DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has killed 1,916 people and produced 4,209 confirmed cases, according to official data through Aug. 7. Ituri remains the center of the epidemic, with 3,636 confirmed cases and 1,551 deaths. The Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed the outbreak in May after laboratory testing identified Bundibugyo virus. Health teams continue to review and harmonize case and mortality figures as surveillance records are updated.

Obesity was linked to 9,509 deaths in Belgium during 2022, representing 8.2 percent of total national mortality, according to new data from the Belgian public health institute Sciensano. Marking the first time public health researchers in the country have systematically quantified mortality directly attributable to an elevated body mass index (BMI), the report reveals that weight-related complications caused more than one death per hour nationwide. The statistical findings also show that high BMI resulted in over 150,000 lost years of life across all demographic groups in a single year.

The study will operate at three Canadian sites and enroll about 80 healthy adults. Researchers will assess the vaccine’s safety, tolerability and ability to produce an immune response. The trial will not determine whether the vaccine prevents infection because Phase 1 studies focus on early safety data. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has committed up to $50 million for preclinical work, the trial and production of additional research doses.

Michigan health officials have confirmed two deaths connected to the state’s 2026 cyclosporiasis outbreak. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 11,234 cases as of Aug. 3. The state also recorded 193 hospitalizations through July 30. Both patients had serious underlying medical conditions. Officials said cyclosporiasis and dehydration may have affected those conditions, but they released no additional personal information.

The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has become the country’s largest recorded epidemic. Health authorities counted 3,605 confirmed cases through July 30, including 1,587 deaths. The case fatality rate stood at 44%. Teams logged 567 infections and 296 deaths during the latest full reporting week. Those figures marked the highest weekly totals since the outbreak began. The surge placed further pressure on surveillance, treatment and community response operations.