E-Bike Child Deaths Spur Debate Over Parental Accountability
As child e-bike injuries surge, prosecutors and lawmakers debate whether parents should face criminal charges for allowing kids to ride illegally.
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As child e-bike injuries surge, prosecutors and lawmakers debate whether parents should face criminal charges for allowing kids to ride illegally.
Macau's Legislative Assembly passes drug law amendment adding 13 substances to controlled list, including 6 UN-designated drugs and 7 etomidate analogs.
Schellebelle appears to have won its battle against biting midges after years of nuisance, thanks to targeted measures and a growing swallow population.
Pennsylvania faces its worst measles outbreak in decades as vaccine hesitancy stirred by RFK Jr. years ago takes root in Lancaster County.
Trump signs executive order calling for fewer childhood vaccines and splitting MMR shots, contradicting medical groups and decades of scientific research.
Louisiana and Florida report deadly Vibrio vulnificus surge as officials urge Gulf Coast beachgoers to take precautions.
Belgium confirms first West Nile virus case in a horse, raising public health concerns as equine cases often precede human infections in Europe.
A woman contracted tick-borne encephalitis after a tick bite in Mol-Postel, Belgium. Authorities stress the disease remains rare while urging prevention.
As Belgium prepares to ban smoking on café terraces from January 2027, Namur café owners and customers reflect on their final summer outdoors.
FDA expands Cyclospora outbreak investigation to six additional states as confirmed cases surpass 6,000, with 278 hospitalizations and two deaths reported.
The FDA has approved Moderna's mFLUSIVA, the first mRNA-based flu vaccine, for adults 50 and older. The approval marks a milestone in vaccine technology.
The Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC director in a 51-44 vote, ending a yearlong leadership vacuum at the embattled agency.
CDC expands largest cyclosporiasis outbreak in US history to 15 states, with 22,000+ cases, 517 hospitalizations, and two deaths in Michigan.
Michigan reports the first two US deaths linked to cyclospora, a diarrhea-causing parasite. Officials investigate the source of the record outbreak.
Lab results confirm the Mikerf petting farm in Brasschaat was the source of a STEC outbreak that sickened 8 children.
China's 12th national drug procurement adds 65 medicines, covering 555 total, expanding affordable access to chronic disease and critical care treatments.
Legionella bacteria detected in water at Antwerp's Wilrijkse Plein sports center. Showers closed as precaution while sports activities continue.
The FDA faces an Aug. 5 decision on Moderna's mRNA flu shot — a first for the U.S. and a test of vaccine policy under HHS Secretary RFK Jr.'s skepticism.
China issues National Fitness Plan (2026-2030), targeting 40% regular exercise rate with AI guidance, expanded facilities, and sports-medicine integration.
Pediatricians and health officials bypass Trump's politicized CDC to form independent vaccine networks amid concerns over agency credibility.
China's COVID-19 positivity rate hit 16.3% in July 2026, overtaking influenza. Health authorities urge calm as NB.1.8.1 variant surges.
CDC: 6,707 cyclosporiasis cases across 45 states. Outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce from Mexico. Michigan has over 10,000 cases.
Belgium recorded Europe's highest excess mortality during the June 2026 heatwave, with 2,000 excess deaths, sparking a national debate on preparedness.
The Belgian Red Cross urgently calls for blood donors as O negative and B negative stocks reach critical levels amid the annual summer dip in donations.
A heat dome is bringing record-breaking temperatures to 80 million across the central US, with high humidity creating life-threatening conditions.
New York City officials confirm the source of a deadly Legionnaires' outbreak on the Upper East Side has been eliminated after five deaths and 84 cases.
China's State Council releases the National Fitness Plan 2026-2030, setting targets for sports participation, infrastructure, and AI-powered fitness.
June 27, 2026 was the second deadliest day of the 21st century in Belgium, with ~650 deaths. A heatwave caused 48% excess mortality and 2,000 deaths.
Measles in the US hit a 35-year high with over 2,300 cases in 2026 as vaccination rates drop. A November review could revoke elimination status.
