Health & Science

Wednesday, March 29th 2023 - 10:18 UTC
WHO changes its mind on further Covid-19 vaccination schemes

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reviewed its guidelines on whom to keep vaccinating against Covid-19. As per the global agency's new recommendations, countries were advised to reconsider whether to continue giving booster shots to low-risk groups, such as healthy children and adolescents.
Monday, March 27th 2023 - 19:45 UTC
Argentina bans the sale and import of e-cigarettes

The Ministry of Health of Argentina has prohibited the importation, distribution, commercialization, and advertising of different types of electronic cigarettes and their accessories “throughout the national territory”, due to their potential harm to health.
Saturday, March 25th 2023 - 10:36 UTC
Falklands, no confirmed cases of avian influenza in wild or domestic birds

The Veterinary Department can confirm that, following a major implementation of enhanced bio-security across the Islands, there have, to date, been no confirmed cases of avian influenza (bird flu) in the Falkland Islands wild or domestic birds.
Friday, March 24th 2023 - 10:27 UTC
Latin America and Caribbean: 37 million people lack drinking water

The Organization of American States (OAS) denounced this week that some 37 million people in the region lacked drinking water and cited climate change as a possible cause.
Friday, March 24th 2023 - 02:33 UTC
Crops revolution: England allows gene-edited food to be developed commercially

Gene-edited food can now be developed commercially in England following a change in the law, reports BBC. Supporters of the technology say it will speed up the development of hardier crops that will be needed because of climate change.
Thursday, March 23rd 2023 - 10:35 UTC
China's pork industry again faces an outbreak of African swine fever

A surge in African swine fever infections in China is set to reduce hog output later this year, farm managers and analysts said this week, pushing up prices in the world’s top pork consumer as demand recovers.
Saturday, March 18th 2023 - 09:42 UTC
WHO hopes to liken Covid-19 to seasonal flu this year

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Covid-19 might soon be similar to seasonal flu in terms of the threat it means to human life, it was announced as the global agency hopes to further reduce its maximum alert level this year.
Monday, March 13th 2023 - 11:38 UTC
Technician with little political background to become Uruguay's new health minister

Anesthesiologist Karina Rando will take over from Daniel Salinas Monday as Health Minister of Uruguay, thus replacing the official who took center stage during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was reported in Montevideo. Salinas explained his resignation was for personal reasons to avoid further public exposure, particularly to anti-vaccine groups, and to devote himself to his profession as a neurologist.
Saturday, March 11th 2023 - 12:18 UTC
Chikungunya: 43 deaths and 11,467 cases confirmed in Paraguay

Paraguayan health authorities Friday confirmed 43 people had died nationwide of chikungunya, while the total number of cases rose to 11,467 over the past three weeks. Eight of the victims were children under one year of age, while 35 others were adults aged over 30, according to the latest epidemiological report released by the General Directorate of Health Surveillance. “The mortality rate is 0.6 per 100,000 inhabitants and the case fatality rate is 0.1 %,” the document read.
Wednesday, March 8th 2023 - 10:08 UTC
Argentine-developed Covid vax ready to move on to trial phase

Argentine researchers are about to complete de development of the “ARVAC Cecilia Grierson” Covid-19 vaccine, which is why volunteers are needed for the 2/3 trial phase, it was reported in Buenos Aires. The new drug is expected to be cleared by mid-2023.