Health

Wuhan, China | AFP | The World Health Organization on Wednesday warned all governments to “take action” over the SARS-like virus spreading from China that has killed 132 people and infected around 6,000 others. The WHO called an urgent meeting for Thursday over whether the viral epidemic should be declared …

Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The World Health Organization on Wednesday called a new emergency meeting on a deadly virus outbreak following cases of onward transmission outside China, warning that all governments should “take action”. The meeting of the WHO’s Emergency Committee on Thursday will decide whether to declare an …

China shuts down Beijing, China | AFP | China has enacted extraordinary measures to contain the spread of a new coronavirus that has killed more than 130 people, infected thousands and reached some 15 countries. Here is a rundown of the steps taken so far in an unprecedented effort: – …

Namutumba, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  |  A 20-year-old woman has developed a rare condition, resulting in blindness after swallowing over the counter tablets.   Miria Ntono, a resident of Ituba Busone village in Namutumba district now has itchy and scaly wounds which appear like burns all over her body. Her body releases …

Lamwo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  |  Lamwo district health teams have heightened sensitization campaigns within communities in the district following an increase in cases of measles. At least 26 people have tested positive to the highly contagious infection since its outbreak early this month. The first five confirmed cases of measles …

#WuhanPneumonia cases outside China – Thailand: 4 – Japan: 2 – South Korea: 3 – US: 2 – Vietnam: 2 – Singapore: 3 – Malaysia: 3 – Nepal: 1 – France: 3 – Australia: 1 Wuhan, China | AFP | China on Sunday expanded drastic travel restrictions to contain a …

China says virus situation ‘grave’ as Lunar New Year curtailed Wuhan, China | AFP | President Xi Jinping warned Saturday that China faced a “grave situation” as authorities raced to contain a virus that has killed 41 people and caused a drastic scale-back of Lunar New Year celebrations. The world’s most …

Masisi, DR Congo | AFP | In eastern DR Congo, thousands have fled violence to camps in the remote mountain forests where they battle cholera, hunger and misery in a forgotten humanitarian disaster. Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has long struggled with violence from several militia groups, a legacy of the …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Yellow fever vaccination will be included in the routine immunization schedule. According to the Ministry of Health, following the recently declared yellow fever outbreak in the country, government plans to introduce vaccination later this year. The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng says that …

  Beijing, China | AFP | China is rushing to build a new hospital in a staggering 10 days to treat patients at the epicentre of a deadly virus outbreak that has stricken hundreds of people, state media reported Friday. The facility in the central city of Wuhan is expected …