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African Institutions Urged to Lead Antimicrobial Resistance Research, Shape Next-Gen Antibiotics and Diagnostics

African Institutions Urged to Lead Antimicrobial Resistance Research, Shape Next-Gen Antibiotics and Diagnostics

African institutions are called upon to play a leading role in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research, influencing the development and testing of next-generation antibiotics and diagnostics. The World Health Organization's 2025 assessments highlighted ongoing gaps in antibacterial innovation, pediatric formulations, and oral treatments, as well as limited simple diagnostic tools for primary and secondary care. The article emphasizes that surveillance data, such as that from Kenya and Rwanda's expanded Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS), should inform target product profiles for new medical tools. It advocates for African institutions to help define research questions, select meaningful outcomes, and interpret site-specific differences, ensuring that new products are designed for the conditions in which they will be used.

UN Women Seeks Global Security and Safety Associate in Nairobi, Kenya

UN Women Seeks Global Security and Safety Associate in Nairobi, Kenya

UN Women has re-opened applications for the position of Global Security and Safety Associate in Nairobi, Kenya. This role is open exclusively to Kenyan nationals and legal residents. The Associate will provide specialized administrative and technical support for security and safety operations across UN Women's more than 60 global locations. Key responsibilities include coordinating the implementation of UN Women's security and safety policy, delivering technical training, administering security mainstreaming and biannual budgeting processes, monitoring UNSMS compliance, and providing administrative support to field security operations. The position requires periodic deployment to high-risk duty stations on short notice. Candidates who previously applied for this role remain under consideration and do not need to reapply. The role is a fixed-term, one-year contract at the G-7 level, with applications closing on November 27, 2026.

U.S. Newborn Congenital Syphilis Rates Soar Nearly Sixfold from 2012 to 2022, Disproportionately Affecting Native American Babies

U.S. Newborn Congenital Syphilis Rates Soar Nearly Sixfold from 2012 to 2022, Disproportionately Affecting Native American Babies

Congenital syphilis rates among U.S. newborns increased by nearly six times between 2012 and 2022, according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. The research, conducted by Johns Hopkins University, analyzed hospital records from 14.6 million birth hospitalizations, identifying an estimated 6,560 newborns diagnosed with congenital syphilis. The rate rose from 16.0 per 100,000 birth hospitalizations in 2012 to 94.7 per 100,000 in 2022. This increase was observed across all racial and ethnic groups, income levels, and hospital settings. The most significant rise was among American Indian and Alaska Native newborns, where rates surged 21.5-fold, from 22.7 to 486.0 per 100,000 birth hospitalizations. In 2022, Hispanic newborns accounted for the largest number of congenital syphilis hospitalizations, followed by Black and White newborns. Geographically, the West had the highest rates, though over half of the hospitalizations occurred in the South.

US CDC confirms six measles-related deaths in 2026

US CDC confirms six measles-related deaths in 2026

Nov 12 (Reuters) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed six measles-related deaths in the US this year, according to the agency's website on Thursday, as the country grapples with its worst resurgence of the virus in decades.

UK Health Security Agency Reports Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant Infections Despite Reduced Antibiotic Use

UK Health Security Agency Reports Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant Infections Despite Reduced Antibiotic Use

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that over 400 people per week developed antibiotic-resistant infections in England last year, totaling 21,129 cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteraemia in 2025. This represents a 16.8% increase from 2019, despite a 10.7% reduction in total antibiotic consumption across the NHS between 2019 and 2025. The data also revealed significant inequalities, with people in England's most deprived areas experiencing a 44.2% higher rate of antibiotic-resistant bacteraemia. Older adults, particularly those over 74, were disproportionately affected, accounting for almost half of the cases. Shona Arora, interim chief medical adviser at UKHSA, emphasized that reducing antibiotic use alone is insufficient and called for greater efforts in infection prevention and the development of new treatment options.

Kenya Begins 42-Day Countdown to Ebola-Free Status After Successful Public Health Response

Kenya Begins 42-Day Countdown to Ebola-Free Status After Successful Public Health Response

Kenya has initiated a 42-day countdown towards being declared Ebola-free, following the discharge of its last Ebola patient. This significant step comes after nine individuals were infected when a man traveled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Kenya in early October. The outbreak resulted in two deaths, including the index patient and a 65-year-old relative. Seven patients have successfully recovered, and all contacts have completed their follow-up monitoring. Kenya's Cabinet Secretary of Health, Aden Duale, MBA, confirmed these developments in a media briefing. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director-General, Jean Kaseya, MD, MPH, praised Kenya's robust public health response, highlighting its effectiveness in early detection, contact tracing, clinical care, and community engagement. Kenya is the third African nation outside the DRC to experience a case from the Bundibugyo strain in the current outbreak, with Nigeria having one case and Uganda recently declared Ebola-fr...

