Browsing: Health

In 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported a total of 26,064,143 malaria cases, highlighting the widespread impact of the disease across the country. Official figures also indicate that there were 29,938 malaria-related fatalities during the same year. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, shared these statistics during the launch of a mass treatment initiative in Ituri province. The campaign targets regions where malaria remains a leading cause of illness and places significant strain on healthcare services.

Global health officials issued a warning on Friday that the emergency in Central Africa is expanding at a rapid rate. The World Health Organization stated that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is on a trajectory to become the deadliest in history if ongoing community transmission and logistical challenges in remote areas are not addressed. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned journalists that, at its current rate, this outbreak could surpass the 2014–2016 West Africa crisis, which resulted in over 11,000 fatalities across the region.

According to official figures through Aug. 7, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in 1,916 deaths. Authorities have identified a total of 4,209 infections during this ongoing crisis. The current death toll is 29 higher than the previously reported figure of 1,887. Additionally, 595 patients are in isolation receiving treatment, while 828 have recovered from the disease.

Since late last month, health authorities in Chad have reported 13 deaths linked to a severe waterborne disease outbreak. The Ministry of Public Health of Chad published updated surveillance data indicating that the cholera epidemic has resulted in 239 confirmed and suspected cases nationwide. The official statistics show a case fatality rate of 5.4 percent across the country, a figure that notably exceeds international standards for emergency outbreak response.

According to data released by Belgian public health institute Sciensano, obesity was linked to 9,509 fatalities in Belgium during 2022, making up 8.2 percent of all recorded deaths that year. This report marks the first systematic effort by public health researchers in the country to quantify mortality directly caused by an excessively high body mass index across the population. The analysis shows that weight-related health issues caused more than one death every hour nationwide, leading to over 150,000 years of life lost across all age groups and demographics.

Heat-health action plans move higher on the EU public health and climate resilience agenda. The campaign emphasizes the importance of Heat-Health Action Plans that clearly assign responsibilities and establish measurable standards to protect populations during extreme heat events. Special focus is placed on vulnerable groups, such as seniors, children, and pregnant women. Individuals with chronic health conditions and those facing social or economic disadvantages also require targeted safeguards. Health experts argue that coordinated planning can enable authorities to issue timely warnings, prepare medical infrastructure, and reduce heat exposure before and during dangerous heatwaves.

Moderna has initiated an early-phase clinical trial of a vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus as the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to escalate. On August 3, a volunteer in Truro, Nova Scotia, received the inaugural dose of the mRNA-1469 vaccine. This marks the vaccine’s first application in human subjects. The World Health Organization has classified the Congolese outbreak as an international public health emergency.

Michigan health officials have confirmed two fatalities linked to the state’s 2026 cyclosporiasis outbreak. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported a total of 11,234 cases as of Aug. 3. Additionally, 193 hospitalizations had been recorded through July 30. Both individuals had significant underlying health issues. Authorities mentioned that cyclosporiasis and dehydration could have impacted their health, but they did not disclose further personal details.

The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has expanded into the nation’s most extensive epidemic ever documented. As of July 30, authorities confirmed a total of 3,605 cases, resulting in 1,587 fatalities. The case fatality rate was recorded at 44%. During the most recent complete reporting week, health teams documented 567 new infections and 296 deaths, marking the highest weekly counts since the outbreak’s inception and indicating ongoing virus dissemination.

New epidemic milestone confirmed as Congo Ebola cases cross 3,000, prompting global health agencies to deploy emergency resources. The post Congo Ebola cases cross 3,000 following rapid regional spread appeared first on Gulf Daily Report: The Gulf’s daily news, fully reported..