Japan could become one of the first countries in the world to end the HIV epidemic, says the president of Gilead Sciences Japan, Kennet Brysting. The idea for now could seem a little too ambitious, but it is not entirely unrealistic, given that the availability of medicines that can prevent transmission of HIV. Drugs are not the cure, but control over the spread of virus to the point where the disease is no longer a major public health threat.

What Is The Role Of Preventative HIV Medicines?

Gilead's have two key drugs, Truvada and lenacapavir. These two are playing a crucial role in prevention. Truvada is taken as a daily pill, while lenacapavir requires two injections per year. It can make the virus undetectable in infected individuals and prevent transmission to those who are not infected yet. In trials, lenacapavir showed 100% efficacy in preventing HIV infections. This is why it is describe as "almost a vaccine".

In 2024, Japan also approved Truvada for HIV prevention, but the country has yet to approve lenacapavir for the same. Until now, people in Japan had been importing generic versions of Truvada or purchasing it from clinics that source it from overseas.

HIV In Japan

Up until now, Japan reported around 25,000 HIV infections, whereas 669 new cases were reported in 2023. For seven consecutive years, the number of new infections remained under 1,000. The downward trend thus shows that the virus has been controlled, however, getting to zero new infections remains the ultimate goal.

Brysting too acknowledged that simply having effective drug is not enough. What is important is to have a proper implementation, access and healthcare support to make sure that these treatments are widely available and effective.

What Are The Challenges In Implementation?

The biggest challenges is testing rates. There is a need to increase testing rates. At this very moment, around 86% people infective with Japan have been tested, but the goal is to increase it up to 95%, with an ideal goal of 100%. Without widespread testing, many infected people may not even know that they are infected and it could transmit the virus.

Another measure issue is the cost of preventative medication. While Japan's health insurance covers treatments for diseases, it does not cover preventative drugs. Those who purchase Truvada for prevention, pay around $470 per month. Some clinics in Tokyo offer generic alternatives too, which is cheaper, but they are not ideal.

Better Healthcare Support

Brysting expressed concern that individuals importing medications might not be consulting doctors regularly, which is essential for monitoring HIV status and overall health. Truvada users need to be tested for HIV initially and every three months, along with screenings for other infections and kidney function checks. Without proper medical supervision, there is a risk of misuse and inadequate protection.

Gilead is in discussions with Japanese authorities to improve access and insurance coverage for Truvada, and progress is being made. Japan has shown efficiency in approving critical medicines, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when Gilead’s remdesivir was approved in just three days.

What Is The Way Ahead?

Gilead at this moment is not only focused on HIV and hepatitis C, but also expanding into oncology with innovative treatments like CAR-T cell therapy, which strengthens a patient's immune system to fight cancer.

However, Japan’s strict approval processes can slow down drug availability. Phase 3 clinical trials often need to be conducted within the country, and Japan tends to approve medicines much later than other regions. For instance, Truvada was approved for prevention in Japan 12 years after the U.S. and nearly 20 years after its approval for treatment. inancial factors also play a role. The Japanese government adjusts drug prices annually, often reducing them, which can make long-term investment challenging for pharmaceutical companies.

Australia has officially lost its status as the last continent free of the H5N1 bird flu virus after authorities confirmed the highly pathogenic strain on the mainland.

The highly contagious H5N1 variant of avian influenza has now been detected on every continent, marking a significant moment in the disease's global spread.

H5N1 Confirmed In Two Wild Birds

The virus was first detected in a migratory seabird, a brown skua, found on a beach in Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance in Western Australia, around 700 km southeast of Perth.

Authorities later confirmed a second positive case in a northern giant petrel found on a remote beach along Western Australia's south coast.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said testing conducted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) confirmed both birds were infected with H5N1 avian influenza.

"We all knew we couldn't be bird flu-free forever," Collins told a press conference.

