Tourists planning an idyllic South Pacific vacation in Fiji might consider putting a little something other than sunscreen into their bags, specifically protection against dengue fever, a mosquito-carried virus which is rapidly spreading across the region.

In a recent development that has alarmed global health authorities, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a Level 1 travel alert for Fiji after a sharp increase in cases of dengue fever. Although the alert does not advocate for travel bans, it advises caution and attention particularly since Fiji is approaching peak cruise season and continues to receive thousands of foreign visitors.

Fiji, famous for its coral reefs, green rainforests, and untouched beaches, has also become a cruise tourist hotspot. In 2023, the island country received more than 83,000 cruise ship visitors, a figure expected to reach more than 86,000 in 2024, as per reports. But while its tourism sector blossoms, the Pacific paradise is grappling with a worrying health crisis at the same time.

The Fiji Central Division reported more than 1,000 dengue cases in January through late March alone. By the final week of February 2025, combined case reports throughout the country had climbed to 2,436. The nation's Ministry of Health credits this sudden increase with exceptionally heavy rainfall and flooding, which offer perfect breeding ground for the mosquito—the main vector for dengue virus transmission.

What is Viral Fever Outbreak In Fiji?

Dengue fever is a viral disease spread by the bite of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. It usually develops with high fever, severe muscle and joint pain (commonly called "breakbone fever"), nausea, vomiting, severe headache, and rash. In certain instances, the person may feel pain behind the eyes—a classic symptom.

Although most cases of dengue are self-limiting, severe dengue (or dengue hemorrhagic fever) may result in life-threatening complications like internal bleeding, respiratory impairment, and organ failure.

No antiviral drug for dengue is available at present. Supportive measures like proper hydration and over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen for pain relief can be given in mild cases. Hospitalization is required in severe cases for fluid management and intensive monitoring.

What is a Level 1 Alert?

The CDC's Level 1 alert—ranked as "Practice Usual Precautions"—is the lowest on its travel health notice hierarchy. This does not, however, equate to negligible risk. Rather, it informs travelers that there is an outbreak and that preemptive action must be taken in order to not get infected.

"Spring and summer travel overlap with the high season for dengue in much of the globe, raising the possibility of both travel-related and locally transmitted cases in the United States," the CDC wrote in its latest health advisory.

Since most cruise routes go through tropical regions during these times, the chance of contact with infected mosquitoes greatly increases.

The case in Fiji is not unique. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that dengue has become one of the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne illnesses in the world. As many as 100 to 400 million cases are estimated each year, and half of the world's population is now under threat.

In 2024, the World Mosquito Program had called it the "worst year for dengue on record," since outbreaks were at the same time reported in Brazil, Colombia, the Philippines, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean. Rapid urbanization and climate change have been identified as major drivers behind this trend.

Increased global warming, higher rainfalls, and flooding—all effects of a hotter planet—provide ideal conditions for mosquito populations to flourish. "If we keep putting planet-warming gases into our air.dengue and other vector-borne diseases will only prosper," the Fiji government warned.

Precautionary Steps Tourists Need to Take Prior to and During Travel

No vaccine is universally recommended for tourists, although prevention is still the best course.

Here’s what the CDC and Fiji’s Ministry of Health recommend:

• Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Wear protective clothing such as loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Stay in accommodations with screened windows, air conditioning, or use mosquito bed nets if sleeping outdoors or in unscreened environments.
• Avoid standing water, which serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
• If bitten, do not scratch the bite and use hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching.

In addition, travelers should visit their healthcare provider prior to travel and remain up to date with information from the CDC, WHO, and local health authorities.

Fiji’s Ministry of Health has ramped up its vector control operations, including mosquito surveillance, fogging in affected areas, and community education. Public service announcements are urging residents and tourists alike to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and seek medical attention at the first sign of symptoms.

Cruise lines with Fijian stops have also increased measures to inform passengers about health risks and preventive measures. Unless the outbreak worsens further or spreads to other areas, cruise operations are likely to go on as usual.

Medical experts warn that dengue fever outbreaks will become more common and extensive as a result of climate changes and more travel internationally. As a result, travelers need to start considering mosquito-borne diseases not as far-off chances but as actual health factors particularly when traveling to tropical areas.

