Pneumonia killed more than 800,000 babies and young children last year - or one child every 39 seconds - despite being curable and mostly preventable, global health agencies said on Tuesday.

In a report on what they described as a "forgotten epidemic", the United Nations children's fund UNICEF, the international charity Save The Children and four other health agencies urged governments to step up investment in vaccines to prevent the disease and in health services and medicines to treat it.

"The fact that this preventable, treatable and easily diagnosed disease is still the world's biggest killer of young children is frankly shocking," said Seth Berkley, chief executive of the GAVI vaccines alliance.

Pneumonia is a lung disease that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Its victims have to fight for breath as their lungs fill with pus and fluid.

It can be prevented with vaccines, and treated with antibiotics and - in severe cases - with oxygen, but in poorer countries, access to these is often limited.

Nigeria, India, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia accounted for more than half the children who died of pneumonia last year - most of them babies who had not reached their second birthday.

"Millions of children are dying for want of vaccines, affordable antibiotics and routine oxygen treatment," said Kevin Watkins, chief executive of Save the Children. "This is a forgotten global epidemic that demands an urgent international response."

The report said pneumonia causes 15 per cent&nbsp;of deaths in under-5s, but accounts for only 3 per cent&nbsp;of spending on research into infectious diseases, lagging far behind other diseases such as malaria.

Pneumonia killed more than 800,000 babies and young children last year - or one child every 39 seconds - despite being curable and mostly preventable, global health agencies said on Tuesday.

Pneumonia killed more than 800,000 babies and young children last year - or one child every 39 seconds - despite being curable and mostly preventable, global health agencies said on Tuesday. In a report on what they described as a "forgotten epidemic", the United Nations children's fund UNICEF, the international charity Save The Children and four other health agencies urged governments to step up investment in vaccines to prevent the disease and in health services and medicines to treat it. "The fact that this preventable, treatable and easily diagnosed disease is still the world's biggest killer of young children is frankly shocking," said Seth Berkley, chief executive of the GAVI vaccines alliance. Pneumonia is a lung disease that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Its victims have to fight for breath as their lungs fill with pus and fluid. It can be prevented with vaccines, and treated with antibiotics and - in severe cases - with oxygen, but in poorer countries, access to these is often limited. Nigeria, India, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia accounted for more than half the children who died of pneumonia last year - most of them babies who had not reached their second birthday. "Millions of children are dying for want of vaccines, affordable antibiotics and routine oxygen treatment," said Kevin Watkins, chief executive of Save the Children. "This is a forgotten global epidemic that demands an urgent international response." The report said pneumonia causes 15 per cent of deaths in under-5s, but accounts for only 3 per cent of spending on research into infectious diseases, lagging far behind other diseases such as malaria.

Pneumonia kills a child every 39 seconds, health agencies say

US health officials on Thursday reported 18 deaths due to a mysterious lung illness linked to e-cigarettes and other vaping products and said the number of confirmed and probable cases of the condition now exceeds 1,000.

Public health officials are still at a loss to explain the cause of the severe lung illnesses, which have now reached 1,080 cases across 48 states and one US territory so far, up from 805 cases last week.

Watch:&nbsp;

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Dr Anne Schuchat, the principal deputy director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), told reporters on a conference call that the outbreak shows no signs that it has peaked. She said the CDC has sent staff to several states to bolster the response and get the word out to doctors about how to recognise the illness.

Many of 275 cases reported this week to appear to have occurred after the CDC raised alarms over the illness last month, and the agency is redoubling its call for people to stop vaping until the cause of the illnesses can be identified.

"I cannot stress enough the seriousness of these injuries. This is a critical issue. We need to take steps to prevent additional cases," Schuchat said.

Judy McMeekin, an official with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said the agency had collected more than 440 vaping product samples from 18 states for testing so far.

"The samples show a mix of results and no one substance has been identified in all of the samples tested," she said.

Since CDC's previous update last Thursday, an additional five states reported deaths from vaping-related injuries, bringing the total to 15 states that have reported deaths from the outbreak - Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oregon and Virginia.

The average age of those who died is nearly 50, with the youngest person who died in their 20s and the oldest in their 70s.

Investigators have not linked the illnesses to any specific product or compound, but have pointed to vaping oils containing THC - the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana - as being especially risky.

Schuchat said of the 578 patients for whom data was available, 78% said they used some products containing THC and 37% reported only vaping THC. That compared to 58% who reported vaping some products containing nicotine, and 17% who said they had only vaped nicotine.

The CDC last week recommended that people should stop using vaping products, especially those containing THC oils.

Many of the THC-containing products linked to the outbreak in Illinois and Wisconsin came from "off the street" and not dispensaries, but Schuchat said it was premature to rule out any other concerning products.

"Personally, with all the data I've been seeing, I don't know what's safe right now," Schuchat she said.

US health officials on Thursday reported 18 deaths due to a mysterious lung illness linked to e-cigarettes and other vaping products and said the number of confirmed and probable cases of the condition now exceeds 1,000.

US health officials on Thursday reported 18 deaths due to a mysterious lung illness linked to e-cigarettes and other vaping products and said the number of confirmed and probable cases of the condition now exceeds 1,000. Public health officials are still at a loss to explain the cause of the severe lung illnesses, which have now reached 1,080 cases across 48 states and one US territory so far, up from 805 cases last week. Watch: Dr Anne Schuchat, the principal deputy director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), told reporters on a conference call that the outbreak shows no signs that it has peaked. She said the CDC has sent staff to several states to bolster the response and get the word out to doctors about how to recognise the illness. Many of 275 cases reported this week to appear to have occurred after the CDC raised alarms over the illness last month, and the agency is redoubling its call for people to stop vaping until the cause of the illnesses can be identified. "I cannot stress enough the seriousness of these injuries. This is a critical issue. We need to take steps to prevent additional cases," Schuchat said. Judy McMeekin, an official with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said the agency had collected more than 440 vaping product samples from 18 states for testing so far. "The samples show a mix of results and no one substance has been identified in all of the samples tested," she said. Since CDC's previous update last Thursday, an additional five states reported deaths from vaping-related injuries, bringing the total to 15 states that have reported deaths from the outbreak - Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oregon and Virginia. The average age of those who died is nearly 50, with the youngest person who died in their 20s and the oldest in their 70s. Investigators have not linked the illnesses to any specific product or compound, but have pointed to vaping oils containing THC - the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana - as being especially risky. Schuchat said of the 578 patients for whom data was available, 78% said they used some products containing THC and 37% reported only vaping THC. That compared to 58% who reported vaping some products containing nicotine, and 17% who said they had only vaped nicotine. The CDC last week recommended that people should stop using vaping products, especially those containing THC oils. Many of the THC-containing products linked to the outbreak in Illinois and Wisconsin came from "off the street" and not dispensaries, but Schuchat said it was premature to rule out any other concerning products. "Personally, with all the data I've been seeing, I don't know what's safe right now," Schuchat she said.

US vaping-related deaths rise to 18, illnesses surpass 1,000

The death toll from Democratic Republic of Congo's year-long Ebola outbreak has climbed above 2,000, government data showed on Friday (August 30), as responders battle to overcome community mistrust and widespread security problems.

Ebola death toll tops 2,000 in eastern Congo outbreak

The eastern DR Congo province of South Kivu has recorded its first confirmed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-says-no-new-ebola-cases-in-goma-vaccinates-over-1300-242273">cases of Ebola in the country's year-old epidemic</a>, one of which was a fatality, the provincial government said Friday.

"Two cases which tested positive for Ebola were confirmed overnight in South Kivu, in Lwindi district in the Mwenga region," it said in a statement.&nbsp;

"A 26-year-old victim died and (one of their) children who tested positive is still alive and being treated," it said.

More than 1,900 people have died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo since August 1, 2018, when the hemorrhagic virus erupted in North Kivu province and spread to neighbouring Ituri province.

South Kivu Governor Theo Ngwabidje told reporters: "Teams from the national anti-Ebola coordination campaign arrived yesterday to provide support."

The Ebola virus causes fever, vomiting and severe diarrhoea, often followed by kidney and liver failure, internal and external bleeding.

The disease is spread by contact with infected bodily fluids and is fought with time-honoured but laborious techniques of tracing contacts and quarantining them.&nbsp;

The outbreak is the 10th since Ebola was identified in 1976.

It is the deadliest on record after more than 11,000 people was killed in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia between 2014-2016.

The eastern DR Congo province of South Kivu has recorded its first confirmed cases of Ebola in the country's year-old epidemic, one of which was a fatality, the provincial government said Friday.

The eastern DR Congo province of South Kivu has recorded its first confirmed cases of Ebola in the country's year-old epidemic, one of which was a fatality, the provincial government said Friday. "Two cases which tested positive for Ebola were confirmed overnight in South Kivu, in Lwindi district in the Mwenga region," it said in a statement. "A 26-year-old victim died and (one of their) children who tested positive is still alive and being treated," it said. More than 1,900 people have died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo since August 1, 2018, when the hemorrhagic virus erupted in North Kivu province and spread to neighbouring Ituri province. South Kivu Governor Theo Ngwabidje told reporters: "Teams from the national anti-Ebola coordination campaign arrived yesterday to provide support." The Ebola virus causes fever, vomiting and severe diarrhoea, often followed by kidney and liver failure, internal and external bleeding. The disease is spread by contact with infected bodily fluids and is fought with time-honoured but laborious techniques of tracing contacts and quarantining them. The outbreak is the 10th since Ebola was identified in 1976. It is the deadliest on record after more than 11,000 people was killed in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia between 2014-2016.

First confirmed Ebola cases in DR Congo's South Kivu province

Three more children with symptoms of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/acute-encephalitis-syndrome-bihar-chief-minister-nitish-kumar-evades-question-on-rising-deaths-229257">Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES)</a> died at a hospital in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district Friday taking the toll to 139.

