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Stargate Info, 78, Akintunde Ighodalo Estate, Agric Area, Off Olomi-Olunde Road, Ibadan (2026)

19/08/2026

Rabies in Seals: A New Concern for Animal and Public Health

The detection of sustained rabies transmission among Cape fur seals in South Africa and Namibia is raising concerns about the changing ecology of rabies.

More than 100 cases have been confirmed since 2024, while more than 145 human exposure incidents had been reported by May 2026, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

The development highlights the importance of wildlife surveillance, public awareness, and continued vaccination of domestic dogs to reduce the risk of rabies transmission. It also serves as a reminder that disease prevention requires a One Health approach, particularly where domestic animals, wildlife, and humans interact.

Source: World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

06/08/2026

Federal Government Orders Immediate Measures to Protect Health Workers

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has directed all federal tertiary health institutions to immediately strengthen measures to protect healthcare workers following rising cases of violence and harassment in hospitals.

The directive follows the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel, which was set up after a confrontation between EFCC operatives and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in May 2026.

The committee documented 18 cases of assault, harassment, intimidation, and violence against healthcare workers over the past year. It identified inadequate staffing, long waiting times, poor infrastructure, abuse of authority, and weak security protocols as key contributing factors.

The approved action plan includes strengthening hospital security, appointing security liaison officers, prosecuting offenders where appropriate, and providing medical, psychological, and conflict de-escalation support for healthcare workers.

The Ministry stated that implementation of the measures will be monitored through periodic progress reports. It also disclosed that broader policy recommendations will be presented to the National Council on Health to develop a unified safety framework for federal, state, and private healthcare facilities across Nigeria.

Source: Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare

06/08/2026

NAFDAC Launches Campaign, Advises Nigerians on Key Checks Before Buying Packaged Foods

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched the first episode of its public education campaign on its official X and Facebook handles, encouraging Nigerians to make it a habit to read food labels before purchasing packaged foods.

In the educational video, Abubakar Umar, a food safety expert from NAFDAC's Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN) Directorate, advised consumers not to rely solely on attractive packaging, brand popularity, or product prices. Instead, he encouraged Nigerians to read food labels carefully to make informed choices and protect their health.

According to NAFDAC, consumers should always check:

- Date Marking – Ensure the product is within its expiry date or shelf life.

- Ingredient List – Check for ingredients that may cause allergies or conflict with dietary restrictions.

- Nutrition Information Panel – Review the levels of sugar, salt, fat, protein, and other nutrients to make healthier food choices.

- NAFDAC Registration Number – Confirm that the product has been registered and approved by NAFDAC for sale in Nigeria.

NAFDAC urged Nigerians to make reading food labels a routine habit, reminding consumers:

"Before you buy it, read it. Before you eat it, understand it."

Source: NAFDAC (on X and Facebook)

05/08/2026

Oyo State Warns Residents, Businesses to Obtain Standard Waste Bins Before September Enforcement

The Oyo State Government has given residents and business owners until 1 September 2026, to comply with its mandatory house-to-house waste bin policy aimed at improving environmental sanitation across the state.

The directive, announced by the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ademola Aderinto, requires all households, business premises, shopping complexes, and facility managers to obtain standard waste bins appropriate for the size of their properties and the volume of waste they generate.

According to the state government, the initiative is designed to curb indiscriminate waste disposal on roads, in drainage channels, and in other public spaces. Residents and property owners are also required to register with government-approved Private Sector Participants (PSPs) for the regular collection and disposal of their waste.

The government has declared a one-month grace period to allow residents and businesses to comply before enforcement begins. From 1 September 2026, task force officers will commence door-to-door inspections of residential and commercial properties across the state.

Individuals and businesses that fail to provide standard waste bins, patronize unapproved waste collectors, or default on waste management payments may face penalties in accordance with the state's environmental sanitation laws.

04/08/2026

UNICEF Raises Alarm as Only 3 in 10 Nigerian Babies Receive Exclusive Breastfeeding

To mark World Breastfeeding Week 2026, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that only about 34 percent—roughly 3 out of every 10 infants in Nigeria—are exclusively breastfed during their first six months of life.

Speaking during activities to commemorate the week, the Chief of UNICEF's Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, noted that although more than 90 percent of Nigerian mothers begin breastfeeding after childbirth, many discontinue exclusive breastfeeding long before the recommended six months. She also expressed concern that the rate of breastfeeding initiation within the first hour after birth has declined from 42 percent in 2018 to 36 percent. In addition, only 12 of Nigeria's 36 states currently provide six months of paid maternity leave.

According to UNICEF, several cultural, social, and systemic factors continue to hinder exclusive breastfeeding. These include widespread misinformation, the early introduction of water and other foods, increasing reliance on commercial infant formula, inadequate workplace support for nursing mothers, and inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes.

The agency described breastmilk as a baby's "first vaccine," explaining that it provides essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect infants from infections, reduce the risk of malnutrition, and support healthy brain growth and development.

