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Mar152025 by GHealth NewsNo Comments

Growing Measles Outbreak in Texas and New Mexico Sparks Concern

GHealth News - The measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico has surged to 294 cases as of Friday, exceeding the total number of infections reported in the U.S. for all of 2024. The outbreak, which began in late January in West Texas, continues to spread. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 285 measles cases nationwide in 2024. Over the past three days, Texas and New Mexico have reported an additional 38 infections, based on data from state health departments. Gaines County, Texas, remains the outbreak’s focal point, with cases rising from 156 on March 11 to 174. So far, 34 patients in Texas have required hospitalization. In New Mexico, infections increased from 33 to 35, with two cases reported in Eddy County and the remainder in Lea County, w...

Mar42025 by GHealth NewsNo Comments

First U.S. Measles Death Since 2015 Reported in Texas Amid Growing Outbreak

Communicable Diseases

GHealth News - A school-aged, unvaccinated child in West Texas has died from measles, marking the first U.S. measles death since 2015. The child had been hospitalized in Lubbock, but officials did not disclose further details. The ongoing outbreak in West Texas has reached nearly 150 cases, with most affecting children aged 5 to 17. At a cabinet meeting, President Trump deferred questions about the outbreak to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who stated they are monitoring the situation daily.U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged parents to consult healthcare providers about the MMR vaccine in a Fox News opinion piece. While he did not explicitly recommend vaccination, he called the outbreak a “call to action” for public health and emphasized that vaccines protect bo...

Feb282025 by GHealth NewsNo Comments

WHO and Swiss TPH Release Updated 2025 Air Quality Standards Database

Climate Change

GHealth News - The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), has launched the updated 2025 Air Quality Standards database. This comprehensive resource consolidates national air quality standards for key pollutants and airborne toxins from countries worldwide. The latest update highlights global progress in aligning with WHO’s air quality guidelines, with a 17% increase in countries implementing standards for harmful pollutants. "The updated WHO Air Quality Standards database is an essential tool that showcases global advancements in air quality regulations aimed at safeguarding public health," said Dr. Maria Neira, Director of Environment, Climate Change, and Health at WHO. "It provides crucial data for evidence-base...

Feb212025 by GHealth NewsNo Comments

AMR Conference 2025 – Advancing Solutions in Antimicrobial Resistance

AMR

GHealth News - The 9th AMR Conference 2025 is set to take place in Basel, Switzerland, in February 2025, bringing together global leaders in research, healthcare, policy, and industry to address the urgent challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This premier event will feature expert discussions on novel therapies, diagnostics, regulatory frameworks, and global AMR strategies, fostering collaboration across disciplines to drive impactful solutions. Attendees will gain insights into the latest advancements and join key stakeholders in shaping the future of AMR innovation. 📅 Date: 25-26 February 2025📍 Location: Basel, Switzerland For more info and registration: https://amr-conference.com/

Feb212025 by GHealth NewsNo Comments

World Health Day 2025: Prioritizing Maternal and Newborn Health for a Healthier Future

Global Health

GHealth News - The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the theme for World Health Day 2025: "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures." This year’s campaign will focus on improving maternal and newborn health and survival. Observed annually on April 7—the anniversary of WHO’s founding in 1948—World Health Day highlights key global health issues. “This campaign comes at a critical time, aiming to help countries recover lost progress while showcasing new research and evidence to improve the health of women and newborns worldwide,” said Dr. Anshu Banerjee, WHO’s Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing. “As humanitarian aid rollbacks threaten vital healthcare for millions, this is an opportunity to strengthen global support and collaboration—bringing ho...

Feb152025 by GHealth NewsNo Comments

Global Health at Risk: WHO Director-General Sounds Alarm on US Funding Cuts

Global Health

GHealth News - During a media briefing on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus discussed the impact of funding suspensions, pointing out disruptions to HIV treatment, delays in polio eradication, and limited resources for tackling mpox outbreaks in Africa. Tedros explained, "The suspension of funding to PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, resulted in an immediate halt to HIV treatment, testing, and prevention services across 50 countries." He emphasized that while life-saving services were granted a waiver, prevention programs for at-risk populations are still excluded, clinics have closed, and health workers have been furloughed. Tedros called on the US Government to rethink its funding strategy, at least until alternative solutions are f...

Feb62025 by GHealth NewsNo Comments

FDA Approves Journavx: A Novel Non-Opioid Treatment for Moderate to Severe Acute Pain

NCDs

GHealth News - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Journavx (suzetrigine), a groundbreaking 50mg oral tablet, as a first-in-class non-opioid analgesic for managing moderate to severe acute pain in adults. This new treatment works by targeting pain-signaling pathways in the peripheral nervous system, blocking pain signals before they reach the brain. Journavx is the first drug in this innovative class of pain management medications, offering an important alternative to opioid-based treatments. The FDA's approval is part of ongoing efforts to encourage the development of non-opioid pain treatments and reduce reliance on opioids. The efficacy of Journavx was established in two clinical trials, showing significant pain reduction in patients following abdominoplasty a...

Jan292025 by GHealth NewsNo Comments

China Rejects CIA Claim of COVID-19 Lab Leak

COVID19

GHealth News - China stated on Monday that a laboratory origin of COVID-19 was "extremely unlikely," following the CIA's assertion that the virus was more likely to have originated from a lab than through natural transmission. "The conclusion that a laboratory leak is extremely unlikely was reached by the China-WHO joint expert team based on field visits to relevant laboratories in Wuhan," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. "This conclusion has been widely recognized by both the international and scientific communities," she added. On Saturday, the CIA reported that the virus was "more likely" to have leaked from a Chinese lab rather than being transmitted through animals.

Jan272025 by GHealth NewsNo Comments

New CIA report believes COVID likely originated in a Chinese lab, though it’s not certain

COVID19

GHealth News - The CIA now believes that the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic most likely originated from a laboratory, based on an assessment that points to China. However, the agency has expressed "low confidence" in this conclusion. This assessment, which was not based on new intelligence, was completed at the request of the Biden administration and former CIA Director William Burns. It was declassified and released on Saturday under the leadership of John Ratcliffe, who was appointed by President Donald Trump and sworn in as CIA Director on Thursday. The agency's findings suggest that, while the total evidence leans toward a lab origin, the evidence is not conclusive, and the CIA has assigned a low degree of confidence to this conclusion due to gaps, contradictions, or...

Jan242025 by GHealth NewsNo Comments

Cost-Cutting Measures Announced by WHO Chief After U.S. Exit

Global Health

GHealth News - The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to cut costs and reassess its health program priorities following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the organization, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. Trump announced the withdrawal on Monday, the first day of his second term, accusing the WHO of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises. "This announcement has made our financial situation more acute," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote in the memo dated January 23. The memo outlined cost-saving measures, including significant reductions in travel expenses and a hiring freeze, except for critical areas. A WHO spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of the memo, initially reported by Reu...