Ebola science race: Vaccines and drugs tested against Bundibugyo virus

Scientists are testing experimental vaccines and antiviral treatments against the Bundibugyo Ebola virus as the DRC battles its worst outbreak of the disease.

By Eunice Omollo 2 days ago

EBOLA WATCH: The vaccine being tested against a virus it was never made for

Scientists are testing an Ebola vaccine against a virus it was never designed to prevent.

By Eunice Omollo 9 days ago

HIV funding squeeze deepens as US commits $887m to DRC Ebola response

Governments are rallying behind UNAIDS as the global HIV response faces a funding squeeze, even as the US commits more funds to the DRC Ebola response.

By Eunice Omollo 11 days ago

Africa CDC warns Kenya at risk as DRC Ebola outbreak spreads

Kenya is among 10 African countries identified by the Africa CDC as at risk of Ebola as Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the DRC approaches 8,000 confirmed cases.

By Eunice Omollo 11 days ago

Wheat and chaff: Kenya's wheat problem goes beyond food

Kenya’s growing dependence on imported wheat exposes a food-security challenge driven by climate change, disease, high production costs and weak farm economics.

By Eunice Omollo 12 days ago

Ebola cases near 8,000 as outbreak pushes across DRC

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached nearly 8,000 confirmed cases and continues to spread across health zones.

By Eunice Omollo 12 days ago

From pasture to plate: KALRO's push to boost Kenya's beef supply

KALRO is using improved cattle breeds, locally formulated feeds and climate-resilient pastures to boost Kenya’s beef production, farmer incomes and food security.

By Eunice Omollo 13 days ago

El nino: UN warning as Nairobi braces for more floods

Nairobi is intensifying flood preparations as the UN warns that the strengthening El Niño could bring extreme weather, with Kenya expecting wetter-than-normal October–December rains.

By Eunice Omollo 13 days ago

Ebola watch: Almost $3 billion mobilised so far, leaders want every dollar tracked

Nearly $3 billion has been pledged for the Ebola response in Central Africa, with Africa CDC urging transparent tracking to ensure the funds reach frontline health workers and affected communities.

By Eunice Omollo 13 days ago

Ebola Watch: WHO warns children under five face higher risk in DRC Ebola outbreak

Children under five are bearing a disproportionate share of deaths in the DRC’s Bundibugyo virus outbreak, with WHO urging faster diagnosis, referral and specialised care.

By Eunice Omollo 14 days ago

Tanzania, Rwanda hailed for fight against maternal deaths at UNGA

Tanzania and Rwanda are being highlighted by Africa CDC for progress in reducing maternal deaths, as African leaders at UNGA push for faster action on preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

By Eunice Omollo 14 days ago

US pledges $267m as DRC outbreak dominates UNGA health talks

The latest WHO figures show 7,733 confirmed cases and 3,732 confirmed deaths across 63 health zones.

By Eunice Omollo 14 days ago

Africa takes maternal and child survival crisis to UNGA 81

Nearly 178,600 women died from pregnancy and childbirth-related causes in African Union member states in 2023.

By Eunice Omollo 16 days ago

Ebola virus has no passport, just like its cousin Covid19

A fatal Bundibugyo Ebola case that crossed multiple borders before reaching north-western DRC underscores the need for Kenya and its neighbours to maintain strong surveillance.

By Eunice Omollo 24 days ago

The poison in the bottle: Kenyans fear deadly alcohol behind familiar labels

Beyond deaths and blindness, contaminated alcohol can cause serious poisoning requiring hospitalisation.

By Eunice Omollo 27 days ago

As US shifts vaccine policy, WHO urges Kenya not to change course

WHO has warned against changing childhood vaccination schedules without strong scientific evidence, after the United States announced significant changes to its immunisation policy.

By Eunice Omollo 1 month ago

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Why Ruto's health reform claims are under scrutiny

Some claims from President William Ruto's address expose the gap between political promises and what the public record can actually prove

By Eunice Omollo 1 month ago

Unpaid health workers deepen strain on DRC Ebola response

Unpaid and overstretched health workers are becoming a critical bottleneck in the DRC’s Ebola response, threatening surveillance, treatment and infection control as the outbreak spreads.

