Current Affairs - International

France confirmed its first reported human case of Shamonda virus on 22 October 2026. The patient died after contracting the virus, which is primarily associated with livestock, particularly cattle. Shamonda virus belongs to the genus Orthobunyavirus within the family Peribunyaviridae. It is an insect-borne virus transmitted by biting midges. French health authorities suspected that the infection had occurred in eastern France, where the virus had circulated among animals during spring and summer 2026. Authorities assessed the risk to the general population as absent at that stage. The virus was first identified in Nigeria in the mid-1960s and has subsequently been detected in animals in parts of Africa and Japan.

Greece reportedly approved legislation on 23 October 2026 to prohibit children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, with implementation scheduled for 1 January 2027. The restriction covers platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, and applies to both existing accounts and new users. Parental consent will not exempt children under 15 from the ban. The measure aims to address concerns about online safety, excessive screen time, sleep, concentration and cyberbullying. The reported age-verification framework is linked to the KidsWallet app and is intended to protect users’ privacy while verifying their age.

Myanmar signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with India on October 15, 2026, under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) initiative. The agreements support Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) aimed at promoting local socio-economic development. The projects cover areas such as water, sanitation and hygiene, road upgrades, boiler operations, sports facilities and software support. The signing ceremony took place in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, in the presence of India's Ambassador Abhay Thakur and Myanmar's Union Minister U Aung Kyaw Hoe. Launched in 2000, the MGC initiative includes six member countries and focuses on cooperation in tourism, culture, education and transportation.

Malaysia secured first place in the Ipsos Quality of Care Perception Index 2026, followed by Singapore in second place and India in third place. The index, released by Ipsos, a global market research firm, evaluates public perceptions of healthcare quality and experiences across different countries. The survey examined factors such as satisfaction with healthcare services, trust in the healthcare system, access to doctors and pharmacies, and affordability of medical care. In India, 68% of respondents rated healthcare quality positively, while 64% expressed confidence in the system’s ability to provide the best available medical care when needed. However, affordability remained a major concern.

Nigeria reported an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in October 2026, after a female patient who had travelled from Uganda developed symptoms upon reaching the country. The infection was confirmed on October 20, 2026, in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. The patient was isolated and received medical care. Health authorities identified 44 contacts for monitoring and initiated contact tracing, disease surveillance and infection prevention measures. The World Health Organisation (WHO) supported Nigeria with investigations and protective equipment for healthcare workers. The case occurred amid a regional outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo.