Health

FDA approves Isembyld, the first therapy worldwide to directly target muscle loss in spinal muscular atrophy

The FDA approved Isembyld (apitegromab-mstn) on September 14 for SMA patients aged 2 and older already on an SMN2-targeted therapy — the first SMA therapy worldwide to directly target muscle loss. Patients receive a 10 mg/kg infusion every four weeks; the drug carries an annual list price of about $310,000. This site offers no medical advice.

FDA official approval announcement (09-14)↗ Full item in ISSUE №50・09/17 ↗

Verification note: Compiled from the FDA's official approval announcement and BioPharma Dive reporting; confirm details against the FDA's official label. This site does not provide medical advice.

WHO: DRC's Ebola outbreak reaches 6,942 confirmed cases and 3,349 deaths; suspected case in South Ubangi unconfirmed

A WHO update issued September 10 shows the DRC's Ebola outbreak has reached 6,942 confirmed cases and 3,349 deaths, roughly a 48.2% fatality rate. A suspected new case in South Ubangi reported by local media has not yet been confirmed by WHO and is excluded from the official tally.

World Health Organization (WHO)↗ Full item in ISSUE №49・09/13 ↗

Verification note: Case figures compiled from WHO's official update; the South Ubangi case is unconfirmed by WHO. This site does not provide medical advice.

WHO: DRC's Ebola outbreak reaches 6,778 confirmed cases with a 48.3% fatality rate, spreads to Kayna

A WHO outbreak update shows the DRC's Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak reached 6,778 confirmed cases as of September 7, with 3,267 deaths in the DRC for a 48.3% case fatality ratio; the outbreak has spread to a new health zone, Kayna, in North Kivu since August 28.

World Health Organization (WHO)↗ Full item in ISSUE №48・09/12 ↗

Verification note: Case and death figures summarized from WHO's official outbreak update; this site does not provide medical advice.

Bangladesh's measles-linked death toll passes 1,000, WHO calls it the world's largest outbreak

Bangladeshi health officials report the nationwide measles outbreak that began in April has now been linked to more than 1,000 deaths, with over 166,000 suspected cases and about 19,835 lab-confirmed infections; the US CDC says it is currently the world's largest measles outbreak, linked to immunization gaps during 2024-2025 political turmoil.

World Health Organization (WHO) situation page↗ Full item in ISSUE №47・09/11 ↗

Verification note: Case and death figures summarized from WHO situation reports and Bangladeshi health authority data. Refer to WHO's official updates for the latest figures. This site does not provide medical advice.

WHO: DRC's Ebola outbreak tops 6,686 confirmed cases, now one of the fastest-spreading on record

WHO reporting shows the DRC's Ebola outbreak growing to 6,686 confirmed cases and 3,226 related deaths as of September 6, up 82 cases and 51 deaths from the previous report. A total of 819 patients are currently hospitalized in isolation, and 1,563 have recovered. The outbreak has become one of the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreaks on record in just 10 weeks since detection in May; WHO continues supporting the DRC and Uganda on surveillance and cross-border preparedness.

World Health Organization (WHO) situation page↗ Full item in ISSUE №46・09/10 ↗

Verification note: Case and death figures summarized from official WHO situation reports. This site does not provide medical advice.

WHO: DRC's Ebola outbreak tops 6,250 confirmed cases; new guidance issued on Ervebo vaccine use

WHO reporting shows the DRC's Ebola outbreak growing to 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 related deaths as of September 1, up from 6,100 cases and 2,950 deaths on August 31. WHO issued updated emergency guidance on September 1 on the potential use of Ervebo, the only licensed Ebola vaccine, in outbreaks of this kind, and continues supporting DRC and Uganda on surveillance and cross-border preparedness.

World Health Organization (09-02)↗ Full item in ISSUE №45・09/04 ↗

Verification note: Case and death figures summarized from WHO's official outbreak reporting. Refer to WHO's official announcements for the latest figures. This site does not provide medical advice.

WHO: DRC's Ebola outbreak tops 6,100 confirmed cases, remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern

WHO reporting shows the DRC's Bundibugyo-virus Ebola outbreak has grown to 6,100 confirmed cases and 2,950 related deaths as of August 31, with Ituri province hardest hit at 5,016 cases and 2,274 deaths. WHO's Emergency Committee determined on August 28 the outbreak continues to meet PHEIC criteria. Neighboring Uganda's outbreak was declared over on August 26, with 20 total cases and 2 deaths.

