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France Confirms First Ebola Case in Doctor Returning From DR Congo Mission

A doctor returning from a humanitarian mission in Congo has tested positive for Ebola, the country's first case of the virus during the current outbreak, the health ministry said on Wednesday.The health ministry "confirms today the identification of a first positive case of Ebola virus disease on national territory", it said. Contacted by AFP, the ministry specified that the case was identified in mainland France.The patient is being isolated and authorities are contact tracing, the ministry said, adding that the risk for the general European population was low.Congo's Ebola outbreak, which has infected more than 1,000 people and killed 267, has had the largest number of confirmed cases within the first month of any episode of the disease, the World Health Organisation has said.

24-06-2026 13:11

France Confirms First Ebola Case in Doctor Returning From DR Congo Mission

A doctor returning from a humanitarian mission in Congo has tested positive for Ebola, the country's first case of the virus during the current outbreak, the health ministry said on Wednesday.The health ministry "confirms today the identification of a first positive case of Ebola virus disease on national territory", it said. Contacted by AFP, the ministry specified that the case was identified in mainland France.The patient is being isolated and authorities are contact tracing, the ministry said, adding that the risk for the general European population was low.Congo's Ebola outbreak, which has infected more than 1,000 people and killed 267, has had the largest number of confirmed cases within the first month of any episode of the disease, the World Health Organisation has said.

24-06-2026 13:11

UNICEF Warns Nearly 50 Percent of Children Exposed to Multiple Climate Risks

Nearly half of the world’s children – or 1.1 billion – are now exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, threatening their health, education, and survival, according to a new UNICEF report launched today. Almost every child in the world faces at least one climate hazard, while more than 4 million could face as many as six overlapping threats, the report warns.The Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026 uses the latest available data to map children’s exposure to the eight most frequent climate threats, including coastal floods, droughts, extreme heat, fires, heatwaves, riverine floods, sand and dust storms, and tropical storms. For the first time, the report reveals exactly where – and how intense – multiple and overlapping climate threats are affecting children and the essential social services they rely on, and how governments can take concrete actions to respond.“The lives of children continue to be upended by the impact of heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and floods,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Half of the world’s children are now living with at least three overlapping climate threats shaping their daily lives.”Drought, extreme heat, and heatwaves are the most widespread combination of climate hazards, with over 296 million children living in areas exposed to all three conditions, according to the findings. The second most common combination – drought, extreme heat, and tropical storms – leaves more than 115 million children worldwide exposed to these overlapping threats.In the Sahel region of Africa, one of the hardest hit, more than 4 million children face the triple threat of heatwaves, extreme heat, and sand and dust storms, while in countries across Asia, for example Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan, children are exposed to more climate hazards at once and at a higher intensity than anywhere else in the world.High-income countries are not immune to overlapping climate shocks. In Italy, for example, more than 6 million children are exposed to prolonged heatwaves and drought, the data show. Yet the country illustrates how investment in climate change adaptation can mitigate some of the risks children face, while highlighting the need for further action as the climate crisis intensifies.In addition to the eight most frequent climate hazards, the report analyses children’s exposure to air pollution and malaria; two risks that are highly sensitive to the effects of climate change. Data show that air pollution affects nearly every child globally, while 1 billion children are exposed to malaria, adding another layer of danger for children already facing multiple climate hazards.The report also presents a framework to analyse the different types of risks children face, based on their exposure to climate shocks and their vulnerability, determined by access to essential social services such as healthcare, clean water, education, and more. The approach can be applied in different ways, from looking at risks related to individual or multiple climate hazards to examining risks across sectors, revealing the threats children face across different contexts.For example, considering multiple hazards and vulnerabilities together, children in landlocked* and fragile* countries such as the Central African Republic or Chad face overlapping climate hazards while also lacking access to basic services, making it much harder for them to cope and recover. Meanwhile, all children in 24 Small Island Developing States*, including from Haiti to Vanuatu, are exposed to tropical storms, which can disrupt entire islands at once and overwhelm essential services, the report notes.Without urgent efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, climate hazards will grow more frequent and severe, placing even greater strain on government budgets and systems, threatening children's well-being, the report warns.To protect children’s rights from climate threats and adapt to growing environmental changes, UNICEF is calling on governments, businesses and relevant actors to:- Reduce emissions and take ambitious action to fulfil existing international commitments, grounded in the best available science, including the urgent phasing-out of fossil fuels and a just transition towards renewable energy.- Protect children through inclusive climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and responses to loss and damage that prioritise the resilience of social services, ensuring that children and child-critical services are included in national adaptation plans and sector strategies, disaster risk governance, preparedness and response plans. This includes, for example, developing safe and green learning facilities and climate‑resilient health care facilities, securing children’s food security, making multi‑hazard early warning systems effective for children and accessible to the services they rely on, and strengthening the efficiency of water and sanitation services, as well as shock‑responsive social protection systems.- Empower children and young people to meaningfully participate in climate action by investing in climate education, knowledge and skills, and by strengthening the capacity of decision makers and experts to respect children’s rights to be heard, freedom of expression, and participation in decisions that affect their lives.“This analysis can help governments and decision-makers plan better and invest more effectively in resilient services,” said Russell. “When we strengthen health and education systems, and improve infrastructure with children in mind, we protect them from today’s climate threats and help secure their future.”

