Virus

Oxford begins first human trial of Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine, Germany treats infected US citizen

Recruitment for the vaccination trial has begun, with vaccinations expected to start in the coming weeks • US citizen becomes second to be treated in German hospital • Total DRC cases rise to 1,926

|ByREUTERS
Employees work during a visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, July 2, 2026.
A health worker takes the temperature of a woman passing through the Kanyaruchinya checkpoint, as authorities and aid agencies intensify efforts to contain a new Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain, in the northern entry into the city of Goma, North Kivu province, the Democratic Republic

WHO: Ebola outbreak in Congo still in 'expansion phase,' transmission fulled by population movement

"It is still in the expansion phase, unfortunately. We would like to say it is stabilizing, but frankly we cannot say it yet," Dr Anne Ancia, WHO representative in the country, said.

|ByREUTERS
Medical teams with protective equipment against the Ebola virus, Congo, May 2026

Ebola alert: The Ministry of Health established an isolation tent at a cost of NIS 0.5M

A document obtained by Walla Money reveals the costs of establishing the special complex for receiving patients, which was approved under an exemption from tender.

|ByAVICHAY CHAIM, YOAV ETIEL
Red Cross workers prepare to lower the coffin of Dr Tibenderana Katho Blaise who worked at the Centre Medical Evangelique (CME) in Hoho commune and died of Ebola virus, at the Nyamurongo cemetery in Bunia town, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 26, 2026.

Israel rules out Ebola cases after suspected patients test negative

As the ministry emphasizes, a fever following travel from affected areas requires immediate assessment, but Ebola remains rare among returning travelers.

|ByDR. ITAY GAL

Dozens of cranes killed by bird flu in northern Israel

Avian influenza has affected tens of millions of birds and thousands of mammals worldwide in recent years.

FEBRUARY 18, 2024ByTZVI JOFFRE
Workers from the Agriculture Ministry in protective gear retrieving dead cranes who were infected with the Avian Influenza (bird flu) from the Hula Lake in the Hula Valley Nature Reserve, northern Israel, January 2, 2022.

Elderly man first person to die from Alaskapox virus

Symptoms of Alaskapox include lesions - an abnormal or damaged tissue caused by injury, infection, or disease.

FEBRUARY 13, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
An aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska.

Breakthrough CMV vaccine offers hope to pregnant women

The vaccine, known as mRNA-1647, utilizes the same technology as Moderna's COVID-19 vaccines.

FEBRUARY 4, 2024ByDR. ITAI GAL
A pregnant woman gets vaccinated (illustrative).

Global warming could release viruses millions of years old entrapped in ice

JANUARY 29, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A man walks through a tunnel formed from crystals of permafrost outside the village of Tomtor in the Oymyakon valley in northeast Russia, January 28, 2013.

Bird flu spotted in Israel again as outbreaks intensify globally

Since 2021, Europe and the Americas have been suffering from a nearly continuous outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza.

JANUARY 28, 2024ByTZVI JOFFRE
Workers in protective gear seen in Moshav Givat Yoav, in northern Israel, December 29, 2021, following an outbreak of avian influenza

West Nile virus found to be connected with agriculture and migratory bird routes

West Nile fever is caused by a virus primarily present in birds and transferred to humans through mosquito bites. Those infected typically experience flu-like symptoms.

JANUARY 25, 2024ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Bird receiving oral swab for West Nile virus testing.

Israeli-Palestinian cooperation vital to preventing spread of disease in cattle - Hebrew U study

"The high transmission rate between the Palestinian Authority and Israel suggests that preventing Foot and Mouth Disease in both areas is of high interest for both of them.”

JANUARY 15, 2024ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
A cow opens its mouth during feeding at the Johann Dairy farm in Fresno, California, U.S. September 10, 2020. Picture taken September 10, 2020.

Polar bear dies due to bird flu for first time

It's likely the polar bear was infected after scavenging dead birds, according to local officials.

JANUARY 5, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Polar bear near Kaktovik, Barter Island, Alaska

How testing wastewater could help you predict viruses in the future

How the introduction of comprehensive wastewater surveillance could become a part of our normal public health infrastructure.

DECEMBER 26, 2023ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Wastewater is seen inside a Central Marin Sanitation Agency facility in San Rafael, California, U.S., March 29, 2023

Scientists warn bird flu likely to spread further in Antarctica

In October, the first ever recorded case of bird flu in the Antarctic region was detected in brown skua birds.

DECEMBER 24, 2023ByTZVI JOFFRE
Adelie penguins are seen as scientists investigate the impact of climate change on Antarctica's penguin colonies, on the eastern side of the Antarctic peninsula, Antarctica January 17, 2022.