Until now, Fiji has been open to tourism, but the spike in dengue cases is a wake-up call: the loveliness of an environment that does not protect it from threats to global health. Whether on a beach or trekking through rainforests inland, simple but crucial precautions may be the difference between a vacation dreams and a medical crisis.

A massive recall has been issued for over 2 million eye drop cartons due to concerns over sterility that can be potentially harmful and lead to serious eye infections, blindness, and even permanent blindness in extreme cases.

The voluntary recall, issued jointly by AvKARE, a Tennessee pharmaceutical distributor, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is being labeled a Class II recall—meaning that although the danger of serious harm is relatively minor, the harm can be transient or medically reversible.

The eye drops were recalled from store shelves after an FDA audit uncovered manufacturing deficiencies that rendered product sterility in doubt. Although neither the FDA nor AvKARE would reveal the specifics regarding the manufacturing deficiencies, the notice of recall mentioned a "lack of assurance of sterility"—a rather disturbing red flag for products that are applied directly to the eyes.

Ophthalmic sterility is non-negotiable. A compromise of sterility, however slight, invites bacterial contamination, which has the potential to penetrate the soft tissues of the eye and develop catastrophic infections.

These products have been shipped between May 26, 2023, and April 21, 2025, which could have endangered millions of customers—particularly those who are addressing chronic dry eye symptoms or season allergies.

How Can Eye Drops Cause Blindness?

To the typical consumer, a contaminated eye drop bottle may not appear to be anything. But the reality is darker. Non-sterile solutions can be a portal of entry for bacteria, fungi, or even parasites, all of which can wreak havoc on the internal environment of the eye.

In 2023, when contaminated eye drops containing a drug-resistant bacteria strain caused 50 infections in 11 U.S. states. That outbreak caused one death and several cases of permanent blindness, highlighting just how perilous contaminated eye drops are.

More disturbing is the likelihood that consumers will unknowingly use these recalled products, particularly at the height of allergy season, when dry eyes are a frequent complaint and over-the-counter relief is in high demand.

If you have recently used one of the recalled eye drops, beware of these warning signs of potential infection:

• Redness or swelling of the eye
• Pain or stinging
• Blurred vision or visual changes
• Abnormal discharge or watery eyes
• Increased sensitivity to light

Although no health problems have yet been officially reported regarding this particular recall, an early intervention is always the best course of action. If infection is suspected, stop using at once and seek an ophthalmologist. AvKARE has put out a strong notice:

Immediately stop using the recalled products. Retailers are requested to pull the products from store shelves and return all unsold merchandise to the distributor for a full refund, including the cost of return shipping.

The recall was initiated by BRS Analytical Service, LLC, an independent laboratory that tests pharmaceuticals for compliance. The action demonstrates growing scrutiny from the FDA, particularly after last year's death from eye drops.

Although the identity of the manufacturer is not revealed, the FDA has not eliminated further action, particularly if more products prove to be dangerous.

What This Means For Your Eye Health?

This event brings to the fore the larger issues regarding the regulation and testing of over-the-counter (OTC) eye care products. It acts as a reminder for consumers and medical professionals alike to ensure that proper eye hygiene, product handling, and consultation with medical practitioners at the right time are ensured.

Even synthetic tears, deemed by most to be harmless, may induce temporary blurring of the vision, allergic reactions, or introduce irritants in the form of preservatives or thickeners if improperly used. No prescription or OTC eye drop should be employed for longer than recommended, and sharing usage is strictly avoided.

The patient should also understand that improper packaging and expired usage can weaken the product and even inflict more harm. Always examine the seal and expiration date and never use bottles with broken or tampered packages.

What To Do If Your Eyes Are Affected?

You may see a complete list of the products recalled and lot numbers on the FDA or AvKARE's official notice of recall webpage. If you already have the affected eye drops:

• Discontinue use immediately.
• Place them in a sealed bag to avoid accidental opening.
• Get a refund or disposal guidance from your retailer.
• Consult a healthcare professional if you're experiencing symptoms.

Medical practitioners are also cautioned to inform the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program about any product quality issues or adverse events.

Stay up to date, read labels attentively, and never settle for the safety of what you put in your eyes. If you use eye drops frequently, think about talking to a certified ophthalmologist to discuss preservative-free options and individualized choices that are safer for long-term use.