16-06-2026 10:13

Spanish government confirms new case of hantavirus

The Spanish government said Monday it has confirmed a new case of hantavirus connected to the cruise ship MV Hondius, which became the center of an outbreak that killed three people earlier this month.A Spanish national who has been in preventive quarantine at a hospital in Madrid tested positive for the virus, the Health Ministry said in a statement.The new case involves a “close contact” of a person connected to the initial outbreak. The patient who tested positive has been under clinical surveillance and isolation at Gómez Ulla Hospital, according to the Health Ministry.The patient’s positive case was detected during periodic testing of contacts of people associated with the outbreak. Following the positive test, the patient was transferred to the high-level isolation unit at Gómez Ulla Hospital and placed under specialized medical supervision, the statement continued.Hantavirus is endemic in parts of South America but remains very rare among humans and has never before been recorded on a cruise ship. Global and U.S. health officials have consistently attempted to calm fears of a wider outbreak.The Spanish Health Ministry said the latest recorded case does not change the risk to the general public, nor the epidemiological response measures in place, as the case involved someone already within its activated isolation system.The incubation period for hantavirus is up to six weeks. There have been no new deaths since May 2, when the outbreak was first reported to the World Health Organization.Twenty crew members and two medical staff members disembarked from the cruise ship in the Netherlands last week, Oceanwide Expeditions said. The cruise ship’s arrival ended its seven-week, 8,500-mile journey that was hit by up to 11 infections and three deaths from the rare disease.Most passengers, including 18 Americans, are under quarantine in their home countries.

26-05-2026 12:32

Health Ministry monitors Ebola outbreak developments in Congo, Uganda

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said it was closely monitoring developments related to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, following the World Health Organization’s declaration of the situation as a "public health emergency of international concern."In a statement, the ministry said it is coordinating daily with the World Health Organizationregarding any recommendations or health measures issued in line with the evolving epidemiological situation.The ministry also stressed the importance of strengthening epidemiological surveillance measures in healthcare institutions, noting that no international recommendations have so far been issued to impose travel or trade restrictions or adopt special measures at border crossings.

21-05-2026 11:45

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UNICEF Warns Nearly 50 Percent of Children Exposed to Multiple Climate Risks

