Photos Show Where US and China Have Sent Hospital Ships
Both China and the United States, rivals in the contest for naval dominance in the Pacific, have recently deployed naval hospital ships.
USNS Comfort has been conducting a medical mission in Latin America since May 30, according to the U.S. Navy. Meanwhile, CNS Silk Road Ark departed for islands and reefs in the contested South China Sea on Monday, according to the Chinese military.
China's navy is larger than its U.S. counterpart by hull count. While most of their vessels are designed for combat, both naval forces operate hospital ships that function as floating mobile medical facilities-supporting military missions, disaster relief and humanitarian operations.
The Chinese and American hospital ship deployments come after China commissioned its third oceangoing hospital ship, CNS Auspicious Ark, in May-a major milestone that now sees all three of China's theater command fleets equipped with their own hospital ships.
The Comfort departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, for a mission known as Continuing Promise 2025, aimed at providing patient care and technical expertise in community clinics across Grenada, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.
The hospital ship arrived in St. George's, the capital of the Caribbean island of Grenada, on June 9, according to the U.S. Navy. In addition to providing medical care, American service members will renovate buildings and repair infrastructure damaged by natural disasters.
The Comfort is one of two Mercy-class hospital ships operated by the U.S. Navy, alongside USNS Mercy. The 63,000-ton ship-delivered to the Navy in 1987-is equipped with 1,000 patient beds, 11 general-purpose operating rooms and one interventional radiology suite.
Meanwhile, the Silk Road Ark departed the coastal city of Sanya-on China's southern Hainan Island-for its second "medical outreach voyage" since entering service in 2024.
"The mission focuses on meeting the medical needs of service members on islands," the Chinese military said in a press release. China controls a number of maritime features in the South China Sea, where its sovereignty claims overlap with those of several other countries.
The 10,000-ton Silk Road Ark is smaller than the Comfort, with a capacity of 300 patient beds. The vessel-China's second 10,000-ton oceangoing hospital ship-is capable of hosting eight surgical operations simultaneously, according to China Daily.
The U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command said in a press release on June 9:"[Continuing Promise 2025] marks the 16th mission to the region since 2007 and the eighth aboard [USNS] Comfort. The mission will foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships among countries, non-federal entities, and international organizations."
The Chinese military said in a press release on Tuesday: "[CNS Silk Road Ark's] major tasks include medical rescue and evacuation of the wounded at sea, international humanitarian medical service, emergency medical rescue in major disasters, and foreign military medical exchanges and cooperation."
It remains to be seen whether China will expand its fleet of hospital ships as part of its naval modernization efforts, thereby increasing operational flexibility for deployments across different regions.
Related Articles
Russia Warns US Over Iran AttackIndian Prime Minister Contradicts TrumpTrump Says Iran Should Have Negotiated Before Conflict Escalated: Live UpdatesHamas Sends Warning to U.S. Over Iran Attack
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Urgent Nationwide Recall Issued on This Popular Item Sold at Aldi—Here's What to Know
Urgent Nationwide Recall Issued on This Popular Item Sold at Aldi—Here's What to Know originally appeared on Parade. From morning coffee to vitamins, there are plenty of must-have's that help set up a successful daily routine. In fact, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, a whopping 50% of American adults take a multivitamin, vitamin or mineral supplement regularly. If you happen to be part of that group of consistent vitamin takers though, you'll want to double check your medicine cabinet. Because one lot of B12 vitamins is being voluntarily recalled by Vita Warehouse Corp thanks to the potential presence of undeclared peanuts. 🍳 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & fun food news in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳 Considering these Welby, Berkley Jensen and VitaGlobe vitamins are also sold by some of the most popular retailers like ALDI and Amazon, there's a good chance shoppers may unknowingly have a bottle. According to a company announcement shared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, this recall affects one lot of Aldi Welby B12 Energy Support gummies, Berkely Jensen B12 Vitamin gummies and Vitamin B12 Extra Strength gummies. The FDA warns that 'people with an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the potential risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions,' if they take these no illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported so far. The undeclared peanuts were actually discovered by ALDI. After conducting routine testing per its standard protocol, one of the tests 'indicated a potential presence of a peanut allergen.' While internal testing done by Vita Warehouse Corp. 