Cholera outbreak strains health system at a mining camp in Congo
:: June 18, 2025
A cholera outbreak has infected more than 600 people at an artisanal gold mine in South Kivu province, overwhelming local health services and exposing severe sanitation challenges in the conflict-hit eastern Congo.
Many patients, like Riziki Bachoke, described severe symptoms and were treated at this makeshift center run by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
"I have been here for two days, suffering from diarrhea. I was brought here in a critical condition. I also had dizziness, but when I arrived here, they examined me before giving me medication. I took syrups and serum. After three days, I feel good. I am strong and I say thank you very much."
Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by consuming contaminated water or food.
It can kill within hours if untreated.
Aid workers and health officials warn of recurring outbreaks without proper sanitation infrastructure, clean water, and long-term healthcare investment.
Earlier this year, North Kivu recorded over 600 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths in one month, raising concerns about similar trends in South Kivu's informal settlements like Lomera.
:: Katana, DRC
:: July 2, 2025
Dr. Justin Bengehya of the South Kivu Provincial Health Division reported 5,360 cases and 28 deaths across the province since early 2025.
The epidemic has raged in Lomera for nearly two months, he says, and most of those affected are miners and small traders.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has flagged rising infectious disease risks in eastern Congo amid ongoing displacement and violence.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time Business News
9 hours ago
- Time Business News
The Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in Trauma
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. Initially discovered as a serendipitous technique to reduce the emotional charge of distressing thoughts, EMDR has since evolved into a rigorously structured, eight-phase therapeutic protocol. Today, it is globally recognized as a frontline treatment for trauma, endorsed by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA). EMDR distinguishes itself from conventional talk therapies through its focus on the neurological and somatic imprints of trauma. Rather than analyzing trauma through prolonged verbal exploration, it guides individuals to access and reprocess traumatic memories in a way that promotes adaptive resolution and lasting relief. Suboxone, a medication commonly used to treat opioid dependence, has a variable presence in the body depending on several factors such as metabolism, dosage, and frequency of use. Typically, the active components, buprenorphine and naloxone, can be detected in urine for up to 7 to 10 days after the last dose. How Long does suboxone stay in your system is influenced by individual differences including liver function and body fat percentage. Blood tests may detect it for a shorter period, while hair tests can reveal usage for months. Overall, the elimination time varies widely between individuals. At the core of EMDR lies bilateral stimulation—typically in the form of guided eye movements, auditory tones, or tactile pulses. These rhythmic, left-right stimulations are believed to activate both hemispheres of the brain, facilitating the reconsolidation of fragmented or 'stuck' traumatic memories. The Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model underpins EMDR's theoretical framework. According to AIP, trauma disrupts the brain's natural information processing system, leaving distressing memories unintegrated. These unresolved fragments often resurface in the form of flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance. EMDR reopens these memory networks in a safe and contained therapeutic environment, allowing the mind to process the event with new insights and reduced emotional charge. The process is neither hypnotic nor passive. It engages cognitive, emotional, and physiological elements of the traumatic memory, enabling transformation from distress to mastery. Traditional trauma therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), often require extensive verbal articulation of the traumatic event. CBT emphasizes cognitive restructuring, exposure, and skills training. While effective, this process can be emotionally overwhelming and inaccessible for individuals who struggle to verbalize their experiences. EMDR, by contrast, is experiential. It bypasses the need for detailed verbal narrative and allows the client's mind to lead the healing process. This can be especially beneficial for individuals with preverbal trauma, dissociation, or those overwhelmed by re-experiencing symptoms. EMDR allows the psyche to work from the 'bottom-up'—starting with somatic sensations and implicit memory—rather than solely relying on top-down cognitive intervention. This divergence in method has opened doors for healing in populations previously considered treatment-resistant or too fragile for traditional exposure therapies. EMDR is best known