WHO Disease Outbreak News (08-31)↗ Full item in ISSUE №44・09/02 ↗

Verification note: Case and death figures summarized from WHO's official outbreak reporting and the ECDC tracking page. Refer to WHO for the latest figures. This site does not offer medical advice.

FDA approves expanded Mounjaro (tirzepatide) label to reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes

The FDA approved an expanded label on August 28 for Eli Lilly's Mounjaro (tirzepatide), to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in high-risk adults with type 2 diabetes. Based on the SURPASS-CVOT trial across 30 countries with 13,000+ participants, Mounjaro met non-inferiority against Trulicity (dulaglutide) with an 8% lower MACE-3 rate.

Eli Lilly official release (08-28)↗ Full item in ISSUE №43・09/01 ↗

Verification note: Summarized from Eli Lilly's official release and Healio reporting. Refer to the FDA's official approval documentation. This site does not offer medical advice.

FDA approves Revolution Medicines' pancreatic cancer drug Rasonque, with 13.2-month median survival

The FDA approved Revolution Medicines' oral drug Rasonque (daraxonrasib) on August 26 for adults with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who have received at least one prior systemic therapy, the first broadly RAS-targeted medicine for this mutation. Trial data showed a median overall survival of 13.2 months versus 6.7 months for standard chemotherapy.

Revolution Medicines official release (08-26)↗ Full issue: ISSUE №42・08/31 ↗

Verification note: Summarized from Revolution Medicines' official release and CNN reporting. Refer to the FDA's official approval documents for eligibility. This site does not provide medical advice.

FDA approves new indication for Eli Lilly's Mounjaro to reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes

The FDA approved a new indication on August 28 for Eli Lilly's Mounjaro (tirzepatide), allowing it to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk. The approval was based on the 5-year SURPASS-CVOT trial comparing Mounjaro against Trulicity; Mounjaro is the first dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist shown to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death in this patient population.

BioSpace / Eli Lilly official release (08-28)↗ Full issue: ISSUE №41・08/30 ↗

Verification note: Summarized from Eli Lilly's official release and HCPLive reporting. Refer to the FDA's official approval documents for eligibility. This site does not provide medical advice.

FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Novavax targeting the XFG variant

The FDA approved three updated 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccines on August 27, all targeting the XFG variant — informally "Stratus" — now accounting for an estimated 79% of new U.S. infections; all three manufacturers began shipping the same day. Pfizer-BioNTech's COMIRNATY XFG is approved for adults 65+ and people 5-64 with a high-risk underlying condition; Moderna's mNEXSPIKE and Spikevax formulas were both approved; the Novavax/Sanofi protein-based version offers an alternative for people declining mRNA vaccines.

CNN (08-27)↗ Full issue: ISSUE №40・08/29 ↗

Verification note: Summarized from CNN and Becker's Hospital Review. Refer to the FDA's official announcements for eligibility. This site does not provide medical advice.

DRC's Ebola outbreak keeps growing, now at 5,584 confirmed cases and 2,680 deaths

The WHO Regional Office for Africa's External Situation Report 15, with data as of August 23, reported 563 new confirmed cases and 302 new deaths in the DRC's Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak since the previous report, bringing the cumulative total to 5,584 confirmed cases and 2,680 deaths. Transmission remains sustained in established hotspots in Ituri province and is intensifying in Nord-Kivu and Haut-Uélé; affected health zones have risen from 55 to 57 across six provinces. WHO said the outbreak, now more than three months old, is the second-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded and is spreading faster than any previous one.

WHO/AFRO Situation Report 15 (08-23)↗ Full issue: ISSUE №39・08/28 ↗

Verification note: Case and death figures summarized from WHO/AFRO's Situation Report 15 (data as of August 23). Refer to WHO's official updates for the latest figures. This site does not provide medical advice.

Alfalfa sprouts linked to E. coli and Salmonella outbreak sicken 55 across 15 U.S. states

The CDC reported, in an update as of August 26, that 55 people across 15 states have been infected with Salmonella or one of several Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains, with 4 hospitalizations and no deaths reported. Minnesota and Wisconsin together account for 38 of the 55 cases. Traceback investigation pointed to alfalfa sprouts produced by Minneapolis-based Everything Sprouts, which recalled certain lots of its products on August 22.

CDC official investigation update (08-26)↗ Full issue: ISSUE №38・08/27 ↗

Verification note: Case counts and recall details summarized from the CDC's official investigation page and the Washington Post. The investigation is ongoing — refer to official CDC updates for the latest figures. This site does not provide medical advice.