Nearly half of the world’s children – or 1.1 billion – are now exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, threatening their health, education, and survival, according to a new UNICEF report launched today. Almost every child in the world faces at least one climate hazard, while more than 4 million could face as many as six overlapping threats, the report warns.The Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026 uses the latest available data to map children’s exposure to the eight most frequent climate threats, including coastal floods, droughts, extreme heat, fires, heatwaves, riverine floods, sand and dust storms, and tropical storms. For the first time, the report reveals exactly where – and how intense – multiple and overlapping climate threats are affecting children and the essential social services they rely on, and how governments can take concrete actions to respond.“The lives of children continue to be upended by the impact of heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and floods,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Half of the world’s children are now living with at least three overlapping climate threats shaping their daily lives.”Drought, extreme heat, and heatwaves are the most widespread combination of climate hazards, with over 296 million children living in areas exposed to all three conditions, according to the findings. The second most common combination – drought, extreme heat, and tropical storms – leaves more than 115 million children worldwide exposed to these overlapping threats.In the Sahel region of Africa, one of the hardest hit, more than 4 million children face the triple threat of heatwaves, extreme heat, and sand and dust storms, while in countries across Asia, for example Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan, children are exposed to more climate hazards at once and at a higher intensity than anywhere else in the world.High-income countries are not immune to overlapping climate shocks. In Italy, for example, more than 6 million children are exposed to prolonged heatwaves and drought, the data show. Yet the country illustrates how investment in climate change adaptation can mitigate some of the risks children face, while highlighting the need for further action as the climate crisis intensifies.In addition to the eight most frequent climate hazards, the report analyses children’s exposure to air pollution and malaria; two risks that are highly sensitive to the effects of climate change. Data show that air pollution affects nearly every child globally, while 1 billion children are exposed to malaria, adding another layer of danger for children already facing multiple climate hazards.The report also presents a framework to analyse the different types of risks children face, based on their exposure to climate shocks and their vulnerability, determined by access to essential social services such as healthcare, clean water, education, and more. The approach can be applied in different ways, from looking at risks related to individual or multiple climate hazards to examining risks across sectors, revealing the threats children face across different contexts.For example, considering multiple hazards and vulnerabilities together, children in landlocked* and fragile* countries such as the Central African Republic or Chad face overlapping climate hazards while also lacking access to basic services, making it much harder for them to cope and recover. Meanwhile, all children in 24 Small Island Developing States*, including from Haiti to Vanuatu, are exposed to tropical storms, which can disrupt entire islands at once and overwhelm essential services, the report notes.Without urgent efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, climate hazards will grow more frequent and severe, placing even greater strain on government budgets and systems, threatening children's well-being, the report warns.To protect children’s rights from climate threats and adapt to growing environmental changes, UNICEF is calling on governments, businesses and relevant actors to:- Reduce emissions and take ambitious action to fulfil existing international commitments, grounded in the best available science, including the urgent phasing-out of fossil fuels and a just transition towards renewable energy.- Protect children through inclusive climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and responses to loss and damage that prioritise the resilience of social services, ensuring that children and child-critical services are included in national adaptation plans and sector strategies, disaster risk governance, preparedness and response plans. This includes, for example, developing safe and green learning facilities and climate‑resilient health care facilities, securing children’s food security, making multi‑hazard early warning systems effective for children and accessible to the services they rely on, and strengthening the efficiency of water and sanitation services, as well as shock‑responsive social protection systems.- Empower children and young people to meaningfully participate in climate action by investing in climate education, knowledge and skills, and by strengthening the capacity of decision makers and experts to respect children’s rights to be heard, freedom of expression, and participation in decisions that affect their lives.“This analysis can help governments and decision-makers plan better and invest more effectively in resilient services,” said Russell. “When we strengthen health and education systems, and improve infrastructure with children in mind, we protect them from today’s climate threats and help secure their future.”

16-06-2026 10:13

France Confirms First Ebola Case in Doctor Returning From DR Congo Mission

A doctor returning from a humanitarian mission in Congo has tested positive for Ebola, the country's first case of the virus during the current outbreak, the health ministry said on Wednesday.The health ministry "confirms today the identification of a first positive case of Ebola virus disease on national territory", it said. Contacted by AFP, the ministry specified that the case was identified in mainland France.The patient is being isolated and authorities are contact tracing, the ministry said, adding that the risk for the general European population was low.Congo's Ebola outbreak, which has infected more than 1,000 people and killed 267, has had the largest number of confirmed cases within the first month of any episode of the disease, the World Health Organisation has said.

