An outbreak of the virus in northern China has prompted some online alarm but experts say the risk of another Covid-like pandemic is low
The cholera outbreak in some parts of Ghana has claimed 37 lives as of December 26, 2024, with confirmed cases rising from 346 to 359. The Western Region recorded two additional fatalities, prompting the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to initiate mortality audits. Out of the recorded deaths, five individuals were brought in already deceased.
Sudan’s Health Ministry has reported that 1,316 people have died from cholera since the outbreak began in mid-August. The disease has affected 49,554 individuals across the country, per a ministry statement released on Tuesday.
The new year is certain to bring the spread of infectious diseases – both new and old. And several factors make 2025 ripe for transmission in the U.S., including declining childhood vaccination rates and a potential new leader of the Health and Human Services Department who appears ready to sow fresh doubt on vaccines in the next Trump administration.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to identify more infectious variants of viruses or bacteria, including those responsible for flu, COVID-19, whooping cough, and tuberculosis.
Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza A virus (HPAI H5N1) remains a low risk to the general public, and public health experts in the United States believe that available treatments and vaccines, as well as those in development, are sufficient to prevent severe disease. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its federal partners remain focused on monitoring the virus and evaluating changes, according to leading officials at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the NIH.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially launched its much-anticipated WHO Academy in Lyon, France, with a high-profile inauguration ceremony attended by prominent leaders from around the world. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, French President H.E. Emmanuel Macron, and numerous health ministers and international representatives gathered to celebrate this groundbreaking initiative, which is poised to transform global public health education.
A patient has been hospitalized with a severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus ('H5N1 bird flu') infection in Louisiana. This marks the first instance of severe illness linked to the virus in the United States. The case was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, December 13. Since April 2024, there have been a total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 9 December – From 5 to 7 December, the Director General of Africa CDC, H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, travelled to the DRC to engage with national authorities, assess the situation on the ground, and extend Africa CDC’s support in the investigation of an unknown “disease X.” The disease presents symptoms such as fever, headache, and a high mortality rate among children. This visit reaffirms Africa CDC’s commitment to supporting the country in its investigation and response efforts. The outbreak, first identified in late October and reported to national authorities in early December, underscores the need to strengthen surveillance and laboratory capabilities in the region.
A groundbreaking malaria vaccine trial in the UK has been abruptly paused after it had its US-government funding stopped, The Telegraph understands.
Public health is more than policies and statistics; it is the lived experiences of those who work tirelessly to protect and promote health in our communities. It is the stories of resilience, innovation, and passion that drive real change.