International
AHO warns of severe infectious disease surge in the Americas in 2024
Infectious diseases were the most serious public health challenges in the Americas in 2024, with record-breaking outbreaks of dengue fever, avian influenza, and Oropouche virus, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned on Thursday.
In its 2024 Annual Report: Advancing Health to Promote Regional Security, PAHO highlighted a historic surge in infectious diseases across the continent, noting that the Americas are increasingly facing frequent outbreaks of infectious and emerging pathogens.
PAHO reported a record 13 million cases of dengue fever in 2024 — three times more than in 2023 — marking the highest number ever recorded. The outbreak resulted in 7,700 deaths, many among children.
Brazil was the hardest-hit country, accounting for over 10 million cases and nearly 80% of all fatalities. Significant outbreaks were also reported in Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico. Together, these four countries made up 90% of all infections in the Americas.
The report also identified avian influenza (H5N1) as one of the region’s top health concerns. In 2024, PAHO confirmed 66 human infections in the United States, one in Canada, and over 1,300 animal outbreaks across other American countries.
“All confirmed human cases so far were the result of animal-to-human transmission. No human-to-human transmission was reported in 2024, which would have posed a far greater threat to public health,” PAHO emphasized.
Additionally, the organization noted a rise in Oropouche virus cases, a mosquito-borne illness similar to dengue. In 2024, there were 11,600 reported infections and two deaths across 12 countries, most of them in Brazil.
Though the Oropouche outbreak is “relatively small,” PAHO urged vigilance as the virus is spreading to new territories.
The organization also warned that the overall situation has been worsened by changing climate patterns, environmental factors, and declining vaccination coverage, all of which contribute to the increased vulnerability of the region to infectious disease outbreaks.
International
Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
Ecuador’s Armed Forces carried out an operation on Monday — including airstrikes — against illegal mining in the town of Buenos Aires, in the country’s north, Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo reported.
The mountainous, gold-rich area has been a hotspot for illegal mining since 2017, located in the Andean province of Imbabura.
In 2019, former president Lenín Moreno deployed around 2,400 soldiers to the region in an attempt to curb the illegal activity. “The operation began with mortar fire, followed by gunfire and bombing runs by Supertucano aircraft,” Loffredo said in a video released by the Defense Ministry.
He added that the operation would continue on Tuesday with patrols across the area to locate possible members of “irregular armed groups that may have crossed from the Colombian border.”
The Armed Forces stated on X that the intervention focused on the “complete elimination of multiple illegal mining tunnels” in the areas known as Mina Nueva and Mina Vieja.
The operation coincided with the deployment of a military and police convoy into Imbabura, which has been the epicenter of protests against President Daniel Noboa since September 22, following his decision to scrap the diesel subsidy.
International
Caracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win
Venezuela has announced the closure of its embassy in Norway, just days after opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Venezuelan diplomatic mission provided no explanation for its decision on Monday.
“It is regrettable,” a ministry spokesperson said. “Despite our differences on several issues, Norway wishes to keep the dialogue with Venezuela open and will continue to work in that direction.” The ministry also emphasized that the Nobel Committee operates entirely independently from the Norwegian government.
In its announcement, the Nobel Committee stated that Machado met the criteria established by Alfred Nobel, “embodying the hope for a different future, where the fundamental rights of Venezuelans are heard.”
International
Sheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains
Thousands of military personnel and civilians in Mexico worked tirelessly on Tuesday to clear roads blocked by the torrential rains of recent days, which have left more than 300 communities cut off across central and eastern regions of the country. Authorities also launched mass fumigation efforts in several affected areas to prevent the spread of dengue fever.
The official death toll remains at 64, though dozens of people are still missing. President Claudia Sheinbaumacknowledged that the government does not yet know the full situation in many of the isolated villages, which range in population from 500 to 1,000 inhabitants.
“The reopening of roads is one of the greatest urgencies,” Sheinbaum said. “It’s essential to guarantee air bridges, food supplies, clean water, and a proper census of the isolated communities so we can determine the condition of every person living there.”
Private construction companies are also assisting the effort with heavy machinery and technical support to help reopen highways and reconnect rural areas.
Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
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