The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is rapidly developing and has become the second largest in history. The number of cases has reached a level that required many years in previous outbreaks, but only weeks were needed this time.
According to data published by the World Health Organization on Friday, at least 3,553 confirmed cases have been registered since the outbreak was detected in mid-May, with at least 1,558 deaths.
In just over two months, the number of infected people exceeded the total figure recorded during another significant Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which lasted almost two years—from August 2018 to June 2020.
The first 1,000 cases in the current outbreak were identified within the first 40 days after response measures were activated, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, in the 2018 outbreak, it took nearly six times longer to reach over 1,000 cases—about 235 days.
Currently, the only larger Ebola outbreak was the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak, which concluded with more than 28,600 registered cases and 11,325 deaths.
The current outbreak is associated with several serious problems: it is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which vaccines and treatments are not yet available, and active fighting in the region prevents response teams from reaching affected communities.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated this month: 'Despite the progress made, the outbreak in the DRC continues to outpace the pace of response.' He emphasized that 'intense transmission in the Ituri province remains our main concern.'
Approximately two-thirds of deaths occur among people who never received medical care in a healthcare facility. This can contribute to the spread of infection in communities due to risks associated with unsafe handling of the deceased's bodies.
It is estimated that each confirmed case in an urban area can have up to 40 potential contacts. With about 3,400 cases in the DRC, the contact list should be approximately 135,000 people for subsequent monitoring by response teams.
However, as Dr. Jean Kasaya, CEO of the African Centre for Disease Control, reported, only about 1 in 8—fewer than 18,000 people—were identified for this list during a briefing on Thursday. More than 80% of new cases are found among individuals who were not identified through contact tracing. Kasaya noted: 'If we do not master this metric, we will not stop this outbreak.'
He added that he cannot claim full control over the outbreak because to confirm the peak and the possibility of stopping it, it is necessary to ensure that all new cases come from the contact list and all deaths are linked to confirmed cases that were isolated or hospitalized. 'This is not happening.'
Most of the 3,553 confirmed cases were registered in the Ituri province, located in the northeastern corner of the country. This area is rich in resources, has profitable gold mines and trade routes, which contributes to high population mobility and cross-border movement. Furthermore, it is home to over a million displaced persons and armed groups, creating widespread instability.
Twenty cases related to the current outbreak were registered in Uganda, and one in France; most of these were imported from the DRC.
On Tuesday, Ugandan health officials announced that the country is 'officially free of Ebola.' According to the Ugandan Ministry of Health statement, this announcement followed the successful implementation of all outbreak response measures and confirms the absence of further virus transmission.
WHO requires 42 days of enhanced surveillance before declaring the end of an outbreak, and the organization has not yet marked this stage for Uganda.
As the outbreak in the DRC continues to grow, trials of vaccines and treatments are underway.
The first vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain, developed by Oxford University in collaboration with the Indian Serological Institute, has reached the clinical trial stage, and the first dose was administered last week. It uses the same technology as the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19.
Additionally, about a month ago, testing began in the DRC for two antiviral drugs—a monoclonal antibody (MBP134) and remdesivir, in which at least 41 patients are currently participating.
Amanda Rozek, an adjunct professor of public health emergencies at the Oxford Institute for Pandemic Sciences and trial operations lead, stated in her statement: 'One of the key lessons from recent outbreaks is that research must be conducted in parallel with the response, not after it.' She added that 'the PARTNERS trial allows us to evaluate potential treatments during the outbreak itself so that the data gathered can help in patient care when it is needed most—months, not years later.'
The worst outbreak, 2014–2016 in West Africa, was caused by the Zaire ebolavirus, which became more prevalent. However, vaccines or treatments were not initially available then.
According to a KFF analysis, the current Ebola outbreak is 'the most significant international infectious disease outbreak faced by the Trump administration in its second term.' The analysis also points to substantial differences in the US government's approach compared to previous outbreaks.
The analysis suggests that the speed of the US government's reaction, support for countermeasures research such as testing, vaccines, and treatment, and other forms of funding meet or exceed the efforts made during past major Ebola outbreaks. Nevertheless, noticeable differences are noted in the structure of the American response and 'significant disruptions' in US global health programs, which 'may have consequences as the situation develops.'
