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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, October 25th 2025 - 17:21 UTC

Health & Science

  • Wednesday, November 22nd 2023 - 08:14 UTC

    Avian Influenza outbreak in South Georgia expanding, GSGSSI and BAS survey

    Avian flu has been tested in kelp gulls. Photo credit_Lloyd Peck.

    Last month, October 2023, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was confirmed on Bird Island, South Georgia in the brown skua populations. Since then, a number of other cases of symptomatic birds and above baseline mortality have been reported to the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI).

  • Sunday, November 19th 2023 - 14:13 UTC

    Taylor fan dies in Rio's scorching heat

    Swift was devastated by what happened

    A 23-year-old fan of US pop music star Taylor Swift died Friday night of a heart attack amid Rio de Janeiro's historic heat wave that is already casting doubts on next Tuesday's World Cup football playoffs clash between Brazil and Lionel Messi's reigning world champions Argentina at the iconic Maracana Stadium.

  • Saturday, November 18th 2023 - 10:28 UTC

    Free supply of oral contraception at local pharmacies for women in England

    The scheme is part of NHS’s primary care access recovery plan, making it quicker and easier for millions of people to access healthcare on their high street.

    Thousands of women across England will soon be able to get the contraceptive pill at their local pharmacy without needing to contact their GP first, according to a release from the Government. From next month, pharmacies across the country will begin offering the new service for the first time, increasing choice for women in how they can access contraception.

  • Friday, November 10th 2023 - 11:04 UTC

    Dengue vaccine available in Argentina

    The drug is already in use in the European Union, the United Kingdom and Brazil, among other places

    Argentine health authorities Thursday announced that the Japanese-developed TAK-003 vaccine against dengue was already available in the South American country at a cost of AR$ 37,500 (around US$ 38, at the unofficial “blue” rate).

  • Thursday, November 9th 2023 - 10:17 UTC

    Brazil: Appointment of official with previous office under Bolsonaro sparks controversy

    Fufuca said Medeiros’ background is purely technical

    Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva appointed Antonio Paulo Vogel de Medeiros as Deputy Sports Minister, it was reported Tuesday. The news became relevant since Medeiros worked as the executive secretary (second-in-command) at the Education Ministry under former President Jair Bolsonaro and even served as acting Minister between 2019 and 2020 following the departure of staunch Bolsonarist Abraham Wintraub.

  • Thursday, November 9th 2023 - 09:34 UTC

    Brazil: Bird flu emergency extended

    The PAHO has recorded human cases of bird flu in the Americas, including the United States, Chile, and Ecuador

    Brazilian authorities Wednesday extended for 180 days a declaration of animal health emergency nationwide due to avian influenza, Agencia Brasil reported. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock adopted the measure due to the identification of outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus, mainly in wild birds.

  • Tuesday, November 7th 2023 - 09:43 UTC

    US Tyson Foods recalls 14 tons of chicken nuggets with metal pieces

    Nuggets were produced at one facility and shipped to distributors in nine US states. Tyson Foods said the voluntary recall is “out of an abundance of caution”

    Tyson Foods from Arkansas, USA, has been forced to recall 14 tons of chicken nuggets since metal pieces were found in the product. The firm said the voluntary recall is “out of an abundance of caution”.

  • Saturday, November 4th 2023 - 11:00 UTC

    Maradona's medical team to be tried for manslaughter

    Maradona died at the age of 60 on Nov. 25, 2020.

    A Court of Appeals and Guarantees in the district of San Isidro in the province of Buenos Aires upheld this week a decision to try for manslaughter the healthcare team involved in the death of football legend Diego Armando Maradona, it was reported Friday in Buenos Aires.

  • Friday, November 3rd 2023 - 22:58 UTC

    Confirmed avian flu case in the Falklands; Stanley becomes control zone until November 23

    Members of the public are advised to follow strict bio-security measures and use the footbaths at common sites where they are provided.

    On Monday 30 October 2023 a Southern Fulmar was found dead at a Stanley property. As per current policy, while one dead bird does not reach the threshold of suspicion for avian influenza, birds that are not usually found in the Falkland Islands are routinely swabbed for surveillance. Unfortunately, this bird tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. Given that this is an isolated case of one bird, that is only common off-shore, a full protection zone will not be declared. However, a temporary control zone has been declared and is attached. A declaration issued by the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) says:

  • Friday, November 3rd 2023 - 09:19 UTC

    Yearly vaccination against Covid-19 added to Brazil's immunization plan

    Yearly vaccination against Covid-19 added to Brazil's immunization plan

    Brazilian health authorities announced this week that starting in 2024 yearly vaccination against Covid-19 will be included in the country's Immunization Program (PNI) as per the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations, Agencia Brasil reported.