According to the Muzaffarpur district administration, all three deaths were reported from the government-run SKMCH hospital, which alone has accounted for 104 casualties since June 1.

The Bihar health department had on Thursday released state-wide figures putting the total toll following the outbreak, which has spread across 16 districts, at 136.

With the latest three casualties the death toll rose to 139 though unconfirmed reports claim that the number has crossed 150.

Hundreds of children are admitted to hospitals -- mostly at Muzaffarpur's SKMCH and privately-owned Kejriwal hospital -- for treatment of AES which is characterized by sudden onset of high fever and convulsions.

The high number of deaths this year has been blamed on hypoglycemia or sudden drop in blood sugar levels, which some experts attribute to malnutrition and consumption of unripe litchi -- a fruit grown in abundance in north Bihar -- on an empty stomach and failure to administer glucose within four hours of the onset of fever and other symptoms.

The Muzaffarpur administration said that 13.5 lakh packets of oral rehydration solution (ORS) have been distributed across the district and health workers are carrying out an intensive awareness programme, as part of which 8.5 lakh pamphlets have been distributed.

In Patna, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar refused to take queries from journalists when they tried to seek his reaction on the outbreak which had rocked both Houses of parliament.

Kumar was approached with queries outside the state Assembly premises which he had visited to accompany Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha by-poll.

Opposition RJD leader Bhai Virendra alleged that Kumar's reproach to photo and video journalists inside the Returning Officer's chamber - when they started leaning on the backs of officials present inside - was "nothing else but giving vent to frustration over his government's inability to control the epidemic and having nothing to say to the media on the issue".

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, who also heads the state BJP unit, told reporters, "Our party has resolved to do its bit and all BJP Lok Sabha members in the state shall be donating Rs 25 lakh to the Sadar hospitals in their respective constituencies for setting up of a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)".

The state BJP office also circulated copies of a letter by Rai, dated June 19, whereby he informed the collector of Samastipur district -- wherein his constituency Ujiyarpur falls -- that he has decided to contribute Rs 25 lakh from his MPLAD fund for PICU.

The BJP has the highest number of 17 Lok Sabha members in Bihar where the total number of seats is 40.

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, at a pre-budget meeting of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with finance ministers of states, raised the issue of AES outbreak and sought a grant of Rs 100 crore for setting up a 100-bed pediatric ICU, a research centre and building a new AIIMS besides upgrading the state's medical colleges to a level comparable with the AIIMS.

Three more children with symptoms of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) died at a hospital in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district Friday taking the toll to 139. According to the Muzaffarpur district administration, all three deaths were reported from the government-run SKMCH hospital, which alone has accounted for 104 casualties since June 1.

Three more children with symptoms of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) died at a hospital in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district Friday taking the toll to 139. According to the Muzaffarpur district administration, all three deaths were reported from the government-run SKMCH hospital, which alone has accounted for 104 casualties since June 1. The Bihar health department had on Thursday released state-wide figures putting the total toll following the outbreak, which has spread across 16 districts, at 136. With the latest three casualties the death toll rose to 139 though unconfirmed reports claim that the number has crossed 150. Hundreds of children are admitted to hospitals -- mostly at Muzaffarpur's SKMCH and privately-owned Kejriwal hospital -- for treatment of AES which is characterized by sudden onset of high fever and convulsions. The high number of deaths this year has been blamed on hypoglycemia or sudden drop in blood sugar levels, which some experts attribute to malnutrition and consumption of unripe litchi -- a fruit grown in abundance in north Bihar -- on an empty stomach and failure to administer glucose within four hours of the onset of fever and other symptoms. The Muzaffarpur administration said that 13.5 lakh packets of oral rehydration solution (ORS) have been distributed across the district and health workers are carrying out an intensive awareness programme, as part of which 8.5 lakh pamphlets have been distributed. In Patna, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar refused to take queries from journalists when they tried to seek his reaction on the outbreak which had rocked both Houses of parliament. Kumar was approached with queries outside the state Assembly premises which he had visited to accompany Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha by-poll. Opposition RJD leader Bhai Virendra alleged that Kumar's reproach to photo and video journalists inside the Returning Officer's chamber - when they started leaning on the backs of officials present inside - was "nothing else but giving vent to frustration over his government's inability to control the epidemic and having nothing to say to the media on the issue". Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, who also heads the state BJP unit, told reporters, "Our party has resolved to do its bit and all BJP Lok Sabha members in the state shall be donating Rs 25 lakh to the Sadar hospitals in their respective constituencies for setting up of a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)". The state BJP office also circulated copies of a letter by Rai, dated June 19, whereby he informed the collector of Samastipur district -- wherein his constituency Ujiyarpur falls -- that he has decided to contribute Rs 25 lakh from his MPLAD fund for PICU. The BJP has the highest number of 17 Lok Sabha members in Bihar where the total number of seats is 40. Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, at a pre-budget meeting of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with finance ministers of states, raised the issue of AES outbreak and sought a grant of Rs 100 crore for setting up a 100-bed pediatric ICU, a research centre and building a new AIIMS besides upgrading the state's medical colleges to a level comparable with the AIIMS.

Three more die of Encephalitis in Bihar, toll reaches 139

After a 4-year-old boy who was found positive for the Japanese Encephalitis died at the Jagdalpur Medical College in Chhattisgarh's Bastar on Thursday, the government issued orders for making necessary arrangements and providing proper treatment to patients at all health centre's spread across the district.

One child was found positive for the "Japanese Encephalitis" at Jagdalpur Medical College, Dimrapal where three children suffering from fever were admitted.

"After test, it was found that one child is positive for JE while 2 are found negative," said the press release.

The child was suffering from fever since June 10 and was brought for treatment at the community health centre at Bastar.

However, he was referred to Medical College Dimrapal after his condition showed no improvement on June 18.

He&nbsp;died on June 20 during treatment at the hospital.

Following which 88 persons including 18 who had come in contact with the child were tested for the Japanese Encephalitis but were not found positive, informed the press release from Chhattisgarh government.

The deadly disease originates from pigs and spreads to humans, mostly children, through mosquitoes.&nbsp;

Symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis include fever, nausea and fatigue.

On the other hand, Acute Encephalitis Syndrome so far has claimed the lives of 122 children in Bihar.

As per the data, a total of 101 deaths were reported at government-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital while 20 children died at Kejriwal hospital in the Muzaffarpur due to the vector-borne disease today.&nbsp;

After a 4-year-old boy who was found positive for the Japanese Encephalitis died at the Jagdalpur Medical College in Chhattisgarh's Bastar on Thursday, the government issued orders for making necessary arrangements and providing proper treatment to patients at all health centre's spread across the district.

After a 4-year-old boy who was found positive for the Japanese Encephalitis died at the Jagdalpur Medical College in Chhattisgarh's Bastar on Thursday, the government issued orders for making necessary arrangements and providing proper treatment to patients at all health centre's spread across the district. One child was found positive for the "Japanese Encephalitis" at Jagdalpur Medical College, Dimrapal where three children suffering from fever were admitted. "After test, it was found that one child is positive for JE while 2 are found negative," said the press release. The child was suffering from fever since June 10 and was brought for treatment at the community health centre at Bastar. However, he was referred to Medical College Dimrapal after his condition showed no improvement on June 18. He died on June 20 during treatment at the hospital. Following which 88 persons including 18 who had come in contact with the child were tested for the Japanese Encephalitis but were not found positive, informed the press release from Chhattisgarh government. The deadly disease originates from pigs and spreads to humans, mostly children, through mosquitoes. Symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis include fever, nausea and fatigue. On the other hand, Acute Encephalitis Syndrome so far has claimed the lives of 122 children in Bihar. As per the data, a total of 101 deaths were reported at government-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital while 20 children died at Kejriwal hospital in the Muzaffarpur due to the vector-borne disease today.

Chhattisgarh: Government orders 'necessary arrangements' after 4-yr-old dies of Japanese Encephalitis

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-chief-minister-nitish-kumar-meets-officials-as-heat-wave-claims-over-100-lives-229070">Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar</a> on Friday evaded questions posed by journalists who were trying to ask him about the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/acute-encephalitis-syndrome-death-toll-rises-to-136-in-bihar-over-600-registered-229053">rising number of deaths </a>in the state due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).

Spreading across 16 districts the death toll in Bihar rose to over 136.

According to statistics released by the department, the total number of AES cases registered across the state since June 1 was 626, and the total number of deaths caused by the same has mounted to 136.

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai has announced that all 17 BJP MPs of Bihar will donate Rs 25 lakh for their respective constituencies to build PICUs in Sadar Hospitals there.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had&nbsp;issued instructions for deployment of eight advanced life-support (ALS) ambulances in the affected districts.

The government has also announced that it would reimburse any expenses involved in getting children treated at private hospitals and nursing homes or hiring of ambulances.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Bihar: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar evades questions of journalists as they ask him about the deaths of children in the state due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). <a href="https://t.co/37cQrlOskB">pic.twitter.com/37cQrlOskB</a>
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Muzaffarpur district has bore the maximum brunt, accounting for 117 deaths so far. Besides, deaths have been reported from districts like Bhagalpur, East Champaran, Vaishali, Sitamarhi and Samastipur.

(With inputs from agencies)

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday evaded questions posed by journalists who were trying to ask him about the rising number of deaths in the state due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday evaded questions posed by journalists who were trying to ask him about the rising number of deaths in the state due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). Spreading across 16 districts the death toll in Bihar rose to over 136. According to statistics released by the department, the total number of AES cases registered across the state since June 1 was 626, and the total number of deaths caused by the same has mounted to 136. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai has announced that all 17 BJP MPs of Bihar will donate Rs 25 lakh for their respective constituencies to build PICUs in Sadar Hospitals there. Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had issued instructions for deployment of eight advanced life-support (ALS) ambulances in the affected districts. The government has also announced that it would reimburse any expenses involved in getting children treated at private hospitals and nursing homes or hiring of ambulances. #WATCH Bihar: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar evades questions of journalists as they ask him about the deaths of children in the state due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). pic.twitter.com/37cQrlOskB — ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2019 × Muzaffarpur district has bore the maximum brunt, accounting for 117 deaths so far. Besides, deaths have been reported from districts like Bhagalpur, East Champaran, Vaishali, Sitamarhi and Samastipur. (With inputs from agencies)

Acute Encephalitis Syndrome: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar evades question on rising deaths in Bihar

Over 870 cases of swine flu have been recorded in the national capital in the last three weeks, taking the total number of people affected by the H1N1 virus in the city this year to 2,835, according to a report of the Directorate General of Health Services Monday.

