Epidemics

Health news

Flu epidemic sweeps Europe, straining healthcare systems

Flu cases are surging across Europe post-holiday season, hitting children under 15 and adults over 60 the hardest. Hospitals in France and Spain report rising admissions, with influenza B dominant.

04/01/2025

Health news

What's the lastest on the ongoing US bird flu outbreak?

From a state of emergency in California to the recent death of a house pet in Oregon, here are the latest updates on the US bird flu outbreak.

26/12/2024

Health news

If you get sick this winter, these viruses are the likely culprits

Here are some of the winter viruses spreading in Europe that could be behind your fever or runny nose.

08/12/2024

Health news

Mpox cases in Congo's epicentre may be 'plateauing,' WHO says

Mpox, a viral infection that was previously known as monkeypox, is spread primarily through close contact with an infected person.

11/11/2024

Health news

Whooping cough cases surge in US, Europe post-COVID pandemic

Cases of pertussis fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, but cases of the "100-day" cough are now increasing.

18/10/2024

Health news

Why the Democratic Republic of the Congo is struggling to contain mpox

The most impacted country due to mpox is struggling to contain it. Here's a look at why that's the case.

20/09/2024

Health news

African countries report more than 100 mpox-related deaths in a week

The rising death toll due to mpox is "not acceptable," a top health official said.

13/09/2024

Europe News

Cattle in France hit by bluetongue epidemic

A new strain of bluetongue, a potentially fatal disease for sheep and cattle, has been detected across Europe after first exploding in Dutch farms.

21/08/2024

Health news

What is mpox and why has the WHO declared it a health emergency?

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is endemic in central and western Africa and was last declared a global health emergency in 2022.

15/08/2024

Health news

WHO declares mpox outbreak a global health emergency

The WHO and Africa CDC declared emergencies over the mpox outbreak, as European authorities plan to send more than 175,000 vaccines to the region.

14/08/2024

Health news

How to avoid getting dengue at Paris Olympics amid infection concerns

Health officials have been preoccupied about the spread of dengue fever at the Olympics. Here's some advice to limit exposure and avoid infection.

27/07/2024

Climate

Spanish scientists create new tool to warn of deaths during heatwaves

Following deaths due to extreme heat in Greece and Italy, this map predicts heatwave mortality for places all over Europe.

16/07/2024

Health news

Why can’t countries agree on a global pandemic treaty?

Negotiators have tried to work out the details of a pandemic agreement, but now with another delay and elections in many countries, some worry motivation may wane.

18/06/2024

Healthcare

Genomic surveillance could prevent the next pandemic, experts say

Real-time genomic surveillance, which uses sequencing to analyse the genetic material of pathogens, could prevent the next pandemic, a new study says.

25/04/2024

Climate

Climate change annually kills as many people as Geneva's population

Governments spent more than €8.2 trillion fighting COVID. But only €132 million of climate adaptation funds are spent on health annually.

31/01/2024

Health news

What to know about rising cases of the '100-day cough' in the UK

Cases of the highly contagious disease have more than tripled in the UK, with experts urging pregnant women and children to get vaccinated.

17/12/2023

Health news

'Walking pneumonia' epidemics reported in parts of Europe. What is it?

Much like China, several European countries are seeing rising cases of mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes "walking pneumonia". How serious is it?

05/12/2023

Health news

'Very angry': Parents struggle to get newborns preventive RSV antibody

Many parents are waiting to get a new preventive antibody for their babies to prevent them from getting sick with bronchiolitis. Experts and officials say the product is a victim of its success.

29/10/2023

Health news

Could AI help to scenario plan for a Disease X pandemic?

Researchers are looking at how artificial intelligence (AI), including large language models like ChatGPT, could be used to scenario plan for future epidemics.

29/09/2023

USA

UN approves ambitious five-year plan to fight tuberculosis

World leaders at the United Nations have approved an ambitious plan to combat tuberculosis over the next five years.

23/09/2023