Disease epidemic Meningitis is sweeping across the conflict-torn Central African Republic, threaten-ing up to one million people. Overwhelmed local authorities are working with aid agencies to contain the outbreak in this landlocked country, where life expectancy is just 43 years. The UN’s Emergency Response Fund is subsidising vaccination for 80 000 people, but is appealing for further donations to save more lives.
Drug guidelines WHO has released new guidelines in response to requests from countries about which second-line antiretroviral therapies to include in their national programmes. This move should help to drive down prices of the drugs included and also encourage fast-track drug approvals.

Access to reproductive care The Center for Reproductive Rights has lobbied the UN to confront the USA about its gross inequalities in reproductive health care. It stressed the disparities in maternal mortality rates between black and white women in the USA, and the many financial and political barriers to adequate reproductive and sexual care faced by women of colour or low socioeconomic status.

Positive education Every weekend, Chennai’s all woman first-aid brigade teaches life-saving skills to students throughout the city. The programme has been so successful that it is now to join with a non-governmental organisation to widen its reach. The brigade is experienced in responding to emergencies, such as road accidents, snakebites, and asthma. So far, over 2000 students have learnt the basics of first aid.

Record HIV rates In Japan, data released by the AIDS Surveillance Committee shows HIV infections reached a record 1048 people in 2007, with another 400 recorded cases of AIDS. The chairman of the Committee claims, “As the number of people getting checks rapidly increases, the number of (HIV) positives grows fast.” Yearly HIV infections in Japan have never before exceeded 1000.

Panic in Paraguay The confirmation of five cases of yellow fever in Paraguay last week sparked a highway blockade by some 4000 people demanding a major vaccination campaign and condemning the lack of government preparedness. Only 100 000 vaccination doses were in stock for the population of nearly seven million.

Equipment concerns Inaccurate hospital weighing scales could be endangering the lives of patients in the UK, according to trading-standards pilot studies. One 4-year-old cancer patient narrowly missed a harmful dose of radiation after being weighed on bathroom scales. Trading-standards officers will now launch a year-long crackdown to inspect all hospital weighing equipment for accuracy and fitness for purpose.

Safety boxes Under the govern-ment’s new HIV-prevention campaign, bars, restaurants, and shops on islands off the coast of Gabon have boxes of condoms in highly visible locations. 1·5% of the islands’ 160 000 inhabitants are HIV positive but health officials are concerned about the spread of HIV and hope that making condoms readily available will help change behaviour.

Botox under review The US Food and Drug Administration is reviewing the safety of botulinum toxins after reports of adverse reactions, including respiratory failure and death. Most serious cases were in children treated for cerebral palsy. Such treatment has been approved in about 60 countries including the UK, but not the USA.

Doctors’ (inappropriate) behaviour The Serbian Ministry of Health has proposed a new code of conduct for its hospital employees which not only emphasises the importance of patient privacy, but also suggests a ban on grumpiness, rudeness, gossip, and wearing mini-skirts within hospitals. The proposal has so far only created additional gossip.

Failed promises Despite President Thabo Mbeki’s promise last year that all South Africans would have access to sanitation by the end of 2007, many people must still resort to buckets or bushes. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has refused to provide sanitation to those it claims have invaded unused land and built shacks without permission.

Fish in space German scientists are planning to launch 60 cichlid fish on a 260 km rocket ride into space to try to unravel the secrets of motion sickness. The fish won’t feel too out of place, however. Each will be housed in its own aquarium-some will be in a slowly turning centrifuge while others will travel in pure zero gravity state. Let’s hope the results hold water.

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