal of carcasses through burning or deep burial. The Union Animal Husbandry Ministry asked Tamil Nadu to apply a “One-Health approach” linking animal, human, and wildlife departments. The ministry said the situation “demands urgent attention” and called for wider field surveillance. (PC: India Today)

The World Health Organization said there is no need for travel or trade restrictions after India reported two Nipah virus cases. The agency said the outbreak poses a low risk. “There is no evidence of increased human-to-human transmission,” WHO said. The cases were reported from North 24 Parganas in West Bengal. It added that the patients did not travel while showing symptoms. Some Asian countries have increased airport screening. Nipah mainly spreads from bats through contaminated food or close contact. It can cause fever, brain swelling, and breathing problems. There is no approved vaccine yet, but research is ongoing. (PC: Reuters)

Indonesia has begun using thermal scanners at major airports after two Nipah virus cases were confirmed in India, officials said. The measures include checks at Bali’s international airport, which handles large numbers of foreign visitors. Last year, about 5.89 million overseas tourists visited Bali, including many from India. Tourists told Reuters the move reflects lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, though some said the risk remains low. Nipah is carried by fruit bats and animals such as pigs. It can cause fever and brain inflammation. The virus can spread between people, but usually requires close and prolonged contact. (PC: Reuters)