Pandemics

Questions are being raised about whether the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is finally being brought under control. The topic is drawing attention amid ongoing efforts by health authorities and international organisations to contain the virus, and observers are watching for confirmation that new cases are declining.

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.

Spain is recording a sharp rise in COVID-19, with estimated incidence climbing 69% in a week to 85 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, up from 50.4 the previous week. Test positivity for SARS-CoV-2 also rose steeply, from 19% to 25.8%. The figures point to a new wave of infections gaining momentum across the country.

US health regulators are investigating an E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese that has caused 13 illnesses and eight hospitalizations across the country, according to the FDA. The announcement has raised renewed concerns about the safety of unpasteurized dairy products, with coverage highlighting the risks of raw milk consumption and calls for consumers to check products they may have purchased.

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.

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.

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.

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 World Health Organization reports that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to two new health zones, raising concerns about the potential for wider transmission. Wire services including Reuters, The Hindu and South Africa's SABC are carrying the update, which health officials say underscores the difficulty of containing the virus in remote, densely connected communities. Response teams are working to trace contacts and curb further spread.

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.

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 authorities have confirmed a case of mpox in a city in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo that was previously the centre of the Ebola outbreak. The finding raises concern about overlapping disease outbreaks in a region with fragile health infrastructure. Officials are expected to step up surveillance and contact tracing to contain further spread of the virus.

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.

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.

Health officials in San Diego have issued a public warning after an E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese spread to the region. Authorities are urging residents to avoid unpasteurized cheese products while investigators trace the source. Raw milk products can carry harmful bacteria, and officials are monitoring for further cases and advising anyone with symptoms to seek medical care.

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.

At least 13 people across multiple states, including Oregon, have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak that health officials have linked to raw milk cheese. The cases have prompted renewed warnings about the risks of consuming unpasteurized dairy products, and an investigation into the source of the contaminated cheese is underway.

The Nigeria Correctional Service says a cholera outbreak at the Kano Custodial Centre has been contained. The announcement, reported by Channels Television, indicates health measures inside the facility have brought the situation under control, though details on the number of inmates affected have not been disclosed. The development is being closely watched given cholera's rapid spread in crowded settings.

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.

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.

A gastroenteritis outbreak is continuing on a Greek island even though the peak tourist season has ended, according to regional reports. The news has drawn attention because such outbreaks are usually linked to summer visitor crowds, raising questions about ongoing sources of contamination and the response of local health authorities.

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.

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.

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.

Birmingham has recorded 81 measles cases as an outbreak continues to spread across the city, according to a map of confirmed infections published by the Birmingham Mail. Health officials are urging residents, particularly children and unvaccinated people, to check their MMR vaccination status as the highly contagious virus circulates in local communities.

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.

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.

Local health officials in Ashtabula County, Ohio, are recounting their handling of a cyclospora outbreak, a foodborne intestinal illness caused by a parasite typically linked to contaminated produce. The Star Beacon reports on their account of the response. No further details on case numbers or sources of infection were provided.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.