COVID-19
9 Active OutbreaksCOVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It primarily affects the lungs but can impact multiple organ systems, varying from mild to severe globally.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that emerged in late 2019. While most people experience mild to moderate respiratory illness, it can cause severe disease and death, particularly in older adults and those with underlying health conditions. The virus continues to evolve, producing new variants that can affect transmissibility, severity, and vaccine effectiveness.
Symptoms
- Fever or chills
- Cough (often dry)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue and body aches
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat, congestion, or runny nose
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Transmission
COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets and aerosols when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. The virus can also spread by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the face. Transmission can occur from people who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic.
Contagious Period: 2 days before symptoms appear to 10+ days after symptom onset
Prevention
- COVID-19 vaccination (primary series + boosters)
- Wear masks in crowded indoor settings
- Maintain physical distancing when possible
- Hand hygiene (wash frequently with soap and water)
- Improve ventilation in indoor spaces
- Stay home when sick and test if symptomatic
- Isolation for positive cases
Active Outbreaks & Recent Cases
Real-time intelligence from global health monitoring and AI-powered surveillance
Data sources: BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies
✓ Live data updated in real-time from global health sources
🚨 Second peak of flu season in UAE? Doctors say never too late to get vaccinated
Doctors in the UAE are reporting a second peak in flu season, with clinics and hospitals seeing a rise in patients, particularly among families, older adults, and young children. Flu cases are increasing across the region, prompting warnings for vaccination.
📊 69 news sources reporting on this story.
First reported: 2026-02-03
⚠️ Ice hockey-Finland confident of having full roster available for US match
The Finland women's hockey team's opening game against Canada was postponed due to a stomach virus that depleted their roster. This indicates a localized outbreak within the team, impacting their ability to compete.
📊 86 news sources reporting on this story.
First reported: 2026-02-05
World Health Body Urges US To Share Covid Origins Intel
The first cases were detected in Wuhan in China in late 2019.
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World Health Organization urges US to share Covid-19 origins intelligence despite withdrawal
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Covid-19 caused 20 million deaths and major global economic and health disruptions
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US officially supports theory of virus lab leak in Wuhan but withheld related intelligence
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Geneva:
The World Health Organization o
📰 16 news sources reporting on this story.
Moderna rejection adds to vaccine cloud under Trump
Why it matters: Some medical experts warn that the U.S. will miss out on promising new vaccines if it does not embrace the technology, which powered the COVID-19 shots and could be adapted to target other diseases, including cancer.
Driving the news: The FDA's decision, which the company disclosed on Tuesday, comes after Health and Human Services last year canceled nearly $500 million in grants for developing new mRNA vaccines.
- Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. argued at the time that mR
📰 75 news sources reporting on this story.
Major medical group to launch 'safety' review of Covid and flu shots
Your winter flu shot may soon be recommended by your doctor based on independent medical advice rather rather than the federal government.
For decades, the CDC's expert panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), has been recommending who should receive the annual shots against respiratory viruses the flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
But now the American Medical Association (AMA), the largest physicians' organization in the US, has launched its own independe
COVID Vaccines During Pregnancy Not Linked To Autism
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTHURSDAY, Feb. 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) -- Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy is not linked to any risk of autism or other brain development problems in children, a new study says.
Researchers found no ties between mRNA COVID vaccines and child developmental issues, according to findings presented Wednesday at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual pregnancy meeting in Las Vegas.
"Neurodevelopment outcomes in children born to mothers
📰 15 news sources reporting on this story.
Covid vaccine NOT linked to reduced fertility scientists say
A new study found no link between coronavirus vaccine and reduced female fertility.
Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden analysed 60,000 women aged between 18 and 45 in Region Jönköping County.
Of this cohort, 75 per cent were vaccinated once or more against Covid-19 between 2021 and 2024.
The researchers used data on childbirths, vaccinations, miscarriages and deaths from healthcare records.
When they compared childbirths and miscarriages between vaccinated and unvaccinated women
📰 15 news sources reporting on this story.
GP facing inquiry into professional misconduct claims
An inquiry into allegations of professional misconduct by a Dublin GP during the Covid-19 pandemic has resumed.
Dr Marcus de Brun is accused of ten counts of professional misconduct including alleged criticism of public health guidelines, lockdowns and the wearing of facemasks and Covid-19 vaccines.
He had previously described the use of Covid-19 vaccines in children as a "crime against humanity".
The allegations also relate to comments he made at a rally in 2020 when he was accused of failing
Temporary or permanent relief? The future of CDC vouchers
Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
Temporary government handouts like the CDC vouchers were meant to cushion the impact of Covid-19 and soaring inflation due to supply shocks that were caused by global events like the war in Ukraine.
But with inflation cooling to trend levels, can Singaporeans wean off the 'free money' reliance from CDC vouchers that were originally meant to be temporary?
In this episode - which com
📰 15 news sources reporting on this story.
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WHO
Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization
View WHO Resources →Medically Reviewed Content
Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-03-05
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