It has been a long season of illness, diseases and infections and it feels like it is going to stay even further. Experts from the UK’s Health Security Agency have warned that people who have already had norovirus, which is also called the winter bug, or the vomiting bug, could be at risk of catching it again this season.

As per the data, a different strain of the virus is on the rise. However, research also shows that having only one strain does not guarantee that you will not catch it again. It is a cause of concern again, as it is particularly severe for young children, older people and people with weakened immune systems.

As per the reports and the figures, the cases are currently “exceptionally high” with numbers at more than double the five-season-average for this time of year. Amy Douglas, the lead epidemiologist at the UKHSA, told the BBC that the biggest impact was seen in hospitals and care homes. “With multiple genotypes spreading at the same time, people could end up getting infected more than once this season," she said. Cases are also higher than expected because of the emergence of the recent strain which is called the GII.17. However, the more number of cases are also being reported because of improved testing.

What Does The Recent Data Show?

Recent data indicates that a different but more common strain of norovirus is spreading.

This means individuals who have already had one strain of the virus could still be at risk of reinfection, as immunity to one variant does not provide full protection against another.

However, there is no evidence to suggest that either strain causes more severe illness than usual.

Norovirus cases typically decline as temperatures rise, but the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it is too early to determine whether infections have peaked.

Hospitalizations remain close to record levels, with an average of 1,134 patients admitted daily last week. While this is a slight drop from the previous week’s 1,160 cases, it is still nearly two and a half times higher than the same period last year.

What Is Norovirus?

Also called the bug outbreak, it is caused by the group of viruses that cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. As per the UK Health Security Agency, data for the current 2024-25 season in England shows that norovirus laboratory reports are notably higher than the 5-season average.

The data also shows that norovirus typically increases through autumn and into winter, however, this year, an unusual rise has been noticed. The Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) is showing more outbreaks than average.

Dr Luke Powles, Associate Clinical Director, Health Clinics Bupa Global and UK also explained that this virus is also called the winter vomiting bug and is "one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK. It is highly contagious, so spreads easily". The doctor also notes that while the name suggest 'winter', you can get it any time of the year, though it is most common in colder months.

How Do You Get The Virus?

For most people, having norovirus is unpleasant, but mild and recovery could be made in 1 to 2 days. However, it could be more serious for babies, older people and anyone with any existing health condition.

Anyone can get the virus by accidentally getting particles of virus in your mouth and ingesting it. These particles are from faeces or vomit from infected people, or can be transmitted via contaminated food and water. It could also spread by touching unclean surfaces like door handles or cutlery.

It is also the No.1 cause of foodborne illness in the US and first occurred in Norwalk, Ohio, in a school in 1968. This is why the first strain is named after the location and is called the Norwalk virus.

It is the main cause of gastroenteritis. The common symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Projectile vomiting
• Watery diarrhea

Usually it lasts for up to 2 days, though for anyone as mentioned above with an existing health condition, or babies who do not yet have a fully developed immune systems, children and older people may be at more risk. If your symptoms are not relieved in 2 days, or it worsens, or you have a serious illness, it is best to consult your doctor.

World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea and called for an "immediate" vaccination campaign. Samples of the highly infectious virus were found in two healthy children during a routine screening in Lae, a coastal city in the country's northeast.

Less than half of the country's population are immunised against the potentially deadly disease, which is close to being wiped out, but has recently surfaced in some parts of the world. "We have to do something about it and we have to do it immediately," said Sevil Huseynova, WHO's representative in Papua New Guinea, warning that the disease could spread beyond the country. We have to make maximum effort to get 100% [vaccination] coverage," Dr Huseynova said at a media conference on Thursday. Polio knows no borders.

Polio is highly contagious and can be transmitted through droplets from sneezing or coughing, as well as through contact with virus-laden faeces, also known as stool. The virus can easily spread and enter the body through the mouth, and it can also be present in water contaminated with feces from a person infected with the poliovirus. In 1994, India launched the Pulse Polio Immunisation Program to eradicate polio, which at the time accounted for about 60% of global cases. In January 2011, the last reported cases of wild polio in India were in West Bengal and Gujarat. Subsequently, in 2014, the WHO declared India polio-free.

On just the second day of the newborn baby JK Muldoon's life, doctors noticed something was not right. While all babies sleep a lot, the doctors noticed that he was unusually sleepy. When a doctor raised his arm, it trembled and dropped limply.

This is when the doctors noticed something and ran blood test. It revealed that the baby had high levels of ammonia in his body. The baby was suffering from carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency. This is an ultra-rare genetic disorder that affects the liver's ability to breakdown ammonia.

Half of babies with CPS 1 deficiency don’t survive infancy. Those who do often face severe neurological challenges. For KJ’s parents, Kyle and Nicole, early conversations included talk of liver transplants and even comfort care.

CRISPR - genetic editing that saved the baby

Behind all this, a revolution in medicine had already been underway. For years, scientists, clinicians, and regulators had been preparing for a moment like this where gene-editing tools like CRISPR that earned the Nobel Prize in 2020 could be put to use to create a personalized treatment for rare genetic diseases.

At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, researchers had been conducting "practice runs" on metabolic disorders: simulating how quickly they could create a custom therapy based on a new gene mutation. When KJ was born in August 2024, the team knew this was no longer a drill.

