Health & Science

Monday, May 4th 2015 - 14:16 UTC
Avian flu in the US: third state declares state of emergency

State of Iowa Governor Terry Branstad declared a state of emergency due to a rapidly expanding avian flu outbreak, saying the entire state was at risk from the spread of the disease.
Saturday, May 2nd 2015 - 10:46 UTC
“World closer than ever to wipe out polio, but no victory declaration yet”

The world is closer than ever to being able to wipe out polio, international experts said, with zero cases of the crippling disease recorded across all of Africa this year and fewer than 25 globally.
Thursday, April 30th 2015 - 10:08 UTC
Only 34 countries with plans to fight threat of antibiotic resistance, says WHO

Only 34 countries have national plans to fight the global threat of antibiotic resistance, meaning few are prepared to tackle “superbug” infections which put even basic healthcare at risk, the WHO has said. In a survey of government plans to tackle the issue, the World Health Organization said only a quarter of the 133 countries that responded were addressing the problem.
Tuesday, April 28th 2015 - 20:53 UTC
Pepsi changes artificial sweetener over consumer concerns about its safety

A controversial artificial sweetener is being removed from Diet Pepsi in the US amid consumer concerns about its safety. Aspartame-free cans of the drink will go on sale from August in America, but not in Britain. However regulators in the UK and the US insist aspartame is still safe to use in soft drinks.
Monday, April 27th 2015 - 21:57 UTC
WHO calls for renewed efforts in global vaccination targets for 2015

Progress towards global vaccination targets for 2015 is far off track with 1 in 5 children still missing out on routine life-saving immunizations that could avert 1.5 million deaths each year from preventable diseases. In the lead-up to World Immunization Week 2015 (24 -30 April), the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for renewed efforts to get progress back on course.
Friday, April 17th 2015 - 03:16 UTC
World Medical Association supports growing moves for plain tobacco packaging

The World Medical Association has supported the increasing number of countries planning to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products, including Australia and France. This week it joined the Norwegian Medical Association in supporting proposals to introduce plain packaging in Norway.
Thursday, April 16th 2015 - 09:05 UTC
“Overfishing and overfished stocks at all times low” in US fisheries

The number of United States domestic fish stocks listed as overfished or subject to overfishing has dropped to an all-time low since 1997, when NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) began tracking stock status, according to the 2014 Status of U.S. Fisheries report to Congress.
Thursday, April 16th 2015 - 08:30 UTC
Norovirus outbreak on two cruise ships off the coasts of Mexico and California

Hundreds of Royal Caribbean passengers were stricken with acute gastrointestinal ailments, including vomiting and diarrhea, on two cruise ships off the coasts of Mexico and California earlier this week. The debilitating illness was identified as norovirus, outbreaks of which aren’t uncommon on cruise ships, especially during the winter season.
Friday, April 3rd 2015 - 08:04 UTC
US warning to vacation and business travellers about the advance of Chikungunya

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is warning vacation and business travelers to the Caribbean about the importance of protecting themselves from mosquitoes that may transmit Chikungunya virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue.
Friday, March 13th 2015 - 13:15 UTC
Scientists in China announce genetically engineered cows resistant to bovine TB

Scientists in China have said they produced a herd of genetically engineered cows that are better able to ward off bovine TB infection. The long-term goal of the research is to avoid the need to cull livestock by breeding disease resistant cattle.