Global Health

Only a fraction of the presumed cases in five countries have led to positive tests for anthrax. Some scientists say other causes cannot yet be ruled out.

By Apoorva Mandavilli

Some babies born with devastating birth defects from the mosquito-borne illness are 7 now, but Covid turned the world’s attention away.

By Stephanie Nolen and Dado Galdieri

The new agreement makes Aspen Pharmacare the first African company to market a Covid vaccine on the continent. But it stops short of allowing Aspen to make the ingredients in the vaccine.

By Stephanie Nolen

Dr. Nkengasong will be the first person of African origin to oversee the U.S. government program combating H.I.V., which has ravaged the continent.

By Apoorva Mandavilli

Researchers ended a large trial in South Africa after finding that an experimental vaccine offered little protection.

By Stephanie Nolen

Aid agencies are scrambling to get oxygen equipment to low-income countries where the coronavirus is rapidly spreading.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Privately, Chinese doctors say they need outside expertise. But Beijing, without saying why, has shown no interest so far.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr. and Zolan Kanno-Youngs

After more than 30 years of research, 1.7 million people are still infected each year with the virus that causes AIDS.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Rapidly rising caseloads alarm researchers, who fear the virus may make its way across the globe. But scientists cannot yet predict how many deaths may result.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Stores are selling out of masks, and health care workers risk infection if they cannot get the protective gear.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

In many poor countries, older surgeons resist being questioned, and operations are more often emergencies, which leaves less time to review checklists.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

The new coronavirus doesn’t appear to be readily spread by humans, but researchers caution that more study is needed.

By Sui-Lee Wee and Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Almost as many people are falling ill as did two years ago, in what was a particularly severe flu season. But this season’s virus is unusual, and it’s too early to tell how dangerous.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

A new government program will provide donated drugs through major drugstore chains.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Thousands of infants are doomed to early deaths each year, in part because pediatric medicines come in hard pills or bitter syrups that need refrigeration.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

About 80 million people with diabetes around the world need the hormone, and half of them can’t afford it. Creating competition could help, the agency said.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

In an unexpected lawsuit, federal officials claim that Gilead Sciences willfully disregarded government patents on medicines necessary to end the AIDS epidemic.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr. and Apoorva Mandavilli

There are 10 million new cases each year of tuberculosis, now the leading infectious cause of death worldwide. Even a partly effective vaccine could help turn the tide.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Predict, a government research program, sought to identify animal viruses that might infect humans and to head off new pandemics.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

New cases are down to 15 a week from a high of 128 in April, but outbreaks are still popping up in remote and dangerous mining areas.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Carrion flies inside your hood. Sweat turns your gloves into water balloons. This is tough work, but it could predict disease outbreaks.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

In 2017, a terrible flu season in Australia presaged an American outbreak in which 79,000 died. Experts advise getting the shot soon.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Two antibiotics, taken for a month, can stop a leading killer. But “when it’s for TB, people just sort of shrug.”

By Apoorva Mandavilli

On tour in Africa, American officials said the U.S. would keep providing aid. But Congo’s response has been uneven, and the former health minister has been jailed.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

The drug regimens can be grueling, and patients often quit taking their medications. But turning it into a cellphone competition helps.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

“Polypills” of generic drugs may dramatically reduce heart attacks and strokes in poor countries, a new study suggests. Some experts still aren’t enthusiastic.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Once, a diagnosis of extensively drug-resistant TB meant quick death. A three-drug regimen cures most patients in just months.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

The therapies saved roughly 90 percent of the patients who were newly infected, a turning point in the decades-long fight against the virus.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

After the resignation of the country’s health minister, the president will take over the response to the epidemic and distribute a new vaccine.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

In preliminary tests, a matchstick-size rod containing a new drug offered promise as a shield against the virus. But a large clinical trial must still be done.

By Donald G. McNeil Jr.