Belgium recorded 78,697 new cancer diagnoses in 2024, the highest ever. Cases rise in Flanders and Wallonia but dip slightly in Brussels.
French authorities warn hikers after 12 fall ill from contaminated mountain water in the Pyrenees. Filter bottles don't block viruses, officials say.
After a decade of rising cases, scabies infections in Flanders are stabilizing, new research from Sciensano and the Institute of Tropical Medicine shows.
The Trump administration cancels $68 million in teen pregnancy prevention grants, shifting federal policy toward marriage and abstinence-based education.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is spreading in Europe, with cases confirmed in Belgium. Learn about symptoms, vaccination, and how to protect yourself.
A fourth person has died in NYC's Legionnaires' disease outbreak on the Upper East Side, as health officials say the source appears eliminated.
A new VITO heat map reveals stark inequalities in heat risk across Flemish municipalities after Belgium's deadliest heatwave caused 2,000 excess deaths.
A third person has died in Manhattan's Upper East Side Legionnaires' outbreak. Officials say the source has likely been eliminated as cases decline.
Wildfire smoke kills tens of thousands yearly. Fine particulate matter penetrates lungs and bloodstream, causing heart attacks, strokes, and dementia.
Tick-borne diseases are surging across the US as climate change expands tick habitats. Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis are reaching new regions.
A sixth child has kidney failure from STEC bacteria linked to Mikerf petting zoo in Brasschaat, Belgium. One toddler remains in an induced coma.
Wildfire smoke from Ontario fires chokes millions across the northern U.S. and Canada, with code purple air quality and health warnings in effect.
Wildfire smoke from over 850 Canadian blazes darkens skies across 18 U.S. states, with Milwaukee, Detroit, and Minneapolis recording hazardous air quality.
Chinese health authorities warn of rising dengue and chikungunya risks from imported cases, urging enhanced surveillance and prevention this summer.
China warns against unproven stem cell 'anti-aging' shots as imported dengue and chikungunya cases raise local outbreak risk.
Wildfire smoke from 857 Canadian blazes pushes air quality to hazardous levels across the northeastern US and Canada, affecting 124 million.
While U.S. overdose deaths fall to their lowest since 2018, Arizona sees an 18% rise driven by powdered fentanyl, extreme heat, and methamphetamine co-use.
A heat dome threatens to break 90 temperature records across the US, with dangerous overnight heat posing serious health risks.
Belgium faces its second heatwave of summer 2026 after 1,747 excess deaths in June. Emergency doctors warn all age groups to take precautions.
A cyclosporiasis outbreak has hit 31 US states with 843 confirmed cases and thousands more suspected. Learn about symptoms, affected areas, and prevention.
Severe heatwaves across Europe since May 2026 have caused over 13,000 excess deaths, overwhelming healthcare systems and highlighting climate threats.
Neurosurgeons warn e-bike crashes cause more severe brain injuries in children than traditional bikes, with injuries surging over 300% in recent years.
China CDC reports 79,000 new COVID-19 cases in June 2026, including 130 severe cases and 1 death. Dominant variant NB.1.8.1 shows no new risks.
A children's farm in Brasschaat isolated animals after five children were hospitalized with severe kidney complications linked to STEC bacteria.
Five children hospitalized with severe kidney complications from STEC bacteria, possibly linked to a petting farm in Brasschaat, Belgium.
Belgium's deadliest heatwave killed 1,747 people; Wallonia had 76% excess mortality versus 31% in Flanders, prompting calls for region-specific plans.
Brussels launches an interactive map of cool spots during a deadly heatwave, but other Francophone communes have yet to follow suit.
A cyclospora outbreak has grown to more than 1,000 confirmed cases, centered in Michigan. Health officials investigate the source of the parasite.
Belgian life expectancy reached 82.5 years in 2025, with the gender gap narrowing to 3.87 years as men's longevity gains outpace women's.
Michigan cyclospora outbreak tops 1,000 cases; bioethicists debate 'Death by Organ Donation'; NOAA predicts historically strong El Nino.
Brussels activates heatwave protocols as intense heat returns, weeks after a June heatwave caused 1,222 excess deaths in Belgium.