By Eunice Omollo 1 month ago

DR Congo Ebola outbreak crosses 5,000 cases as death toll becomes country's highest

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has crossed the 5,000-case mark, according to Africa CDC

By Eunice Omollo 1 month ago

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Disease X: The unknown threat that could trigger the next pandemic

From the Black Death and Spanish Flu to Ebola and Covid-19, history shows how quickly an unfamiliar pathogen can reshape the world. Could the next threat already be emerging?

By Eunice Omollo 1 month ago

Ebola expands to 6th province, raising alerts in South Sudan and Kenya's Northern Corridor

Ebola has spread to DRC’s sixth province, raising surveillance concerns along South Sudan and Kenya’s northern border corridors amid growing cases and deaths.

By Eunice Omollo 1 month ago

Ebola may have been spreading in DRC weeks before it was detected

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo may have been underway for weeks before health authorities knew they were dealing with the virus

By Eunice Omollo 1 month ago

Ebola search surge in Kenya: What are Kenyans asking Google?

“Ebola outbreak” was the leading related search, followed by “what is Ebola” and “what causes Ebola”.

By Eunice Omollo 1 month ago

Ebola closes in on 2,000 deaths as DRC outbreak tests limits of response

The numbers expose the scale of an outbreak that has already become the largest Ebola epidemic recorded in the DRC.

By Eunice Omollo 1 month ago

WHO clears path for Ebola vaccine trial as Bundibugyo outbreak surges

WHO said the urgency of the outbreak and the need to generate evidence that could guide future policy decisions made a direct move to Phase 3 appropriate.

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

Ebola's silent Victims: Why children are dying in large numbers

Behind the rapidly rising Ebola case count lies another grim statistic: hundreds of children are dying.

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

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Government defends Taifa Care digital fee amid claims row

MoH has defended the controversial service fee charged on claims processed through the National Digital Health System, insisting the levy is lawful

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

Why school food poisoning outbreaks keep happening in Kenya

As food poisoning conitue to recure in schools, health experts warn that schools are increasingly investing in treatment while neglecting prevention.

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

DRC Ebola outbreak nears 4,000 cases as transmission outpaces response

The DRC Ebola outbreak is edging towards another grim milestone, with confirmed infections now fewer than 300 cases away from reaching 4,000.

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

Mathari contract nurses' dispute escalates as union threatens strike

The Kenya National Union of Nurses has threatened a strike at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital over the continued employment of nearly 100 nurses on renewable three-month contracts.

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

Bundibugyo outbreak becomes world's second-largest Ebola outbreak

Seventy-seven weeks after the first infections were detected in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the world's largest outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has crossed another grim milestone

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

Medical camp reveals hidden health crisis around Mombasa's Mwakirunge dumpsite

For years, many residents living around the Mwakirunge dumpsite in Mombasa County have endured illness without seeking medical care, because they cannot afford it.

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

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How Mathari hospital is mistreating contract nurses

Nearly 100 nurses at Mathari Hospital say years of rolling three-month contracts have left them battling anxiety.

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

Ebola outbreak nears 3,000 cases as South Sudan spread raises Kenya border concerns

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak is approaching 3,000 confirmed cases.

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

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Kidney transplant patients accuse SHA of 'punitive' rules that put lives at risk

Kidney transplant recipients have accused the Social Health Authority (SHA) of enforcing benefit rules that they say are putting lives at risk.

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

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Ebola: Fear, secrecy and trust is Kenya getting risk communication right?

As the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola continues to spread across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the greatest challenge facing Kenya may not be the virus itself

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

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Ebola at State House? 14 staff quarantined as Ruto's Congo trip shelved

President Ruto, who is a busy Head of State and who never rests, could have been exposed had the team made contact with him.

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

Ministry to tighten food safety after study detects pesticide residues in vegetables

The Ministry of Health has announced plans to strengthen surveillance and testing of fresh produce across the country after a new study detected pesticide residues in the majority of vegetable samples

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

India donates 4.5 tonnes of medical supplies to boost Kenya's Ebola preparedness

India has donated 4.5 tonnes of medical supplies to Kenya to strengthen Ebola preparedness as the country boosts surveillance and response measures amid regional outbreaks.

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago

DRC Ebola deaths top 900 as WHO warns outbreak is outpacing response

The DRC Ebola outbreak has claimed more than 900 lives, with health authorities reporting continued transmission across five provinces as WHO warns that the epidemic is spreading.

By Eunice Omollo 2 months ago