Current Affairs - International

Rwanda successfully declared its first-ever Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak officially over after a 42-day period with no new cases. MVD is a severe hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus, with no approved treatments currently available. It spreads from fruit bats to humans and through direct contact with bodily fluids. Rwanda's efforts in controlling the outbreak included community engagement, contact tracing, and infection control, marking a significant achievement in public health management for the country, known for its landscapes and proximity to major rivers like the Nile and Congo.

The Philippines plans to acquire the US Typhon missile system to strengthen its defence capabilities and protect its sovereignty. This decision has drawn criticism from China, which considers the move provocative and potentially destabilizing to regional security. The acquisition process is expected to take at least two years. The development highlights growing defence dynamics and tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

Nepal is preparing to launch an HPV vaccination drive on February 5, 2025, aiming to reduce cervical cancer risks. Supported by GAVI, Nepal’s Ministry of Health has procured 1.77 million HPV vaccine doses, with 460,940 currently stored in Kathmandu for distribution. The campaign targets 1.68 million girls aged 10-14, including those not attending school, highlighting the nation's commitment to enhancing public health and cancer prevention.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $350 million policy-based loan agreement with the Government of India under the second subprogram of the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) initiative. This loan aims to enhance India's logistics sector through reforms, infrastructure development, and digital integration, contributing to the efficiency of logistics, strengthening the manufacturing sector, and promoting sustainable economic growth. The agreement involves stakeholders such as the Department of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

China set a new global spacewalk record with two astronauts, Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong, completing a nine-hour extravehicular activity (EVA) outside the Tiangong space station. This achievement surpassed the previous record of 8 hours and 56 minutes held by U.S. astronauts since 2001. The record-setting spacewalk highlights China’s growing presence in space exploration and its ambitious plans for future lunar missions, marking a significant milestone in its space program.