Nipah Virus Cases in Asia Increase Pressure to Develop a Vaccine
On Jan. 26, 2026, the government of India confirmed two cases of Nipah virus (NiV) infection in its state of West Bengal. Both cases involved health care workers in a hospital in the district of North 24 Parganas. One of the individuals died after being hospitalized on Jan. 28. Contact tracing linked a total of […]
United States Out of the World Health Organization
One of the first things President Trump did on the first day of his second term in office was sign an Executive Order giving notice that the United States would withdraw from membership in the World Health Organization (WHO). The move, which came just hours after his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, had been expected.1 […]
Australia Adds New Mental Health Risks to Ozempic and Other Rapid Weight Loss Drugs
The government of Australia has added two new safety warnings about mental health and contraception for the popular GLP-1 agonist drugs like Ozempic designed to facilitate rapid weight loss. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which regulates pharmaceutical products for Australia, issued the new safety warnings in December.1 Health professionals say that, while there is no […]
U.S. May Again Move to Withdraw from WHO
The incoming Trump administration plans to withdraw the United States from membership in the World Health Organization (WHO) on Jan. 20, 2025—the first day of President Trump’s second term. The move was originally reported by the Financial Times on Dec. 22, 2024.1 2 3 4 5 “I have it on good authority that he plans […]
WHO Declares Monkeypox a Global Health Emergency
On Aug. 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox (mpox) a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). “Today, the Emergency Committee met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,1 2 3 […]
Moderna Stops mRNA COVID Biologics Plant Construction in Kenya
Moderna, Inc. announced recently that it has suspended its efforts to build a $200–$500 million mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) biologics manufacturing facility in Kenya while it determines projected future demand for mRNA biologics in Africa. Company officials concluded that, since the end of the COVID pandemic, interest in COVID-19 biologics in Kenya and Africa has […]