Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 16 people on Saturday, according to local authorities. The strikes hit residential areas, including one that killed a family of four. This escalation follows renewed fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, threatening a fragile US-Iran interim agreement aimed at de-escalating regional tensions.
At least 16 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to local authorities. The violence, which includes attacks on residential buildings, occurred despite reports of a renewed ceasefire aimed at ending persistent conflict that threatens a new US-Iran agreement.
Mourners in eastern Congo buried a six-month-old girl, the third child from an orphanage to die from Ebola this week. The Ituri region, the outbreak's epicenter, accounts for over 90% of cases, with efforts hampered by community clashes and a militarized response. The Bundibugyo strain has no approved treatment or vaccine.
Fears of undetected Ebola circulation grow in eastern DRC as Kigonze camp residents refuse testing. Over 15,000 displaced people in Bunia, the outbreak's epicenter, have seen 10 deaths this week alone, with symptoms matching Ebola.
Over 200 US airmen and trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, have contracted the flu. This outbreak follows the Pentagon's decision to end mandatory annual flu vaccinations for personnel, with only 40% of trainees opting for the vaccine after the mandate was lifted. Mandatory shots have since been reinstated for recruits at the base.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed the lives of 17 medics, with the total death toll exceeding 200. The virus has infected 75 healthcare workers, highlighting the strain on the already weakened health system. The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, is spreading rapidly, with concerns for overcrowded displacement camps.
A six-year-old Ebola patient abducted from a hospital in Butembo, DR Congo, by armed men has been found safe and is "doing well." The incident highlights ongoing fear and suspicion surrounding Ebola treatment centers amid a severe outbreak.
The WHO warns that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading quickly, with 896 confirmed cases and 232 deaths. Response efforts are scaling up, but challenges remain in contact tracing and delayed treatment-seeking.
A promising vaccine developed by virologist Thomas Geisbert for the Bundibugyo strain of ebola, which is currently causing an outbreak in Central and East Africa, has not been tested in humans due to a lack of funding and commercial interest. Despite successful primate trials in 2011, the vaccine remains on the shelf while hundreds are infected and around 200 have died.
Pregnant women in the Democratic Republic of Congo are increasingly avoiding hospitals due to fear of Ebola, leading to a rise in maternal deaths. Health workers report a significant drop in prenatal consultations and concerns about dangerous home births, potentially creating a second health crisis alongside the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
Nearly 160 troops sickened in a flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, prompting a temporary reinstatement of the flu shot requirement for recruits. The outbreak follows the Pentagon's decision to end mandatory flu vaccinations.
Over 150 recruits at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas have fallen ill with influenza, weeks after the defense secretary ended mandatory flu vaccinations for the military. Air Force officials have now ordered vaccinations for recruits as a containment measure.
The CDC is allocating $107 million in emergency funding to combat Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. With nearly 1,000 cases in DRC and 31 in Uganda, officials cite the need for immediate support, though global risk remains low. Efforts are hampered by mistrust and resource shortages.
DNA analysis of ancient teeth in Siberia reveals the earliest known plague outbreak, dating back 5,500 years. The Yersinia pestis bacteria infected hunter-gatherer communities, challenging previous theories about plague origins and its spread among settled farmers.
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.
In Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ebola outbreak mourners face new safe burial protocols, foregoing traditional rituals like body washing and large ceremonies. Anthropologist Julienne Anoko and IFRC coordinator Maria Munoz-Bertrand work with families to adapt practices, balancing grief with infection control.
The European Commission announced a €493 million aid package for the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, focusing on medical support, humanitarian aid, and research. G7 leaders also called for a coordinated international response amid rising cases.
Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya warns the current Ebola outbreak in eastern Africa, particularly the DRC and Uganda, could be the "worst ever" due to the lack of approved vaccines/treatments for the Bundibugyo strain and ongoing conflict hindering response efforts.
Ancient DNA from Siberian hunter-gatherer remains reveals plague outbreaks began 5,500 years ago, at least two centuries after Yersinia pestis emerged. The disease devastated sparse communities, with children making up at least two-thirds of the dead at some cemeteries.
Authorities in eastern DR Congo are searching for a six-year-old Ebola patient and her mother after armed men stormed Wanamahika Hospital in Butembo. The abduction highlights ongoing suspicion and fear surrounding Ebola treatment centers amid the current outbreak, which has seen nearly 200 deaths and 840 cases.
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring Uganda is causing widespread fear and economic disruption. Residents in Bunia, Ituri province, are reliving past trauma as the virus spreads, impacting businesses and daily life. Health officials face challenges including disinformation and shortages of protective equipment.
Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya warns the current Ebola outbreak in the DRC could be deadlier than the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. Over 26,000 contacts are untraced, and the epidemic may last a year due to funding shortfalls and community resistance.
Screwworm cases are increasing in the US, with 12 confirmed animal infections across Texas and New Mexico. Agricultural experts warn of serious consequences for the beef industry, while USDA urges vigilance and releases sterile flies to combat the parasite.
Former MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore stated that Vladimir Putin is attempting to intimidate the UK through sabotage, arson, and cyber attacks, aiming to expand the conflict beyond Ukraine. This follows recent arson attacks linked to a Russian-speaking Telegram user.
