Is the world preparing for the next pandemic? If not the world, UK sure is preparing for that. The UK has ordered 5 million vaccines against bird flu, also dubbed as "one mutation from being the next COVID". The comparison of bird flu with COVID, comes from the mutation that has recently been seen in the avian flu, which has affected animals and humans alike. Similar to how the corona virus previously also mutated, and continues to do so.

The stocking of vaccine has been done maid the growing concerns that the H5N1 strain of avian influenza could actually trigger the next global health crisis. This has become a cause of concerns after California became the latest to declare an emergency over infected cattle herds, and Louisiana reported its first "severe" human case of bird flu.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) rates bird flu threat at level 4, which means sustained outbreaks in mammals and increasing human cases from animal contact. In terms of numbers, since 2003, there have been 939 human cases of bird flu globally, with 464 deaths recorded. All of them were directly caught from birds or animals. Human to human contact for bird flu is still yet to be studied.

A threat to public health

As per Dr Deborah Birx, the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator: "We kind of have our head in the sand about how widespread this is from the zoonotic standpoint, from the animal-to-human standpoint."

The mutation also makes it a big enough reason for UK to stand prepared. In fact, a spokesperson of the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that existing comments about the avian flu testing are out of date, misleading, and inaccurate, indicating new tests, and studies to be done.

CDC also confirmed the first severe case of bird flu in humans in the US, which showed the signs of mutation. The sample was taken from a patient in Louisiana, which showed mutations in the gene which is responsible for attaching to host's cells. This is a concern, as it raises the questions of whether the H5N1 virus can actually swap gene segment with other flu?

What are the symptoms one must look out for?

• Pink eye
• fever
• fatigue
• cough
• muscle aches
• sore throat
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• study or runny nose
• shortness of breath

Birds flu in humans

The first case of the recent bird flu outbreak in the US came in September, from a Missouri resident. However, the person did not have any exposure to infected animals. This is what is also raising the concern for mutation and the possibility of other forms of spreading. This was also a rare case as the infection did not happen due to exposure. Previously, all such cases in the US involved contact with farm animals or contaminated environment.

Can bird flu come from other animals?

Bird flu primarily infected farmworkers or those in close proximity to livestock. The first human bird flu case in the US was reported in 2022, to a person who was also involved in farm-working.

While this flu is largely confined to birds in the wild and poultry, recent outbreaks have been reported in mammals too, including cattle.

While 14 cases are in the US, the CDC notes that the risk to the general public is still at low, however, this warning could change. "Although human infections are rare, circumstances may evolve as we learn more about this case," said the CDC in a statement.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease that is spread to humans by a specific type of mosquito. It is preventable and curable, but only if detected on time. People who are at high risk include travellers, pregnant women and those with HIV/AIDS. On Friday, while marking World Malaria Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) asserted that half of the total global population is at risk of this vector borne disease. So now, the question arises: how does it spread?

Malaria is a vector-borne disease. It is spread through female anopheles mosquitoes. These mosquitoes carry single-cell P. Falciparum, which is a pathogen behind this disease. There are five types of Plasmodium parasite, with P. Falciparum (which is found in the African region) and P. Vivax ( common outside the sub-Saharan region) being the most popular. Left untreated, P. Falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness and death within 24 hours.

Malaria Can Be Spread Through Blood Transfusion

But there is empirical evidence that it can also be transmitted through blood transfusion and contaminated needles. Transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) occurs when an uninfected person receives blood from a donor who is infected with malaria parasites. While malaria transmission through transfusion is rare, especially in non-endemic areas, it remains a significant concern in certain regions.

According to a systematic review of studies conducted by National Library of Medicine, Plasmodium parasites were shown to survive in whole blood and plasma when stored at 4°C for up to 18 days, and detectable parasites can present even up to 28 days when frozen, although with diminished infectivity.

How To Identify Malaria?

