An outbreak of deadly hantavirus aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has triggered an international public health response. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) is coordinating evacuations and risk assessments following the death of three people and multiple suspected infections. One patient remains in intensive care in South Africa. To date, one case…
Three people have died following an outbreak of a rare infectious disease aboard the MV Hondius, a cruise ship travelling across the Atlantic, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The outbreak occurred during a voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde. The WHO confirmed that one case of hantavirus — a disease typically transmitted…
Three people have died and three others are ill following suspected cases of hantavirus infection on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday. WHO is supporting the response, noting that one case of the rodent-borne disease has been confirmed so far and there are five additional suspected cases….
The virus usually spreads by contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents like rats and mice. It can cause a severe and sometimes deadly lung infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday reported a suspected outbreak of a hantavirus infection on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. “To date, one case of hantavirus infection…
The World Health Organization said one case of hantavirus infection has been confirmed, with five more suspected cases under investigation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) wrapped up Exercise Polaris II, a 2-day high-level simulation exercise, based around an outbreak of a fictional new bacterium spreading across the world. Bringing together 26 countries and territories, 600 health emergency experts and over 25 partners, the exercise, which took place on 22 and 23 April, allowed countries to…
WHO is testing an innovative way to improve outbreak detection, notification and response through an interactive ‘7-1-7 Strategy Game’. The 7-1-7 target calls for detecting a suspected outbreak within seven days, notifying public health authorities within one day, and mounting an effective response within seven days. Achieving these benchmarks requires coordinated action across surveillance, laboratories,…
Nipah is a highly lethal virus that causes severe illness with a high fatality rate, and there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments. Scientists are increasingly seeing it as a potential global threat. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Nipah infection as a high-priority pathogen. There is an urgent need for a vaccine…
A fire outbreak on Thursday has disrupted activities at the Blue zone axis of the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, forcing the temporary closure of the Blue Zone where formal negotiations are taking place. Organisers said emergency responders swiftly evacuated delegates and contained the blaze within minutes. In a joint…
Nairobi — Africa is facing the worst cholera outbreak in 25 years, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director General Jean Kaseya said in an online briefing. According to him, the continent has recorded over 300,000 cholera cases since the beginning of the year, marking a 30% rise from 2024. Kaseya attributed the situation…
