NPR Topics: Global Health https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1031 NPR news on world health issues, disease control, public health and sanitation, and health education. Subscribe to the RSS feed. en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:13:53 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Topics: Global Health https://www.npr.org/sections/global-health/ Confirmed Ebola cases in Congo reach 282 as survivors describe their recoveries The outbreak remains focused in Congo's eastern Ituri province. Congo has reported over 1,000 suspected cases with the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved treatment or vaccine. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 06:52:34 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/06/01/g-s1-125143/ebola-updates https://www.npr.org/2026/06/01/g-s1-125143/ebola-updates

The outbreak remains focused in Congo's eastern Ituri province. Congo has reported over 1,000 suspected cases with the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved treatment or vaccine.

(Image credit: Moses Sawasawa)

]]> The Associated Press How aid cuts are hampering the front-line response to the Ebola crisis Aid workers in Uganda are watching an Ebola crisis unfold in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. They're doing what they can to prepare for an uptick in cases, but foreign aid cuts aren't helping. Sun, 31 May 2026 17:11:19 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/31/nx-s1-5839197/ebola-crisis-outbreak-misinformation-democratic-republic-congo-uganda https://www.npr.org/2026/05/31/nx-s1-5839197/ebola-crisis-outbreak-misinformation-democratic-republic-congo-uganda

Aid workers in Uganda are watching an Ebola crisis unfold in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. They're doing what they can to prepare for an uptick in cases, but foreign aid cuts aren't helping.

(Image credit: Leonard Musinguzi)

]]> Henry Larson The biggest permanent desert lake threatens with rising waters and hungry crocs Kenya's Lake Turkana is the world's largest permanent desert lake. Its waters have long sustained hundreds of thousands. Now the lake is facing multiple threats — and threatening those who rely on it. Sun, 31 May 2026 08:24:28 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/31/g-s1-122887/lake-turkana-kenya-climate-rising-waters-fishing-crocodiles https://www.npr.org/2026/05/31/g-s1-122887/lake-turkana-kenya-climate-rising-waters-fishing-crocodiles

Kenya's Lake Turkana is the world's largest permanent desert lake. Its waters have long sustained hundreds of thousands. Now the lake is facing multiple threats — and threatening those who rely on it.

(Image credit: Tommy Trenchard for NPR)

]]> Text and photos by Tommy Trenchard A Kenyan court has temporarily halted U.S. plans to open an Ebola quarantine center A Kenyan court has temporarily halted the opening of a U.S. Ebola quarantine center. The move follows protests over infection risks and claims that the country could be used as a "containment colony." Fri, 29 May 2026 16:58:17 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/29/nx-s1-5838693/a-kenyan-court-has-temporarily-halted-u-s-plans-to-open-an-ebola-quarantine-center https://www.npr.org/2026/05/29/nx-s1-5838693/a-kenyan-court-has-temporarily-halted-u-s-plans-to-open-an-ebola-quarantine-center A Kenyan court has temporarily halted the opening of a U.S. Ebola quarantine center. The move follows protests over infection risks and claims that the country could be used as a "containment colony."

]]> Michael Kaloki How to keep Ebola patients alive Ebola kills roughly half the people it infects, but that has more to do with the kind of care patients can access, rather than something inherent to the virus itself. Fri, 29 May 2026 16:03:53 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/29/nx-s1-5836419/how-to-keep-ebola-patients-alive https://www.npr.org/2026/05/29/nx-s1-5836419/how-to-keep-ebola-patients-alive Ebola kills roughly half the people it infects, but that has more to do with the kind of care patients can access, rather than something inherent to the virus itself.

]]> Jonathan Lambert Why are people attacking Ebola clinics? It revolves around trust, death and body bags In echoes of past outbreaks, community members are attacking clinics, distrusting doctors and following burial traditions that could lead to more cases of Ebola. Fri, 29 May 2026 13:15:57 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/29/g-s1-124359/ebola-outbreak-trust-death-burial-democratic-republic-congo https://www.npr.org/2026/05/29/g-s1-124359/ebola-outbreak-trust-death-burial-democratic-republic-congo

In echoes of past outbreaks, community members are attacking clinics, distrusting doctors and following burial traditions that could lead to more cases of Ebola.

(Image credit: Gradel Muyisa Mumbere)

]]> Gabrielle Emanuel Photos show the world's 'uncounted' people -- and what it takes to be counted Colombian-American photographer and filmmaker Juan Arredondo turns his lens on the people of the world who do not have birth and death certificates — and how these vital records are created. Fri, 29 May 2026 06:49:24 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/29/g-s1-124682/photos-birth-certificate-death-certificate-photoville https://www.npr.org/2026/05/29/g-s1-124682/photos-birth-certificate-death-certificate-photoville July 1, 2025. Sirajganj, Bangladesh Mothers who lacked birth certificates for themselves and family members hold up the newly obtained documents after a drive in Dhamainagar Union, part of a campaign to get people to register so they are eligible for social safety new programs.'/>

Colombian-American photographer and filmmaker Juan Arredondo turns his lens on the people of the world who do not have birth and death certificates — and how these vital records are created.

(Image credit: Juan Arredondo)

]]> Diane Cole Zaddies beware: 'Soul City' returns to South African TV In South Africa, a nonprofit organization is rebooting a popular soap opera that once dramatized and educated viewers about HIV and AIDS. It's only part of their feminist mission. Thu, 28 May 2026 16:38:41 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/28/nx-s1-5815941/zaddies-beware-soul-city-returns-to-south-african-tv https://www.npr.org/2026/05/28/nx-s1-5815941/zaddies-beware-soul-city-returns-to-south-african-tv In South Africa, a nonprofit organization is rebooting a popular soap opera that once dramatized and educated viewers about HIV and AIDS. It's only part of their feminist mission.

]]> Vincent Acovino Congo's Ebola outbreak is spiraling, with health workers struggling to contain the virus The epicenter of the Ebola outbreak is in Mongbwalu, a poor gold-mining town of 130,000 people, in Ituri province, in eastern Congo. Thu, 28 May 2026 04:47:40 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/27/nx-s1-5834940/ebola-outbreak-congo https://www.npr.org/2026/05/27/nx-s1-5834940/ebola-outbreak-congo

The epicenter of the Ebola outbreak is in Mongbwalu, a poor gold-mining town of 130,000 people, in Ituri province, in eastern Congo.

(Image credit: Michel Lunanga)

]]> Emmet Livingstone Measles outbreak rages in Bangladesh A measles outbreak in Bangladesh is suspected to have killed more than 500 and sickened up to 60,000. Bangladesh was getting measles under control until a new government upended vaccination efforts. Wed, 27 May 2026 16:16:19 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/27/nx-s1-5836291/measles-outbreak-rages-in-bangladesh https://www.npr.org/2026/05/27/nx-s1-5836291/measles-outbreak-rages-in-bangladesh A measles outbreak in Bangladesh is suspected to have killed more than 500 and sickened up to 60,000. Bangladesh was getting measles under control until a new government upended vaccination efforts.

]]> Gabrielle Emanuel