As per the report, the death toll due to swine flu in Delhi this year still stands at six.

The city had recorded 1,965 cases till February 18 and on Monday the number of people affected by the H1N1 infection rose to 2,835, it said.

The report had also mentioned the deaths of five more persons from comorbidity.

As per the report of the six persons who have died of swine flu this year, one belonged to Delhi, while the rest were residents of other states.

Amid the mounting cases of the H1N1 infection in the city, the Delhi government had in February issued a health advisory, prescribing the do's and don'ts.

Medical Director of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital Kishore Singh said the hospital is well-equipped to handle swine flu cases with adequate stock of medicines.

However, two Centre-run hospitals here have reported 13 deaths due to swine flu this year.

According to senior officials at the Safdarjung Hospital, three deaths due to swine flu have been recorded this season, while the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital has reported 10 fatalities.&nbsp;

Nine of the 10 people who died at the RML Hospital were from Delhi and another was from outside the city, officials said.

Seasonal Influenza (H1N1) is a self-limiting viral, air-borne disease spread from person-to-person, through large droplets generated through coughing and sneezing, indirect contact by touching a contaminated object or surface (fomite transmission like telephone, cell phones, computers, door handles etc) and close contact (including shaking hands, hugging, kissing), the advisory said.

The symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, difficulty in breathing.

Other symptoms may include body ache, headache, fatigue, chills, diarrhoea and vomiting and blood-stained sputum.

There are three categories of H1N1 influenza -- A, B and C.

After holding a state-level review meeting on H1N1, the Delhi government recently said all government hospitals in the city are equipped with necessary logistics required for the management of the disease and drug oseltamivir along with personal protective equipment (PPE kits) and N95 masks are also available.

The advisory also asked people to avoid crowded places in the swine flu season and stay more than an arm's length distance away from persons sick with flu.

Over 870 cases of swine flu have been recorded in the national capital in the last three weeks, taking the total number of people affected by the H1N1 virus in the city this year to 2,835, according to a report of the Directorate General of Health Services Monday.

Over 870 cases of swine flu have been recorded in the national capital in the last three weeks, taking the total number of people affected by the H1N1 virus in the city this year to 2,835, according to a report of the Directorate General of Health Services Monday. As per the report, the death toll due to swine flu in Delhi this year still stands at six. The city had recorded 1,965 cases till February 18 and on Monday the number of people affected by the H1N1 infection rose to 2,835, it said. The report had also mentioned the deaths of five more persons from comorbidity. As per the report of the six persons who have died of swine flu this year, one belonged to Delhi, while the rest were residents of other states. Amid the mounting cases of the H1N1 infection in the city, the Delhi government had in February issued a health advisory, prescribing the do's and don'ts. Medical Director of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital Kishore Singh said the hospital is well-equipped to handle swine flu cases with adequate stock of medicines. However, two Centre-run hospitals here have reported 13 deaths due to swine flu this year. According to senior officials at the Safdarjung Hospital, three deaths due to swine flu have been recorded this season, while the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital has reported 10 fatalities. Nine of the 10 people who died at the RML Hospital were from Delhi and another was from outside the city, officials said. Seasonal Influenza (H1N1) is a self-limiting viral, air-borne disease spread from person-to-person, through large droplets generated through coughing and sneezing, indirect contact by touching a contaminated object or surface (fomite transmission like telephone, cell phones, computers, door handles etc) and close contact (including shaking hands, hugging, kissing), the advisory said. The symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, difficulty in breathing. Other symptoms may include body ache, headache, fatigue, chills, diarrhoea and vomiting and blood-stained sputum. There are three categories of H1N1 influenza -- A, B and C. After holding a state-level review meeting on H1N1, the Delhi government recently said all government hospitals in the city are equipped with necessary logistics required for the management of the disease and drug oseltamivir along with personal protective equipment (PPE kits) and N95 masks are also available. The advisory also asked people to avoid crowded places in the swine flu season and stay more than an arm's length distance away from persons sick with flu.

Swine flu cases in Delhi mount to 2,835

Food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites and toxic chemicals is a mounting health hazard and a crippling economic burden, a global conference on food safety has been told.

The two-day forum is bringing together health bosses and experts from 125 countries to combat the peril of unsafe food, a hazard that kills more than 400,000 people each year, according to UN estimates.

"Today, the world produces enough food for everyone," Jose Graziano Da Silva, director general of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), said at the opening of the conference on Monday.

But much of this food "is not safe", he added.

"We estimate that each year, nearly one person in 10 falls sick after eating contaminated food," said Kazuaki Miyagishima, who heads the World Health Organization (WHO) food security department.

Of the 600 million people who fall sick from unsafe food, around 420,000 die, according to the UN's estimate.

Children under five suffer most, comprising 40 per cent of those who fall ill.

According to the WHO, contaminated food is to blame more than 200 diseases, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers — and the economic impact is huge but often overlooked.

The FAO estimates the cost for low and middle-income countries to be in the range of $95 billion (83.5 billion euros) per year.

The conference, attended by ministers and deputy ministers from some 20 countries, is expected to issue a call for better coordination and support.

"Africa has a major interest in this," said Miyagishima, adding the continent, followed by Southeast Asia, is the worst affected by contaminated food.

All-round approach&nbsp;

Miyagishima said a multi-pronged approach was needed.

This includes stronger laws, better training and equipment and beefing up health systems to detect potential risks and swap information countries, he said.

The risks are very diverse, ranging from bacteria such as salmonella or listeria to chemicals such as cancer-causing heavy metals and organic pollutants.

For countries facing drought or famine, the challenge is preventing the population from using water contaminated by cholera, or eating food unsuitable for consumption.

For countries trying to better respect international norms and export certain food products, Miyagishima warned of a "situation where exported food is of better quality than products destined for the local market".

In Europe, Miyagishima said there was a need for faster exchange of information between health authorities, recalling the 2017 contamination of eggs in the Netherlands, which were distributed to numerous countries.

The conference comes at a time of swelling controversy over the use of chemical products in agriculture, including the controversial weed-killer Roundup.

"Regulatory decisions, international or national, should be based on sound science," he said.

The UN in December announced the creation of a World Food Safety Day on June 7. 
&nbsp;

Food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites and toxic chemicals is a mounting health hazard and a crippling economic burden, a global conference on food safety has been told.

Food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites and toxic chemicals is a mounting health hazard and a crippling economic burden, a global conference on food safety has been told. The two-day forum is bringing together health bosses and experts from 125 countries to combat the peril of unsafe food, a hazard that kills more than 400,000 people each year, according to UN estimates. "Today, the world produces enough food for everyone," Jose Graziano Da Silva, director general of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), said at the opening of the conference on Monday. But much of this food "is not safe", he added. "We estimate that each year, nearly one person in 10 falls sick after eating contaminated food," said Kazuaki Miyagishima, who heads the World Health Organization (WHO) food security department. Of the 600 million people who fall sick from unsafe food, around 420,000 die, according to the UN's estimate. Children under five suffer most, comprising 40 per cent of those who fall ill. According to the WHO, contaminated food is to blame more than 200 diseases, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers — and the economic impact is huge but often overlooked. The FAO estimates the cost for low and middle-income countries to be in the range of $95 billion (83.5 billion euros) per year. The conference, attended by ministers and deputy ministers from some 20 countries, is expected to issue a call for better coordination and support. "Africa has a major interest in this," said Miyagishima, adding the continent, followed by Southeast Asia, is the worst affected by contaminated food. All-round approach Miyagishima said a multi-pronged approach was needed. This includes stronger laws, better training and equipment and beefing up health systems to detect potential risks and swap information countries, he said. The risks are very diverse, ranging from bacteria such as salmonella or listeria to chemicals such as cancer-causing heavy metals and organic pollutants. For countries facing drought or famine, the challenge is preventing the population from using water contaminated by cholera, or eating food unsuitable for consumption. For countries trying to better respect international norms and export certain food products, Miyagishima warned of a "situation where exported food is of better quality than products destined for the local market". In Europe, Miyagishima said there was a need for faster exchange of information between health authorities, recalling the 2017 contamination of eggs in the Netherlands, which were distributed to numerous countries. The conference comes at a time of swelling controversy over the use of chemical products in agriculture, including the controversial weed-killer Roundup. "Regulatory decisions, international or national, should be based on sound science," he said. The UN in December announced the creation of a World Food Safety Day on June 7.

Food safety on the table at world conference

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed 164 lives, according to health authorities.

In mid-October, Congolese authorities said they were facing a "second wave" of the outbreak centred on Beni, a town in North Kivu near the border with Uganda.

The epicentre had earlier been focussed on Mangina, a town around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Beni.

In total, 257 cases had been recorded in the region, of which 222 were confirmed and 35 were probable, since the start of the outbreak at the beginning of August, the Congolese Health Ministry said in a bulletin dated Friday.

On October 17, the World Health Organisation said the death toll stood at 139, although it said the outbreak did not yet merit being labelled a global health emergency.

The second wave of the deadly virus has been attributed to community resistance to measures already taken to tackle the disease.

On Thursday, around 1,000 students marched through the streets of Beni to launch a campaign to fight Ebola.

