A study conducted by the Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China detected a strain of coronavirus named HKU5-CoV lineage 2 in bats.

It belongs to the same group as the MERS-related coronavirus species of virus responsible for the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak.

The new virus detected was found to bind with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors with a HKU5-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) and human ACE2 complex visualised by electron microscopy.

This was a better adaptation as expressed by lineage 1 of the HKU5-CoV virus.

Though the potential human spillover potential needs to be examined, the study underlines a strong mechanism for human infections and underlines the potential zoonotic risk for the organism.

A comprehensive-retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently released its findings on the cancer incidence rates in India based on the 2022 report by the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN). 

Following are the salient findings -

• India lies third in the Southeast Asian region in terms of cancer incidence and third in absolute numbers incidence globally after the USA and China with the numbers to increase in the coming years as India undergoes a demographic shift with an increase in the middle-aged and geriatric population.

• The middle-aged and geriatric age groups account for the highest burden of cancer incidence and mortality with the minimum being in children and reproductive age cohorts.

• Meanwhile, cancer-related mortalities are expected to rise quicker in women than in men (1.2%-4.4% vs 1.2%-2.4% annual per cent change)

• The highest burden among women was caused by breast cancer (13.8%), followed by oral (10.3%) and cervical cancer (9.2%). Meanwhile, among men, oral cancer (13%) had the highest burden, followed by respiratory (11.6%) and esophageal cancer (6.7%).

In light of these findings, the authors advise building a strong framework to support screening, diagnosis and treatment of this rising burden of cancers in the coming years that threatens to overwhelm the healthcare sector.

The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects of healthcare, including research, diagnosis, drug discovery, outbreak preparedness, clinical applications, and electronic health records. 

Committed to harnessing AI for innovation, equity, and ethical integrity, WHO has strengthened its collaboration with the Digital Ethics Centre at the Delft University of Technology by designating it as a “Collaborating Centre on AI for Health Governance.”

This Centre will support the WHO in developing guidelines and policies to promote the responsible and ethical use of AI in healthcare. 

Additionally, it will contribute to AI research in the health sector and provide expert insights to WHO. To facilitate the effective implementation of AI-related guidelines at the national level, the Digital Ethics Centre and its partners have established the “Responsible and Ethical AI for Healthcare Lab.”

A 4-year-old boy became the second Ebola fatality in Uganda, which is raising concerns regarding the containment of the outbreak. The boy passed away on February 25, 2025, in Kampala, after he was hospitalized, WHO reports.

The first Ebola casualty was a male nurse who visited several facilities for treatment before passing away on January 30, 2025. Ugandan health authorities had been optimistic that the outbreak was subsiding following eight patients' recovery, but the new fatality undermines such optimism.

Contact tracing continues to be crucial, particularly since no vaccines are approved for the Sudan strain of Ebola. More than 20,000 passengers are screened each day for Ebola at border crossings in Uganda, with WHO giving $3 million in assistance.

Funding worries are raised because the U.S. government cancelled 60% of USAID contracts, affecting local public health initiatives. USAID contract funding of $27 million for Ebola surveillance was canceled, leaving 85 full-time workers affected.

Uganda has previously experienced Ebola outbreaks, once in the year 2000 when an outbreak resulted in hundreds of deaths and again in 2022 that resulted in 55 deaths. Ebola is transmitted through body fluids and is thought to be caused by contact with infected animals or the consumption of raw meat. Other East African nations, Tanzania and Rwanda, have recently experienced outbreaks of similar hemorrhagic fevers such as Marburg.

Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav inaugurated the National Stakeholder Consultation on Pesticide Residues and emphasized the need for stricter monitoring and sustainable agricultural practices. The consultation, organized by FSSAI, focused on pesticide risks, regulatory challenges, and food safety.

Discussions highlighted sustainable alternatives, such as bio-pesticides and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Officials stressed the importance of robust surveillance and regulatory enforcement.

They also emphasized the need to harmonize India’s Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) with global standards. Enhancing farmer education and implementing digital traceability solutions were key priorities.

It also focused on aligning with global food safety standards and promoting sustainable agriculture.

India is intensifying its fight against cancer with a focus on prevention, affordable treatment, and innovation.
With over 14 lakh new cases reported in 2023, the government has rolled out robust policies, budget allocations, and global partnerships to strengthen oncology infrastructure and ensure equitable access to care.

Key Highlights

• Budget Boost: ₹99,858.56 crore allocated for health, including 200 Day Care Cancer Centres and customs duty exemptions on 36 lifesaving drugs.

• Infrastructure Expansion: 19 State Cancer Institutes, 20 Tertiary Care Centres, and 770 District NCD (Non Communicable Disease) Clinics established under NP-NCD (National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases) for early detection of oral, breast, and cervical cancers.

• Financial Aid: Ayushman Bharat covers chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgeries, while HMCPF provides up to ₹15 lakh for BPL patients.

• Innovation: Launch of NexCAR19, India’s first indigenous CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T) cell therapy, and the Quad Cancer Moonshot initiative to eliminate cervical cancer.

• Awareness: National campaigns like Eat Right India and Fit India promote healthy lifestyles, while Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs drive grassroots awareness.

India’s cancer care framework integrates policy, finance, and innovation, yet challenges in rural access and early detection persist. Sustained efforts aim to build an inclusive, cancer-free future.

Bihar is driving transformative change under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, implementing groundbreaking initiatives to promote gender equality and empower girls. These efforts are now being recognized as "Best Practices."

Key Initiatives:

• Kishanganj – Sports for Empowerment: Over 500 girls participated in a multi-sport event featuring Kabaddi, Badminton, and Athletics. Led by the District Magistrate and local officials, the initiative emphasized academic and athletic excellence, while awareness drives highlighted government schemes for girls.