The US coordinates its actions with some United Nations agencies but left the WHO last year, which, according to the analysis, 'may create barriers to communication or coordination at certain times.'
Previously, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) led the response, which was dissolved last year. This function has now transferred to the State Department, but this is happening in a bureau that recently downsized its staff.
The analysis notes: 'The current relative lack of certain interagency coordination mechanisms may affect the US response over time, especially if the outbreak drags on and the US response is expanded.'
There is also a 'noticeable difference' in the US approach to border policy: instead of less restrictive screening and monitoring programs used previously, some travelers are blocked upon entry.
According to the US CDC, 'the probability of Ebola spreading to the United States is considered very low.' They also point out that 'if a case is diagnosed in the United States, the risk of Ebola spreading in the United States is also low due to the strength of our public health system and infection control measures.'
Women often prioritize the needs of their families and society over their own health requirements, leading them to skip or ignore necessary medical examinations. The reasons for this can range from busy schedules and financial difficulties to underestimating risks. Every year, thousands of women miss the opportunity to undergo critically important screenings.
Despite fulfilling numerous roles in family and community, women's own health can be sidelined. Busy schedules, financial pressure, and misconceptions about risks contribute to alarming statistics, as many women neglect essential checkups.
Murray Howell, CEO of Affinity Health, emphasizes the vital necessity of regular medical checkups, urging that 'women's health matters.' He noted that the earlier potential issues are detected, the better the outcome, and preventive care can save lives.
There are five key medical examinations that every woman should schedule:
A pesticide banned in Europe is increasing its presence in the Brazilian market. This occurs after national authorities prohibited another pesticide from the same chemical family eight years ago due to risks linked to genetic mutations and Parkinson's disease.
The increase in the use of this alternative substance is directly associated with the multiplication of poisoning cases. Between 2018 and 2025, 250 cases were registered in the country, resulting in at least 40 deaths, six due to accidents and 34 due to suicide after ingesting the pesticide.
This data was revealed by a joint investigation by Repórter Brasil and the Swiss organization Public Eye, using official information from the Unified Health System (SUS).
Paraquat, a herbicide widely used in controlling weeds in crops, was banned in Brazil in 2017 due to its potential impacts on human health. Subsequently, its chemical relative, diquat, saw its use increase tenfold until 2024, according to monitoring by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama).
Currently, only one-third of the ten thousand tons consumed in Brazil is produced domestically; most is imported, including Reglone. The latter, manufactured by the multinational Syngenta, is the best-known brand and is responsible for at least 65% of poisonings. Public Eye discovered that in 2023, Syngenta exported more than half of the Reglone production made in England to Brazil.
Diquat has been banned in England and Switzerland, Syngenta's headquarters, since a reassessment conducted in the European Union in 2018, which identified 'a high risk to workers, passersby, and residents' of areas near farms. Syngenta imports diquat for the manufacture of Reglone in Brazil from both England and China.
In Brazil, where diquat use is permitted, poisoning cases have raised concerns among authorities. There were six cases in 2018, but in the previous year (to the publication), the number jumped to 71, representing a 1,100% growth.
This increase, although it may seem small compared to the more than 11,000 episodes of pesticide contamination reported in Brazil in 2025, signals an alert due to the rapid multiplication of records.
Toxicologist Dr. Bruna Telles Scola, who works at the Toxicological Information Center of Rio Grande do Sul (CIT-RS), illustrates the seriousness of the situation: 'In 2025, we attended 17 cases related to diquat in Rio Grande do Sul, but in these first months of 2026 alone, we already have 15 registered cases.'
In response to Repórter Brasil, Syngenta stated that diquat 'is a registered herbicide in Brazil' and guaranteed that 'its use is safe under conditions approved by regulatory authorities, provided the instructions in the leaflet and agronomic prescription are followed.'
Rio Grande do Sul was the state that recorded the highest volume of diquat sold in 2024 and was also the leader in poisoning incidents in 2025, two of which resulted in death.
Nelson Castoldi, an 80-year-old farmer, was one of these victims. He came into contact with Reglone on his family's soybean farm in Guaporé, in the Serra Gaúcha municipality. His son, Ivan André Castoldi, reported that to avoid carrying the entire container, his father separated what was necessary and put it in a Coca-Cola PET bottle.