Since a vaccination programme began on August 8, over 22,000 people have been innoculated, of whom around 11,000 were in Beni, the health ministry said.

An Ebola treatment centre in the city now had more than 60 beds, it added.

The latest outbreak is the 10th in DR Congo since Ebola was first detected there in 1976.

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed 164 lives, according to health authorities. In mid-October, Congolese authorities said they were facing a "second wave" of the outbreak centred on Beni, a town in North Kivu near the border with Uganda.

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed 164 lives, according to health authorities. In mid-October, Congolese authorities said they were facing a "second wave" of the outbreak centred on Beni, a town in North Kivu near the border with Uganda. The epicentre had earlier been focussed on Mangina, a town around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Beni. In total, 257 cases had been recorded in the region, of which 222 were confirmed and 35 were probable, since the start of the outbreak at the beginning of August, the Congolese Health Ministry said in a bulletin dated Friday. On October 17, the World Health Organisation said the death toll stood at 139, although it said the outbreak did not yet merit being labelled a global health emergency. The second wave of the deadly virus has been attributed to community resistance to measures already taken to tackle the disease. On Thursday, around 1,000 students marched through the streets of Beni to launch a campaign to fight Ebola. Since a vaccination programme began on August 8, over 22,000 people have been innoculated, of whom around 11,000 were in Beni, the health ministry said. An Ebola treatment centre in the city now had more than 60 beds, it added. The latest outbreak is the 10th in DR Congo since Ebola was first detected there in 1976.

DR Congo Ebola death toll rises to 164

At least 26 people have tested positive for dengue in five districts of Jammu region this year, a health official said Sunday.

The maximum 11 cases were reported from Kathua district followed by seven in Samba, six in Jammu and one each in Kishtwar and Udhampur districts, the official said.

He said the people who tested positive for the vector-borne disease included 10 women and five boys.

A total of 460 samples were taken for screening since January, the official said, adding, 442 test reports were received by Saturday evening, of which 416 were found negative.

Eighteen test reports were awaited.

He said a majority of the cases tested positive for dengue last month.

The first dengue case was reported in January, one in July and two in August, while two cases were found positive this month, he said. Twenty cases were reported last month.

Among those tested positive, the official said three residents of Jammu were outside the state.

The official said there was no need to panic as all necessary measures have been taken to keep the situation under control.

The dengue cases usually go up after the monsoon season as the main trigger for the disease is stagnant water, he said, and advised people not to allow water to stagnate around residential structures.&nbsp;

At least 26 people have tested positive for dengue in five districts of Jammu region this year, a health official said Sunday. The maximum 11 cases were reported from Kathua district followed by seven in Samba, six in Jammu and one each in Kishtwar and Udhampur districts, the official said.

At least 26 people have tested positive for dengue in five districts of Jammu region this year, a health official said Sunday. The maximum 11 cases were reported from Kathua district followed by seven in Samba, six in Jammu and one each in Kishtwar and Udhampur districts, the official said. He said the people who tested positive for the vector-borne disease included 10 women and five boys. A total of 460 samples were taken for screening since January, the official said, adding, 442 test reports were received by Saturday evening, of which 416 were found negative. Eighteen test reports were awaited. He said a majority of the cases tested positive for dengue last month. The first dengue case was reported in January, one in July and two in August, while two cases were found positive this month, he said. Twenty cases were reported last month. Among those tested positive, the official said three residents of Jammu were outside the state. The official said there was no need to panic as all necessary measures have been taken to keep the situation under control. The dengue cases usually go up after the monsoon season as the main trigger for the disease is stagnant water, he said, and advised people not to allow water to stagnate around residential structures.

26 test positive for dengue in Jammu region

Ted Turner, the billionaire founder of cable news channel CNN, says he is suffering from a form of dementia that leaves him exhausted and forgetful.

Turner, 79, told CBS television in an interview that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder.

"It's a mild case of what people have as Alzheimer's. It's similar to that. But not nearly as bad. Alzheimer's is fatal," Turner told journalist Ted Koppel in an interview to be broadcast on "CBS Sunday Morning."

CBS on Friday released advance excerpts of the interview, which was conducted at Turner's ranch in Montana earlier this year. Turner's office confirmed the diagnosis to Reuters.

"Thank goodness I don't have that. But, I also have got, let's - the one that's - I can't remember the name of it," Turner said.

"Dementia. I can't remember what my disease is," he added.

Asked what his symptoms are, Turner told Koppel, "Tired. Exhausted. That's the main symptoms, and forgetfulness."

Turner, also a noted philanthropist, founded CNN in 1980 as the first 24 hour all-news cable network. He went on to become vice chairman of media conglomerate Time Warner but quit in 2003 and is no longer involved in running the company.

Lewy body dementia affects an estimated 1.4 million Americans and symptoms can include problems with memory and changes in behavior, according to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

An autopsy on comedian Robin Williams, who died by suicide in 2014, found that he had the disorder.

Ted Turner, the billionaire founder of cable news channel CNN, says he is suffering from a form of dementia that leaves him exhausted and forgetful. Turner, 79, told CBS television in an interview that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder.

Ted Turner, the billionaire founder of cable news channel CNN, says he is suffering from a form of dementia that leaves him exhausted and forgetful. Turner, 79, told CBS television in an interview that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder. "It's a mild case of what people have as Alzheimer's. It's similar to that. But not nearly as bad. Alzheimer's is fatal," Turner told journalist Ted Koppel in an interview to be broadcast on "CBS Sunday Morning." CBS on Friday released advance excerpts of the interview, which was conducted at Turner's ranch in Montana earlier this year. Turner's office confirmed the diagnosis to Reuters. "Thank goodness I don't have that. But, I also have got, let's - the one that's - I can't remember the name of it," Turner said. "Dementia. I can't remember what my disease is," he added. Asked what his symptoms are, Turner told Koppel, "Tired. Exhausted. That's the main symptoms, and forgetfulness." Turner, also a noted philanthropist, founded CNN in 1980 as the first 24 hour all-news cable network. He went on to become vice chairman of media conglomerate Time Warner but quit in 2003 and is no longer involved in running the company. Lewy body dementia affects an estimated 1.4 million Americans and symptoms can include problems with memory and changes in behavior, according to the Lewy Body Dementia Association. An autopsy on comedian Robin Williams, who died by suicide in 2014, found that he had the disorder.

Billionaire founder of CNN Ted Turner says he's battling form of dementia

There is an outbreak of a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-put-on-high-alert-after-rare-nipah-virus-kills-9-138503">rare and deadly disease in Kerala</a> called Nipah virus (NiV) which has taken lives of 10 people in the last two weeks. There is no specific treatment for the ‘rare and deadly’ virus and its reported outbreak has resulted in a panic situation in the city.

What is Nipah virus?

Nipah virus (NiV) infection originally emerged in Malaysia and Singapore in 1998 and 1999 which causes diseases in both humans and animals. The natural host of the virus is fruit bats of the Pteropodidae Family, Pteropus genus. It is also closely related to Hendra virus.

It first appeared in domestic pigs and has been found among several species of domestic animals including dogs, cats, goats, horses, and sheep.&nbsp;

In Bangladesh in 2004, humans became infected with NiV as a result of consuming date palm sap that had been contaminated by infected fruit bats, the WHO says on its website. Human-to-human transmission has also been documented, WHO informed.&nbsp;

How is Nipah virus transmitted?

WHO says that the virus spreads through fruit bats or 'flying boxes'of the genus Pteropus, who are natural reservoir hosts of the Nipah and Hendra viruses. The virus is present in bat urine and potentially, bat faeces, saliva, and birthing fluids.

In Malaysia and Singapore, human were affected with the virus when they came in contact with the excretions or secretions of infected pigs. Reports from outbreaks in Bangladesh suggest transmission from bats in the process of drinking raw palm sap contaminated with bat excrement or climbing trees coated in the same.

Symptoms of Nipah virus&nbsp;

NiV infection in humans has a range of clinical presentations, from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory syndrome and encephalitic syndrome marked by fever, headache, drowsiness, disorientation, mental confusion, coma, and potentially death.

Treatment for Nipah virus

While there is no vaccine for either humans or animals, the primary care that humans can undergo is intensive supportive care, the WHO says.&nbsp;

Although, a vaccine is being created. A recombinant sub-unit vaccine formulation protects against lethal Nipah virus challenge in cats. ALVAC Canarypox vectored Nipah F and G vaccine appears to be a promising vaccine for swine and has potential as a vaccine for humans, WHO adds.

There is no specific treatment for the ‘rare and deadly’ virus and is a newly emerging virus, which gets transferred from animals to humans

There is an outbreak of a rare and deadly disease in Kerala called Nipah virus (NiV) which has taken lives of 10 people in the last two weeks. There is no specific treatment for the ‘rare and deadly’ virus and its reported outbreak has resulted in a panic situation in the city. What is Nipah virus? Nipah virus (NiV) infection originally emerged in Malaysia and Singapore in 1998 and 1999 which causes diseases in both humans and animals. The natural host of the virus is fruit bats of the Pteropodidae Family, Pteropus genus. It is also closely related to Hendra virus. It first appeared in domestic pigs and has been found among several species of domestic animals including dogs, cats, goats, horses, and sheep. In Bangladesh in 2004, humans became infected with NiV as a result of consuming date palm sap that had been contaminated by infected fruit bats, the WHO says on its website. Human-to-human transmission has also been documented, WHO informed. How is Nipah virus transmitted? WHO says that the virus spreads through fruit bats or 'flying boxes'of the genus Pteropus, who are natural reservoir hosts of the Nipah and Hendra viruses. The virus is present in bat urine and potentially, bat faeces, saliva, and birthing fluids. In Malaysia and Singapore, human were affected with the virus when they came in contact with the excretions or secretions of infected pigs. Reports from outbreaks in Bangladesh suggest transmission from bats in the process of drinking raw palm sap contaminated with bat excrement or climbing trees coated in the same. Symptoms of Nipah virus NiV infection in humans has a range of clinical presentations, from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory syndrome and encephalitic syndrome marked by fever, headache, drowsiness, disorientation, mental confusion, coma, and potentially death. Treatment for Nipah virus While there is no vaccine for either humans or animals, the primary care that humans can undergo is intensive supportive care, the WHO says. Although, a vaccine is being created. A recombinant sub-unit vaccine formulation protects against lethal Nipah virus challenge in cats. ALVAC Canarypox vectored Nipah F and G vaccine appears to be a promising vaccine for swine and has potential as a vaccine for humans, WHO adds.