CDC: U.S. cyclosporiasis cases pass 17,000, with 2 deaths and 922 hospitalizations

The CDC reported on August 24 that confirmed cyclosporiasis cases nationwide had reached 17,180, up 1,464 from a week earlier, spread across 48 states and Washington, D.C., with 922 hospitalizations and 2 deaths. Michigan is the hardest-hit state with 14,277 cumulative cases, though its weekly growth rate has slowed to 3%. CDC and the FDA are still investigating several clusters whose sources have not yet been confirmed; part of this outbreak has been linked to contaminated, recalled iceberg lettuce.

CDC official surveillance page (08-24)↗ Full issue: ISSUE №37・08/26 ↗

Verification note: Case counts summarized from CDC's official surveillance page and AP reporting. This site does not provide medical advice.

CDC investigating multistate E. coli / Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts, 55 cases so far

CDC data updated August 24 shows a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts has reached 55 cases across 15 states — Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin — with the largest case counts in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Lab analysis identified three E. coli strains (O26:H11, O103:H25, O168:H8) and one Salmonella strain (Salmonella Agona). CDC and the FDA say the suspected contaminated sprouts were grown by Everything Sprouts and sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands. As of August 21, four people had been hospitalized and no deaths had been reported.

CDC official outbreak page (08-24)↗ Full issue: ISSUE №36・08/25 ↗

Verification note: Case counts and strain data are from CDC's official outbreak page, cross-checked against NBC News. The investigation is ongoing; the latest figures are subject to CDC's official updates. This site offers no medical advice.

US 2026 measles cases reach 2,777, the worst year since 1991

The latest CDC data shows 2,777 confirmed measles cases reported across the US in 2026 as of August 20, from 47 jurisdictions — 2,761 domestic cases and 16 cases among international visitors. The country has recorded 36 new outbreaks so far this year, with 94% (2,614) of confirmed cases outbreak-associated. CDC data shows this is the highest US measles case count since 1991, and the ongoing outbreaks put the country's measles elimination status — held since 2000 — at risk.

CDC official data (08-20)↗ Full issue: ISSUE №35・08/24 ↗

Verification note: Case counts summarized from official CDC reporting. The outbreak is ongoing; the latest figures are subject to CDC's official data page. This site offers no medical advice.

FDA authorizes first robotic blood-draw device, Aletta, for outpatient use

The US Food and Drug Administration authorized on August 19, via its De Novo pathway, the first standalone robotic device able to draw blood without hands-on operator intervention, for use in outpatient settings. Aletta, developed by Dutch medical device company Vitestro, uses near-infrared light and Doppler ultrasound to locate a suitable vein in the arm and distinguish it from arteries, and can automatically swap tubes, prep the injection site, and bandage the patient afterward. The FDA said the authorization was supported by clinical data showing Aletta's blood-draw success rate, once it proceeds with a needle insertion, is comparable to or better than trained human phlebotomists. The device must be operated under the oversight of a supervisor trained in phlebotomy, with one supervisor able to oversee up to three devices at once — potentially helping ease the US phlebotomist shortage.

FDA official announcement (08-19)↗ Full issue: ISSUE №33・08/22 ↗

Verification note: Summarized from the FDA's official press release. Clinical data details and full authorization conditions are subject to the FDA's formal authorization document and Vitestro's official statements; this site offers no medical advice.

WHO approves 70,000 Ebola vaccine doses for DRC, including trial doses for Bundibugyo strain

WHO and Africa CDC announced on August 20 that the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision (ICG) approved the immediate release of 70,000 doses of the Ervebo (rVSV-ZEBOV) Ebola vaccine to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in response to a request from the DRC government. Of these, 20,000 doses are earmarked for a Phase 3 trial assessing the vaccine's effectiveness against the Bundibugyo ebolavirus species specifically, while 50,000 doses will go to frontline and health workers per WHO SAGE recommendations. WHO noted that Ervebo — previously approved and used in outbreaks caused by the Zaire ebolavirus species — has unconfirmed efficacy against Bundibugyo virus in humans, though early lab and animal studies suggest possible protection. This is now the deadliest Ebola-family outbreak in DRC's history, spanning 54 health zones across six provinces.

WHO official press release (Aug 20)↗ Full issue: ISSUE №32・08/21 ↗

Verification note: Vaccine allocation figures and trial plans per WHO's official press release; check WHO and Africa CDC for the latest on trial results and further distribution.