No Evidence of Widespread Outbreak Yet

Despite the discovery, officials say there is currently no evidence of mass wildlife deaths or spread into Australia's poultry industry.

Collins said Australian poultry and agricultural systems remain free of bird flu and authorities are investigating whether the virus has become established in local wildlife populations.

"We are working to determine whether the H5 bird flu has established in the wildlife of Australia, other than these two isolated birds," she said.

Samples from the infected birds will undergo further analysis over the coming week as researchers look for signs of transmission to other species.

Further, Western Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer Michelle Rodan said authorities had received 58 reports of sick or dead birds through an emergency hotline between Friday and Sunday afternoon. Nine samples have so far been collected for testing.

Why Australia Had Remained H5N1-Free

Until now, Australia was the only continent where the H5N1 strain had not been detected. Although the virus has circulated across Asia since the 1990s and reached Antarctica in 2024, Australia had remained unaffected.

According to Dr. Michelle Wille, ARC Future Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Australia's unique bird migration patterns likely delayed the virus's arrival.

"There are no duck species which routinely migrate between Australia and Asia, nor are there ducks that migrate through Antarctica," Wille wrote in The Conversation.

However, evidence suggests other seabirds—including gulls, skuas and giant petrels—may have helped carry the virus over long distances across Antarctica and subantarctic regions, eventually bringing it closer to Australia, he said.

Why H5N1 Is A Concern

H5N1 is a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza that can spread rapidly among poultry and wild bird populations, causing severe disease and high mortality rates in birds.

While human infections remain rare, they can occur through direct and unprotected contact with infected birds, animals, or contaminated environments.

Although severe human cases have historically shown a mortality rate of around 50%, sustained human-to-human transmission has not been observed.

How To Protect Yourself

Health authorities recommend the following precautions:

• Avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds and other animals whenever possible.
• Observe wildlife from a safe distance.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) if handling sick or dead birds or animals is unavoidable.
• Avoid touching surfaces contaminated with bird droppings, saliva, mucus, litter, or bedding from infected or suspected animals.
• Do not consume raw milk or raw milk products, particularly from animals suspected or confirmed to be infected with avian influenza.
• Report sick or dead birds to local authorities if encountered.

As several European countries grapple with severe heatwave conditions, the World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm, warning that rising temperatures are becoming a major public health emergency.

"Heat is no longer only a weather story. It is a health emergency," said Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, in a post on social media.

The warning comes as Europe faces another summer of extreme temperatures, with the global health organization linking the trend to "climate change, rapid urbanization, and an "aging population".

Heat An Urgent Public Health Threat

In its recently launched Heat-Health Action Plans Guidance, the WHO described extreme heat as an "urgent and growing public health threat."

The agency noted that rising temperatures increase illness and deaths, place additional strain on healthcare and social care systems, and disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as older adults, children, people with chronic illnesses, and outdoor workers.

"Our Region is the fastest-warming region globally. In the past four years alone, heat has claimed more than 200,000 lives, while heat-related mortality has risen by 30% over the past 20 years," said Kluge, in an interview with BBC News.

He stressed that many heat-related deaths can be prevented through timely action and preparedness.

The WHO Europe also urged governments, employers, and institutions to strengthen heat action plans to protect vulnerable populations.

Also read: Heatwaves, Ozone Pollution Driving Heart And Lung Disease Deaths In India: IIT Study

How European Countries Are Bracing The Heat?

Read More: Extreme Heat To Drive US Heart Disease Burden Up 200% By 2050: Study

France

Officials have announced a partial alcohol ban in certain areas and strengthened wildfire preparedness measures. The government has also ordered increased monitoring of water supplies used to cool the country's nuclear reactors.

Germany

Spain

In Spain, extreme heat forced the closure of a soccer fan zone, highlighting the impact of rising temperatures on public events and outdoor activities.

Portugal

Portugal is expected to experience its hottest conditions early next week. According to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), temperatures could reach as high as 42°C.