First Africa Health Data Forum Convenes in Nairobi to Strengthen Health Information Systems

First Africa Health Data Forum Convenes in Nairobi to Strengthen Health Information Systems

The First Africa Health Data Forum officially commenced on November 10, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya. This significant event is spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with various partners, including Member States, development partners, technical and financial institutions, academia, civil society, and the private sector. The forum aims to foster a country-driven dialogue focused on enhancing health data and information systems across the African continent. Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Health, Aden Duale, emphasized the forum's theme, 'Better Data, Better Health for All,' highlighting the fundamental truth that responsive, equitable, and resilient health systems cannot be built without reliable information to guide decisions. Discussions at the forum are exploring how to transform collected data into actionable intelligence for improved health outcomes.

Kenya Hosts First Africa Health Data Forum Amidst Critical Gaps in Health Information Systems

Kenya Hosts First Africa Health Data Forum Amidst Critical Gaps in Health Information Systems

Nairobi, Kenya, is currently hosting the First Africa Health Data Forum, a three-day event running from November 10 to 12, 2026. The forum, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Kenya Digital Health Agency, and the Ministry of Health, brings together over 300 participants from 51 countries. Its theme is 'Better Data, Better Health for All.' During the forum's opening, a new WHO report was launched, revealing significant weaknesses in Africa's health information systems. These gaps include inadequate recording of deaths, insufficient tracking of health needs, and a lack of reliable health information, which could impede timely interventions and access to essential healthcare. Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, emphasized the country's commitment to leveraging digital technology and reliable health data to transform healthcare delivery and improve accountability.

CDC Updates Respiratory Illness Guidance for Nursing Homes, Shifts COVID-19 Testing Strategy

CDC Updates Respiratory Illness Guidance for Nursing Homes, Shifts COVID-19 Testing Strategy

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance for managing COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in healthcare settings, significantly altering recommendations for nursing homes. The CDC's previous COVID-19 guidance, last updated in 2023, has been archived. Relevant recommendations are now integrated into Appendix A of the 'Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings.' A key change is the shift in COVID-19 testing strategy: the CDC now primarily recommends testing at the onset of respiratory illness symptoms to identify the specific pathogen, which informs treatment and transmission-based precautions. However, recommendations for testing asymptomatic individuals after exposure or for serial testing have been removed. Testing to end isolation is now advised only for individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, with nursing home admission alone not qualifying an individual for this designati...

Food Safety Information Council Reveals One in Six Australian Adults Consume Illegal Raw Milk Products

Food Safety Information Council Reveals One in Six Australian Adults Consume Illegal Raw Milk Products

A national Omnipoll survey commissioned by the Food Safety Information Council has found that one in six Australian adults are consuming raw, unpasteurized milk products, despite their sale for human consumption being illegal. The survey, which included over 1200 adults, was released during Australian Food Safety Week. Council CEO Lydia Buchtmann highlighted that consumption is more prevalent among men (20%), adults aged 25 to 34 (29%), and those aged 36 to 49 (23%). Furthermore, raw milk consumption is higher in households with children (25%), capital cities (18%), and higher-income households (20% earning over $90,000 annually). The primary reasons for pasteurization are to eliminate harmful bacteria such as salmonella, listeria, yersinia, campylobacter, staphylococcus, and E. coli, and to prevent potentially fatal zoonotic diseases like brucellosis and tuberculosis. Most respondents sourced raw milk directly from farms (nearly three-quarters), while 15% owned a cow or participated in a 'cow share' progr...

Chikungunya Market Projected to Reach $1 Billion by 2030 Amidst Rising Global Health Concerns

Chikungunya Market Projected to Reach $1 Billion by 2030 Amidst Rising Global Health Concerns

The global market for chikungunya-related products and services is projected to reach $1 billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. This expansion is driven by increasing investments in vaccine development, a greater emphasis on preventive healthcare strategies, and the expansion of vector control initiatives. The chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, causes symptoms such as fever, severe joint pain, headaches, rash, and muscle aches. The rising prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases globally, influenced by factors like climate change, rapid urbanization, deforestation, and insufficient vector control, is a significant contributor to this market growth. The market is also seeing increased demand for rapid diagnostic tools and a boost in global funding for emerging infectious diseases. Key trends include advancements in vaccine candidates, wider adoption of antiviral therapies, and improved mosquito-borne disease moni...

The US and Mexico are on the verge of forfeiting a major health victory. Here's what to know

The US and Mexico are on the verge of forfeiting a major health victory. Here's what to know

International health experts are meeting to assess whether the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles elimination status