infectious disease

US registers first measles death in decade

A child in the US state of Texas has died from measles amid a worsening outbreak. The death is the first in the country from the disease in more than a decade. Nick Harper reports from Washington.

27 February, 2025 34

Africa

WHO Investigates Mysterious Illness in DR Congo

Reuters reports indicate that the World Health Organization is investigating two outbreaks of an unknown illness in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo, which have resulted in over 50 deaths in recent weeks. As of February 16, there have been 431 reported cases and 53 fatalities in remote villages across two health zones in Equateur province, according to a WHO bulletin.

26 February, 2025 21

Health / Medical

Texas measles outbreak spreads to vaccinated individuals

A measles outbreak linked to unvaccinated children in West Texas is now spreading to vaccinated individuals. Local health officials say four people who have had their jabs, are among those infected. Toni Waterman has more.

20 February, 2025 55

Health / Medical

WHO warns that Hepatitis is killing thousands daily

The World Health Organisation has warned that the number of daily deaths due to viral hepatitis infections is on the rise. It's the second deadliest infectious disease killing around 1.3 million people per year.

10 April, 2024 77

Health / Medical

Medical science has made great strides in fighting TB, but reducing poverty is the best way to end this disease

By Tom Nyirenda, Stellenbosch University Every year, 10 million people fall ill with tuberculosis. Even though the disease is both preventable and curable, it kills 1.5 million people each year, making it the world’s deadliest infectious disease. Over 25% of these deaths occur in African countries. The World Health Organization has developed a strategy to reduce TB deaths by 95% by 2035. It’s a monumental task. […]

26 March, 2024 30

Health / Medical

Measles is on the rise around the world – we can’t let vaccination rates falter

fotohay/Shutterstock Jaya Dantas, Curtin University In recent weeks a series of measles alerts have been issued around Australia, including in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, after the identification of a small number of cases in travellers returning from overseas. Meanwhile, places such as the United States and the United Kingdom have been contending with larger measles outbreaks. In fact, the World Health Organization reported a 45-fold increase in measles […]

31 January, 2024 21