UNICEF is calling on governments, employers, healthcare professionals, communities, and families to create a more supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers. The agency also urged the nationwide adoption of six months of paid maternity leave, the provision of breastfeeding-friendly workplaces with lactation rooms, and stricter enforcement of regulations governing the marketing of breast-milk substitutes.

17/07/2026

FG Targets Eradication of PPR, a Deadly Disease of Sheep and Goats, by 2030

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), also known as goat plague, by 2030. PPR is a highly contagious viral disease that affects sheep and goats, causing severe illness, death and significant economic losses for livestock farmers. The commitment was announced during a two-day stakeholders' workshop in Abuja to review and update Nigeria's National Strategic Plan for the control and eradication of the disease.

Speaking at the workshop, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, said Nigeria has intensified disease surveillance, laboratory strengthening, outbreak investigations, targeted vaccination campaigns, stakeholder engagement and capacity-building programmes to reduce the burden of PPR. She noted that with more than 200 million sheep and goats, Nigeria has Africa's largest population of small ruminants, making effective disease control essential for improving rural livelihoods, livestock productivity and trade.

The Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Anzaku, said the country is updating its National Strategic Plan for 2026–2030 to align with the Global PPR Eradication Programme and ECOWAS regional efforts. The revised plan is expected to strengthen veterinary services, improve cross-border disease control and support Nigeria's goal of eradicating PPR by 2030.

As an important disease prevention strategy, farmers should vaccinate healthy sheep and goats against PPR as recommended by veterinary authorities, practise good biosecurity by keeping newly purchased animals separate and isolating sick ones, and provide adequate nutrition and clean water to keep their animals healthy. Suspected cases should be reported promptly to the nearest veterinary officer.

16/07/2026

Cancer Expert Urges Nigerians Not to Ignore Persistent Lumps or Bone Pain

Nigerians have been advised to pay close attention to persistent lumps, unexplained swelling and ongoing bone pain, as these symptoms could indicate sarcoma, a rare cancer that affects the bones or the body's soft tissues, including muscles, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons and tissues beneath the skin. The advice was given by the Chief Executive Officer of the Kano Cancer Treatment Centre, Dr. Nafisa Abdu, during activities marking Sarcoma Awareness Month.

Dr. Abdu explained that sarcoma can occur in both children and adults and is often mistaken for a minor injury or harmless swelling. This can delay diagnosis and reduce the chances of successful treatment. She noted that many people seek medical care only after the disease has advanced.

She encouraged anyone with a lump that continues to grow, unexplained swelling or persistent bone pain to visit a healthcare facility for proper evaluation rather than relying on self-medication. According to her, early diagnosis and prompt treatment greatly improve the chances of recovery.

05/07/2026

France's First Ebola Patient Recovers as DRC Outbreak Continues

France's first confirmed Ebola patient has recovered and been discharged from hospital, French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist announced on Saturday, 4 July 2026. The patient, a doctor working with the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), had travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), becoming the first Ebola case detected in France.

The minister's announcement comes as the Ebola outbreak in the DRC remains active. The outbreak was declared on 15 May 2026 and, according to government figures released on 2 July 2026, has infected 1,406 people and claimed at least 438 lives. Humanitarian workers returning from contact with Ebola patients are normally required to undergo a 21-day quarantine.

04/07/2026

Proposed Public Health Institute Aims to Strengthen Nigeria's Health Security

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the proposed National Institute for Public Health and Infectious Diseases (NIPHID), Dr. Dalhatu Abdullahi Aminu, has said the institute is being established to strengthen Nigeria's health security by improving the country's capacity for infectious disease research, specialist training, clinical care, and outbreak preparedness. He made the clarification during a press conference in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, while responding to concerns about the proposed legislation.

According to Dr. Aminu, the proposed institute will complement—not replace—the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). He explained that while the NCDC will continue to lead disease surveillance, outbreak response, and national public health coordination, the proposed institute will focus on advanced research, specialist clinical services, postgraduate training, and building the skilled workforce needed to respond to infectious disease threats.

The proposed legislation has generated debate, with some stakeholders expressing concerns about possible overlap with existing institutions. However, supporters of the bill argue that establishing the institute will strengthen Nigeria's preparedness for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, expand local research capacity, and enhance the country's ability to respond effectively to future public health emergencies.

02/07/2026

WHO Declares Hantavirus Outbreak Over, Intensifies Efforts to Control Ebola

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship over after the last person under quarantine completed monitoring, tested negative, and returned home. The outbreak was first reported to WHO on 2 May 2026, following a cluster of severe respiratory illness among passengers aboard the cruise ship. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the end of the outbreak during a media briefing on Thursday, 2 July 2026.

While announcing the successful containment of the hantavirus outbreak, WHO said it is stepping up efforts to control the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The organisation confirmed that the first patient has been enrolled in a clinical trial evaluating the experimental MBP134 monoclonal antibody and the antiviral drug remdesivir, both individually and in combination, to identify effective treatments for the disease.

WHO said it will continue supporting the DRC through strengthened disease surveillance, laboratory services, community engagement, patient care, and international collaboration to help bring the Ebola outbreak under control. The organisation also called on countries and partners to sustain support for the response to prevent further spread of the disease.

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