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Health

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.

Health

DR Congo Ebola death toll tops 1,900 as cases rise

DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has killed 1,916 people and produced 4,209 confirmed cases, according to official data through Aug. 7. Ituri remains the center of the epidemic, with 3,636 confirmed cases and 1,551 deaths. North Kivu has recorded 470 cases and 315 deaths. Haut Uele has reported 91 cases and 44 deaths, while Tshopo has nine cases and five deaths. South Kivu has recorded three cases and one death. Overall, the outbreak has reached 53 of 140 health zones across the five affected provinces.

Health

Obesity linked to 8.2% of Belgium deaths in new health report

Obesity was linked to 9,509 deaths in Belgium during 2022, representing 8.2 percent of total national mortality, according to new data from the Belgian public health institute Sciensano. Marking the first time public health researchers in the country have systematically quantified mortality directly attributable to an elevated body mass index (BMI), the report reveals that weight-related complications caused more than one death per hour nationwide. The statistical findings also show that high BMI resulted in over 150,000 lost years of life across all demographic groups in a single year.

Health

Michigan reports first deaths tied to cyclospora outbreak

Michigan health officials have confirmed two deaths connected to the state’s 2026 cyclosporiasis outbreak. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 11,234 cases as of Aug. 3. The state also recorded 193 hospitalizations through July 30. Both patients had serious underlying medical conditions. Officials said cyclosporiasis and dehydration may have affected those conditions, but they released no additional personal information.

Health

DR Congo Ebola outbreak reaches record scale

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. Bunia recorded the largest caseload. Rwampara, Mongbwalu, Nizi, Lita and Nyankunde also reported substantial numbers as health teams expanded tracing and testing.