The early symptoms of Malaria are fever, headache and chills, which can usually start within 10 to 15 days of getting bitten by an infected mosquito. Some types of malaria can cause severe illness and death. Infants, children under 5 years, pregnant women, travellers and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk. Severe symptoms include:

• extreme tiredness and fatigue
• impaired consciousness
• multiple convulsions
• difficulty breathing
• dark or bloody urine
• jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
• abnormal bleeding

People with severe symptoms should get emergency care right away. Getting treatment early for mild malaria can stop the infection from becoming severe. Malaria infection during pregnancy can also cause premature delivery or delivery of a baby with low birth weight.

Disproportionate Share Of Global Malaria Burden

The WHO African Region continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2023, the region was home to about 94% of all malaria cases and 95% of deaths. Children under 5 years of age accounted for about 76% of all malaria deaths in this region. Over half of these deaths occurred in four countries: Nigeria (30.9%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (11.3%), Niger (5.9%) and United Republic of Tanzania (4.3%).

Each year, hundreds of people around the world lose their lives waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. The demand for organs far outweighs the supply, leaving many patients with little hope. But what if we could print organs—tailor-made for each patient—using their own cells? While we're not quite there yet, researchers are making significant strides in this futuristic field known as 3d bioprinting.

Though the technology is still far from clinical trials, scientists believe that when 3d-printed organs become a medical reality, the process will likely involve a blend of cutting-edge imaging, personalised cell harvesting, and highly advanced bioprinting methods. Here's what this groundbreaking process could look like.

Step 1: Creating a Personalised 3D Model

To print a functional organ, the process begins with creating a precise 3D blueprint. While generic models can serve as a starting point, personalisation is key. Using imaging technologies like MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CT (Computed Tomography) scans, medical professionals can generate a detailed digital model of the organ tailored specifically to the patient’s anatomy. This personalized design enhances the chances of a successful transplant by ensuring the printed organ will fit and function properly in the recipient’s body.

Step 2: Collecting Patient’s Cells And Preparing Bioink

One of the biggest hurdles in organ transplantation is rejection, which happens when the recipient’s immune system attacks the new organ. To reduce this risk, scientists aim to use the patient’s own cells to build the organ. These cells are harvested, cultivated in labs, and combined with a specially designed “bioink”—a gel-like substance engineered to mimic the structure of natural tissues. This bioink becomes the medium through which living cells can be precisely layered and formed into complex biological structures.

Step 3: Printing the Organ

With a personalized 3D model in hand and a supply of bioink rich in the patient’s cells, the actual printing process begins. The organ is built layer by layer, using bioprinters designed to handle delicate biological material. Some methods involve extrusion-based bioprinting, which pushes the bioink through a nozzle to form a structure, similar to how icing is piped onto a cake. Other techniques rely on light-based bioprinting, which uses beams of light to shape the biomaterial with incredible precision.

In some cases, additional cells may be added to the organ after printing to support its development or enhance functionality. Although the exact tools and materials are still being refined, technologies such as the BIO X, BIO X6, and LUMEN X are among those helping to push the boundaries of what’s possible in tissue engineering.

Road Ahead

While researchers are still navigating numerous scientific and ethical challenges, the vision of printing fully functional, transplantable organs is no longer science fiction. With continued innovation and global collaboration, 3D bioprinting could one day eliminate organ shortages altogether, saving countless lives and revolutionizing modern medicine.

In a world where superfoods, supplements, and scientific advances define the health discourse, María Antonia Cuero's story shines for its elegant simplicity. At 123, María is officially the world's oldest living human—informally surpassing the Guinness World Record holder, France's Jeanne Louise Calment, who reached 122 years of age. Though her age remains in process of verification, the insights she offers are incontrovertibly priceless and scientifically validated.