Belgium's grass pollen allergy season is stretching beyond its usual pattern. A new study shows heat and pollution double hay fever risk.
HHS cancels 53 teen pregnancy prevention grants, citing 'normalizing sexual activity for minors.' Democrats demand reinstatement.
Belgium's KCE finds PFAS blood testing offers no clinical benefit, even for pregnant women and exposed workers, urging focus on exposure reduction instead.
NYC health officials report 23 Legionnaires' disease cases on the Upper East Side, with 17 hospitalized. Cooling towers probed as source remains unknown.
Belgium's KMI issues Code Yellow heat warning for all regions except the coast, effective through Wednesday July 8, as temperatures rise inland.
A severe heat wave scorches the Eastern US, shattering daytime records and bringing dangerously warm nights that leave no time for the body to recover.
Belgium faces another potential heatwave starting July 6, just days after a 12-day June heatwave caused 1,222 excess deaths and political controversy.
Belgium reports 1,222 heat-related deaths from a June heatwave, sparking political fury as opposition leaders accuse the government of inaction.
Raccoons have been spotted in every Flemish province. Authorities warn against touching them due to health risks and urge public reporting.
Belgian pediatricians call for broader meningitis vaccination, arguing that every child deserves equal protection regardless of region or income.
CDC reports record 76 Powassan virus cases in 2025, with 15 in 2026. The rare tick-borne disease can transmit in 15 minutes with no vaccine available.
Belgian ministers agree to reform the hospital landscape, with 14 Flemish hospitals facing scale-downs, mergers, or transformation over ten years.
China's NHC announces comprehensive maternal and child health services centered on five pillars, building on WHO recognition as a top performer.
As a new Lyme disease vaccine nears FDA review, surveys reveal significant hesitancy among rural hunters, a key at-risk group.
Belgium swelters under a record-breaking heatwave with Code Red alerts, cancelled events, suspended waste collection, and alarming health warnings.
Belgium's severe heatwave triggers code red warnings, hospital surgery cancellations due to overheated servers and climate refuges across Brussels.
China reports a surge in rhinovirus infections, now the #1 respiratory pathogen. Doctors warn against self-medication and urge proper medical guidance.
France confirms first Ebola case of current outbreak as doctor returning from Congo is isolated. WHO warns outbreak is moving faster than response.
A landmark survey reveals nearly 1 in 10 Belgians report incest victimization. Associations warn of critical gaps in support for survivors.
Flanders issues 500,000 asbestos certificates, but 2.3 million properties still await assessment as the region pushes toward its 2040 asbestos-safe goal.
An FDA advisory committee voted 9-0 to recommend Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine, marking the panel's first new vaccine endorsement in over three years.
Demand for Eli Lilly's unapproved weight-loss drug retatrutide has spawned a thriving black market. At least 14 hospitalizations linked to its use.
China reports newly identified drug users under 35 dropped 41.6% in 2025, while adding 16 substances including difluoroethylmidazole to its list.
Dementia cases in Belgium are projected to rise 65% by 2050. A new report reveals four crucial factors determining life expectancy after diagnosis.
A Belgian special needs school in Kortrijk closed for a week after a norovirus and streptococcus outbreak following a forest class trip, affecting dozens.
Belgium faces tropical temperatures up to 34°C and a possible heatwave, followed by severe thunderstorms with hail on Friday. Health warnings active.
NYT investigation reveals how kratom giant Botanic Tonics used donations and lobbying to gain influence with DHS Secretary Mullin and HHS.
CDC data shows US infant mortality dropped to a record low of 5.36 per 1,000 in 2025, but racial disparities and the gap with other nations persist.
Chinese regions explore legislative reforms, digital enforcement, and flexible governance to strengthen public smoking control ahead of 2030.
Belgian Alzheimer's cases projected to rise 65% by 2050, from 214,736 to 353,357. Stop Alzheimer report highlights aging and prevention potential.
Alpha-gal syndrome, a life-threatening meat allergy caused by tick bites, is rising in the US. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and prevention.
Nearly 100 students at a Belgian school fell ill with gastrointestinal symptoms. Water contamination has been ruled out, and the cause remains unknown.
