COVID-19, Bundibugyo Ebolavirus, mRNA Vaccinations, Measles, NHS and other Health and Virus UK and World News Update 10th July 2026
Resident doctors in England have voted to accept the new government pay offer - with 53% voting in favour. Yeeeeay!
This ends 3 years of strikes and discontent.
Basic pay starting salaries will be just over £40,000, rising to £76,500 for the most senior positions - with faster pay progression. Necessary out-of-pocket expenses such as exam fees will be covered and there will be more training jobs - 4,500 extra places have been promised for newly qualified doctors.
"Senior doctors in England who are members of the BMA have voted for industrial action over pay. 76 per cent of consultants voting were in favour on a 52 per cent turnout. Specialist (SAS) doctors were in favour but didn’t hit the 50 per cent turnout threshold."
Hugh Pym, BBC Health Editor.
The English Government finally manages to make one group of (resident) doctors happy, and, somewhat unsurprisingly, along comes another disgruntled cohort.
Sadly the NHS England waiting list for non-emergency treatment has risen slightly for the last 2 months. The NHS Scotland list is also up a touch.
Average A&E attendances in England in June broke records at 81,264 per day, which surely has a knock-on effect. Add in strikes and holidays, drug shortages and spending caps, and the fact they removed all of the deceased people from the lists in Spring, and voila. Not exactly a complete surprise. Better luck next month folks (psst - we need more doctors and nurses!).
The UK is still suffering sporadic supply and shortages of vital medicines. According to a report by the BBC, who interviewed patients and pharmacists, these include medications for ADHD, epilepsy and blood pressure control, as well as HRT, Creon and insulin.
Supplies are 'lumpy', so you will get your medicine, but plan ahead and don't leave it until the last couple of days to order repeat prescriptions.
Remember the fabulous deal UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced with the US, where the UK would raise the price per healthy life year that we're prepared to pay for some specialist treatments, well... the BMJ (British Medical Journal) have looked into it, and their analysis suggests that to pay for it the NHS will have to divert almost £45 BILLION from essential services over the next 11 years (why 11?, random, but anyway..). Diverting that money may offer some people a chance to try new and innovative drugs, it may even be their last chance, and to them it is everything, but it's only expected to fund 2-5 new drugs, most of the cost would be increases to existing approved medicines.
According to the BMJ analysis, diverting that money is likely to have a knock on effect of increased health inequalities and raising excess preventable deaths by 229,000 over the 11 years. Local Authorities would then also have a cost because of increased use of adult social care. They say the money would be better reallocated to existing health services, especially in deprived areas.
Billions of doses of mRNA vaccines have now been administered, and a global review led by researchers at the University of British Columbia and published in The Lancet has found them to be "safe, effective and full of promise".
They have proven themselves with COVID, and the potential is massive, in part because they can so easily be adapted and tailored to a specific pathogen. Research and studies are already underway for a range of diseases, including flu, RSV, cancers and autoimmune disorders.
The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC is not slowing down, and has spread to 2 more provinces - Tshopo and Haut-Uele.
Almost 2 months in and DRC are reporting an average of around 70 newly confirmed cases and 23 deaths a day.
At the latest official count in DRC there are 1,792 confirmed cases and 625 deaths. 295 people have recovered.
In Uganda there have been a total of 20 confirmed cases and 2 deaths, plus 1 suspected death. 17 people have recovered.
The person in France who was confirmed infected has recovered - and fingers crossed without infecting anyone else. He's a doctor who spent a month working in the hardest hit Ebola area - Ituri. He travelled from Ituri to the capital Kinshasa, spent 3 days there, then boarded an 8 hour flight to Paris with a headache. By the time he landed he felt ill, and presented himself immediately to emergency medical services.
Flights from Kinshasa to France were temporarily halted, but have now resumed with enhanced health checks.
5 people with close contact have been isolated in quarantine. Ebola spreads via all body fluids, and doesn’t tend to ever sit in the upper respiratory tract, so sharing breathing space isn’t considered a risk - but touching is.
