In a tragic incident from Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam, a 5-year-old boy lost his life due to food poisoning after allegedly consuming a cucumber, commonly known as Balam cucumber. Two other children from the same family have been admitted to the ICU, while an adult woman is under treatment in the general ward. The incident has raised concerns about food safety in the region, and the family has alleged negligence on the part of the hospital for failing to provide timely treatment.

The family, consisting of four members, including three children, consumed Balam cucumbers during dinner on Tuesday evening. By early Wednesday morning, they began to experience severe symptoms of food poisoning, such as vomiting and stomach pain. At around 5 AM, the situation worsened, and despite administering basic medicines to ease the pain, the symptoms persisted.

The family was taken to the Medical College Hospital in Ratlam for treatment, where the 5-year-old boy tragically passed away on Wednesday. The two girls, currently in the ICU, are receiving intensive care, while the mother is under observation in the general ward. The family has filed a written complaint with the local police, and investigations are ongoing.

According to Dainik Bhaskar, the epidemiologist at Ratlam Medical College stated that all patients were admitted with symptoms of food poisoning, and their condition worsened due to a delay in receiving proper treatment. Blood samples have been collected for testing.

Preliminary reports from the hospital suggest that the cause of the illness was food poisoning, with the delay in treatment contributing to the worsening of the patients' conditions. The hospital’s medical superintendent indicated that initial findings point to food poisoning as the primary cause of the boy’s death.

The family, however, has alleged negligence, stating that their child did not receive proper treatment in time. Blood samples have been collected from the patients to determine the exact cause of the food poisoning, and authorities are awaiting further test results.

Food Poisoning and Salmonella: A Deadly Threat

Food poisoning is a common yet dangerous condition caused by consuming contaminated food or drink. One of the most frequent culprits behind foodborne illness is the Salmonella bacterium, which can lead to salmonellosis, a form of food poisoning.

Salmonella is responsible for an estimated 1.35 million infections annually in the United States alone, hospitalizing 26,500 people and claiming more lives than any other foodborne pathogen. It can be found in a variety of raw or undercooked foods, including poultry, eggs, ground beef, and even produce like basil and cantaloupes. In recent years, there have even been Salmonella outbreaks linked to small pets like turtles and contaminated dog food.

Symptoms of Salmonella Poisoning

Once ingested, Salmonella can lead to gastroenteritis, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms typically begin within six to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria and may last for two to three days.

While most cases of salmonellosis resolve on their own, severe infections, especially in young children, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems, can lead to serious complications or even death.

Salmonella can spread easily, not only through the consumption of contaminated food but also via cross-contamination from hands, utensils, or surfaces.

People may inadvertently transfer the bacteria from food to their mouths, clothing, or others, even if they don't fall ill themselves.

Importance of Food Safety

The tragic death of the young boy in Ratlam highlights the importance of food safety and the swift response needed in cases of foodborne illnesses. Authorities are conducting further investigations to determine the precise cause of the food poisoning and whether it was linked to Salmonella or another contaminant.

As a preventive measure, health experts advise ensuring that foods are thoroughly cooked, properly stored, and handled with clean utensils and hands to reduce the risk of contamination.

In cases of suspected food poisoning, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial, especially when children or vulnerable individuals are affected.

Dr. David Geier, a controversial orthopedic surgeon and known vaccine skeptic, is attempting to revisit long-debunked claims linking vaccines to autism. Recently hired by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Geier is now reviewing historical safety data to investigate whether government agencies concealed crucial information.

Accessing CDC's Vaccine Safety Database

Geier is reportedly seeking access to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD), a repository of vaccine safety records from millions of patients. The VSD is maintained by a dozen major healthcare systems, each controlling its own data. Full access has always been tightly controlled due to privacy and misuse concerns.

Geier previously accessed the database in 2004 and 2006. However, according to The Wall Street Journal, CDC officials revoked his access both times, alleging he had misrepresented his research intentions.

Despite this, Geier is once again pushing to analyze the data. It remains unclear if access has been granted. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) stated that the department intends to take a “fresh look at all data including old data,” and emphasized that they would “follow the science—wherever it leads.”

Scientific Community Raises Concerns

The scientific and public health communities have expressed concern over Geier's involvement. “He has no record in the scientific community of doing valid work,” said Dr. Walter Orenstein, former director of the CDC’s immunization program.

Geier and his late father, geneticist Mark Geier, have long promoted the theory that vaccines cause autism—an idea widely discredited by the medical community. The pair also introduced a controversial treatment using hormone-blocking drugs, which resulted in the revocation of Mark Geier’s medical license and disciplinary actions against David Geier for practicing medicine without a license.

