Health & Science

Friday, January 18th 2013 - 00:20 UTC
Dengue fastest growing tropical disease; represents ‘pandemic threat’, says WHO

Dengue is the world’s fastest-spreading tropical disease and represents a “pandemic threat,” infecting an estimated 50 million people across all continents, the World Health Organization (WHO) said this week.
Tuesday, January 15th 2013 - 22:00 UTC
Cuba admits 51 cholera cases in Havana; travel warnings from UK and US

Cuba's Public Health Ministry on Tuesday acknowledged 51 new cases of cholera in the capital Havana amid growing concerns about the illness' spread and disappointment in the diplomatic community over the government's lack of transparency.
Monday, January 14th 2013 - 06:38 UTC
Major victory for President Morales: UN accepts “coca leaf chewing” in Bolivia

Bolivia will again belong to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs after its bid to rejoin with a reservation that it does not accept the treaty’s requirement that “coca leaf chewing must be banned” was successful Friday. Opponents needed one-third of the 184 signatory countries to object, but fell far, far short despite objections by the US and the International Narcotics Control Board.
Monday, January 14th 2013 - 06:24 UTC
Flu outbreak forces New York State to declare a public health emergency

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a public health emergency Sunday, giving pharmacists permission to administer flu vaccinations to more people as officials seek to stem the worst flu outbreak in that state in several years.
Wednesday, January 9th 2013 - 18:19 UTC
Paraguay admits defeat to dengue and declares national epidemics alert

The mosquito transmitted dengue disease can’t be eradicated, but only controlled at least this tropical summer admitted Paraguayan health officials after extending the national epidemics alert to the whole territory of the landlocked country.
Tuesday, January 8th 2013 - 20:06 UTC
Top animal health organization calls on countries to lift ban on Brazilian beef

The head of the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) called on countries that are banning Brazilian beef imports, following a case of mad cow disease last month, to lift restrictions as soon as possible, saying they were not justified.
Thursday, January 3rd 2013 - 00:16 UTC
EU investing heavily to prevent African swine fever spreading from Russia

The European Union will invest €1.4 million to control African swine fever on the Italian island of Sardinia in 2013. The island is the only place in the EU where African Swine Fever (ASF) is still present.
Thursday, January 3rd 2013 - 00:09 UTC
Ovine Brucellosis spreading throughout Australia’s Northern Territory

Recent positive tests, and ongoing concerns that Ovine Brucellosis is spreading throughout Australia, has prompted the country’s Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPA) to encourage all sheep producers to test their rams for ovine brucellosis.
Wednesday, December 26th 2012 - 07:25 UTC
Brazil warns countries that have banned imports of beef because of atypical BSE

The world’s top beef exporter, Brazil, will give countries that curbed imports of its beef after a case of mad cow disease until March to drop the measures or it will file a complaint at the World Trade Organization, farm ministry officials said.
Wednesday, December 19th 2012 - 06:32 UTC
Chilean Antarctic bases expect to host 250 scientists and over 50 projects

An estimated 250 scientists from several countries will be working at Chile’s Antarctic bases during the austral summer (December 21/March 21) in different projects such as global warming and climate change, reported the Chilean Antarctic Institute, INACH, based in Punta Arenas.