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Russia reports a worker at a Siberian plague institute got pneumonia from an unknown cause and died

Russia reports a worker at a Siberian plague institute got pneumonia from an unknown cause and died

Russian authorities say a staffer at a plague research institute in Siberia contracted pneumonia of an unknown cause, and local state TV reported the woman died last week

Asia-Pacific Countries Develop Stronger Antimicrobial Resistance Plans, Face Funding Shortfalls

Asia-Pacific Countries Develop Stronger Antimicrobial Resistance Plans, Face Funding Shortfalls

Asia-Pacific countries are developing more robust national action plans to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a critical global health threat. A recent article in the British Medical Journal Public Health, based on data from 28 Asia-Pacific nations, indicates that these plans are becoming more sophisticated, with a higher likelihood of being costed, including monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and featuring measurable targets. For instance, second-generation plans are twice as likely to be costed (67% versus 33%) and nearly three times as likely to contain monitoring and evaluation frameworks (93% versus 33%) compared to first plans. However, a significant challenge remains: most of these plans lack adequate funding for full implementation. Nearly half (49%) of the 27 countries with AMR plans are not costed at all, and only 44% are fully funded. Furthermore, 15 countries (56%) receive less than 30% of their total AMR funding from domestic sources, highlighting a heavy reliance on external partners. ...

Is there a pneumonic plague outbreak in Russia? What to know

Is there a pneumonic plague outbreak in Russia? What to know

Western officials are monitoring the situation in Russia after a worker at an institute that studies the plague suddenly died of an unknown illness.

Suspected plague death sparks outbreak concerns. Should we be worried?

Suspected plague death sparks outbreak concerns. Should we be worried?

Do Americans need to be worried about their safety after the suspected plague death in Russia? Here's what an infectious disease expert told us.

U.S. Adults Grapple with Smartphone Overuse, Seek Digital Disconnection Strategies

U.S. Adults Grapple with Smartphone Overuse, Seek Digital Disconnection Strategies

U.S. Adults Grapple with Smartphone Overuse, Seek Digital Disconnection Strategies

What to expect from school protests rattling France's government

What to expect from school protests rattling France's government

High school students in France are expected to continue their protests this week, challenging President Emmanuel Macron's government

Inside the study for a remedy to fight Congo's deadliest Ebola outbreak

Inside the study for a remedy to fight Congo's deadliest Ebola outbreak

More than 250 participants have been enrolled in a trial for a drug that could stop them from contracting Ebola in Congo

Disease-Carrying Hyalomma Ticks Persist Longer in UK Due to Hotter Summers, Raising Health Concerns

Disease-Carrying Hyalomma Ticks Persist Longer in UK Due to Hotter Summers, Raising Health Concerns

Disease-carrying Hyalomma ticks are surviving for extended periods in the UK, a phenomenon attributed to hotter summers, according to Dr. Jolyon Medlock, head of medical entomology at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Previously, temperatures were not sufficient for these ticks to mature into adulthood. Hyalomma ticks are the primary vectors for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, a potentially severe and life-threatening virus with a fatality rate of up to 40%, as reported by the World Health Organization. These ticks typically arrive in the UK as nymphs, carried by migratory birds from the Mediterranean and Africa. While still rare, health officials are observing an increase in their ability to moult to the adult stage during heatwave years. The UKHSA’s Tick Surveillance Scheme, established in 2005, monitors ticks across the UK. Dr. Medlock noted that while the presence of adult ticks doesn't automatically mean an infection risk, it indicates a climate-sensitive shift in tick-borne disease pathogens. ...

A road crash on a highway in Kenya killed at least 17 people, most of them Catholic pilgrims

A road crash on a highway in Kenya killed at least 17 people, most of them Catholic pilgrims

A crash involving multiple vehicles on the highway to the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa, has killed 17 people

At least 17, most of them Catholic pilgrims, killed in a road crash on a highway in Kenya

At least 17, most of them Catholic pilgrims, killed in a road crash on a highway in Kenya

A crash involving multiple vehicles on the highway to Mombasa, Kenya, has killed 17 people, mostly pilgrims heading to a prayer site

Health Authorities Emphasize Preventative Measures Amidst Ongoing Cholera Cases

Health Authorities Emphasize Preventative Measures Amidst Ongoing Cholera Cases

As Zambia continues to report cholera cases, health authorities are underscoring the importance of preventative measures. Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, primarily spreads through water or food contaminated with human waste. The disease thrives in areas with limited access to clean water and proper sanitation, leading to outbreaks in congested, poorly serviced regions. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that cholera can be fatal within hours if left untreated, yet it is largely preventable through consistent habits related to water, food, and hygiene. Key preventative actions include proper handwashing with soap and clean water, especially before eating and after using the toilet. If soap is unavailable, ash and water can serve as an alternative. Additionally, careful food handling is crucial; food should be thoroughly cooked and consumed while hot, raw fruits and vegetables should be washed with safe water or peeled, and street food of uncertain hygiene standards should be ap...

Zambia Enhances Health Emergency Response Capabilities with WHO Support

Zambia Enhances Health Emergency Response Capabilities with WHO Support

Zambia is significantly strengthening its capacity to respond to health emergencies through a new training initiative supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Over 60 Zambian health professionals are undergoing intensive training to rapidly address health crises and provide timely assistance to affected communities. This program marks Zambia as the 32nd country in the African Region to implement such training, contributing to a broader regional effort to establish a skilled emergency workforce capable of swift deployment. The training is part of the AVoHC-SURGE initiative, which integrates the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s African Volunteer Health Corps with WHO’s Strengthening and Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies program. This collaboration aims to develop multidisciplinary teams that can be mobilized within 24 to 48 hours, thereby reinforcing national capabilities and facilitating cross-border support. The initiative is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Develop...