What is the Nipah virus?

Kerala has been put on high alert after a number of people from one family died in Kozhikode over the last two weeks due to a rare and deadly virus called "Nipah".

The National Virology Institute, Pune, stated that the fever has spread and also killed people in Malappuram districts over the last fortnight. With six more people succumbing to symptoms suspected to be that of the Nipah virus on Sunday, the current toll is nine.&nbsp;

"The kind of virus that caused the disease has not been ascertained. Blood and other samples of the deceased have been sent to the National Virology Institute in Pune. The results will be made available in a few days", PTI quoted state Health Minister KK Shylaja as saying&nbsp;on Sunday.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has today ordered the constitution of a high-level tea, of doctors to take the situation under control in Kerala. The order was given by the minister after he reviewed the situation.

As per ANI, the&nbsp;team constituted under the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has already reached Kerala. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is constantly in touch with the Kerala Health department.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nipah virus infection is a newly-emerging zoonosis, a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. In humans, NiV infection is linked to encephalitis, characterised by fever, headache, drowsiness, disorientation, mental confusion, coma, and potentially death. A person infected with Nipah virus could end ujp in a&nbsp;coma within 24-48 hours.

There is no vaccine at the moment for either humans or animals. The primary treatment for human cases is intensive supportive care, the WHO says on its website.

The Director of Health Service in Kerala, Dr RL Sarita, took the decision to form the task force after the meeting with top health department officials. "A single window system has been put in place to monitor emergency treatment to meet any eventuality," PTI quoted her as saying.

Those who died due to the Nipah&nbsp;virus include a 50-year-old woman and her male relatives, aged 23 and 25. While the two male relatives died on May 5 and May 18 respectively, the woman died at a private hospital in the district on Saturday.

Dr Sarita told reporters that the deaths occurred due to a "rare virus" and that the health department has taken all preventive measures. "We need to ascertain which type of virus caused the deaths. Many viruses are zoonotic types and some can be transmitted through bats," she said.

She also said that the health department has issued directions to all District Medical Officers to maintain vigil and forward any information in case people with similar symptoms approach them for treatment.

"We have started special medical camps at Changarothu in Kozhikode to avoid further spread of the disease", she added.

A single-window system has also put in place in the district to coordinate and monitor emergency treatment facilities.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

The Nipah virus is a newly-emerging zoonosis, a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. There is no vaccine at the moment, for humans or animals

Kerala has been put on high alert after a number of people from one family died in Kozhikode over the last two weeks due to a rare and deadly virus called "Nipah". The National Virology Institute, Pune, stated that the fever has spread and also killed people in Malappuram districts over the last fortnight. With six more people succumbing to symptoms suspected to be that of the Nipah virus on Sunday, the current toll is nine. "The kind of virus that caused the disease has not been ascertained. Blood and other samples of the deceased have been sent to the National Virology Institute in Pune. The results will be made available in a few days", PTI quoted state Health Minister KK Shylaja as saying on Sunday. Union Health Minister JP Nadda has today ordered the constitution of a high-level tea, of doctors to take the situation under control in Kerala. The order was given by the minister after he reviewed the situation. As per ANI, the team constituted under the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has already reached Kerala. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is constantly in touch with the Kerala Health department. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nipah virus infection is a newly-emerging zoonosis, a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. In humans, NiV infection is linked to encephalitis, characterised by fever, headache, drowsiness, disorientation, mental confusion, coma, and potentially death. A person infected with Nipah virus could end ujp in a coma within 24-48 hours. There is no vaccine at the moment for either humans or animals. The primary treatment for human cases is intensive supportive care, the WHO says on its website. The Director of Health Service in Kerala, Dr RL Sarita, took the decision to form the task force after the meeting with top health department officials. "A single window system has been put in place to monitor emergency treatment to meet any eventuality," PTI quoted her as saying. Those who died due to the Nipah virus include a 50-year-old woman and her male relatives, aged 23 and 25. While the two male relatives died on May 5 and May 18 respectively, the woman died at a private hospital in the district on Saturday. Dr Sarita told reporters that the deaths occurred due to a "rare virus" and that the health department has taken all preventive measures. "We need to ascertain which type of virus caused the deaths. Many viruses are zoonotic types and some can be transmitted through bats," she said. She also said that the health department has issued directions to all District Medical Officers to maintain vigil and forward any information in case people with similar symptoms approach them for treatment. "We have started special medical camps at Changarothu in Kozhikode to avoid further spread of the disease", she added. A single-window system has also put in place in the district to coordinate and monitor emergency treatment facilities. (With inputs from PTI)

Kerala put on high alert after rare Nipah virus kills 9

In the city of Mbandaka in northwest Congo, Mbombo Roge does not shake hands with friends anymore: Ebola changed all that.

Roge simply bowed when he met a group of friends on Saturday afternoon, obeying one of the key lessons taught by health officials since an outbreak of the deadly virus was confirmed in the city of 1.5 million people this week.

"Ebola doesn't forgive," said Roge on a street in the center of Mbandaka "We just greet each other with words so as to not get contaminated."

The Democratic Republic of Congo joined with world agencies and neighbouring countries on Friday in boosting the response to an Ebola outbreak in the sprawling country's northwest, as the toll mounted.

The health ministry declared it had activated an "action plan" in the city of Mbandaka after a case of Ebola occurred there.

After visiting the Mbandaka and launching a coordination centre there, Health Minister Oly Ilunga announced on television that all health care would be free.

"Financial hurdles should not in any way be a brake to having access to health care, especially at a time of epidemic," Ilunga said.

Democratic Republic of Congo faces a "very high" public health risk from Ebola because the disease has been confirmed in a patient in a big city, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, raising its assessment from "high" previously.

The risk to countries in the region was now "high", raised from "moderate", but the global risk remained "low", the WHO said.

So far, the changes in Mbandaka are subtle, but they point to a growing trepidation. At the small regional airport, health inspectors check the temperature of arriving passengers. Local aid agencies have gone to churches and schools to try to educate people of the dangers.

Soap dispensers have been put outside some local businesses so people can wash their hands before entering. Meat sales at riverside markets have dropped off, traders say, because of the fear of eating contaminated bush meat which can pass Ebola on to humans.

"We are scared of this epidemic. We can't make contact with people coming from outside," said border hygiene inspector Bolongoyi Juptie.

Not everyone is convinced of the dangers, and one resident said that Ebola can be cured through prayer.

But the general wariness is encouraging for health officials who remember how mistrust of doctors, nurses, authorities and western aid agencies made containment more difficult during the 2013-16 epidemic.

The reassessment came after the first confirmed case in Mbandaka, a city of around 1.5 million in the northwest. Previous reports of the disease had all been in remote areas where Ebola might spread be more easily contained.

They have started deploying emergency teams of specialists last week to try to prevent the spread of an Ebola epidemic suspected to have infected more than 30 people, they said.

The outbreak of Ebola in Congo, the vast central African country's ninth since the disease made its first known appearance near the northern Ebola river in the 1970s, is believed to have cost the lives of 25 people since April.

The outbreak is dwarfed by the epidemic which killed over 11,300 in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone between 2013 and 2016, but it brings with it some worrying echoes.

The Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic fever and is spread through direct contact with body fluids from an infected person, who suffers severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhea.

The Democratic Republic of Congo joined with world agencies and neighbouring countries on Friday in boosting the response to an Ebola outbreak in the sprawling country's northwest, as the toll mounted

In the city of Mbandaka in northwest Congo, Mbombo Roge does not shake hands with friends anymore: Ebola changed all that. Roge simply bowed when he met a group of friends on Saturday afternoon, obeying one of the key lessons taught by health officials since an outbreak of the deadly virus was confirmed in the city of 1.5 million people this week. "Ebola doesn't forgive," said Roge on a street in the center of Mbandaka "We just greet each other with words so as to not get contaminated." The Democratic Republic of Congo joined with world agencies and neighbouring countries on Friday in boosting the response to an Ebola outbreak in the sprawling country's northwest, as the toll mounted. The health ministry declared it had activated an "action plan" in the city of Mbandaka after a case of Ebola occurred there. After visiting the Mbandaka and launching a coordination centre there, Health Minister Oly Ilunga announced on television that all health care would be free. "Financial hurdles should not in any way be a brake to having access to health care, especially at a time of epidemic," Ilunga said. Democratic Republic of Congo faces a "very high" public health risk from Ebola because the disease has been confirmed in a patient in a big city, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, raising its assessment from "high" previously. The risk to countries in the region was now "high", raised from "moderate", but the global risk remained "low", the WHO said. So far, the changes in Mbandaka are subtle, but they point to a growing trepidation. At the small regional airport, health inspectors check the temperature of arriving passengers. Local aid agencies have gone to churches and schools to try to educate people of the dangers. Soap dispensers have been put outside some local businesses so people can wash their hands before entering. Meat sales at riverside markets have dropped off, traders say, because of the fear of eating contaminated bush meat which can pass Ebola on to humans. "We are scared of this epidemic. We can't make contact with people coming from outside," said border hygiene inspector Bolongoyi Juptie. Not everyone is convinced of the dangers, and one resident said that Ebola can be cured through prayer. But the general wariness is encouraging for health officials who remember how mistrust of doctors, nurses, authorities and western aid agencies made containment more difficult during the 2013-16 epidemic. The reassessment came after the first confirmed case in Mbandaka, a city of around 1.5 million in the northwest. Previous reports of the disease had all been in remote areas where Ebola might spread be more easily contained. They have started deploying emergency teams of specialists last week to try to prevent the spread of an Ebola epidemic suspected to have infected more than 30 people, they said. The outbreak of Ebola in Congo, the vast central African country's ninth since the disease made its first known appearance near the northern Ebola river in the 1970s, is believed to have cost the lives of 25 people since April. The outbreak is dwarfed by the epidemic which killed over 11,300 in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone between 2013 and 2016, but it brings with it some worrying echoes. The Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic fever and is spread through direct contact with body fluids from an infected person, who suffers severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhea.

