The mpox outbreak continues to be a public health emergency, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Monday. The agency’s director-general also issued an updated set of temporary recommendations.

WHO had first declared the emergency in August last year, after a new strain of mpox spread from the severely affected Democratic Republic of Congo to nearby countries.

A public health emergency of international concern remains WHO’s highest level of alert.

What Is Mpox?

Mpox or monkey-pox is a viral disease in Africa. This was discovered by captive monkeys in 1958, after whom the disease was named in 1970. However, the name was later changed as it attracted many racist comments, especially on social media, where people wrote “the disease of monkeys” and associated it with the African people.

However, under the WHO guidelines, the naming of diseases must not drive any unnecessary negative impact on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare, and avoid offending any cultural, social, national, regional, professional or ethnic groups. Thus, the name monkey-pox became the ‘m-pox’.

The outbreak led to WHO to declare an international public health emergency (PHEIC), from July 2022 to May 2023 in Congo. Now a new strain of the m-pox is infecting people in Kenya and poses a threat to many other African countries, including Congo.

How to detect it?

There are signs and symptoms of M-pox. They start to show within seven to 14 days of being infected. Therefore, for about a week a person may not know they have m-pox, and they can spread it by travelling.

The earliest signs are getting a fever, sweating and having chills through your body.

Other signs involve rashes, which start from a distant rash on the face and spread throughout the body. These rashes can be in different forms, sometimes a flat lesion, bumps, boils or scabs.

Other symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, migraine, muscle aches, fatigue, weakness and back pain.

How to prevent it?

This is a contagious infection and can spread by skin-to-skin contact. There are certain ways to prevent the spread. The first one is restricting your movement. Avoid going out in public, meeting people and interacting with animals.

Wear clothes that will prevent skin-to-skin infections. Cover yourself well so you do not spread the infection from your skin to other people.

Though there is no vaccination for the disease, doctors have noted that smallpox vaccination works on it to some extent.

Other ways are to keep hydrating yourself to get rid of the toxins from your body.

Doctors also prescribe medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to treat the pain and fever one may experience after being infected. Antiviral treatment like tecovirimat has been said to work on the infection too.

India is once again witnessing a worrying yet manageable surge in Covid-19 cases. As of June 13, 2025, the country’s active case tally stands at 7,131, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Though new daily cases rose by 33 and three additional deaths were recorded—two in Maharashtra and one in Madhya Pradesh—the overall trend signals a possible plateau and even a slight downward shift, offering cautious optimism.

The latest state-wise Covid-19 dashboard released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlights striking regional disparities in infection rates across India. Kerala continues to bear the highest burden, reporting 2,055 active cases, including 110 new infections in a single day. Gujarat follows as the second worst-hit state with 1,358 active cases, marking a sharp daily increase of 77 cases. Other significantly impacted regions include West Bengal, with 747 active cases; Delhi, with 714 cases; and Maharashtra, which has recorded 629 active infections. Meanwhile, Karnataka reported a notable surge with 72 new cases, bringing its total active caseload to 395. On a positive note, some states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Manipur currently have no active Covid-19 cases, suggesting effective containment efforts. Despite these varied regional figures, the national trend appears cautiously optimistic. A total of 1,420 new recoveries were recorded, raising the cumulative number of recovered or migrated individuals to 10,976 for the year, underscoring the resilience of India’s ongoing Covid-19 response.

The uptick is largely attributed to new Omicron sub-variants, including JN.1, LF.7, NB.1.8.1, and XFG, which are more transmissible but cause milder symptoms compared to earlier strains. These variants are currently classified as “Variants Under Monitoring” by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although not yet considered variants of concern, they call for increased vigilance, especially among vulnerable groups.

Experts caution against interpreting these figures as the beginning of a full-scale wave. Instead, they point to a seasonal resurgence, not unlike the flu, which aligns with the virus’s post-pandemic transition to an endemic pattern.

Why Are Booster Shots Not Being Recommended?

Given India’s high levels of hybrid immunity—from both vaccinations and previous infections—health officials are currently not recommending mass booster drives. Instead, a targeted vaccination strategy is being promoted for:

• The elderly
• Immunocompromised individuals
• Those with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions

The Indian Medical Association and public health experts stress that this strategic, risk-based approach offers more efficient protection than blanket immunization campaigns.

Despite the recent spike, health professionals emphasize not to panic but to stay proactive. Differentiating between Covid-19 and other seasonal viral infections—which often manifest similar symptoms like fever, fatigue, and cough—is now crucial.

Doctors and public health expert, note that fatigue from prolonged vigilance can lead to complacency. We cannot treat Covid-19 as a relic of the past. It’s still very much here—but manageable with the right preventive strategies.

Actionable Tips To Prevent COVID infection

In the current phase of the pandemic, personal responsibility and daily habits remain your best defense. Here’s how to safeguard yourself:

1. Wear a Mask in Crowded Indoor Spaces

While mask mandates may be gone, masks are still effective, particularly in poorly ventilated indoor areas, public transportation, and medical facilities.

2. Stay Updated with Targeted Vaccines

If you're in a high-risk category, consult your healthcare provider about available boosters or upcoming trials for new variant-specific vaccines.

