Nurith Aizenman

On Friday, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak an international public health emergency that requires an extraordinary response.

As the Ebola virus continues its deadly march through West Africa, keeping track of developments can be a challenge. Here's a roundup of the latest news this week:

The Toll

The World Health Organization released updated figures Wednesday. The total number of cases — including those considered confirmed, probable ...

As the African leaders gather in Washington, D.C., one of the topics they'll be discussing is the Ebola outbreak that is raging throughout West Africa. The outbreak is the largest on record.

Leaders of the three African nations hit hardest by the Ebola virus met to discuss ways to fight the outbreak. With the situation deteriorating, it's likely more of the region will be quarantined.

Health workers are trying to convince parents to give children the polio vaccine, but the program faces violent opposition. Harvard researchers polled the parents. They were surprised by the results.

The AIDS community is in shock over the news that dozens of its members were aboard the Malaysia Airlines flight that was apparently shot down Thursday. The sorrow is particularly widespread over the death of Joep Lange, a Dutch researcher and advocate, who played a pivotal role in the ...

The World Health Organization has thrown its weight behind a controversial strategy for curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS: Today the organization strongly recommended that men who have sex with men consider taking a daily pill that prevents infection with the virus.

WHO guidelines are not binding, but can carry considerable ...

Due to malnourishment, some 200 million toddlers in poor countries have under-developed brains. A study in the journal Science suggests more play time with mom can dramatically reverse the damage.

A campaign in Africa to prevent HIV has persuaded 6 million teens and men to get circumcised and aims to sign up 14 million more. To do so, health officials must appeal to male vanity.