for its application in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly in combat veterans, and first responders. However, its scope extends far beyond classic PTSD. Individuals grappling with complex trauma—chronic, prolonged, or repeated traumatic exposure—often experience disorganized attachment, emotional dysregulation, and pervasive negative self-beliefs. EMDR can effectively target these layers of dysfunction by focusing on core memories that shape maladaptive patterns. Children and adolescents have also responded positively to EMDR, especially those affected by neglect, abuse, or loss. The protocol can be adapted with age-appropriate techniques, including storytelling and drawing. Additionally, EMDR has been used to treat phobias, grief, addiction, and anxiety disorders, further demonstrating its versatility. The efficacy of EMDR is supported by a growing body of empirical research. Numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have demonstrated that EMDR is as effective, if not more so, than other trauma-focused therapies in reducing PTSD symptoms. One notable advantage is its efficiency. Many clients report significant improvement within a shorter timeframe—often 6 to 12 sessions—compared to traditional modalities. This makes EMDR not only effective but also cost-efficient. Neuroimaging studies have revealed notable changes in brain activity post-treatment. Functional MRI scans show reduced hyperactivity in the amygdala (the brain's fear center) and increased activation in the prefrontal cortex, suggesting enhanced emotional regulation and cognitive control. These findings lend physiological credence to the subjective healing reported by clients. Despite its growing popularity, EMDR is not without its detractors. Critics argue that the exact mechanism of bilateral stimulation remains unclear, with some attributing success to placebo effects or general exposure techniques. The eye movement component, in particular, has been subject to skepticism. Another challenge lies in its accessibility. EMDR requires specialized training and adherence to a structured protocol, which may limit its availability in under-resourced or rural settings. Additionally, EMDR may not be suitable for individuals with certain dissociative disorders or active psychosis unless modifications are made by an experienced clinician. However, these limitations do not negate the growing consensus on EMDR's therapeutic value. Instead, they highlight the need for continued research, clinical training, and thoughtful application. EMDR is most effective when integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that includes other therapeutic modalities. For individuals with co-occurring conditions—such as substance use, depression, or eating disorders—EMDR can serve as a trauma-focused anchor, while concurrent therapies address behavioral stabilization and skills development. Many clinicians incorporate EMDR alongside cognitive-behavioral strategies, somatic experiencing, or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to offer a robust and individualized healing journey. In this integrative context, EMDR provides a gateway to emotional clarity, while other modalities reinforce day-to-day functioning and relational skills. This symbiotic approach ensures that trauma resolution does not occur in isolation but contributes meaningfully to long-term recovery, resilience, and identity reconstruction. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing represents a paradigm shift in trauma therapy. By bridging neurobiology, psychology, and experiential healing, it offers a profound and efficient method for resolving deep-seated distress. In an era where trauma is increasingly recognized as a public health issue, EMDR provides a beacon of hope. Its ability to catalyze recovery, even when words fail, makes it an indispensable tool in modern psychotherapy. The effectiveness of EMDR lies not just in its technique, but in its reverence for the human mind's innate capacity to heal—when given the right conditions to do so. TIME BUSINESS NEWS

Politico
11 hours ago
- Politico
AI, meet traditional medicine
WORLD VIEW Artificial intelligence has started to integrate with so-called traditional medicine to prevent and treat illnesses, according to a new report from the World Health Organization and other United Nations bodies. But the organizations warn that this practice can lead to exploitation of indigenous people and their resources. Traditional medicine is a centuries-old practice and belief system across cultures that typically takes a holistic approach toward patients and often relies on natural resources like medicinal plants, herbs and minerals for treatments. In the U.S., this type of medicine is considered complementary and alternative medicine. How so: Researchers are using AI models in Ghana and South Africa to identify medicinal plants. In South Korea, the technology is being used to analyze compounds from traditional medicine to improve blood disorders treatments. And in India, AI-powered diagnostics are being used in ayurgenomics, an emerging field that integrates Ayurveda — which emphasizes the harmony between the body, mind and spirit for health and well-being — and modern genetics and genomics. In the U.S., the National Institutes of Health has a program that supports the use of AI for data analysis, personalization, predictive modeling, and integration of traditional and modern health approaches. Why it matters: The WHO, the International Telecommunication Union and the World Intellectual Property Organization warn that AI could become a new frontier for exploitation of indigenous knowledge without proper rules in place. The international organizations have called on governments to adopt laws that empower indigenous people to control and benefit from their data and cite successful models from Australia, Canada and New Zealand. 'We must ensure that Indigenous Peoples and local communities are not only protected but are active partners in shaping the future of AI in traditional medicine,' Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, the WHO's assistant director-general for health systems, said in a statement. WELCOME TO FUTURE PULSE This is where we explore the ideas and innovators shaping health care. POLITICO's Mickey Djuric reports on why HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants Canada to pardon 400 ostriches. Share any thoughts, news, tips and feedback with Danny Nguyen at dnguyen@ Carmen Paun at cpaun@ Ruth Reader at rreader@ or Erin Schumaker at eschumaker@ Want to share a tip securely? Message us on Signal: Dannyn516.70, CarmenP.82, RuthReader.02 or ErinSchumaker.01. WASHINGTON WATCH Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins made good on his promise to meet with Congress' biggest psychedelic therapy research advocates this week. On Monday, Collins met with Reps. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) and Lou Correa (D-Calif.), co-chairs of the psychedelics-focused PATH caucus, to discuss the VA's push to advance psychedelic therapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, substance use disorder and traumatic brain injuries. The VA is 'challenging the status quo to find new ways of helping Veterans,' Collins said in a statement. He pointed to 11 clinical trials on psychedelic therapies underway at VA as evidence of that push. 'I look forward to working with Congress as VA explores new avenues to safely and responsibly help those who have served,' he added. State-of-play: Correa and Bergman introduced the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act in April, which seeks $30 million for VA research on psychedelic therapies like MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT to treat mental health conditions. The bill would also create five centers of excellence to research alternative treatments for veterans. Bergman and Correa were also the driving force behind a lobbying push last summer to get the Food and Drug Administration to approve an application for MDMA-assisted therapy as a treatment for PTSD. But the FDA rejected the application, telling the applicant, Lykos Therapeutics, that it hadn't proved its MDMA and talk therapy regimen was a safe and effective PTSD treatment. What's next: Under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, psychedelics advocates are hopeful for another bite at the apple. Kennedy told Congress last month that results from early government studies on psychedelics at the VA and FDA were 'very, very encouraging.' Makary sees it the same way, Kennedy added: 'Marty has told me that we don't want to wait two years to get this done.'


Miami Herald
16 hours ago
- Miami Herald
WHO Extended Global Emergency Status of MPox Epidemic - Development of Treatment for MPox with NV-387 is Timely, Says NanoViricides
SHELTON, CONNECTICUT / ACCESS Newswire / July 16, 2025 / NanoViricides, Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE American:NNVC) (the "Company"), and a clinical stage, leading global pioneer in the development of broad-spectrum antivirals based on host-mimetic nanomedicine technology that viruses cannot escape, comments on the extension of the MPox Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by WHO. The Director General of WHO has extended the PHEIC declaration for MPox epidemic according to a WHO news release dated July 10, 2025, following continuing upsurge of the MPox virus (MPXV) epidemics in the African region[1]. Sporadic travel related cases of MPXV Clade I have occurred outside Africa, including in the USA, but so far have not resulted in further transmission. The threat of such sustained transmission continues, and is part of the decision to continue the PHEIC status. "Our development of NV-387 towards Phase II clinical trial for treatment of MPOX is timely for responding to the continuing threat of a global spread of MPox, and for meeting the need for treatment of MPox patients in Africa, in light of the continuing spread of MPox," said Anil R. Diwan, PhD, President and Executive Chairman of NanoViricides, Inc., adding, "If successful, this NV-387 clinical trial will also open up a multi-billion-dollar global market of preparedness for poxvirus bioterrorism to us." At