Italy

Italy is also preparing for a significant heatwave. Weather forecasts suggest temperatures in several northern and central cities could hit 40°C for the first time this year, affecting both residents and tourists across the country.

UK

Storm Alert

Alongside soaring temperatures, several European countries are facing the risk of severe storms. Meteorological agencies have warned that heat and humidity could fuel thunderstorms, increasing the likelihood of flash floods, strong winds, and other weather-related disruptions.

Read More:22 Treated For Heat Illness At FIFA Fan Festival: How Are World Cup Players Protected?

WHO Calls For Immediate Action

WHO Europe has urged governments, employers, and institutions to strengthen heat action plans to protect vulnerable populations.

Kluge said that it is important to

• warn communities early,
• make cities cooler,
• ensure access to water and shade,
• check on those most at risk,
• prepare health systems before temperatures peak.

How To Protect Yourself During Extreme Heat

To reduce the health risks associated with extreme temperatures, one should

• Stay hydrated throughout the day
• Seek shade and cooler indoor environments
• Avoid outdoor activities during peak afternoon heat
• Check regularly on elderly relatives, neighbors, and other vulnerable individuals
• Follow public health advice issued by local authorities
• Protecting outdoor workers from midday heat exposure.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has reached 952 confirmed cases and 247 deaths, according to the latest update from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

As of June 18, the DRC accounts for 933 confirmed cases and 245 deaths, while Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases and two deaths. Uganda has not shown the same level of sustained transmission seen in

the DRC.

The overall case fatality rate currently stands at 25.9 per cent.

The outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus currently has no approved treatment or vaccine, complicating efforts to contain the disease.

Ituri Province Remains The Epicenter

Ituri Province continues to be the hardest-hit region, accounting for approximately 91 per cent of all confirmed cases. The main hotspots include Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.

Health officials are also concerned about North Kivu, where the case fatality rate has reached 58.4 per cent, with high mortality reported across several affected health zones.

The outbreak has now spread to 34 health zones in the DRC and one district in Uganda. In the DRC, the most affected provinces are Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. In Uganda, cases have been reported mainly in Kampala, including both imported and locally transmitted infections, the CDC said.

Treatment Centers Under Severe Pressure

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The CDC said response teams continue to expand surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control measures, laboratory testing, border screening, risk communication and community engagement activities.

A new laboratory in Aru, Ituri Province, has become operational, increasing the total number of Ebola testing sites to six.

Despite ongoing efforts, the response remains under significant strain. Treatment centres are operating beyond capacity, with bed occupancy reaching 102% and 349 patients currently admitted across affected health zones.

The CDC also reported several operational challenges, including delays in patient referrals, shortages of ambulances and vehicles, gaps in personal protective equipment (PPE), and limited access to some affected areas.

Contact Tracing Challenges Persist

Surveillance and contact tracing teams continue to face obstacles, including incomplete addresses, delayed investigations and difficulties accessing certain communities.

More than 7,200 contacts have been identified across the two countries and are being monitored, the CDC said.

Africa CDC also estimates that $21.5 million is urgently needed to address critical gaps in the outbreak response.

Outbreak Outpacing Response Efforts

The outbreak's impact has been particularly severe among vulnerable populations. Last week, another six-month-old girl died from Ebola. She was the third child to die at an orphanage in eastern Congo during the current outbreak.

"It has been a month after the Ebola outbreak and it is still outpacing our response efforts. There are big gaps in surveillance, diagnosis, contact tracing and community engagement," said Dr. Kerry Dierberg of Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which is helping lead medical response efforts in Congo, the Indian Express reported.

Public health experts warned that the outbreak is spreading faster than health authorities can detect and contain it.

Many infected individuals are not reaching hospitals or health centers and may be dying without being identified as Ebola cases. As a result, health workers are struggling to determine the true scale of transmission, increasing the risk of further spread within the region, NPR reported.