insert_link MPOX Health Ministry confirms second case of Mpox (Photo: CDC) The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Esperance Luvindao, has confirmed a second Mpox case in Swakopmund, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Namibia to two. Addressing Parliament this afternoon ahead of the mid-term budget review, Luvindao said both patients are receiving comprehensive treatment at the Swakopmund District Hospital and remain in isolation under close medical supervision. “The first case was reported on the 18th […] today21 October, 2025
insert_link Health / Medical Health Ministry declares outbreak of Mpox in Swakopmund Ministry of Health and Social Services has declared an outbreak of mpox in the coastal city of Swakopmund after confirming a single case linked to cross-border travel within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Health Minister Dr. Esperance Luvindao said the patient is being treated in isolation and remains in stable condition. “Surveillance, contact tracing, and response teams have been activated to contain the spread,” the ministry announced in […] today20 October, 2025
insert_link Africa Uganda confirms case of deadly Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Risk communication planning (Photo: WHO website) Health officials in Uganda are racing to contain a deadly viral outbreak after one person tested positive for Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in the central district of Nakasongola. The patient has since been isolated, and contact tracing is underway to prevent further spread of the highly infectious disease. The Ministry of Health has dispatched rapid response teams to the district, working with local […] today8 September, 2025
insert_link South Africa USAID Grant Freeze in South Africa Threatens HIV/AIDS Fight, Warns Tutu Foundation The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation in S.A warns the permanent freeze of USAID grants in South Africa will have severe consequences in the battle against HIV and AIDS. The foundation's CEO Linda-Gail Bekker says the cancelled funding, including for PEPFAR, which supports 5.5-million people with antiretroviral treatment, threatens critical services. She express concern over the loss of specialised care and prevention tools: today1 March, 2025
insert_link Africa Rwanda reports six deaths from Marburg virus outbreak Six people have died from a Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, primarily affecting healthcare workers in an intensive care unit. According to the BBC, Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana reported that twenty cases have been identified since the outbreak was confirmed on Friday. Marburg, which can have a fatality rate of up to 88%, is related to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats, spreading through contact with the […] today30 September, 2024
insert_link Africa WHO approves first Mpox vaccine for Africa The World Health Organization has approved the use of an Mpox vaccine for the first time, which it says should facilitate “timely and increased access” for millions at risk in Africa where the latest outbreak has infected more than 20,000 so far this year. Matt Wells from UN news reports. today16 September, 2024
insert_link Africa Nigeria mandates health form for incoming air passengers Nigeria's government has directed air passengers coming into the country to fill out a health declaration form as part of measures against the Mpox outbreak and other infectious diseases. According to The Vanguard, the mpox strain known as Clade Ib, which has been rapidly spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since September, is both more deadly and more easily transmitted than earlier strains. This strain, transmitted […] today12 August, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical New TB skin test could offer cheaper and easier way to detect the disease By Yvette Naudé, University of Pretoria Detecting tuberculosis early could play a significant role in eradicating the world’s most deadly infectious disease. The World Health Organization says 1.5 million people die from this devastating disease each year. People infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the TB bacteria that attack the lungs, often do not know that they have it until their symptoms become severe. Two out of every […] today28 March, 2024
insert_link Namibia Namibia committed to keeping leprosy in check: Shangula Health and Social Services Minister said the Namibian government is committed to ensuring that all treatment success rates for leprosy remain high to prevent reinfection and community transmission. Shangula in a speech to commemorate World Leprosy Day at Katima Mulilo on Monday said his ministry has developed tools to ensure that leprosy survivors are periodically re-assessed and that those diagnosed with the disease have been put on treatment. In the […] today30 January, 2024