The subvariants known as BQ.1.1, BQ.1, BQ.1.3, BA.2.3.20 and XBB are among the fastest spreading of the main Omicron lineages. Based on UK data, the BQ variants, as well as BA.2.75.2 and BF.7 are the most concerning due to...

Africa faces new challenges in its fight against malaria: the climate is becoming more mosquito friendly just as the insects are evolving to evade the insecticides and the malaria parasites are becoming resistant to medicines that have brought down deaths. In 2020, the World Health Organization estimated approximately 90% of malaria cases and 92% of deaths occurred in Africa. Over 600,000 African children died of malaria in that year alone.