Dr. Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, a pediatrician at CHOP, and Dr. Kiran Musunuru, a cardiologist at Penn and co-founder of a gene-editing company, led a six-month sprint to develop a treatment just for KJ. Within a week of his birth, his genome was sequenced. It revealed two mutations in the gene responsible for producing an essential liver enzyme.

One of the mutations had only been recorded once before — in Japan — meaning this therapy might have just one recipient in the world.

Despite the risks and unknowns, the team moved ahead, mindful of past tragedies in experimental gene therapy. Bioethicist Lynn Wein Bush praised the team’s careful approach, saying it didn’t feel rushed, but appropriate for the severity of the disease.

A Nationwide Effort

Scientists across the U.S. rallied to help. The NIH funded a toxicology trial, private companies contributed time and resources, and manufacturing partners created parts of the treatment — one of which was named “kayjayguran” after KJ himself. The FDA fast-tracked regulatory processes to make the therapy available.

By February 2025, the experimental drug — made of a CRISPR-based “base editor” encased in a fat bubble — was ready. At nearly seven months old, KJ received his first dose. He slept through it.

Signs Of Progress

Following the treatment, doctors gradually increased protein in KJ’s diet — something previously impossible — and began reducing ammonia-clearing medication. KJ’s health improved: he’s now eating normally, rolling over, sitting up, and reaching developmental milestones his parents feared he might miss.

He’s not cured yet. He still needs monitoring and some medication. But the early signs are encouraging, and the medical community is watching closely.

As we observe the National Dengue Day, let us look at how dengue impacts Indians on a day to day life. As per a 2019 study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, in January 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced their new 5-year strategic plan, the Thirteenth General Programme of Work 2019-23 to ensure that one billion more people in the world enjoy the benefits of better health and well being. Among the 10 highest priority health issues presented, dengue was identified as one of the four main infections threatening global health.

What Is Dengue?

The WHO defines dengue as a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

Dengue (break-bone fever) is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people and is common in tropical and subtropical climates.

Most people who get dengue do not have symptoms. however, for those who do, the most common symptoms are high fever, body aches, nausea, and rash. While most get better in 1-2 weeks, some people develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital. In severe cases, dengue too could be fatal.

Common Dengue Symptoms

• high fever (40°C/104°F)
• severe headache
• pain behind the eyes
• muscle and joint pains
• nausea
• vomiting
• swollen glands
• rash

Dengue And Its Impact In India

As per a recent study published in journal Nature, titled Dengue dynamics, predictions, and future increase under changing monsoon climate in India, "the global burden of dengue is escalating under the influence of climate change, with India contributing a third of the total".

The study notes the non-linearity and regional heterogeneity inherent in the climate-dengue relationship and the lack of consistent data, which makes it difficult to make useful prediction for its prevention.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted primarily by female Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and to a lesser extent, Aedes albopictus, when they feed on human hosts. According to data from the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), dengue cases in India have quadrupled from 2015 to 20203, the study notes.

ALSO READ: National Dengue Day 2025: Theme, Importance, Significance, and Origin

Climate Relationship And Dengue

Dengue fever is a climate-sensitive disease and is also influenced by changes in meteorological conditions. Dr Sathvik Jain, who is the Chief Medical Officer at SDM Multi Speciality Hospital, Ujire, notes that rising temperatures and erratic rainfall increase mosquito lifespan and biting frequency. It also expands breeding sites by filing containers and potholes, and accelerate viral replication within mosquitoes by shortening the extrinsic incubation period.

"In urban areas, poor drainage and rapid construction intensify these effects, while in rural areas, inconsistent water access often leads to the use of open containers for storage, which become ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes," notes Jain.

"Dengue seasons are becoming longer and less predictable as warmer climates enable mosquitoes to survive year-round and erratic rainfall leads to multiple breeding cycles. To adapt, public health strategies must shift to year-round surveillance, use of climate-based predictive models and maintain continuous awareness campaigns beyond peak seasons," he remarks.

Is Geography Also A Factor In Dengue Cases?

Dr Jain explains that urban and rural areas face unique challenges in dengue prevention. In urban settings, high population, poor waste management, inadequate drainage contribute to increased mosquito breeding and rapid disease transmission.

Conversely, rural areas grapple with limited healthcare access, lower public awareness and use of uncovered water storage due to poor infrastructure. "Despite these differences, a common and effective solution lies in Integrated Vector Management (IVM), which combines environmental control, biological methods such as introducing larvivorous fish, safe chemical interventions, and sustained public awareness campaigns. Community-led efforts—centered on education and active participation are crucial in ensuring the long-term success of these strategies in both settings," he notes.

The Challenges That Comes With Specific Geography

Urban areas face significant gaps in dengue management, There’s an overreliance on fogging, which has limited impact without proper larval control, and inadequate housing regulations that fail to prevent mosquito entry and breeding, the doctor explains.

In rural areas, challenges include delayed diagnosis due to a lack of healthcare facilities and trained personnel, limited access to mosquito repellents and bed nets, and weak disease surveillance and reporting systems, all of which hinder timely response to outbreaks.

What Can Be Done?

Dr Jain explains 5-key steps which could be included to prevent Dengue:

1. Eliminate stagnant water regularly (containers, plant trays, gutters).
2. Report symptoms early and seek treatment to reduce severe cases.
3. Use protective measures: mosquito nets, repellents, and clothing.
4. Participate in local clean-up drives and awareness sessions.
5. Promote climate-resilient behavior: e.g., managing rainwater properly.