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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, February 8th 2026 - 06:38 UTC

Health & Science

  • Monday, April 28th 2025 - 10:18 UTC

    Uruguayan university study favors taxation on cigarettes

    At least 15% of adult deaths in Uruguay are believed to be caused by smoking

    In Montevideo, a Universidad de la República (Udelaar) study projected that a 60% increase in cigarette taxes from 2025 to 2028 would reduce smoking by 19%, preventing 49,000 smokers, and increase tax revenue by 24%, aligning with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.

  • Saturday, April 26th 2025 - 10:35 UTC

    Brazil: Fiocruz warns of respiratory diseases surging in 13 states

    The InfoGripe Bulletin also mentioned a nationwide increase in influenza A hospitalizations

    Brazil is experiencing an increase in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) cases, with 13 states and the Federal District at alert, risk, or high-risk levels, according to the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation's (Fiocruz) latest issue of the InfoGripe Bulletin released Friday. Additionally, hospitalizations due to influenza A have increased nationwide, with Mato Grosso do Sul facing a particularly critical situation.

  • Friday, April 25th 2025 - 10:15 UTC

    Global vaccination rates declining

    Chilean at-risk workers must be given half a day off to get the shots, Minister Boccardo recalled

    The World Health Organization (WHO) said global vaccination rates were declining, raising concerns about rising preventable diseases like measles (10.3 million cases in 2023, up 20%), meningitis, and yellow fever, driven by misinformation, humanitarian crises, population growth, and budget cuts.

  • Thursday, April 24th 2025 - 18:14 UTC

    Brazil's sanitary watchdog greenlights drug to treat Alzheimer's

    Anvisa will monitor the safety and effectiveness of donanemabe under strict scrutiny

    Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has approved the use of the drug donanemabe to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia. It works by targeting beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, which are associated with the malady.

  • Thursday, April 24th 2025 - 10:23 UTC

    Argentina reports dengue cases on the rise, albeit in specific regions

    ”A higher prevalence of dengue virus serotype DEN-1 (64%) is observed,” the Health Ministry also said

    Between epidemiological week 31 of 2024 and week 15 in 2025, Argentina's health authorities recorded 5,936 dengue cases, with 5,793 locally acquired and 143 with a travel history to countries such as Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Thailand, India, Peru, Paraguay, and Colombia.

  • Tuesday, April 22nd 2025 - 10:50 UTC

    Pope Francis died of a stroke, Vatican confirms

    “I offered to the Lord the suffering that became present in the last part of my life for peace in the world and fraternity among peoples,” Francis said in his will. Photo: Reuters

    The Vatican announced Monday that Pope Francis' death was caused by a stroke, leading to a coma and irreversible cardiovascular collapse. He had a history of health issues, including a recent 38-day hospitalization for double pneumonia, alongside conditions like hypertension and type II diabetes. His death was confirmed by electrocardiogram, as stated by Andrea Arcangeli, head of the Vatican’s Health Directorate.

  • Saturday, April 19th 2025 - 10:21 UTC

    Petro urges all Colombians to be vaccinated against yellow fever in two months

    “Unlike Covid-19, this virus is only transmitted by mosquito, but it is 50% fatal,” Petro warned

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro urged his country's entire population to be vaccinated against yellow fever within two months. He made those remarks after declaring a nationwide emergency given the outbreak of this lethal malady. “We must do it and our health system must guarantee it,” Petro underlined.

  • Friday, April 18th 2025 - 18:19 UTC

    Epidemic protocols enacted in Argentine Patagonia after 2 hantavirus deaths

    Contagion happens through contact with rodents, but also between humans

    Two deaths from hantavirus in Argentine Patagonia, one in San Martín de los Andes, in the province of Neuquén, and another near Epuyén, in the province of Chubut, have raised alarms among health authorities, leading to the isolation of the victims' close contacts while upping preventive measures.

  • Friday, April 18th 2025 - 11:01 UTC

    Falklands/Darwin Plus: RSPB fears on Budget for UK conservation fund in Overseas Territoriesa

    Thanks to Darwin Plus funding, Falklands Conservation, has used satellite tracking to better under the whales’ behaviour and travel patterns.

    The Royal Society for Protection of Birds, RSPB, has strongly defended scientific research in the UK Overseas Territories, which face an uncertain future as core funding is threatened by the austerity of UK’s economic and budgetary reforms.

  • Thursday, April 17th 2025 - 18:36 UTC

    Emergency declared in Colombia as yellow fever cases soar

    “The strategy is focused on mass vaccination,” Alfonso explained

    Colombia has declared a state of emergency due to a yellow fever outbreak, with 74 cases and 34 deaths reported. The virus, transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, has spread beyond typical risk areas like the Amazon, Catatumbo, and Chocó, affecting regions such as Tolima, where cases rose from 4 to 22 since September 2024.