Latest Health News
WHO reports five Ebola recoveries as new treatment center opens in eastern Congo
The WHO said five patients have recovered from the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in eastern Congo, while officials opened a new Ebola treatment center in Bunia. Authorities have reported 134 confirmed cases and 18 deaths in Congo and neighboring Uganda as of May 29, underscoring the scale of the outbreak response.
Violence against health care surged across 33 countries in 2025
A new SHCC report documented 2,546 incidents of violence against or obstruction of health care across 33 countries in 2025. The report says 790 incidents damaged or destroyed hospitals and 455 health workers were killed, with armed drone strikes against health care up 43% year over year.
WHO-backed report highlights rising attacks on hospitals in conflict zones
The report links attacks on health care to wider conflict trends and notes that explosive weapons increasingly hit medical facilities. It frames the findings as a violation of international humanitarian law and a major threat to care delivery in war-affected regions.
New global guidelines issued for African swine fever vaccine field trials
WOAH released its first global guidelines for ASF vaccine field trials and post-vaccination monitoring. The guidance is intended to standardize evaluation and help countries move more quickly from development to surveillance and deployment decisions.
Global rules could help lower GLP-1 drug costs and speed access
A new analysis says many countries lack fast regulatory pathways to review and approve biosimilars, which can slow access to lower-cost GLP-1 medicines. The report argues that stronger global rules could reduce prices and expand patient access to these high-demand drugs.
Research spotlights treatment challenges for African children with hydroxyurea
A June 1, 2026 commentary discusses the difficulty of treating African children with hydroxyurea, a key medicine used in sickle cell care. The piece emphasizes persistent access and implementation barriers in regions where the disease burden is high.
Outbreak response intensifies as Congo Ebola patients continue to recover
Health officials say recoveries from the Bundibugyo strain show that patients can survive even without an approved vaccine or treatment. The latest recovery reports also indicate that clinical support and early care are playing a meaningful role in the response.
Hospitals remain increasingly vulnerable in modern conflicts
The SHCC findings show that attacks on health facilities are not isolated events but part of a broader pattern of obstruction and destruction in conflict areas. The report’s scale suggests mounting risks to emergency care, surgery, and routine services in multiple regions.
Animal-health policy advances as countries face ASF vaccine preparedness
WOAH’s new vaccine-trial framework reflects growing urgency around African swine fever, a disease that threatens livestock systems and food security. The guidelines focus on field testing and post-vaccination monitoring, two steps needed for safer rollout.
Biosimilar regulation seen as key to expanding access to GLP-1 therapies
The analysis notes that biosimilars can only lower costs if regulators can assess them efficiently and consistently. It warns that weak approval systems may leave many patients unable to access newer metabolic and obesity-related treatments.