The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued sweeping new guidelines for the clinical management and infection prevention of mpox, as the virus, formerly known as monkeypox, continues to evolve and cross international borders. Mpox is an infectious disease that can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain and low energy. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick. It is caused by the…

To prevent cholera and other waterborne disease outbreaks in flood-devastated areas of Borno State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commissioned six solar-powered boreholes to restore access to clean water for nearly 12,000 people. The intervention, handed over on Thursday in Maiduguri, comes in response to the 2024 floods that submerged about 70 per cent of the city and surrounding areas, severely disrupting water and sanitation infrastructure. UNICEF Deputy…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the collapse of Gaza’s already crippled healthcare system, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire as the territory’s major medical facility, Nasser Medical Complex, teeters on the brink of shutdown. Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Amal Hospital — the last two operational public hospitals in Khan Younis — are now at serious risk of becoming non-functional. This comes as Israeli…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed four rice milling facilities in Nasarawa State over concerns of food safety violations and deceptive packaging practices. The enforcement operation targeted local milling hubs located in Autabalefi, Masaka Main Market, and the Masaka Motor Park. According to NAFDAC X page on Thursday, the affected facilities were involved in the repackaging of substandard or unregistered rice into empty…

Health officials are urging United Kingdom (UK) families to ensure they’re fully vaccinated against measles ahead of summer travel, as outbreaks intensify across Europe. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says over 127,000 measles cases were recorded in Europe last year — the highest in nearly 30 years — with recent spikes in countries like France, Spain, Italy, and Germany, says Independent report. There are fears that returning travellers may…

SiWith high rate of children mortality faced in Nigeria, where report evidence that one in ten children dies before age five, a new initiative is showing potential to turn the tide on this long-standing public health crisis. The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has launched SARMAAN — Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin in Nigeria — to combat infant mortality using azithromycin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic. In…

A breakthrough by scientists at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity may have brought the world a step closer to a cure for HIV, after researchers found a novel way to force the virus out of hiding inside human cells. HIV’s ability to lie dormant within certain white blood cells has long been a formidable barrier to a cure. These “invisible” viral reservoirs evade both the immune system…

Bowel cancer, also called colorectal or colon cancer which usually start from the large intestine called the colon. It is the second deadliest cancer worldwide. Although the causes of bowel cancer is yet-to-be-identified, but reports evidence that lifestyle, diet, health conditions and family history could be the leading cause of bowel cancer. While it mostly affects older adults, cases are rising among younger people, particularly among people under 40. Early…

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday honoured Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates with the national award of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). The recognition, presented in Lagos, celebrates Gates’ contributions to global health, innovation, and development, especially in Africa. Gates met with Tinubu and other leaders to support reforms in the primary healthcare system. He will also attend the “Goalkeepers Nigeria” event focused on Africa’s innovation…

The Ondo State Government has commissioned an upgraded Central Medical Store in a major move to improve drug quality and healthcare delivery across the state. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, at the commissioning event, emphasized that health remains a top priority of his administration. He described the upgraded facility as a “bold step” towards eliminating counterfeit and substandard drugs from the state’s supply chain. “It became imperative to upgrade the facility to…

The Abia government has issued a public health advisory following a reported outbreak of diphtheria in the neighbouring Imo. The information commissioner, Okey Kanu, announced the advisory on Monday while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, on the resolutions of the State Executive Council meeting, says News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Mr Kanu said the proximity of Imo made Abia vulnerable and restated the importance of preventive action to…

With over 8 million tobacco-related deaths recorded yearly, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for global intervention to ban flavoured tobacco and nicotine products. WHO made this known while marking World No Tobacco Day. The WHO report showed how flavours like menthol, bubble gum, and cotton candy are making harmful tobacco products attractive to young people. These flavours mask the harshness of tobacco and make it harder for users…