Kerala has recently reported an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), prompting authorities to take immediate action to contain the disease. A one-kilometre radius around the infected farm has been declared a disease-affected zone, while a broader 10-kilometre area has been designated as a disease surveillance zone to monitor and prevent further spread. According to reports from PTI, the district collector is actively enforcing disease control protocols within these zones. Movement of pigs and pork-related products in and out of these areas is being strictly regulated or completely prohibited.

As cases rise, many people are asking a key question: Can African swine fever affect humans? Let’s break it down.

What Is African Swine Fever?

African Swine Fever is a highly contagious and often fatal disease that affects pigs, whether they are farm-raised or wild. Importantly, ASF does not infect humans. The virus spreads easily from pig to pig through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected animal. Another common route of transmission is feeding pigs uncooked food waste that contains contaminated pork products. If the food waste isn’t properly heat-treated, it can carry the virus and infect pigs.

Where Is African Swine Fever Found?

ASF has traditionally been seen in Africa, but in recent years it has appeared in Central and Eastern Europe as well as parts of Asia. The virus continues to spread in Europe, keeping authorities vigilant. The disease affects both domestic pigs and wild boars, and it can appear on farms of all sizes, smallholdings, and even in pet pigs. Countries where ASF has been reported are taking strict measures to prevent further outbreaks, highlighting the need for constant vigilance.

Is African Swine Fever Dangerous For Humans?

Despite being a severe disease for pigs, ASF does not pose a threat to humans. According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the virus spreads exclusively among pigs, primarily through direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids. Humans cannot catch the virus, though people handling infected pigs or contaminated materials can inadvertently help the disease spread between animals.

How Is African Swine Fever Transmitted?

ASF spreads through several routes:

• Direct contact with infected pigs, their faeces, or other body fluids.
• Indirect contact via contaminated equipment, vehicles, or farm workers who move between farms without proper biosecurity.
• Pigs consuming infected pork or pork products.
• Through certain ticks, specifically the Ornithodoros species, which can carry the virus.

Preventing African Swine Fever: The Role of Biosecurity

The most effective way to prevent ASF is through strict biosecurity measures on pig farms. Some essential practices include:

• Allow only essential visitors on the farm, and ensure they wear clean or disposable clothing and footwear. Handwashing or showering upon entry is recommended.
• Clean and disinfect vehicles and equipment before they enter the farm.
• Prevent anyone who has been in contact with other pigs from entering your farm.
• Do not bring pork products or scraps onto the farm. Dispose of catering waste safely.
• Source pigs and semen only from animals of known health status.

Farmers and pig owners play a critical role in stopping the spread of ASF. Maintaining effective biosecurity year-round is essential to protecting animals and preventing future outbreaks.

If you have never heard of the national vaccine court, you’re not alone. Tucked away just a few hundred yards from the White House, it operates quietly yet serves as a rare example of effective public policy, balancing the widespread societal benefit of vaccines with the rare cases of individual harm. Since its creation in the 1980s, the court has quietly paid out billions of dollars to Americans who claimed they were injured by vaccines. But what exactly is this “vaccine court,” and why are more people turning to it today?

Vaccine Court: What It Is and Why It’s Gaining Attention

The vaccine court is a specialized division of the United States Court of Federal Claims that deals with cases where a vaccine is alleged to have caused harm. While vaccines are overwhelmingly safe and effective, a small number of people experience serious side effects and can bring their claims to this court. Here, lawyers, doctors, scientists, judges, and sometimes activists examine the evidence to determine whether a vaccine likely caused a person’s medical problem, according to research from the University of Michigan.

With more vaccinations being administered in the U.S., there has been an uptick in people seeking compensation through the vaccine court. A recent report by CBS News highlighted the case of Jacob Thompson, a 14-year-old who can speak only a few words and struggles to walk short distances. At his six-month checkup, Jacob received a combination vaccine that included the recommended DTaP shots for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, all considered safe in clinical trials. Hours later, he began experiencing seizures. Doctors initially hoped it was a one-time reaction, but his father recalls, “Within six months or less, he didn’t recognize us anymore and was slithering on the floor like a snake.”

What Is the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)?

Congress and public health officials wanted to ensure vaccine manufacturers were protected from certain lawsuits, otherwise production could be threatened, putting public health at risk. In response, a bipartisan law created the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). This program acknowledges that vaccines can sometimes cause harm while offering partial legal protection to manufacturers so they would continue producing vaccines.

The vaccine court is part of this program. It provides a simplified legal route for people claiming vaccine-related injuries. Cases are decided by one of eight special judges, known as special masters, rather than a jury. The system is no-fault, meaning petitioners do not have to prove negligence—only that it’s more likely than not that the vaccine caused the injury.

Understanding Vaccine Table Injuries

Some of the most common claims involve shoulder injuries from improperly administered shots. Injuries not listed on the table can also be filed, though about half of all claims are dismissed. The table has grown over time from six vaccines to 16, including the annual flu shot—but notably, it does not include COVID-19 vaccines. Autism is also not listed among eligible injuries.

COVID-19 vaccines are handled separately under emergency programs, which is why they are not part of the Vaccine Injury Table.

