Tag: Disease surveillance
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Global Health Alert: Chikungunya Surges to Over 500,000 Cases in 2025 as WHO Prequalifies Two COVID-19 Rapid Tests
Chikungunya tops half a million cases in 2025: what the trend means The year 2025 is shaping up as a pivotal one for global infectious disease surveillance as health authorities report a sharp rise in chikungunya cases, surpassing half a million across multiple regions. While the illness is typically associated with mosquito-borne transmission in tropical…
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Biologists Race Against Time to Save the Northwest Territories’ Bats
Introduction: A Race Against Time In the Northwest Territories, a team of biologists is racing against the clock to save a fragile bat population from multiple threats. What began as a routine survey in the South Slave region turned into a high-stakes mission to understand and protect a keystone species whose fate could ripple through…
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Lassa fever claims 195 lives in Nigeria in 2025, NCDC reports
Overview: Lassa fever toll in 2025 Lassa fever remains a major public health concern in Nigeria. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has disclosed that by Epidemiological Week 49 of 2025, the disease claimed 195 lives across 21 states, yielding a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.2 percent. This figure highlights the…
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Diphtheria Response in Africa: Ministers Renew Commitments
Overview: Renewed political will to curb diphtheria across Africa In a pivotal moment for public health in Africa, health ministers from eight member states gathered to reaffirm their resolve to halt the resurgence of diphtheria. The high-level advocacy meeting, held in Brazzaville, brought together senior government officials, international partners, and civil society to synchronize efforts…
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Dengue Outbreak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Eight New Cases in 24 Hours
Rising Dengue Cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The dengue outbreak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan, is showing signs of persistence as health authorities report eight new confirmed infections in the last 24 hours. This uptick follows a string of similar daily counts, underscoring the need for continued public health vigilance, vector control, and timely medical attention…
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AmaZulu King Misuzulu Backs Fight Against FMD in KwaZulu-Natal
King Misuzulu Voices Support for FMD Mitigation in KwaZulu-Natal The battle against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in KwaZulu-Natal received a high-level boost this week as AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini met with KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development leadership. The meeting, which included Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, the province’s MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, focused on the…
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Dengue Cases Drop to 5 in 24 Hours: ICT Expands Surveillance and Fogging
ICT Sees Remarkable Drop in Dengue Cases In a recent health update, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration reported only five new dengue cases recorded in the last 24 hours. The figure marks a notable improvement in the ongoing dengue surveillance campaign, reflecting the effectiveness of routine inspections, community awareness, and vector-control efforts across the…
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Dengue Cases Drop to 5 in 24 Hours: Islamabad Tightens Monitoring as Fogging Continues
Overview: Dengue Case Count Edges Down in Islamabad In a notable turn for public health in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), authorities reported only five new dengue cases in the last 24 hours. The figure marks a significant decline from previous weeks, signaling a potential easing of transmission as aggressive surveillance and control measures remain…
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From Arauca to the World: Colombian Pandemic Scientist
Introduction: A hometown origin, a global mission When people imagine the heroes who stop pandemics, they often picture high-tech labs in major capitals. Yet one of today’s most promising scientists grew up in Arauca, a small Colombian town on the edge of the Orinoco. Born into a community marked by resilience and upheaval, this researcher…
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COP30 Findings: Climate Change Expands Infectious Diseases into New Regions
Overview: A Wake‑up Call from COP30 The latest COP30 report highlights a troubling trend: climate change is not only intensifying heat and storms but also reshaping the geographic footprint of infectious diseases. As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns shift, pathogens and their vectors are finding new habitats, bringing illnesses closer to populations that have little…