Just 10 days after the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared an Ebola virus outbreak in Kasai province, health authorities have rolled out a vaccination drive targeting frontline workers and contacts of patients, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed in its latest update.

First Vaccines Arrive in Bulape

The first consignment of 400 doses of Ervebo (VSV-EBOV) was dispatched to Bulape health zone from a national stockpile of 2,000 doses stored in Kinshasa. Some frontline health workers in the capital had already received the vaccine. The WHO said additional shipments are expected in the coming days to sustain the response effort.

Health teams are deploying a “ring vaccination” strategy, which prioritizes those at the highest risk of infection, including patient contacts and health workers directly exposed to cases.

Also Read: What Is Babesia That Could Block Your Lyme Disease Recovery?

Global Support for Vaccine Supply

To ensure adequate coverage, the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision has approved an additional 45,000 doses to be sent to the DRC. The WHO is assisting the Ministry of Health in formalizing a request for these doses and has also worked with partners to draw up a detailed immunization plan. Training sessions for vaccination teams are underway to streamline the rollout.

Alongside vaccines, treatment options are being reinforced. Courses of the monoclonal antibody therapy MAb114 (ansuvimab-zykl, commercially known as Ebanga) have already been dispatched to treatment centers in Bulape to support patient care.

Rising Case Numbers and Death Toll

Despite these interventions, the outbreak continues to grow. At a meeting of the provincial Ebola emergency committee on September 13, officials reported a sharp increase in infections and fatalities. According to the DRC’s National Public Health Laboratory (INRB), total cases have now risen to 81, with 28 deaths recorded, marking a case-fatality rate of 34.6%.

The latest figures represent a significant jump from a few days earlier, when authorities reported 68 suspected cases (including 20 confirmed) and 16 deaths.

Also Read: Congo Ebola Outbreak Caused By The Zaire Strain So Far Has 28 Deaths, Confirms WHO

Of seven new suspected cases detected in the Bulape health zone, five have been confirmed through laboratory testing. This highlights both the rapid spread of the virus and the crucial role of diagnostic capacity in containing the outbreak.

Expanding Contact Tracing

Efforts to trace and monitor contacts are also being scaled up. Health officials identified 58 new contacts in recent days, bringing the total to 716. Contact tracing is a cornerstone of the response, enabling teams to vaccinate and monitor individuals most likely to have been exposed.

In a further boost to local capacity, another 360 vaccine doses have arrived in Tshikapa, the provincial capital of Kasai. This shipment is expected to support wider vaccination efforts in neighboring areas.

With Ebola continuing to claim lives in Kasai, health authorities in the DRC and their global partners are racing to contain the outbreak. Vaccines, therapeutic drugs, and intensive contact tracing remain at the heart of the strategy. However, the rising case count underscores the urgent need to maintain momentum and secure sufficient supplies before the virus spreads further.

Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, Wales treated 21 patients with unsterilized surgical instruments. The patients were not informed of the error for three weeks. As per a BBC report, the instruments were disinfected but not medically sterilized, which is a typical medical protocol. On February 24, the outlet carried out a breach of protocol, and then on February 25 and 26, the same instruments were used in operations and examinations.

While the error was discovered by hospital staff on February 27, the patients were not informed till March 16.

Also Read: Indian Drug Regulator Flagged 90 Combination Medicines Sold Without Approval

What Happens When Unsterilized Hospital Instruments Are Used?

Surgical tools that are improperly sterilized could spread bloodborne diseases like HIV and hepatitis. In a statement obtained by the BBC from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, the organization that manages Royal Gwent Hospital, a spokesperson said the situation is being investigated. The spokesperson also said that they have arranged for "precautionary testing" for all affected patients, and that "the clinical risk of bloodborne virus exposure is extremely low".

"We fully recognize the concern and distress this may cause, and we are truly sorry. The well-being of our patients is our highest priority, and we are taking all necessary actions to understand how this happened and to prevent it from occurring again,” the board's statement continued.

They additionally stated that “this was a very limited incident” and that “there is no wider cause for concern.”

Family Speaks Out After Teen Patient Affected

One of the patients affected is 15-year-old Ieuan, who underwent an orthodontic procedure at Royal Gwent Hospital. His parents said the call from the hospital informing them about the sterilization error came as a shock.

According to the family, the news was difficult to process, especially because their son will now have to undergo a series of medical tests over the next six months. Ieuan later said he initially felt frightened after learning about the possible exposure and is hoping the tests confirm he is safe.

The teenager has already undergone his first blood test at the hospital and is scheduled for additional tests in the coming months before doctors can give him a final all clear.

What Went Wrong During The Procedure

Ieuan had braces fitted on February 25 during a routine orthodontic appointment to address gaps in his teeth following an earlier dental operation.

During the procedure, staff used instruments including pliers used to trim brace wires and a dental mirror. The hospital later confirmed that while the tools had been disinfected, they were not placed in an autoclave, the specialized machine that sterilizes medical equipment using high heat and steam.

Standard protocol requires staff to confirm that sterilization indicators on instrument trays have changed color after the process and to check the sterilization date before use. According to the health board, this verification step was missed due to what it described as human error.

Health officials say investigations are ongoing, and monitoring of affected patients will continue over the coming months.

