Health

French authorities have reported the country's first outbreak of lumpy skin disease, a highly contagious viral infection affecting cattle, on a farm in the Savoie region near the Alps. The agriculture ministry confirmed the case on Sunday, describing it as a serious concern for livestock health. Lumpy skin disease, which spreads through insect bites, particularly mosquitoes and ticks, causes fever, blisters, weight loss, reduced milk production, and reproductive issues in cattle and buffaloes. While not dangerous to humans, it can result in significant economic losses and trade restrictions.

The approval of Yeztugo, a twice-yearly injectable medication for HIV prevention, has generated a mix of excitement and concern among health experts. While the innovation is seen as a major advancement in the global fight against HIV, its cost is raising alarms about equitable access, particularly for low-income countries. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently gave the green light Lenacapavir, the drug margeted as Yeztugo, which is designed to prevent HIV infection when administered every six months. It has been found highly effective in reducing new infections, offering a simpler alternative to daily oral PrEP pills like Truvada and Descovy, or bimonthly options like Apretude.

A remarkable two-decade wait has finally ended for one couple. Doctors at Columbia University Fertility Center have reported the first-ever pregnancy achieved using a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) system, offering new hope to couples struggling with male infertility. In a pioneering advancement, Columbia’s fertility specialists announced the first successful pregnancy using the STAR (Sperm Tracking and Recovery) system, an AI-based procedure designed to identify and isolate viable sperm in cases of azoospermia, a condition marked by the absence of detectable sperm in a man’s ejaculate.

The brain is one of the most vital organs in the human body, overseeing nearly every action and reaction we have. However, it relies on proper nutrition to operate at its best. Without the right diet, brain function can decline significantly. To help your brain thrive, here are the top five foods you should include in your daily meals to enhance focus and memory:

A medical expert has raised concerns over the rising global infertility crisis, revealing that more than 1.2 billion people worldwide are affected by infertility-related issues. Dr. Charles Eromosele Uhioh, Chief Medical Director of Mother Theresa Specialist Hospital and Fertility Centre, shared this during the hospital’s 20th anniversary celebration in Asaba, Delta State. Dr. Uhioh, a Consultant Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, and Infertologist, described infertility as a major health burden both globally and nationally. “Of the world’s eight billion population, about 15 percent experience difficulty in conceiving. This includes both men and women, and around 10 percent of these cases are classified as ‘unexplained infertility,” he said.

Ahead of the 2025 World Obstetric Fistula Day, health professionals in Northeast Nigeria are urging heightened awareness and proactive measures to combat the preventable yet debilitating condition. Dr. Aisha Adamu Buba, a consultant gynaecologist at Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, highlighted the importance of the day during an interview with journalists in Damaturu on Friday. She stressed the need for both government and community efforts to focus on awareness, prevention, and treatment. She said, “Obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury that leaves women with lifelong physical and social burdens, is often caused by prolonged obstructed labour, surgical errors, or unsafe delivery practices.” Buba described it as a “heartbreaking consequence of neglected maternal healthcare.”