Browsing: Health

A seldom-found inherited genetic alteration has been shown to increase an individual’s overall likelihood of developing lung cancer by about 25 times, with an even higher risk—roughly 60 times—in those who have never smoked, according to a report published in the journal Science. The research, conducted collaboratively by scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the 23andMe Research Institute, analyzed anonymized genomic information from over 3.3 million people. The team pinpointed the germline mutation, called EGFR T790M, as one of the most potent inherited factors linked to lung cancer identified to date.

India has issued a nationwide health advisory concerning two Pakistan-manufactured skin whitening products after laboratory tests revealed dangerously high levels of heavy metals. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation issued an alert on September 8 identifying Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream. The authority clarified that neither product possessed the necessary authorization for importation or sale within India and warned that the presence of excessive heavy metals could lead to toxic health effects. Consumers are strongly advised to cease purchasing or using these cosmetics immediately.

The World Health Organization reports that certain regions within the Democratic Republic of the Congo are demonstrating signs of improvement in the fight against Ebola. In particular, transmission has decreased in multiple zones, with Ituri province continuing to be the primary focus of the outbreak. As of data collected up to Sept. 13, the country had documented 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 fatalities across seven provinces, alongside 1,726 recoveries, resulting in an overall case fatality ratio of 48.4%.

Yankee Stadium is included in New York City’s South Bronx cooling tower investigation. The affected zone encompasses sections of the Melrose and Morrisania neighborhoods, where officials conducted testing on cooling towers while tracing potential environmental sources of the infections. PCR testing detects genetic material from Legionella bacteria but does not confirm whether the bacteria are alive, whereas culture testing, which can determine if viable bacteria are present, may take up to two weeks for results, according to authorities.

Significant shortages of personnel and financial resources are impeding urgent efforts to contain the expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s crisis. Triggered by the Bundibugyo virus strain, the epidemic has affected six provinces, with over 6,000 confirmed cases and 3,175 deaths recorded thus far. The World Health Organization is urging international donors to provide immediate financial aid to support deployment of frontline health teams and to increase isolation facilities across the remote eastern regions.

Authorities implement new measures as Ebola cases in Congo reach 6,250 across six provinces. The epidemic has impacted 60 health zones within six provinces, with Ituri province serving as the epicenter of the outbreak. Health teams continue Ebola testing, contact tracing, and treatment efforts. WHO has scaled up laboratory testing, treatment facilities, and field operations, dispatching emergency supplies and deploying experts. Efforts remain focused on contact tracing, testing, clinical care, infection prevention, and safe burials. Transmission persists despite a decline in new cases, with 51 health zones still reporting active transmission.

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began administering Ebola vaccinations in Kisangani on Thursday, launching a targeted campaign in the capital of Tshopo Province to protect frontline responders. The initiative prioritizes healthcare workers, emergency response teams, and individuals with direct contact with confirmed patients as the country confronts its deadliest recorded Ebola outbreak. Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba confirmed that the government deployed an initial supply of the Ervebo vaccine under a compassionate-use framework across impacted eastern provinces to safeguard essential personnel and help disrupt viral transmission chains.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Commission has broadened its Ebola containment efforts by securing €2.1 million to purchase PCR tests for the Bundibugyo virus outbreak. This agreement covers open-platform testing kits that laboratories can utilize with their existing equipment, with the procurement process backed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Dispatches are scheduled to begin in August, as health teams face a significant outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and extending to neighboring regions.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has acquired an allocation of 70,000 Ebola vaccine doses as the Bundibugyo outbreak expands. Health officials reported 5,208 confirmed cases and 2,476 deaths as of Aug. 18. The epidemic now affects 56 health zones across six provinces, with officials also noting 1,115 recoveries. Additionally, 730 patients remain in isolation or hospitalized as response teams continue their efforts in affected communities throughout eastern and northeastern DR Congo.

The World Health Organization indicates that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could be brought under control within three months, provided the response efforts are sufficiently resourced. According to official data up to Aug. 16, there have been 5,021 confirmed cases and 2,378 fatalities. The disease has affected six provinces and 55 health zones, with a case fatality rate estimated at around 47%. This toll makes it the deadliest Ebola outbreak ever documented in the country.