Indian drug regulator - Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) found 90 combination medicines that are sold without mandatory central approval. This has raised concerns on regulatory compliance in the country's pharmaceutical supply chain.

CDSCO is the apex drug regulatory body in the country. The authority wrote a letter to all states and union territory drug controllers and asked them to investigate manufacturers and marketers of these fixed-dose combinations (FDCs).

What are FDCS? These are drugs that contain two or more active ingredients in a single formulation. The CDSCO asked them to investigate and submit reports on the action taken at the earliest.

What Made To The Unapproved List Of FDCs?

The annexure attached to the letter showed 90 combination medicines had made it to the market. These contain cough syrups, vitamins, and anti-diabetic pills.

Cough And Cold Medicines

Cough and cold combination medicines have formed the single largest group. At least 14 to 16 entries show combination of ingredients found in everyday pharmacy shelves: dextromethorphan, ambroxol, guaiphenesin, chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, terbutaline, and menthol in various permutations. Several of these are sold as flavoured syrups for children. Budesonide-levosalbutamol inhalation suspension that is used for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, too features in the list.

Nutritional Supplements

The next group is of the vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplement which has roughly 18 to 20 entries. They include:

• Multivitamin capsules
• Iron-folic acid syrups
• Calcium-vitamin D3-K2 combinations
• Abapentin-methylcobalamin preparation

Antifungal and Dermatological Combinations

This group has accounted for at least 10 entries, which include antifungal creams that could lead to potential misuse and skin damage when sold without prescriptions.

Anti-diabetic Medicines

This has accounted for six entries, and the combination includes:

• Glimepiride paired with metformin or pioglitazone

What Did CDSCO Write To Drug Controllers?

The letter dated 18 March was signed with Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi. He described the matter as being "top priority in the interest of public health". The unapproved drugs were detected during a scrutiny of laboratory testing data submitted through SUGAM, which is CDSCO's online portal for drug sample testing, for the year 2025.

“This is to inform you that upon scrutiny of the SUGAM lab testing data for the year 2025, a large no. of drug samples (FDCs) are detected as unapproved and fall under the category of ‘New Drug. No new drug shall be manufactured for sale unless it is approved by the licensing authority."

What Is India's Rule For FDCs?

Under India's New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules of 2019, any FDC is treated as a new drug and must have the central government's approval before it could be manufactured and sold. The regulator's letter noted that there were presence of unapproved drugs in the supply chain that could pose risks to public health. This also amounts to a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

“The presence of unapproved drugs in the supply chain is a matter of serious concern, posing potential risks to public health and safety. It also indicates non- compliance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Rules made thereunder," it said.

DCGI urged states and UTs "to examine the unapproved FDCs in generic name as mentioned in the attached annexure". This is done to check whether any approval has been granted by the local office. "Accordingly, please initiate appropriate investigation and regulatory action against the concerned manufacturers, marketers, and other stakeholders, as deemed fit. Kindly ensure strict monitoring and enforcement to prevent the manufacture, sale, and distribution of such unapproved drugs," the letter noted.

Jessie J, 37, was rushed to hospital after a car injury that left her in fears that she broke her neck. She underwent an MRI scan after the incident and kept her fans on loop through her Instagram update.

Currently in China, the singer is there for her No Secrets Tour. She said that she suffered an injury after hitting her head on the roof of the car. The singer had shared a video where she was climbing into the back of the car after her latest concert and said she "didn't mind squashing in the back". The video then cuts to her being in the hospital undergoing an MRI scan after she had suffered a neck injury.

She said, "Yeah, I just can't move my head. I'm alright. I'll just have to take some painkillers and march right through it." She further said, "I thought I'd broken my neck, but I haven't. But I have really hurt my neck and my back."

In her later shots, she was seen trying on her gold jumpsuit while embracing her young son Sky. However, she did not let this injury stop her from performing. Many fans also commented her messages of love and well wishes.

Jessie J Health Update

Previously, the singer took to her Instagram to share her stage-one breast cancer diagnosis, fans everywhere were left both shocked and motivated. The 37-year-old singer-songwriter, announced the news in typical frankness, mixing vulnerability with as she explained the surgery she'd be having after performing at Capital's Summertime Ball at London's Wembley Stadium.

In her heartfelt video message, Jessie shared that she has been “in and out of tests” recently and ultimately received a diagnosis of early breast cancer. “Cancer sucks in any form,” she said, “but I’m holding on to the word early.”

With a nod of dark humor, she added, "It's a very dramatic way to get a boob job," vowing followers, "I will come back with massive boobs and more music." But under the humor lay raw emotion and an earnest appeal for sympathy and understanding. "I need to process it and talk about it," she said. "I need a hug."

Having struggled with a string of serious health problems in the past, including a childhood heart condition, a stroke at age 18, Meniere's disease, and even recently being diagnosed with ADHD and OCD, Jessie J is certainly no newcomer to working through health problems. But this latest installment has introduced her to an even more intimate, more personal view.

By disclosing her diagnosis, Jessie J is part of a rising number of public figures using their influence to make health screening and breast cancer discussions more mainstream. Such openness is particularly important in light of the fact that many young women still unrealistically believe breast cancer is an "older woman's disease."