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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, February 11th 2026 - 23:38 UTC

Health & Science

  • Friday, June 6th 2025 - 18:56 UTC

    Tremor in northern Chile felt nationwide poses no tsunami risk, authorities say

    Each year, Chile experiences numerous earthquakes, though most are of low or moderate intensity and do not pose a significant threat

    A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck off the coast of Chile's Atacama Region Friday at 1.15 pm local time. The epicenter was located 63.49 km west of Chañaral, at a depth of 33 km. So far, no damage to people or infrastructure has been reported, although the tremor was felt in several areas.

  • Friday, June 6th 2025 - 10:59 UTC

    Historic polar ship SS Terra Nova revisited in first-ever wreck survey

    Video Pictures show the deep sea surveillance of Terra Nova done from the state of the art yacht My Legend.

    An expedition led by the motor yacht MY Legend has completed the first visual survey of the wreck of the SS Terra Nova, offering new insight into one of the most emblematic ships of polar exploration. Located off the coast of Greenland, the wreck was first discovered in 2012, nearly 70 years after the ship sank during World War II.

  • Tuesday, June 3rd 2025 - 17:40 UTC

    Electronic ID for Cattle mandatory in step forward for UK biosecurity

    Cattle with ear-tags and an implanted device in ears meant for electronic ID

    Cattle identification and traceability in England will change over the next 2 years, in a major step forward in disease control and trade across the farming sector, Defra has announced Monday 2 June.

  • 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.