Hospitals across England are on high alert after new data showed flu cases hit record levels for this time of year. NHS England said more than 3,100 flu patients were in hospital last week. The rise has started to slow in some regions, but pressure remains high. The warning comes as resident doctors continue their strike action during the busy winter period. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said flu and strikes are putting strain on services. NHS leaders urged people to seek care when needed and get flu jabs. Ambulance delays have improved, but hospitals remain under stress. (PC: Sky News)

Indian scientists have warned about the risk of bird flu spreading to humans. Researchers from Ashoka University used computer models to study a possible outbreak. They said the virus could first infect people who work with poultry. The main danger begins if the virus spreads from human to human. The study found early action is crucial. Quarantine and isolation can stop the spread if done fast. Delay can lead to wider infection. The model was based on a poultry village in Tamil Nadu. Scientists said better monitoring and quick response can prevent a major outbreak. Health officials are urged to stay alert. (PC: BBC)

A major probe has found that a sperm donor carrying a cancer-causing TP53 gene mutation fathered at least 197 children in Europe. Some children have already developed cancer, and a few have died. The donor passed normal checks, but up to 20% of his sperm carried the mutation linked to Li-Fraumeni syndrome, which gives a high lifetime cancer risk. The sperm was used in 14 countries. A small number of British women who travelled abroad for treatment have been informed. Experts say there is no global limit on sperm use and screening cannot catch every risk. (PC: BBC)

A peer-reviewed study from Delhi’s Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital reveals that music played during general anaesthesia can reduce drug requirements and speed recovery. Conducted on 56 patients undergoing laparoscopic gallbladder removal, the trial showed those exposed to calming flute or piano music required lower doses of propofol and fentanyl, experienced smoother recoveries, reduced stress-hormone levels, and better blood pressure control. Researchers highlight that the auditory pathway remains active even under anaesthesia, allowing music to positively influence the brain’s internal state. Experts say this simple intervention could humanise operating rooms, improve patient wellbeing, and reshape modern surgical care. (PC: BBC) 

Three-year-old Oliver Chu from California has astounded doctors after becoming the first person globally to receive groundbreaking gene therapy for Hunter syndrome, a rare inherited condition causing progressive brain and body damage. The devastating disease typically proves fatal before age 20. At Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, medical staff altered Oliver's stem cells by inserting a working copy of the faulty gene, enabling his body to produce the missing enzyme crucial for cellular health. Nine months post-treatment, Oliver is thriving producing hundreds of times normal enzyme levels, developing speech and mobility dramatically, and no longer requiring weekly infusions. The £2.5 million trial, nearly cancelled due to funding issues, now includes five boys worldwide, offering hope for similar genetic disorders. (PC: BBC) 

A Reuters investigation found that contaminated cold syrup produced by Sresan Pharmaceutical caused at least 24 child deaths, due to diethylene glycol (DEG) poisoning. The solvent used (propylene glycol) was repackaged by unlicensed distributors, breaching safety protocols. Inspections revealed “critical” violations at Sresan’s factory, including unhygienic storage and data falsification. Despite prior fines, the plant hadn’t been inspected since 2023. The incident has reignited global concerns about safety oversight in India’s pharmaceutical industry.  (PC: Reuters)

Five children, including a seven-year-old thalassemia patient, tested HIV-positive after receiving blood transfusions at Chaibasa Sadar Hospital in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district. The issue surfaced when a family reported that HIV-infected blood had been transfused to their child. Investigations revealed that four more children, all thalassemia patients, were similarly affected. Preliminary findings point to serious lapses in the hospital’s blood bank, including inadequate testing and poor record-keeping. The Jharkhand government has deployed a five-member medical team to probe the incident, while the blood bank now operates only for critical cases. The High Court has sought a detailed report from health authorities. (PC: India Today)    

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced stringent regulations requiring that only WHO-approved Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) products can legally use the term "ORS" on their labels. This move aims to standardize formulations and ensure public safety amid rising concerns over counterfeit and substandard rehydration solutions. Manufacturers must now obtain certification from the World Health Organization to market their products as ORS. The FSSAI's directive is part of a broader effort to regulate health supplements and medical foods, aligning with global standards to protect consumer health.   

Nearly 6,000 students across Malaysia have fallen ill with influenza-like symptoms, forcing authorities to close schools amid investigations into the outbreak's cause. Health officials are working to determine whether the widespread illness is linked to COVID-19 or another virus as they monitor the rapidly evolving situation. The scale of the outbreak has raised concerns about potential viral transmission within educational institutions, prompting swift containment measures. Authorities are conducting thorough investigations to identify the pathogen responsible for the symptoms affecting thousands of students nationwide. Officials emphasized close monitoring protocols to prevent further spread while schools remain shuttered. The incident highlights ongoing public health challenges as authorities balance educational continuity with student safety during viral outbreaks. (PC: X)

The Union Health Ministry has reminded parents and doctors that children under two years should not be given cough syrups, after 11 deaths were reported in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The fatalities, linked to Coldref and Nextro syrups, involved kidney failure and severe complications. While tests confirmed no contamination with diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol, the Directorate General of Health Services urged strict caution. Over 1,400 children are under medical observation for possible respiratory or renal issues. Officials stressed adherence to medical guidelines to avoid further tragedies nationwide. (PC: India Today)