World health organization

Scientists use AI to create viruses not found in nature, simultaneously raising alarms, enthusiasm

The viruses created in the Stanford Lab are bacteriophages, which exclusively target bacteria and may pose a solution to the rising global problem of antibiotic-resistant infections.

Bacteriophage (illustrative)
Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, southern Israel, March 30, 2026.

Patient held in isolation in Soroka Hospital tests negative for Ebola after returning from DRC

Pictorial warnings on cigarette packaging, now required by law.

Israeli law mandating graphic warning images on all smoking products takes effect

A lifeguard patrols North Steyne beach as beaches are closed after recent shark attacks, in Sydney, Australia, January 20, 2026.

WHO releases new guidelines to prevent drowning as 2.5 meter waves expected in Israel


Hantavirus-hit cruise ship due to arrive at Rotterdam port as final destination

Crew, passengers who already left the ship, and ⁠people in contact with them have been quarantined in several countries around the world.

A police boat approaches the cruise ship MV Hondius at the port of Granadilla de Abona after being affected by a hantavirus outbreak, in Tenerife, Spain, May 10, 2026.

Taiwan is building a smart healthcare system with AI, big data - opinion

Taiwan’s digital health model uses advanced data integration and AI to improve care while advocating for WHO inclusion.

DR. CHUNG-LIANG Shih, the Taiwanese health and welfare minister, speaks at a press conference promoting Healthy Taiwan, in 2025.

One US citizen tests mildly positive for hantavirus, another has mild symptoms

The two passengers suspected of being infected will be taken to another undisclosed location, where they will also undergo further testing for the virus.

A police boat approaches the cruise ship MV Hondius at the port of Granadilla de Abona after being affected by a hantavirus outbreak, in Tenerife, Spain, May 10, 2026.

First group of Spanish passengers disembarks from hantavirus-hit cruise ship

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived on Saturday evening in Tenerife alongside Spain's interior and health ministers and its minister for territorial policy.

A police boat approaches the cruise ship MV Hondius at the port of Granadilla de Abona after being affected by a hantavirus outbreak, in Tenerife, Spain, May 10, 2026.

New suspected hantavirus cases found in Spain and remote Tristan da Cunha

The announcements in locations thousands of miles apart will fuel concern, though the WHO has repeatedly said the risk to the public is low and the virus does not transmit easily.

Exterior of the emergency unit area of Sant Joan university hospital where a woman with symptoms consistent with a hantavirus infection is being treated, according to local media, in Alicante, Spain May 8, 2026.

US response to hantavirus outbreak could be hindered by withdrawal from WHO - NBC

Health experts warn that both the CDC and the WHO may face disadvantages from a lack of cooperation between the two organizations.

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus positive" label and World Health Organization logo are seen in this illustration taken May 7, 2026.

First case of hantavirus diagnosed in Israel after patient's visit to Eastern Europe

However, unlike the outbreak of the South American Andes strain currently drawing attention aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, the Israeli was infected with a European strain of the virus.

It is possible to completely get rid of the virus

Hantavirus: The rare virus infecting passengers on luxury cruise ship Hondius

As of Tuesday, the World Health Organization reported that seven passengers aboard the Hondius were sick or suspected of having contracted Hantavirus, including two confirmed cases.

A boat beside cruise ship MV Hondius anchored off Cape Verde port, on the day sick passengers were evacuated by boat from the cruise ship, in Praia Port, Cape Verde, in this screengrab obtained from a video, May 5, 2026.

Cruise ship hantavirus cases increase to seven, WHO says

Among the infected passengers, three have died, one is critically ill, and three are experiencing mild symptoms.

Cruise ship MV Hondius docks off Cape Verde port, as passengers were not allowed off the ship, while health authorities investigated suspected cases of hantavirus aboard the vessel, in Praia Port, Cape Verde, May 4, 2026.

Three dead, three sick in suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard cruise ship, WHO confirms

"The risk to the wider public remains low," said Hans Kluge, WHO Europe's regional director, in his own X post. "There is no need for panic or travel restrictions."

The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, near Tristan da Cunha, May 4, 2026.