Health News

• An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sickened over 1,000 people and resulted in nearly 250 deaths. • A new study clarifies that while parental depression is strongly linked to child neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, the use of antidepressant medications is not a cause. • These findings directly challenge claims made by RFK Jr. regarding the impact of antidepressants on child development.

• In the phase III INDIGO trial, the investigational monoclonal antibody obexelimab substantially outperformed a placebo in treating immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease. • This development positions obexelimab to compete with the only drug currently approved for the condition, potentially offering patients a new therapeutic option. • Separately, the CDC and state partners published a report in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report urging clinicians to increase screening for brucellosis.

• New research on mice suggests that a common anti-aging drug combination may cause brain damage, specifically severe myelin loss and symptoms similar to "chemo brain." • A review of 17 studies indicates that guava juice can significantly improve anemia in women and teenage girls by enhancing the body's iron absorption. • These findings highlight critical risks associated with longevity treatments and offer a dietary alternative for managing iron deficiency.

• Uganda ordered the closure of its border with Congo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, following a surge of suspected Ebola cases in the neighboring country. • The decision follows the confirmation of Ebola cases within Uganda after local health workers were exposed to infected Congolese patients. • This outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola that currently lacks approved vaccines or medicines, increasing the risk of contagion in East Africa.

• The acting director of the U.S. NIH’s infectious disease institute has resigned amidst concurrent outbreaks of hantavirus and Ebola. • Political tension has risen over the Affordable Medicine Act, with critics arguing the legislation failed to provide sufficient relief to Virginians outside of Medicare or hold pharmaceutical companies accountable. • In a separate legislative move, lawmakers in Illinois are currently considering the introduction of Prescription Drug Affordability Board legislation.

• Researchers are testing a novel approach to treating depression by using anti-inflammatory drugs to calm the immune system rather than targeting brain chemicals. • In a small clinical trial conducted around May 28, 2026, early results indicate that reducing systemic inflammation may alleviate depressive symptoms. • This discovery is significant because it suggests a biological link between the immune system and mental health, potentially offering an alternative for patients who do not respond to traditional antidepressants.

• UAE health authorities have confirmed that the country's public health situation remains stable while they actively monitor developments regarding the Ebola virus. • To ensure national safety, the government is currently reviewing the virus's spread and reinforcing its medical preparedness and response protocols. • Simultaneously, a World Health Organization (WHO) delegation visited the UAE field hospital in Rafah to evaluate medical and humanitarian services provided in the southern Gaza Strip.