Two workers are shown inside a subway car with white and orange protective and carrying machines that are cleaning the car.

COVID-19

A cemetery is shown via an ariel view with several rows of empty new graves and exposed dirt.

Discussion: A deepening coronavirus crisis in Brazil

Brazil — Latin America’s largest country — is experiencing a deepening crisis with the coronavirus pandemic. As part of The World's regular series of conversations about the pandemic, reporter Elana Gordon moderated a discussion with Marcia Castro, chair of the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Discussion: A deepening coronavirus crisis in Brazil
As vaccination levels drop in Ghana, the threat of a measles outbreak looms.

'Red alert for child health': A nationwide vaccine shortage hits Ghana amid measles outbreak

'Red alert for child health': A nationwide vaccine shortage hits Ghana amid measles outbreak
a young man in a mask

Three years into the pandemic, mask usage varies from country to country

Three years into the pandemic, mask usage varies from country to country
Graphic of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China’s tech weapons roll in to quell demonstrations, identify protesters

China’s tech weapons roll in to quell demonstrations, identify protesters
White Sand beach on Boracay Island, in the Philippines.

The return of Chinese tourists restores hope in the Philippines' tourism industry

The return of Chinese tourists restores hope in the Philippines' tourism industry
Many Taipei residents visit the city's historic Dihua Street to buy goods for the Lunar New Year.

Taiwan and China celebrate Lunar New Year amid vastly different COVID levels

Taiwan has reopened to international travel, and has lifted some other restrictions, as people celebrate Lunar New Year with family and friends.

Taiwan and China celebrate Lunar New Year amid vastly different COVID levels
cat on a chair

Desperate pet owners turn to illegal drug markets to cure a rare cat virus 

If a cat contracts feline infectious peritonitis, a chronic wasting disease, it is almost always fatal. A pharmaceutical company, however, developed a recipe for a cure. Global drug manufacturers are now marketing off-label versions of the medication — and cat owners say it works. 

Desperate pet owners turn to illegal drug markets to cure a rare cat virus 
Jorge Drexler poses in the press room with his Grammys at the 23rd annual Latin Grammy Awards at the Mandalay Bay Michelob Ultra Arena on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in Las Vegas. 

Uruguayan musician Jorge Drexler wins big at Latin Grammy Awards

Singer and songwriter Jorge Drexler, from Uruguay, took home the most trophies at the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday.

Uruguayan musician Jorge Drexler wins big at Latin Grammy Awards
Anastasia, 3, is held by her mother, as she receives treatment at a schoolhouse that has been converted into a field hospital, in Mostyska, western Ukraine, Thursday, March 24, 2022.

The war in Ukraine is hampering efforts to stop a polio outbreak

Just 10 days before the war began last February, Ukrainian officials launched a nationwide vaccination campaign to stop a rare polio outbreak in the country. But the war has made controlling the outbreak nearly impossible.

The war in Ukraine is hampering efforts to stop a polio outbreak
Delegates applaud as Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of China's ruling Communist Party held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. 

China’s small business owners hope for a new normal ‘after the Party Congress’

The refrain, “after the Party Congress,” has been heard constantly in China. It refers to the idea that once this week’s official National Congress of the Communist Party meeting wraps up on Friday, maybe things will get back to normal after a series of strict pandemic lockdowns.

China’s small business owners hope for a new normal ‘after the Party Congress’
man waiting at airport

Taiwan reopens its borders after years of COVID controls

On Oct. 13, Taiwan finally reopened to tourists after 2 1/2 years of relative isolation. The country had focused border restrictions to keep COVID-19 cases and death rates low. Travelers and tourism business owners say they’re thankful that their main source of revenue is returning.

Taiwan reopens its borders after years of COVID controls
Nancy Rose, who contracted COVID-19 in 2021 and continues to exhibit long-haul symptoms including brain fog and memory difficulties, pauses while organizing her desk space, on Jan. 25, 2022, in Port Jefferson, New York.

Discussion: Long COVID, the search for answers

This panel explores the state of research, potential treatments and proposals to address the broad societal impact of this novel, and sometimes, debilitating condition.

Discussion: Long COVID, the search for answers
A resident walks by shuttered Communication University of China in Beijing, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022.

Thousands of foreign students enrolled in Chinese universities await permission to return

In late 2019, nearly half a million foreign students in China — mostly from Africa and other parts of Asia — were studying at Chinese universities. Then the pandemic struck, disrupting in-person studies. Nearly 2 1/2 years later, many are still prevented from returning to China.  

Thousands of foreign students enrolled in Chinese universities await permission to return
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, waves hello to the committee at the start of a House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

People shouldn’t put their guard down when it comes to COVID, Fauci says

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease specialist, joined The World's host Marco Werman to assess the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic and reflect briefly on five decades of service in public health.  

People shouldn’t put their guard down when it comes to COVID, Fauci says
A worker walks alongside the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant's array of digester eggs in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York

Why has polio emerged in the US, UK and Israel? A polio eradication expert weighs in.

New cases of polio have emerged in the US and Israel, and the disease has been detected in wastewater in the UK. Oliver Rosenbauer, the spokesperson for polio eradication at the World Health Organization, explains how some of them could be linked to the oral vaccine that's long been used to prevent the disease.

Why has polio emerged in the US, UK and Israel? A polio eradication expert weighs in.
busy market

West African countries adopt new strategies to encourage COVID-19 vaccination  

​​​​​​​For much of the pandemic, West African countries have lacked the vaccines needed to protect their populations against COVID-19. Now, supply in the region has finally caught up with demand for the vaccine. Still, too few people are vaccinated.

West African countries adopt new strategies to encourage COVID-19 vaccination