After tension rose regarding safe burial of deceased patients, the Ebola Treatment Centre in Mambasa was set on fire on 30th June. Two people died, including a police officer. The Ebola treatment centre and a health centre were completely destroyed, medicines burned and all of the patients fled.
This is horrific in so many ways. People died, there are confirmed patients loose in the community and healthcare facilities were already over capacity and struggling to give care to all who came forward.
It appears around 300 confirmed Ebola patients have already fled treatment centres and hospitals, through fear, confusion or disbelief that Ebola even exists.
It isn’t all bad news in DRC. Testing has increased from 30 a day to 2,000, meaning patients can be told they definitely have Ebola quite quickly.
The World Food Programme is supplying meals for patients, and they are also being offered clothing, encouraging them to stay in hospital.
Dr Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) has continued to protest against international travel restrictions due to the Ebola outbreak in DRC. Restrictions on DRC (which is a MASSIVE country and most is not affected), Uganda (only a handful of locally acquired cases) and South Sudan (not a single case) are causing real problems for aid agencies and regular trade, and causing economic instability already. They also lead desperate people to use unofficial crossing points with no control or surveillance, or cheat the system by flying via other countries.
15 countries have now imposed restrictions, including the US, Canada, the Bahamas, Jordan and Bahrain.
Uganda has reported the death of an 18 month old infant from Marburg virus. At this point they say no-one else is showing symptoms, but it is hard to imagine how such a young child caught Marburg alone.
Marburg is a haemorrhagic fever virus which causes symptoms very similar to Ebola, beginning as flu-like, with fever, headache, joint pain and stomach upset, and often leading to haemorrhaging (bleeding) and multi-organ failure. Like Bundibugyo Ebolavirus, it spreads via all body fluids (including blood, sweat and tears), and there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments. Mortality is very high, around 50%, but swift treatment with rehydration considerably increases survival chances.
The US government were first to issue a level 4 advisory - do not travel.
Sudan is another area of the world affected by war, with over 14 million people displaced. On 20th June they declared a cholera outbreak in West Kordofan state. The State Ministry of Health reported 838 suspected cases, 7 confirmed cases and 117 deaths.
The World Health Organisation is coordinating the health response, organising treatment centres and oral rehydration points, cholera kits and handwashing stations, training chlorinators, hygiene promoters and health workers, and supporting community health education.
The 2 major earthquakes were only the beginning of the disaster in Venezuela. Aid groups report that the healthcare system is completely overwhelmed, and with many thousands of people sleeping and living outdoors or in overcrowded shelters, the risk of disease spreading is massive.
Satellite photography suggests around 59,000 buildings have been destroyed or damaged, including 31 hospitals - 3 of which are completely destroyed.
Power, water and food supplies have all been heavily affected, leaving people struggling to find enough food to survive, and drinking from unclean water sources. Handwashing water and soap are in very short supply, as are flushable toilets - or even just any toilets. Under these circumstances it is incredibly easy for diseases to take hold, and not just things like cholera or dysentery, measles, Norovirus or flu can spread rapidly through a shelter.
3,535 people are known to have died. Over 30,000 people are still listed as 'missing'.
Talking of measles...
- In England in 2026 to 6th July there have been 883 confirmed measles cases, an increase of 82 cases in 2 weeks.
52% (463/883) are in London, 17% (147/883) in the West Midlands, and 10% (89/883) in the North West.
The 2025 total was 959, and in 2024 it was 2,911 (the highest number of annual cases in decades), so not the worst, but still not good.
- In the US in 2026 up to 9th July there have been 2,231 confirmed measles cases reported. The 2025 year total was 2,289, so 2026 really is going badly.
- In Canada in 2026 up to 6th July there have been 1,083 measles cases reported. This is DOWN on last year, so although their outbreak continues, it's improving.
