Disease

Outbreak has sickened dozens in the city but officials say they believe source of outbreak ‘has likely been eliminated’A second person has died amid a legionnaires’ disease outbreak that has sickened dozens of people in New York City, according to officials, who also say there is evidence that the source of the outbreak “has likely been eliminated”.New York City’s health department served notice of the second death in a statement on Saturday. The statement didn’t have any information about that person’s identity, age, or details on when and how they fell ill, as was the case when city officials on Friday announced the first death in the outbreak on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Continue reading...

Officials haven’t released additional information about the person’s identity, age or details on when and how they fell illA legionnaires’ disease outbreak that has sickened dozens of people in New York City has claimed its first life, health officials said Friday.Officials didn’t release additional information about the person’s identity, age or details on when and how they fell ill. Continue reading...

• A public health emergency occurred in May 2026 involving the Bundibugyo virus (Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense) across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. • The disease is characterized by high mortality rates, yet it currently lacks licensed vaccines, approved therapeutics, and widespread diagnostic implementation. • This outbreak highlights a critical gap in medical countermeasures and a lack of understanding regarding the virus's reservoir ecology.

• A public health emergency occurred in May 2026 across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda due to an outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease. • The disease, caused by *Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense*, is characterized by high mortality rates and a lack of understood reservoir ecology. • Current medical responses are hindered by limited diagnostic implementation and a total absence of licensed vaccines or therapeutics specifically approved for this species.

• The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is urging for increased humanitarian access to Gaza, warning that aid deliveries are being severely restricted. • These challenges are compounded by ongoing violence, critical funding shortages, and rising costs for fuel, fertilizer, and food. • The situation is critical as the humanitarian system faces deep budget cuts while the number of displaced and vulnerable people continues to climb.

• Researchers have identified new threats of flesh-eating bacteria in summer waters, coinciding with a broader decline in public health oversight. • Dr. Jha warns that the Trump administration is dismantling critical policies and incentives intended to combat the nationwide chronic disease epidemic. • The U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the dismantling of USAID have weakened global health coordination, specifically impacting the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

• 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. • Federal officials deny that these budget reductions put Americans at risk, claiming the CDC utilizes alternative national surveillance systems to maintain visibility.

• A new, shorter treatment regimen for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) has proven to be as effective as standard care. • Developed through research at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, the protocol is notably applicable to children and pregnant women. • This breakthrough is significant because it reduces the duration of treatment for a highly resistant form of TB, potentially improving patient adherence and global health outcomes.

Exclusive: Most of the island’s corals are likely to be species that have not been formally described by science, researcher saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastScientists fear unique corals that fringe Australia’s remote Norfolk Island could disappear because of a triple threat of disease, El Niño and a federal government plan to dredge a neighbouring shipping channel.A failure to manage sediment and pollution washing into bays from cattle farming, cleared land along with wastewater has been blamed for widespread disease and outbreaks of algae over the corals. Continue reading...

• The PARTNERS clinical trial has officially opened patient enrolment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to identify the first effective treatments for Bundibugyo virus (BVD). • This international effort focuses on evaluating potential therapies for Ebola disease specifically caused by the BVD strain, utilizing facilities like the ALIMA Ebola Treatment Centre. • The trial is critical because it addresses a specific gap in medical countermeasures for a dangerous virus that causes severe hemorrhagic fever.

• The CDC is providing updates on Ebola outbreaks currently affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. • The agency is also preparing its "activation" strategy for the upcoming 2026 World Cup to manage public health risks. • These efforts highlight the CDC's role in monitoring global infectious disease threats and coordinating health safety for major international events.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new "blueprint" designed to assist nations in combating the escalating threat of fungal infections and antifungal resistance. • A concurrent CDC surveillance study reveals a sharp increase in *Candida auris* cases within US hospitals, rising from 2,882 in 2022 to 6,197 in 2024. • In total, 13,507 clinical cases of *C. auris* were reported to the CDC over a three-year period, underscoring the rapid spread of the pathogen.

• Emerging public health risks, including the spread of screwworm and flesh-eating bacteria, are increasing following deep budget cuts to federal health agencies under the Trump administration. • These funding reductions have targeted specific health programs, potentially limiting the ability of agencies to track and contain dangerous pathogens. • Federal officials have denied that these cuts put the public at risk, asserting that the CDC maintains visibility into disease trends through alternative national surveillance systems.

