UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

French health authorities reported on 22 October 2026 that Shamonda virus had been detected in a human for the first time. 

On 12 October 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR), following its consideration at the high-level meeting on 25 September 2026.

World Mental Health Day is observed every year on 10 October to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma surrounding mental disorders and promote access to mental healthcare.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first global guidelines specifically addressing obesity among children and adolescents.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence, will launch JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams on 8 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

India is emerging as a potential hub for rare-disease drug development and manufacturing. 

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed an amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945 to strengthen regulatory oversight over prescription medicines.

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zanvastro (zilganersen) for the treatment of Alexander disease, making it the first approved disease-modifying treatment for this rare genetic neurological disorder in adults and children.

The Maharashtra Public Health Department has declared snakebite a “notifiable disease”, making it mandatory for government and private hospitals, medical colleges and medical practitioners to report suspected, probable and confirmed snakebite cases, as well as deaths caused by snakebites.

The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has launched a real-time national organ transplant portal and mobile application to create a unified nationwide waiting list, ensure transparent organ allocation, facilitate Aadhaar-linked organ donation pledges, and improve coordination among hospitals and states.