Browsing: World Health Organization

AfriSummit 2026 to Bring Africa’s Regulatory and Healthcare Community Together in Nairobi

AfriSummit 2026, the sixth edition of the highly anticipated regulatory affairs summit for Africa’s pharmaceutical, medical device, IVD and diagnostics sectors, will take place from 28 September to 2 October 2026 at Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. Held under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, Kenya, and under the patronage of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), Kenya, the five-day summit is expected to bring together 16+ National Regulatory Authorities and Notified Bodies alongside 100+ speakers and 450+ decision-makers from more than 25 countries.

European Commission adds PCR support for Ebola outbreak

The European Commission has expanded its Ebola response with a €2.1 million purchase of PCR tests for the Bundibugyo virus outbreak. The agreement covers open-platform tests that laboratories can use with existing systems. Shipments are due to start in August as health teams confront a large outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and affecting parts of the wider region.

DRC malaria cases surpass 26 million in 2025

The Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded 26,064,143 malaria cases in 2025. The country also reported 29,938 deaths linked to the disease during the year. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, announced the figures during a campaign launch in Ituri province. Dembo said malaria remains the country’s main public health challenge. The new totals confirm a heavy disease burden across one of Africa’s most malaria-affected countries.

DR Congo Ebola outbreak reaches record scale

The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has become the country’s largest recorded epidemic. Health authorities counted 3,605 confirmed cases through July 30, including 1,587 deaths. Teams logged 567 infections and 296 deaths during the latest full reporting week. Those figures marked the highest weekly totals since the outbreak began. The surge placed further pressure on surveillance, treatment and community response operations. Cases now span 49 health zones in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé and Tshopo. Thirty-three zones reported active transmission during the latest seven-day period. They registered 641 cases and 282 deaths. Ituri remained the outbreak’s center, with 3,176 infections, or 88% of the national total. The World Health Organization rates the risk inside DR Congo as very high. It also considers the threat high for Uganda and other countries bordering affected areas. Conflict, displacement and regular population movement continue to hinder disease control work. Contact tracing falls short of needs, leaving thousands of contacts outside regular follow-up. The outbreak has infected 151 health workers and killed 44, complicating response efforts.