Medicine

China reports 1,886 new coronavirus cases, death toll up by 98

The update raised the number of deaths in mainland China to 1,886 and the total confirmed cases to 72,436.

Do masks offer protection from new virus? It depends

Although viruses are small enough to get through a typical strap-on medical mask, masks can block large droplets that viruses can latch onto.

US says more troops injured in Iran missile strikes

Out of 50 US service members diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries, 31 were treated in Iraq and returned to duty, says Pentagon official

Researchers say may have found cause of mad cow disease

The researchers were able to replicate the development of the disease in mice, and showcased the disease's ability to transfer between different species.

At least 50 children killed by measles in Samoa as outbreak worsens

In all, 53 people have died since late October. Most of those who have died have been babies and young infants, including 23 babies aged under 12 months and another 25 children aged between 1 and 4 years.

Measles epidemic leaves at least 25 dead in Samoa

Officials declared a state of emergency and said a compulsory immunisation programme was making progress, with more than 17,000 people vaccinated in the past five days.

Bacteria-infected mosquitoes take bite out of deadly dengue

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease. But new research shows that the bacteria Wolbachia can turn mosquitoes against themselves.

Second Ebola vaccine introduced in Democratic Republic of Congo

The vaccine is supposed to complement the Merck vaccine which has been administered to 250,000 people since the 2018 Ebola outbreak and will be administered to an additional 50,000.

Europe's anti-vaxxers could lead to a public health crisis

Growing scepticism of vaccines in Europe, especially in countries like France should be a cause for concern.

Congolese anti-Ebola fighter killed as new vaccine arrives

The motive for the murder in the town of Lwemba in the troubled Ituri region was unknown, but it came as health authorities were set to introduce a new vaccine against the disease in unaffected areas.

World Polio Day: Why Pakistan is failing to eradicate the disease

Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are the only countries in the world, where polio is endemic. And in contrast to recent years of gradual improvement, this year there have been at least 72 cases of polio in Pakistan after only eight in 2018.

Pakistani officials say outbreak of dengue fever kills 20

The mosquito-borne viral infection, that is found in tropical countries worldwide, kills dozens of people every year in Pakistan.