Global Health Updates: Malaria Surge, Vaccine Policy Shifts, Delayed Dietary Guidelines

Current health news includes WHO reporting a malaria death increase in 2024 amid funding challenges, a U.S. policy shift on hepatitis B vaccinations, delayed U.S. dietary guidelines until 2026, and Malaysia's ban on Spanish pork imports due to swine fever.

The World Health Organization has reported a rise in malaria deaths to approximately 610,000 in 2024, primarily affecting young children in sub-Saharan Africa. The increase in fatalities and cases poses a growing concern, exacerbated by drug resistance, climate change, and funding reductions.

In a significant move, U.S. vaccine advisers have altered their stance on hepatitis B vaccinations, affecting policy champion Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The new guidance now targets only infants of mothers with known or uncertain hepatitis B status, diverging from the 1991 universal birth dose advice.

Additionally, a delay in the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans has been announced, pushing their release to early 2026. Meanwhile, Malaysia has implemented a ban on most Spanish pork imports following an African swine fever outbreak, sparing only retort products.

(With inputs from agencies.)