The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday ended its long-standing recommendation for universal hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns. The updated guidance shifts the decision to parents, in consultation with healthcare providers, for infants born to hepatitis B-negative mothers. Read More: US panel’s hepatitis B vaccine shift sparks backlash Under the new policy, […]
public health
National Institute of Health warns of rising H3N2 flu cases
ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) on Monday issued an advisory warning of a rise in H3N2 influenza cases globally and in Pakistan, cautioning that a new genetic subclade, known as Subclade K or “super flu”, has emerged internationally. The institute urged provincial health authorities to strengthen preparedness and prevention measures amid the ongoing […]
Pak-EPA warns of strict action against smoke-emitting vehicles in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has issued a stern warning to owners of smoke-emitting vehicles in the federal capital, announcing strict punitive measures for violators. Officials said that vehicles found releasing excessive emissions would face on-the-spot fines, confiscation, or both. Read More: Smoke–emitting vehicles to face heavy fines in Islamabad Pak-EPA Director General Nazia Zaib […]
PM urges end to AIDS stigma, stresses equal access to treatment
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for the urgent elimination of stigma and discriminatory attitudes associated with AIDS, emphasising that such barriers hinder effective prevention and treatment efforts. In his message on World AIDS Day, observed on Monday, he said societal acceptance and empathy were crucial for supporting individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Read More: […]
Brazil rolls out first-ever one-dose dengue vaccine
Brazil has approved the use of the world’s first single-dose dengue vaccine. The vaccine, developed in Brazil, is authorized for people aged 12 to 59 who are at risk of dengue infection. The vaccine underwent eight years of trials before approval, showing strong safety and effectiveness results. It was developed locally with assistance from a […]
Dengue cases decline in KP as winter approaches
PESHAWAR: Dengue infections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have begun to decline with the dip in temperature, experts said on Thursday, while cautioning that the disease is expected to re-emerge next year following the same annual pattern. Read More: Islamabad reports three new dengue cases Officials reported 23 new cases on Tuesday, which dropped to eight on Wednesday […]
Islamabad reports three new dengue cases
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration reported three new dengue cases in the past 24 hours, while over 26,000 locations across the city were inspected in a single day as part of preventive measures. According to officials, one case was from the rural zone and two from urban areas. District teams carried out fogging […]
Balochistan launches major measles-rubella drive
QUETTA: Balochistan has launched a large-scale measles-rubella vaccination campaign beginning today (Nov 17), aiming to inoculate more than 2.2 million children across the province. The effort, announced by the Expanded Programme on Immunisation’s (EPI) provincial coordinator Dr Aftab Kakar, will continue until Nov 29. Read More: Nationwide rubella, measles vaccination drive to begin from today Speaking at a […]
Lahore tops world pollution chart as smog crisis worsens
LAHORE: Lahore has once again been ranked the most-polluted city in the world, with the citywide Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 475 on Friday. Severe smog has engulfed much of Punjab, putting millions of residents at serious health risk. Certain areas of Lahore reported even higher AQI levels, including Syed Maratab Ali Road at […]
Two more dengue deaths reported in Sindh, toll rises to 29
KARACHI: The Sindh health department on Wednesday confirmed two more deaths caused by dengue fever in Karachi and Hyderabad, raising the provincial death toll to 29 this year. According to the department, one of the deceased patients was a resident of Karachi’s Liaquatabad area. It said that 5,412 tests were conducted across Sindh in the […]