At a 2015 conference, Geier defended his position, claiming the scientific community dismisses their findings without proper consideration. “They think that [the vaccine's link to autism has] been completely debunked,” he said at the time.

Kennedy's Role and the Larger Context

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal critic of vaccine mandates, has clarified that Geier will not lead autism research. Instead, his focus will be on identifying any possibly overlooked or hidden data within the CDC’s database.

“There has been a lot of monkey business with the VSD,” Kennedy stated in a previous congressional appearance.

Kennedy, who once authored a now-retracted Rolling Stone article alleging a vaccine-autism cover-up, cited a 2000 CDC conference that explored preliminary data on thimerosal—a mercury-based preservative once used in vaccines. Though early findings prompted questions, later analysis confirmed no link between thimerosal and autism. Thimerosal was removed from most vaccines in 2001, and final results were published in 2003.

Exploring Autism Causes and Rising Rates

While Geier conducts his review, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is separately examining rising autism rates. The CDC now estimates that 1 in 31 eight-year-olds in the U.S. were diagnosed with autism in 2022. Experts attribute the increase to a combination of better diagnostic methods, genetic factors, and increased awareness.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also plans to fund research into other possible causes, such as environmental toxins and diet. Meanwhile, Children's Health Defense, a nonprofit formerly led by Kennedy, is hosting an online event this week centered on what it calls the “autism cover-up.”

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) confirmed that the illnesses are associated with recalled salami products distributed in various provinces, triggering immediate public health advisories, health authorities are investigating a salmonella outbreak that has already infected over 50 individuals and resulted in seven hospitalizations.

The PHAC states that the outbreak was attributed to three particular salami products sold under two product names: Rea's Genoa Salami Sweet and Genoa Salami Hot, and Bona's Mild Genova Salami. All of these were sold and distributed within Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba through different locations such as grocery stores, butcher shops, restaurants, cafes, and specialty markets.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released a notice of recall on June 10, after increased numbers of reported cases were reported between mid-April to late May 2025. Up to June 11, 57 individuals have been confirmed ill, 44 in Alberta and 13 in Ontario. PHAC indicates additional cases may emerge, referencing an infective-to-report window of up to 45 days.

Where Was the Salami Contaminated?

Examinations find that most of the infected people had eaten the salami in pre-cut sandwiches or deli counter portions, highlighting the common distribution and consumption of the recalled items. The CFIA has called on consumers to inspect their refrigerators and dispose of any impacted items or bring them back to the place of purchase.

What is a Salmonella Infections?

Salmonella is a bacterium that can result in a serious infection of the gastrointestinal tract called salmonellosis. While most individuals recover from it within four to seven days without any medical treatment, susceptible groups of people like children, pregnant women, elderly, and immunocompromised patients can develop serious complications.

The symptoms occur within six to 72 hours of consumption and are as follows:

• Severe fever
• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Headaches
• Nausea

In certain instances, the salmonella infection can have more serious health effects, such as bloodstream infection and chronic joint discomfort, or reactive arthritis.

Of the 57 confirmed cases, approximately 67% are male and range in age from less than one year to over 100 years old. Seven patients have been hospitalized, with no reported deaths yet.

PHAC emphasizes that not everyone exposed to salmonella will become sick, and the severity of symptoms can vary. Nonetheless, any suspected case should be reported immediately to local health authorities.

Public Health Advisory and Consumer Safety Measures

The CFIA stresses that food contaminated with salmonella may not exhibit any visible signs of spoilage, making vigilance all the more critical. Consumers are strongly advised to:

• Dispose of the recalled products immediately
• Avoid eating ready-to-eat sandwiches or deli foods if the origin of salami is not known
• Follow safe food handling practices at home, such as proper storage and washing hands

If you believe a product is contaminated or want to file a food safety complaint, you can file it through the CFIA's online reporting portal or by filing a consumer product incident report.

PHAC and CFIA are closely tracking the outbreak and working cooperatively with provincial health ministries and impacted businesses to prevent further spread. The agencies are also backtracking along the supply chain to identify the source of contamination.

Updates will be made as the investigation progresses on the CFIA and PHAC websites. Consumers should remain updated and adhere to public health guidelines to reduce risk.

This incident is a grim reminder of the extreme need for stringent food safety procedures and openness in food production and distribution. Most people who contract salmonellosis will recover without treatment, but the outbreak highlights the seriousness of foodborne diseases and the need for information awareness.

