The UN health agency on Monday launched a six-month plan to help stanch outbreaks of mpox transmission, including ramping up staffing in affected countries and boosting surveillance, prevention and response strategies. The World Health Organization said it expects the plan from September through February next year will require US$135 million in funding and aims to improve fair access to vaccines, notably in African countries hardest hit by the outbreak. "The mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries can be controlled, and can be stopped," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement. In its latest update on the outbreak, the African Centers for Disease Control reported that as of Thursday, more than 21,300 suspected or confirmed cases and 590 deaths have been reported this year in 12 African countries. read more
Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is recovering at home after being hospitalized with West Nile virus, a spokesperson said. Fauci, a longtime public health official who became a household name as part of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, is expected to recover fully, the spokesperson said. About 1,000 Americans are hospitalized each year with the most severe form of West Nile virus, which is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Another 1,500, on average, are diagnosed after developing symptoms, although experts estimate that as many of 80% of infections in the US are never identified.
Polio has resurfaced in Gaza for the first time in 25 years, thriving in the same conditions in which people are dying. read more
It seems like every week another company is announcing the closure of their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion departments, or scaling back their corporate activities and donations focused on social causes and deciding to spend more time on ... you know, things that actually have to do with their business. In recent months, companies like Tractor Supply and John Deere have both announced changes in their corporate policies after coming under fire for their sponsorships of things like pride parades and festivals and their participation in DEI efforts companywide. And just this week, Harley-Davidson announced that they would refocus their sponsorships and their mission to more closely align with their customers after heavy criticism over comments made by their CEO. The changes have largely come as a result of pressure campaigns by conservative activist Robby Starbuck " but this time, it seems like one company decided to get out ahead of it before any negative attention came their way.
Democrats rejoicing in the unity displayed over the first two nights of the Democratic National Convention are still reckoning with one issue that has divided the party: U.S. foreign policy in Israel's war with Hamas. "We need meaningful policy change, we need an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an arms embargo," said Uncommitted delegate from Rhode Island June Rose. "We're asking for the party leadership, we're asking for Kamala Harris, we're asking for Tim Walz, to get up to speed, to join us in this call, to join us in saving lives," said Uncommitted delegate from Minnesota Jeremiah Ellison. Uncommitted pro-Palestinian delegates and politicians spoke in front of the convention site Wednesday to elevate their demands, including a halt to U.S. military aid and funding to Israel. The group claims they have the party's majority support. "What we're doing is popular, it's necessary and it's party leadership," said Abas Alawieh, uncommitted delegate from Michigan.
Related: The year's first case of West Nile virus at a popular New York beach and campground has been detected, officials said Friday. The virus was found in a mosquito sample collected from a trap set at Watch Hill at Fire Island National Seashore, a 30-mile-long barrier island off Long Island, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) said.