Recent News

By Region: Africa

Scientists: Mosquito virus spreads to Americas

(BostonHerald) A nasty virus first detected in Africa that is spread to people by the bite of infected mosquitoes is being locally transmitted in the Americas for the first time on the tiny French Caribbean dependency of St. Martin, health officials said Tuesday.

December 18, 2013
| Filed under Africa, North America, South America, International, and Public Health
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Yellow fever in Sudan – update

(WorldHealthOrganization) The Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in Sudan has notified WHO of a yellow fever (YF) outbreak affecting twelve localities in West and South Kordofan states. The affected localities are Lagawa, Kailak, Muglad and Abyei localities in West Kordofan and Elreef Alshargi, Abu Gibaiha, Ghadir, Habila, Kadugli, Altadamon, Talodi and Aliri in South Kordofan.

December 4, 2013
| Filed under Africa, North America, International, and Public Health
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2009 pandemic flu death toll much higher than official worldwide estimates

(Eurekalert) A research team consisting of more than 60 collaborators in 26 countries has estimated the global death toll from the 2009 outbreak of the H1N1 virus to be 10 times higher than the World Health Organization’s count, which was based on laboratory-confirmed cases of this flu. The study, which appears online in PLOS Medicine, Read More »

November 27, 2013
| Filed under Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America, South Asia, International, and Public Health
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Sudan: Yellow Fever Reported in Sudan Close to South Sudan Border

(AllAfrica) Partners in South Sudan were concerned about recent cases of yellow fever in parts of Sudan bordering South Sudan. Between 3 October and 17 November, 40 suspected cases of yellow fever and 10 associated deaths were reported in South and West Kordofan states. The case fatality rate is 25 per cent.

November 22, 2013
| Filed under Africa, North America, International, and Public Health
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Bat Population Covering Central Africa is Carrier of 2 Deadly Viruses

(GlobalBiodefense) A population of fruit bats which is found across much of continental Africa is widely infected with two deadly viruses that could spread to humans, new research reveals. The study, conducted jointly by the University of Cambridge and the Zoological Society of London’s Institute of Zoology and published this week in the journal Nature Read More »