The world's third largest economy, Japan is facing its worst economic slump in over five years, with new factors like coronavirus contributing to its slowdown.

Recently, the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell by 6.3 per cent during October-December. In fact, this is the biggest GDP shrinkage since the second quarter of 2014.

Also read: <a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/virus-spreads-on-ship-in-japan-american-passengers-set-to-disembark-280966" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/virus-spreads-on-ship-in-japan-american-passengers-set-to-disembark-280966&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjR7fnlk9jnAhXhlOAKHVw3D2gQFjAAegQIABAB&amp;usg=AOvVaw26vAuR60RxpAbHbv5kaX43" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/virus-spreads-on-ship-in-japan-american-passengers-set-to-disembark-280966" target="_blank">Virus spreads on ship in Japan</a>

Private consumption sank by 2.9 per cent while capital expenditure fell by 3.7 per cent.

The Japanese economy shrunk at its fastest rate in over five years. Additionally, factors like sales tax hike influenced consumers, further limiting business spending.

Recent environmental disasters also affected private consumption. Japan is highly susceptible to natural disasters, with tsunami warnings coming up every few days.

To make the situation worse, coronavirus risks have worsened Japan's growth forecast.

The outbreak has hit the tourism industry and led to a decline in production.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-economy-and-the-coronavirus-outbreak-278939/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, Japan which is facing the risk of a recession is hoping to contain the outbreak before the Tokyo Olympics which will start in July this year.

Just recently, Typhoon Hagibis ravaged the country and caused huge losses. As soon as the recovery was on track, coronavirus fears have slowed down the global flow of goods and services.

In case Japan's economy continues to shrink in the first quarter of 2020, they will officially fall into recession, their first major dip since 2015.

Also read: <a class="gs-title" data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-another-70-people-test-positive-for-coronavirus-on-diamond-princess-cruise-ship-in-japan-280913" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-another-70-people-test-positive-for-coronavirus-on-diamond-princess-cruise-ship-in-japan-280913&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiGvsnwk9jnAhULUt8KHRe_Db0QFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0R2qa5LQMZ67_w-xxvhJsl" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-another-70-people-test-positive-for-coronavirus-on-diamond-princess-cruise-ship-in-japan-280913" target="_blank">Another 70 people test positive for coronavirus</a>

Japan is the hardest hit by coronavirus trade limitations as China is its largest trading partner.

The country has the largest non-Chinese cases of coronavirus, standing at 400, with its first virus-induced death recorded last week.

Japan experienced a similar slowdown in 2011, after an earthquake triggered a tsunami which caused a nuclear meltdown.

The world's third largest economy, Japan is facing its worst economic slump in over five years, with new factors like coronavirus contributing to its slowdown. Recently, the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell by 6.

The world's third largest economy, Japan is facing its worst economic slump in over five years, with new factors like coronavirus contributing to its slowdown. Recently, the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell by 6.3 per cent during October-December. In fact, this is the biggest GDP shrinkage since the second quarter of 2014. Also read: Virus spreads on ship in Japan Private consumption sank by 2.9 per cent while capital expenditure fell by 3.7 per cent. The Japanese economy shrunk at its fastest rate in over five years. Additionally, factors like sales tax hike influenced consumers, further limiting business spending. Recent environmental disasters also affected private consumption. Japan is highly susceptible to natural disasters, with tsunami warnings coming up every few days. To make the situation worse, coronavirus risks have worsened Japan's growth forecast. The outbreak has hit the tourism industry and led to a decline in production. However, Japan which is facing the risk of a recession is hoping to contain the outbreak before the Tokyo Olympics which will start in July this year. Just recently, Typhoon Hagibis ravaged the country and caused huge losses. As soon as the recovery was on track, coronavirus fears have slowed down the global flow of goods and services. In case Japan's economy continues to shrink in the first quarter of 2020, they will officially fall into recession, their first major dip since 2015. Also read: Another 70 people test positive for coronavirus Japan is the hardest hit by coronavirus trade limitations as China is its largest trading partner. The country has the largest non-Chinese cases of coronavirus, standing at 400, with its first virus-induced death recorded last week. Japan experienced a similar slowdown in 2011, after an earthquake triggered a tsunami which caused a nuclear meltdown.

Japan records slowest economy in over five years as coronavirus halts trade with its biggest partner, China

Footage of a nine-year-old girl from the epicentre of the coronavirus in Wuhan has recently gone viral on social media.

"We shall overcome this", the kid read out in a letter.&nbsp;

More than 490 people have been killed in China, with international deaths reported in the Philippines and a man dead in Chinese administered Hong Kong.

<img alt="ppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="091e7437-df72-491d-8fd6-a46fee214588" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Capture_4.JPG" />

The video, which was shared on Instagram, showed Sunny, a resident of Wuhan, and a student, pleading people not to give up on the Chinese city.&nbsp;

Most deaths reported in the virus have been contained in the city of Wuhan, in the province of Hubei.

The coronavirus outbreak has killed 490 people in China. The number of infected cases rose to 24,324 as the virus continued to spread in China.

<img alt="iiii" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d22a05e9-a7f5-4cbf-8f3d-ec4130abc9e3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Capture2.JPG" />

Two deaths were reported outside China with Hong Kong being the latest where a 39-year-old man who had visited Wuhan died on Tuesday. Another man had earlier died due to the virus in the Philippines.

Additionally, new cases were reported on a Japanese cruise ship which now remains under quarantine.

On Tuesday, the Chinese National Health Commission claimed new 65 deaths were recorded, which shot up the death toll to 490 in China.

At least 3,887 new cases were confirmed in mainland China, shooting up the total figure of the infection to 24,324.

According to the World Health Organisation, 176 more cases have been reported in other countries and regions.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-reaches-490-figure-expected-to-rise-278644">China's coronavirus death toll rises to 490, over 24,000 infected</a>

Footage of a nine-year-old girl from the epicentre of the coronavirus in Wuhan has recently gone viral on social media. "We shall overcome this", the kid read out in a letter.

Footage of a nine-year-old girl from the epicentre of the coronavirus in Wuhan has recently gone viral on social media. "We shall overcome this", the kid read out in a letter. More than 490 people have been killed in China, with international deaths reported in the Philippines and a man dead in Chinese administered Hong Kong. The video, which was shared on Instagram, showed Sunny, a resident of Wuhan, and a student, pleading people not to give up on the Chinese city. Most deaths reported in the virus have been contained in the city of Wuhan, in the province of Hubei. The coronavirus outbreak has killed 490 people in China. The number of infected cases rose to 24,324 as the virus continued to spread in China. Two deaths were reported outside China with Hong Kong being the latest where a 39-year-old man who had visited Wuhan died on Tuesday. Another man had earlier died due to the virus in the Philippines. Additionally, new cases were reported on a Japanese cruise ship which now remains under quarantine. On Tuesday, the Chinese National Health Commission claimed new 65 deaths were recorded, which shot up the death toll to 490 in China. At least 3,887 new cases were confirmed in mainland China, shooting up the total figure of the infection to 24,324. According to the World Health Organisation, 176 more cases have been reported in other countries and regions. Also read: China's coronavirus death toll rises to 490, over 24,000 infected

WATCH: Nine-year-old girl in Wuhan asks people to not give up on the city amid coronavirus crisis, says 'we shall overcome'

As coronavirus continues to wreak havoc globally and has triggered a mass shutdown, India has also stepped up the efforts to contain the virus.

India, the world's second most populated country provides dismal health infrastructure, making it more vulnerable to the outbreak than other countries. Additionally, given the fact that China and India share a long border, containing the virus could prove harder than it seems.

The top health research agency in the country, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is now working on standard treatment protocol to effectively deal with the coronavirus infections.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/latest-india-news-suspected-case-of-coronavirus-admitted-to-isolation-ward-of-haryana-based-hospital-278783">Suspected case of coronavirus admitted to isolation ward of Haryana-based hospital</a>

The ICMR, after receiving approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has allowed a combination of Lopinavir and Ritonavir to be used if the coronavirus infections become a public health emergency in the country. The combination has been approved for AIDS treatment.

According to medical sources, the standard treatment protocol will comprise a cocktail of antiretrovirals used to treat HIV/AIDS, similar to protocols being followed in China.

The treatment protocol established in China and followed by physicians in Thailand shows that a combination of Lopinavir and Ritonavir, along with flu medication Oseltamivir may be working on patients.

There is no cure for the deadly Wuhan coronavirus but several big biotech companies are hoping they can treat the symptoms with existing antiviral medications.

<h6><img alt="ooo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ccef328c-4a3b-477e-8c15-eb415e50ee43" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_30.jpg" /> 
Ambulance workers in protective gears drive an ambulance which is believed to be carrying a person who was transferred from cruise ship Diamond Princess after ten people were tested positive for&nbsp;coronavirus, at a maritime police's base in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

A pharmaceutical company named Gilead Sciences has introduced a type of medicine: Remdesivir, which can rapidly cure coronavirus infections in patients.

The medicine is in clinical trial stage at the China-Japan friendship hospital in China.

Meanwhile, after the third novel coronavirus case was reported in India, Kerala declared the epidemic a state calamity.

The third person infected in India is another Keralite student who returned from Wuhan University on monday testing positive for the infection.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-reaches-490-figure-expected-to-rise-278644" hreflang="en">China's coronavirus death toll rises to 490, over 24,000 infected</a>

Two earlier positive cases, also of students who came back from Wuhan were reported from Thrissur and Alappuzha districts.

