insert_link Africa WHO approves new oral simplified cholera vaccine World Health Organization's has approved a new oral vaccine for cholera. The oral vaccine for cholera received prequalification by the WHO on 12 April 2024. The inactivated oral vaccine Euvichol-S has a similar efficacy to existing vaccines but a simplified formulation, allowing opportunities to rapidly increase production capacity. There were 473 000 cholera cases reported to WHO in 2022 -- double the number from 2021. Further increase of cases by 700 […] todayApril 22, 2024 165
insert_link Africa How to get vaccines to remote areas? In Sierra Leone they’re delivered by foot, boat or motorbike By Niccolo Francesco Meriggi, University of Oxford In Sierra Leone almost 59% of the population live in remote, rural areas. Roads may be non-existent or in bad condition, making it very difficult for rural dwellers to access healthcare. This is one of the key reasons why COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country are low. During an innovative vaccine programme mobile vaccine clinics were dispatched to the furthest […] todayApril 19, 2024 30
insert_link Africa Researchers urgently call for action against the DRC’s new Mpox strain Scientists have identified a new strain of the mpox virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo that spreads rapidly among humans. The researchers are calling for swift action to avert another global mpox outbreak. The disease previously known as monkeypox was reported in several countries in Europe and North America in 2022. Chris Ocamringa has more from Kinshasa. todayApril 18, 2024 89
South Africa Social media for sex education: South African teens explain how it would help them Social media platforms can provide safe, accurate and confidential information about sex to teens. Nattrass/Getty Images By Ayobami Precious Adekola, University of South Africa Most teenagers dread talking about sex with their parents. Their parents feel the same way. In some societies it’s considered taboo to even broach the subject. And, even where sexuality education is taught at schools, research has shown that effective communication between young […] todayApril 18, 2024 60
insert_link Africa Nigeria investigates mysterious disease Health authorities in Nigeria have launched an investigation following the outbreak of a strange illness in the country's northwest state of Sokoto. todayApril 10, 2024 69
insert_link 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. todayApril 10, 2024 62
insert_link World Rebuilding Gaza was seen as a ‘Herculean’ task before Oct. 7; six months of bombing has led to crises that will long outlive the war Palestinians look for survivors after a Israeli strike in Gaza on Oct. 31, 2023. AP Photo/Doaa AlBaz Dima Nazzal, Georgia Institute of Technology Over a decade ago, a United Nations report described the Gaza Strip as virtually unlivable, adding that it would require “Herculean efforts” to change that. Today, after six months of bombardment, mass displacement and siege by Israel, the task of rebuilding Gaza seems practically unimaginable. I’m a […] todayApril 9, 2024 25
insert_link Lifestyle Loneliness can kill, and new research shows middle-aged Americans are particularly vulnerable The desire to belong is a fundamental human need. Oliver Rossi/Stone via Getty Images By Frank J. Infurna, Arizona State University Middle-aged Americans are lonelier than their European counterparts. That’s the key finding of my team’s recent study, published in American Psychologist. Our study identified a trend that has been evolving for multiple generations, and affects both baby boomers and Gen Xers. Middle-aged adults in England and Mediterranean Europe […] todayApril 8, 2024 16
insert_link Africa Have you ever suffered intimate partner abuse? We asked girls in Malawi and 40% said yes By Anthony Idowu Ajayi, African Population and Health Research Center and Elita Chamdimba, University of Malawi Intimate partner violence starts early. Around one in four girls aged between 15 and 19 worldwide have already been subjected to physical or sexual violence. Girls who experience abuse in their childhood face increased and disproportionate levels of intimate partner violence later in life. Pregnant and parenting girls are even more exposed […] todayApril 8, 2024 7