- It can be hard to find recent information from non-English speaking or less informative countries, but I do my best. As of 18th June Mexico's outbreak had totalled 11,532 cases. The horrific outbreak in Bangladesh (which only began on 15th March and initiated a mass immunisation campaign), on 20th June totalled 91,789 cases and 677 deaths. The vast majority are young children.
There has been a massive rise in Equine Influenza (horse flu) in England, including an outbreak in the ponies in the New Forest. The 5,000 New Forest ponies are free-roaming and semi-wild (although they do all have owners) and vets have decided not to vaccinate as it would cause undue distress.
Several horse and pony events have been cancelled or are requiring participants to have fully vaccinated their animals before they can take part.
According to The Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance group at Cambridge Vet School there were just 4 confirmed cases of Equine Influenza last year, and this year since 1st April there have been 177 across 55 counties - and that is only the lab-confirmed cases.
Equine flu is very much like human flu, spread by droplets and in the air. It causes a cough and snuffly nose, tiredness, sore joints, and occasionally can lead to more serious illness including pneumonia. Equine flu vaccination is also similar to human flu vaccination - it prevents severe illness in most cases. Only 11% of infected horses and ponies are known to be vaccinated.
H5N1 Avian Flu should be quiet in the Northern hemisphere as we approach Summer, and it is the case in most of Europe (still no newly detected cases in the UK), but sadly it's not proving entirely true everywhere.
In the last 30 days the US has detected 20 new infections in dairy cattle, and 6 in bird flocks - 1 commercial and 5 backyard. Tragically the commercial premises is massive, so 1.22 MILLION birds have died or been culled as a result.
The Southern hemisphere is beginning their Winter, and sadly H5N1 was finally confirmed on the Australian mainland on 14th June. They have now confirmed H5N1 in 12 wild birds - 10 Giant Petrels, 1 Brown Skua and the latest, a Greater Crested Tern. The Tern is the most upsetting for Australian authorities, as the other 11 birds are migratory, and the Tern is an Australian coastal bird which must have caught H5N1 near or on the Australian mainland.
Not a virus, but there is a massive outbreak of Cyclosporiasis centred in Michigan, US. This is a parasite which causes stomach upset and generally spreads through poo-contaminated water or food. Most people recover within a couple of days. Generally there are around 40-50 confirmed cases a year, but since 22nd June at least 992 cases have been confirmed, with at least 36 people hospitalised. North Carolina, Illinois and New Jersey are also affected, and Ohio has at least 177 confirmed cases. It's anyone's guess how many other people have been ill and didn’t even go to a doctor.
The hypothesis is it must be linked to fresh produce and urgent efforts are underway to try and track the source.
Another massive sudden outbreak making the news is Dengue in Sri Lanka. Cases more than doubled the normal rate in June to 21,539. During the first 8 days of July there were 9,654 cases (there were 5,500 to 8,500 per month earlier in the year). Health facilities are struggling to cope, comparing it to the first COVID wave. Dengue is rarely fatal, but can cause pain and fever for a long time, and severely ill patients can have uncontrolled bleeding.
Dengue is spread by mosquitoes, and it is not yet known why there is a sudden surge in cases. The military have now been deployed to locate and destroy breeding grounds.
The US Air Force have confirmed that the flu outbreak among new recruits at the basic training hub in San Antonio has claimed the life of a recruit.
This was a young, fit and healthy individual who has died from flu.
In the first 3 weeks there were at least 275 confirmed flu cases.
The Pentagon responded immediately by restoring mandatory flu jabs for service personnel - a mere 2 months after US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said they were optional.
I've spoken before about Alpha-Gal Syndrome, usually caused when people are bitten by Lone Star Ticks and develop an allergy to products from mammals - meat, dairy, gelatine etc. Lone Star Ticks are mostly found in the US.
The allergy ranges from very mild stomach discomfort to life-threatening anaphylaxis, and because it can take time to develop, may never even be associated with mammal products or a tick bite.