• Araria – Tackling School Dropouts: Adolescent groups under the Mahadalit Vikas Mission launched a door-to-door campaign, successfully re-enrolling 21 girls in school. This model, now expanded district-wide, aims to bridge gender gaps in education.

• Nawada – Skill Development for Marginalized Girls: A pilot program under the Bihar Skill Development Mission enabled five Mahadalit girls to enroll in Emergency Medical Technician training—a first in their communities. Parental counseling and exposure visits played a key role in encouraging participation.

By addressing systemic barriers and fostering community-driven solutions, Bihar’s BBBP initiatives are setting a statewide blueprint for women’s empowerment and gender equality.

On 30th January 2025, Karnataka became the second state in India, after Kerala, to implement the Supreme Court’s order to allow terminally ill patients the right to die with dignity by withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatment. This will help those with no hope of recovery or those who are in a persistent vegetative state and where the patient no longer benefits from life-sustaining treatment.

Background- On January 24, 2023, the Supreme Court, in its judgment, said the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution encompassed the right to die with dignity.

The salient points of this order are as follows -

• A patient can make an advanced directive or living will stating the kind of treatment they wish to receive and avoid. They can also nominate two people to make decisions on their behalf if they are incapacitated.

• Of such patients, those patients who are terminally ill and undergoing prolonged medical treatment with no hope of recovery and no decision-making capacity can have their life-supporting treatment withheld or withdrawn after the following conditions are fulfilled -

  • The decision has to be certified by two medical boards (primary and secondary) formed at the treating hospital:

    • The first board will comprise three registered medical practitioners (RMPs), which can be a neurologist, neurosurgeon, surgeon, and anesthetist or intensivist approved by an appropriate authority.

    • The second board will comprise an RMP nominated by the District Health Officer -They will take the decision after obtaining consent from the patient’s next of kin or the person(s) mentioned in the advanced directive.

  • Two copies of the decision will be sent to the Judicial Magistrate of First Class (JFMC), who will then send a copy to the Registrar of the High Court for the record.

A study found a national incidence of around 360 typhoid cases per 100,000 people, translating to approximately 4.5 million cases annually.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) released an Expression of Interest (EoI) for companies to help validate and commercialise a new vaccine candidate developed by the National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI), Kolkata (erstwhile ICMR-NICED) that may help tackle enteric fever caused by both Salmonella typhi and S. paratyphi A.

Key features of the technology include:

• Isolation and Characterization of OMVs:

  • Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs) were isolated from Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi A.

  • These OMVs were comprehensively characterized to identify associated antigens, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Vi-polysaccharide.

• Immunization and Immune Response:

  • Adult mice were immunized orally with three doses of the bivalent OMV-based immunogen (25 μg/200 μl).

  • The immunization induced robust humoral responses, including significant serum IgG levels against LPS and Vi-polysaccharide.

  • It activated specific immune cell populations, such as CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ cells, in the spleen of immunized mice.

  • The vaccine also stimulated Th1 and Th17 cell-mediated immune responses.

• Protective Efficacy:

  • Immunization with the bivalent OMVs provided protection against systemic infection caused by lethal doses of heterologous Salmonella strains in adult mice models.

  • The protective effect was found to be mediated by a combination of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses.

• Novel Mechanism of Protection:

  • Anti-OMVs antibodies generated through immunization significantly inhibited bacterial motility and their ability to penetrate mucin layers.

  • This new candidate vaccine is considered superior to the current typhoid conjugate and Vi-polysaccharide based vaccines, as the latter only protect against enteric fever caused by S. typhi strains.

  • The EoI now calls for companies to partner with ICMR on validating these results through vaccine trials and help develop and commercialise vaccines for use.

  • ICMR will provide funding and technical support through expert guidance for the same.

With cancer incidence in India rising to 1.45 million new cases annually, the need for localised and accessible care has never been greater.

To address this, the Indian government is strengthening affordable cancer treatment through the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme, which covers 219 treatment packages, ensuring timely access to care.

Additionally, AMRIT pharmacies are making 289 oncology drugs more accessible by offering them at up to 50% lower prices, easing the financial burden on patients.

Recognizing the growing complexity of cancer treatment, ₹3,000 crore has been invested in 19 state cancer institutes and 20 tertiary care centers, enhancing diagnostic and treatment capabilities nationwide.

Further, to reduce the need for long-distance travel, the government has announced the establishment of 200 cancer daycare centres at district hospitals.

A recent National Green Tribunal report from Uttar Pradesh has raised alarm bells over the Ganga’s water quality ahead of the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Findings reveal that the river water fails to meet the safety standards established by the Central Pollution Control Board, with exceptionally high levels of faecal coliform bacteria detected.

While some parameters remain within acceptable limits, the elevated bacterial contamination poses significant health risks for devotees and participants.

The report urges authorities to adopt stringent remedial measures and continuous monitoring to ensure safe water conditions during the mega event.

Experts emphasize the need for immediate pollution control interventions to restore the river’s ecological balance and protect public health.

Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar, a Padma awardee physician, led a month-long investigation into a sudden outbreak of severe hair loss in Buldhana.

It was found that wheat from Punjab, supplied to ration shops in Buldhana, contained dangerously high levels of selenium. Excessive selenium intake is linked to widespread baldness observed among residents.

Experts revealed that the risk was further intensified by low zinc levels in individuals, a deficiency known to worsen hair loss. The incident has prompted investigations into the supply chain and quality control measures at local ration shops.

Health officials are urging immediate testing and nutritional interventions to mitigate further health impacts. The case highlights the urgent need for stringent monitoring of food quality in public distribution systems.

Ongoing investigation aims to clarify the impact and prevent future occurrences of similar issues.