Field medical teams administer supportive care treatments to patients in emergency clinics. Data from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ministry of Health show more than 2,100 lives lost among over 4,500 confirmed cases. Although authorities officially declared the outbreak on May 15, genomic analysis later indicated that silent community transmission had begun as early as February. Experts highlight that the death count was reached nearly three times faster than during previous major outbreaks, underscoring severe operational challenges in tracing active infection chains across remote areas.

The Ebola crisis in DR Congo has resulted in 1,916 fatalities and 4,209 confirmed cases as of August 7, according to official figures. The death count has increased by 29 compared to the previous report of 1,887. Health officials are also caring for 595 patients in isolation, while 828 individuals have recovered from the Bundibugyo virus outbreak. The most recent daily report shows an addition of 89 confirmed cases and 21 deaths nationally, with Ituri accounting for 73 of the new infections. Efforts continue to update, review, and harmonize case and mortality data as surveillance efforts progress.

Chad’s health authorities have confirmed that an urgent waterborne health crisis has resulted in 13 deaths since late last month, when official public alerts were issued. Updated surveillance data from the Ministry of Public Health of Chad indicates that the cholera outbreak has caused 13 fatalities and increased the total confirmed and suspected cases to 239 across the country. These figures translate to a case fatality rate of 5.4 percent, far surpassing international public health standards for outbreak response.

In 2022, obesity was associated with 9,509 deaths in Belgium, accounting for 8.2 percent of the nation’s overall mortality, according to recent data from the Belgian public health institute Sciensano. This marks the first systematic attempt by Belgian public health researchers to quantify deaths directly linked to high body mass index (BMI). The report highlights that weight-related health issues caused more than one death every hour across the country. Moreover, the analysis shows that elevated BMI contributed to over 150,000 years of life lost among all demographic groups in a single year.

The Health and Environment Alliance, or HEAL, wants EU-wide standards for national climate adaptation plans and mandatory heat goals for member states. The campaign also calls for more funding for health resilience. The proposals follow a June heatwave that pushed temperatures above 40 C in parts of Europe. HEAL says national Heat Health Action Plans should contain ambitious, measurable targets for protecting people from climate risks, especially extreme heat. The group wants those plans to give priority to older people, children, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses. It also highlights people facing social and economic disadvantages.

Moderna has commenced a Phase 1 clinical trial for an experimental vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus in Canada. The initial participant received the mRNA-1469 vaccine on August 3 at a facility in Truro, Nova Scotia. This trial coincides with ongoing virus spread across multiple provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization has designated the situation as a public health emergency of international concern.