China is grappling with a new wave of COVID-19 after the government lifted its strict anti-pandemic measures. Some citizens are shocked by the sudden change while others welcome it with a sigh of relief.

Malawi is in the grip of its worst cholera outbreak in more than a decade, just as the world suffers a global vaccine shortage and as the country heads into rainy season when the disease is likely to spread quickly.

The WHO has decided to issue monkeypox its highest level of alert: a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. But what's the deal with PHEICs — who decides, what does it mean, and what happens next?

Ghana has officially confirmed two cases of the Marburg virus, a highly infectious disease similar to Ebola, its health service said on Sunday, after two people who later died tested positive for the virus earlier this month.

North Korea reported the outbreak of an unidentified intestinal epidemic, while it already faces food shortages and coronavirus infections. The outbreak was in the isolated nation's key agricultural region.

Portuguese officials confirmed five cases of the monkeypox disease. The viral infection, rarely found in Europe, has also been reported in Spain and Britain.

State media in North Korea has reported the deaths of six people with a "fever" a day after officials confirmed the country's first COVID-19 infection. More than 180,000 people are said to be isolated for treatment.

Shanghai reported three COVID deaths — the first since a strict lockdown started last month. Meanwhile, Germany's health minister said the mask mandate may be brought back in autumn.

China is experiencing a surge in COVID infections driven by the omicron variant. Meanwhile, Hong Kong has lifted its ban on international flights from nine countries. Follow DW for the latest.

Authorities enraged pet lovers with an order to cull more than 2,200 hamsters after tracing an outbreak to a worker in a shop where 11 hamsters tested positive. Imported hamsters from Holland into the Chinese territory had been cited as the source. All hamster imports remain banned.

The state of Brandenburg will introduce new testing rules for nursing homes after a recent deadly coronavirus outbreak. Half of the employees were found to be unvaccinated.

In his Angelus prayer, Pope Francis deplores the "terrible outbreak of violence" in the prison of Guayaquil, Ecuador, where at least 118 inmates died - including six beheaded - in rioting among rival gangs before police regained control.