health news rss feed https://www.theafrica.co.za/rss/ https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/poliorelated-virus-strains-detected-in-cape-town-wastewater-461652129 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/poliorelated-virus-strains-detected-in-cape-town-wastewater-461652129 Health authorities are monitoring a Cape Town wastewater treatment plant after routine testing detected traces of two different polio-related virus strains, prompting intensified surveillance measures Sat, 23 May 2026 20:12:12 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/girls-in-sa-get-free-hpv-jabs-boys-dont-find-out-why-they-should-461562184 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/girls-in-sa-get-free-hpv-jabs-boys-dont-find-out-why-they-should-461562184 A 40-year-old man walks into his doctors room with a lump in his throat. He doesnt smoke. He barely drinks. He has no family history of cancer. What he does have is a common virus hes never been teste Thu, 14 May 2026 19:38:51 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/nine-lessons-to-make-sas-antihiv-jab-rollout-work-46149282 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/nine-lessons-to-make-sas-antihiv-jab-rollout-work-46149282 In less than a month , South Africa will start rolling out the most potent HIV prevention medication the world has seen. But that alone doesnt guarantee that HIV-negative people who need this twice-a- Thu, 07 May 2026 16:13:03 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/more-hiv-funding-cuts-are-coming-for-sa-this-time-its-a-slow-fade-but-with-clear-risks-461402176 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/more-hiv-funding-cuts-are-coming-for-sa-this-time-its-a-slow-fade-but-with-clear-risks-461402176 South Africa has less than eight years before one of the most important sources of funding for its HIV and TB programmes falls away. In allocation letters sent in March to the countries it funds, Th Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:13:47 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/how-a-boy-born-on-world-tb-day-helped-turn-the-tide-on-sas-deadliest-tb-461052239 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/how-a-boy-born-on-world-tb-day-helped-turn-the-tide-on-sas-deadliest-tb-461052239 Norbert Ndjeka was born on March 24 1965, in what is today Sankuru Province in the central part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was only many years later that I realised that this was the Wo Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:28:53 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/180-000-infections-in-2024-47-000-by-2045-if-sa-rolls-out-the-twiceayear-hiv-prevention-jab-fast-eno-461042176 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/180-000-infections-in-2024-47-000-by-2045-if-sa-rolls-out-the-twiceayear-hiv-prevention-jab-fast-eno-461042176 South Africas first batch of the once-every-six-months HIV prevention shot, lenacapavir (LEN) paid for with the countrys grant from the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria will arrive soon, the Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:59:53 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/ian-von-memerty-rekindles-assisted-dying-conversation-460622255 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/ian-von-memerty-rekindles-assisted-dying-conversation-460622255 Veteran television personality and theatre figure Ian von Memerty has reignited public discussion around assisted dying after speaking openly about end-of-life autonomy through a new online series, Ca Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:32:13 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/what-will-hiv-funding-look-like-in-2026-460622172 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/what-will-hiv-funding-look-like-in-2026-460622172 Health organisations that merge, more investment from the private sector, larger contributions from local governments and a much bigger focus on preventing new HIV infections. Thats how the internat Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:32:09 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/scientists-warn-that-gen-z-cognitive-skills-are-slipping-46062254 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/scientists-warn-that-gen-z-cognitive-skills-are-slipping-46062254 Generation Z (born between 1997 to 2010) are showing lower performance than previous cohorts in core cognitive areas, a leading neuroscientist told a US Senate committee, blaming the rapid spread of c Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:32:03 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/groote-schuur-hospital-enrols-first-hiv-trial-participant-460612208 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/groote-schuur-hospital-enrols-first-hiv-trial-participant-460612208 South Africa’s long-standing efforts to develop an HIV vaccine have entered a new phase with the enrolment of the first participant in the BRILLIANT 011 clinical trial at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cap Sun, 08 Feb 2026 21:19:16 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/valentines-month-puts-heart-health-first-460562162 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/valentines-month-puts-heart-health-first-460562162 As Valentine`s Month unfolds across South Africa, the focus is shifting beyond flowers and chocolates to something far more enduring; heart health. This February, the Heart and Stroke Foundation Sou Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:56:43 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/flip-flop-day-2026-steps-up-for-children-46053270 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/flip-flop-day-2026-steps-up-for-children-46053270 South Africans are once again being invited to put their best foot forward for a cause that carries both heart and impact, as Flip Flop Day 2026 returns on Friday, 20 February, reports Cape {town}Etc Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:09:21 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/tpc-performs-first-robotic-gynaecological-surgery-in-west-africa-46051245 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/tpc-performs-first-robotic-gynaecological-surgery-in-west-africa-46051245 TPC Performs First Robotic Gynaecological Surgery In West Africa The Prostate Clinic (TPC), a private hospital in Nigeria, has performed what can be described as West Africa`s first-ever robotic-as Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:37:10 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/experts-social-media-addiction-could-lead-to-mental-health-challenges-46051244 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/experts-social-media-addiction-could-lead-to-mental-health-challenges-46051244 Experts: Social Media Addiction Could Lead To Mental Health Challenges Two medical experts have spoken about the health risks associated with excessive phone and social media usage, advising that t Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:37:10 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/bauchi-lassa-fever-survivors-begin-infectious-diseases-campaign-46051243 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/bauchi-lassa-fever-survivors-begin-infectious-diseases-campaign-46051243 Bauchi: Lassa Fever Survivors