A new suspected case of coronavirus has been reported in Haryana's Hisar.

The suspected patient, Mohan is pursuing MBBS from China and had recently returned from there. He is now admitted to an isolation ward of Hisar's Civil Hospital.

A high-level group of ministers has been constituted on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review the management of the outbreak.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-china-is-fighting-novel-war-on-coronavirus-through-twitter-278807">How China is fighting 'novel' war on coronavirus through Twitter</a>

As coronavirus continues to wreak havoc globally and has triggered a mass shutdown, India has also stepped up the efforts to contain the virus. India, the world's second most populated country provides dismal health infrastructure, making it more vulnerable to the outbreak than other countries.

As coronavirus continues to wreak havoc globally and has triggered a mass shutdown, India has also stepped up the efforts to contain the virus. India, the world's second most populated country provides dismal health infrastructure, making it more vulnerable to the outbreak than other countries. Additionally, given the fact that China and India share a long border, containing the virus could prove harder than it seems. The top health research agency in the country, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is now working on standard treatment protocol to effectively deal with the coronavirus infections. Also read: Suspected case of coronavirus admitted to isolation ward of Haryana-based hospital The ICMR, after receiving approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has allowed a combination of Lopinavir and Ritonavir to be used if the coronavirus infections become a public health emergency in the country. The combination has been approved for AIDS treatment. According to medical sources, the standard treatment protocol will comprise a cocktail of antiretrovirals used to treat HIV/AIDS, similar to protocols being followed in China. The treatment protocol established in China and followed by physicians in Thailand shows that a combination of Lopinavir and Ritonavir, along with flu medication Oseltamivir may be working on patients. There is no cure for the deadly Wuhan coronavirus but several big biotech companies are hoping they can treat the symptoms with existing antiviral medications. Ambulance workers in protective gears drive an ambulance which is believed to be carrying a person who was transferred from cruise ship Diamond Princess after ten people were tested positive for coronavirus, at a maritime police's base in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan | Reuters A pharmaceutical company named Gilead Sciences has introduced a type of medicine: Remdesivir, which can rapidly cure coronavirus infections in patients. The medicine is in clinical trial stage at the China-Japan friendship hospital in China. Meanwhile, after the third novel coronavirus case was reported in India, Kerala declared the epidemic a state calamity. The third person infected in India is another Keralite student who returned from Wuhan University on monday testing positive for the infection. Also read: China's coronavirus death toll rises to 490, over 24,000 infected Two earlier positive cases, also of students who came back from Wuhan were reported from Thrissur and Alappuzha districts. A new suspected case of coronavirus has been reported in Haryana's Hisar. The suspected patient, Mohan is pursuing MBBS from China and had recently returned from there. He is now admitted to an isolation ward of Hisar's Civil Hospital. A high-level group of ministers has been constituted on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review the management of the outbreak. Also read: How China is fighting 'novel' war on coronavirus through Twitter

India settles on standard treatment protocol as third case of coronavirus confirmed

China faced mounting isolation in the face of increasing international travel curbs and flight suspensions on Saturday, as the death toll from a spreading coronavirus outbreak rose to 259.

China faced mounting isolation in the face of increasing international travel curbs and flight suspensions on Saturday, as the death toll from a spreading coronavirus outbreak rose to 259. The epidemic has led to mass evacuations of foreign citizens as world airlines halt flights, and risks exacerbating a slowdown in growth in the world's second-largest economy. China's National Health Commission said there were 2,102 new confirmed infections in China as of Friday, bringing the total to 11,791. Around two dozen other countries have reported more than 130 cases. All of the reported deaths from the virus have been in China. The Russian military was to start evacuating Russian citizens from China on Monday and Tuesday, Interfax and TASS news agencies reported. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying the evacuations would be from regions that had been most affected by the outbreak. Russia, which has already restricted direct flights with its biggest trading partner, also said it was suspending visa-free travel for Chinese visitors and halting work visas. Most international cases have been in people who had recently travelled to or were visiting from Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak. Hubei has been under a virtual quarantine for the last week, with roads sealed off and public transport shut down. Elsewhere, Chinese authorities placed growing restrictions on travel and business. In Beijing, counters were set up at the entrances of housing estates, where volunteers wearing red armbands and masks noted details of residents coming back from their hometowns after the Lunar New Year holiday. [ A woman wears a face mask in a market alley in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China. (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Also Read: Coronavirus: China toll climbs to 304; Philippines becomes first country outside China to report first death In Hubei, the provincial government extended the holiday break to Feb. 13 in a bid to contain the outbreak, the Hubei Daily reported. The World Health Organization, which this week declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, has said global trade and travel restrictions are not needed. But Singapore and the United States announced measures on Friday to ban foreign nationals who have recently been in China from entering their territories. Australia followed suit on Saturday. "We're operating with an abundance of caution in these circumstances so Australians can go about their daily lives with confidence," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Sydney. The Chinese data would suggest the flu-like virus is less deadly than the 2002-03 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed nearly 800 people of the some 8,000 it infected, although such numbers can evolve rapidly. Evacuations The list of international airlines suspending all or some flights to China is growing. The latest was Qantas Airways Ltd and Air New Zealand, who said travel bans forced them to suspend their direct flights to China from Feb. 9. All three major U.S. airlines said on Friday they would cancel flights to mainland China. The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific banned travel to China for all service members and civilian personnel under his authority and ordered those now in China to leave immediately, officials said. U.S. health officials on Saturday confirmed an eighth case of the virus, a person in Massachusetts who recently returned from Hubei province. Many nations have sent charter flights to repatriate citizens from China and then place them in isolation for around two weeks, believed to be the incubation period of the virus. German Health Minister Jens Spahn called for calm and warned against hysteria as more than 100 Germans and family members landed in Frankfurt, none showing any symptoms of the virus. As of Saturday evening Germany had eight confirmed cases. Britain, which has had two confirmed cases, said it was withdrawing some staff from its embassy and consulates in China. Many of the private clinics catering to foreigners in China have started to turn away people with fevers. Disruptions Infections have jumped in two cities flanking Wuhan, where the new virus is believed to have originated, raising concerns that new hot spots are emerging despite strict transport restrictions. In Huanggang, authorities asked households to designate one individual who can leave the home, a local newspaper said. The mayor of the city of about 7.5 million people said there could be a significant rise in cases this weekend. The northern city of Tianjin, home to some 15 million, suspended all schools and businesses until further notice. Efforts to contain the virus risk slowing economic growth in China. The virus impact prompted Goldman Sachs to cut its estimate for first-quarter growth to 4% from 5.6%. China's central bank said the impact was temporary and economic fundamentals remained sound, but that it would increase credit support, lowering lending costs for affected companies. Apple Inc said on Saturday it would close all of its official stores and corporate offices in China until Feb. 9, the latest of dozens of major companies, including IKEA and Walmart Inc, to restrict travel and operations due to the outbreak.

Coronavirus death toll rises; China faces global isolation deemed unnecessary by WHO

Australia recently announced that it will begin screening passengers arriving from China to limit the spread of a new mysterious coronavirus which is gaining traction in the Chinese mainland with new cases popping up in nearby countries like Japan and South Korea. The statement was put out by the country's chief medical officer.

Australian authorities had earlier claimed that limiting an outbreak would be very difficult.

The Chinese recently confirmed that more than 200 cases of the virus have been reported, with four deaths in the city of Wuhan.&nbsp;

The virus, as opposed to what was presumed, spreads from person-to-person, and causes a type of pneumonia.

<h6><img alt="iii" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="82c7a6fe-0b49-4816-8402-5f9f012d3cec" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_51.jpg" /> 
A woman walks in front of the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market, where health authorities say a man who died from a respiratory illness had purchased goods from, in the city of Wuhan, Hubei province, on January 12, 2020 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Additionally, the virus has recently reached Thailand, Japan, and South Korea, which has raised concerns about it spreading via air travel.

The Chief Medical Officer of the Australian government, Brendan Murphy recently said that ''biosecurity officials'' would begin screening passengers slated to arrive on the three weekly flights from Wuhan to Sydney.&nbsp;

"You cannot absolutely prevent the spread of disease into the country. The incubation period is probably a week," Murphy told reporters in Canberra.

According to official information reported by Reuters, passengers would be handed out a checklist pamphlet to ascertain whether anybody had contracted fever or the disease itself. However, Murphy clearly added that these measures are capable of offering only limited protection.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-confirms-person-to-person-spread-of-the-new-virus-as-fourth-death-reported-275590">China confirms person-to-person spread of the new virus as fourth death reported</a>

"It's about identifying those with high risk and making sure those who have a high risk know about it and know how to get medical attention", Murphy added.

Australia receives a large horde of tourists from China: almost one million Chinese folks visited the continent-cum-country last year.

<h6><img alt="iiii" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="95cc22d2-9468-42d8-a3a0-a12c29fff2bf" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_58.jpg" /> 
Medical staff members carry a patient into the Jinyintan hospital, where patients infected by a mysterious SARS-like virus are being treated, in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 18, 2020&nbsp; | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Even though only three weekly flights ply from Wuhan to Sydney, Murphy suggested that people could arrive through other locations. About 160 flights come from China to Australia every year.