Just when the world seemed to settle into a post-pandemic rhythm, a new COVID-19 variant—NB.1.8.1, nicknamed Nimbus—is gaining ground and rattling global health authorities. With its hallmark symptom being an agonizing sore throat that patients describe as feeling like “swallowing razor blades,” the variant has already led to a noticeable rise in infections across several countries.

First identified in early 2025, this Omicron subvariant is making headlines as cases spike across Asia and begin to surface in North America, Europe, and Australia as well. With international mobility returning to pre-pandemic levels, global health experts are closely monitoring its trajectory.

NB.1.8.1 is a mutated form of the Omicron variant, it is continuing the trend of subvariants that are more transmissible but, so far, not necessarily more severe. It was first detected and quickly spread through densely populated regions of China and Hong Kong.

By late April, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that NB.1.8.1 accounted for approximately 10.7% of globally submitted genomic sequences—up from just 2.5% a month earlier. This rapid expansion prompted the WHO to designate it as a “variant under monitoring” on May 23.

What Makes NB.1.8.1 Different?

What sets NB.1.8.1 or Nimbus, apart from earlier COVID-19 variants is its unique set of symptoms, most notably the intense sore throat.

Patients across various countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, and the UK, have described a "razor blade" sensation in the throat, far more painful than the sore throats associated with previous variants.

Virologists, including Australia’s Dr. Lara Herrero of Griffith University, believe this new variant has a higher transmission potential and increased immune evasion capabilities, meaning it can more easily bypass natural or vaccine-induced immunity, contributing to its rapid spread.

Key Symptoms of New COVID Variant NB.1.8.1 To What to Watch For

While the classic COVID symptoms like fever and fatigue remain present, NB.1.8.1 adds a painful twist to the mix. Here’s what patients have been reporting:

• Severe sore throat described as 'swallowing razor blades'
• Fatigue and body aches
• Mild to moderate fever
• Congestion and runny nose
• Persistent mild cough
• Gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and nausea in some cases

Healthcare professionals caution that these symptoms can be confused with the flu or seasonal allergies, making early detection more challenging without testing.

How Dangerous Is New COVID Variant NB.1.8.1?

Despite its painful symptoms and swift spread, current data suggests that NB.1.8.1 is not more deadly than prior variants. The WHO has emphasized that existing COVID-19 vaccines remain effective at preventing severe disease and hospitalization caused by this strain.

A pre-print study (still pending peer review) also indicates that although the variant demonstrates high immune evasion, the severity of illness appears consistent with previous Omicron variants. That said, under-testing in many parts of the world means the actual scale of spread may be underreported.

Several factors contribute to the rise in COVID cases globally:

Reduced testing and complacency: Fewer people are getting tested for COVID-19 compared to the height of the pandemic, making tracking more difficult.

Seasonal mobility: Increased travel and fewer restrictions may be aiding the variant’s spread.

Vaccine fatigue and rollback of mandates: Recent policy changes, such as the rollback of vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women in the U.S., could affect future immunization rates.

Dr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health and Human Services Secretary under the Trump administration, recently stated a controversial shift in vaccine recommendations, despite evidence supporting vaccination—especially for pregnant women—to protect both mother and baby.

How To Stay Safe and Protected?

Health experts explain that COVID-19 vaccines continue to be a first and most important aspect of defense and protection, including against NB.1.8.1. There is no current evidence that the variant undermines vaccine effectiveness against severe illness.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) also urges pregnant women to stay up to date on their COVID vaccinations, citing strong data showing that vaccinated mothers pass antibodies to their newborns, offering early protection.

While NB.1.8.1 isn’t considered a “variant of concern” yet, its rapid rise in numbers and severe sore throat symptoms have placed it on the global radar. The good news is that existing public health measures—vaccination, hygiene, mask-wearing in high-risk settings—still work.

Individuals who experience persistent throat pain, especially if accompanied by other flu-like symptoms, are advised to get tested and isolate as necessary.

The present guidance from public health officials mirrors what the international community has collectively embraced as received wisdom:

• Keep practicing proper hand hygiene.
• Use masks in indoor, poorly ventilated, or congested settings.
• Self-isolate and get tested if having cold-like symptoms.
• Stay home and refrain from unnecessary social contacts if ill.

The emergence of NB.1.8.1 is a sharp reminder that COVID-19 is far from over. While it may no longer dominate headlines like it did during the global crisis, its ability to mutate and spread remains potent.

If your sore throat feels unusually painful—like swallowing glass or razor blades, it might be time to test, mask up, and protect those around you.