Due to the intense heat in October, the farmer made a mistake and ingested the liquid, thinking it was soda, because he was thirsty. After tasting it, he vomited. Two days later, Nelson died in the hospital. The medical examiner's report confirmed that 'the clinical evolution is compatible with the conditions caused by intoxication by this herbicide [diquat]' and attributed the death from respiratory failure to pesticide poisoning.
Diquat is a herbicide of the same family and type as paraquat, popularly known as 'weed killer,' used against weeds in crops such as soy, corn, cotton, potatoes, and beans. Although not recommended for tobacco, there are also reports of poisonings in this crop.
Ivan André Castoldi argued that 'Reglone should be banned, not because of what happened to us, but because of its toxicity,' concluding that if it is banned in other countries, it should also be banned in Brazil. Toxicologist Dr. Bruna Telles Scola agreed, stating that 'if it was banned where it is manufactured, it means they know about the potential toxicity of this product.'
In its note to Repórter Brasil, Syngenta clarified that 'the fact that a certain active ingredient has not been registered or approved in a country does not mean that it underwent an evaluation that banned it for presenting health or environmental risks. Differences in registration between countries do not, by themselves, mean that a product has been considered unsafe in another jurisdiction.'
Nelson Castoldi suffered a very severe poisoning episode. His daughter-in-law, Cristiane Redante, reported that 'the first thing the poison attacked were the kidneys, which paralyzed. So, they took him for hemodialysis.' Subsequently, the herbicide affected the lungs, which 'necrotized,' according to Ivan Castoldi.
Paraquat, which was also known to affect the respiratory system, causes problems in the alveoli, preventing gas exchange, detailed the sanitary biologist Vanda Garibotti, from the State Center for Health Surveillance (Cevs) of Rio Grande do Sul.
There are other similarities in the effects of the two pesticides on the human body. An Anvisa diagnosis in 2017 pointed out that 'cases of severe acute poisoning by accidental ingestion of paraquat or suicide attempts are worrying' and was a reason for the pesticide's ban.
Of the 250 diquat poisoning cases registered in Brazil between 2018 and 2025, 34 were related to suicides and 77 to suicide attempts.
Although the industry denies the link, various scientific studies warn of a possible impact of chronic exposure to pesticides on mental health, suggesting that suicide rates may be higher in regions with heavy pesticide use, especially in developing countries.
SUS data also accounts for six accidental deaths in Brazil, all occurring after 2023, where the victims did not attempt to take their own lives.
Bruna Telles Scola compared: 'We notice that the symptoms they cause are very similar, as is the clinical outcome of severe cases. If diquat is ingested, in most cases it is fatal.'
However, health professionals believe there is a greater chance of recovery for patients poisoned with diquat than with its predecessor, as diquat takes longer to reach the lungs.
Despite this, Anvisa evidence indicates that paraquat could cause Parkinson's disease. Diquat, however, 'deposits in the central nervous system, bringing signs of parkinsonism, with symptoms such as tremors, vision changes, irritability, aggression, and mental confusion,' observed Scola.
Paulo Rozelmo Krug, poisoned after using Reglone to clean his tobacco field in Tunas, in the center of Rio Grande do Sul, became 'possessed,' according to his wife, Daniela Oliveira dos Santos, who reported: 'He wouldn't listen to me, no one could hold him.'
The family of Paulo Roberto Schimunek, from Venâncio Aires, in Rio Grande do Sul, initially thought he was having a stroke after applying Reglone in the garden. He began to stutter, twist his tongue, and show mental confusion. The victim recalled: 'When the doctor came to check, he said this is the most dangerous poison there is.'
Valdemar Postanovicz, a tobacco grower in Ipiranga, Paraná, also felt as if he had suffered a stroke, but these were symptoms of acute diquat poisoning. He described: 'My entire right side became paralyzed. My mouth twisted to the right. On the way to the hospital, I started seeing everything dark.'
Paraná is the Brazilian state with the highest total number of diquat poisonings registered in the SUS since 2018. Postanovicz justified the use of Reglone because Gramoxil (a paraquat-based product) had stopped being produced, leading everyone to use Reglone, but added that he would never buy the product again because it was 'very frightening.'
