Uruguayans consumed nearly 100 kilograms of meat per person in 2024, the highest level in the past nine years, according to the country’s National Meat Institute (INAC). The data confirms a strong rebound in domestic demand for animal protein, particularly beef and poultry.
Brazil's National Consumer Secretary (Senacon) has ordered digital platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Enjoei, and Mercado Livre, to remove advertisements promoting or selling electronic cigarettes (vapes) and other tobacco-derived products within 48 hours. This directive follows Brazil's continued ban on these products, upheld by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) in April 2025.
Argentina's National Health Ministry issued a health alert after confirming several cases of typhoid fever, marking the disease's reappearance after over 20 years. Authorities are also investigating a possible related death. The alert aims to raise awareness about the infectious disease, its transmission, and prevention measures.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.