Fears of an epidemic have increased that China prepares for the Lunar New Year this week, which witnesses millions coming to and going from the country.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sars-like-virus-spreading-across-china-amid-140-new-cases-third-death-275342">SARS-like virus spreading across China amid 140 new cases, third death</a>

The Australian screening process would involve checking people for higher body temperatures, a technique used to limit the SARS outbreak earlier. Murphy claimed that this technique was ineffective and fostered a false sense of security.

The SARS outbreak, which had also begun in China, left 800 people dead around the world in 2002-03.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

Australia recently announced that it will begin screening passengers arriving from China to limit the spread of a new mysterious coronavirus which is gaining traction in the Chinese mainland with new cases popping up in nearby countries like Japan and South Korea.

Australia recently announced that it will begin screening passengers arriving from China to limit the spread of a new mysterious coronavirus which is gaining traction in the Chinese mainland with new cases popping up in nearby countries like Japan and South Korea. The statement was put out by the country's chief medical officer. Australian authorities had earlier claimed that limiting an outbreak would be very difficult. The Chinese recently confirmed that more than 200 cases of the virus have been reported, with four deaths in the city of Wuhan. The virus, as opposed to what was presumed, spreads from person-to-person, and causes a type of pneumonia. A woman walks in front of the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market, where health authorities say a man who died from a respiratory illness had purchased goods from, in the city of Wuhan, Hubei province, on January 12, 2020 | AFP Additionally, the virus has recently reached Thailand, Japan, and South Korea, which has raised concerns about it spreading via air travel. The Chief Medical Officer of the Australian government, Brendan Murphy recently said that ''biosecurity officials'' would begin screening passengers slated to arrive on the three weekly flights from Wuhan to Sydney. "You cannot absolutely prevent the spread of disease into the country. The incubation period is probably a week," Murphy told reporters in Canberra. According to official information reported by Reuters, passengers would be handed out a checklist pamphlet to ascertain whether anybody had contracted fever or the disease itself. However, Murphy clearly added that these measures are capable of offering only limited protection. Read more: China confirms person-to-person spread of the new virus as fourth death reported "It's about identifying those with high risk and making sure those who have a high risk know about it and know how to get medical attention", Murphy added. Australia receives a large horde of tourists from China: almost one million Chinese folks visited the continent-cum-country last year. Medical staff members carry a patient into the Jinyintan hospital, where patients infected by a mysterious SARS-like virus are being treated, in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 18, 2020 | AFP Even though only three weekly flights ply from Wuhan to Sydney, Murphy suggested that people could arrive through other locations. About 160 flights come from China to Australia every year. Fears of an epidemic have increased that China prepares for the Lunar New Year this week, which witnesses millions coming to and going from the country. Read more: SARS-like virus spreading across China amid 140 new cases, third death The Australian screening process would involve checking people for higher body temperatures, a technique used to limit the SARS outbreak earlier. Murphy claimed that this technique was ineffective and fostered a false sense of security. The SARS outbreak, which had also begun in China, left 800 people dead around the world in 2002-03. (With inputs from Reuters)

Australia to begin screening passengers from China as coronavirus continues to spread

Outrage erupted on social media after a Chinese theme part forced a pig to bungee jump off a 68-metre high tower, the BBC reported.

As visible in the video, the pig was tied to a pole and then ushered by two men to the top of the tower before being pushed off.

The amusement park claims that the stunt was curated to mark the inauguration of the new bungee ride.

According to local media, the pig was then sent to a slaughterhouse.

<h6><img alt="pig" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6b81590b-b124-45e4-9e96-8d5a6c0f9ef2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_48.jpg" /> 
Image courtesy: Twitter user&nbsp;@DanielPartain4 
&nbsp;</h6>

The world has become more sensitive to animal rights, as reflected in the anger that was sparked online after the video went viral.

Since then, the theme park has put out a statement and said that they accept the ''criticism''.

"We sincerely accept netizens' criticism and advice and apologise to the public... We will improve [our] marketing of the tourist site, to provide tourists with better services'', the statement read.

The pig was thrown off the edge on January 18 at the Meixin Red Wine Town park in southwestern Chinese municipality of Chongqing.

The event was called ''The Golden Pig Bungee Jump''.

Local media reported that the pig weighed 75 kilograms and was adorned in a purple cape before being pushed off. Pig squeals can be clearly heard in the video.

<img alt="pig" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="800ad048-2755-470e-b895-5773e0c93db7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_37.jpg" />

<h6>Image courtesy: Twitter user @steve8412 
&nbsp;</h6>

In one video of the incident, what sound like pig squeals can be heard.

In China, animal cruelty is not punishable or recognised by law. But the global movement for animal rights has spurred the conversation about animal welfare issues in the last few years.

Even though there was a lot of outrage against the incident, many users claimed that what happened to the pig was no different than ''killing a pig for food''. 
 
"Killing animals for consumption and treating them cruelly for entertainment are two different things... There is no need to torture them like this", a user said.&nbsp;

Animal rights organisation PETA called it ''animal cruelty at its worst''.

Outrage erupted on social media after a Chinese theme part forced a pig to bungee jump off a 68-metre high tower, the BBC reported. As visible in the video, the pig was tied to a pole and then ushered by two men to the top of the tower before being pushed off.

Outrage erupted on social media after a Chinese theme part forced a pig to bungee jump off a 68-metre high tower, the BBC reported. As visible in the video, the pig was tied to a pole and then ushered by two men to the top of the tower before being pushed off. The amusement park claims that the stunt was curated to mark the inauguration of the new bungee ride. According to local media, the pig was then sent to a slaughterhouse. Image courtesy: Twitter user @DanielPartain4 The world has become more sensitive to animal rights, as reflected in the anger that was sparked online after the video went viral. Since then, the theme park has put out a statement and said that they accept the ''criticism''. "We sincerely accept netizens' criticism and advice and apologise to the public... We will improve [our] marketing of the tourist site, to provide tourists with better services'', the statement read. The pig was thrown off the edge on January 18 at the Meixin Red Wine Town park in southwestern Chinese municipality of Chongqing. The event was called ''The Golden Pig Bungee Jump''. Local media reported that the pig weighed 75 kilograms and was adorned in a purple cape before being pushed off. Pig squeals can be clearly heard in the video. Image courtesy: Twitter user @steve8412 In one video of the incident, what sound like pig squeals can be heard. In China, animal cruelty is not punishable or recognised by law. But the global movement for animal rights has spurred the conversation about animal welfare issues in the last few years. Even though there was a lot of outrage against the incident, many users claimed that what happened to the pig was no different than ''killing a pig for food''. "Killing animals for consumption and treating them cruelly for entertainment are two different things... There is no need to torture them like this", a user said. Animal rights organisation PETA called it ''animal cruelty at its worst''.

Chinese theme park forces pig to bungee jump as part of stunt, online outrage follows

A virus akin to SARS that recently hit China <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-probes-mystery-pneumonia-outbreak-amid-sars-fears-271264">mysteriously</a> has taken the lives of two people with more than hundreds likely to be infected, reported AFP.

The virus also causes pneumonia which has infected at least 41 people in China. The first signs of the virus appeared around a seafood market in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

According to a study published by scientists at the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at the Imperial College in London, the number of affected could run into thousands.

Watch:&nbsp;At least 59 people infected with mysterious virus in China, Beijing rules out SARS threat

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The Centre, which also advises world health bodies like the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated a ''total of 1,723 cases'' in Wuhan by January 12.

"For Wuhan to have exported three cases to other countries would imply there would have to be many more cases than have been reported," Professor Neil Ferguson, one of the authors of the report, told the BBC.

The infection no longer remains within the Chinese borders, with cases appearing in Thailand and Japan as well. In the former, two were infected, while one person has been affected in the latter so far. According to researchers, this was traced via international flight traffic data from Wuhan's airport. 
 
"I am substantially more concerned than I was a week ago.... [but it is] too early to be alarmist", Ferguson added.&nbsp;

Ferguson further added that it was "unlikely" that the infection was a product of animal exposure.

"People should be considering the possibility of substantial human-to-human transmission more seriously than they have so far," he added.

As of now, two people have known to be killed by the strange virus, which originates from the same pathogen family as the SARS virus.

Global health authorities have reaffirmed the lesser risk associated with the infection.

<img alt="Wuhan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d372eb52-ce72-4c79-98eb-577db8e2822a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_46.jpg" />

<h6>Image: Members of staff of the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team conduct searches on the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in the city of Wuhan, in the Hubei Province, on January 11, 2020, where the Wuhan health commission said that the man who died from a respiratory illness had purchased goods | AFP</h6>

&nbsp;

However, attempts to stop it from spreading have been put into action. For example, in Hong Kong, the authorities have improved their screening mechanism. This includes temperature checkpoints for travellers coming from the Chinese mainland.&nbsp;

The United States will also start screening flights arriving from Wuhan at San Francisco as well as New York City, along with Los Angeles.

Recently, Indian authorities also issued an advisory for people planning to travel to China.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-coronavirus-from-sars-family-may-be-cause-of-mysterious-pneumonia-cases-in-china-who-273068">New coronavirus from SARS family may be cause of mysterious pneumonia cases in China: WHO</a>

(With inputs from AFP)

A virus akin to SARS that recently hit China mysteriously has taken the lives of two people with more than hundreds likely to be infected, reported AFP. The virus also causes pneumonia which has infected at least 41 people in China.

