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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, September 5th 2025 - 07:22 UTC

Health & Science

  • Thursday, February 20th 2025 - 10:46 UTC

    São Paulo: Public health emergency decreed due to dengue fever

    So far 131 deaths have been recorded nationwide in 2025. Photo: EFE

    The Brazilian State of São Paulo Wednesday declared a public emergency due to the persistence and worsening of the dengue epidemic, Health Secretary Eleuses Paiva announced from the Butantan Institute.

  • Wednesday, February 19th 2025 - 08:42 UTC

    Uruguay on avian flu alert after detection in Argentina

    The outbreak is limited to Tres Isletas, in the Argentine province of Chaco

    Uruguay's Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) declared a state of health alert due to an outbreak of avian influenza in Tres Isletas, in the Argentine province of Chaco, it was reported Tuesday in Montevideo. The measure seeks to protect public health and national poultry production as the malady poses risks to biodiversity, the poultry sector, and public health. It can cause sudden bird mortality, respiratory and neurological symptoms, hemorrhages, and diarrhea, it was also explained.

  • Monday, February 17th 2025 - 09:24 UTC

    Paraguay's healthcare scenario shifting

    Only 6.6& of the samples tested positive for Covid-19

    Paraguayan health authorities confirmed during the weekend that the newly implemented night shift had provided medical assistance to over 526,700 patients consultations, thus decompressing the demand for those services in the morning. They also pointed out that the number of Covid-19 cases was going down, although one death was reported.

  • Saturday, February 15th 2025 - 10:49 UTC

    Brazil expands target population for dengue vax amid poor response

    Brazil was the first country to apply the dengue vaccine through its public health system

    Brazilian Health Authorities widened the age range of potential recipients of the dengue vaccine as many doses were approaching their expiration date. The move seeks that every dose purchased reaches the population, it was explained. In addition, some batches of the drug could also be delivered to locations previously not covered by the immunization Unified Health System (SUS) programs.

  • Thursday, February 13th 2025 - 20:17 UTC

    Brazilian scientists find enzyme that can transform waste into biofuel

    “This discovery changes the paradigm of cellulose degradation in nature,” Murakami explained

    Scientists at Brazil's National Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) have discovered a biocatalyst called CelOCE (Cellulose Oxidative Cleaving Enzyme) stemming from a soil bacteria, which can transform waste into biofuel. The enzyme, isolated from bacteria found in sugarcane bagasse, enhances the breakdown of cellulose, increasing glucose release by up to 21%. The study showing these findings was published Thursday in the journal Nature.

  • Wednesday, February 12th 2025 - 22:08 UTC

    Falklands: consultation begins on Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty legislation

    The FIG is seeking a strong representation of views from across the Falklands. We have committed to a public consultation that will last until 10th March and welcome the views of everyone

    The Falkland Islands Government is planning to introduce Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty legislation to the Falkland Islands. The Ordinance will introduce to the Falkland Islands a legal framework designed to protect and support people who may lack the ability to make a particular decision for themselves, at a particular time.

  • Tuesday, February 11th 2025 - 10:11 UTC

    PAHO warns of outbrreak of dengue DENV-3 serotype

    In the first weeks of 2025, 23 countries and territories in the region reported a total of 238,659 cases

    The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Monday issued an epidemiological alert given the growing circulation of a different of dengue in the region. Cases of the DENV-3 serotype have been repported to be on the rise in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru.

  • Tuesday, February 11th 2025 - 08:32 UTC

    Uruguay’s President-elect Orsi appoints key figures for science, technology, and innovation agencies

    “The Presidency will promote the consolidation of a science, technology, and innovation ecosystem to position Uruguay as a global reference in the field,” stated an official communiqué

    Uruguay’s incoming president, Yamandú Orsi, has announced the leadership of key agencies overseeing science, technology, and innovation. The move aims to strengthen coordination among institutions such as the National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII) and the National Meat Institute (INAC).

  • Sunday, February 9th 2025 - 10:49 UTC

    Beautiful South Georgia from the air on a day of great visibility

    Approaching the island

    The BFSAI is reporting that an RFA Airbus Atlas 400 M during a recent fisheries patrol operation, ColdStare, along South Georgia Island and waters enjoyed spectacular flying conditions, with blue skies, since they are normally covered in cloud’

  • Friday, February 7th 2025 - 08:32 UTC

    Covid 19: Milei wants WHO Chief tried for human rights violations

    “We will never forget” what the WHO under Tedros did, Milei warned

    Argentine President Javier Milei announced Thursday that he intends to hold World Health Organization (WHO) Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus accountable “for crimes against humanity” given the measures recommended and adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier this week, the South American country left the WHO, thus following in on US President Donald Trump's steps.