A 2022 study published in journal Frontiers in Medicine notes that there are about 10 to 23% of adults worldwide who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Another 2021 study that delves into the epidemiology of IBS and other bowel disorders of gut-brain interaction accounts for the global distribution of IBS by country in 26 countries that showed a high rate of consistency in prevalence rates. Among them was also the United States. Reflecting on the same data, a latest study published in the journal Neurogastroenterology & Motility notes that rates of IBS have nearly doubled among the US adults. It rose from 6% in May 2020 to about 11% in May 2022.

In the news release, the lead researcher Dr Christopher Almario, a gastroenterologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles said, "Rates of digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome and chronic idiopathic constipation rose significantly."

“These findings underscore the significant toll the pandemic has taken on digestive health,” Almario added.

What Does The COVID-19 Pandemic Have To Do With IBS?

“These disorders involve chronic gastrointestinal symptoms that are often triggered or worsened by psychological stress,” Almario said.

It is no news that mental stress in fact increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated a 25% rise in the global prevalence of anxiety and depression in the first year of the pandemic. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also notes that the pandemic's impact extended to vulnerable populations like adolescents, with increased suicidal ideation linked to infection fears.

Researchers also suggest that the rise in gut health disorders during the pandemic may be linked to both the impact of COVID-19 on the digestive system and the psychological stress caused by social distancing, isolation, and fear of infection.

Another study published in May 2020 in the United European Gastroenterology Journal noted that digestive diseases were amongst the most prevalent health conditions in Europe, as the study's area was focused in that very continent. The study noted: "OVID-19 has various implications on digestive health, as digestive symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea and cramps occur in COVID-19 positive patients, in some cases, prior to respiratory symptoms. Moreover, people with chronic digestive conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), digestive cancers, liver diseases or immunosuppressed liver transplanted patients, could be particularly vulnerable."

The study also noted that COVID-19 has demonstrated notable effects on digestive health. Studies indicate that the virus can impact the gastrointestinal tract and liver, with symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps. Elevated liver enzymes have been reported in up to 30% of patients.

Viral RNA has been detected in stool samples from 48.1% of patients, including those who tested negative via respiratory swabs. Digestive symptoms were present in 17.6% of cases, with incidence ranging between 5% and 50%. In some patients, gastrointestinal symptoms appeared before respiratory signs and were associated with more severe outcomes. Detection of the virus in stool suggests possible fecal-oral transmission, even from asymptomatic individuals.

Another 2021 study published in the journal Medicine Pharmacy Reports noted, "SARS-CoV-2 can affect major organs including the digestive system." The study reviewed other studies which have been conducted in UK, Wuhan, Hong-Kong, and America and have confirmed that while most common symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath, other symptoms were also nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

How Was The Study Conducted?

Researchers analyzed data from over 160,000 U.S. adults who took part in a national online survey conducted between May 2020 and May 2022. The survey collected information on digestive symptoms, mental health status, and lifestyle changes during the pandemic period.

Among participants diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most commonly reported subtype was mixed IBS, characterized by alternating episodes of both diarrhea and constipation.

“This research calls for a renewed focus on gastrointestinal health in the post-pandemic era,” senior researcher Dr. Brennan Spiegel, director of health services research for Cedars-Sinai, said in a news release.

What Are The Common Symptoms And Treatments Available For IBS?

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, US, notes the following as the symptoms of IBS:

• bloating
• the feeling that you haven’t finished a bowel movement
• whitish mucus in your stool
• diarrhea
• constipation
• women on their period will have more symptoms

IBS is typically treated through dietary and lifestyle changes, which are as followed:

• eat more fiber
• avoid gluten
• follow a special eating plan called the low FODMAP diet
• increasing your physical activity
• reducing stressful life situations as much as possible
• getting enough sleep

Kerala, which has a strong public health system in southern India, is yet again facing the threat of Nipah virus—a deadly, bat-spread zoonotic illness with high mortality rates. Two fresh cases in Malappuram and Palakkad have led the authorities to issue an alert in three districts: Malappuram, Palakkad, and Kozhikode. The swift mobilization of health resources and containment measures attest both to the seriousness of the threat as well as lessons gleaned from past outbreaks.

This return of the virus, with a high fatality rate and a zoonotic mode of transmission, has renewed debate around viral spillovers, ecological disturbance, and the tenuous equilibrium between human activity and wildlife interaction.

The first official case is that of a 38-year-old Malappuram woman, who was tested positive at the country's top virology lab, the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. The woman, who first reported fever almost three weeks ago, visited three different healthcare centers, including a local clinic. The woman is now undergoing intensive care at Perinthalmanna's private hospital.

The second case, unfortunately, is that of a child from Palakkad who died due to the infection. Postmortem examination revealed Nipah virus to be the killer. Clinical history and contact history of the child are being evaluated as health officials scramble to determine the spread of the outbreak.

As a precautionary measure, three districts—Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad—have been put in high alert. Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed that contact tracing and containment procedures are already underway. The samples of both the cases have also been sent to the National Institute of Virology for reconfirmation.

