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BBC News - Health

Cruise passengers tell of life on board stranded ship after hantavirus outbreak

Wed, 06 May 2026 11:52:42 GMT

While passengers onboard the MV Hondius say the situation is calm, they face days at sea as officials warn the disease may have spread.

Inside Health

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

James Gallagher is joined by experts to answer key questions on the meningitis outbreak.

How are countries responding to hantavirus?

Wed, 13 May 2026 08:36:54 GMT

The UK, US and EU are asking all citizens returning home from the virus-hit MV Hondius to self-isolate for about six weeks.

University explores endometriosis and cancer link

Fri, 08 May 2026 04:36:06 GMT

The condition affects one in 10 women in the UK and can cause debilitating pain and infertility.

Concern 'dangerous' performance enhancers are being sold online

Mon, 11 May 2026 10:14:24 GMT

UK Anti-Doping have published research into SARMs being sold on social media platforms. The survey found a third of people aged 16-25 see ads for SARMs every week.

Hantavirus-hit cruise ship on way to Canary Islands after three evacuated

Thu, 07 May 2026 09:40:24 GMT

A British man is among three evacuees sent to the Netherlands after displaying symptoms while aboard the MV Hondius.

What is the UK Covid inquiry and how does it work?

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:20:11 GMT

The fourth report from the inquiry into the pandemic said the vaccine roll-out was an "extraordinary feat".

'Doctors strikes' and 'paw prints in space'

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:12:09 GMT

A round-up of stories from local newspapers and the BBC from the past week in the West of England.

Sophie Raworth: 'I hope I can still run in my 80s'

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:13:41 GMT

Sophie Raworth talks about the need for exercise as we get older.

Sydney dentist's patients warned of viruses including HIV

Wed, 13 May 2026 06:17:55 GMT

Authorities urged patients to get tested due to "poor infection control practices" at the Australian clinic.

Hantavirus: Your questions answered

Thu, 07 May 2026 18:03:38 GMT

Lucy Woodham answers your questions on the outbreak of hantavirus on board a cruise ship

How do weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy work?

Wed, 13 May 2026 13:38:41 GMT

Wegovy and Mounjaro are available to certain patients on the NHS, and can also be bought privately.

Vaccines a huge success, but public trust must be earned - key findings from Covid report

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:02:12 GMT

Immunisation saved hundreds of thousands of UK lives, but vaccine hesitancy remains an issue.

Bird flu vaccine trial against potential pandemic strain begins

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 23:00:08 GMT

The jab targets the H5N1 flu strain which has caused devastating infections in bird populations worldwide, but has yet to spread between humans.

'Month of worry' over doctor strike surgery delay

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:32:52 GMT

The strike further delays Tom Lawson's gastric bypass surgery after a more than three-year wait.

Daily pill to help keep weight off after stopping obesity jabs

Tue, 12 May 2026 23:06:23 GMT

The tablet - orforglipron - is available in the US and could soon launch in the UK.

What to do if you think someone has heat exhaustion or heatstroke

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:59:20 GMT

Know the signs and what to do if someone is unwell in hot weather.

Women-only mental health crisis house to open in town

Tue, 12 May 2026 10:13:02 GMT

Swindon's new mental health support facility for women will be an "alternative" to hospitalisation.

Hantavirus survivor says sickness was like 'hell on earth'

Thu, 07 May 2026 13:57:43 GMT

Two survivors who caught the hantavirus years earlier told the BBC they both felt lucky to be alive.

Doctors' strikes can have surprising benefits - but are they sustainable?

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:06:45 GMT

Some hospital trusts tell the BBC previous action has seen shorter waits, faster decisions and calmer corridors.

Hantavirus strain that spreads between humans found in cruise ship passengers

Wed, 06 May 2026 10:32:59 GMT

South Africa's health ministry said the Andes strain of the virus was found in two confirmed cases linked to the outbreak.

How to check whether you have bowel cancer

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:32:57 GMT

What are the main symptoms and causes of bowel cancer, and how can you reduce your risk of getting it?

Hundreds contact BBC about mystery skin condition 'hell' - but doctors can't agree it exists

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 23:41:47 GMT

Some think it's a severe case of eczema. Others say it's a condition called TSW. But doctors are stuck in a dilemma.

Wellbeing garden opens to combat isolation

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:07:31 GMT

The outdoor area at Yarm Wellness will officially open to the public on Saturday.

Should you really trust health advice from an AI chatbot?

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 23:04:43 GMT

Abi has had very mixed results when asking a chatbot for guidance about her health issues.

