Have we learnt our lessons from Covid-19? A deadly disease has killed 131 people in central Africa. Scientists say this is not a new pandemic. But should we still be worried?
First hantavirus! Now an Ebola scare too
Keeping safe: Healthcare and burial workers wear protective gear to avoid the disease during a 2022 Ebola outbreak in Uganda. Glossary
Hantavirus - A deadly virus passed from rats and mice to humans through infected faeces, urine, or saliva. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, fever, and vomiting.
Ebola - A group of deadly diseases, found mostly in parts of Africa.
Democratic Republic of Congo - A country in central Africa with a population of 99 million.
Meningitis - A dangerous disease that causes inflammation of the membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord.
Bird flu - An infection that mainly affects birds but does occasionally spread to humans. Most human infections take place in Asia and North Africa.
Monkeypox - A viral disease causing a rash, fever and other symptoms. It was found mainly in central and western Africa before spreading more widely in 2022.
Trauma - A deep emotional wound from a very shocking, scary, or distressing event that overwhelms a person's ability to cope, leaving lasting negative effects on your feelings, behaviour, and well-being.
Public inquiry - An investigation set up by the government.
Test and trace - A strategy for managing disease transmission that focuses on frequent testing, isolating those who test positive, and encouraging those who have come into contact with them to test as well.
Far-Right - The extreme right wing of a political party or group, favouring free enterprise, private rather than state ownership and traditional values.
Urbanisation - The increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities. It is predicted that by 2050 three billion people will live in cities.
Global Preparedness Monitoring Board - An organisation created by the World Health Organisation and World Bank to ensure that the world is prepared for health crises.
Disinformation - False information intended to mislead, including propaganda, which all too often encourages the spread of misinformation, fake news spread by mistake. It is contrasted with misinformation, which may be spread accidentally.
Measles - A very contagious infection that causes rash and flu-style symptoms.