A virus akin to SARS that recently hit China mysteriously has taken the lives of two people with more than hundreds likely to be infected, reported AFP. The virus also causes pneumonia which has infected at least 41 people in China. The first signs of the virus appeared around a seafood market in the Chinese city of Wuhan. According to a study published by scientists at the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at the Imperial College in London, the number of affected could run into thousands. Watch: At least 59 people infected with mysterious virus in China, Beijing rules out SARS threat The Centre, which also advises world health bodies like the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated a ''total of 1,723 cases'' in Wuhan by January 12. "For Wuhan to have exported three cases to other countries would imply there would have to be many more cases than have been reported," Professor Neil Ferguson, one of the authors of the report, told the BBC. The infection no longer remains within the Chinese borders, with cases appearing in Thailand and Japan as well. In the former, two were infected, while one person has been affected in the latter so far. According to researchers, this was traced via international flight traffic data from Wuhan's airport. "I am substantially more concerned than I was a week ago.... [but it is] too early to be alarmist", Ferguson added. Ferguson further added that it was "unlikely" that the infection was a product of animal exposure. "People should be considering the possibility of substantial human-to-human transmission more seriously than they have so far," he added. As of now, two people have known to be killed by the strange virus, which originates from the same pathogen family as the SARS virus. Global health authorities have reaffirmed the lesser risk associated with the infection. Image: Members of staff of the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team conduct searches on the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in the city of Wuhan, in the Hubei Province, on January 11, 2020, where the Wuhan health commission said that the man who died from a respiratory illness had purchased goods | AFP However, attempts to stop it from spreading have been put into action. For example, in Hong Kong, the authorities have improved their screening mechanism. This includes temperature checkpoints for travellers coming from the Chinese mainland. The United States will also start screening flights arriving from Wuhan at San Francisco as well as New York City, along with Los Angeles. Recently, Indian authorities also issued an advisory for people planning to travel to China. Also read: New coronavirus from SARS family may be cause of mysterious pneumonia cases in China: WHO (With inputs from AFP)

Mysterious SARS-like virus in China has affected 'hundreds': Report

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../jk-issue-attempt-made-by-pakistan-through- china-to-misuse-unsc-platform-says-india-274661">Pakistan</a>&nbsp;says&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;will&nbsp;help&nbsp;the country in its&nbsp;fight&nbsp;against&nbsp;polio&nbsp;after authorities blamed anti-vaccine content posted last year on the social network site for a leap in the number of cases.

Pakistan&nbsp;is one of only three countries where&nbsp;polio&nbsp;has not been eradicated, but a years-long effort began to show fruit with a major drop in cases from 2016.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-efforts-to-raise-kashmir-at-un-security-council-crumbled-once-again-274575">Pakistan efforts to raise Kashmir at UN Security Council crumbled once again</a>

By 2018 just 12 cases had been recorded, but to the dismay of Pakistani authorities and the World Health Organization, that number soared to 136 last year.&nbsp;

Pakistani officials quickly tied the surge to a slew of fake news reports and videos claiming many children had been killed by the vaccine that garnered thousands of views and shares on social media.&nbsp;

They called on&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;do more to remove harmful anti-vaccine content from the site, saying it was jeopardising eradication initiatives and putting the lives of&nbsp;polio&nbsp;workers at risk.&nbsp;

Health authorities later said&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;had removed dozens such videos.

This week a delegation from the company visited Islamabad and reaffirmed their commitment to the campaign, a Pakistani government statement said.&nbsp;

"We stand behind the national and global efforts to create a&nbsp;polio-free world and will continue to support these efforts," Rafael Frankel, a&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;regional director, was quoted as saying in a statement released by&nbsp;Pakistan's ministry of health.

Dr Zafar Mirza, a Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on health, highlighted the importance of communicating correct health information online and stressed "the need to counter harmful content on social media".

Facebook&nbsp;did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.

Vaccination campaigns have faced stubborn resistance for years in&nbsp;Pakistan, with many refusing to have their children inoculated because of misinformation and conspiracy theories.

Islamist opposition to all forms of inoculation grew after the CIA organised a fake vaccination drive to&nbsp;help&nbsp;track down Al Qaeda's former leader Osama Bin Laden in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad.

As&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;tries to reach its goal of eliminating&nbsp;polio, the growing global movement&nbsp;against&nbsp;vaccinations -- fuelled by social media -- has presented a new challenge.

Afghanistan and Nigeria are the two other countries where the disease has not been entirely eradicated, although the latter is expected to be declared&nbsp;polio-free later this year.

Pakistan says Facebook will help the country in its fight against polio after authorities blamed anti-vaccine content posted last year on the social network site for a leap in the number of cases.

Pakistan says Facebook will help the country in its fight against polio after authorities blamed anti-vaccine content posted last year on the social network site for a leap in the number of cases. Pakistan is one of only three countries where polio has not been eradicated, but a years-long effort began to show fruit with a major drop in cases from 2016. Also read- Pakistan efforts to raise Kashmir at UN Security Council crumbled once again By 2018 just 12 cases had been recorded, but to the dismay of Pakistani authorities and the World Health Organization, that number soared to 136 last year. Pakistani officials quickly tied the surge to a slew of fake news reports and videos claiming many children had been killed by the vaccine that garnered thousands of views and shares on social media. They called on Facebook do more to remove harmful anti-vaccine content from the site, saying it was jeopardising eradication initiatives and putting the lives of polio workers at risk. Health authorities later said Facebook had removed dozens such videos. This week a delegation from the company visited Islamabad and reaffirmed their commitment to the campaign, a Pakistani government statement said. "We stand behind the national and global efforts to create a polio-free world and will continue to support these efforts," Rafael Frankel, a Facebook regional director, was quoted as saying in a statement released by Pakistan's ministry of health. Dr Zafar Mirza, a Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on health, highlighted the importance of communicating correct health information online and stressed "the need to counter harmful content on social media". Facebook did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment. Vaccination campaigns have faced stubborn resistance for years in Pakistan, with many refusing to have their children inoculated because of misinformation and conspiracy theories. Islamist opposition to all forms of inoculation grew after the CIA organised a fake vaccination drive to help track down Al Qaeda's former leader Osama Bin Laden in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad. As Pakistan tries to reach its goal of eliminating polio, the growing global movement against vaccinations -- fuelled by social media -- has presented a new challenge. Afghanistan and Nigeria are the two other countries where the disease has not been entirely eradicated, although the latter is expected to be declared polio-free later this year.

Facebook to help in fight against polio: Pakistan

Chinese authorities for railway, air and highway transport are taking measures to guard against any epidemic outbreak in the Spring Festival travel rush, said officials at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

Transport authorities to guard against epidemic outbreak in travel rush

A three-month-old <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-ruling-party-makes-fresh-push-for-anwar-to-take-over-as-pm-266959">Malaysian infant</a> has been diagnosed with polio, the first case reported in the country in nearly three decades, a top health official said on Sunday.

The baby boy from Tuaran in Malaysia's Sabah state on Borneo island tested positive for polio on Friday after being admitted to hospital with a fever and muscle weakness, Director General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement.

"The patient is being treated in an isolation ward and is in stable condition, but still requires assistance to breathe," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-pushes-for-two-term-limit-for-prime-ministers-265975">Malaysia was declared polio-free in 2000</a>, after reporting its last known case of the disease in 1992. Its resurgence comes just months after the Philippines, north of Borneo, reported its first cases of polio since 1993 in September.

Noor Hisham said tests showed the child was infected with a polio strain that shared genetic links with the virus detected in the Philippine cases.

Checks in the area where the baby lived showed 23 of 199 children between 2 and 15 had not received the polio vaccine, he said.

"This is a worrying situation as the spread of the disease ... can only be stopped with polio immunisation," he said, adding vaccination rates needed to be above 95% to prevent infection.

There is no cure for polio, which invades the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis within hours, but it can be prevented with vaccines.

The virus spreads rapidly among children, especially in unsanitary conditions in underdeveloped or war-torn regions where healthcare access is limited.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are the last countries where the disease is endemic.

Noor Hisham said faecal samples from the infected child's close contacts and his surroundings had been collected in a bid to detect the poliovirus.

The authorities have also stepped up monitoring of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases, a common sign of acute polio, he said.

Noor Hisham advised parents to ensure their children were fully vaccinated.

In recent years, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/six-malaysians-muslims-handed-jail-terms-for-skipping-friday-prayers-266178">Malaysia has faced a challenge</a> convincing some parents to immunise their children. In 2016, five children died from diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease, prompting an outcry&nbsp;among health officials.

A three-month-old Malaysian infant has been diagnosed with polio, the first case reported in the country in nearly three decades, a top health official said on Sunday.