In Congo city where Ebola resides, fear but not panic

The Democratic Republic of&nbspCongo&nbspand UN agencies began deploying emergency teams of specialists over the weekend to try to prevent the spread of an Ebola epidemic suspected to have infected more than 30 people, they said on Sunday.

The latest suspected case was reported on Friday in the northwestern province of Equateur, which health minister Oly Ilunga Kalenga visited on Saturday with officials from the WHO and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

“We have to pool our efforts quickly and align ourselves with the government response plan to fight this new epidemic effectively,” Kalenga was quoted as saying in a joint statement following their visit to the state capital.

Congo&nbspfirst reported the outbreak, centred around the village of Ikoko Impenge, near the town of Bikoro, on Tuesday, with 32 suspected, probable or confirmed cases of the disease, including 18 deaths since April 4. Some deaths occurring as early as January have not yet been linked to the epidemic.

A person in the Democratic Republic of Congo who died of a hemorrhagic fever has tested positive for the Ebola virus,&nbspsignaling the start of a new outbreak, the Health Ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

The case was confirmed from tests on nine people who came down with a hemorrhagic fever in Bas-Uele province in the north of the country on or after April 22, a ministry statement said. Three people have died of fever.

Officials are racing to prevent the virus from spreading out of control, as happened in West Africa from 2014-2016, when Ebola killed more than 11,300 people in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The WHO was criticised for bungling its response to that epidemic and has moved quickly.

Congo&nbsphad suffered eight Ebola epidemics previously, but owing to remote geography and poor transport links they have tended to fizzle out rather than spread to become a national crisis.

But this epidemic’s proximity to the&nbspCongo&nbspRiver, a major transport route and lifeline both to&nbspCongo‘s capital Kinshasa and to neighbouring&nbspCongo&nbspRepublic’s capital Brazzaville, makes it more likely that the virus could break out into a wider area.

The disease&nbsp–&nbspmost feared for the internal and external bleeding it can cause in its victims owing to damage done to blood vessels&nbsp–&nbsphas already spread to three separate locations covering 60 km or more in Equateur province.

The WHO said on Friday it hopes to deploy an experimental Ebola vaccine to tackle an outbreak.

The WHO's Congo spokesman Eugene Kabambi told Reuters: "It is in a very remote zone, very forested, so we are a little lucky. We always take this very seriously."

The last outbreak of Ebola in Congo was in 2014 and killed 42 people.

Ebola killed more than 11,300 people and infected some 28,600 from 2013, as it swept through Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia and caused alarm around the world.

Congo first reported the outbreak, centred around the village of Ikoko Impenge, near the town of Bikoro, on Tuesday, with 32 suspected, probable or confirmed cases of the disease, including 18 deaths since April 4

The Democratic Republic of&nbspCongo&nbspand UN agencies began deploying emergency teams of specialists over the weekend to try to prevent the spread of an Ebola epidemic suspected to have infected more than 30 people, they said on Sunday. The latest suspected case was reported on Friday in the northwestern province of Equateur, which health minister Oly Ilunga Kalenga visited on Saturday with officials from the WHO and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). “We have to pool our efforts quickly and align ourselves with the government response plan to fight this new epidemic effectively,” Kalenga was quoted as saying in a joint statement following their visit to the state capital. Congo&nbspfirst reported the outbreak, centred around the village of Ikoko Impenge, near the town of Bikoro, on Tuesday, with 32 suspected, probable or confirmed cases of the disease, including 18 deaths since April 4. Some deaths occurring as early as January have not yet been linked to the epidemic. A person in the Democratic Republic of Congo who died of a hemorrhagic fever has tested positive for the Ebola virus,&nbspsignaling the start of a new outbreak, the Health Ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday. The case was confirmed from tests on nine people who came down with a hemorrhagic fever in Bas-Uele province in the north of the country on or after April 22, a ministry statement said. Three people have died of fever. Officials are racing to prevent the virus from spreading out of control, as happened in West Africa from 2014-2016, when Ebola killed more than 11,300 people in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The WHO was criticised for bungling its response to that epidemic and has moved quickly. Congo&nbsphad suffered eight Ebola epidemics previously, but owing to remote geography and poor transport links they have tended to fizzle out rather than spread to become a national crisis. But this epidemic’s proximity to the&nbspCongo&nbspRiver, a major transport route and lifeline both to&nbspCongo‘s capital Kinshasa and to neighbouring&nbspCongo&nbspRepublic’s capital Brazzaville, makes it more likely that the virus could break out into a wider area. The disease –&nbspmost feared for the internal and external bleeding it can cause in its victims owing to damage done to blood vessels –&nbsphas already spread to three separate locations covering 60 km or more in Equateur province. The WHO said on Friday it hopes to deploy an experimental Ebola vaccine to tackle an outbreak. The WHO's Congo spokesman Eugene Kabambi told Reuters: "It is in a very remote zone, very forested, so we are a little lucky. We always take this very seriously." The last outbreak of Ebola in Congo was in 2014 and killed 42 people. Ebola killed more than 11,300 people and infected some 28,600 from 2013, as it swept through Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia and caused alarm around the world.

Congo, UN deploy specialists to tackle Ebola epidemic

A special SC/ST court in Jodhpur, Rajasthan has directed police to file an FIR against cricketer Hardik Pandya for an alleged tweet about Ambedkar.&nbsp;

The court&#39;s order came on a petition filed by a DR Meghwal.&nbsp;

News reports quoted Meghwal as saying Pandya had posted his tweet on December 26 last year.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Which Ambedkar ??? The one who drafted a cross law and constitution or the one who spread the disease called reservation in the country,&rdquo; Pandya reportedly said in his tweet.&nbsp;

News reports quoted Meghwal as saying Pandya had hurt the sentiments of his community. And that he (Pandya) should be given &quot;adequate and suitable&quot; punishment.&nbsp;

News reports quoted the petitioner as saying Pandya had hurt the sentiments of his community. And that he (Pandya) should be given 'adequate and suitable' punishment.

A special SC/ST court in Jodhpur, Rajasthan has directed police to file an FIR against cricketer Hardik Pandya for an alleged tweet about Ambedkar. The court's order came on a petition filed by a DR Meghwal. News reports quoted Meghwal as saying Pandya had posted his tweet on December 26 last year. “Which Ambedkar ??? The one who drafted a cross law and constitution or the one who spread the disease called reservation in the country,” Pandya reportedly said in his tweet. News reports quoted Meghwal as saying Pandya had hurt the sentiments of his community. And that he (Pandya) should be given "adequate and suitable" punishment.

Court orders FIR against cricketer Hardik Pandya for tweet on Ambedkar

China has developed a kit to detect liver cancer which is among the hardest to detect with nearly 80 per cent patients finding out about it in the middle or late stage.

Early detection holds the key to fighting cancer as the effect of treatment begins to fade as the tumor spreads.

Researchers at&nbsp;Zhongshan Hospital in&nbsp;Shanghai worked for over nine years to develop the cancer detection reagent kits.

The reagent only need 0.2 milliliters of blood to detect liver cancer in the early stage. It can check and assess seven liver cancer diagnostic molecular markers, and the sensitivity of the test can reach over 80 per cent, Reuters reported.

&quot;Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP) has the positive rate of 60 to 70 per cent, but there are some false positive results among them. The use of micro RNA (Ribose Nucleic Acid) enables us to better solve the blood testing problem for patients whose AFP is negative,&quot; said Fan Jia, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the president of Zhongshan Hospital told Reuters

&quot;Tests show that the accuracy of the detection can reach 90 per cent,&quot; Zhou Jian, deputy president of Zhongshan Hospital revelead.

The reagent only need 0.2 milliliters of blood to detect liver cancer in early stage.

China has developed a kit to detect liver cancer which is among the hardest to detect with nearly 80 per cent patients finding out about it in the middle or late stage. Early detection holds the key to fighting cancer as the effect of treatment begins to fade as the tumor spreads. Researchers at Zhongshan Hospital in Shanghai worked for over nine years to develop the cancer detection reagent kits. The reagent only need 0.2 milliliters of blood to detect liver cancer in the early stage. It can check and assess seven liver cancer diagnostic molecular markers, and the sensitivity of the test can reach over 80 per cent, Reuters reported. "Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP) has the positive rate of 60 to 70 per cent, but there are some false positive results among them. The use of micro RNA (Ribose Nucleic Acid) enables us to better solve the blood testing problem for patients whose AFP is negative," said Fan Jia, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the president of Zhongshan Hospital told Reuters "Tests show that the accuracy of the detection can reach 90 per cent," Zhou Jian, deputy president of Zhongshan Hospital revelead.

Watch: China develops world's first liver cancer detection kit

Indonesia today began re-inoculating children who received fake vaccines in a major drug counterfeiting scandal that has sparked protests from concerned parents. 
 
President Joko Widodo attended a health clinic in Jakarta at which 36 children were given fresh booster vaccines, vowing the process would continue until all youngsters affected had received new shots. 
 
The health ministry said the first stage of re-inoculation would take place at four hospitals and clinics on the main island of Java where children had been identified as having received fake vaccines. 
 
Police last month smashed a criminal syndicate accused of selling fake vaccines for more than a decade to health clinics across Indonesia, a vast archipelago of 255 million people. 
 
