Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Superbug outbreak linked to eye drops from India

Health officials said one person died and at least 52 have been infected by the burkholderia cepacia, a superbug resistant to antibiotics

Superbug outbreak linked to eye drops from India

One person died and dozens were infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria in an outbreak linked to three types of eye drops manufactured by an Indian company, according to media reports.

Health officials said at least 52 people had been infected by the burkholderia cepacia bacteria, a superbug that can be fatal for people with weak immune systems.


The health authority had recalled three products manufactured by Indiana Ophthalmics in November when most cases had reportedly occurred.

They suspect that various batches of AaCarb, Aacomer and Puroptics branded carbomer eye gels were affected.

These products are given to patients suffering from dry eyes and are available online.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the youngest victim was a baby, and the oldest a 91-year-old. There are six probable cases.

UKHSA said there were 25 cases of “clinically significant infections”, while 11 people suffered eye infections.

The majority of patients were administered these eye drops while being treated in hospitals for a separate issue.

UKHSA issued a national patient safety alert in December, advising all medics in the NHS to avoid using carbomer eye gels on high-risk patients.

Officials now believe the outbreak is over, but the situation is being monitored.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said it has now received assurance from manufacturers that products available in the UK market are safe.

More For You

Fauja Singh
Singh did not possess a birth certificate, but his family said he was born on April 1, 1911. (Photo: Getty Images)
Getty images

Accused in Fauja Singh death case arrested, sent to judicial custody

A CANADA-based man accused of fatally hitting 114-year-old marathoner Fauja Singh with an SUV in Punjab has been arrested and sent to judicial custody. Officials said the accused had returned to India just three weeks ago.

Jalandhar rural senior superintendent of police (SSP) Harvinder Singh told a press conference that 26-year-old Amritpal Singh Dhillon was arrested on Tuesday night and his vehicle was seized. He said police treated the case as a challenge and solved it within 30 hours.

Keep ReadingShow less
Indian Americans

A new survey shows growing cultural and emotional ties to India among US-born Indian Americans.

Getty Images

US-born Indian Americans show stronger ties to heritage: Survey

A NEW report has shown that Indian Americans born in the United States are displaying stronger identification with their Indian heritage than in previous years.

The 2024 Indian American Attitudes Survey by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, conducted online with 1,206 respondents, found that 86 per cent of US-born Indian Americans said that being Indian is “very” or “somewhat” important to them. This marks an increase from 70 per cent in 2020. The share who considered their Indian identity as “not too important” or “not important at all” dropped from 30 to 15 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK India call centre scam

The criminals used sophisticated tactics to disguise their identity

iStock

UK and India team up to bust call centre scam

THE National Crime Agency (NCA) has revealed details of a “groundbreaking collaboration” with India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and American teams to bust a fraud call centre scam operating from Noida in north India that targeted British victims.

The international investigation began early last year after NCA officers in the US received information from Microsoft, which was compared with City of London Police’s Action Fraud Reports. The NCA and FBI Attaché in Delhi shared intelligence with the CBI, leading to “urgent action” and the arrest of two people.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sir Anwar’s 90th birthday crowns
Bestway Group’s golden jubilee

Lord David Cameron presenting shield to Sir Anwar Pervez with Bestway Group Board Members

Bestway

Sir Anwar’s 90th birthday crowns Bestway Group’s golden jubilee

FORMER prime minister Lord David Cameron led an emotional and heartfelt tribute to Sir Anwar Pervez at a glittering event at the Royal Albert Hall, marking the business titan’s 90th birthday alongside the 50th anniversary of the Bestway Group.

The grand celebration brought together around 800 guests, including senior politicians, diplomats and leading figures from the grocery, pharmacy and finance sectors – industries where Bestway holds a dominant presence – to honour the extraordinary life and achievements of the self-made entrepreneur whose journey from rural Pakistan to British business royalty has inspired generations.

Keep ReadingShow less
Government considers 'handing Post Office to postmasters'

A post office sign hangs above a shop in Belgravia, in London. REUTERS/Hollie Adams

Government considers 'handing Post Office to postmasters'

THE government is exploring whether to transfer control of the Post Office to the people who run its branches, according to a new consultation launched this week.

Minister Gareth Thomas said the move would create "a fresh vision" for the service while rebuilding trust following the Horizon scandal that devastated hundreds of sub-postmasters' lives, reported the BBC.

Keep ReadingShow less