Health
130 LGAs Records Outbreak of Meningitis, Kills 183

Nigeria has reported a total of 287 confirmed cases out of 2,707 suspected cases of meningitis, including 183 deaths, with a case-fatality ratio of 6.8 per cent.
Their cases were reported from 130 Local Government Areas in 24 states, including the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria from From October 2022, to July 2, 2023.
This is according to the epidemiology situation of the disease released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meningitis is a serious infection of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is a devastating disease and remains a major public health challenge. The disease can be caused by many different pathogens including bacteria, fungi or viruses, but the highest global burden is seen with bacterial meningitis.
Several different bacteria can cause meningitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis are the most frequent ones. N. meningitidis, causing meningococcal meningitis, is the one with the potential to produce large epidemics.
Meningococcal meningitis is transmitted from person to person through droplets of respiratory and throat secretions, usually by asymptomatic carriers. Close, prolonged contact with an infected person, or living with a carrier, facilitates the spread of the disease. The average incubation period is four days but can range between two and 10 days.
Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara states reported the suspected CSM cases.
The report partly read that as of July 2, “A total of 2,707 suspected cases including 183 deaths have been reported from 24 states in this 2022/2023 CSM season. A total of 667 samples collected (25 per cent) from 2,707 suspected cases from beginning of the outbreak, and 298 confirmed (45 per cent positivity rate).
“The five to 14-year-old age group was the most affected. 54 per cent of the total suspected cases were Males. 98 per cent of all suspected cases were from six (10) states – Jigawa (1508 cases), Yobe (654 cases), Katsina (177 cases), Bauchi (123 cases), Zamfara (53 cases), Adamawa (45 cases), Gombe (26 cases), Kano (10 cases) and Sokoto (10 cases).
“Nineteen LGAs across five states, Jigawa (10), Katsina (4), Yobe (2), Bauchi (2) and Zamfara (1), reported more than 20 cases each this 2022/2023 CSM season.”
The NCDC, however, said it will continue to support affected states with essential response commodities.
Health
US Pauses Chikungunya Vaccine Over Severe Side Effects

US health authorities have suspended the license for the Ixchiq vaccine against the chikungunya virus following reports of “serious adverse events”, the drug’s French maker said Monday.
Ixchiq is one of just two vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the mosquito-spread virus, which mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical regions but has recently been discovered to countries worldwide.
French company Valneva obtained US approval for the vaccine in 2023, but reports of side effects have prompted reviews in particular over its use in older patients, including by the European Medicines Agency this year.
“The suspension of the license is effective immediately,” Valneva said of the FDA order issued Friday, citing four additional cases of serious side effects, three of which involved people aged 70 to 82.
“As we determine potential next steps, and as the clear threat of chikungunya continues to escalate globally, Valneva remains fully committed to maintaining access to our vaccine as a global health tool,” chief executive Thomas Lingelbach said in a statement.
Public health experts say chikungunya could be a potential future pandemic threat as climate change pushes the mosquitoes that spread it into new regions.
The symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever and Zika virus, with high fever and severe joint pain that is often debilitating and varies in duration.
Chikungunya is rarely fatal, though there is an increased risk of death for babies and the elderly.
In July, the World Health Organization warned of the risks of a major chikungunya epidemic, calling for urgent action.
The agency said it was picking up the same early warning signs as in a major outbreak two decades ago, which swept across the Indian Ocean before spreading globally and affecting almost half a million people.
So far this year, Europe has seen 27 chikungunya outbreaks, a new record for the continent, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said this month.
AFP
Health
US Reports First Human Case of Flesh-Eating Screwworm

The United States has confirmed its first human case of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living flesh, in a Maryland resident recently returned from El Salvador, where an outbreak is ongoing.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the patient began showing symptoms shortly after returning and was diagnosed on August 4, 2025.
“Screwworm larvae literally eat living tissue, which can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening infections if not treated promptly,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. She urged travelers to seek immediate medical care if symptoms appear after visiting affected areas.
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed the case on August 24, 2025, emphasizing close monitoring of travel-related risks and coordination with Central American health agencies. “We are taking this very seriously and working to prevent any further spread,” said HHS spokesperson Dr. Anthony Fauci.
While screwworm infections are more common in livestock, causing severe damage and economic losses, human cases are rare but dangerous. Dr. Jose Ortega, senior USDA veterinary official, explained the larvae burrow into live tissue, creating deep wounds difficult to treat.
In response, the USDA is building a sterile fly facility in Texas and has temporarily halted cattle imports from Mexico to control the pest’s spread. Mexico is also expanding its sterile fly operations, as Panama’s current facility is insufficient for the ongoing outbreak moving north from Central America.
No animal cases have been confirmed in the US this year, but experts stress that even a single human infection highlights the need for vigilance. “Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent serious consequences, both for public health and agriculture,” Walensky added.
Health
Chinese Scientists Developing Pregnancy Robots
Dr Zhang Qifeng, who founded the company IT Kaiwa Technology, said the robot will replicate the entire process from conception to delivery where the sperm and egg will be fertilised inside the robot then it will grow to term 9 months later.

Scientists in China are developing the world’s first life size ‘pregnancy robot’ capable of carrying a baby to term and giving birth.
Dr Zhang Qifeng, who founded IT Kaiwa Technology, said the robot will replicate the entire process from conception to delivery where the sperm and egg will be fertilised inside the robot then it will grow to term 9 months later.
The robot aims to offer a pregnancy alternative for women who wish to avoid the burdens of pregnancy and the dramatic changes it makes to woman’s body.
The robot will be equipped with an artificial womb that receives nutrients through a hose.
It is expected to be released next year, with a selling price of around US $13,555.
Feminist activists have been strongly opposed to the use of artificial wombs because it could lead to the ‘end of women’.’
The real question now is, will men, once the artificial womb is perfected, want to keep women around? How would the baby feel the emotions and the bond between mother and child?
(Facebook)
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