A three-month-old Malaysian infant has been diagnosed with polio, the first case reported in the country in nearly three decades, a top health official said on Sunday. The baby boy from Tuaran in Malaysia's Sabah state on Borneo island tested positive for polio on Friday after being admitted to hospital with a fever and muscle weakness, Director General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement. "The patient is being treated in an isolation ward and is in stable condition, but still requires assistance to breathe," he said. Malaysia was declared polio-free in 2000, after reporting its last known case of the disease in 1992. Its resurgence comes just months after the Philippines, north of Borneo, reported its first cases of polio since 1993 in September. Noor Hisham said tests showed the child was infected with a polio strain that shared genetic links with the virus detected in the Philippine cases. Checks in the area where the baby lived showed 23 of 199 children between 2 and 15 had not received the polio vaccine, he said. "This is a worrying situation as the spread of the disease ... can only be stopped with polio immunisation," he said, adding vaccination rates needed to be above 95% to prevent infection. There is no cure for polio, which invades the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis within hours, but it can be prevented with vaccines. The virus spreads rapidly among children, especially in unsanitary conditions in underdeveloped or war-torn regions where healthcare access is limited. Afghanistan and Pakistan are the last countries where the disease is endemic. Noor Hisham said faecal samples from the infected child's close contacts and his surroundings had been collected in a bid to detect the poliovirus. The authorities have also stepped up monitoring of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases, a common sign of acute polio, he said. Noor Hisham advised parents to ensure their children were fully vaccinated. In recent years, Malaysia has faced a challenge convincing some parents to immunise their children. In 2016, five children died from diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease, prompting an outcry among health officials.

Malaysia records first case of polio after three decades

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../samoa-measles-outbreak-death-toll-rises-to-62- 266337">measles epidemic</a> in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 5,000 people this year, many of them young children, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

Low immunisation rates and high levels of malnutrition have fuelled the epidemic and high mortality rates, especially in North Kivu province, which is also reeling from an Ebola epidemic, it said.

"Since the start of 2019, more than 250,000 suspected (measles) cases and over 5,000 deaths mostly among children under 5 years, have been recorded," the WHO said in a statement.

A first measles vaccination campaign was launched to protect people against the infectious disease that has struck all of the country's 26 provinces, it said.

A third phase of the campaign is planned, with the ultimate aim of reaching 18.9 million children across the country by year-end, it added.

"While the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has won the world’s attention and progress is being made in saving lives, we must not forget the other urgent health needs the country faces," said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Vaccination is most challenging in North Kivu, where 2.2 million people are to be vaccinated in this round, because of high insecurity following armed attacks that make some areas inaccessible to aid workers, WHO said.

The world's second biggest Ebola epidemic on record has killed more than 2,200 people since mid-2018, but new infections slowed in recent months, the WHO said last week, while warning that Ebola was likely to resurge.

A measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 5,000 people this year, many of them young children, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

A measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 5,000 people this year, many of them young children, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday. Low immunisation rates and high levels of malnutrition have fuelled the epidemic and high mortality rates, especially in North Kivu province, which is also reeling from an Ebola epidemic, it said. "Since the start of 2019, more than 250,000 suspected (measles) cases and over 5,000 deaths mostly among children under 5 years, have been recorded," the WHO said in a statement. A first measles vaccination campaign was launched to protect people against the infectious disease that has struck all of the country's 26 provinces, it said. A third phase of the campaign is planned, with the ultimate aim of reaching 18.9 million children across the country by year-end, it added. "While the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has won the world’s attention and progress is being made in saving lives, we must not forget the other urgent health needs the country faces," said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. Vaccination is most challenging in North Kivu, where 2.2 million people are to be vaccinated in this round, because of high insecurity following armed attacks that make some areas inaccessible to aid workers, WHO said. The world's second biggest Ebola epidemic on record has killed more than 2,200 people since mid-2018, but new infections slowed in recent months, the WHO said last week, while warning that Ebola was likely to resurge.

Measles toll in Congo exceeds 5,000: WHO

Social media giants must crackdown on anti-vaccination posts that are fuelling <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../samoa-measles-outbreak-death-toll-rises-to-62- 266337">Samoa's deadly measles epidemic</a> from afar, UNICEF's Pacific islands chief said Thursday.

Sheldon Yett, the regional representative for the U.N. children's agency, said "incredibly irresponsible" online material on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram had exacerbated the Samoa measles outbreak, which has claimed 62 lives since mid-October,&nbsp;by discouraging immunisation.&nbsp;

"It's quite clear that they have a corporate responsibility to step up to the plate and make sure that populations, particularly vulnerable populations, get accurate information that's going to keep children alive," Yett said.

Immunisation rates in Samoa dropped to just over 30 percent before the outbreak, well below accepted best practice of around 90 percent, making the island nation extremely vulnerable to infection.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-has-ill-effects-on-health-but -not-enough-funding-world-health-organisation-265954">World Health Organisation</a> blamed an anti-vaccine messaging campaign, which Yett said was carried out largely online by overseas-based activists.

"It's quite obvious that there are very loud people on social media making very false claims about vaccines," he said.

"Unfortunately it's found a ready audience in Samoa, where some people are suspicious about the quality of healthcare and may have issues with local (vaccine) providers."

He said activists posting anti-vaccine material from wealthy developed countries such as the United States and Australia needed to realise the impact of their actions in developing nations.&nbsp;

"It's devastating, it can be a death sentence for a child here where there's low immunisation and possibly other health issues going on in the background," he said from the capital Apia.

'No easy fix'&nbsp;

Yett said suspicion of vaccines in Samoa stemmed from a case last year when two babies died after receiving measles shots, leading to an eight-month suspension of the country's immunisation programme.

Subsequent investigations found there was no problem with the vaccine itself, but the nurses administering it accidentally mixed it with anaesthetic, instead of water.

However, trust in the immunisation programme was dented and anti-vaxxers stepped up efforts to push their agenda online, creating what Yett described as "a perfect formula" for an uncontrollable epidemic.

The activists have also hindered efforts to control the outbreak, with one prominent Australian-based blogger last week comparing compulsory vaccinations to Nazi Germany and saying "fascism is well and truly alive in Samoa".

Others have promoted quick remedies such as "Kangen water", alkaline water which supporters say can cure measles, despite no scientific evidence.

Yett said health authorities' focus at the moment was containing an epidemic that was still raging, resulting in fresh infections and child deaths every day.

But he said once it was over there had to be a discussion with platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram about their approach to anti-vaccine material.

He said the informed debate was important but it was wrong to allow online activists to question the effectiveness of vaccines, which the WHO estimates have saved the lives of 21 million children over the past 20 years.

"It's not easy, nobody wants to be a censor," he said.

"Companies have a responsibility to do it, but we also have to be honest and say there's no easy fix where they can flick a switch."

He conceded the clicks generated by heated online debate about vaccines could prevent the platforms from wanting to take swift action on the issue.

"We shouldn't be naive, there are many counter incentives here for social media giants as well," he said.

Social media giants must crackdown on anti-vaccination posts that are fuelling Samoa's deadly measles epidemic from afar, UNICEF's Pacific islands chief said Thursday.

Social media giants must crackdown on anti-vaccination posts that are fuelling Samoa's deadly measles epidemic from afar, UNICEF's Pacific islands chief said Thursday. Sheldon Yett, the regional representative for the U.N. children's agency, said "incredibly irresponsible" online material on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram had exacerbated the Samoa measles outbreak, which has claimed 62 lives since mid-October, by discouraging immunisation. "It's quite clear that they have a corporate responsibility to step up to the plate and make sure that populations, particularly vulnerable populations, get accurate information that's going to keep children alive," Yett said. Immunisation rates in Samoa dropped to just over 30 percent before the outbreak, well below accepted best practice of around 90 percent, making the island nation extremely vulnerable to infection. The World Health Organisation blamed an anti-vaccine messaging campaign, which Yett said was carried out largely online by overseas-based activists. "It's quite obvious that there are very loud people on social media making very false claims about vaccines," he said. "Unfortunately it's found a ready audience in Samoa, where some people are suspicious about the quality of healthcare and may have issues with local (vaccine) providers." He said activists posting anti-vaccine material from wealthy developed countries such as the United States and Australia needed to realise the impact of their actions in developing nations. "It's devastating, it can be a death sentence for a child here where there's low immunisation and possibly other health issues going on in the background," he said from the capital Apia. 'No easy fix' Yett said suspicion of vaccines in Samoa stemmed from a case last year when two babies died after receiving measles shots, leading to an eight-month suspension of the country's immunisation programme. Subsequent investigations found there was no problem with the vaccine itself, but the nurses administering it accidentally mixed it with anaesthetic, instead of water. However, trust in the immunisation programme was dented and anti-vaxxers stepped up efforts to push their agenda online, creating what Yett described as "a perfect formula" for an uncontrollable epidemic. The activists have also hindered efforts to control the outbreak, with one prominent Australian-based blogger last week comparing compulsory vaccinations to Nazi Germany and saying "fascism is well and truly alive in Samoa". Others have promoted quick remedies such as "Kangen water", alkaline water which supporters say can cure measles, despite no scientific evidence. Yett said health authorities' focus at the moment was containing an epidemic that was still raging, resulting in fresh infections and child deaths every day. But he said once it was over there had to be a discussion with platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram about their approach to anti-vaccine material. He said the informed debate was important but it was wrong to allow online activists to question the effectiveness of vaccines, which the WHO estimates have saved the lives of 21 million children over the past 20 years. "It's not easy, nobody wants to be a censor," he said. "Companies have a responsibility to do it, but we also have to be honest and say there's no easy fix where they can flick a switch." He conceded the clicks generated by heated online debate about vaccines could prevent the platforms from wanting to take swift action on the issue. "We shouldn't be naive, there are many counter incentives here for social media giants as well," he said.

