Public Health

12 stories

Society
Extreme heat
June heatwave killed more than 2,000 in France as Luxembourg logs hottest June on record
Preliminary mortality data published this week show the late-June heatwave caused 2,025 excess deaths in France and an unprecedented 39% rise in Belgian mortality, with at least 3,700 excess deaths across France, Belgium and the Netherlands combined. Luxembourg recorded its hottest June since measurements began in 1947, including a new 38.2°C June record at Findel, and forecasters warn extreme heat could return to the region in the first half of July.
By Léa Hoffmannyesterday
Society
Global health
Congo's Ebola epidemic passes 400 deaths as conflict cripples containment
An Ebola epidemic caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain has killed more than 400 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where armed conflict in Ituri and the Kivus is undermining efforts to stop the virus.
By Léa Hoffmann2 days ago
Europe
Climate
Spain's second-hottest June linked to more than 1,000 heat deaths as heatwave reaches Luxembourg
Spain recorded its second-hottest June since 1961, and public-health monitors attributed more than 1,000 excess deaths to the heat — more than double June 2025. The same heat dome pushed red alerts across Luxembourg.
By Léa Hoffmann3 days ago
Society
Heatwave
Record heatwave grips Europe as France's death toll climbs and Luxembourg holds red alert
A record-breaking June heatwave has swept much of Europe, with France warning its death toll will keep rising and the WHO linking more than 1,300 excess deaths to the heat. Luxembourg spent much of the week under a MeteoLux red alert, with schools, construction and rail services disrupted and the government activating its heat plan.
By Léa Hoffmann5 days ago
Society
Heatwave
Luxembourg eases red heat alert as deadly heatwave grips western Europe
Luxembourg lifted its red heat warning on Sunday morning after a punishing week, as an extreme heatwave linked to a stalled high-pressure system toppled records across western and central Europe, killed hundreds and forced authorities to reorganise schools, building sites and emergency services.
By Léa Hoffmann6 days ago
Europe
Climate
Europe's heatwave was 'virtually impossible' without climate change, scientists find
Scientists with World Weather Attribution conclude the late-June 2026 heatwave gripping Western Europe — which pushed Luxembourg to a record 36.3°C and triggered a national red alert over National Day — would have been virtually impossible without human-caused climate change.
By Léa Hoffmann27 June 2026
Europe
EU competition
EU Antitrust Regulators Investigate Sanofi Over Flu-Vaccine Conduct
The European Commission has opened an antitrust investigation into Sanofi over its seasonal flu-vaccine business, raiding sites in France and Germany on suspicion the group disparaged rivals to protect a dominant position. Sanofi says it is compliant and will cooperate; an abuse finding could cost up to 10% of global turnover.
By Marc Weber26 June 2026
Society
Heatwave
Findel hits 36.3°C, Luxembourg's hottest June day on record, as heatwave grips Europe
Luxembourg recorded its hottest June day since observations began in 1947, with 36.3°C at Findel on 25 June, as a record-breaking heatwave gripped France, the UK and much of Western Europe and triggered red alerts and emergency measures at home.
By Léa Hoffmann26 June 2026
Society
Public health
France confirms its first Ebola case as doctor returns from Congo
France has confirmed its first Ebola case on national soil — a doctor back from DR Congo, now isolated in a Paris-area hospital. The ECDC rates the risk to the European population as very low.
By Léa Hoffmann24 June 2026
Society
Climate
France hits record heat as Luxembourg and the Greater Region brace for a midweek peak
An exceptionally early heatwave drove France to record temperatures and put more than half the country under red alert, while Luxembourg and the wider Greater Region stood up a crisis command post and warned the heat would intensify from Wednesday.
By Léa Hoffmann23 June 2026
Society
Heatwave
Luxembourg issues red heat alert as temperatures near 40°C
Luxembourg's weather service has raised its alert to the highest level for an extreme heatwave forecast to push local temperatures toward 40°C, triggering a coordinated state response as France, Spain and the UK also swelter under a persistent heat dome.
By Tom Schmit22 June 2026
Society
Climate
Luxembourg raises heat warning to red ahead of National Day as heatwave grips Europe
Luxembourg will raise its heat warning to red from midday Monday, 22 June, as a Europe-wide heatwave pushes temperatures toward 40°C, disrupts the Luxembourg-Metz railway and tests emergency services on the eve of National Day.
By Léa Hoffmann21 June 2026