present, there is no drug approved, that is actually safe and effective in humans, for the treatment of the MPox disease, which is caused by MPXV infection. Tecovirimat (SIGA) has failed to show any effectiveness over standard of care in a clinical trial for treatment of MPXV infections. Brincidofovir treatment resulted in drug-induced liver disease in three out of three treated MPox patients resulting in cessation of therapy, and did not show any effectiveness in these patients according to a peer reviewed "retrospective observational study" also called "non-randomized study"[2], [3]. In spite of this, a clinical trial of brincidofovir for treating MPox was initiated under an international coalition led by US CDC and first patient was dosed around January 2025 in this "MOSA" clinical trial[4]. The topline results from this clinical trial regarding safety and efficacy were anticipated by CY Q2 (i.e. June, 2025). We have not found any press releases announcing any such results. The orthopoxviruses can escape both small chemical drugs, tecovirimat and brincidofovir, by mutations, according to peer reviewed scientific articles[5]. The above factors clearly highlight the need for an effective therapeutic for the treatment of MPOX. In contrast to the small chemical drugs, vaccines, antibodies, that viruses escape readily, NV-387, the novel broad-spectrum antiviral developed by the Company, is designed such that viruses would not escape the drug. This is because NV-387 mimics the cell-side feature called heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) to which the viruses bind and concentrate next to the cell before they can attack the cell and cause infection. No matter how much a human pathogenic virus mutates, it continues to bind to HSPG. Over 90% of human pathogenic viruses are known to bind to HSPG. Additionally, NV-387 has been found to be extremely safe and well tolerated in a Phase I human clinical trial. There were no reported adverse events or serious adverse events in this clinical trial. In animal studies, NV-387 was found to be extremely safe, with a No-Observed-Adverse-Event Level (NOAEL) of the drug at 1,200 mg/kg, and the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) at 1,500 mg/kg in intravenous injection in rats. The Phase I clinical trial results for NV-387 were consistent with the safety observations in animal model studies. NV-387 is orally available and is formulated as oral gummies that are soft solids that do not require swallowing, and are designed to dissolve in the oral cavity itself. This is important because MPox patients may not have the ability to swallow pills or capsules because of viral lesions in the oral cavity. The Company recently announced that it has completed the development of a clinical trial protocol for the impending Phase II study of NV-387 for the treatment of MPox disease in the African Region. This will be a randomized clinical trial comparing NV-387 treatment with the Standard of Care, to evaluate the dosing regimen for NV-387, the safety and tolerability of the dosing regimen in MPox patients, and effectiveness of NV-387 on the MPXV virus and the MPox disease that it causes. Of note, both tecovirimat and brincidofovir were approved by the US FDA for smallpox virus, based on the "Animal Rule", which avoids the use of human efficacy clinical trials that would be unethical to conduct with a smallpox challenge study in humans. We also note that smallpox is a more severe disease than even the most severe form of MPox disease, and both of these drugs have been found to be inadequate for the treatment of MPox according to currently available datasets (although definitive data from the brincidofovir clinical trial has not been released yet). These two drugs (tecovirimat and brincidofovir) have been acquired in the US Strategic National Stockpile for bioterrorism preparedness to the tune of around billion dollars. The overall global market for bioterrorism preparedness against smallpox variants is estimated to be several billions of dollars. The Company anticipates that a successful Phase II clinical trial of NV-387 for the treatment of MPox would open up the US Government SNS market and similar global markets to our drug and benefit the Company's other programs as well. MPXV Clade Ib strain is dominant in major parts of Africa and continues to spread, whereas the less virulent MPXV Clade IIb strain is dominant in Sierra Leone, with cases increasing at present. While vaccination has started, overall, the uptake of available vaccines has remained lower than anticipated due to logistical, operational, and financial barriers, according to the report of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee for MPox of the WHO on June 5, 2025. MPXV Clade II has become epidemic, within limited population demographics, in the Western world including the USA since a 2022 epidemic it caused, driven by travel-related transfer from Western Africa. The PHEIC regarding MPox 2024 was first declared on August 14, 2024, and was extended in February 2025. It has been extended again now as the MPXV continues to spread in neighboring countries