U.N. says online anti-vaxxers fuelling Samoa measles deaths

The death toll from a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/samoa-measles-outbreak-kills-20-mostly-children-264050">measles outbreak</a> in Samoa has risen to 60 on Wednesday&nbsp;in the latest flare-up of a global epidemic of the virus.

The vast majority of deaths were of children, with 52 out of the 60 aged four or under dying from the disease, according to a government update.

Nineteen-year-old mother Elsie Lolesio lost her one-year-old daughter Noel, only three days apart from the death of her one-year-old nephew Fatau'u Junior. They are buried next to each other.

Lanuola Naseri buried her only son on Wednesday, with the help of donations that allowed her to purchase him a suit and shirt for his funeral.

There are now more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/samoa-measles-vaccine-now-mandatory-to-limit-deadly-outbreak-262803">4,000 cases of measles</a> recorded in the island nation's deeply religious population of around 200,000.

Watch: Global measles cases three times higher than last year

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-measles-cases-three-times-higher-than-last-year-who-246340/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Neighbouring New Zealand and a number of other countries and organisations, including the UN&nbsp;agency UNICEF, have delivered thousands of vaccines, medical supplies and have sent medical personnel to help with the outbreak.

Measles, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-measles-cases-three-times-higher-than-last-year-who-246324">a highly contagious virus</a> that spreads easily through coughing and sneezing, has been reported also in other Pacific nations, including Tonga and Fiji, but there have been no reports of deaths and the countries have greater vaccination coverage.

Tonga's ministry of health said in a statement late last week that there were 394 cases of suspected measles identified, but only eight people required hospitalisation.

Measles cases are rising worldwide, even in wealthy nations such as Germany and the United States, as parents shun immunisation for philosophical or religious reasons, or fears, debunked by doctors, that such vaccines could cause autism.

(With inputs from agencies)

The death toll from a measles outbreak in Samoa has risen to 60 on Wednesday in the latest flare-up of a global epidemic of the virus. The vast majority of deaths were of children, with 52 out of the 60 aged four or under dying from the disease, according to a government update.

The death toll from a measles outbreak in Samoa has risen to 60 on Wednesday in the latest flare-up of a global epidemic of the virus. The vast majority of deaths were of children, with 52 out of the 60 aged four or under dying from the disease, according to a government update. Nineteen-year-old mother Elsie Lolesio lost her one-year-old daughter Noel, only three days apart from the death of her one-year-old nephew Fatau'u Junior. They are buried next to each other. Lanuola Naseri buried her only son on Wednesday, with the help of donations that allowed her to purchase him a suit and shirt for his funeral. There are now more than 4,000 cases of measles recorded in the island nation's deeply religious population of around 200,000. Watch: Global measles cases three times higher than last year Neighbouring New Zealand and a number of other countries and organisations, including the UN agency UNICEF, have delivered thousands of vaccines, medical supplies and have sent medical personnel to help with the outbreak. Measles, a highly contagious virus that spreads easily through coughing and sneezing, has been reported also in other Pacific nations, including Tonga and Fiji, but there have been no reports of deaths and the countries have greater vaccination coverage. Tonga's ministry of health said in a statement late last week that there were 394 cases of suspected measles identified, but only eight people required hospitalisation. Measles cases are rising worldwide, even in wealthy nations such as Germany and the United States, as parents shun immunisation for philosophical or religious reasons, or fears, debunked by doctors, that such vaccines could cause autism. (With inputs from agencies)

Samoan measles outbreak kills 60 including 52 children

Over 49,000 people have been tested positive for dengue in Pakistan, setting a new record of the infection in the country. 
 
The surge in the number of cases was reported in the last 15 days. Moreover, fatalities by the infection have reached 79, Dawn reported. 
 
Expressing no concern, the authorities have said that surge is due to improved mechanism to record the number of cases. The spokesperson for the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS), Sajid Shah, said,&nbsp;"This year an unprecedented number of dengue cases has been reported across the globe. Besides, the mechanism of recording the cases has improved across the country." 
 
Out of 49,587 cases, 13,173 cases were reported from Islamabad, 13,251 from Sindh, 9,855 from Punjab, 7,776 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 3,217 cases from Balochistan.

Besides, 1,690 cases were reported from Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir while 625 cases were placed in the 'other' category.

Also known as 'dandy fever', dengue is one of the world's leading mosquito-borne illnesses taking scores of lives globally every year.

Over 49,000 people have been tested positive for dengue in Pakistan, setting a new record of the infection in the country. The surge in the number of cases was reported in the last 15 days.

Over 49,000 people have been tested positive for dengue in Pakistan, setting a new record of the infection in the country. The surge in the number of cases was reported in the last 15 days. Moreover, fatalities by the infection have reached 79, Dawn reported. Expressing no concern, the authorities have said that surge is due to improved mechanism to record the number of cases. The spokesperson for the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS), Sajid Shah, said, "This year an unprecedented number of dengue cases has been reported across the globe. Besides, the mechanism of recording the cases has improved across the country." Out of 49,587 cases, 13,173 cases were reported from Islamabad, 13,251 from Sindh, 9,855 from Punjab, 7,776 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 3,217 cases from Balochistan. Besides, 1,690 cases were reported from Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir while 625 cases were placed in the 'other' category. Also known as 'dandy fever', dengue is one of the world's leading mosquito-borne illnesses taking scores of lives globally every year.

Pakistan: Dengue outbreak, 49,000 cases registered

The Congolese medical authorities said Saturday they had received the first shipment of a new Ebola vaccine as the central African country battles its second deadliest outbreak of the virus this decade.&nbsp;

The health ministry for the eastern province of North Kivu said that a preliminary batch of 11,000 doses of the new Ad26-ZEBOV-GP vaccine manufactured by Johnson &amp; Johnson had arrived on Friday.

In all, a shipment of a total 50,000 doses is being sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo to help fight an outbreak that has killed more than 2,100 people since August 2018.&nbsp;

Until now, the only vaccine against the disease was one manufactured by US firm, Merck Sharpe and Dohme.&nbsp;

The DRC's deadliest Ebola outbreak&nbsp;since the West Africa pandemic in 2014-2016 has affected the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri and left 2,183 people dead, according to the latest official figures.&nbsp;

Since the start of the vaccination campaign on August 8, 2018, a total of 245,999 people have been vaccinated.&nbsp;

Ebola fighters have been hindered by chronic insecurity in the affected provinces of eastern DRC, but much of the controversy surrounding the response has centred on the use of vaccines.&nbsp;

The World Health Organization had been pushing Kinshasa for months to approve the use of the J&amp;J vaccine,&nbsp;an experimental product,&nbsp;to protect those living outside of direct transmission zones.&nbsp;

The J&amp;J vaccine had been rejected by DRC's former health minister Oly Ilunga, who cited the risks of introducing a new product in communities where mistrust of Ebola responders is already high.

But Ilunga's resignation in July appeared to have paved the way for the second vaccine.

Jean-Jacques Muyembe, the new head of the anti-Ebola campaign, said Friday the J&amp;J vaccine would be used from mid-November with the operation being launched simultaneously in DR Congo and Rwanda.

The Congolese medical authorities said Saturday they had received the first shipment of a new Ebola vaccine as the central African country battles its second deadliest outbreak of the virus this decade.

The Congolese medical authorities said Saturday they had received the first shipment of a new Ebola vaccine as the central African country battles its second deadliest outbreak of the virus this decade. The health ministry for the eastern province of North Kivu said that a preliminary batch of 11,000 doses of the new Ad26-ZEBOV-GP vaccine manufactured by Johnson & Johnson had arrived on Friday. In all, a shipment of a total 50,000 doses is being sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo to help fight an outbreak that has killed more than 2,100 people since August 2018. Until now, the only vaccine against the disease was one manufactured by US firm, Merck Sharpe and Dohme. The DRC's deadliest Ebola outbreak since the West Africa pandemic in 2014-2016 has affected the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri and left 2,183 people dead, according to the latest official figures. Since the start of the vaccination campaign on August 8, 2018, a total of 245,999 people have been vaccinated. Ebola fighters have been hindered by chronic insecurity in the affected provinces of eastern DRC, but much of the controversy surrounding the response has centred on the use of vaccines. The World Health Organization had been pushing Kinshasa for months to approve the use of the J&J vaccine, an experimental product, to protect those living outside of direct transmission zones. The J&J vaccine had been rejected by DRC's former health minister Oly Ilunga, who cited the risks of introducing a new product in communities where mistrust of Ebola responders is already high. But Ilunga's resignation in July appeared to have paved the way for the second vaccine. Jean-Jacques Muyembe, the new head of the anti-Ebola campaign, said Friday the J&J vaccine would be used from mid-November with the operation being launched simultaneously in DR Congo and Rwanda.

First shipment of new Ebola vaccine arrives in DR Congo

There is an ongoing dengue outbreak in Karachi with over 1,100 dengue cases reported in the first eight days of October. 
 
The public and private sector hospitals in Karachi have been receiving a growing number of high-grade fever cases with many of them testing positive for the Dandy Fever, Dawn reported. 
 
"North Nazimabad is a dengue hotspot along with Garden East, Union Council four&nbsp;of Metroville, Clifton Cantonment Board and Soldier Bazaar," said Dr Abdul Basit of Sindh's Dengue Control Programme on Tuesday. 
 
