Grace O’Connor — Health & Science Editor 
The High Court of Kenya has officially upheld the country’s ban on the possession, use, and cultivation of cannabis. In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, July 15, Justice Bahati Mwamuye dismissed a constitutional petition filed by the Rastafari Society of Kenya, which had sought a limited religious exemption to use the substance as a sacrament. … Read more
New Zealand recorded its first confirmed case of H5N1 bird flu on July 15, 2026, after an infected brown skua seabird was found on Petone Beach in Wellington. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard reported the detection, noting there is currently no evidence of mass mortality in wildlife or transmission to poultry. The detection involves the H5N1 … Read more
Experts in Mexico and Uganda are highlighting the urgent need to address chronic diseases through integrated healthcare strategies, with liver disease and physiotherapy playing central roles in their respective national health agendas. Experts in Mexico are urging the government to integrate liver disease care into existing chronic disease management programs, citing alarming statistics and a … Read more
Hamilton County Health Officials Report 16 Cyclosporiasis Cases as CDC Tracks Nationally Widespread Outbreak The county’s epidemiology department investigates cases through the Ohio Disease Reporting System, gathering demographic and food history details from affected individuals. As of July 9, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 843 cyclosporiasis cases nationwide, with 86 hospitalizations … Read more
The U.S. is grappling with a surge in cyclosporiasis cases, a parasitic illness caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, as public health officials struggle to pinpoint the contaminated food source. Over 800 cases have been reported nationwide, with Michigan alone accounting for more than 1,250 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention … Read more
Casualties Include Seven Britons and International Victims Thirteen people died in Spain’s wildfires, including seven Britons, as firefighters contained the blaze that scorched 7,000 hectares, according to the BBC. The fire, which began in Almería province, also claimed victims from Belgium, France, and the U.S., with one Spanish citizen among the dead. The public body … Read more
The research, led by Griffith University’s Rozanne Kruger, highlights how timing of food intake—rather than quantity—impacts health outcomes. The Science of Chronotype and Metabolic Health A study analyzing 287 European and Pacific New Zealand women aged 18 to 45 revealed that night owls, despite similar caloric intake, exhibited worse metabolic profiles than early risers. Photo: … Read more
A significant national surge of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, has prompted a major investigation by federal and state health officials. While cases are appearing across 34 states, Michigan has emerged as the epicenter of the outbreak, reporting thousands of infections in recent weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention … Read more
Firefighters in France are battling two forest fires in the historic Fontainebleau forest, south of Paris, which have consumed nearly 2,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of 1,000 people. As of July 14, 2026, authorities have arrested two suspects in connection with the blazes, which have been fueled by a persistent summer heatwave. Emergency Response … Read more
A 2026 KFF tracking poll reveals that most adults express uncertainty rather than definitive belief regarding common vaccine myths. While consistent myth believers remain rare, roughly three in ten adults fall into a “mixed middle” category, a group that may be an important focus for those looking to counter vaccine misinformation. These findings are detailed … Read more