The World Health Organization was holding an emergencymeeting on Friday to discuss the recent outbreak of monkeypox, a viral infection more common to west and central Africa, after over 100 cases were confirmed or suspected in Europe.
In what Germany described as the largest outbreak in Europe ever, cases have been reported in at least nine countries – Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom - as well as the United States, Canada and Australia.
U.S. CDC says adenovirus leading hypothesis for severehepatitis in children
Infection with adenovirus, a common childhood virus, isthe leading hypothesis for recent cases of severe hepatitis ofunknown origin in children that have led to at least six deaths,U.S. health officials said on Friday. The Centers forDisease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it is continuing toinvestigate whether 180 cases identified in 36 states andterritories since last October represent an increase in the rateof pediatric hepatitis or whether an existing pattern has beenrevealed though improved detection.
Explainer-What to know about mysterious severe hepatitiscases in children
At least 600 children in at least 34 countries havedeveloped cases of sudden severe liver inflammation, or acutehepatitis, for which doctors have no explanation. Here iswhat health officials know so far:
Explainer-What is on (and off) the agenda of the WHOAssembly?
More than 100 world health ministers will meet in Genevanext week for the World Health Organization’s first in-personassembly in three years as the U.N. agency seeks to define itsfuture role in global health policy. The agenda of theWorld Health Assembly (WHA) is the most packed in the WHO’s75-year history and is seen as an historic opportunity to moveon from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to 15 milliondeaths, and prepare for the next global outbreak.
WHO concerned monkeypox could spread in Europe as people party over summer
The World Health Organization’s European chief said onFriday he is concerned that the spread of monkeypox couldaccelerate in the region as people gather for parties andfestivals over the summer months. “As we enter the summer season in the European region, with mass gatherings, festivals and parties, I am concerned that transmission could accelerate, as the cases currently being detected are among those engaging in sexual activity, and the symptoms are unfamiliar to many,”WHO regional director for Europe Hans Kluge said in a statement.
Shanghai reports 84 symptomatic, 784 asymptomatic COVIDcases for May 20
The Chinese financial hub of Shanghai reported 784 newlocal asymptomatic coronavirus cases for May 20, up from 770 a day earlier. Confirmed symptomatic cases fell to 84 from 88the previous day, the city’s government said in a statement onSaturday.
Mexico reports first death of child from mysterious severehepatitis
Mexican authorities confirmed on Friday the first deathof a child from a severe form of hepatitis with unknown originin the country, marking the first death in Latin America ascases spread worldwide. The three-year-old child, originallyfrom the central state of Hidalgo, was transferred to a hospitalin Mexico City, but died this week, the Hidalgo HealthSecretariat said.
Cancer coalition aims to boost access to medicines in poorercountries
Pharmaceutical companies including Novartis and Rochehave teamed up with global cancer organisations in an alliance aimed at getting more oncology medications to poorer countries.
Currently, fewer than 50% of the cancer drugs on the WorldHealth Organization’s (WHO) essential medicines list areavailable in low and middle income countries, and the diseaseburden is growing. Without action, almost three in four cancerdeaths are set to occur in these settings in the next decade.
Sanofi’s Dupixent wins U.S. approval for bigger use
Sanofi won expanded U.S. approval for its best-sellingDupixent injection to treat an allergic inflammation of theesophagus, the Food and Drug Administration said on Friday.There are more than 160,000 patients in the United States living with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), according to Sanofi.
