An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 80 people, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it an international public health emergency. According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 88 deaths and 336 suspected infections have been reported so far. The WHO said the outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola and has been classified under the second-highest alert level, though it has not yet been declared a pandemic emergency.

Health authorities confirmed the outbreak in Ituri province near the borders with Uganda and South Sudan. The first identified patient was a nurse who showed Ebola-like symptoms on April 24 in Bunia, the provincial capital. The Congolese health minister stated that there is no vaccine or specific treatment for this strain, and the fatality rate could reach 50 percent. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders described the situation as extremely concerning and is preparing a large-scale emergency response.

The WHO warned that the true number of infections and the geographic spread remain uncertain, raising fears that the situation could be more severe than currently known.

Professor Dr. Md. Nuruzzaman Khan (Khosru) has been appointed as the new director of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS). The appointment was announced on May 17, 2026. Before this role, he served as Professor and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery and Intern Coordinator at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital.

Dr. Khan currently holds several professional positions, including Treasurer of the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC), Member Secretary of the Bangladesh Society of Neurosurgeons, and Joint Secretary General of the central committee of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB). He completed his SSC and HSC from Comilla Cadet College and earned his MBBS in 1997 and MS in Neurosurgery from Dhaka Medical College.

He has received fellowship training in Singapore, South Korea, and India, and is recognized for introducing endoscopic spine surgery in Bangladesh. Dr. Khan also serves as an international trainer in this field and has published numerous scientific papers in international journals.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has caused several dozen deaths, as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The announcement was made from Geneva, where the organization confirmed that the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus affecting both Congo and Uganda. However, WHO clarified that the situation has not yet met the criteria to be classified as a pandemic.

According to the WHO statement, the decision reflects the seriousness of the outbreak and the need for coordinated international response, but it does not yet indicate a global health crisis. The organization emphasized that while the spread is concerning, current data do not justify declaring a pandemic-level emergency.

The declaration is expected to mobilize additional resources and international support to contain the virus and prevent further cross-border transmission, particularly between Congo and Uganda.

Bangladesh is facing a growing health crisis as doctors report that antibiotics are not working in children suffering from both measles and pneumonia. Pediatric specialists say the number of child deaths is increasing alongside a surge in infections. They warn that even after recovering from measles, children’s immune systems remain weak, leaving them vulnerable to pneumonia, seizures, respiratory problems, and other complications. The situation has prompted renewed concern among health experts about long-term risks and the need for parental vigilance.

Professor Dr. Atikul Islam of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute said measles is spreading rapidly among children, and pneumonia recovery is taking longer even with double antibiotic treatment. Public health expert Dr. Mushtaq Hossain linked the worsening condition to malnutrition, delayed treatment, and antimicrobial resistance. He criticized lapses in vaccination and public health policy as key causes of the current outbreak.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, 453 children have died from measles or related symptoms since March 15, with over 56,000 showing symptoms and more than 7,500 confirmed cases. Experts called for urgent improvements in vaccination coverage and pediatric intensive care capacity.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education of Bangladesh has issued an urgent directive to ensure proper implementation of the government’s primary school feeding program. The order, dated May 13 and announced on Saturday, warns that legal and departmental action will be taken if any distribution of substandard or spoiled food is proven. The ministry cited reports of rotten bread, spoiled eggs, and poor-quality bananas being supplied to schools, posing health risks to children and undermining the program’s goals.

The directive instructs head teachers to verify the quality and quantity of food before acceptance and distribution. It emphasizes that all food items must meet prescribed standards, be stored properly, and be distributed on time. Specific guidelines were issued for bread, eggs, bananas, UHT milk, and fortified biscuits, including checks for freshness, packaging integrity, production and expiry dates, and net weight.

The ministry further stated that no low-quality or defective food should be accepted under any circumstances. Any negligence or irregularity will lead to disciplinary and legal measures, and suppliers must be reported immediately to higher authorities.

A nine-month-old child named Safuat died on Saturday morning while undergoing treatment for measles-like symptoms at the 250-bed Sherpur District Hospital. The child, from Madarpur village in Jhenaigati upazila, had been suffering from fever, breathing difficulties, and rashes for three days before being admitted around 8 a.m. He died at approximately 11:30 a.m. despite receiving medical care.