He also said that the department received data from hospitals and carried out fumigation (a process of disinfecting an area) in affected houses located in areas where plenty of cases were reported. 
 
"Routine fumigation is the responsibility of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and respective district municipal corporations," he said when asked why fumigation was not launched as a preventive measure before the monsoon. 
 
According to the official statistics, 115 dengue cases were reported in Karachi on Tuesday while eight in the rest of Sindh's districts. 
 
Reportedly, 4,403 dengue cases have come across this year in Sindh province, out of which 4,151 were reported from Karachi. The deadly fever has claimed 15 lives this year. 
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has asked for immediate anti-mosquito spray campaigns for eliminating mosquitoes. 
 
"Government should immediately start anti-mosquito spray campaigns on an emergency basis throughout Pakistan because the disease could only be prevented by eliminating mosquitoes. There is no vaccine or specific treatment to combat this disease," the association said in a release.

There is an ongoing dengue outbreak in Karachi with over 1,100 dengue cases reported in the first eight days of October. The public and private sector hospitals in Karachi have been receiving a growing number of high-grade fever cases with many of them testing positive for the Dandy Fever, Dawn reported.

There is an ongoing dengue outbreak in Karachi with over 1,100 dengue cases reported in the first eight days of October. The public and private sector hospitals in Karachi have been receiving a growing number of high-grade fever cases with many of them testing positive for the Dandy Fever, Dawn reported. "North Nazimabad is a dengue hotspot along with Garden East, Union Council four of Metroville, Clifton Cantonment Board and Soldier Bazaar," said Dr Abdul Basit of Sindh's Dengue Control Programme on Tuesday. He also said that the department received data from hospitals and carried out fumigation (a process of disinfecting an area) in affected houses located in areas where plenty of cases were reported. "Routine fumigation is the responsibility of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and respective district municipal corporations," he said when asked why fumigation was not launched as a preventive measure before the monsoon. According to the official statistics, 115 dengue cases were reported in Karachi on Tuesday while eight in the rest of Sindh's districts. Reportedly, 4,403 dengue cases have come across this year in Sindh province, out of which 4,151 were reported from Karachi. The deadly fever has claimed 15 lives this year. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has asked for immediate anti-mosquito spray campaigns for eliminating mosquitoes. "Government should immediately start anti-mosquito spray campaigns on an emergency basis throughout Pakistan because the disease could only be prevented by eliminating mosquitoes. There is no vaccine or specific treatment to combat this disease," the association said in a release.

Dengue outbreak in Karachi, over 1100 test positive in 8 days

The number of polio cases in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-asks-iraq-pakistan-to-speak-to-iran-about-defusing-tensions-254051">Pakistan</a> climbed to 72 this year with three new cases registered in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, authorities said on Saturday. 
 
In Sindh, a 17-month-old girl from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/whosoever-comes-to-kartarpur-is-our-guest-says-pakistan-prime-ministers-special-adviser-253969">Karachi's</a> Orangi Town became the latest victim of polio, bringing the total number of cases in the city to four and eighth such case across the province, The Express Tribune reported. 
 
The Emergency Operation Centre for Polio in Sindh said that the child developed a fever and slight weakness in the right leg after which she was taken to the doctors. 
 
The case was classified as acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) following which she was tested positive for the poliovirus, it added. 
 
Meanwhile, the Balochistan Health Department said that the total number of polio cases in the province had reached six this year after a 15-month-old boy was diagnosed with the disease. 
 
According to the victim's parents, the infant from Jaffarabad felt weakness in his legs and became paralysed after suffering from high fever. 
 
The Emergency Polio Centre has also kicked off a special polio vaccination campaign after a recent spike in the cases and officials are optimistic to control the epidemic. 
 
A 21-month-old boy was diagnosed with the deadly disease in Hazara division's Torghar district, raising the total number of such cases to 53 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. 
 
As per the country-wide figures, 72 polio cases have been reported during the current year including 53 cases from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, eight from Sindh, six from Balochistan and five from Punjab. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-approves-tax-relief-for-gwadar-port-254040">Prime Minister Imran Khan</a>, last month, expressed serious concern over the recent spike in polio cases in the country and directed federal and provincial government officials to undertake effective awareness and immunisation campaigns to eliminate the disease.

The number of polio cases in Pakistan climbed to 72 this year with three new cases registered in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, authorities said on Saturday.

The number of polio cases in Pakistan climbed to 72 this year with three new cases registered in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, authorities said on Saturday. In Sindh, a 17-month-old girl from Karachi's Orangi Town became the latest victim of polio, bringing the total number of cases in the city to four and eighth such case across the province, The Express Tribune reported. The Emergency Operation Centre for Polio in Sindh said that the child developed a fever and slight weakness in the right leg after which she was taken to the doctors. The case was classified as acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) following which she was tested positive for the poliovirus, it added. Meanwhile, the Balochistan Health Department said that the total number of polio cases in the province had reached six this year after a 15-month-old boy was diagnosed with the disease. According to the victim's parents, the infant from Jaffarabad felt weakness in his legs and became paralysed after suffering from high fever. The Emergency Polio Centre has also kicked off a special polio vaccination campaign after a recent spike in the cases and officials are optimistic to control the epidemic. A 21-month-old boy was diagnosed with the deadly disease in Hazara division's Torghar district, raising the total number of such cases to 53 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. As per the country-wide figures, 72 polio cases have been reported during the current year including 53 cases from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, eight from Sindh, six from Balochistan and five from Punjab. Prime Minister Imran Khan, last month, expressed serious concern over the recent spike in polio cases in the country and directed federal and provincial government officials to undertake effective awareness and immunisation campaigns to eliminate the disease.

Pakistan: 72 cases of polio registered

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-are-scared-deadly-dengue-outbreak-overwhelms-bangladesh-241461">dengue death toll</a>&nbsp;has increased from 68 to 75 in Bangladesh, said Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Monday.

Adding that the number of patients currently undergoing treatment in government and private hospitals in the country was 2,018, DGHS also stated that a total of 461 dengue patients have been admitted to different hospitals across Bangladesh in the last 24 hours.

According to data, as many as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-faces-worst-ever-dengue-fever-outbreak-239918">75 people have died</a> across the country from January 1 till September 23. However, the unofficial death toll is reported to be at least 162 so far, reported Dhaka Tribune.

While 861 patients were currently receiving treatment in 41 government and private hospitals in Dhaka, over 1,157 people were undergoing treatment outside Dhaka, the DGHS said in a press release.

Since <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/around-3931-patients-undergoing-treatment-as-dengue-wreaks-havoc-in-bangladesh-247190">January this year</a>, as many as 85,288 people have been affected by dengue in the country.

Among the admitted, a total of 83,046 have been released from their respective hospitals and clinics after treatment.

The dengue death toll has increased from 68 to 75 in Bangladesh, said Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Monday.

The dengue death toll has increased from 68 to 75 in Bangladesh, said Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Monday. Adding that the number of patients currently undergoing treatment in government and private hospitals in the country was 2,018, DGHS also stated that a total of 461 dengue patients have been admitted to different hospitals across Bangladesh in the last 24 hours. According to data, as many as 75 people have died across the country from January 1 till September 23. However, the unofficial death toll is reported to be at least 162 so far, reported Dhaka Tribune. While 861 patients were currently receiving treatment in 41 government and private hospitals in Dhaka, over 1,157 people were undergoing treatment outside Dhaka, the DGHS said in a press release. Since January this year, as many as 85,288 people have been affected by dengue in the country. Among the admitted, a total of 83,046 have been released from their respective hospitals and clinics after treatment.

Bangladesh struggles to contain dengue outbreak, death toll climbs to 75

South Korea has confirmed its fourth case of African Swine Fever on Tuesday, as Pyongyang was yet to respond to Seoul's request to make joint efforts to tackle the deadly animal disease.

The latest case was confirmed at a farm in Paju, a city near the inter-Korean border where the nation's first case was recorded, according to Seoul's agriculture ministry.

South Korea has culled around 15,000 pigs since the first case was reported on Sept 17.&nbsp;

"We have carried out an immediate culling and are proceeding with an epidemiological&nbsp;investigation," the ministry said in a statement, adding that some 2,300 pigs were being raised at the affected farm.

The fourth case came a day after Seoul's Unification Ministry said that&nbsp;last week it sent a request to North Korea to make collaborative efforts on the matter, although it&nbsp;is yet to receive a reply from Pyongyang.

The virus is not harmful to humans but cases of haemorrhagic fever in pigs is almost always fatal. There is no antidote or vaccine and the only known way to prevent the disease from spreading is the&nbsp;mass culling of affected livestock.

The second and third cases in the South - confirmed on Sept 18 and 23, respectively -- were also&nbsp;reported from cities in Gyeonggi Province,&nbsp;where Paju belongs and is adjacent to the inter-Korean border.

While Seoul authorities have never confirmed whether the outbreak stemmed from the North, Pyongyang in late May told the World Organisation for Animal Health that dozens of pigs had died from the disease at a farm near the Chinese border.

In June, Seoul said the disease was "highly likely" to enter the country from the North and ordered fences to be erected at farms along the border&nbsp;to prevent possible contact between pigs and wild boar.

