Study suggests dapivirine vaginal ring is safe to use as HIV prevention during breastfeeding

A monthly vaginal ring containing the antiretroviral drug dapivirine – an HIV prevention method that has been approved in several African countries and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) –appears to be safe when used during breastfeeding, suggest results of a Phase IIIb open-label study presented today at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic…

Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service shows first Saharan Dust transport of 2023

Aerosol forecasts from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service show the first large-scale Saharan dust transport of 2023. An episode of a long-range Saharan dust transport has been crossing the Iberian Peninsula and will continue across France towards northern and central Europe in the coming days. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) is tracking the long-range…

Most comprehensive study to date provides evidence on natural immunity protection by COVID-19 variant and how protection fades over time

For someone previously infected with COVID-19, their risk of hospitalization or death is 88% lower for at least 10 months compared to those who had not been previously infected, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Lancet.   The analysis also suggests that the level and duration of protection against reinfection, symptomatic…

Lira Hospital Gets First Microbiology Laboratory

Lira Regional Referral Hospital has received its first microbiology laboratory and equipment to support the investigation of bacterial infections particularly those that have shown resistance to common antibiotics. The hospital, which receives over 1,000 out patient attendances and 100 admissions on a daily basis has been referring its clients to Kampala for advanced tests because…

West Nile Gets Modern Laboratory to Fight Zoonotic Disease

Uganda’s West Nile region has received a refurbished modern laboratory to enable veterinary officers to handle zoonotic diseases and emerging infectious diseases in animals in the sub-region. The facility which is located along Arua-Lia road in Arua was refurbished and equipped with the support of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) and funding valued at 413…

No new COVID-19 variants have emerged during China’s recent outbreak, analysis of cases in Beijing suggests

No new COVID-19 variants have emerged in China during the recent surge in infections since the country ended its zero-COVID policy, according to an analysis of cases in Beijing. The study, published in The Lancet, suggests two existing Omicron sub-variants, BA.5.2 and BF.7 – among the most dominant variants in Beijing during 2022 – accounted…