Pandemics

NPR is asking whether the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is coming under control. The report raises the question amid ongoing response efforts in the affected region, and observers are watching whether case numbers are finally declining after months of outbreak management.

New Guardian analysis shows some of the most affluent areas of England have recorded the sharpest increases in the proportion of young people claiming disability benefits, driven largely by claims relating to ADHD and autism. Commenters are sharing the findings and debating what they suggest about diagnosis rates, support needs and the welfare system's direction.

A measles outbreak in Pennsylvania is expanding, with state health officials tracking additional confirmed cases and urging residents to verify their vaccination status. Measles is highly contagious, and outbreaks typically prompt contact tracing, exposure warnings at public locations, and reminders that the MMR vaccine is highly effective. Public health commentary is focused on how far the cluster has spread and what it signals about falling immunization rates.

Federal health officials are investigating an E. coli outbreak tied to raw milk cheese that has sickened 13 people across the United States, according to the FDA. Eight of those affected required hospitalization. The agency has not detailed which cheese products or brands are involved, and consumers are being advised to watch for updates as the investigation continues.

France is seeing an early resurgence of Covid-19, and the pharmacists' union is urging the government to move the vaccination campaign, currently scheduled for mid-October, to an earlier date. Hospital emergency departments are under strain, with visits among adults rising 67% and among children 16%, according to health data cited by the union.

A popular tourist island located roughly four hours' flight from Australia is dealing with an outbreak of disease, according to news.com.au coverage. The story is drawing significant attention as the island is a common holiday destination for Australian travellers, raising questions about health risks for visitors and potential travel advisories.

Negotiations over the WHO pandemic accord have drawn objections from several countries on specific wording, but the United States stands apart. While other nations pushed back over intellectual property concerns, the US was the only country to object on ideological grounds, according to a New York Times report. The dispute highlights how domestic politics are shaping international pandemic preparedness efforts.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said a cyclosporiasis outbreak is 'under control' even as at least 1,600 cases have been reported across five US states. The intestinal illness, typically linked to contaminated food or water, has sickened people in multiple states, and officials are facing questions about the response. Comments downplaying the outbreak while case counts rise are drawing scrutiny.

The FDA has announced a recall of raw milk cheese linked to an E. coli outbreak. Multiple US news outlets, including DC News Now, WTNH and NewsNation, are reporting the recall, which affects consumers who may have purchased the cheese. Health officials typically urge anyone with symptoms of E. coli infection, such as severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, to seek medical attention. Further details about the brand and affected states have not been provided in early reports.

Health officials are investigating a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese that has sickened 13 people across the United States. News outlets across multiple regions are reporting the advisory, warning consumers to avoid the implicated cheese while the investigation continues. Details on specific brands, affected states, and whether any hospitalizations occurred have not been released publicly.

Bangladesh has begun a nationwide measles vaccination campaign as the country confronts a deadly outbreak of the disease. Health authorities are working to immunize children and curb the spread of infections, with coverage expected to expand in the worst-affected districts. The outbreak has raised concern among regional health officials about gaps in routine childhood immunization.

The FDA is warning consumers about black clams imported from Ecuador after they were tied to an outbreak of hepatitis A that has left 30 people hospitalized. Health officials are urging anyone who may have eaten the clams to watch for symptoms such as jaundice, fatigue and abdominal pain, and investigators are working to trace the contaminated shellfish and prevent further sales.

The United Arab Emirates has allocated $10 million to support efforts against the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Africa. The funding is intended to help containment and relief operations on the continent. The announcement adds the Gulf state to the list of international donors responding to the epidemic, drawing attention to the scale of the health emergency.

Health officials are investigating an E. coli outbreak that has spread across nine US states and has been linked to cheese made from raw, unpasteurised milk. No details on case numbers or the specific producer have been confirmed yet. Food safety watchers are urging consumers to check products and warning that unpasteurised dairy carries heightened contamination risks.

Health authorities have confirmed a case of mpox in a city in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo that is already at the centre of an Ebola outbreak. The finding raises concerns about two serious disease outbreaks overlapping in the same region, where health systems and response teams are already stretched. Observers are watching for signs of wider spread and for how authorities manage both outbreaks simultaneously.

Health officials in San Diego have issued a public warning after an E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese reached the area. Residents are being advised of the risks of consuming unpasteurized dairy products as authorities investigate the source of the contamination and work to prevent further illnesses.

