
The country has a turbulent history, marked by conflict and instability, especially in the last few decades. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, leading to a decade-long war that left the country devastated. Subsequently, Afghanistan was ruled by the Taliban, an Islamist militant group, from 1996 to 2001.
The United States led a coalition invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, following the 9/11 attacks. The invasion intended to dismantle the Taliban regime and eliminate the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda, which had used Afghanistan as a base of operations. While the invasion successfully ousted the Taliban, the ensuing war against insurgents has dragged on for almost two decades, claiming countless lives and causing immense suffering for the Afghan people.
Despite the challenges, Afghanistan is a nation with immense cultural and natural heritage. The country is home to stunning landscapes, such as the Hindu Kush mountain range and the Bamiyan Valley, which was once home to the ancient statues of Buddha that were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. Afghanistan is also known for its vibrant musical traditions, poetry, and handicrafts.
The future of Afghanistan remains uncertain, but the country’s people have shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. While the challenges are many, Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage and the hope of a peaceful and prosperous future continue to inspire those who call the country home.
Baseline
🦠Global Measles Update (September 2024 – August 2025)
Measles cases surged by more than 60% worldwide in 2024–25, with outbreaks in Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Over 356,000 cases were reported, driven by vaccine gaps, and severe complications like pneumonia and ARDS continue to claim young lives.
PRO/EDR> Poliomyelitis – Europe: cVDPV2, wastewater
• Virus Detection: Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) detected in wastewater samples in Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom in 2024. • Public Health Significance: Detection of cVDPV2 serves as a wake-up call for continued vigilance and vaccination efforts to achieve global polio eradication. • Global Context: The Global Polio Eradication Initiative…
PRO/EDR> Measles update (53): USA (WI)
PROMED Report from October 2023 — this is last Measles outbreak report? • Measles Case Reported: A measles case was reported in Southeast Wisconsin, prompting health authorities to identify potential exposures. • Symptom Onset Period: Symptoms for unvaccinated individuals exposed to the patient are expected to appear between October 10th and 27th, 2023. • Measles…
PRO/AH/EDR> Crimean-Congo hem. fever – Asia (28): Afghanistan
CRIMEAN-CONGO HEMORRHAGIC FEVER – ASIA (28): AFGHANISTAN A ProMED-mail post http://www.promedmail.org ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases http://www.isid.org Date: Sat 2 Sep 2023 Source: Pajhwok Afghan News [abridged, edited] https://pajhwok.com/2023/09/02/congo-virus-949-persons-tested-positive-96-died-in-past-8-month/ Nearly 950 people tested positive for Congo Virus during the past 8 months out of which 96 patients died, an…
PRO/SOAS> Poliomyelitis (05): Pakistan (Sindh) environmental sample
POLIOMYELITIS (05): PAKISTAN (SINDH) ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLE A ProMED-mail post http://www.promedmail.org ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases http://www.isid.org Date: Thu 8 Jun 2023 Source: The News International [edited] https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1078361-environmental-sample-tests-positive-for-poliovirus-in-karachi The poliovirus has been detected from environmental samples collected from Karachi’s Gadap area, Dr Shahzad Baig — the coordinator of the National…
