Epidemics

Foreign Bodies by Simon Schama review – pandemics and prejudice

The historian brings his considerable literary talents to this study of how blame, often mixed with antisemitism, has attended disease and vaccination through the ages

Mark Honigsbaum

21, May, 2023 @6:00 AM

Is Covid really over? WHO’s announcement sounds more like surrender than victory

Although the acute phase of the pandemic may be over, experts agree that the virus’s effects will remain profound

Robin McKie Observer science editor

07, May, 2023 @7:00 AM

UK develops genetic early warning system for future pandemics

Project aims to roll out cheap, easy-to-use technology across the globe to spot emergence of new health threats

Robin McKie

02, Apr, 2023 @7:00 AM

Former vaccines chief sounds warning about UK pandemic readiness

Kate Bingham raises concerns to committee of MPs as head of UKHSA suggests Covid could be on rise again

Nicola Davis Science correspondent

30, Nov, 2022 @10:21 PM

Health sector pushes for certainty on establishment of an Australian Centre for Disease Control

Medical groups ‘optimistic’ as October budget commits to initial consultation but urge Labor to provide greater detail and more resources

Sarah Martin Chief political correspondent

03, Nov, 2022 @12:30 AM

Monkeypox declared global health emergency by WHO as cases surge

Declaration is strongest call to action agency can make, with most recent such announcement being for Covid

Nicola Davis and Miranda Bryant

23, Jul, 2022 @2:15 PM

Mystery of Black Death’s origins solved, say researchers

International team link spike in deaths at cemeteries in Kyrgyzstan in 1300s to start of plague pandemic

Ian Sample Science editor

15, Jun, 2022 @3:00 PM

North Korea ‘in great turmoil’ over Covid death toll, says Kim Jong-un

Regime reports another 21 deaths as fresh outbreaks of coronavirus in South Africa and US concern health officials

Justin McCurry in Tokyo, Jason Burke in Cape Town

15, May, 2022 @9:00 AM

Pigs can pass deadly superbugs to people, study reveals

Research into C difficile found antibiotic resistance is growing as a result of overuse on farm stock

Robin McKie Science editor

24, Apr, 2022 @8:00 AM

Public health measures are key to curbing Covid in UK, say scientists

On the second anniversary of the first lockdown, experts including Wellcome Trust director Jeremy Farrar, outline what needs to be done to cope with pandemics

James Tapper and Michael Savage

20, Mar, 2022 @8:30 AM

Failure to prevent pandemics at source is ‘greatest folly’, say scientists

Protecting wildlife to stop viruses jumping to humans would save far more than it costs, analysis shows

Damian Carrington Environment editor

04, Feb, 2022 @7:00 PM

Britain got it wrong on Covid: long lockdown did more harm than good, says scientist

A new book outlines the mistakes and missteps that made UK pandemic worse