Among the 250 cases reported to SUS between 2018 and 2025, 109 were classified as work-related diseases, including five of the six non-suicide-related deaths.
The vast majority of the poisoned individuals are farmers. In interviews conducted by the Repórter Brasil and Public Eye teams, two individuals defended the use of the substance despite having suffered contamination, assessing that it is possible to control health risks.
Pesticide manufacturers, such as Syngenta, recommend the full use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which includes sleeved overalls, long pants, rubber boots, waterproof apron, PFF2 mask, goggles, Arab head covering, and gloves.
Furthermore, rural unions offer training on the 'safe use' of pesticides in partnership with the National Rural Learning Service (Senar). Another common practice is the 'field day,' where the industry presents new technologies for seeds, pesticides, and crop management to farmers.
Syngenta informed Repórter Brasil that 'in 2025, it trained a total of 81,893 people for the safe use of products in Brazil, representing a 35% jump compared to the consolidated figure of 2024.'
Ivan Castoldi commented that 'in the lectures, companies talk about the dangers of pesticides,' but added: 'deep down, they want you to buy the product.' He summarized that companies raise awareness about risks but also make the farmer believe that he can apply the poison without problems using PPE.
In the specific case of diquat, the effectiveness of personal protective equipment was tested in a risk assessment conducted in the European Union in 2018. The assessment committee concluded that 'workers' exposure to diquat was clearly above the acceptable level,' even with the use of PPE.
According to the calculations of the study that underpinned this conclusion, spraying diquat with a tractor exposed the farmer to a risk 40 times higher than acceptable, even when using PPE. With manual sprayers, the exposure was 450 times higher than the limit. This is similar to what happened with paraquat, as Anvisa, when suspending its use in Brazil, considered that PPE did not guarantee 'total protection against poisoning' and that the actual level of worker exposure was 'exceeding the acceptable.'
The Endocrine Society announced that the condition PCOS has been renamed to PMOS. According to the society, PMOS is characterized by hormonal fluctuations that affect weight, metabolism, mental health, skin, and the reproductive system.
Over 50 organizations representing patients and specialists, including The Endocrine Society, participated in the renaming process. Experts believe that the new name better reflects the complexity of this condition and the wide range of symptoms women face.
Professor Helena Tidy, Director of the Monash University Centre for Health Research and Implementation and a member of The Endocrine Society, stated that the previous designation was scientifically inaccurate. She noted: 'What we know now is that there is actually no increase in abnormal ovarian cysts, and the diverse features of the condition were often underestimated.'
Tidy also emphasized that many women continue to face delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment, and limited public awareness of the disease. She added that while international guidelines have raised awareness and improved care, the name change is the next critical step toward recognizing and improving the long-term consequences of this condition.
The international initiative was led by Tidy together with Professor Terhi Piltonen, President of the AE-PCOS Society, Professor Anuj Dokras, Executive Director of that society, and Rachel Moran, Chair of Verity (PCOS UK). The renaming process involved 56 patient and professional organizations, over 22,000 survey responses, and a series of international seminars involving patients and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
Researchers involved in this initiative found no increase in abnormal ovarian cysts associated with the condition, which strengthened the arguments for replacing the existing name. The new designation, Polyoendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), will be introduced during a three-year transition period supported by a global awareness and education campaign targeting doctors, researchers, governments, and patients.
Full implementation is expected in the updated International Guidelines in 2028. Tidy called this initiative the largest effort in history to rename a medical condition. She reported that the agreed principles for the new name included patient benefit, scientific accuracy, ease of communication, avoidance of stigmatization, cultural appropriateness, and accompanying implementation.
Piltonen stressed that cultural considerations played a central role in the process. She stated: 'It was crucial that the new name was scientifically correct but also took into account different cultural contexts to avoid certain reproductive terms that could reinforce stigma and harm women in some countries.'
Lorna Berry, an Australian patient advocate suffering from the condition and participating in the process, expressed hope that the new name would improve understanding and treatment outcomes for future generations. Moran noted that the previous name did not reflect reality. She said: 'It is amazing that the new name now starts with hormones and recognizes the metabolic dimension of the condition.'
Moran added that this change will help shift public perception and encourage viewing PMOS as a complex, long-term health condition rather than a disorder defined by ovarian cysts.
