Health News Roundup: Mpox Crisis, Neuralink Progress, and More

This health news summary covers an appeal by the UN Migration Agency for $18.5 million to combat the mpox outbreak in Africa, significant developments from Elon Musk's Neuralink, a dramatic explosion at an Indian pharma plant, and other vital health updates from around the globe.

In a concerted effort to combat the mpox outbreak in East and Southern Africa, the UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has appealed for $18.5 million. IOM Director General Amy Pope highlighted the severe impact on migrant, highly mobile populations and displaced communities.

Elon Musk's brain technology company, Neuralink, announced successful progress in its second human trial, circumventing previous issues faced by the first trial implant. The patient, named Alex, reported no thread retraction problems.

Health officials in Argentina have ruled out a suspected mpox case on a grain ship after tests came back negative. Meanwhile, Central Africa's mpox surge continues to affect vulnerable populations, particularly in displacement camps like the one near Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Tragedy struck in Andhra Pradesh, India, where an explosion at a pharmaceutical plant resulted in 15 deaths and 40 injuries. Rescue efforts are ongoing, according to local authorities.

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has called for increased scrutiny on U.S. clinical trials in China, citing concerns over intellectual property theft and potential forced participation of Uyghurs.

The FDA has declined approval for Regeneron's blood cancer therapy, linvoseltamab. The drug was intended for multiple myeloma patients whose conditions had worsened after previous treatments.

Thailand and the Philippines have both reported new mpox cases, although health officials in the Philippines assured that their detected variant is milder. In contrast, Thailand is treating a European traveler as a Clade 1 case.

Lastly, China has indicted a Japanese employee of Astellas Pharma on charges of espionage, marking a serious development in international relations and corporate security.

(With inputs from agencies.)