A salmonella outbreak linked to broccoli sprouts has now sickened 32 people, with Minnesota and Oregon newly added to the list of affected states. Health officials are investigating the source as more states report infections tied to the sprout products. Consumers are being urged to watch for symptoms and avoid potentially contaminated sprouts while the investigation continues.

A case of mpox has been confirmed in Bunia, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, raising concern because the city is already at the centre of an Ebola outbreak. Health authorities now face the challenge of responding to two dangerous diseases at once in the same area, stretching testing, treatment and contact-tracing capacity in a region with fragile medical infrastructure.

US news outlets are reporting on a cyclosporiasis outbreak, an intestinal illness caused by a parasite typically linked to contaminated fresh produce or water. Coverage is summarising what health authorities know so far about cases, likely sources and symptoms. Specific case numbers, affected states and the contaminated food source have not been detailed in the available reporting.

The Nigeria Correctional Service says a cholera outbreak at the Kano Custodial Centre has been contained. The announcement comes as health authorities across Nigeria respond to sporadic cholera cases, and attention is focused on conditions in custodial facilities where overcrowding can speed the spread of waterborne disease. Further details on the number of inmates affected have not been provided.

Nigeria Correctional Service says a cholera outbreak at Kurmawa Prison in Kano has been contained after two inmates died. Officials say medical teams responded to the facility and further cases have been brought under control. The announcement is drawing attention to health conditions and disease risks inside Nigerian custodial centres.

Health officials in Los Angeles are investigating a flea-borne typhus outbreak in the Wilshire Center neighborhood. The disease, spread by fleas that often infest rodents and stray animals, can cause fever, headache and rash. Residents are being urged to avoid contact with wild animals, secure trash, and treat pets for fleas as the investigation continues.

Health and food safety commentators are pointing to a fourth E. coli outbreak tied to raw milk consumption, raising renewed questions about the safety of unpasteurized dairy. Food safety lawyer Marler Clark highlighted the outbreak, and discussion is focusing on the recurring risks of raw milk and calls for stronger warnings or regulation.

Two people have died in a cholera outbreak at a custodial facility in Kano, Nigeria. The Nigerian Correctional Service says it has contained the outbreak and deployed a medical team to the facility to treat those affected and prevent further spread. Health authorities are monitoring the situation amid concerns about disease control in custodial centres.

The United Kingdom has confirmed its first case of equine influenza in a Thoroughbred horse. The diagnosis is significant for the racing and breeding industry, where outbreaks can force the suspension of meetings and movement restrictions on horses. Vets and racing authorities are expected to monitor the situation closely for further spread.

The updated 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine rollout has begun in the United States, with people booking Moderna booster appointments at pharmacies such as Walgreens. The news comes as analysts report a 13th COVID wave underway, with outbreaks in 40 states and territories and roughly 3.8 million new infections, prompting calls for timely vaccination.

A social media user is drawing a comparison between Covid vaccination approaches and the Netherlands' policy of offering vaccines only to people over 70 and narrowly defined at-risk groups. The post, tagged with messages including 'CovidIsNotOver' and calls to keep wearing masks, frames the Dutch approach as a contrast to broader vaccination strategies. Little further context is available about what the original post argued or how others responded.

Two children in San Diego County have fallen ill in an E. coli outbreak that health officials have linked to raw cheese. The cases have prompted warnings about consuming unpasteurized dairy products, which can carry harmful bacteria. Local outlets are urging families to check whether raw cheese products are in their homes and to seek medical care if symptoms appear.

Health authorities on the Greek island of Rhodes are still recording high numbers of gastroenteritis cases, with the source of the outbreak not yet identified. Investigations continue into possible contaminated food or water, while residents and visitors are being advised to take standard hygiene precautions as the island's peak tourist season draws attention to the situation.

The United Nations General Assembly convened its second High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, bringing member states together to strengthen global defences against future health emergencies. The World Health Organization is highlighting the meeting as a key moment for international coordination, three years after the first such session and amid ongoing negotiations over a global pandemic agreement.

Federal health agencies are investigating an E. coli outbreak that has been linked to a raw milk cheese brand. The CDC and FDA have identified the cheese as the likely source of the infections. Raw milk products carry a higher risk of bacterial contamination because they are not pasteurized, and officials typically urge consumers to avoid affected products while the investigation continues.