345 people have been identified in the contact network as per Minister George—211 from Malappuram, 91 from Palakkad, and 43 from Kozhikode.

A travel history map of the Palakkad patient was released, enabling the authorities to step up containment and isolation measures. In a first-ever initiative, 26 specialist response committees have been deployed in every affected district. These consist of task forces for epidemiological surveillance, hospital readiness, public communication, and coordination with law enforcement.

Police forces have also been asked to work closely with the health apparatus to facilitate smooth implementation of movement restrictions, testing, and quarantine measures, if the situation demands.

District Collectors have been authorized to declare containment zones as a precaution, with teams to implement lockdowns at micro levels based on risk assessment.

Nipah virus infection poses a daunting diagnostic challenge. Early presentation—fever, headache, sore throat, and respiratory distress—is indistinguishable from that of routine viral infections such as influenza. Severe illness can quickly evolve into encephalitis, seizures, and coma within 24 to 48 hours. Incubation is 4 to 14 days but can be up to 45 days, making it difficult to trace and contain transmission.

Kerala has enforced strict surveillance measures. All contacts are risk-stratified: high-risk contacts (who had contact with body fluids or spent extended hours with a confirmed case) are home quarantined with active monitoring for 21 days, and symptomatic contacts are placed in specialized isolation facilities right away.

Nipah virus first appeared in Kerala in 2018, and since then the state has suffered five outbreaks, claiming 22 lives and leaving only seven alive. The virus is mainly spread from fruit bats (Pteropus species) to humans, though it can also be spread through food contact or human-to-human transmission. Kerala's distinctive ecology—highly populated forests, large bat presence, and frequent human-wildlife interaction—is especially susceptible to spillover events.

A new study in PLOS Global Public Health discovered that four out of six Nipah outbreaks in Kerala since 2018 occurred during El Niño years and the time of fruit ripening (May–September), highlighting the influence of environmental determinants on outbreak patterns. Deforestation, habitat destruction, and climate variability are suspected to enhance the risk of bat-to-human transmission.

This is not the first time Kerala has fought against Nipah. The state has already encountered five outbreaks since 2018. Among the 29 reported cases, 22 ended in deaths, with seven individuals surviving the infection.

The Nipah virus, which was first detected in 1999 in an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia, is a zoonotic virus. The natural reservoir in India is the Pteropus fruit bat or Indian flying fox. Humans get infected through direct contact with bats, their secretions, or intermediate hosts like domesticated animals.

What makes Nipah particularly sinister is the 40% to 75% mortality rate and the fact that it is hard to detect in its early stages because of its resemblance to typical viral fevers. The initial symptoms are fever, headache, and muscle aches, which may progress rapidly to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), respiratory failure, and death. There is no cure or vaccine as yet, making control and prevention the only feasible measures.

Nipah outbreaks in Kerala have in the past caused mass panic and, in some instances, destructive social practices. Misinformation and panic have during past outbreaks resulted in stigmatization of patients and their relatives and avoidance of health facilities. Health officials are thus putting efforts into open communication and public sensitization against fear, as well as promoting collaboration with measures of containment.

Nipah has a case fatality rate of 40% to 75%, ranking among the most lethal known viral infections. Survivors can have long-term neurological sequelae, such as chronic convulsions and personality disturbances. The high death rate and severity of disease emphasize the need for prompt detection and vigorous containment.

Global Lessons and the One Health Approach

Kerala's most recent outbreak highlights anew the value of the One Health strategy—an intersectoral, collaborative strategy that acknowledges the interrelatedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Experts are urging steady investments in bat surveillance, conservation of the environment, and genomic monitoring for rising pathogens. Conservation of bat habitats and reduction of human exposure through safer agriculture practices and food handling standards might decrease future threats.

Globally, Nipah virus is a canary in the coal mine. With increasing climate change, deforestation, and urbanization, the risk of zoonotic viruses emerging and spreading is bound to rise exponentially.

In a significant stride toward curbing the spread of vector-borne diseases, India is moving closer to having its first indigenous dengue vaccine. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with Panacea Biotec, is on track to complete the enrollment of participants for Phase 3 clinical trials by October 2025, according to CNBC-TV18.

This crucial phase of testing, launched on August 14, 2024, marks the most advanced stage yet for the vaccine’s development. The multi-center, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study is designed to assess the vaccine’s efficacy, safety, and long-term immunogenicity. So far, over 70% of the targeted 10,335 participants have been enrolled across 20 medical centers nationwide, according to CNBC-TV18 sources.

Two-Year Follow-Up Required Before Regulatory Submission

Once participant enrollment is completed, each subject will be monitored for a two-year follow-up period. This extended observation window, considered critical for evaluating the vaccine's long-term safety and effectiveness, is expected to conclude by the end of 2027.

According to CNBC-TV18, sources familiar with the development confirmed, “The enrollment process is progressing smoothly, and no safety concerns have been reported so far.”

