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.

The US is witnessing one of the largest outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. While infections have been reported in nearly 31 states, Michigan and Ohio remain the hardest hit.

According to the latest figures from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), more than 3,309 cases have been reported in Michigan as of July 14.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not yet identified the exact source of the outbreak, which has persisted for about a month.

Lettuce, Salad Greens Under Investigation

Also read: Cyclospora Parasite Outbreak: Why You Should Avoid Packaged Salads and Go For Loose Greens

The MDHHS says lettuce and salad greens are the leading suspected sources of the outbreak after cases climbed to more than 65 times Michigan's annual average.

"While the investigation is ongoing, current results point to lettuce or salad greens as a potential source for this outbreak, although other food items cannot be completely ruled out," the department said in a statement.

"Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation," said Michigan Chief Medical Executive Natasha Bagdasarian.

However, the authorities have not identified a specific grower or supplier responsible for the outbreak, and public health officials say there could be multiple sources.

Taco Bell's Role Under Scrutiny

US health officials are now investigating whether Taco Bell restaurants played a role in the multistate outbreak linked to contaminated fresh produce, the Washington Post reported.

Last week, notices at some Detroit-area Taco Bell restaurants informed customers that the chain was temporarily unable to sell lettuce, cilantro, onion, pico de gallo, and guacamole due to a nationwide recall.

Taco Bell said it had voluntarily removed certain fresh ingredients from select restaurants as a precaution.

"Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer," the company said in a statement.

It added that the temporary removal of limited ingredients would remain in place while authorities continue their investigation.

Read More: Want Healthier Lungs? Add More Kale And Spinach To Your Plate, Suggests Study

CDC: More Than 5,100 Cases Under Review

On July 14, the CDC said it had received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases since May 1. However, it is reviewing more than 5,100 cases to determine whether infections were acquired within the US.

No deaths have been reported, while about 1 in every 11 patients has been hospitalized, it said.

The CDC also said at least 400 cases across Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky appear to be epidemiologically linked, suggesting a common source of infection.

Foods to Avoid Until the Source Is Identified

Since lettuce and salad greens remain the leading suspected source, health officials advise consumers to be cautious with:

• Bagged salad greens
• Lettuce
• Fresh cilantro
• Pico de gallo
• Guacamole made with fresh produce
• Other uncooked fresh produce that may be linked to the outbreak

Authorities have not confirmed that these foods are the source, but they remain under investigation.

How to Reduce Your Risk

Bagdasarian recommended using whole heads of lettuce instead of bagged greens. Remove the outer leaves and thoroughly wash the inner leaves under running water before eating.

She also noted that heat is the most effective way to kill Cyclospora, so cooking produce, when possible, offers additional protection.

The CDC advised consumers to:

• Wash all fresh produce thoroughly under clean running water, even if it is labelled pre-washed.
• Follow safe food handling practices.
• Stay updated on food recalls and outbreak alerts.
• Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms develop.

Symptoms of Cyclosporiasis

Symptoms usually begin about one week after infection, although they can appear anywhere from two days to more than two weeks after exposure.

Without treatment, illness can last from a few days to a month or longer.

The CDC also cautioned that the true number of infections is likely higher because many people recover without seeking medical care or being tested, and recent cases may not yet have been reported.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is most likely to be bigger than what official figures suggest. It said that the true number of infections potentially two to four times higher than reported.

The alarming update comes as the outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the history.

Ebola Cases In DRC Near 2,000

As of July 14, 2026, health authorities confirmed recording 1,926 confirmed cases and 702 deaths due to Ebola, but WHO officials believe those numbers significantly underestimate the real picture of transmission as many infections are going undetected and unreported across communities.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting Regional Director for Emergencies at WHO, said the outbreak is spreading faster than surveillance systems can track it.

"We think, with some of our support and modelling, the scale of the outbreak is at least two to four times the number of cases we are finding," Ihekweazu said.

He also said that the DRC cannot tackle the epidemic by itself, appealing for international support and warning that the response is severely underfunded. WHO says it has received only about 40% of the $115 million required for the emergency response.

Also read: Congo Starts Ebola Treatment Trial As Cases Reach 1,427, Deaths Hit 440

Challenges In Containing DRC Ebola Outbreak

The outbreak was first declared in May and is centered in Ituri province. Infections have now spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo. Around 90% of reported cases remain concentrated in Ituri, particularly in the city of Bunia.

