Red Cross says deadly Congo Ebola epidemic yet to peak, may last a year

Red Cross says deadly Congo Ebola epidemic yet to peak, may last a year

A Red Cross official said on Tuesday that the Ebola ​epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo ‌had not yet peaked, and could last for a year. Over 800 cases of the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no ​proven treatment or vaccine, have been reported in Congo, 192 ​of them fatal. The … Read more

World Cup ebola risk is ‘extremely low’ — but experts say the US is prepared

World Cup ebola risk is ‘extremely low’ — but experts say the US is prepared

CHICAGO — The risk that a traveler infected with Ebola could arrive in the United States during the 2026 World Cup tournament that kicked off last week is low but not zero, and if that happens, US hospitals are ready to respond, US infectious disease experts say. It wasn’t always so. During the 2014 West African Ebola … Read more

US wastewater will be screened for disease outbreaks during World Cup

US wastewater will be screened for disease outbreaks during World Cup

Epidemiologists will be busy this summer sifting through sewage and social media with the goal of keeping soccer fans and the public safe from severe illness during the World Cup, one of the largest and most globally diverse mass gatherings ever anticipated. A ​public health squad based in Washington, D.C., plans to monitor wastewater and internet … Read more

Suspected Ebola cases drop down to 116 after hundreds are ruled out: WHO

Suspected Ebola cases drop down to 116 after hundreds are ruled out: WHO

GENEVA – The World ​Health Organization said there have been 321 confirmed cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of ‌Congo outbreak and 116 suspected cases, marking a large drop in the number of suspected cases as hundreds were ruled out after investigation. The agency said on Tuesday there had been 48 deaths and six … Read more

Kenya court suspends US plan to establish Ebola quarantine facility for exposed Americans

Kenya court suspends US plan to establish Ebola quarantine facility for exposed Americans

NAIROBI, Kenya — A court in Kenya on Friday suspended a U.S. plan to establish a quarantine facility for Americans exposed to a rare type of Ebola virus spreading in northeastern Congo, following a backlash by medical workers and activists. A U.S. administration official said on Wednesday that the U.S. was planning to send Americans who are … Read more

Fast-moving Ebola epidemic is likely to get worse: WHO

Fast-moving Ebola epidemic is likely to get worse: WHO

The head of the World Health Organization said on Monday that the fast-moving Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda was outpacing response efforts, giving the latest number of suspected deaths as 220. Addressing an online meeting of the African Union about the outbreak, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a delay … Read more

What is the deadly Ebola Bundibugyo variant — and do Americans need to worry about it coming to the US?

What is the deadly Ebola Bundibugyo variant — and do Americans need to worry about it coming to the US?

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in Congo’s Ituri province has nearly 600 suspected cases and over 100 deaths, with several Americans exposed to the highly contagious disease. One US citizen is confirmed to have contracted the virus and is being treated at a Berlin hospital, although he is not critically ill and his family has tested … Read more

Congo residents set fire to Ebola treatment center as fear, anger grow over outbreak

Congo residents set fire to Ebola treatment center as fear, anger grow over outbreak

BUNIA, Congo — People set fire to an Ebola treatment center in a town at the heart of the outbreak in eastern Congo on Thursday after being stopped from retrieving the body of a local man, a witness and a senior police officer said, as fear and anger grow over a health crisis that doctors are struggling to contain. The … Read more

Should Americans worry about Ebola? What to know about the latest outbreak

Should Americans worry about Ebola? What to know about the latest outbreak

The Ebola outbreak in Congo’s Ituri province has caused 88 deaths and over 300 suspected cases, with at least six Americans exposed to the highly contagious disease. One of these US patients is experiencing symptoms, according to media reports. Global alarm has been building since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern … Read more

Contagious hantavirus strain may stay in human sperm for six years — and turn into an STI

Contagious hantavirus strain may stay in human sperm for six years — and turn into an STI

Viral load. As health officials continue to monitor the rare and deadly Andes strain of hantavirus that spread across the MV Hondius cruise ship, a disturbing truth about the disease’s long-term transmissibility has emerged. A peer-reviewed study found that hantavirus can survive in human semen for up to six years and can be sexually transmitted … Read more

As Ebola Spreads in Uganda, Trump Aid Freeze Hinders Effort to Contain It, U.S. Officials Fear

As Ebola Spreads in Uganda, Trump Aid Freeze Hinders Effort to Contain It, U.S. Officials Fear

The Ebola outbreak in Uganda has worsened significantly, and the country’s ability to contain the spread has been severely weakened by the Trump administration’s freeze on foreign assistance, American officials said this week. The officials, representing a variety of health and security agencies, made the assessment during a meeting with U.S. Embassy staff in Kampala, … Read more

CDC warns doctors to look out for Marburg virus after Africa outbreaks

CDC warns doctors to look out for Marburg virus after Africa outbreaks

After two deadly outbreaks of the rare Marburg virus disease in Africa, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning US doctors to be on the lookout for patients exhibiting symptoms. In the agency’s health advisory issued Thursday, officials urged clinicians to be vigilant due to the “potential for imported cases.” There are no … Read more

Deadly Marburg virus outbreak: Here’s what you need to know

Deadly Marburg virus outbreak: Here’s what you need to know

Experts are sounding alarm bells after a deadly virus outbreak in Africa. The Marburg virus has already claimed the lives of nine people in Equatorial Guinea as of Tuesday, prompting the World Health Organization to summon an emergency meeting to control the spread and prevent infection. So far, there are at least 16 suspected cases. … Read more