Browsing: Health

A groundbreaking study published in the journal Science has pinpointed a rare inherited genetic mutation that can increase an individual’s overall lung cancer risk by about 25 times and by approximately 60 times among non-smokers, according to researchers. The research, led by scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the 23andMe Research Institute, analyzed anonymous genetic information from more than 3.3 million people. The scientists identified the germline variant, called EGFR T790M, as one of the strongest inherited factors linked to lung cancer discovered so far.

India’s drug regulator has warned consumers against two Pakistan-made whitening creams after tests found excessive heavy metals. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation named Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream in a September 8 public health alert. Both products carry labels stating they were made in Pakistan. The regulator said neither product had authorization for import and sale in India. It also warned that the heavy metal levels could cause toxic effects and pose health risks.

World Health Organization reports that Ebola transmission is decreasing in some of the hardest-hit areas within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The most significant improvement is observed in parts of Ituri province, which is the outbreak’s epicenter. Nonetheless, the epidemic continues to spread in other regions. As of September 13, official data indicated 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces, with a national case fatality ratio of 48.4%. DR Congo’s Ebola response continues as health teams track changing transmission patterns. Since May, South Kivu has reported no new cases, and more patients are recovering nationwide. According to official figures, 1,726 recoveries had been documented in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Sept. 13. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described recent trends as promising after months of rapid transmission. However, he emphasized that the outbreak continues to grow and cause fatalities. Currently, the epidemic affects 62 health zones, illustrating significant disparities between the impacted provinces. Ituri remains the primary focus despite a recent decline in transmission rates. During the latest weekly period, health officials recorded around 300 new cases and 160 deaths there, accounting for nearly half of the national total for that period. Conversely, North Kivu has seen an upward trend, with weekly infections nearly doubling over two weeks—from about 100 cases to over 200—as health teams monitor the expanding spread. Increase in North Kivu

Initial tests revealed Legionella DNA presence in a cooling tower at Yankee Stadium as authorities in New York City investigate a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak across several South Bronx communities. By Tuesday night, the city confirmed 11 cases, including one fatality. Three individuals remain hospitalized. The New York City Health Department identified positive preliminary PCR results in 10 cooling towers throughout ZIP codes 10451 and 10456, areas covering Melrose and Morrisania.

A severe lack of trained personnel, operational partners, and financial backing is creating significant obstacles in controlling the spreading Ebola outbreak across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. WHO technical briefings indicate that the outbreak has extended beyond the initial epicenter in Bunia into six northeastern provinces. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, has resulted in over 6,000 cases and 3,175 deaths, making it the deadliest Ebola event in the country’s history. International agencies warn that staff shortages and funding issues are hindering the Ebola response, urging global donors to increase financial contributions.

The World Health Organization has urged a significant scaling-up of efforts to combat Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, health teams have yet to trace all transmission pathways. As of Sept. 1, Congo reported 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 fatalities. The ongoing Bundibugyo outbreak now spans 60 health zones across six provinces. Congo’s Ebola response expands as Bundibugyo transmission remains active. This marks Congo’s most extensive and deadliest Ebola epidemic to date, ranking as the second-largest worldwide after the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. Ituri remains the epicenter, accounting for approximately 85% of cases and 88% of deaths. Tedros highlighted that many fatalities involve individuals not listed as known contacts, underscoring that health teams continue to miss some chains of transmission. Hindrances such as community deaths and unsafe burials are major challenges to containing the outbreak. Africa CDC reports that over 60% of fatalities in the past week occurred within communities. Delays in identifying infections and admitting patients to treatment centers have also been observed. Government data shows 1,439 recoveries and a case fatality rate of 48.6%, illustrating the severe impact of the Bundibugyo strain. Active Transmission Continues in Eastern Congo Transmission persists in 51 health zones despite recent indications of declining case numbers. Four zones have had no new cases for over 42

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have initiated a focused Ebola immunization campaign in Kisangani, the administrative center of Tshopo Province, aiming to halt the deadliest outbreak in the country’s history. Frontline healthcare providers, emergency responders, and those with direct contact to confirmed cases are receiving priority during the first phase of vaccination. Health Minister Roger Kamba confirmed the campaign employs doses of the Ervebo vaccine to protect essential personnel working across the eastern provinces most affected.

EU diagnostic support expands as health authorities respond to the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.The PCR testing kits will be shipped to the World Health Organization’s Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics in Dubai. WHO will coordinate their distribution to affected areas participating in the Ebola response. PCR testing is crucial for confirming infections quickly, as laboratories can process large sample volumes with high precision. The equipment is compatible with existing laboratory setups, enabling faster diagnosis. Prompt confirmation allows health teams to identify infected individuals, provide appropriate care and isolation, and conduct contact tracing around confirmed cases.

As the Ebola situation expands across several regions, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is set to receive 70,000 Ervebo Ebola vaccine doses. According to authorities, as of Aug. 18, there have been 5,208 confirmed cases and 2,476 fatalities. The outbreak now spans 56 health zones within six eastern and northeastern provinces. There have been 1,115 recoveries reported, while 730 patients remain hospitalized or in isolation.

World Health Organization states that Congo’s Ebola outbreak could be contained within three months if adequate resources are provided to response teams. The latest official figures report 5,021 confirmed cases and 2,378 fatalities as of Aug. 16, with cases spreading across 55 health zones in six provinces. The case fatality rate has climbed to 47.4%, making this the deadliest Ebola outbreak in Congo’s history and the second-largest Ebola epidemic globally. Congo Ebola response expands as health teams work to curb Bundibugyo transmission. Thierno Baldé, WHO incident manager, emphasized that achieving the three-month goal hinges on securing necessary funding. The agency has received approximately $69.3 million of the $115 million it estimates is needed, roughly 60%. Over the past two weeks, teams added more than 400 treatment beds, deployed 100 extra epidemiologists, and mobilized over 500 community health workers for surveillance and contact tracing. The effort requires vehicles, ambulances, medical supplies, and personnel to cover the expanding affected area. Transmission now extends to Bas-Uélé, making it the sixth impacted province. As of Aug. 12, Ituri accounted for 85% of confirmed cases and 79% of all reported deaths nationwide. Officials reported that 70% to 80% of new cases have no known link to existing patients. To improve response, health teams are enhancing surveillance to identify cases more rapidly and transfer patients to treatment centers. The first confirmed case in