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Mpox Update: WHO Says $87 Million ‘Critical’ for Containing Outbreak
Stopping and containing the current outbreak of mpox will require $87.4 million over the next six months, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced.
The WHO said it would use the money to “implement critical activities” outlined in its global strategic preparedness and response plan for mpox, which include supporting surveillance, research, community empowerment and equitable access to medical countermeasures to contain and stop the spread of the virus.
At least 14 African countries have reported mpox outbreaks this year, with more than 17,000 suspected cases across the continent since the start of 2024 and 517 confirmed deaths, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
More than 96% of all cases and deaths have occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with many of those affected being children.
The WHO has declared mpox to be a “public health emergency of international concern,” adding that a coordinated international response is needed to stop the outbreak and save lives.
Trump’s Ultimate Battleground Twist: Taking on Big Pharma With Kennedy
“President Trump Will Make America Healthy Again.” That’s the title of a chapter from my new book, “The New MAGA Deal.” Donald Trump’s commitment to improving the health of all Americans — particularly our children — immediately puts into focus the shared interests of Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as well as the strategic importance of Kennedy’s timely endorsement of Trump.
Here’s the backstory: Big Pharma spent millions to keep then-President Donald Trump from being reelected in 2020. The giant pharmaceutical and food companies spent millions more to derail Kennedy’s 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump and Kennedy now share a common cause because each understands these deep-pocketed special interests are a root cause of lethal mental and physical health problems for Americans.
Consider that in the 21st century, 54% of American children are chronically ill. They face increased rates of anxiety, depression, autism, food allergies, obesity, developmental disorders, cancer and more. Yet ever since they were captured by special interests such as Big Pharma, our federal agencies and politicians have paid little attention to these conditions.
Without serious changes to improve our national public health, our country will grow unhealthy and weak. Now, with the help of Kennedy, Trump is determined to make America healthy again. Trump and Kennedy know that to make America great again, America must be healthy again.
Pfizer Launches DTC Service for Migraine, COVID Drugs
Pfizer on Tuesday launched a direct-to-consumer service it claims will help people schedule telehealth appointments, fill prescriptions and access savings programs for the company’s migraine, COVID-19 or influenza medicines.
Dubbed PfizerForAll, the online service will provide resources for people looking to obtain treatment for migraine, COVID-19 or the flu, or to schedule vaccinations for diseases like pneumococcal pneumonia and respiratory syncytial virus.
The platform aims to “streamline the path for those seeking better health,” Aamir Malik, Pfizer’s chief U.S. commercial officer, said in a statement.
The company said it is working with partners UpScriptHealth, Alto Pharmacy and Instacart.
Pfizer said it will continue to expand its PfizerForAll service, potentially to new conditions in the future.
Public Voices Often Ignored in States’ Opioid Settlement Money Decisions
Opioid manufacturers and distributors are paying more than $54 billion in restitution to settle lawsuits about their role in the overdose epidemic, with little oversight on how the money is spent. We’re tracking how state and local governments use — or misuse — the cash.
The Philadelphia neighborhood is a critical center of the nation’s opioid crisis, and the city had decided to spend $7.5 million in opioid settlement money to improve the quality of life there. But on that day, a Pennsylvania oversight board was about to vote on whether to reject the city’s decision.
But a lot of people were shut out of the discussion.
Pennsylvania’s board doesn’t allow members of the public to speak at its meetings, a rule that sets it apart from about two dozen similar opioid councils nationwide.
“It’s another moment where folks not connected to this community are making decisions for this community, and I think that’s inappropriate,” said Bill McKinney, a Kensington resident whose nonprofit is involved in some of the city’s settlement-funded initiatives.
“Those that are sort of most affected are not at the table.”
Lawsuit Alleges Ozempic Caused Ileus, Gastroparesis and Intestinal Obstruction for Florida Woman
Side effects of Ozempic caused a Florida woman to suffer painful injuries after it degraded the ability of her intestines to move stomach contents through her digestive system, resulting in intestinal obstructions, as well as a diagnosis of gastroparesis and ileus, according to allegations raised in a new lawsuit.
The complaint was brought by Cindy Balsamo in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Aug. 23, seeking damages from Novo Nordisk for failing to warn consumers about the risks associated with using the blockbuster diabetes and weight loss drug.
Ozempic (semaglutide) was originally introduced by Novo Nordisk for treatment of type 2 diabetes in Dec. 2017, but it has been heavily marketed as a safe medication that also helps users lose weight.
As a result of the benefits provided in promoting weight loss, it has been widely prescribed off-label as a diet drug, and is now used by millions of Americans.
Mpox Global Emergency Not an Imminent Threat in US, Expert Says
While the World Health Organization (WHO) declares mpox a global emergency based on rapid spread in African countries, the infectious disease formerly known as monkeypox has been considered an epidemic in the U.S. since 2022.
Dr. Kevin Dieckhaus, chief of UConn Health’s Division of Infectious Diseases, has been keeping an eye on it, both here and overseas.
“At this point there is no cause for great alarm,” Dieckhaus says. “Our local epidemic is not from the strain that led to the WHO declaration of a public health emergency of international concern.
At this time, the concern in Africa is due to increased reported cases of a more infectious strain, Clade 1 virus, which to date has been primarily seen in Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of the Congo.”
Mpox causes a rash that can look like pimples or blisters on the face and the mouth, or in other parts of the body including the hands, feet, chest, or genital areas. It also can cause swollen lymph nodes, fevers, chills, muscle aches and respiratory symptoms.
Netanyahu Hints at Partial Gaza Truce to Allow Polio Vaccination Campaign
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has suggested there could be a partial suspension of military operations in Gaza to allow young children to be vaccinated against polio.
In a statement, Netanyahu’s office denied an Israeli television report that there would be a general truce during the vaccination campaign, which begins at the weekend, but said it had approved the “designation of specific places” in Gaza.
“This has been presented to the security cabinet and has received the support of the relevant professionals,” the statement said.
A World Health Organization official said that the planned vaccination campaign would be completed in phases over three days each in specific zones where there would be a cessation in the fighting to allow the program to take place with an option to extend the vaccination by a day if necessary.
The Mosquito-Borne Virus Raising Alarms in the Northeast
Residents of 10 communities in Massachusetts have been warned to stay indoors from dusk to dawn. Some local parks are closed at night. A person in New Hampshire has died. Pesticides are being sprayed from trucks and aircrafts.
What’s causing all of the alarm? A mosquito-borne virus called Eastern equine encephalitis, which is so rare that most infectious disease experts might never see a case. This year, at least four states have reported human E.E.E. infections.
As of Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had reported four human cases, in Wisconsin, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Vermont. In addition, officials in New Hampshire have reported one death.
But experts say it’s too soon to know whether this will turn out to be a particularly severe year.
Mosquito-borne illnesses usually spread widely until around October, or when it’s cold enough for water to freeze, said Dr. Jonathan Abraham, a clinical infectious disease specialist at Harvard Medical School.
Until then, health officials in the affected areas are urging residents to take precautions.