Researchers look into island's health benefits

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:11:23 GMT

The team aims to find out what it is about the Isle of Wight that makes people feel better.

Worldwide race to trace passengers from hantavirus-hit cruise ship

Fri, 08 May 2026 21:02:52 GMT

About 12 countries have so far been linked to the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius, as the UN health agency confirms at least five cases.

Newcastle's Burn on mental health and importance of asking for help

Mon, 11 May 2026 09:50:53 GMT

Newcastle United Foundation has painted benches in the city's Leazes Park to highlight mental health and encourage fans to talk to each other. Defender Dan Burn spoke to BBC Sport about the work being done and how important it is to "check in".

Hospitals coping well with doctors' strike so far - NHS boss

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:56:27 GMT

Resident doctors in England � the new name for junior doctors � are taking part in their 15th walkout in a long-running pay dispute.

How is Keir Starmer getting on with his pledges to deliver change?

Tue, 12 May 2026 07:59:13 GMT

At the end of 2024, Keir Starmer announced key government targets including on NHS waiting lists and building new homes, how is he getting on?

What is hantavirus and how does it spread?

Sun, 10 May 2026 16:22:20 GMT

The Andes strain of the virus, which can rarely be passed from person to person, has been found among passengers of a cruise ship.

Stay at home advice questioned and rules too tough - key findings from Covid report

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:00:23 GMT

An NHS close to collapse, patients failed and NHS staff put at risk - what you need to know.

Watch Morning Live here

Wed, 13 May 2026 08:28:19 GMT

Watch Morning Live here

Inside Health

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

James visits Hackney, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country.

UK alcohol deaths fall for first time since Covid pandemic

Mon, 11 May 2026 17:52:44 GMT

Experts say the �modest reduction� is �not cause for complacency�, with calls to redouble efforts to slash deaths further.

French national shows symptoms on return from hantavirus-hit ship

Mon, 11 May 2026 03:29:58 GMT

Five passengers of the MV Hondius will be quarantined in Paris "until further notice", France's prime minister says.

Calls for Reformer Pilates regulation amid boom

Mon, 04 May 2026 06:15:44 GMT

Reformer Pilates businesses in the UK rose nearly ten-fold between 2024 and 2025.

The Global Story

Fri, 08 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

When conversation drifted into fantasy, one man grabbed a hammer and prepared for war.

Ethiopian woman's joy at rare quintuplets after 12 years trying for a baby

Fri, 08 May 2026 06:48:20 GMT

The woman, 35, says she was praying for a baby and was "overjoyed" to be "blessed with five at once".

Why did resident doctors go on strike and how much are they paid?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:04:33 GMT

Resident doctors in England have returned to work after the 15th walkout in a long-running dispute.

Rollout of Covid vaccines extraordinary feat - inquiry report

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:39:07 GMT

Covid vaccines saved hundreds of thousands of lives, but a small minority harmed need better support, says report.

MPs call for sunbed advertising ban to help prevent skin cancer

Wed, 13 May 2026 10:37:30 GMT

A report by a cross-party group of MPs has found the majority of skin cancer cases are preventable.

Mums' choir leader 'baffled' by park fee structure

Wed, 06 May 2026 05:24:27 GMT

A postnatal choir leader says professional dog walkers pay less to use the city's parks.

Inside Health

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 GMT

James Gallagher finds out how a hot flush feels - and delves into a new treatment.

Posh sandwich has more salt than nearly five cheeseburgers

Wed, 13 May 2026 10:57:35 GMT

Action on Salt & Sugar said people should not be exposed to a "hidden health risk every time they buy lunch".

'We have to respond to women's health needs more easily'

Mon, 11 May 2026 05:23:29 GMT

Groups in Liverpool are trying to remedy the historical under-resourcing of women's healthcare.

What is vegan collagen?

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:22:54 GMT

What's the latest on Collagen?

Mother and baby mental health unit to go ahead

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:28:10 GMT

Mike Nesbitt says Northern Ireland's first regional mother and baby unit in should open within the next three years.

Inside Health

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

James Gallagher examines the outbreak of bacterial meningitis in Kent.

What are the symptoms of meningitis and how is it spread?

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:22:02 GMT

Two people have died following an "unpredecented" outbreak of meningitis in Kent.

Why did resident doctors go on strike and how much are they paid?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:04:33 GMT

Resident doctors in England have returned to work after the 15th walkout in a long-running dispute.

How worried should we be about hantavirus?

Tue, 12 May 2026 10:01:52 GMT

Passengers potentially exposed to hantavirus are being repatriated, so what is the risk to the wider public?