Kigali, RWANDA — Rwanda says eight people have died so far from the Ebola-like and highly contagious Marburg virus, just days after the country declared an outbreak of the deadly hemorrhagic fever that has no authorized vaccine or treatment. Like Ebola, the Marburg virus originates in fruit bats and spreads between people through close contact … Read more
India has reported its first case of the new Clade 1b strain of the mpox virus in the southern state of Kerala, according to media reports. “Health Minister Veena George urged caution after a Mpox case confirmed in Kerala. Airport surveillance has been stepped up, and travellers from affected countries must report any symptoms. Sample … Read more
DAKAR, Senegal — The global vaccine alliance Gavi will buy 500,000 doses of mpox vaccine to battle outbreaks of the disease in African countries, the organization said on Wednesday. The vaccine doses — manufactured by the Danish company Bavarian Nordic — will be available this year, Gavi said, without giving any specific dates. Gavi said … Read more
NAIROBI, Kenya — Rwanda has started a vaccination campaign against mpox with 1,000 doses of the vaccine it obtained from Nigeria under an agreement between the two countries, the African health agency said Thursday. The vaccinations started Tuesday targeting seven districts with “high risk populations” who neighbor Congo, Dr. Nicaise Ndembi from the Africa Centres … Read more
KAVUMU, Congo — Health authorities have struggled to contain outbreaks of mpox in Congo, a huge central African country where a myriad of existing problems makes stemming the spread particularly hard. Last month, the World Health Organization declared the outbreaks in Congo and about a dozen other African countries a global health emergency. And in … Read more
KAMITUGA, Congo — Slumped on the ground over a mound of dirt, Divine Wisoba pulled weeds from her daughter’s grave. The 1-month-old died from mpox in eastern Congo in August, but Wisoba, 21, was too traumatized to attend the funeral. In her first visit to the cemetery, she wept into her shirt for the child … Read more
GENEVA — The World Health Organization said Friday it has granted its first authorization for use of a vaccine against mpox in adults, calling it an important step toward fighting the disease in Africa. The approval of the vaccine made by Bavarian Nordic A/S means that donors like vaccines alliance Gavi and UNICEF can buy … Read more
Gorillas and local healers may play a significant role in future medical breakthroughs, according to a recent study. Scientists in Gabon have discovered that wild gorillas consume certain medicinal plants that are also used by local healers. These plants may offer new treatments for drug-resistant infections. Self-Medicating Behaviour in Gorillas The study, published on September … Read more
Mpox is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals. (Representational) Rabat: Morocco has recorded a case of mpox in the tourist city of Marrakesh, the first in north Africa since the WHO declared an international emergency last month, the Africa CDC said. “Africa CDC confirms the first mpox case in North Africa … Read more
Canada is donating “up to 200,000” doses of mpox vaccine, a government spokesperson said on Wednesday. This comes after the World Health Organization declared mpox a global health emergency last month, for the second time in two years. The number of doses of the vaccine Imvamune to be donated by Canada will depend on the receiving countries’ capacity for storage and … Read more
