IAEA and OCP Group Join Forces to Strengthen Global Food Security
By Michael Gwarisa The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and OCP Group have announced a five-year strategic partnership to drive scientific innovation for sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. As part of the Atoms4Food Initiative, the partnership will launch a coordinated research project (CRP) using nuclear and isotopic techniques to improve fertilizer efficiency, boost crop
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South Africa Joins Zimbabwe in Testing Locally Developed HIV Vaccine
Michael Gwarisa In a move expected to reshape the regional HIV response, South Africa has become the second country in sub-Saharan Africa after Zimbabwe to launch trials of a locally developed HIV vaccine. The vaccine trials, which were first launched in Zimbabwe in August 2025, will be conducted at three sites: the Mutala Trust Clinical
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Africa CDC Urges Southern Africa to Strengthen Cholera Response
Michael Gwarisa Southern African countries are being urged to strengthen cross-border cooperation as the region faces growing cholera threats. Fragile health systems, combined with recurrent natural disasters such as cyclones and floods, are exposing communities to heightened vulnerabilities, making coordinated action more critical than ever. Speaking during the weekly Africa CDC Virtual Press Briefing, Professor
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Ethiopia declares end of first-ever Marburg virus disease outbreak
Own Correspondent The Government of Ethiopia has officially declared the end of its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) following the completion of enhanced surveillance and the mandatory follow-up period, with no new confirmed cases reported for consecutive 42 days. The outbreak, first confirmed on 14 November 2025 in the South Ethiopia Region, was
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Mpox No Longer a Public Health Emergency in Africa
Michael Gwarisa The Emergency Committee of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has advised that Mpox should no longer be classified as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHEIC). The decision follows a sustained decline in cases, reduced mortality, improved testing capacity, and epidemiological trends increasingly consistent with endemic transmission
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You Could Get HIV from the Barber Shop, Study Finds
Michael Gwarisa A South African study has concluded that a person could be exposed to blood borne infections during a haircut or shave at a public barber shop, raising renewed concerns about hygiene standards in informal grooming spaces. The study, published in the South African Medical Journal, found that 42 percent of barber clippers were
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Africa Cervical Cancer Diagnostics Still Very Low – Africa CDC
Michael Gwarisa As the world marks Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has raised concern over the continent’s low diagnostic capacity for cervical cancer, a gap that has contributed to preventable loss of life over many years. Regional data shows that sub-Saharan Africa accounts for about 23 percent of
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Gavi Uses Football in Africa to Boost HPV Vaccine Confidence
By Michael Gwarisa Following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, HPV vaccine coverage declined across Southern Africa, setting back efforts to prevent cervical cancer. New data, however, point to a gradual recovery. The 2024 WHO and UNICEF National Immunisation Coverage report shows that Mozambique leads the region with 89 percent coverage, while Malawi trails at
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South Africa Pulls Popular Infant Formula From Shelves Over Safety Concerns
By Staff Reporter South Africa’s National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued an urgent recall of NAN Special Pro HA Infant Formula 800g after a potential food safety risk was identified, raising concerns among parents and caregivers of infants. In a media statement released on January 7, 2026, the NCC said the recall affects NAN Special
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Malaria and rising child mortality put African health at a crossroads
The latest WHO World Malaria Report 2025 highlights a critical reality: malaria remains one of Africa’s most pressing health challenges. With an estimated 282 million cases and approximately 610,000 deaths globally in 2024, the African Region continues to account for most of the burden, particularly among children under five. Five countries; namely Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia,
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