in Africa threatening further global spread and sustained transmission. ABOUT NANOVIRICIDES NanoViricides, Inc. (the "Company") ( is a publicly traded (NYSE-American, stock symbol NNVC) clinical stage company that is creating special purpose nanomaterials for antiviral therapy. The Company's novel nanoviricide™ class of drug candidates and the nanoviricide™ technology are based on intellectual property, technology and proprietary know-how of TheraCour Pharma, Inc. The Company has a Memorandum of Understanding with TheraCour for the development of drugs based on these technologies for all antiviral infections. The MoU does not include cancer and similar diseases that may have viral origin but require different kinds of treatments. The Company has obtained broad, exclusive, sub-licensable, field licenses to drugs developed in several licensed fields from TheraCour Pharma, Inc. The Company's business model is based on licensing technology from TheraCour Pharma Inc. for specific application verticals of specific viruses, as established at its foundation in 2005. Our lead drug candidate is NV-387, a broad-spectrum antiviral drug that we plan to develop as a treatment of RSV, COVID, Long COVID, Influenza, and other respiratory viral infections, as well as MPOX/Smallpox infections. Our other advanced drug candidate is NV-HHV-1 for the treatment of Shingles. The Company cannot project an exact date for filing an IND for any of its drugs because of dependence on a number of external collaborators and consultants. The Company is currently focused on advancing NV-387 into Phase II human clinical trials. The Company is also developing drugs against a number of viral diseases including oral and genital Herpes, viral diseases of the eye including EKC and herpes keratitis, H1N1 swine flu, H5N1 bird flu, seasonal Influenza, HIV, Hepatitis C, Rabies, Dengue fever, and Ebola virus, among others. NanoViricides' platform technology and programs are based on the TheraCour® nanomedicine technology of TheraCour, which TheraCour licenses from AllExcel. NanoViricides holds a worldwide exclusive perpetual license to this technology for several drugs with specific targeting mechanisms in perpetuity for the treatment of the following human viral diseases: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Rabies, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2), Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), Influenza and Asian Bird Flu Virus, Dengue viruses, Japanese Encephalitis virus, West Nile Virus, Ebola/Marburg viruses, and certain Coronaviruses. The Company intends to obtain a license for RSV, Poxviruses, and/or Enteroviruses if the initial research is successful. As is customary, the Company must state the risk factor that the path to typical drug development of any pharmaceutical product is extremely lengthy and requires substantial capital. As with any drug development efforts by any company, there can be no assurance at this time that any of the Company's pharmaceutical candidates would show sufficient effectiveness and safety for human clinical development. Further, there can be no assurance at this time that successful results against coronavirus in our lab will lead to successful clinical trials or a successful pharmaceutical product. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events. Actual events could differ materially and substantially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors. Certain statements in this release, and other written or oral statements made by NanoViricides, Inc. are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's expectations include, but are not limited to, those factors that are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in documents filed by the company from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. Although it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors, they may include the following: demonstration and proof of principle in preclinical trials that a nanoviricide is safe and effective; successful development of our product candidates; our ability to seek and obtain regulatory approvals, including with respect to the indications we are seeking; the successful commercialization of our product candidates; and market acceptance of our products. The phrases "safety", "effectiveness" and equivalent phrases as used in this press release refer to research findings including clinical trials as the customary research usage and do not indicate evaluation of safety or effectiveness by the US FDA. FDA refers to US Food and Drug Administration. IND application refers to "Investigational New Drug" application. cGMP refers to current Good Manufacturing Practices. CMC refers to "Chemistry, Manufacture, and Controls". CHMP refers to the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, which is the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) committee responsible for human medicines. API stands for "Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient". WHO is the World Health Organization. R&D refers to Research and Development. Contact:NanoViricides, Public Relations Contact:ir@