Global Health Updates: From Mpox Vaccinations in Nigeria to Obesity Concerns in China

The latest health updates include Nigeria's upcoming mpox vaccination drive starting October 8, UNICEF's emergency tender for mpox vaccines, and concerns over rising obesity rates in China. Other highlights include bird flu contingencies at US state fairs, mpox challenges in Congo, polio vaccinations in Gaza, and South Korea's ER crisis. Sanofi's mixed MS drug trial results also make headlines.

Nigeria is set to commence mpox vaccinations on October 8, following regulatory approvals. The country received 10,000 vaccine doses from the U.S. Agency for International Development, with 40 confirmed cases so far and no fatalities.

UNICEF has initiated an emergency tender, in collaboration with Gavi, Africa CDC, and WHO, to secure mpox vaccines for crisis-hit nations. The agreement could secure up to 12 million doses through 2025.

In China, fewer construction projects and automation in factories are leading to increased obesity rates, a rising concern for healthcare costs. Poor diets, long work hours, and inadequate rural healthcare are contributing factors.

Michigan's state fair will feature life-sized fiberglass cows for milking demonstrations due to bird flu concerns affecting real dairy workers and herds.

Eastern Congo, the center of a global mpox outbreak, faces medicine and food shortages in hospitals as the WHO declared a public health emergency.

The U.N. has begun a polio vaccination campaign for 640,000 children in Gaza, despite ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The first polio case in 25 years was reported last month.

South Korea denies reports of a collapsing emergency room system but acknowledges a strain due to a strike by young doctors, deploying military doctors to assist.

Sanofi's latest trial for a multiple sclerosis drug produced mixed results, failing in common relapsing forms but succeeding in a less common progressive form, which led to a positive market response.

(With inputs from agencies.)