Kampala, Uganda | URN | Rising meat prices are forcing many Ugandans to cut back on beef consumption as the cost of a kilogram climbs from about Shs16,000 to between Shs20,000 and Shs22,000 in several parts of the country. Currently, beef is sold wholesale at abattoirs for between Shs15,000 and Shs17,000 …
Read More »Inside Africa’s race to stop Ebola
Uganda is mobilizing its hard-earned Ebola expertise as eastern DRC’s outbreak threatens to overwhelm borders, and strain economies NEWS ANALYSIS | RONALD MUSOKE | Uganda is once again finding itself standing at the centre of Africa’s battle against Ebola as a fast-moving outbreak spreading through eastern Democratic Republic of …
Read More »What is the Bundibugyo virus disease?
Case fatality rates in the past two BVD outbreaks, reported in Uganda and in DRC in 2007 and 2012, have ranged from approximately 30% to 50%. Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) is a severe and often fatal form of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo …
Read More »Africa CDC, WHO call for greater preparedness despite low hantavirus risk in Africa
ADDIS ABABA | Xinhua | The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday urged health authorities and the general public to remain alert and strengthen hantavirus surveillance measures despite the outbreak being categorized as low risk to public health …
Read More »Africa’s one-dose cure brings sleeping sickness elimination within reach
A single-dose oral treatment for sleeping sickness is pushing Africa closer to eliminating one of its most persistent tropical diseases. After decades of complex and often dangerous therapies, a three-tablet, one-day cure could allow health workers to diagnose and treat patients in a single visit. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY …
Read More »Equatorial Guinea’s high-tech push to end malaria by 2030
If the strategy succeeds, the small nation on the west coast of Central Africa, could become a test case for malaria elimination NEWS ANALYSIS | RONALD MUSOKE | In the humid equatorial belt of Central Africa; where dense forests, heavy rains and winding rivers create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, malaria …
Read More »Breakthrough sickle cell gene therapy a distant hope in Africa
Advocates stress that while gene therapy is causing a buzz in wealthy countries, African governments must prioritise prevention, screening and accessible treatment NEWS ANALYSIS | JOHN MUSENZE | As Uganda rolls out mandatory nationwide screening of newborns for sickle cell disease this month, a gene therapy celebrated in the United …
Read More »New study reveals prostate cancer genetics
Findings could improve screening and treatment for patients of African ancestry HEALTH REPORT | THE INDEPENDENT & AGENCIES | Scientists have identified variants of five genes linked to aggressive prostate disease or to cancer that spreads, or metastasizes, to other organs in males of African ancestry. The study was published …
Read More »Are you physically fit?
Maintaining a good level of physical fitness is important. However, it can be difficult to determine what fitness entails. Various components of physical health can help determine physical fitness. Kampala, Uganda | AGENCIES | Experts define physical fitness as “one’s ability to execute daily activities with optimal performance, endurance, and …
Read More »UPDF sets up committee for disease surveillance
KAMPALA, UGANDA | THE INDEPENDENT | The army has inaugurated a Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), an initiative designed to enhance disease surveillance and bolster the military’s readiness to respond to emerging health threats. SAC has been set up with the help of Prof Dr Moses Joloba, Prof Denis Byarugaba, Prof …
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