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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, July 5th 2025 - 16:41 UTC

Health & Science

  • Tuesday, June 3rd 2025 - 17:24 UTC

    UK international risk status for BSE downgraded to “negligible”

    The UK’s improved risk status is a reflection of the UK’s global reputation for having some of the highest standards in the world for biosecurity.

    The UK’s risk rating status for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been downgraded to negligible by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). DEFRA said it is a major boost for the food and farm sector, more avenues will now be open for trade with other countries as our improved risk status for beef and bovine products is recognized.

  • Monday, June 2nd 2025 - 09:18 UTC

    New SARS-CoV-2 variant under WHO close monitoring for its rapid spread

    The subtype poses no additional threat, but the WHO urged governments to remain vigilant

    The World Health Organization has launched a warning about the rapid spread of the NB.1.8.1 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has been detected so far in at least 22 countries, including Egypt, Thailand, the Maldives, and the United States (New York, California, Arizona, Ohio, Washington, and Rhode Island).

  • Monday, June 2nd 2025 - 08:54 UTC

    Uruguayan authorities warn of dangers of avian influenza

    The only case detected so far in the region was the one reported in mid-May in the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul

    Uruguay's Public Health Ministry (MSP) issued Sunday a series of recommendations to keep avian influenza from spreading to humans.

  • Friday, May 30th 2025 - 18:53 UTC

    France announces ban on smoking on beaches and other open spaces

    The measure will become effective on July 1

    France will implement a nationwide smoking ban in public places frequented by children, effective July 1, 2025, Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin announced Friday, ahead of World No Tobacco Day on Saturday. In South America, the measure will apply to the overseas department of French Guiana, which follows French national laws. The issue is also environmental, with cigarette butts polluting seashores.

  • Friday, May 30th 2025 - 10:30 UTC

    Brazil recognized once again as free of FMD without vaccination

    Parliamentary Front for Agriculture and Livestock (FPA) Vice-President Senator Tereza Cristina attended the World Organization for Animal Health event in Paris

    Brazil has officially been recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health for the second straight year as free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination. The acknowledgment, granted during the organization’s 92nd General Session in Paris, reinforces Brazil’s commitment to livestock health and global trade.

  • Thursday, May 29th 2025 - 10:23 UTC

    Brazil: Bird flu case detected in wild animals

    The outbreak involves birds of the “joão-de-barro” species (Furnarius rufus)

    A new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in wild birds in Montenegro, in the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul, specifically affecting the species joão-de-barro (Furnarius rufus) was confirmed Wednesday, while a suspected case in a commercial poultry slaughterhouse in Tocantins was ruled out.

  • Thursday, May 29th 2025 - 10:17 UTC

    Falklands, DarwinPlus project to analyze fresh water dynamics for Stanley

    The Freshwater Project involves Dr Alastair Baylis and Dr Nyein Thandar Ko who visited the Moody Brook River to download data from water loggers installed in 2022

    Two scientists from SAERI, South Atlantic Environment Research Institute have been checking on the Falkland Islands capital city Stanley main fresh water supply at the Moody Brook River.

  • Thursday, May 29th 2025 - 10:04 UTC

    Bolivia free of FMD without vaccination

    The new status poses new challenges for Bolivian beef

    Bolivia has been certified by the World Organization for Animal Health as free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without vaccination, a status shared only with Brazil in South America. This milestone, achieved through over 20 years of public-private efforts and a US$ 350 million investment, benefits around 200,000 livestock producers. Bolivia is to be officially granted such recognition during a ceremony on Thursday.

  • Wednesday, May 28th 2025 - 10:59 UTC

    RFK, Jr., and Milei agree on creating an alternative to the WHO

    RFK Jr. insisted on the creation of an alternative international health system free of totalitarian impulses

    Argentina, under President Javier Milei, announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), becoming the first country in the region to do so, following the United States' exit under President Donald Trump.

  • Wednesday, May 28th 2025 - 10:51 UTC

    Bird flu outbreak in Río Grande do Sul contained, says Brazilian minister

    “If this outbreak in Montenegro had escaped to other regions of the country, we would have had other cases of mortality,” Fávaro argued

    Brazil's Agriculture Minister, Carlos Fávaro, announced Tuesday during a public hearing at the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Agrarian Reform that the bird flu outbreak in Montenegro, Rio Grande do Sul, has been successfully contained. The country's health system quickly implemented measures, including inspections of 540 nearby rural establishments and setting up sanitary barriers.