Twenty-three people, including midwives and doctors, have been arrested for alleged involvement in the scheme and vaccines have been confiscated from dozens of health centres across the country. 
 
One of the midwives at the clinic visited by Widodo on Monday is suspected of involvement in the scam, the president said. 
 
The scandal sparked panic and anger among Indonesian families, who last week rallied outside hospitals demanding answers about their children&#39;s health. 
 
Widodo urged concerned parents to remain calm and give authorities time as they assess the scale of the problem, suggesting reforms could be needed in future to protect the community. 
 
&quot;This gives us all momentum to improve governance around the pharmaceutical industry regarding the manufacture and distribution of medicines, including vaccines,&quot; Widodo told reporters. 
 
&quot;Our goal is for the entire community to receive good health care.&quot; 
 
The syndicate, which police said operated for more than a decade, manufactured and distributed fake boosters for diseases including tuberculosis, hepatitis B and tetanus. 
 
The scandal was brought to light after a major pharmaceutical company alerted Indonesian authorities that some of its products had been counterfeited. 
 
(AFP)

The first stage would take place at four Java hospitals and clinics, where children had received fake vaccines

Indonesia today began re-inoculating children who received fake vaccines in a major drug counterfeiting scandal that has sparked protests from concerned parents. President Joko Widodo attended a health clinic in Jakarta at which 36 children were given fresh booster vaccines, vowing the process would continue until all youngsters affected had received new shots. The health ministry said the first stage of re-inoculation would take place at four hospitals and clinics on the main island of Java where children had been identified as having received fake vaccines. Police last month smashed a criminal syndicate accused of selling fake vaccines for more than a decade to health clinics across Indonesia, a vast archipelago of 255 million people. Twenty-three people, including midwives and doctors, have been arrested for alleged involvement in the scheme and vaccines have been confiscated from dozens of health centres across the country. One of the midwives at the clinic visited by Widodo on Monday is suspected of involvement in the scam, the president said. The scandal sparked panic and anger among Indonesian families, who last week rallied outside hospitals demanding answers about their children's health. Widodo urged concerned parents to remain calm and give authorities time as they assess the scale of the problem, suggesting reforms could be needed in future to protect the community. "This gives us all momentum to improve governance around the pharmaceutical industry regarding the manufacture and distribution of medicines, including vaccines," Widodo told reporters. "Our goal is for the entire community to receive good health care." The syndicate, which police said operated for more than a decade, manufactured and distributed fake boosters for diseases including tuberculosis, hepatitis B and tetanus. The scandal was brought to light after a major pharmaceutical company alerted Indonesian authorities that some of its products had been counterfeited. (AFP)

Indonesia re-vaccinates children amid fake drug scandal

Tens of thousands of civilians stranded inside Islamic State-controlled Falluja are at risk of disease outbreaks as Iraqi government forces press their assault to retake the city, a World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Thursday. 
 
Islamic State has tightened control over civilian movement in central Falluja, where an estimated 40,000 people are stuck with little water or food, as commandos from an elite counter-terrorism force inch closer to the city&#39;s main government building more than three weeks after the offensive began. 
 
The ultra-hardline militants, who by US estimates have lost almost half of the northern and western territory they seized when Iraqi forces partially collapsed in 2014, have used residents as human shields to slow the military&#39;s advance and thwart an international air campaign backing them. 
 
Falluja, an hour&#39;s drive west of Baghdad, is seen as a launchpad for Islamic State bombings in the capital, making the offensive a crucial part of the government&#39;s campaign to improve security, although US allies would prefer to concentrate on IS-held Mosul, Iraq&#39;s second largest city in the far north. 
 
Children inside Falluja have not received immunisation since the militants took control in 2014, said Ala Alwan, WHO&#39;s regional director for the eastern Mediterranean, who visited displacement camps in Amiriyat Falluja, a town southeast of Falluja. 
 
&quot;The low level of immunity coupled with poor hygiene conditions raises the risk of disease outbreaks, such as measles,&quot; he said in a statement, and hundreds of pregnant women were also in urgent need of reproductive health services. 
 
Poor sanitation could also spread infectious diseases like cholera and skin diseases in addition to exacerbating chronic illnesses, Alwan said during a field visit where some displaced people complained about a shortage of electricity. 
 
Iraq suffered a major cholera outbreak last year with more than 1,800 cases including six deaths. 
 
Aid groups providing food, water and other supplies to escapees lack access to the city itself. Falluja was besieged by government forces for around six months before the current advance began, prompting the United Nations and rights groups to warn of an imminent humanitarian crisis. 
 
The number of people displaced from Falluja has reached 53,000, according to UN statistics. Alwan said they also struggled to access health services due to inadequate funds. 
 
&quot;The major problem is a lack of funding, life-saving funding that is absolutely required to prevent disease outbreaks,&quot; he told reporters during his visit. 
 
The humanitarian community this year requested $861 million to assist 7.3 million Iraqis in need across the country, but so far it has only received 31 per cent of this amount.&nbsp; 
 
WHO has set up a healthcare centre and mobile clinics to serve displaced people, and is operating disease early-warning sites across Anbar province, where Falluja is located, to detect and respond to possible outbreaks, Alwan said. 
 
&quot;We have huge concerns about communicable diseases and preventing epidemics, but the good news is that we have no major outbreaks,&quot; he added. 
 
Iraq said on Monday it had made arrests as it investigates allegations that Shi&#39;ite Muslim militiamen helping the army recover Falluja had executed dozens of Sunni Muslim men fleeing the city, whose population is mainly Sunni. 
 
The role of militias in the battle of Falluja alongside the Iraqi army had already raised fears of sectarian killings. 
 
Falluja is a historic bastion of the Sunni insurgency against US forces that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, a Sunni, in 2003, and the Shi&#39;ite-led governments that followed. 
 
Enemies of Islamic State have launched major offensives against the jihadists on other fronts, including a push by US-backed forces against the city of Manbij in northern Syria. 
 
They amount to the most sustained pressure on IS since it proclaimed a religious caliphate in 2014. 
(Reuters)

Children inside Falluja have not received immunisation since IS took control in 2014. 40,000 are stuck with little water and food

Tens of thousands of civilians stranded inside Islamic State-controlled Falluja are at risk of disease outbreaks as Iraqi government forces press their assault to retake the city, a World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Thursday. Islamic State has tightened control over civilian movement in central Falluja, where an estimated 40,000 people are stuck with little water or food, as commandos from an elite counter-terrorism force inch closer to the city's main government building more than three weeks after the offensive began. The ultra-hardline militants, who by US estimates have lost almost half of the northern and western territory they seized when Iraqi forces partially collapsed in 2014, have used residents as human shields to slow the military's advance and thwart an international air campaign backing them. Falluja, an hour's drive west of Baghdad, is seen as a launchpad for Islamic State bombings in the capital, making the offensive a crucial part of the government's campaign to improve security, although US allies would prefer to concentrate on IS-held Mosul, Iraq's second largest city in the far north. Children inside Falluja have not received immunisation since the militants took control in 2014, said Ala Alwan, WHO's regional director for the eastern Mediterranean, who visited displacement camps in Amiriyat Falluja, a town southeast of Falluja. "The low level of immunity coupled with poor hygiene conditions raises the risk of disease outbreaks, such as measles," he said in a statement, and hundreds of pregnant women were also in urgent need of reproductive health services. Poor sanitation could also spread infectious diseases like cholera and skin diseases in addition to exacerbating chronic illnesses, Alwan said during a field visit where some displaced people complained about a shortage of electricity. Iraq suffered a major cholera outbreak last year with more than 1,800 cases including six deaths. Aid groups providing food, water and other supplies to escapees lack access to the city itself. Falluja was besieged by government forces for around six months before the current advance began, prompting the United Nations and rights groups to warn of an imminent humanitarian crisis. The number of people displaced from Falluja has reached 53,000, according to UN statistics. Alwan said they also struggled to access health services due to inadequate funds. "The major problem is a lack of funding, life-saving funding that is absolutely required to prevent disease outbreaks," he told reporters during his visit. The humanitarian community this year requested $861 million to assist 7.3 million Iraqis in need across the country, but so far it has only received 31 per cent of this amount. WHO has set up a healthcare centre and mobile clinics to serve displaced people, and is operating disease early-warning sites across Anbar province, where Falluja is located, to detect and respond to possible outbreaks, Alwan said. "We have huge concerns about communicable diseases and preventing epidemics, but the good news is that we have no major outbreaks," he added. Iraq said on Monday it had made arrests as it investigates allegations that Shi'ite Muslim militiamen helping the army recover Falluja had executed dozens of Sunni Muslim men fleeing the city, whose population is mainly Sunni. The role of militias in the battle of Falluja alongside the Iraqi army had already raised fears of sectarian killings. Falluja is a historic bastion of the Sunni insurgency against US forces that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, a Sunni, in 2003, and the Shi'ite-led governments that followed. Enemies of Islamic State have launched major offensives against the jihadists on other fronts, including a push by US-backed forces against the city of Manbij in northern Syria. They amount to the most sustained pressure on IS since it proclaimed a religious caliphate in 2014. (Reuters)

WHO- civilians in Islamic State occupied Falluja at risk of disease

At least 17 million women and girls in Africa collect water every day, which increases their risk of sexual abuse, disease and dropping out of school, a study published recently has found.

It is one of the first studies to calculate how many women and children were responsible for water collection in Africa, the researchers said.

Using datasets from the World Bank, the UN&nbsp;children&#39;s agency UNICEF, and the US&nbsp;Agency for International Development, researchers found that around 3 million children and 14 million women collect water in sub-Saharan Africa.

&quot;The absolute number of adult females affected by this practice was a shock to me,&quot; Jay Graham, lead author of the study, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

&quot;I knew it would be large... but I didn&#39;t realise it would be that high,&quot; added Graham, who is professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University.