According to hospital and family sources, the child’s condition deteriorated rapidly. Doctors at the hospital confirmed that he was admitted in critical condition with fever, respiratory distress, and measles symptoms. Assistant registrar Dr. Arafurunnahar said the medical team provided maximum care and advised transfer to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment, but the family could not proceed due to financial hardship.

Hospital authorities reported that 60 patients are currently admitted with measles-like symptoms, and three have been confirmed as measles cases. Measures have been taken to manage the situation, according to hospital sources.

Patients across Iran are facing severe difficulties obtaining essential medicines due to shortages and rising prices, according to the state news agency IRNA. The report said shortages have affected drugs such as Clidinium-C, certain antibiotics, Ascentra, and Estradiol Valerate. Health officials, however, continue to deny claims of a major crisis in the pharmaceutical market.

IRNA reported that a three-sheet pack of 2 mg Estradiol Valerate, used in infertility and other treatments, officially costs about 840,000 rials, or roughly 47 cents, but is being sold on the black market for between 5 million and 17 million rials, equivalent to $2.80 to $9.40. A woman undergoing IVF treatment in Tehran said she searched pharmacies for over seven hours to find only three sheets of the drug, criticizing the government for promoting childbirth while basic IVF medicines remain scarce.

The report attributed the disruptions in production and pricing to foreign exchange fluctuations, international sanctions, raw material import issues, energy costs, liquidity shortages, and funding gaps in the insurance sector. Some drug prices were raised before insurance systems updated their rates, forcing patients to pay more out of pocket.

Bangladesh is facing a severe measles outbreak that has claimed the lives of nearly five hundred children. Amid this crisis, President Md. Shahabuddin Chuppu traveled to London for a follow-up medical check-up, accompanied by his family, physicians, and staff. His earlier cardiac bypass surgery was performed in Singapore in October 2023, and all medical records remain there. The president’s decision to undergo follow-up treatment in London instead of Singapore has drawn criticism, with observers labeling the trip as unnecessary and extravagant.

The article highlights a broader crisis in Bangladesh’s healthcare system, marked by inequality and lack of trust among the elite. While millions of citizens rely on under-resourced hospitals without insurance, wealthy and powerful individuals routinely seek treatment abroad. The piece argues that this disparity reflects a deeper governance failure, where corruption, poor regulation, and lack of accountability have crippled both public and private healthcare sectors.

The author calls for stronger health policies, increased budget allocation, and legal accountability for medical negligence to restore public confidence and ensure equitable healthcare access for all citizens.

Bangladesh Health Minister Sardar Md. Shakhawat Hossain stated that measles patients are receiving all internationally recognized forms of treatment. Speaking to reporters on Friday at the DNCC Covid-19 Hospital in Mohakhali, Dhaka, he said the government is making maximum efforts despite multiple challenges. He noted that 98 percent vaccination coverage has been achieved and that the government managed to secure measles vaccines in a short time. If the situation worsens, hospital capacity will be expanded.

The minister said that Gavi, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization have acknowledged Bangladesh’s rapid vaccine procurement for a large population. He added that doctors are working tirelessly and that the government started with no ventilators or vaccines left by the previous administration. Following the Prime Minister’s directive, ventilators have now been supplied nationwide, and ten new ICU units will open in ten districts next Tuesday.

He further mentioned that malnutrition is a major factor behind measles vulnerability. Vitamin A campaigns have resumed, with large supplies expected from UNICEF by June 10 to improve child nutrition and immunity.

Bangladesh is facing a severe measles outbreak, with doctors reporting that 99 percent of patients recover fully if diagnosed and treated promptly. The information was shared at a press conference on May 16 organized by the Bangladesh Lung Foundation and the Chest and Heart Association of Bangladesh. Experts warned that complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure significantly increase the risk of death, but early treatment can reduce fatalities.

Pulmonologist Dr. Ziaul Haque stated that measles, a highly contagious viral disease, had been largely controlled through vaccination programs. However, disruptions in immunization over the past two years led to 54,419 suspected cases between March and May 14, including 70 confirmed measles deaths and 369 deaths from measles-like symptoms. Doctors emphasized maintaining vaccination drives, setting up “fever corners” in health centers, following WHO treatment guidelines, and raising public awareness.

Pediatricians added that malnutrition and delayed hospital visits worsen complications, particularly pneumonia, which can affect multiple organs. They urged parents to seek immediate medical care for children showing respiratory distress or high fever.