24-06-2026 13:11

What Causes Diabetes, What Are the Different Types and How Can It Be Treated

Sabrina Barr wrote this article in The Independent:More than 105,000 diabetes patients in England could be eligible for a new technology, likened to an artificial pancreas, that promises to make type 1 diabetes a “thing of the past”.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has recommended the use of the “hybrid closed-loop system”, which helps patients manage blood sugar levels without the need to constantly monitor themselves, in order to control their condition.At the moment the standard care for people with type 1 diabetes involves regularly measuring blood sugar levels either through a finger-prick blood test or by using a continuous glucose monitor.The development is hugely positive news given that the number of people with diabetes in the UK is reported to have doubled over the past two decades.There are currently around 4.9 million diagnosed cases of diabetes across the UK, with many at risk of developing some form of the disease due to factors such as childhood obesity.So what are the symptoms of diabetes, what's the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, how is it caused and how can it be treated?Here’s everything you need to know.What is diabetes and how is it caused?Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates your blood sugar levels.It does this by breaking down the glucose that is in your blood so that it can be used for energy, explains the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.When a person has diabetes, this means that their pancreas is unable to produce enough or any insulin to break down the glucose in their blood.This can lead to a drastic increase in their blood sugar levels.The amount of blood glucose that you have in your body typically depends on the foods that you eat, so if you eat sugary foods, your blood sugar levels will rise.People who consume inordinate quantities of sugar are more likely to develop less severe forms of diabetes.However, whether or not a person is diagnosed as diabetic may also depend on their genetic makeup, explains Diabetes.co.uk.What are the different types of diabetes?There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.If someone is suffering from type 1 diabetes, then this means that their body is not producing any insulin at all and therefore has very serious implications for their health.People who have type 1 diabetes have an increased risk of developing other health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and circulation problems.Scientists have been unable to pinpoint the exact cause of type 1 diabetes, the Mayo Clinic explains, with genetics being the most likely factor.While type 1 diabetes is commonly found in children, it can be diagnosed at any age.When someone has type 2 diabetes, this means that their body is either unable to produce enough insulin, or the insulin that the pancreas is able to produce is not working sufficiently, explains Diabetes UK.While genetics may also play a role in a person developing type 2 diabetes, it can also be caused by other factors such as whether or not they follow a healthy and active lifestyle.Approximately 13.6 million people in the UK reportedly have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in future, due to factors such as obesity.Symptoms of type 1 or type 2 diabetes can include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, excessive thirst and frequent urination.How can diabetes be treated?People who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may need to take medication in order to reduce the amount of glucose in their blood.They should also aim to include more healthy foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts and high-fibre cereals in their diets and reduce the amount of sugar that they consume.Those who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the more severe form of the disease, must treat the condition with insulin injections or pumps every day.They may also need to check their blood sugar levels every day by using a finger-prick blood test.The type and quantity of insulin that you need is a matter that you can discuss with a medical professional.The NHS also recommends maintaining an active lifestyle and carrying out regular blood tests to keep an eye on blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.Can diabetes be reversed?In September 2018, the former deputy leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson, revealed that he had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but had "reversed" the condition by making changes to his diet and exercising more.After being diagnosed with the condition in summer 2017, Mr Watson said he eliminated junk food, refined sugar and processed food from his diet and took up cycling, boxing and weightlifting.The politician told his audience at the annual conference of health industry association ukactive that his diabetes was in "remission" following the changes he had made to his lifestyle.Diabetes.co.uk explains that people with type 2 diabetes can effectively "reverse" their condition by following similar steps.If you have type 2 diabetes and you think that you may be able to reverse your condition by following a healthier diet and doing more exercise, then it may be wise to speak to a nutritionist or a medical professional for further advice.Furthermore, if you are on type 2 diabetes medication that you think you no longer need, make sure that you speak to a doctor before making any changes to your routine.

16-01-2023 12:36

Six Minutes of Daily Exercise Can Boost Brain Health and Delay Alzheimer’s

Vishwam Sankaran wrote this article in The Independent:Just six minutes of intense exercise every day can boost the brain’s lifespan and delay the onset of neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, according to a new study.The research, published last week in The Journal of Physiology, found that a short but intense bout of cycling can increase the production of a special brain protein linked to brain formation, learning, and memory.Scientists, including those from the University of Otago in New Zealand, say the special protein named brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can protect the brain from age-related cognitive decline.Previous studies have shown that increasing the availability of BDNF in the brain encourages the formation and storage of memories, enhances learning, and also boosts cognitive performance overall.“BDNF has shown great promise in animal models, but pharmaceutical interventions have thus far failed to safely harness the protective power of BDNF in humans,” study lead author Travis Gibbons from the University of Otago said in a statement.“We saw the need to explore non-pharmacological approaches that can preserve the brain’s capacity which humans can use to naturally increase BDNF to help with healthy aging,” Dr Gibbons said.In the new study, researchers analysed the influence of fasting and exercise on BDNF production in 12 physically active participants - six males and six females aged between 18 and 56 years.They assessed the contributing role played on this protein’s production by factors such as fasting for 20 hours, light exercise, a six-minute bout of high-intensity vigorous cycling, and the combined effects of fasting and exercise.Scientists found that brief, but vigorous, exercise was the best way to increase BDNF compared to one day of fasting with or without a lengthy session of light exercise.Researchers say BDNF increased by a factor of four to five times compared to fasting, or prolonged activity.“Six minutes of high-intensity cycling intervals increased every metric of circulating BDNF by 4 to 5 times more than prolonged low-intensity cycling,” researchers wrote in the study.However the cause for these differences remains unknown, they say, adding that more research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms involved.Scientists suspect the brain may be switching its favoured fuel source during exercise for another to ensure the body’s energy demands are met.“We are now studying how fasting for longer durations, for example up to three days, influences BDNF. We are curious whether exercising hard at the start of a fast accelerates the beneficial effects of fasting,” Dr Gibbons said.“Fasting and exercise are rarely studied together. We think fasting and exercise can be used in conjunction to optimize BDNF production in the human brain,” he added.

17-01-2023 09:42

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