Health experts say one of the biggest challenges is that around 80% of new infections cannot be linked to known Ebola patients, indicating widespread hidden community transmission. Many patients are dying at home before reaching treatment centers, making contact tracing increasingly difficult.

Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks driven by the Zaire strain, the current epidemic involves the Bundibugyo virus, for which no licensed vaccine or approved treatment currently exists.

Scientists hope that ongoing clinical trials evaluating the antiviral drug remdesivir and the experimental antibody therapy MBP134 could help improve survival rates. The WHO and the DRC's National Institute of Biomedical Research recently began enrolling patients into the study.

Containment efforts are also being hampered by armed conflict, community mistrust, misinformation and strikes by local healthcare workers over unpaid wages. WHO has responded by expanding lab capacity and training more than 21,000 community health workers to strengthen surveillance and treatment.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also described the outbreak as spreading "substantially faster than previous Ebola outbreaks," noting that it surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases within just 40 days of response activation.

About Ebola?

Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever first identified in 1976. Since then, more than 30 outbreaks have been recorded, primarily in Central and West Africa. Common symptoms of Ebola include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Weakness and fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the retired airline pilot celebrated worldwide for safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on New York's Hudson River in 2009, recently shared that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

Chesley Sullenberger’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

The 75-year-old aviation hero, whose calmness and composure saved all the 155 passengers and crew during what became known as the "Miracle on the Hudson," shared the news in a public statement released on July 14.

He said that he wanted to share his diagnosis to reduce the stigma surrounding the disease.

"I recently found out I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. It is early stage," Chesley Sullenberger said.

Describing the early effects of the condition, he added, "For now, this means a name may not come easily to me, I forget a story I have recently told, or I don't sleep as well, but I am in the beginning of this long journey."

According to recent, Sullenberger began noticing subtle memory lapses in 2025 before seeking medical intervention. He later received an Alzheimer's diagnosis and is now under specialist care.

Despite the diagnosis, Sullenberger emphasized that he remains hopeful and intends to continue living a meaningful life with the support of his family.

"I've spent my life trying to be of service to others," he said, adding that sharing his diagnosis is another opportunity to help people navigating the disease.

Also read: Your Country May Influence Your Dementia Risk More Than You Think, Study Suggests

Sullenberger Compared His Famous Landing To Alzheimer’s

Sullenberger also drew a parallel between the courage required during the emergency landing in 2009 and the resilience needed to battle Alzheimer's disease.

"It takes courage to face a challenge like this," he said, expressing confidence that, just as people came together during the Hudson River rescue, families, caregivers and researchers can unite in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.

Chesley Sullenberger’s Landing On The Hudson River

Sullenberger became an aviation hero after US Airways Flight 1549 struck a flock of Canada geese shortly after takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport on January 15, 2009.

With both engines disabled, he safely landed the Airbus A320 on the Hudson River, allowing every passenger and crew member to survive. The extraordinary incident inspired the 2016 film Sully, starring Tom Hanks.

Following his retirement from commercial aviation in 2010, Sullenberger remained active as an aviation safety advocate, author and public speaker.

Also read: Indian Scientists Create 3D Brainstem Atlas That Can Help Understand Parkinson’s, Sleep Disorders & Stroke Better

Public Figures Who Recently Revealed Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Sullenberger’s announcement comes as Alzheimer's disease continues to pose a growing public health challenge. He is one of the public figures who recently shared their Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Before Sullenberger, veteran BBC Radio 2 presenter Paul Gambaccini also shared that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2025. Despite the diagnosis, he said he plans to continue broadcasting while he is able and wants to raise awareness about the disease.

Oscar-nominated actor Danny Glover revealed he has been living with Alzheimer's disease for several years after receiving a diagnosis in 2022.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

The condition is the most common cause of dementia and gradually affects memory, thinking and the ability to carry out everyday activities.

Here are the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease:

• Frequent memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information
• Difficulty finding the right words during conversations
• Confusion about time or familiar places
• Trouble planning or solving routine problems
• Misplacing belongings and being unable to retrace steps
• Changes in mood, personality or behaviour
• Poor judgment and reduced decision-making ability

As the disease progresses, individuals may struggle to recognize loved ones, communicate effectively, and carry out daily activities independently.

While there is currently no cure, newer treatments and supportive care may help slow progression in some patients when the disease is detected early.