Author: Claudinne Miller
Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak Grows to 13 Confirmed Cases
The World Health Organization reports that the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship has grown to 13 confirmed cases following identification of a new case in Spain among quarantined passengers. Three deaths have been associated with the outbreak, though no additional fatalities have been reported since early May. Health officials say the […]
May 27, 2026
Misinformation and Distrust Complicate Ebola Response in Congo
False claims and conspiracy theories surrounding the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are fueling public mistrust, violence, and resistance to health measures as officials struggle to contain the disease. Rumors that Ebola is fabricated for financial gain or linked to efforts to exploit regional mineral resources have led some residents to reject […]
May 27, 2026
Questions Raised Over U.S. Ebola Screening Procedures for Travelers From Uganda
A recent traveler returning to the United States from Uganda reported encountering no visible Ebola screening measures upon arrival at Washington Dulles International Airport despite newly announced restrictions and enhanced health screening protocols related to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. The traveler had been staying in western Uganda, away from the outbreak’s epicenter […]
May 27, 2026
Evacuated U.S. Doctor Describes Fear and Frustration Amid Congo Ebola Outbreak
An American missionary physician evacuated from the Democratic Republic of Congo after possible Ebola exposure says he feels helpless watching colleagues remain on the front lines as the outbreak worsens. Patrick LaRochelle, now under observation in a specialized hospital unit in Prague, said the outbreak became clear only after reports of patients rapidly dying from […]
May 27, 2026
Ebola Outbreak in Congo Accelerates Faster Than Response Efforts
Health officials warn that the rapidly growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is outpacing global response efforts, with authorities struggling to identify and monitor thousands of potentially exposed individuals. The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists, has already resulted in approximately 900 suspected […]
May 27, 2026
Uganda Closes Congo Border Amid Growing Ebola Concerns
Uganda has temporarily closed its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo as officials work to prevent further spread of the ongoing Ebola outbreak centered in Congo’s Ituri province. Seven confirmed Ebola cases have already been reported in Kampala, though health authorities say the country has strong disease surveillance and response systems in place. Limited […]
May 27, 2026
Researchers Highlight Bird Flu Data Gaps Threatening Wildlife Conservation
A new paper published in Wildlife Monographs examines critical gaps in scientific understanding of how highly pathogenic avian influenza spreads among wild bird populations and the growing threat it poses to vulnerable species. University of Rhode Island researcher Johanna Harvey and collaborators reviewed how migration patterns, seasonal behavior, and species interactions influence bird flu transmission […]
May 27, 2026
Anger and Instability Complicate Ebola Response in Eastern Congo
Health officials and aid workers responding to the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo are facing growing resistance and security challenges as fear spreads among local communities. In the town of Rwampara, angry residents set fire to an Ebola treatment center after authorities prevented them from retrieving the body of a suspected Ebola victim for traditional […]
May 27, 2026
Emerging Virus Strains Raise New Questions for Researchers
Recent Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks are highlighting major gaps in scientific understanding of emerging virus strains. Health officials report that the hantavirus linked to infections aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship appears to be spreading person-to-person, an unusual pattern for hantaviruses, which are typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents. At the same time, the […]
May 27, 2026
New Hantavirus Case Confirmed Among Cruise Ship Crew Member in Netherlands
Health officials have confirmed a new hantavirus infection in a crew member linked to the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship. The individual was repatriated to the Netherlands after disembarking in Tenerife and is currently hospitalized in isolation following laboratory confirmation of infection. According to the World Health Organization, the outbreak has now resulted […]
May 27, 2026