Begin Infectious Diseases Campaign Several Lassa fever survivors in Bauchi State have begun public sensitisation activities to create awareness of the disease. The s Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:37:10 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/experts-selenium-is-necessary-for-brain-development-in-children-46051242 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/experts-selenium-is-necessary-for-brain-development-in-children-46051242 Experts: Selenium Is Necessary For Brain Development In Children Experts have advised that selenium, a little-known micronutrient, is crucial for brain development in toddlers and boosts their immu Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:37:10 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/experts-anaemia-crisis-in-nigeria-now-at-critical-level-46051241 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/experts-anaemia-crisis-in-nigeria-now-at-critical-level-46051241 Experts: Anaemia Crisis In Nigeria Now At Critical Level Experts have warned that with Nigeria`s anaemia and malnutrition crisis having reached critical levels, it remains a threat towards national Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:37:10 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/nipah-virus-sri-lanka-ramps-up-surveillance-as-more-cases-emerge-460502434 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/nipah-virus-sri-lanka-ramps-up-surveillance-as-more-cases-emerge-460502434 Nipah Virus: Sri Lanka Ramps Up Surveillance As More Cases Emerge Sri Lanka has amped up its monitoring measures following recent reports of a Nipah virus cluster in India`s eastern state of West B Wed, 28 Jan 2026 23:03:59 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/cape-town-probes-stomach-flu-aboard-regent-seven-seas-460492401 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/cape-town-probes-stomach-flu-aboard-regent-seven-seas-460492401 Cape Town health authorities are monitoring a cruise ship docking at the city`s Cruise Terminal after a small number of passengers reported stomach flu symptoms upon arrival on Monday, reports Cape {t Tue, 27 Jan 2026 21:14:10 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/diphtheria-cases-persist-western-cape-most-affected-460482406 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/diphtheria-cases-persist-western-cape-most-affected-460482406 South Africa continues to record cases of respiratory diphtheria, with the Western Cape accounting for the bulk of infections identified over the past two years, according to the latest situational up Mon, 26 Jan 2026 22:25:00 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/athlone-teen-trains-classmates-to-tackle-drugs-youth-mental-health-460472204 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/athlone-teen-trains-classmates-to-tackle-drugs-youth-mental-health-460472204 Ra-id Williams, a 16-year-old Grade 10 pupil at Belgravia Secondary School, has launched the Peer Educators Foundation to confront the city`s worsening youth mental health crisis and give learners pra Sun, 25 Jan 2026 22:43:06 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/ncdc-confirms-dengue-fever-outbreak-in-sokoto-one-fatality-reported-460452191 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/ncdc-confirms-dengue-fever-outbreak-in-sokoto-one-fatality-reported-460452191 NCDC Confirms Dengue Fever Outbreak in Sokoto, One Fatality Reported The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), on Thursday raised the alarm over increasing cases of dengue fever Fri, 23 Jan 2026 18:35:18 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/lassa-fever-claims-two-lives-in-benue-460452192 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/lassa-fever-claims-two-lives-in-benue-460452192 Lassa Fever Claims Two Lives in Benue The Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, has disclosed that two people have died from Lassa fever in the state. The commi Fri, 23 Jan 2026 18:35:18 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/medical-negligence-and-the-limits-of-good-intentions-by-aishat-m-abisola-460452193 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/medical-negligence-and-the-limits-of-good-intentions-by-aishat-m-abisola-460452193 Medical Negligence and the Limits of Good Intentions By Aishat M. Abisola In 2025, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare launched the National Health Fellows Programme, aiming to strengthen pri Fri, 23 Jan 2026 18:35:18 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/how-often-should-you-really-have-your-teeth-cleaned-460432330 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/how-often-should-you-really-have-your-teeth-cleaned-460432330 You brush, floss (sometimes), and swish mouthwash with good intentions. Why does your dentist still keep mentioning a professional cleaning ? Because teeth cleaning is not about being good or bad . It Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:55:03 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/the-new-rule-of-fitness-in-2026-dont-go-solo-460352322 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/the-new-rule-of-fitness-in-2026-dont-go-solo-460352322 As the new year settles in, fitness routines across South Africa are being rethought, as many people are still chasing familiar goals, more movement, better health, routines that don`t fade by Februar Tue, 13 Jan 2026 20:00:53 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/kzn-rolls-out-controversial-circumcision-device-amid-safety-concerns-460352220 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/kzn-rolls-out-controversial-circumcision-device-amid-safety-concerns-460352220 About 96 000 circumcision devices procured under a controversial national treasury tender are about to be rolled out to clinics in KwaZulu-Natal. The tender is being challenged in court with allegat Tue, 13 Jan 2026 20:00:47 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/sahpra-issues-alert-on-the-dangers-of-zinc-picolinate-and-selenium-for-kids-46035260 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/sahpra-issues-alert-on-the-dangers-of-zinc-picolinate-and-selenium-for-kids-46035260 The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has issued a crucial warning regarding products containing zinc picolinate and selenium that are being marketed for children, reports Ca Tue, 13 Jan 2026 11:09:49 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/edo-launches-measlesrubella-vaccination-drive-for-22-million-children-460312374 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/edo-launches-measlesrubella-vaccination-drive-for-22-million-children-460312374 Edo Launches Measles-Rubella Vaccination Drive for 2.2 million Children Edo State is set to vaccinate 2.2 million children aged 9 months to 14 years against Measles-Rubella as part of the Nigeria I Fri, 09 Jan 2026 23:57:00 GMT https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/nestle-issues-global-infant-formula-recall-460292371 https://www.theafrica.co.za/africanews/nestle-issues-global-infant-formula-recall-460292371 Nestle has begun recalling selected batches of its infant nutrition products across multiple international markets following the detection of a quality issue linked to an ingredient supplied by a thir Wed, 07 Jan 2026 20:57:00 GMT