Month in pharma news, explained – May 2026 - EMJ GOLD

• A World Health Organization (WHO) expert warned on Friday, June 12, that "blind spots" in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be hiding the true scale of the current Ebola outbreak. • The expert suggests that the spread of the deadly disease could be significantly wider than what is currently reflected in official estimates.

• The June 12, 2026, public health update reports on a current outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus disease and the introduction of new clinical guidelines for CKM syndrome. • The report covers critical developments across infectious disease surveillance, prevention strategies, chronic disease management, and emerging medical technologies.

• On June 2, 2026, the CDC issued a travel alert for seven Sub-Saharan African countries—Chad, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Mauritania, and Somalia—following a severe diphtheria outbreak. • The alert follows alarming 2025 WHO data documenting 20,412 suspected cases and 1,252 deaths across Africa, highlighting a critical public health crisis.

• The U.S. administration has implemented strict health restrictions, including mandatory quarantine orders for two passengers from a cruise ship affected by hantavirus. • In a more severe measure, the government is blocking American citizens who contract Ebola from returning to the United States for medical treatment.

• In May 2026, outbreaks of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) were reported in Uganda and the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. • A transmission model was used to project the growth of the outbreak over a three-month period, highlighting the risk of rapid escalation.

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) appointed Dr. John Powers III as the acting director of its infectious disease institute, as announced on the agency's website this Tuesday. • In this leadership capacity, Dr. Powers III will advise senior officials on strategic initiatives regarding infectious disease research and the management of clinical trials.

• British health authorities announced a one-off vaccination programme on Friday, June 12, to protect thousands of students against meningococcal B (MenB) disease. • The initiative follows the largest outbreak of the disease in the UK's history, which occurred earlier this year and notably affected students in Canterbury, Kent.

• The Democratic Republic of Congo reported on Tuesday that confirmed Ebola cases have risen to nearly 600, prompting increased public awareness of safety measures. • Medical staff, humanitarian workers, and public health officials report a critical shortage of basic equipment necessary to prevent the disease from spreading.

• Health experts and epidemiologists will monitor U.S. wastewater and social media for disease-causing microorganisms during the upcoming World Cup. • By detecting pathogens in sewage, officials can identify potential outbreaks early and alert medical clinicians to specific symptoms to prevent misdiagnosis.

• Gavi CEO Sania Nishtar and CEPI CEO Richard Hatchett have announced an urgent three-part response to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). • The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or medical therapies.

• Artificial intelligence is being utilized to advance the early detection and management of complex diseases, specifically genetic and neurodegenerative disorders. • Prof. Dr. Ajith Abraham, Vice Chancellor and Dean of the School of AI at Sai University in Chennai, is leading these efforts through extensive research publications.

• The FDA extended its review of a supplemental biologics license application (sBLA) submitted by Eisai and Biogen on May 8, 2026. • The application concerns a once-weekly subcutaneous autoinjector starting regimen for lecanemab-irmb (Leqembi Iqlik), used to treat early Alzheimer disease.