Latest Health News
WHO warns of outbreak risks in Uganda and the DRC
WHO said the situation in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains concerning, with more than 500 suspected cases, 130 suspected deaths, urban transmission, and deaths among health workers raising the risk of wider spread . The agency said it is working with the DRC, Uganda, and the United States as surveillance, contact tracing, and laboratory testing are scaled up
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American national with confirmed infection transferred to Germany
WHO reported that an American national has also been confirmed positive and transferred to Germany, underscoring the international dimension of the response . The case adds to concerns about cross-border spread while investigations continue into the outbreak source and transmission chains
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WHO says hantavirus outbreak risk remains low globally
WHO is also responding to an outbreak of hantavirus among passengers and crew on the MV Hondius cruise ship . The agency said all passengers have been repatriated and will be monitored through quarantine, while the global risk remains low and no deaths have been reported since 2 May
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Global health worker shortage projected at 11 million by 2030
WHO Director-General warned that the world faces a shortage of 11 million health workers by 2030, with the largest gaps in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions . WHO framed workforce capacity as a major barrier to health security and universal health coverage
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WHO prequalified dozens of medical products in the past year
WHO said it prequalified 50 medicines, six vaccines, 15 in vitro diagnostics, 41 medical devices, and six vector control products over the past 12 months . The agency also conducted 198 inspections of manufacturing sites, signaling continued expansion of its quality-assurance role
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Essential Medicines List updated with cancer and obesity treatments
WHO updated the Essential Medicines List to include new medicines for cancer and GLP-1 treatments for diabetes in people with obesity . The change reflects growing recognition of both oncology needs and metabolic disease management in global health policy
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Seven diseases eliminated in 17 countries over the past year
WHO said 17 countries achieved elimination of seven different diseases in the past 12 months . Countries cited include Algeria, Australia, Burundi, Egypt, Fiji, Libya, Senegal, Tunisia, Kenya, and Chile, with milestones spanning trachoma, sleeping sickness, and leprosy
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Maldives praised for elimination milestone
WHO congratulated Maldives during the address, highlighting its progress in disease elimination . The recognition came as WHO noted broader success across multiple countries in reducing neglected tropical and other infectious diseases
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UN adopts ambitious declaration on tobacco, hypertension, and mental health
WHO said the UN General Assembly adopted its most ambitious political declaration yet, with concrete targets on tobacco, hypertension, and mental health . The declaration is intended to drive stronger prevention and treatment commitments across member states
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WHO issues new guidance on GLP-1s for obesity treatment
WHO announced new guidelines on the use of GLP-1 medicines for treating obesity in adults . The guidance arrives amid rising global concern over obesity and its links to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions
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WHO cancer initiatives now reaching over one million people
WHO said its cervical, breast, and childhood cancer initiatives are now benefiting more than one million people in over 100 countries . The agency presented these programs as a major part of its global noncommunicable disease response
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Wild polio cases down sharply in Pakistan and Afghanistan
WHO reported that last year there were 52 wild polio cases from just 24 districts in Pakistan and Afghanistan, a 50% decline from 2024 . The reduction was described as a significant but incomplete victory, as eradication efforts continue in the remaining endemic areas
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