China's 350 million smokers face a paradox: low cigarette taxes undermine health goals while tobacco revenue fills state coffers. Can Beijing act?
Belgium's government lifts legal immunity for asbestos companies, allowing victims to seek damages in court after a decade-long political struggle.
A major new study finds even one alcoholic drink per day increases premature death risk, reigniting debate over safe drinking limits.
Health Secretary RFK Jr. focuses narrowly on food and vaccines while leaving critical health agencies without permanent leadership amid an Ebola outbreak.
Wildfire smoke is reversing decades of U.S. air quality gains, driving up smog levels and causing hundreds of additional premature deaths each year.
UC Berkeley study estimates India's extreme heat wave causes 3,400 excess deaths daily, with 30,000 in a five-day heatwave.
Blood lead levels in children near Umicore's Hoboken facility dropped to 1.96 µg/dl, the lowest ever recorded, signaling environmental progress.
U.S. hospitals report rising cases of measles, whooping cough, and Hib as childhood vaccination rates fall below critical thresholds, alarming experts.
Michigan's 2015 vaccine education rule initially cut waivers by 32%, but post-COVID backlash drove exemptions to record highs amid measles outbreaks.
Survey reveals 56% of Belgians unaware HPV causes cancer, exposing awareness gaps as Belgium expands vaccine reimbursement to adults up to age 30.
The MV Hondius, linked to a hantavirus outbreak that killed 3 and sickened 13, has been cleared by Dutch health authorities after a thorough deep cleaning.
China launches World No Tobacco Day campaign urging youth to reject smoking, as experts call for national smoke-free legislation.
Belgium rolls out sweeping June 1 changes: plain tobacco packaging, expanded HPV vaccine coverage, automatic voucher refunds, and railway hiring reforms.
Sciensano reports over 9,500 smoking-related deaths per year in Belgium as new plain packaging law takes effect June 1, targeting cigars and pipe tobacco.
President Trump signed an executive order directing health agencies to align with a study recommending fewer childhood vaccines, reigniting legal battles.
Belgian hospitals activate Ebola contingency plans after WHO declares international emergency over rare Bundibugyo virus outbreak in DRC and Uganda.
From insurance and health to eco-cheques and rail jobs, six key policy changes come into force for Belgians on June 1, 2026.
Belgium's June 1 reforms expand plain tobacco packaging, automate service voucher refunds, extend HPV vaccine coverage, and more.
Trump administration plans to quarantine and treat Ebola-exposed Americans in Kenya instead of repatriating them, breaking decades of established protocol.
A Gezinsbond survey finds 10% of Flemish families consider tap water unsafe, while 9% filter it first. Recent contamination scandals fuel growing distrust.
China CDC issues Ebola prevention alert after WHO declares DRC outbreak a global health emergency, requiring 21-day monitoring for travelers.
The US expands its Ebola entry ban to green card holders as WHO warns of Bundibugyo strain spread in DRC and Uganda, sparking debate.
RTBF investigation reveals 660,000 Walloons suffer dangerous road noise. WHO guidelines clash with Wallonia's 70 dB limit as new anti-noise plan looms.
An American cruise passenger was ordered into mandatory federal quarantine after a hantavirus outbreak, sparking a legal debate over public health powers.
A New York man quarantined in Nebraska after a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship says the isolation center feels like a prison.
Emergency doctors in Antwerp report a 60% surge in e-scooter accident victims and demand a night-time ban, citing severe alcohol-related injuries.
An American surgeon contracted Ebola while operating on a patient in Congo. He was evacuated to Berlin as the WHO warns of nearly 600 suspected cases.
A measles outbreak in Bangladesh raises World Cup concerns, caffeine pouches surge among youth, and RFK Jr. fires preventive health task force leaders.
Medical experts in Flanders call for teaching girls about vulvas from kindergarten age to improve health, reduce stigma, and empower children.
An American missionary tests positive for Ebola in Congo as the US announces travel restrictions amid a growing outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain.
DR Congo faces its 17th Ebola outbreak with at least 80 deaths from the Bundibugyo strain, for which no vaccine or specific treatment exists.