The daily practice causes musculoskeletal damage, soft tissue damage and can lead to early arthritis, Graham said.

People also have to contend with water-borne diseases like schistosomiasis, an infection caused by parasitic worms living in fresh water, he said.

Across all 24 countries examined, including Sierra Leone, Malawi and Niger, more girls were tasked with water collection than boys. Women were also the primary water collector in all countries.

Children are pulled out of school for the daily task, and many women cannot earn an income because of the time and energy it takes to collect water, Graham said.

Since they often need to walk long distances to find water, women and children are also at a higher risk of sexual abuse, he added.

In a statement issued last month, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone said drought was putting even more pressure on children to find water.

&quot;Children, particularly girls, are out in the street very late at night or as early as 4a.m. in search of water,&quot; the statement read.

&quot;This heightens their vulnerability and contributes to increase in teenage pregnancy, child labour, high rates of school drop outs, and poor school performance,&quot; it said.

Demand for water is expected to increase by 2050 as the world&#39;s population is forecast to grow by one-third to more than 9 billion, according to the United Nations.

As climate change strengthens, drought is becoming more frequent and severe in southern Africa, and that &ndash; combined with this year&#39;s El Nino phenomenon &ndash; is taking a heavy toll on rural lives and economies.

&quot;With climate change, it&#39;s going to be more of an uphill battle,&quot; said Graham. &quot;If there&#39;s focused attention on it and resources, we can improve upon the situation but I do think it&#39;s going to become more difficult.&quot;

But it also crucial to address gender inequality and to recognise the unpaid labour that women do across the globe, he said, which he believes is the underlying issue.

&quot;There is a need to address cultural values and really shifting the belief that women and men are equal too.&quot;

Many have to travel real far to collect water, thus exposing them to the risk of being sexually abused. And there is the added threat of a water-borne disease and other ailments.

At least 17 million women and girls in Africa collect water every day, which increases their risk of sexual abuse, disease and dropping out of school, a study published recently has found. It is one of the first studies to calculate how many women and children were responsible for water collection in Africa, the researchers said. Using datasets from the World Bank, the UN children's agency UNICEF, and the US Agency for International Development, researchers found that around 3 million children and 14 million women collect water in sub-Saharan Africa. "The absolute number of adult females affected by this practice was a shock to me," Jay Graham, lead author of the study, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "I knew it would be large... but I didn't realise it would be that high," added Graham, who is professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University. The daily practice causes musculoskeletal damage, soft tissue damage and can lead to early arthritis, Graham said. People also have to contend with water-borne diseases like schistosomiasis, an infection caused by parasitic worms living in fresh water, he said. Across all 24 countries examined, including Sierra Leone, Malawi and Niger, more girls were tasked with water collection than boys. Women were also the primary water collector in all countries. Children are pulled out of school for the daily task, and many women cannot earn an income because of the time and energy it takes to collect water, Graham said. Since they often need to walk long distances to find water, women and children are also at a higher risk of sexual abuse, he added. In a statement issued last month, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone said drought was putting even more pressure on children to find water. "Children, particularly girls, are out in the street very late at night or as early as 4a.m. in search of water," the statement read. "This heightens their vulnerability and contributes to increase in teenage pregnancy, child labour, high rates of school drop outs, and poor school performance," it said. Demand for water is expected to increase by 2050 as the world's population is forecast to grow by one-third to more than 9 billion, according to the United Nations. As climate change strengthens, drought is becoming more frequent and severe in southern Africa, and that – combined with this year's El Nino phenomenon – is taking a heavy toll on rural lives and economies. "With climate change, it's going to be more of an uphill battle," said Graham. "If there's focused attention on it and resources, we can improve upon the situation but I do think it's going to become more difficult." But it also crucial to address gender inequality and to recognise the unpaid labour that women do across the globe, he said, which he believes is the underlying issue. "There is a need to address cultural values and really shifting the belief that women and men are equal too."

The risks more than 17 million African women and girls have to take to fetch water

Guinea has reached the end of active Ebola virus transmission, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday, the second such declaration from the country at the epicentre of the global&nbsp;outbreak of the disease.

The proclamation was made because the person with Guinea&#39;s last confirmed case tested negative for the second time more than 42 days ago.

Guinea will now enter a 90-day period of heightened surveillance to make sure of the identification of any new cases before they spread to others.

In the most recent outbreak, seven confirmed and three possible cases of the virus surfaced between March 17 and April 6. At least five people died.

Another three cases were recorded in neighbouring Liberia in a woman who had travelled from Guinea and her two children.

The flare-up seems to have occurred after a person came into contact with infected body fluid from an Ebola survivor, WHO said. Since the virus can remain active in certain body fluids for months, the WHO cautions the risk of outbreaks remain.

However, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said on Tuesday that the organisation was confident that affected countries were prepared and could deal with flare-ups efficiently.

Guinea is believed to be where the world&#39;s worst Ebola outbreak occurred, spanning three countries primarily and killing 11,310 people. It first declared itself free of transmission in December.

Guinea has reached the end of active Ebola virus transmission, the World Health Organisation said, the second such declaration from the country at the global epicentre of the disease.

Guinea has reached the end of active Ebola virus transmission, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday, the second such declaration from the country at the epicentre of the global outbreak of the disease. The proclamation was made because the person with Guinea's last confirmed case tested negative for the second time more than 42 days ago. Guinea will now enter a 90-day period of heightened surveillance to make sure of the identification of any new cases before they spread to others. In the most recent outbreak, seven confirmed and three possible cases of the virus surfaced between March 17 and April 6. At least five people died. Another three cases were recorded in neighbouring Liberia in a woman who had travelled from Guinea and her two children. The flare-up seems to have occurred after a person came into contact with infected body fluid from an Ebola survivor, WHO said. Since the virus can remain active in certain body fluids for months, the WHO cautions the risk of outbreaks remain. However, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said on Tuesday that the organisation was confident that affected countries were prepared and could deal with flare-ups efficiently. Guinea is believed to be where the world's worst Ebola outbreak occurred, spanning three countries primarily and killing 11,310 people. It first declared itself free of transmission in December.

Guinea declared free of active Ebola transmission - WHO

New hepatitis C drugs that can cure the liver-destroying disease are revolutionising treatment, but their high price is a huge burden in some countries, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, according to a new study.

An analysis of prices for two Gilead&nbsp;drugs by World&nbsp;Health&nbsp;Organization (WHO) experts, published on Tuesday, found that while US&nbsp;prices were higher in dollar terms, parts of Europe paid considerably more in &quot;purchasing-power parity&quot; terms.

Purchasing-power parity, or PPP, is used to normalise price comparisons between different economies by taking into account the price of similar baskets of goods instead of market foreign exchange rates.

The PPP-adjusted price in Poland of a treatment course with Gilead&#39;s Harvoni was $118,754, against $72,765 in the U.S., the study found, and it would cost 190.5 percent of the country&#39;s total drugs budget to treat all Polish patients.

Another Gilead drug, Sovaldi, had a similar nominal price in both Norway and Slovakia, but on a PPP basis the price was more than twice as much in Slovakia.

&quot;If you want to treat all patients with hepatitis C, then the prices countries are being asked to pay - even after price negotiations - are still way too high,&quot; said study author Suzanne Hill, the WHO&#39;s director of essential medicines.

The study, which took account of probable confidential discounts on prices, was published in the journal PLOS Medicine.

The cost of Gilead&#39;s hepatitis C drugs has been contentious since the U.S. approval of Sovaldi in 2013, although the company has taken several steps to offer discounts and provide access programmes.

This includes allowing Indian drug companies to manufacture much lower-cost versions of the medicines for sale in developing countries.

Gilead says the price of its treatments reflect their clinical, economic and public&nbsp;health&nbsp;value, arguing that they are cost-effective over the long term.

Hill and colleagues don&#39;t question the value of the drugs but argue that without lower prices, countries will not be able to roll them out on a sufficient scale to minimise the burden of hepatitis C.

&quot;Current prices of these medicines are variable and unaffordable globally,&quot; they concluded.

New hepatitis C drugs that can cure the liver-destroying disease are revolutionising treatment, but their high price is a huge burden in Central and Eastern Europe

New hepatitis C drugs that can cure the liver-destroying disease are revolutionising treatment, but their high price is a huge burden in some countries, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, according to a new study. An analysis of prices for two Gilead drugs by World Health Organization (WHO) experts, published on Tuesday, found that while US prices were higher in dollar terms, parts of Europe paid considerably more in "purchasing-power parity" terms. Purchasing-power parity, or PPP, is used to normalise price comparisons between different economies by taking into account the price of similar baskets of goods instead of market foreign exchange rates. The PPP-adjusted price in Poland of a treatment course with Gilead's Harvoni was $118,754, against $72,765 in the U.S., the study found, and it would cost 190.5 percent of the country's total drugs budget to treat all Polish patients. Another Gilead drug, Sovaldi, had a similar nominal price in both Norway and Slovakia, but on a PPP basis the price was more than twice as much in Slovakia. "If you want to treat all patients with hepatitis C, then the prices countries are being asked to pay - even after price negotiations - are still way too high," said study author Suzanne Hill, the WHO's director of essential medicines. The study, which took account of probable confidential discounts on prices, was published in the journal PLOS Medicine. The cost of Gilead's hepatitis C drugs has been contentious since the U.S. approval of Sovaldi in 2013, although the company has taken several steps to offer discounts and provide access programmes. This includes allowing Indian drug companies to manufacture much lower-cost versions of the medicines for sale in developing countries. Gilead says the price of its treatments reflect their clinical, economic and public health value, arguing that they are cost-effective over the long term. Hill and colleagues don't question the value of the drugs but argue that without lower prices, countries will not be able to roll them out on a sufficient scale to minimise the burden of hepatitis C. "Current prices of these medicines are variable and unaffordable globally," they concluded.

Burden of pricey hepatitis C drugs heaviest in Eastern Europe

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