Ebola still on rampage as it spreads to sixth province in eastern Congo with warnings of prolonged transmission
The latest government report put the contact follow-up rate at 82.6 per cent. Africa CDC, however, said the proportion of registered contacts being followed does not by itself reflect the effectiveness of contact tracing if many contacts are never identified in the first place.
Study discovers new malaria approach that turns mosquito bites into immune boosters
Researchers in Australia have discovered a new way to help prevent malaria that could turn mosquito bites from a source of deadly infection into ongoing immune boosters against the disease. The team demonstrated a new vaccination approach that can prime the immune system to fight malaria parasites before they cause...
Kenya scales up campaign to rein in maternal and neonatal deaths estimated to be 355 deaths per 100,000 live births
About 5,000 to 5,680 women and girls die each year from pregnancy and childbirth complications, with 26 counties accounting for the highest concentration of maternal and new-born deaths. Among the high-burden areas are Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Nairobi and Garissa.
Sewage swamps and dilapidated tents typify lives of displaced Gazans plagued by skin diseases
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the housing crisis has reached a “catastrophic and unprecedented stage,” with about 410,000 housing units destroyed and more than 350,000 families in need of temporary shelter.
State allocates $224 million for construction of 13 new 300-bed county referral hospitals
The investment is expected to significantly increase the availability of specialised services at county level while easing pressure on national referral hospitals. Each facility will be designed to provide modern diagnostic and treatment services that will include at least 16 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and 10 High Dependency Unit (HDU) beds.
Remembering David Silverstein: Chicago-trained American doctor who took care of President Moi for 43 years
When his cardiology fellowship ended in 1974, Dr David Silverstein considered several destinations, including Israel and the South Pacific. Kenya eventually won.
Years-long drought drive out two million Somalis from homes as hunger deepens and aid shrinks
About two million people are facing emergency levels of food insecurity, more than double the number recorded last year, according to Plan International, which has provided assistance to more than 200,000 people in Somalia this year.
Medical organisations and public health experts question US President Trump’s childhood vaccine policy
The 11 vaccines to remain recommended for all children include those against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus and varicella. Vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal disease and dengue will instead be recommended for certain high-risk groups or populations.
Medical organisations and public health experts question US President Trump’s childhood vaccine policy
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has been a major force behind the effort to overhaul the vaccine schedule. Earlier this year, HHS attempted to remove several vaccines from the list recommended for all children, but the changes were blocked by a federal court.
Why US President signed executive order that reduces number of childhood vaccines from 18 to 11
Karl Jablonowski, CHD’s senior research scientist, said the “real shakeup” comes from aligning US childhood vaccination policy with the findings of the HHS report and “placing it’s upkeep with Kennedy, through the HHS Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines.”