New Covid Strain: If you have recently been feeling unwell with a sore throat and fever, chances are you may have caught one of the new COVID strains spreading this autumn. The variants XFG, also being called Stratus, and NB.1.8.1, nicknamed Nimbus, are currently the most common types of coronavirus circulating across the UK and the US.

A recent study now suggests that one particular symptom caused by these new strains might last for life. While a hoarse or rough voice has emerged as a new and widely seen sign of infection, most other symptoms remain the same as those reported in earlier waves.

COVID Symptoms 2025: What Makes the New Strain Different?

As winter draws closer, many people are experiencing cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, and mild fever. In many cases, these are now being linked to COVID-19, as infection rates have risen to some of the highest levels seen this year.

The XFG strain, a sub-variant of the Omicron family, was first detected in January and has now become the dominant strain in the UK. Data from the UKHSA show that XFG accounts for around 38.3% of all COVID cases, while its subtype, XFG.3, makes up roughly 32.8%. Combined, the Stratus variant is now connected to more than 60% of global COVID cases, according to the WHO.

The Symptom That Could Last For Life

Loss of smell was one of the hallmark symptoms of earlier COVID infections. However, new research has found that for many people, this problem never completely goes away. A study led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) discovered that two years after infection, nearly 80% of participants who had reported a change in their sense of smell still performed poorly in scent-recognition tests. Around one in four had severe smell loss or had lost the ability entirely.

Dr. Leora Horwitz, one of the study’s lead authors, explained that the loss of smell can deeply affect daily life and emotional health. She added that it can even become dangerous, since people may not detect smoke, gas leaks, or spoiled food. The problem occurs due to inflammation in the olfactory system triggered by the virus, she said.

The research compared thousands of individuals who had previously tested positive for COVID with those who had not. Participants were asked to identify 40 different scents in a multiple-choice test to measure the level of impairment.

Unique Symptoms of New COVID Strain in UK

The Stratus variant shows a slightly different pattern of illness compared to earlier versions. While symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue remain common, doctors have noticed new signs such as a hoarse or raspy voice.

This strain follows Nimbus, which has been linked to extremely painful sore throats described as feeling like “razor blades.” Other possible symptoms of Stratus include shortness of breath, chest tightness, body aches, headaches, nausea, stomach upset, loss of appetite, brain fog, and sometimes a change in taste or smell, though the latter is now less frequent.

Health experts advise seeking medical help if any of these symptoms persist or worsen. Treatment options may include antiviral medicines, rest, and over-the-counter remedies for symptom relief.

Although global tracking of COVID cases has slowed since free testing ended, available data show infections have again surged to high levels. UKHSA reports that nearly 9% of all COVID tests conducted in early September were positive, the highest rate recorded since last November. Among samples taken at general practices, 10.8% tested positive, while hospital testing showed 8.9% positivity.

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly half of the global population is at risk, with an estimated 100 to 400 million infections occurring each year. With dengue being so common, we recently held a panel discussion to talk about prevention, precautions, treatment, and medication. A major focus of the discussion was the role of medicines, what to take, what to avoid, and how to manage symptoms safely. But what medicine should you consume and which one is more safe to take?

What Medicines Are Safe During Dengue?

During the panel, Padma Shri awardee Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Chairman of Nephron Clinic and Senior Consultant Paediatrician, highlighted that paracetamol is the only safe option for dengue patients. He said, “Paracetamol is the only recommended treatment. Avoid medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, or niacinamide, as these can worsen the condition and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking them is a sure ticket to the hospital.”

This advice is backed by government regulations as well. In July 2025, the Delhi government’s Department of Drugs Control instructed pharmacists not to sell nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen without a doctor’s prescription. NSAIDs interfere with platelet function, which can be particularly dangerous for dengue and other vector-borne illnesses like chikungunya.

Why Aspirin and Ibuprofen Can Be Dangerous?

NSAIDs are commonly used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and bring down high fever. They are often taken for headaches, muscle aches, sprains, or menstrual cramps, symptoms that may appear during dengue.Therefore, people often prefer to take them during dengue fever as well.

Aspirin, for example, reduces fever and pain at high doses and prevents platelet aggregation at lower doses. But in dengue patients, this antiplatelet effect can trigger uncontrolled bleeding, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, making the illness far more severe.

Ibuprofen, while slightly less potent in affecting platelets, still carries a similar risk. Any medicine that interferes with clotting can turn a mild dengue infection into a serious medical emergency. This is why avoiding NSAIDs during dengue is strongly advised.

How Is Dengue Treated?

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment for dengue. Recovery mostly depends on complete bed rest and symptom management. Drinking plenty of fluids is important, as it helps the body cope with fever and prevents dehydration. As Dr Bagai said, taking paracetamol is also suggested.

For severe cases, hospital care is necessary. This could include intravenous fluids to maintain hydration, monitoring blood pressure, and blood transfusions if there is significant blood loss or a dangerously low platelet count.

However, Dr Bagai emphasized that hydration is as important as medicine. Fluids such as water, oral rehydration solutions, or electrolyte drinks support recovery and help prevent complications.

Dengue is a serious but manageable illness when handled correctly. The key takeaways are clear: stick to paracetamol for pain and fever, avoid NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen, and maintain proper hydration. Following these guidelines can help patients recover safely.