The Washington Post Investigated Why Measles Is Harder to Stop in 2026 Than It Was 10 Years Ago

• The WHO announced the first patient has entered a randomized platform trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to test the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and remdesivir against the Bundibugyo virus. • This clinical trial aims to determine if these antiviral therapies, used alone or in combination, can improve survival rates as Ebola-related cases and deaths continue to rise.

• The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is currently battling an Ebola outbreak caused by a viral strain for which no specific treatments or preventive measures currently exist. • To address this medical gap, three new clinical trials have been launched to test potential breakthroughs in treating and preventing the virus.

• The Trump administration has released its 2026 regulatory agenda, which includes several key initiatives focused on the pharmaceutical industry. • Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas emphasized a renewed focus on the agency's core mission, specifically regarding medications, diagnostics, treatments, and medical devices.

• An autopsy study conducted as part of the NIH’s RECOVER program found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can persist in the hearts of some individuals after they have died from COVID-19. • The researchers presented these unpublished findings via a poster at a pathology conference this spring to highlight the long-term presence of the virus in cardiac tissue.

• The FDA issued several decisions in June 2026 regarding new neurology therapeutic agents, including new drug application acceptances and regulatory alignments. • Key Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) actions include the acceptance of Sarepta’s sNDAs to transition casimersen and golodirsen to traditional approvals.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has added the first molecular diagnostic test for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus to its Emergency Use Listing (EUL). • This risk-based procedure allows countries and procurement agencies to rapidly access quality-assured diagnostics before full regulatory approvals are finalized.

• The FDA has issued reminders to over 2,200 medical product companies and researchers to comply with clinical trial results submission requirements. • Data shows that 29.6% of required trial results are currently missing from ClinicalTrials.gov, with negative outcomes frequently going unreported.

• Researchers have developed two new therapies for osteoarthritis, including a slow-release injectable drug system and engineered biomaterials delivered via arthroscopic procedure. • The biomaterial approach works by hardening in the joint to attract progenitor cells, which then regenerate damaged bone and cartilage.

• Recent health reports highlight the phenomenon of male marathoners "hitting the wall," exploring the physiological and psychological limits of endurance running. • New research and initiatives are focusing on the state of global mental health projections leading into 2026.

• The Trump administration has reduced funding for federal programs and agencies responsible for preventing, tracking, and responding to public health hazards. • These cuts target critical surveillance systems used to monitor disease trends and identify emerging pathogens.

• The FDA experienced a slight slowdown in regulatory productivity during the first half of 2024 due to significant leadership instability and ongoing workforce attrition. • Under acting commissioner Kyle Diamantas, the agency has shifted toward a more open stance, particularly regarding rare disease therapies and accelerated approval applications.