• The Bundibugyo virus, a rare orthoebolavirus, remains a significant public health threat due to its ability to cause severe epidemic disease with high mortality rates. • While advances in supportive care have improved patient outcomes, there are currently no licensed vaccines or approved therapeutics specifically designed for the Bundibugyo virus. • Research using human serum and nonhuman primates indicates that vaccines developed for the Ebola virus may provide critical cross-protection against this related pathogen.

• The FDA approved the first therapy for primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy in December 2021, marking a significant milestone for patients with this rare kidney disease. • Following this initial approval, several additional novel drugs have received accelerated FDA approval, leading to a rapid expansion of available treatment options. • This "explosion" in therapies is critical as it provides clinicians and patients with a more robust pipeline of medical interventions to manage the disease.

Daniel Cressy, 23, says path leading to completion of curative gene therapy is his ‘greatest blessing’A young south-eastern Louisiana man recently became the first person in his region to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease, clearing the way for him to continue pursuing his dream of a career as a commercial pilot, according to his medical team.Daniel Cressy’s successful completion of curative gene therapy at Manning Family Children’s hospital in New Orleans on Monday generated a measure of optimism within his state, which produces more cases of sickle cell disease per capita than any other in the US, according to the medical center. Continue reading...

Herbicide manufacturer Sygenta had reservations dating back to 1970s but regulator says tighter controls, including phasing out backpack sprayers, can protect workersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe herbicide paraquat, banned in over 70 countries, will remain legal in Australia despite Parkinson’s groups, scientists and neurologists arguing there is a strong correlation between direct exposure and the incidence of the disease.The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) announced its final decision on Tuesday following a decades-long review of the highly toxic paraquat and a related chemical, diquat. Both are widely used in Australian agriculture. Continue reading...

• The U.S. federal government has implemented funding cuts and personnel downsizing within biopreparedness programs dedicated to high-consequence infectious diseases (HCID). • These reductions occur while the U.S. is actively managing threats from Ebola and a Hantavirus cluster associated with cruise ship travel. • Although existing infrastructure and protocols are currently handling these outbreaks, experts warn that diminished resources will leave the nation less prepared for future pandemics.

• The 2026 World Cup is projected to be the largest in history, creating a high-risk environment for the transmission of infectious diseases due to massive global crowds. • Health experts warn that pathogens such as measles and norovirus could spread rapidly among fans and athletes traveling across host cities. • This risk is significant because large-scale international gatherings facilitate the movement of viruses across borders, potentially leading to localized outbreaks.

• 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. • This proactive surveillance is designed to protect both international soccer fans and the general public from severe illnesses during the high-traffic event.

• 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. • His responsibilities include overseeing efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance and evaluating medical interventions designed to improve overall patient health outcomes.

• 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 situation is critical because there are currently no approved vaccines or medications available to treat the *Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense* species.

• 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. • This integration of advanced AI techniques matters as it allows for more accurate early predictions and diagnoses, potentially improving patient outcomes.

• A retrospective of 2025's top infectious disease reports highlights critical events including a tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas City and a significant FDA drug approval. • The Trump administration's termination of NIH grants severely disrupted clinical trials, with infectious disease research identified as the most heavily impacted sector. • The Kansas City TB outbreak underscores persistent public health vulnerabilities and the urgent need for improved treatment strategies and vigilance.

• Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) CEO Annette Bakker reports that over 5,000 potential treatments for rare diseases are currently shelved by pharmaceutical companies. • The organization is working to rescue these dormant drug candidates to provide options for patients with rare conditions who lack viable therapies. • This initiative addresses a critical gap in drug development where promising compounds are abandoned due to market size or corporate priorities.

• A new outbreak of the Ebola Bundibugyo virus has emerged, affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and surrounding neighboring countries. • Pharmaceutical and biotech companies are collaborating with global health and humanitarian partners to coordinate a rapid medical response. • This industry involvement is critical to accelerating the containment of the virus and providing necessary treatments to affected populations.

• Former Channel 4 News lead presenter Jon Snow has revealed that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. • Snow, who anchored the news program for 32 years, is a highly decorated journalist and recipient of the 2015 Bafta Fellowship. • The diagnosis and his journey navigating the condition will be documented in an upcoming film.

• Former Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow, 78, has publicly revealed his diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. • Snow will share his personal experience and the impact of the condition in a new documentary airing on Channel 4 later this month. • By speaking out, the veteran journalist aims to raise awareness and support for those living with dementia.