Researchers wanted to find out how prevalent it really might be, so tested 3,000 American blood donations for antibodies. They found in states where Lone Star ticks and Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) are more common, there was an average estimated seroprevalence of 24% - almost 1 in 4. In states where Lone Star ticks don't exist, estimated seroprevalence was below 1%.
There are around 450,000 US adults estimated to have AGS, which is just 0.14% of the population. The findings suggest that while AGS may be more common than people realise, most of those bitten simply never develop it.
Researchers suggest testing is reserved only for those with symptoms, or a lot of people are going to have restricted diets unnecessarily.
The cancer Alzheimer’s disease paradox:
"While cancer and Alzheimer’s disease share many risk factors, most notably aging, paradoxically, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in patients with cancer is reduced by 25–35%. Conversely, the risk of cancer in patients with Alzheimer’s disease is halved."
Rebecca Feng, Nature magazine.
No-one really knows why this paradox exists, but they are super keen to find out.
A new 'PinPoint' blood test which can diagnose high or low risks of certain womb cancers has been found to be 99% accurate - which is more accurate than any other tests we already use.
PinPoint was developed in Leeds, UK, and uses 30 biomarkers in blood to assess likelihood of uterine or endometrial cancer post-menopause in people who suffer heavy bleeding. Around 18,000 people a year could avoid having to have a transvaginal ultrasound scan, which is uncomfortable and often painful or embarrassing. It would also free up medical time for quicker treatment of patients who do need further investigation, and give low risk patients peace of mind far more quickly.
In Spring 2027 NHS England is planning to launch "marathon a month", which will reward people who walk for around 30 minutes each day.
The details aren't finalised, but it’s hoped they can team up with retailers to offer discounts and incentives to improve the nation's overall activity levels and health.
Walks will be logged using smartphones or watches and other wearables, and the NHS will fund development of an app. to log activity, as part of the 10-year health plan for England.
Around a quarter of UK adults get less than 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week, and it is linked to increased likelihood of some illnesses and early deaths. This is a proactive step the NHS can take to improve the health of the nation long term. It can be free for participants and doesn’t take up valuable medical professionals' time. Could be a winner. Sadly I already walk the dog at least 2 miles a day, but I live in the back of beyond now and I bet all the vouchers and discounts will be Greggs, Odeon Cinema or Costa, or something equally exotic and remote...
A while back research from the Kings Fund found that almost 1 in 4 NHS patients had received a notification about a hospital appointment AFTER it should have happened. Clearly this wastes everyone's valuable time and delays actual appointments and treatments.
Other research heavily featured words such as "frustrated" and "left in the dark". Around half of patients never receive any communication to even let them know they've been referred. People end up calling (often repeatedly) to find out if they actually are on waiting lists, then if they are still on lists, and how far they are along those lists.
Jim Mackey, Chief Executive of NHS England has announced a plan to inform patients at least 3 weeks in advance of hospital appointments, update people every 12 weeks, offer self care advice while people wait, and add it all to the NHS app. so that patients can keep track themselves and free up everyone else's time.
Excellent move, and honestly this should have happened years ago...
Talking of hospital appointments, you may recall in December my son was rushed to hospital with heart problems. Well, his time has come, and next week he will be having heart surgery. He has some of the best surgeons in the world, and I will not have to go into debt to pay for it - courtesy of the NHS.
This is an absolute extreme of parenting. Obviously he needs the surgery, obviously I'm terrified, but I'm attempting to act normal, and focus on the football and what we're having for dinner. He's a strapping 16 year old - sometimes tiny babies have this operation, and more besides. I can't even imagine the worry those parents have. My thoughts are very much with every parent who has a sick child - and I am forever grateful we have the NHS.
It is the weekend, and an important one if you like football. We've got the snacks in, and a selection of tasty beverages - don't forget to treat yourself to something nice too. It'll be hot for a lot of us, be sensible and keep well. If you don't pee 4 times a day, you aren't drinking enough. Look out for those who are less robust, and don't walk your dog if it's over 22 degrees or on hot tarmac - they'll be fine for a few days. I shall be back in 2 weeks... Until then...
