Researchers discovered the oldest known evidence of the plague, dating back approximately 5,500 years ago near Siberia's Lake Baikal. DNA from plague-causing bacteria was found in the remains of 18 ancient hunter-gatherers, suggesting the disease predates previous estimates by 200 years.
Western Australia is experiencing a severe mouse plague, with unprecedented numbers causing widespread damage to crops and a pervasive, offensive odor in affected towns. Farmers face significant financial and psychological burdens, while regulatory delays in approving stronger poisons have exacerbated the crisis.
A new Nipah virus case in Kozhikode, Kerala, has prompted extensive surveillance and contact tracing. Experts attribute recurring outbreaks to fruit bats and human activity, combined with Kerala's robust public health system that detects cases effectively. The WHO lists Nipah as a priority pathogen.
Patrice Lumumba's 1961 assassination, involving Belgian and Western intelligence, created a governance vacuum in Congo. This instability, fueled by decades of kleptocracy and resource extraction, has structurally led to repeated Ebola outbreaks, with mining activities driving human-wildlife contact.
New Jersey health officials are suing GEO Group, the private operator of Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center, demanding full access after investigators were denied entry amid allegations of inhumane conditions, a TB outbreak risk, and a detainee strike.
South Korea's livestock product prices surged nearly 6% in May year-on-year due to disease outbreaks and reduced supply. While agricultural products saw a decline, food and dining prices also increased, with potential further rises expected due to global factors.
Community attacks on Ebola treatment centers in the Democratic Republic of Congo are fueled by mistrust, rumors, and cultural practices, highlighting the need for trust-building and adapted burial protocols.
South Korea reported nearly 1,000 food poisoning outbreaks from 2023 to 2025, averaging almost one per day. Cases include salmonella from bread in schools and campylobacter from chicken in industrial cafeterias. Authorities are enhancing hygiene guidance and introducing an AI system to speed up cause identification.
Conspiracy theories surrounding Hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks are amplified by social media and AI, echoing past outbreaks. Experts note these theories often target centers of power and reflect distrust in institutions, impacting public health responses.
Post-COVID-19 anxiety fuels fear of hantavirus outbreaks, but experts stress key differences in transmission. Unlike airborne COVID-19, hantavirus spreads via rodents, posing a low risk to most people and lacking pandemic potential.
Hong Kong issued a red travel alert for the Democratic Republic of Congo due to escalating Ebola outbreaks in Central Africa, reporting at least 139 suspected deaths and 600 suspected cases in DR Congo and Uganda. Residents are advised to avoid non-essential travel.
A Bundibugyo Ebola variant outbreak in the DRC and Uganda is exacerbated by massive US cuts to global health funding and staff, leaving health leaders scrambling to contain the spread. Experts criticize the US withdrawal as a self-inflicted wound, hindering early detection and response efforts.
India has reported no cases of Ebola, the health ministry stated Wednesday. Following WHO's declaration of a public health emergency, surveillance and preparedness measures have been intensified nationwide.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated on May 20th that China is closely monitoring Ebola outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda. China will provide assistance and has issued consular reminders to Chinese citizens in affected areas, with no suspected cases reported so far.
As a new Ebola outbreak spreads rapidly in the DRC, lessons from the 2018-2020 crisis in Butembo highlight challenges like insecurity, community mistrust, and the exploitation of the outbreak for political gain. The WHO's quicker declaration of a public health emergency this time reflects lessons learned, though the current Bundibugyo variant lacks specific vaccines.
The WHO opened its annual assembly in Geneva with global health ministers discussing deadly hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks, alongside uncertainty over US and Argentinian withdrawals and significant funding cuts.
The WHO declared a public health emergency for the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in DRC and Uganda. This rarer Ebola strain has no specific vaccine or treatment, with a 30-40% fatality rate. The declaration signals a need for international support and coordination.
Cruise ships are prone to disease outbreaks due to close quarters, diverse passenger origins, and mobility. Experts discuss hantavirus, norovirus, and Covid-19 incidents, highlighting challenges in ventilation, food safety, and diagnosis onboard.
A writer with a severe fear of water and swimming discusses cruise ship outbreaks, finding vindication in health concerns that deter him from joining his mother on cruises.
South Carolina health officials have declared an end to the largest measles outbreak in the U.S. since 1991, with 997 cases over six months starting last October. The outbreak, centered in Spartanburg County where most schools had vaccination rates below the 95% threshold, was contained to the northwest region of the state. At least 21 people were hospitalized, and the state succeeded in stopping transmission partly due to increased vaccination rates. While the outbreak is over, more than 20 other outbreaks have been reported across the U.S. this year, with large outbreaks in Texas, Florida and Utah.