No antidote

Kim Jun-young, a vet and a Vice-President of the Korean Veterinary Medical Association in the South,&nbsp;said it is possible that the outbreak has spread to all provinces in the isolated North.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-case-of-african-swine-fever-reported-in-north-korea-222926">"North&nbsp;Korea </a>does not have enough disinfectants, and (it is likely that) pigs are simply being buried after being culled," Kim said.

"It's possible that the virus has already been spread to all regions of the North if anyone dug the bodies of dead pigs and sold the meat, or... vultures ate them and spread the virus", he added.

There are around 6,700 pig farms across South Korea and pig farming accounts for 40 per cent of the total livestock industry.

Seoul believes Pyongyang raises some 2.6 million pigs across 14 state-run farms. The outbreak could worsen food shortages in the impoverished North, where, according to the World Food Programme, its output last year hit the lowest level since 2008.

In May, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization said pork prices had risen by up to 50 per cent both in China and on the Chicago futures exchange as a result of the outbreak.

Last month, it said almost five million pigs in Asia had died or been culled because of the spread of the disease.

South Korea has confirmed its fourth case of African Swine Fever on Tuesday, as Pyongyang was yet to respond to Seoul's request to make joint efforts to tackle the deadly animal disease.

South Korea has confirmed its fourth case of African Swine Fever on Tuesday, as Pyongyang was yet to respond to Seoul's request to make joint efforts to tackle the deadly animal disease. The latest case was confirmed at a farm in Paju, a city near the inter-Korean border where the nation's first case was recorded, according to Seoul's agriculture ministry. South Korea has culled around 15,000 pigs since the first case was reported on Sept 17. "We have carried out an immediate culling and are proceeding with an epidemiological investigation," the ministry said in a statement, adding that some 2,300 pigs were being raised at the affected farm. The fourth case came a day after Seoul's Unification Ministry said that last week it sent a request to North Korea to make collaborative efforts on the matter, although it is yet to receive a reply from Pyongyang. The virus is not harmful to humans but cases of haemorrhagic fever in pigs is almost always fatal. There is no antidote or vaccine and the only known way to prevent the disease from spreading is the mass culling of affected livestock. The second and third cases in the South - confirmed on Sept 18 and 23, respectively -- were also reported from cities in Gyeonggi Province, where Paju belongs and is adjacent to the inter-Korean border. While Seoul authorities have never confirmed whether the outbreak stemmed from the North, Pyongyang in late May told the World Organisation for Animal Health that dozens of pigs had died from the disease at a farm near the Chinese border. In June, Seoul said the disease was "highly likely" to enter the country from the North and ordered fences to be erected at farms along the border to prevent possible contact between pigs and wild boar. No antidote Kim Jun-young, a vet and a Vice-President of the Korean Veterinary Medical Association in the South, said it is possible that the outbreak has spread to all provinces in the isolated North. "North Korea does not have enough disinfectants, and (it is likely that) pigs are simply being buried after being culled," Kim said. "It's possible that the virus has already been spread to all regions of the North if anyone dug the bodies of dead pigs and sold the meat, or... vultures ate them and spread the virus", he added. There are around 6,700 pig farms across South Korea and pig farming accounts for 40 per cent of the total livestock industry. Seoul believes Pyongyang raises some 2.6 million pigs across 14 state-run farms. The outbreak could worsen food shortages in the impoverished North, where, according to the World Food Programme, its output last year hit the lowest level since 2008. In May, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization said pork prices had risen by up to 50 per cent both in China and on the Chicago futures exchange as a result of the outbreak. Last month, it said almost five million pigs in Asia had died or been culled because of the spread of the disease.

South Korea confirms fourth Swine Fever case, requests North Korea to cooperate

Criminal gangs in China are faking outbreaks of African swine fever on farms free of the disease and forcing farmers to sell their healthy pigs at sharply lower prices, the agriculture ministry said on Friday.

The gangs are taking advantage of a highly contagious disease that has spread across much of the country and disrupted the world's biggest pork market.

The scam involves dumping dead pigs on farms and then spreading rumours that the farms are infected with African swine fever, which is often fatal for pigs but harmless for humans.

The gangs then pressure farmers to sell their hogs at lower prices, violating farmers' rights and affecting normal pig production, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said in a statement.

The ministry did not give more details but it urged anyone who witnessed such activities to alert the authorities.

"All localities should be vigilant and actively guard against it," it said.

Up to half of China's breeding pigs have either died from African swine fever or been slaughtered because of the spreading disease, twice as many as officially acknowledged, Reuters reported last month.

Criminal gangs in China are faking outbreaks of African swine fever on farms free of the disease and forcing farmers to sell their healthy pigs at sharply lower prices, the agriculture ministry said on Friday.

Criminal gangs in China are faking outbreaks of African swine fever on farms free of the disease and forcing farmers to sell their healthy pigs at sharply lower prices, the agriculture ministry said on Friday. The gangs are taking advantage of a highly contagious disease that has spread across much of the country and disrupted the world's biggest pork market. The scam involves dumping dead pigs on farms and then spreading rumours that the farms are infected with African swine fever, which is often fatal for pigs but harmless for humans. The gangs then pressure farmers to sell their hogs at lower prices, violating farmers' rights and affecting normal pig production, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said in a statement. The ministry did not give more details but it urged anyone who witnessed such activities to alert the authorities. "All localities should be vigilant and actively guard against it," it said. Up to half of China's breeding pigs have either died from African swine fever or been slaughtered because of the spreading disease, twice as many as officially acknowledged, Reuters reported last month.

China vows to tackle dead pig scam amid swine fever epidemic

WION Speed News: Watch top international & national news of the morning, September 21, 2018

A U.S.-funded famine survey said on Tuesday that thousands of Yemenis could die daily if a Saudi-led military coalition does not lift its blockade on the country&rsquo;s key ports.

The warning came a day after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said 2.5 million people in Yemen&rsquo;s crowded cities had no access to clean water, raising the risk that a cholera epidemic will spread.

Using the internationally recognized IPC 5-point scale for classifying food security, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) said that even before the current blockade, 15 million people were in &ldquo;crisis&rdquo; (IPC Phase 3) or worse.

&ldquo;Therefore, a prolonged closure of key ports risks an unprecedented deterioration in food security to Famine (IPC Phase 5) across large areas of the country,&rdquo; it said.

It said famine is likely in many areas within three or four months if ports remain closed, with some less accessible areas at even greater risk. In such a scenario, shortages of food and fuel would drive up prices, and a lack of medical supplies would exacerbate life-threatening diseases.

&ldquo;Thousands of deaths would occur each day due to the lack of food and disease outbreaks,&rdquo; said FEWS NET, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Famine remained likely even if the southern port of Aden is open, its report said, adding that all Yemeni ports should be reopened to essential imports.

The United Nations has said the Saudi-led coalition must allow aid in through Hodeidah port, controlled by the Houthis, the Saudis&rsquo; enemies in the war in Yemen. 
U.N. humanitarian agencies have issued dire warnings about the impact of the blockade, although U.N. officials have declined to directly criticise Saudi Arabia.

Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council and a former U.N. aid chief, was blunt in his criticism, however.

&ldquo;US, UK &amp; other allies of Saudi has only weeks to avoid being complicit in a famine of Biblical proportions. Lift the blockade now,&rdquo; he wrote in a tweet.

Last year Saudi Arabia was accused by then U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of exerting &ldquo;unacceptable&rdquo; undue pressure to keep itself off a blacklist of countries that kill children in conflict, after sources told Reuters that Riyadh had threatened to cut some U.N. funding. Saudi Arabia denied this.

The blockade had been effected by a Saudi-led military coalition

A U.S.-funded famine survey said on Tuesday that thousands of Yemenis could die daily if a Saudi-led military coalition does not lift its blockade on the country’s key ports. The warning came a day after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said 2.5 million people in Yemen’s crowded cities had no access to clean water, raising the risk that a cholera epidemic will spread. Using the internationally recognized IPC 5-point scale for classifying food security, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) said that even before the current blockade, 15 million people were in “crisis” (IPC Phase 3) or worse. “Therefore, a prolonged closure of key ports risks an unprecedented deterioration in food security to Famine (IPC Phase 5) across large areas of the country,” it said. It said famine is likely in many areas within three or four months if ports remain closed, with some less accessible areas at even greater risk. In such a scenario, shortages of food and fuel would drive up prices, and a lack of medical supplies would exacerbate life-threatening diseases. “Thousands of deaths would occur each day due to the lack of food and disease outbreaks,” said FEWS NET, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Famine remained likely even if the southern port of Aden is open, its report said, adding that all Yemeni ports should be reopened to essential imports. The United Nations has said the Saudi-led coalition must allow aid in through Hodeidah port, controlled by the Houthis, the Saudis’ enemies in the war in Yemen. U.N. humanitarian agencies have issued dire warnings about the impact of the blockade, although U.N. officials have declined to directly criticise Saudi Arabia. Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council and a former U.N. aid chief, was blunt in his criticism, however. “US, UK & other allies of Saudi has only weeks to avoid being complicit in a famine of Biblical proportions. Lift the blockade now,” he wrote in a tweet. Last year Saudi Arabia was accused by then U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of exerting “unacceptable” undue pressure to keep itself off a blacklist of countries that kill children in conflict, after sources told Reuters that Riyadh had threatened to cut some U.N. funding. Saudi Arabia denied this.

US famine survey warns of thousands dying daily in Yemen if ports remain closed

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