Health & Science

Friday, February 5th 2016 - 07:41 UTC
Brazil: health workers can enter private properties to crush Zika breeding grounds

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff implemented a nationwide mandate this week allowing government health workers to enter private properties to crush Zika breeding grounds. Exterminators now have the right to inspect and disinfect households, even without the presence of its owners.
Wednesday, February 3rd 2016 - 06:32 UTC
US reports first known case of Zika virus transmission through sex

The first known case of Zika virus transmission in the United States was reported in Texas on Tuesday by local health officials, who said it likely was contracted through sex and not a mosquito bite, a day after the World Health Organization declared an international public health emergency.
Tuesday, February 2nd 2016 - 06:05 UTC
Zika virus declared an international public health emergency

The World Health Organization has declared the mosquito-borne Zika virus to be an international public health emergency due to its link to thousands of suspected cases of birth defects in Brazil.
Tuesday, February 2nd 2016 - 05:42 UTC
Zika cancellations to be waived by cruise lines in the Caribbean

Cruise lines have followed the lead of major airlines and begun waiving cancellation penalties for some customers booked on voyages to the Caribbean and other destinations affected by the fast-spreading Zika virus.
Monday, February 1st 2016 - 06:12 UTC
WHO Emergency committee meets in Geneva to address the Zika virus situation

The World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan has briefed on the Zika virus situation. In the briefing Ms Chan gave a brief history of the disease and explained why WHO is so deeply concerned.
Saturday, January 30th 2016 - 13:04 UTC
Falklands' has announced a health advice and warning on the ZIKA virus

The Falkland Islands has joined the rest of the word and set out a health advice and warning on the worldwide increase in the ZIKA virus. The message is from the Director of Health and Acting Chief Medical Officer and outlines precautions to be taken against the virus which for the most part carried via mosquitoes.
Saturday, January 30th 2016 - 12:35 UTC
Glyhphosate court battle in California could turn into lead case

Monsanto stepped up its defense of a widely used weed killer by filing a lawsuit in California seeking to prevent glyphosate, the main ingredient in its Roundup herbicide, from being added to the state’s list of known carcinogens.
Saturday, January 30th 2016 - 11:11 UTC
WHO backs British campaign for a 'sugar tax' on sweet drinks

In a new report on rising childhood obesity, the World Health Organization (WHO) has backed the British campaign for a “sugar tax” on sweet drinks. There is “strong evidence” that a sugar tax will work alongside two other measures to tackle childhood obesity: a ban on the sale of unhealthy food by schools, and a crackdown on the marketing of junk food to children, the report states.
Friday, January 29th 2016 - 03:45 UTC
WHO admits as possible four million cases of Zika; emergency meeting Monday

The World Health Organization (WHO) expects the Zika virus, which is spreading through the Americas, to affect between three million and four million people, a disease expert said on Thursday. WHO's director-general said the spread of the mosquito-borne disease had gone from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions.
Thursday, January 28th 2016 - 05:50 UTC
Airlines offering refunds to passengers booked to fly to countries with Zika cases

Some airlines, including those serving the Caribbean, have started offering refunds to passengers who had been booked to fly to countries where cases of the Zika virus have been confirmed. United Airlines, American Airlines and British Airways are allowing passengers to back out of travel.