The isolated East Asian country has only stated how many people have fevers daily, and has only identified a few of the cases as COVID-19 since admitting to an outbreak of the omicron variant.
The antiviral drug is prescribed to those at risk of severe disease. It's been credited with reducing hospitalizations. But then there's the "Paxlovid rebound."
Scientists went to extraordinary lengths to eradicate smallpox from the world. Rahima Banu is now recorded as having the last known naturally-occurring case of the deadly form.
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Jean Lee, a journalist specializing in North Korea, about the country's report of a major disease outbreak that state media is not calling COVID-19, yet.
Dr. Denis Mukwege has spent decades treating women who have been raped in his homeland of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He's calling on the world to take action for women in Ukraine.
A report finds 23 million people are experiencing extreme hunger in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, which face their worst drought in 40 years. Food prices hit record highs after Russia attacked Ukraine.
Poland's abortion laws are among the strictest in Europe. Advocates are seeking to help Ukrainian refugees who wish to terminate a pregnancy — including women raped by Russian soldiers during the war.
The vaccine couldn't have come at a more critical time, with a surge in cases and deaths from malaria during the pandemic. But its efficacy — and its schedule — are far from ideal.
The second Global COVID-19 Summit aimed to refocus the world's attention on the pandemic. Here's what governments and members of the private and public sector pledged to do.
During the pandemic scientists launched a vaccine in record-breaking time. Their successful use of mRNA technology could lead to progress in the decades-long effort for an HIV inoculation.
While the scale of the outbreak isn't known, it could have serious consequences because the country has a poor health care system and its 26 million people are believed to be mostly unvaccinated.
We asked experts from around the world: What would they like to see on the agenda for this virtual event. Their ideas include fair pay for all health workers — and a makeover for foreign aid.
NPR's A Martinez talks to Jeff Levi, George Washington University professor of Health Policy and Management, about the upcoming White House COVID Summit.
The Constitutional Court issued the ruling in February of this year. It's part of a so-called "green wave" of liberalizing abortion rights in some Latin America countries. And it's led to protests.
Journalists have compiled instances of favoring international staff over local staff and treating people of color inequitably. A grassroots group of staffers agrees. Here's how MSF is responding.
Whether it's a wedding, graduation or meeting, indoor events can spread the virus. Here's a complete guide: what to ponder before going, how to cut risks while there, what to do if cases crop up.
Asher's dad died in a car crash in Nigeria when she was 5. Her grief-stricken mother used strict and innovative methods to raise 4 kids. Asher honors her mom in the memoir Where the Children Take Us.
That's how Paul Spiegel characterizes the reception — and medical services — offered by European nations. He spent 7 weeks on the scene for the World Health Organization to assess the situation.
Case in point: India, which reported 481,000 COVID-19 deaths in 2020 and 2021. The World Health Organization found 4.74 million deaths there either directly or indirectly attributable to the pandemic.
The 2022 honoree is Cynthia Rosenzweig, whose computer modeling shows the impact on global crops. She talks about her "aha" moment, a big surprise in her findings and her plans for the $250,000 prize.
For 9 months, teen girls have been pretty much unable to go to school. Protests have been shut down. Now clerics — including some affiliated with the Taliban – are urging an end to the school ban.
New versions of omicron are circulating in the United States and South Africa. Two new studies shed light on the potential for future surges — and the risk factor if you've already had omicron.
