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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, May 19th 2025 - 09:28 UTC

Health & Science

  • 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.

  • Wednesday, April 16th 2025 - 22:57 UTC

    The giant squid trawled by Falklands’ vessel preserved at London’s Natural History Museum

    The squid Architeuthis dux, was caught during a regular trawl by the Falklands' fishing vessel 'John Cheek', from Petrel Trawling Ltd © The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London

    In February 2006, a 8.62 meters giant squid caught off the Falkland Islands April 2005 went on public display at the Natural History Museum in London. Researchers at the museum undertook a painstaking process to preserve the giant creature, which is on display in a 9m long glass tank immersed in a mix of salt water and formalin.

  • Wednesday, April 16th 2025 - 19:31 UTC

    Brazil more restrictive on gender reassignment procedures

    Overdiagnosis in the past few years has been cited as one of the reasons for changing the medical guidelines

    A resolution by Brazil's Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) revising ethical and technical guidelines for treating individuals with gender dysphoria was published in Wednesday's issue of the Diário Oficial da União (Official Gazette). The measure introduces key changes, such as banning hormone therapies for individuals under 18 as well as gender reassignment surgeries.

  • Wednesday, April 16th 2025 - 09:41 UTC

    Brazil's Avisa okays Butantan's chikungunya vaccine

    The approval came after 267,000 suspected cases of chikungunya and at least 213 deaths were reported in Brazil alone in 2024

    Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) Tuesday approved the first vaccine against chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also spreads dengue and Zika.

  • Tuesday, April 15th 2025 - 18:53 UTC

    PAHO insists on the importance of universal access to care

    Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF) can significantly improve health systems' response to achieve more equitable outcomes,” Barbosa said

    The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) released a report Tuesday warning about the need to bolster public health capacities to ensure universal health access, equity, and resilience against challenges like Covid-19. The “Implementation of the Essential Public Health Functions in the Americas: Evaluation and Strengthening of Capacities” study was based on evaluations in 14 countries between 2021 and 2023.

  • Monday, April 14th 2025 - 10:34 UTC

    Cave paintings of archaeological value found in Rio de Janeiro

    There is no set timeline for reopening the site to visitors amid ongoing studies

    Ancient cave paintings have been discovered in Rio de Janeiro's Itatiaia National Park. Preliminary investigations suggest the artwork may date back 2,000 to 3,000 years and could provide insights into past human presence in the region. The site has been restricted for preservation and is being studied by archaeologists. The paintings were found by chance during a climbing trip and have been safeguarded to prevent vandalism or unauthorized access. Future studies aim to uncover more about the site's history, its connection to other regions, and the people who created the artwork.

  • Wednesday, April 9th 2025 - 18:47 UTC

    Uruguayan authorities suggest would-be travelers get vaccinated against measles

    Measles spreads easily through air, direct contact, or secretions

    Uruguay's Ministry of Public Health (MSP) Wednesday issued an alert for measles ahead of Tourism Week -the country's lay version of Easter Week- urging travelers, especially those heading to Argentina, to verify they have two doses of the measles vaccine, as the neighboring country has been reported to be experiencing community transmission of the highly contagious disease, just like parts of the US and Europe.

  • Wednesday, April 9th 2025 - 07:34 UTC

    Falklands Government have given update on avian influenza

    Of 84 sets of swabs taken, 26 returned positive and 58 negative

    Falklands Government Veterinary Services have given an update on avian influenza. Since Monday 1 July 2024, 105 suspect birds/animals have been reported, 84 sets of swabs have been taken (some are repeat sets from known suspect or confirmed areas).