Born on October 18, 1901, in Colombia, María has witnessed two world wars, numerous technological revolutions, and the dawn of modern medicine. Yet when asked what the secret to her remarkable longevity is, María doesn't refer to a magic pill or a genetic mutation. Rather, she attributes her longevity to two humble foods: fish and bananas—cornerstones of her daily diet, steeped in her coastal upbringing.

Growing up in a big family of 10 siblings by the Mayorquín River, María spent her days surrounded by nature. With fresh fish and tropical fruits readily available, her childhood diet was both organic and full of nutrients—years before these words became health buzzwords. Throughout the decades, she also raised eight children and is now the proud matriarch to 26 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 54 great-great-grandchildren.

Although not officially documented by the Guinness World Records, María's identification card in 2012 indicates her birth as October 1901. She became the oldest to get vaccinated in March 2021, at 119 years old, marking yet another incredible achievement to her name.

However, aside from age and figures, it is María's way of living and attitude that provide deep insights into longevity.

Maria's Mindset and Philosophy of Longevity

In an interview on the Colombian television show Los Informantes, María discussed her philosophy of life: laugh frequently, don't worry excessively, remain active, and don't sit around too much. In her opinion, physical activity is essential. Her regimen included walking often, swimming, rowing, and being outdoors—long before fitness monitors or gym memberships were the rage.

These principles echo research in contemporary gerontology. Many studies identify an active life and good social relationships with a lower risk of chronic disease and longer lifespan. María's case supports that emotional well-being, combined with activity, is significant in healthy aging.

Fish

Of all the foods that she ate, fish is what María puts so much stress on. Living next to the river as a child, not only was she afforded the fresh catches each day, but she fished herself very frequently. "Good fish. I would fry the fish and then mix it with coconut and rice," she shared with a journalist.

Fish is a good source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D and B2 (riboflavin), and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. Omega-3s in oily fish, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are recognized to lower inflammation, maintain brain health, and decrease the risk of heart disease.

Scientific studies in the Journal of the American Medical Association have indicated that individuals with high levels of omega-3s live as much as 2.5 years longer on average. Another significant study identified a 40% lower risk of coronary heart disease mortality in those who ate regularly from fish with high levels of omega-3s, a figure further supported by the British Heart Foundation.

Bananas

María's second pillar of diet? Bananas—the smaller, sweeter bocadillo bananas (also referred to as sugar bananas or lady finger bananas). These bite-sized fruits are not only tasty but are full of fiber, antioxidants, potassium, and vital vitamins.

Bananas have been valued for centuries for their digestive and cardiovascular benefits. They help to control blood pressure, balance body fluids, and repair muscle and nerve tissue—all highly beneficial for elderly populations. The tryptophan and vitamin B6 contained in bananas also assist with serotonin formation, the "feel-good" neurotransmitter that enhances emotional well-being.

For María, these bananas were an everyday treat. And as science indicates, eating bananas on a regular basis can help with heart health, boost mood, and assist with muscle recovery.

What We Can Learn From Her Habit?

María's remarkable life is not merely about what she ate—it's about the regularity with which she lived. Her life was based on balance: a modest diet, regular exercise, a positive attitude, and close family ties. To this day, she radiates resilience. When asked what she is afraid of, her answer was moving: "I am not afraid of anything anymore."

This lack of fear and deeply ingrained calmness may also have protective health benefits. Studies have linked chronic stress to increased inflammation and a heightened risk of age-related diseases. María’s philosophy—“don’t worry too much”—may offer more protection than we’ve previously realized.

As the world population ages, María Antonia Cuero's life is an eloquent reminder: the route to longevity may not come in the form of costly therapies, restrictive eating, or vigilant self-tracking. It may sometimes be found in age-old secrets—eat fresh, move frequently, laugh without restraint, and enjoy the little things.

As we wait for official verification of her record-setting age, her legacy already walks tall as an example of how simplicity, persistence, and culture can overcome and thrive. In a world filled with constantly changing health fads, María's legacy encourages us to stop for a moment and ask—what really counts when it comes to living a long, healthy life?