Tag: Infectious Diseases
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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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WHO Reports 19 MERS-CoV Cases in 2025 as Strategy Evolves
Global MERS-CoV Update: 2025 Figures In its latest public health briefing, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed 19 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) worldwide in 2025 through December 21, with four fatalities reported. While these numbers are smaller than the peak outbreaks of previous years, health officials emphasize that even sporadic…
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WHO Updates MERS-CoV Situation for 2025: 19 Cases and Evolving Strategy
Overview: Small but Persistent Threat As the world continues to refine its approach to coronavirus threats, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 19 confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2025 through December 21, with four associated deaths. While these numbers are modest compared to other respiratory outbreaks, they underscore a…
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Dr Happi and the $100M Push to Prevent the Next Pandemic
The Big Bet: A World-Ready Fight Against Pandemics In a time when infectious threats loom large, a single bold wager stands out: invest $100 million to stop the next pandemic before it starts. Dr. Happi, a renowned figure in infectious disease research, frames this as a national and global imperative rather than a charity effort.…
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New Antimalarial Candidate MK-7602 Aims to Beat Resistance and Cut Transmission
Overview of MK-7602 and Why It Matters Researchers have unveiled a first-in-class antimalarial candidate, MK-7602, designed to confront the growing problem of drug resistance and potentially reduce malaria transmission. The program represents a strategic pivot in the field, aiming to deliver a drug with a unique mechanism of action that can stay effective as parasites…
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Measles Cases Rise in Western Cape as Vaccination Push Urges Parents to Act
Rising Measles Cases Prompt Urgent Public Health Action As the festive season kicks into high gear, measles cases are climbing in the Western Cape, prompting a renewed push from health authorities to ensure every child is vaccinated. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has issued advisories urging parents and caregivers to check immunisation…
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Prenatal Famine Elevates Multigenerational Infectious Disease Risk
Overview: Famine in the Womb and Long-Term Health Exposure to severe food shortages during pregnancy has long been thought to shape a child’s future health. A recent examination of the Great Chinese Famine of the mid-20th century adds a striking dimension: the impact of famine in utero may ripple across generations, elevating the risk of…
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Prenatal Famine and the Multigenerational Risk of Infectious Diseases
Overview: Linking fetal exposure to long-term infectious disease risk Recent research on historical famines has shed light on how being exposed to famine in the womb can influence not just the health of the individual, but potentially the health of subsequent generations. In the wake of the mid‑twentieth century Great Chinese Famine, scientists have begun…
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Grays Harbor Resident Dies from Novel Strain of Avian Influenza H5N5
Overview of the Case In a developing health alert, a Grays Harbor County, Washington resident who was undergoing treatment for a novel strain of avian influenza, identified as H5N5, died on November 21. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the death and indicated that ongoing investigations were underway to understand the source and…
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Kenya Faces Grim AMR Crisis: Six in Ten Drug-Resistant Infections Deadly, Experts Warn
Kenya confronts a looming antimicrobial resistance crisis In a sober warning to the public and policymakers, health experts say antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is driving a deadly trend in Kenya: six out of ten people with drug-resistant infections could die. The statistic, highlighted by researchers and clinicians, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action to curb…