'verified the absence of peanuts," the recall was issued out of caution. So, how do you know for sure if you have one of the affected vitamins? There are a few key ways. First, these were sold nationwide at ALDI and BJ's in-store. They were also sold online on ALDI's, BJ's and VitaGlobe's websites and on Amazon. Additionally, each product will have an expiration date of October 2026. The company says that each of the affected vitamins have the following UPC codes and Lot numbers. Aldi Welby: clear bottle with white cap, using green, red, and white labeling. UPC Code: 4099100290868 Lot #: 248046601* Berkeley Jensen: clear bottle with white cap, using red and pink labeling. UPC Code: 888670132487 Lot #: 248046601* VitaGlobe: clear bottle with white cap, using white and red labeling. UPC Code: 850005214670 Lot #: 248046601* The Lot codes and expiration dates can all be found printed on the bottom of each bottle. The FDA urges consumers who have a peanut allergy to return or throw away any affected vitamins ASAP. Customers who do return them can expect a full refund from the original store of purchase. Those with further questions can contact Vita Warehouse at 1-855-214-0100 Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4 pm Nationwide Recall Issued on This Popular Item Sold at Aldi—Here's What to Know first appeared on Parade on Jun 18, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Hill
2 hours ago
- The Hill
The world's only twice-a-year shot to prevent HIV could stop transmission — if people can get it
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has approved the world's only twice-a-year shot to prevent HIV, the first step in an anticipated global rollout that could protect millions – although it's unclear how many in the U.S. and abroad will get access to the powerful new option. While a vaccine to prevent HIV still is needed, some experts say the shot made by Gilead Sciences — a drug called lenacapavir — could be the next best thing. It nearly eliminated new infections in two groundbreaking studies of people at high risk, better than daily preventive pills they can forget to take. 'This really has the possibility of ending HIV transmission,' said Greg Millett, public policy director at amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. Condoms help guard against HIV infection if used properly but what's called PrEP — regularly using preventive medicines such as the daily pills or a different shot given every two months — is increasingly important. Lenacapavir's six-month protection makes it the longest-lasting type, an option that could attract people wary of more frequent doctor visits or stigma from daily pills. But upheaval in U.S. healthcare — including cuts to public health agencies and Medicaid — and slashing of American foreign aid to fight HIV are clouding the prospects. Millett said 'gaping holes in the system' in the U.S. and globally 'are going to make it difficult for us to make sure we not only get lenacapavir into people's bodies but make sure they come back' twice a year to keep up their protection. Gilead's drug already is sold to treat HIV under the brand name Sunlenca. The prevention dose will be sold under a different name, Yeztugo. It's given as two injections under the skin of the abdomen, leaving a small 'depot' of medication to slowly absorb into the body. People must test negative for HIV before getting their twice-a-year dose, Gilead warned. It only prevents HIV transmission — it doesn't block other sexually transmitted diseases. Some researchers who helped test the shot advise cold packs to counter injection-site pain. Global efforts at ending the HIV pandemic by 2030 have stalled. There still are more than 30,000 new infections in the U.S. each year and about 1.3 million worldwide. Only about 400,000 Americans already use some form of PrEP, a fraction of those estimated to benefit. A recent study found states with high use of PrEP saw a decrease in HIV infections, while rates continued rising elsewhere. About half of new infections are in women, who often need protection they can use without a partner's knowledge or consent. One rigorous study in South Africa and Uganda compared more than 5,300 sexually active young women and teen girls given twice-yearly lenacapavir or the daily pills. There were no HIV infections in those receiving the shot while about 2% in the comparison group caught HIV from infected sex partners. A second study found the twice-yearly shot nearly as effective in gay men and gender-nonconforming people in the U.S. and in several other countries hard-hit by HIV. Ian Haddock of Houston had tried PrEP off and on since 2015 but he jumped at the chance to participate in the lenacapavir study and continues with the twice-yearly shots as part of the research follow-up. 'Now I forget that I'm on PrEP because I don't have to carry around a pill bottle,' said Haddock, who leads the Normal Anomaly Initiative, a nonprofit serving Black LGBTQ+ communities. 'Men, women, gay, straight – it really just kinds of expands the opportunity for prevention,' he added. Just remembering a clinic visit every six months 'is a powerful tool versus constantly having to talk about, like, condoms, constantly making sure you're taking your pill every day.' Gilead said the U.S. list price, meaning before insurance, is $28,218 a year, which it called similar to some other PrEP options. The company said it anticipated insurance coverage but also has some financial assistance programs. Most private insurers are supposed to cover PrEP options without a co-pay although the Supreme Court is considering a case that could overturn that requirement. Congress also is considering huge cuts to Medicaid. And while community health centers still are an option, the Trump administration has largely dismantled HIV prevention work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that would normally get the message to vulnerable populations who'd qualify for the shot, said Carl Schmid of the nonprofit HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute. Schmid worries the shot won't meet its potential because 'we're basically pulling the rug out of HIV prevention and testing and outreach programs.' Gilead also has applications pending for the twice-yearly shot in other countries. Last fall, the company signed agreements with six generic drug makers to produce low-cost versions of the shot for 120 poor countries mostly in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. Gilead plans to make enough shots to supply 2 million people in those countries, at no profit, until the generics are available, said company senior vice president Dr. Jared Baeten. Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, said in a statement the price is still too high. If it's unaffordable, she said, 'it will change nothing.' And HIV experts worry the arrangements Gilead has made to reduce costs in some countries leave out middle-income countries like some in Latin America. 'Everyone in every country who's at risk of HIV needs access to PrEP,' said Dr. Gordon Crofoot of Houston, who helped lead the study in men. 'We need to get easier access to PrEP that's highly effective like this is.' ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
3 hours ago
New CDC advisers will skip some expected topics and explore a target of antivaccine activists
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s new vaccine advisers meet next week, but their agenda suggests they'll skip some expected topics — including a vote on COVID-19 shots — while taking up a longtime target of anti-vaccine groups. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices makes recommendations on how to use the nation's vaccines, setting a schedule for children's vaccines as well as advice for adult shots. Last week, Kennedy abruptly dismissed the existing 17-member expert panel and handpicked eight replacements, including several anti-vaccine voices. The agenda for the new committee's first meeting, posted Wednesday, shows it will be shorter than expected. Discussion of COVID-19 shots will open the session, but the agenda lists no vote on that. Instead, the committee will vote on fall flu vaccinations, on RSV vaccinations for pregnant women and children and on the use of a preservative named thimerosal that's in a subset of flu shots. It's not clear who wrote the agenda. No committee chairperson has been named and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not comment. Missing from the agenda are some heavily researched vaccine policy proposals the advisers were supposed to consider this month, including shots against HPV and meningococcal bacteria, said Dr. Susan Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Instead, the committee is talking about subjects 'which are settled science,' she said. 'Every American should be asking themselves how and why did we get here, where leaders are promoting their own agenda instead of protecting our people and our communities,' she said. She worried it's "part of a purposeful agenda to insert dangerous and harmful and unnecessary fear regarding vaccines into the process.' The committee makes recommendations on how vaccines that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration should be used. The recommendations traditionally go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director. Historically, nearly all are accepted and then used by insurance companies in deciding what vaccines to cover. But the CDC has no director and the committee's recommendations have been going to Kennedy. Thimerosal was added to certain vaccines in the early 20th century to make them safer and more accessible by preventing bacterial contamination in multi-dose vials. It's a tiny amount, but because it's a form of mercury, it began raising questions in the 1990s. Kennedy — a leading voice in an antivaccine movement before he became President Donald Trump's health secretary — has long held there was a tie between thimerosal and autism, and also accused the government of hiding the danger. Study after study has found no evidence that thimerosal causes autism. But since 2001, all vaccines manufactured for the U.S. market and routinely recommended for children 6 years or younger have contained no thimerosal or only trace amounts, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine. Thimerosal now only appears in multidose flu shot vials, not the single-shot packaging of most of today's flu shots. Targeting thimerosal would likely force manufacturers to switch to single-dose vials, which would make the shots 'more expensive, less available and more feared,' said Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Last week, 30 organizations called on insurers to continue paying for COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women after Kennedy said the shots would no longer be routinely recommended for that group. Doctors' groups also opposed Kennedy's changes to the vaccine committee. The new members he picked include a scientist who researched mRNA vaccine technology and became a conservative darling for his criticisms of COVID-19 vaccines, a top critic of pandemic-era lockdowns and a leader of a group that has been widely considered to be a source of vaccine misinformation. The American Academy of Pediatrics has long put out its own immunization recommendations. In recent decades it has matched what the government recommended. But asked if they might soon diverge, depending on potential changes in the government's vaccination recommendations, Kressly said; 'Nothing's off the table.' 'We will do whatever is necessary to make sure that every child in every community gets the vaccines that they deserve to stay healthy and safe,' she said. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