3. Boost Your Immune System

Focus on a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and regular exercise to keep your immune system resilient against not just Covid-19 but other seasonal illnesses.

4. Maintain Hygiene

Simple habits like frequent handwashing, using sanitizers, and avoiding touching your face in public can drastically reduce transmission risk.

5. Avoid Overcrowded Spaces

If you're symptomatic—or living with someone who is—avoid gatherings and opt for remote work options whenever feasible.

6. Recognize Symptoms Early

Be aware of symptoms like fever, persistent cough, body aches, fatigue, and loss of taste/smell. Get tested early and isolate to prevent spread.

7. Seek Medical Attention Promptly

Especially if you’re over 60 or have pre-existing conditions, don’t delay medical consultation even for mild symptoms. Early intervention can be life-saving.

The Covid-19 picture in India is complex but manageable. Although the number of active cases is over 7,100, recovery rates are strong, and deaths remain low and localized to vulnerable demographics.

Rather than anxiety, what this moment calls for is a renewed commitment to public health behaviors—from wearing masks when needed to watching for symptoms and supporting the vulnerable.

Key Figures at a Glance (as of June 13, 2025)

Total Active Cases: 7,131

New Cases in 24 Hours: 33

Total Deaths (2025): 78

Top States by Active Cases: Kerala (2055), Gujarat (1358), West Bengal (747), Delhi (714), Maharashtra (629)

Recovered in 2025: 10,976 and rising

Death IN Last 24 Hours: 1 (Kerala)

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.”

A team of researchers from MIT, New York Medical College, and Lyndra Therapeutics have introduced a once-a-week oral pill for schizophrenia. Published in The Lancet Psychiatry, this new treatment model could transform how antipsychotic medications are administered—enhancing patient compliance, improving long-term outcomes, and reducing relapse risk.

One of the most formidable challenges in treating schizophrenia is ensuring patients consistently take their medication. Daily dosing can be a significant hurdle, particularly in psychiatric conditions where cognitive and emotional symptoms hinder memory and motivation.

Enter the newly designed pill: a once-a-week oral capsule featuring a star-shaped drug delivery system that slowly releases risperidone over seven days. The innovation, led by Giovanni Traverso of MIT and Leslie Citrome of New York Medical College, aims to simplify schizophrenia treatment and drastically improve medication adherence.

"We’ve converted something that had to be taken once a day into a weekly oral solution using a novel delayed-release technology," said Traverso, also a gastroenterologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “This innovation can be adapted for a variety of medications."

How Does The Star-Shaped Drug Delivery Device Work?

Roughly the size of a multivitamin, the capsule houses a six-armed, foldable device that expands once it reaches the stomach. This unique shape keeps the device in the stomach for about a week, allowing the steady release of medication.

Over time, each arm breaks off and safely passes through the digestive tract. This ensures the body gradually absorbs the medication while preventing gastrointestinal blockages. “It’s a breakthrough that allows drug delivery in a controlled and sustained manner,” said Dr. Citrome.

Promising Phase III Results

In the Phase III trial, 83 participants with schizophrenia were enrolled across five clinical sites in the US. Of these, 45 patients completed the full five-week regimen, taking one risperidone-loaded capsule per week.

The results were compelling. Drug levels peaked immediately post-dose and tapered slowly over the week. The consistency was superior to daily oral dosing, where patient-administered pills often result in fluctuating drug concentrations.

Symptom control, measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), remained stable across the board. Patients did not experience the spikes and troughs commonly observed with daily oral intake, a factor often linked to symptom relapses and hospitalizations.

Does This This Offer Minimal Side Effects With Major Potential?

The trial noted only mild side effects such as acid reflux and constipation, which were temporary and manageable. Importantly, the pill demonstrated an impressive safety profile over the trial duration.

“This really validates our hypothesis from over a decade ago—that a once-weekly oral drug delivery capsule could function as a depot system in the gastrointestinal tract,” Traverso remarked.

What are the Other Application?

Beyond schizophrenia, the research team is already eyeing broader applications for this delivery system. Phase I trials are being planned for drugs used in managing conditions like hypertension, asthma, and even for oral contraceptives.

The capsule’s ease of use, combined with its potential to deliver various drugs, makes it an attractive option for chronic conditions where daily adherence is challenging. Patients often prefer oral medications over injections, and this technology could serve as a bridge between convenience and efficacy.

Schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people worldwide, according to the WHO. Medication adherence remains one of the key challenges in managing the condition. The consequences of missed doses can be severe—leading to relapse, hospitalization, or deterioration in quality of life.

The once-a-week oral capsule has the potential to fill this long-standing gap, offering hope for better disease control and reduced burden on caregivers and healthcare systems.

Dr. Richard Scranton, chief medical officer of Lyndra Therapeutics and senior author of the study, emphasized that the results support moving forward toward FDA approvals. “We’re incredibly optimistic about what this means for the future of psychiatric and chronic disease management.”

Lyndra Therapeutics and MIT are currently preparing for larger Phase III studies to confirm safety and efficacy on a broader scale. If successful, the capsule could be submitted for FDA approval within the next few years.

“This marks a paradigm shift in how we think about oral drug delivery,” added Robert Langer, MIT’s renowned bioengineer and co-founder of Lyndra. “And we’re just getting started.”