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati, US have developed a portable "lab-on-a-chip" device that offers a rapid, objective method to assess stress and mental health risks by measuring cortisol levels from saliva. This innovative device consists of a disposable saliva collector and a handheld reader that transmits the results to a smartphone in minutes.

Unlike conventional mental health questionnaires that rely on self-reporting, this device provides biochemical data, allowing clinicians to make timely and accurate mental health interventions. It also has potential applications beyond stress detection, such as identifying cardiac biomarkers like troponin, which could aid in diagnosing heart attacks.

The device, developed by UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Distinguished Research Professor Chong Ahn and his team, was recently featured in the journal Biomedical Microdevices. The study highlights how elevated cortisol levels can indicate chronic stress and mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, even in patients who do not report feeling stressed in standard assessments.

Doctoral student Supreeth Setty is further exploring how another hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), interacts with cortisol. Research indicates that a high cortisol-to-DHEA ratio is a potential marker for chronic stress, making it a critical factor for clinicians in diagnosing mental health conditions.

The device’s user-friendly design enables patients to conduct the test themselves and share results with doctors via a smartphone app. This point-of-care testing approach not only facilitates quicker interventions but also reduces the subjectivity associated with mental health assessments.

Beyond mental health, UC researchers are investigating the device’s potential to detect heart conditions. In another study published in Analytical Chemistry, the team developed a blood test to measure cardiac troponin levels. Elevated troponin levels indicate heart damage and could signal a heart attack in progress. The researchers aim to use this rapid test to monitor troponin levels in heart attack survivors, potentially preventing subsequent cardiac events.

UC doctoral graduate Vinitha Thiyagarajan Upaassana, a lead author of the study, emphasizes the significance of immediate test results in critical care settings. “The test provides immediate results, which is vital when a patient is in need of urgent care,” she said.

The research was partially funded by UC’s Technology Accelerator Project, and the team plans to collaborate with psychiatrists to conduct clinical trials to validate the platform’s effectiveness in real-world scenarios.

If successful, the lab-on-a-chip technology could revolutionize mental health and cardiac care by providing rapid, point-of-care biochemical tests that deliver immediate, actionable data to clinicians.

Former Deputy PM of Australia and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Joyce, who was recently re-elected to his New England seat, said he will undergo surgery on Monday. Nearly 25,000 men, on average, are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, according to statistics by the Australian government.

Speaking to ABC News, the 58-year-old said that he had not experienced any symptoms, but his doctor recommended a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. The test results indicated elevated PSA levels, leading to an MRI and biopsy that confirmed the cancer diagnosis. Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among men, affecting one in eight men over their lifetime. Joyce expressed gratitude for the early detection and said he is optimistic about making a full recovery.

"If you catch prostate cancer early, it is highly treatable – with a success rate of about 97%," Joyce stated, urging men to be vigilant about symptoms and consider taking the PSA test for early detection. Following the surgery, Joyce plans to take some time off to recover. "I'll be resting as instructed by my family," he said, noting that his wife has prohibited him from engaging in farm work during his recovery period.

How To Identify Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when malignant cells form in the prostate gland, which is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer treatment guidelines have shifted their path a bit in recent years, with many men opting for active surveillance rather than immediate treatment for slow-growing tumours. However, about 50% of men on "watchful waiting" will require further treatment within 5 years because of the tumour progression. This is what triggered many researchers to aim and identify whether dietary modifications, specifically increasing omega-3 fatty acids, could prolong this surveillance period and slow down the tumour progression.

Prostate cancer that's more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as:

• Trouble urinating
• Decreased force in the stream of urine
• Blood in the urine
• Blood in the semen
• Bone pain
• Losing weight without trying
• Erectile dysfunction

Prostate cancer treatment and management vary based on the stage and severity of the disease. Early-stage cancer may be monitored through active surveillance, involving regular check-ups without immediate intervention. More advanced cases may require surgery to remove the prostate gland, radiation therapy to target cancer cells, or hormone therapy to reduce testosterone levels that fuel cancer growth. Chemotherapy and targeted drug therapies may also be employed in metastatic cases. Lifestyle modifications, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management, can support overall health during treatment. Early detection and timely intervention significantly improve treatment outcomes.

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