Only after the follow-up period ends and the data are thoroughly analyzed will the findings be submitted to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for regulatory review and potential market authorization. “If the vaccine demonstrates acceptable efficacy and a clean safety profile, it could then be considered for regulatory approval and subsequent launch,” CNBC-TV18 reported, quoting official sources.

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National-Scale Trial Across Premier Institutions

The Phase 3 trial is being carried out at reputed medical institutions located in major cities including Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Kolkata. According to CNBC-TV18, the study protocol stipulates a comprehensive two-year post-vaccination follow-up. The final data from this period will be crucial in determining the vaccine’s fate in the Indian market.

A Single-Dose Vaccine: What Is It All About?

What sets this vaccine apart from global counterparts is its single-dose formulation. This is expected to ease the logistical and financial challenges of mass immunization in dengue-endemic areas. Unlike international vaccines like Sanofi’s Dengvaxia and Takeda’s QDENGA—which require multiple doses and have limitations in efficacy across different dengue virus serotypes—India’s homegrown candidate offers a potentially more accessible and broadly applicable alternative.

Earlier phases of clinical evaluation, including Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials conducted in India, had already received regulatory clearance from CDSCO. These trials showed that the vaccine was both safe and capable of eliciting a strong immune response.

“India’s first dengue vaccine candidate has shown encouraging results so far. Phase 1 and 2 trials confirmed that the vaccine is safe and induces a protective immune response. We’re hopeful that Phase 3 will bring us closer to a much-needed tool in dengue prevention,” CNBC-TV18 reported, citing official sources.

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A Vital Step for a Country with High Dengue Burden

India continues to suffer from seasonal dengue outbreaks, with thousands of hospitalizations each year placing strain on public health infrastructure. The World Health Organization estimates about 390 million dengue infections occur globally each year, with India accounting for a significant portion. With no specific antiviral treatment available, prevention through vaccination and vector control remains the most effective strategy.

As per current projections, enrollment will wrap up by October 2025, followed by a two-year follow-up until the end of 2027. Only after this can ICMR and Panacea Biotec submit their formal application for market authorization, CNBC-TV18 noted.

If the vaccine passes regulatory scrutiny, it could revolutionize dengue control efforts not only in India but also in other low- and middle-income countries grappling with high disease burdens and limited access to effective vaccines.

The latest state to join the measles outbreak, which has been ongoing for quite some time now in the United States, is Kentucky. It has declared the outbreak, and has been confirmed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday. So far, there has been a total of 1,267 confirmed cases of measles this year, nationwide.

For now, five active measles cases have been detected in Kentucky, and four of these are linked to the same outbreak.

"When there are measles outbreaks in other states and nearby countries, it is not surprising to see spread to Kentucky," Steven Stack, M.D., secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said in a statement. "Measles can be very serious, but it is avoidable through vaccination. We urge all parents to have their children vaccinated to ensure they are protected from preventable diseases like measles."

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Measles: How Many Outbreaks And How Many Cases?

The CDC defines an outbreak as at least three related cases, and so far in 2025, 27 such outbreaks have been reported. Of them, 88% of the confirmed cases, which means 1,115 cases out of 1,267, are linked with the ongoing outbreak. In 2024, a total of 285 measles cases were reported by 33 jurisdictions, resulting in 16 outbreaks.

Since the late winter of 2024 till spring of 2025, Texas witnessed the country's largest outbreak, and three additional cases were reported this week. The case count in Texas now totals 753 since late January.

Last week, the New Mexico Department of Health reported five measles cases at the Luna County Detention Center in Deming. Officials are currently determining the vaccination status of people being held at the facility.

"The cases at Luna County Detention Center are a stark reminder that the measles outbreak in New Mexico is not over," Chad Smelser, M.D., a medical epidemiologist with the New Mexico Department of Health, said in a statement. "We urge everyone in New Mexico, especially Luna County residents, to ensure that they are fully vaccinated against measles."

So far, from the measles cases in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, three deaths have been reported. Among them, two were elementary school-aged children from the West Texas epicenter, and one was an adult in New Mexico. All of them were unvaccinated.

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What Vaccine Must One Take To Prevent Measles?

The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine as the "best way to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella". For children, it recommends two doses of MMRV.

The MMR vaccine is a combination of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, while the MMRV is a combination of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) vaccines.

In the US, two MMR vaccines are available for use, including M-M-R II, and PRIORIX. For MMRV, the vaccine is only licensed for children who are 12 months through 12 years of age. The first dose is usually administered between the ages of 12 to 15 months, while the second dose is administered between the ages of 4 to 6.

For older children, adolescents and adults, the two doses of MMR vaccines should be separated by at least 28 days.

What Is Measles?

CDC notes that it is a highly contagious virus, which means if one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will also become infected. As per the Mayo Clinic, measles is caused by the measles virus, which can spread through an infected person's cough, sneeze, or even during conversations.

Measles: Signs And Symptoms

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common measles symptoms include:

• High fever (may spike to more than 104° F)
• Cough
• Runny nose (coryza)
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Rash