Wear A Hat (sunscreen and loose fitting clothing), Drink Water, Save The NHS...
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Recurring Sources COVID
UK Health Data
UK latest COVID cases UPDATES THURSDAY 4pm
Reference pages H5N1
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html
Measles Sit Rep US CDC
UK cases Measles
Canada Measles
Sources Images
78th birthday of the NHS image
Happy birthday to the NHS GMB union image
Ebola doesn't spread by eating domestic animals Ugandan health ministry image
UKHSA image Men B vaccination
Ebola in semen for 6 months Ugandan health ministry image
Sources Text
Resident doctors 1st Monday
Reaident doctors vote to end strikes
BMA resident doctors no more strikes vote
Senior doctors will strike England
NHS waiting lists up
Spending caps surgeries cancelled
Waiting lists rise
Patients face anxiety as NHS medicine shortages continue - BBC News
BMJ analysis of UK US trade deal
UK-US pharmaceuticals deal will divert £45bn from essential NHS services, says doctors' union | UK News | Sky News
Global review confirms mRNA vaccines are safe, effective and full of promise
Study on mRNA vaccines
All the Ebola
Ebola death toll in Congo reaches 600, as new cases suspected in previously unaffected provinces - The Hindu
2 months of ebola outbreak
7th July Sit Rep Ebola
Ebola spreads to a 3rd DRC province
WHO SITREP 3rd July
Ebola: Air France suspends flights between Paris and Kinshasa after the first case of infection was identified on the route
Ebola.treatment centre Mambasa burnt down
Bundibugyo healthcare over capacity
Whereabouts of nearly 300 people with Ebola unknown in DR Congo
Africa CDC Chief Condemns Ebola Travel Restrictions And Broken Aid Promises - Health Policy Watch
Marburg
Very unlikely a baby is the index case. More unlikely a baby will be a sole case. Parents, other siblings if there are any, at serious risk.
Ebola deaths in Africa top 400 as Uganda reports death of child from Marburg | CIDRAP
Marburg
Stat news Marburg link
Marburg disease symptoms
Suspected Marburg outbreak in Uganda prompts US alert
Reports of a potential case of the haemorrhagic fever come as Kampala battles to stop the spread of Ebola
@BaryomunsiChris Can you please tell me whether Uganda has detected 2 linked Marburg cases in the western part of the country?
Helen Branswell Tuesday 30th June
Cholera Sudan
Aid groups warn Venezuela’s healthcare system is near its limit | AP News
Dead and missing Venezuela
Reconnect venezuela
Bangladesh measles 20th June
measles UK
US measles updates
Americas Measles updates
Mexico measles PAHO
https://reliefweb.int/report/mexico/regional-situation-report-5-measles-americas-region-18-june-2026
Canada
Equine influenza surveillance
Latest equine Surveillance
Events cancelled amid New Forest horse flu outbreak - BBC News
H5N1
US
UK
Australia
Australia H5N1 tern
Cyclosporiasis Michigan
Cyclosporiasis outbreak
Dengue Sri Lanka
Dengue sri lanka
Military deployed sri lanka
Air Force confirms first death in Lackland flu outbreak, Rep. Castro says
1 in 4 adults in tick-heavy states test positive for alpha-gal antibodies | CIDRAP
The cancer Alzheimer’s disease paradox
Thousands of women could be spared painful cancer exam by new NHS AI blood test | Women's health | The Guardian
Early next year, NHS England will launch a "marathon a month" challenge, asking people to walk for around 30 minutes a day.
The NHS will now pay for your shopping if you walk for 30 minutes a day | Metro News
3 weeks notice appointments NHS
People awaiting hospital treatment to get three weeks’ notice under NHS England plans | NHS | The Guardian
Kings fund research NHS England delayed appointment notifications
Patients frustrated and left in the dark
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