Children in Dhaka spend an average of nearly five hours a day using digital screens such as mobile phones, televisions, and computers, according to a study by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B). The research found that more than one-third of children suffer from eye problems and 80 percent frequently experience headaches. Conducted between 2022 and 2024 among 420 children aged six to fourteen from six schools, the study was published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Human Factors.

The findings show that 83 percent of children exceed the internationally recommended two-hour daily screen limit, averaging 4.6 hours per day. Those using screens for more than two hours sleep only 7.3 hours on average, below the healthy range of 8–10 hours. About 14 percent are overweight or obese, with higher rates among heavy screen users. Researchers warned that excessive screen time disrupts sleep, reduces physical activity, and increases risks of obesity, eye strain, and mental health issues.

ICDDR,B experts urged parents to set limits, encourage outdoor play, and promote balanced digital habits at home and school to protect children’s physical and mental well-being.

Intern doctors at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura began a work stoppage on Wednesday night following a clash with relatives of a deceased child patient. The incident occurred after the death of a child named Nihan, whose family accused doctors of negligence. The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation, prompting the hospital’s director, Brigadier General Mohammad Mohsin, to intervene and restore calm. Despite his assurances, the intern doctors announced a strike and suspended emergency services.

On Thursday, the interns held a human chain protest in front of the hospital’s emergency and casualty departments. They presented four demands: ensuring doctors’ safety, installing CCTV surveillance in all wards, conducting a fair investigation and punishing those responsible, and guaranteeing administrative support for a safe working environment. The hospital authorities have formed a three-member committee to investigate the incident.

The protesting interns warned of a larger movement if their safety concerns and the Health Service and Protection Act 2024 are not effectively implemented.

UNICEF has warned that more than 770,000 children in Lebanon are at risk of developing long-term mental health problems due to ongoing conflict and widespread displacement. The organization stated that these children are enduring intense psychological distress as a result of violence, loss, and forced displacement across the country.

Eduard Beigbeder, UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said that without urgent assistance, the psychological wounds could last for years, affecting not only the children’s well-being but also their future and the country’s stability. He added that children who should be returning to classrooms and playing with friends are instead being killed or injured.

The statement underscores the growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, where conflict continues to endanger children’s lives and mental health, calling for immediate international and local support to address the situation.

At least 14 out of 15 private diagnostic centers in Jhikargacha upazila of Jashore are operating without valid documentation, according to findings presented at a recent upazila law and order committee meeting. The report revealed that patients have suffered from incorrect and improper treatments at these unlicensed facilities, with allegations that around six mothers died during childbirth over the past year. Local Member of Parliament Dr. Mosleh Uddin Farid and other committee members expressed dissatisfaction over the situation.

The expired or unrenewed centers include Janani Pathology and Diagnostic Center, SS Diagnostic Center and Clinic, Fatema Clinic and Diagnostic Center, Jhikargacha Private Clinic and Diagnostic Center, SK Clinic and Diagnostic Center, Majeda Diagnostic Center, and several others. Upazila Sanitary Inspector Abdul Matin said the centers have been instructed to renew their licenses promptly. Upazila Health Officer Dr. Abdul Rashid stated that his office cannot take legal action but has requested the upazila administration to intervene.

Jashore Civil Surgeon Dr. Masud Rana confirmed that all centers were notified to renew their licenses within one month, warning that legal measures will follow if they fail to comply.

Local authorities in Bordeaux, France, have ordered more than 1,700 passengers and crew aboard the cruise ship 'Ambition' to remain on board following concerns of a possible norovirus outbreak. The vessel arrived at the port on Tuesday, with French health officials reporting that at least 50 people showed symptoms of the virus. Operator Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed that 48 passengers and one crew member were suffering from gastrointestinal illness during the 14-night voyage.

The cruise began its journey from Belfast on Friday and Liverpool on Saturday, with illness cases reportedly increasing after the Liverpool boarding. A 92-year-old passenger died on Sunday, though the company stated the individual showed no signs of gastrointestinal illness, and the cause of death awaits a coroner’s report. In response, the operator has implemented enhanced sanitation measures, including frequent disinfection, modified dining services, and hygiene awareness campaigns.

A medical team and sanitation consultants have been dispatched by Bordeaux authorities to collect samples for testing at Bordeaux University Hospital. Results are expected within six hours, and passengers will remain confined until investigations conclude and clearance is granted.