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Gaza polio vaccination drive reached 600,000 children: WHO
A polio vaccination drive in Gaza reached more than 600,000 children, the head of the World Health Organization announced Thursday, saying a ceasefire allowed previously-missed children to receive a dose.
Pope, whose health is improving, 'slept well': Vatican
Pope Francis, battling pneumonia in both lungs, slept well and is resting, the Vatican said Thursday, after revealing the 88-year-old's condition was slightly improving.
Texas child dies in measles outbreak, first US fatality in years
A child in Texas has died from measles, marking the first fatality in an outbreak that has infected more than 130 people, the state's health department announced Wednesday.
French surgeon's sex abuse was 'atomic bomb' for family, says son
Two sons of Joel Le Scouarnec, a French former surgeon on trial for the alleged assault or rape of 299 patients, told a court Tuesday of the devastation their father's case had wrought on the family.
Ailing pope works on canonisations as Catholics pray for recovery
Pope Francis has approved the canonisation of two new saints from his hospital bed, the Vatican said Tuesday, as the 88-year-old pontiff, who has pneumonia in both lungs, remained hospitalised for a 12th day.
Ailing pope works on saints from hospital as Catholics pray for recovery
Pope Francis has approved the canonization of two new saints from his hospital bed, the Vatican revealed on Tuesday, as the 88-year-old pontiff, who has pneumonia in both lungs, works through his recovery.
Critically-ill Pope Francis shows 'slight improvement' says Vatican
Pope Francis, hospitalised in critical condition with pneumonia in both lungs, was showing signs of "slight improvement", the Vatican said Monday, while cautioning that doctors would not offer a prognosis.
Critically-ill pope 'not in pain': Vatican source
Pope Francis, hospitalised in critical condition with pneumonia in both lungs, was conscious and "not in pain" Monday, the Vatican and a source said, amid global concern over the pontiff's health.
'History will not forgive' failure to seal pandemic deal: WHO chief
The head of the UN's health agency warned Friday that history would not forgive countries if they failed to strike a pandemic treaty at the last hurdle
Texas measles outbreak reaches 90, mostly unvaccinated
A measles outbreak that began in northwest Texas last month has now sickened 90 people, the vast majority of whom were unvaccinated, according to state data released Friday -- and the figure is expected to rise further.
Pope not out of danger, doctors say, amid questions over future
Pope Francis, in hospital with pneumonia, is not out of danger and will have to stay at least another week, his doctors said Friday amid questions over the 88-year-old's future as head of the Catholic Church.
Pope marks week in hospital amid questions over future
Pope Francis marked a week in hospital with pneumonia Friday, as speculation grew over the 88-year-old's ability to continue leading the Catholic Church.
'Just two glasses': In Turkey, lives shattered by bootleg alcohol
Taskin Erduan thought he'd got a bargain: three litres of vodka for around $15. But it took only two glasses to kill the 51-year-old hairdresser who worked at an Istanbul salon.
People can spread bird flu to their cats, US study suggests
A study published Thursday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that people can transmit bird flu to their domestic cats, with fatal consequences.
Pope 'sitting up, eating' in seventh day in hospital
Pope Francis spent his seventh day in hospital on Thursday, where he is being treated for pneumonia, as cardinals expressed their concern but not alarm at his condition.
France's parliament votes to ban some uses of 'forever chemicals'
France's parliament on Thursday voted to limit the production and sale of some items containing polluting and health-threatening "forever chemicals" including cosmetics, most clothing and ski wax in the Alpine nation.
Hospitalised Pope had peaceful night, up, eating, working: Vatican
Pope Francis passed another peaceful night in hospital, "got up and had breakfast in his armchair", the Vatican said Thursday, the day after reporting a slight improvement in his condition.
Pope alert, joking despite double pneumonia, Italy PM says
Pope Francis is alert and still making jokes despite having double pneumonia, Italy's prime minister said Wednesday after visiting the 88-year-old pontiff in hospital.
Ailing pope's obstinacy a blessing or a curse?
Pope Francis, in hospital with pneumonia, is propelled by an energy and stubborn drive that has taken him far -- but could yet prove to be his undoing.
Ghana scrambles to fill $156 million shortfall after USAID freeze
The gutting of US foreign aid has left Ghana facing a $156 million funding shortfall, with the health care and agriculture sectors bracing for shortages of drugs and fertiliser.
Manila neighbourhood puts bounty on dengue-carrying mosquitoes
Residents in a central Manila neighbourhood lined up Wednesday, as dengue cases spike nationwide, to collect a bounty -- one peso for every five mosquitoes, dead or alive.
Trump moves to widen IVF access, risking conservative fury
US President Donald Trump moved Tuesday to increase access to in vitro fertilization, a move likely to be welcomed by many Americans but which risks a backlash from conservatives and the religious right.
Pope eating, reading but weekend events cancelled: Vatican
Pope Francis breakfasted and read the papers as usual on Tuesday on his fifth day in hospital but appears no closer to being discharged, with the Vatican cancelling his weekend events.
Pope's condition 'complex', hospital stay extended: Vatican
Pope Francis, hospitalised for bronchitis four days ago, faces a "complex clinical picture", the Vatican said on Monday, indicating that the 88-year-old's stay will be longer than initially believed.
'Now or never' for pandemic accord, says WHO chief after US pulls out
The head of the World Health Organization insisted on Monday it was "now or never" to strike a landmark global accord on tackling future pandemics, despite the United States withdrawing from negotiations.
Trump's aid freeze could cause millions more AIDS deaths: UN agency
President Donald Trump's decision to suspend US overseas funding could result in millions more deaths from AIDS, the head of the UN's programme for the illness warned Sunday.
Trump admin fires CDC 'disease detectives' as bird flu fears rise: sources
Nearly half of an elite US epidemiology program known as the "disease detectives" were dismissed by the Trump administration on Friday, according to sources familiar with the matter, dealing a blow to public health efforts as fears rise over bird flu.
Nearly 50 Texans infected with measles in growing outbreak
A growing measles outbreak in west Texas has infected 48 people, according to official state data released Thursday -- the latest sign that the once-vanquished childhood disease is making a comeback as vaccination rates decline.
Cambodia nears Khmer Rouge survivor's dream of eradicating malaria
Cambodian scientist Yeang Chheang has spent six decades fighting malaria -- even in the Khmer Rouge labour camp where his wife and baby died -- and stands tantalisingly close to fulfilling his life's work.
Vaccine critic RFK Jr. confirmed as US health secretary
The Republican-controlled US Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary Thursday, ignoring dire warnings from the medical community and elevating his anti-vaccine advocacy into the highest levels of government.
French parliament votes to ban disposable e-cigarettes
The French parliament on Thursday voted to ban single-use electronic cigarettes, considered to be gateways to tobacco addiction for teenagers and harmful to the environment.
WHO facing 'new realities' as US withdrawal looms
The World Health Organization on Tuesday wrapped up its executive board meeting, held against the backdrop of the United States -- by far its largest donor -- heading for the exit.