FDA approves first gene therapy for Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia

The FDA granted accelerated approval on August 19 to Genglycos (pariglasgene brecaparvovec-opnr), the first FDA-approved therapy targeting the underlying cause of Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia (GSDIa), for patients aged 8 and older. GSDIa is a rare inherited disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase, which impairs the body's ability to convert stored glycogen into glucose and typically requires patients to consume cornstarch around the clock to prevent dangerously low blood sugar. Genglycos, developed by Ultragenyx, is a one-time, liver-directed AAV8 gene therapy; in a Phase 3 study it reduced patients' daily cornstarch requirements at 48 weeks compared with baseline. GSDIa is estimated to affect 1,500-2,500 patients in the United States.

FDA official announcement (Aug 19)↗ Full issue: ISSUE №32・08/21 ↗

Verification note: Approval details and trial data per the FDA's official announcement; check the FDA's formal approval documents and Ultragenyx's official statements for complete prescribing information. This item is not medical advice.

DRC Ebola outbreak passes 5,000 confirmed cases, 2,378 deaths

The WHO Regional Office for Africa's (WHO/AFRO) latest weekly bulletin, using data through August 16, puts the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Bundibugyo virus Ebola outbreak at 5,021 confirmed cases and 2,378 deaths — up from the August 15 count of 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths. Ituri province, the hardest hit, has 4,257 confirmed cases and 1,878 deaths across 28 of its 36 health zones; North Kivu has 607 confirmed cases and 428 deaths across 12 of its 34 health zones. This is now the deadliest Ebola outbreak in DRC's history; WHO declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 28.

WHO Disease Outbreak News↗ Full issue: ISSUE №31・08/20 ↗

Verification note: Case and death figures per WHO/AFRO's official tally, up from the prior count (Aug 15: 4,945 confirmed / 2,325 deaths); the outbreak is still evolving — check WHO's Disease Outbreak News and Africa CDC for the latest figures.

DRC Ebola outbreak reaches 4,945 confirmed cases; WHO calls it the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record

The World Health Organization convened the second meeting of its IHR Emergency Committee on the outbreak on August 18, stating that the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Bundibugyo virus Ebola outbreak has become the second-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded and is spreading faster than any previous one. As of August 15 data, the outbreak has reached 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths, up 101 cases and 53 deaths from the previous day, with transmission now spanning six provinces and 54 health zones (Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo, Bas-Uélé). 730 patients are currently hospitalized in isolation and 1,040 have recovered. WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 28.

WHO Director-General's opening remarks (Aug 18)↗ Full issue: ISSUE №30・08/19 ↗

Verification note: Case and death figures per WHO's official tally; the outbreak is still evolving — check WHO's Disease Outbreak News and Africa CDC for the latest figures.

DRC Ebola outbreak reaches 4,665 confirmed cases, 2,184 deaths as it spreads to a 6th province

Per the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's (ECDC) compilation of WHO and Africa CDC data, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ebola (Bundibugyo virus) outbreak had reached 4,665 confirmed cases and 2,184 related deaths as of August 13 (data through August 12) — up 99 cases and 56 deaths from the prior day, with 634 patients currently hospitalized in isolation. Africa CDC reported on August 13 that the outbreak had spread to a sixth province, Bas-Uele, via an imported case from neighboring Haut-Uele who later died in the provincial capital, Buta. Separately, Uganda's Ministry of Health reported 20 cumulative confirmed cases and 2 deaths as of July 28, and declared its own outbreak over that same day.

ECDC outbreak tracker (Aug 13)↗ Full issue: ISSUE №29・08/17 ↗

Verification note: Case and death figures per WHO/Africa CDC official reporting; the outbreak is still evolving — check WHO's Disease Outbreak News and Africa CDC for the latest updates.

WHO: DRC's Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than aid can keep pace

The World Health Organization warned June 24 that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is spreading faster than local aid efforts can keep pace, despite gains in treatment capacity and community engagement; the outbreak has also spread into Uganda. Official case and death counts continue to be updated — we cite only what WHO had publicly confirmed at press time.

UN News, citing WHO's warning (Jun 24)↗ Full issue: №14・Jun 25 ↗

Verification note: Case and death figures are from official WHO/CDC reporting; we cite only the official tally known at press time and do not speculate on further spread.

WHO: unsafe food causes 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths a year

The World Health Organization reported on June 4 that unsafe food causes an estimated 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths globally each year, with young children facing the highest risk.

WHO Newsroom (Jun 4)↗ Full issue: №8・Jun 4 ↗

Verification note: Figures are from WHO's own report; we're summarizing published findings, not offering medical advice.

🏥 Health: every issue, one page