British Treasury Chief Gordon Brown on Friday introduced a $4 billion program to provide lifesaving immunizations in poor countries, reports The Associated Press.

The initiative hopes to save the lives of five million children and as many adults as possible. Along with Britain, France, Italy, Spain and Sweden are also sponsoring the program

The ongoing encephalitis crisis in northern India has now killed 253 people, with officials saying the disease shows little sign of abating.

Officials report 41 new deaths over the weekend, raising the three-week death toll to 253

More than 3,100 people in 32 counties have been sickened with a gastrointestinal disease associated with a state-run water playground.

The Sprayground at Seneca Lake State Park closed August 15, following the onset of illnesses

Three people are infected with a pig-borne disease in the southern region of China and one has died, a day after an epidemic in another part of the country was declared under control.

The Xinhua News Agency reports that those infected reside in four different areas in Guangdong province

A 45-year-old woman has died from a flesh-eating bacteria that she contracted while riding a personal watercraft on the St. Johns River.According to Duval County health officials, Candace Scott died Aug. 3 from a bacteria that caused a fatal infection. Such a bacteria typically enters the body through an open wound and absorbs into the bloodstream.

Tim Lawther, director of chronic disease and prevention for the county's health department, reports two or three cases of flesh-eating bacteria are typically reported in the county each year, but deaths are not common.The Associated Press reports the bacteria, necrotizing fasciitis, is a fast-moving form of the Group A strep bacteria that destroys muscles, fat, and skin tissue - a rare and invasive form of the same bug that causes strep throat and scarlet fever.Says Lawther, "At this point, we're not telling people to stay out of the water because of this one instance. However, if you don't heal well and you have an open wound you should stay out of the water because that puts you at a higher risk