Global Condom Prices to Rise by 30% as Iran Conflict Disrupts Supply Chains

Global condom prices are expected to increase by up to 30% following severe disruptions in international supply chains linked to the ongoing Iran conflict, according to Malaysia-based Karex Berhad, the world’s largest condom manufacturer.

The company, which produces over five billion condoms annually for major global brands including Durex and Trojan, said rising production costs and logistics challenges have made a price hike unavoidable.

Karex also supplies condoms to public health systems such as the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and supports United Nations-backed reproductive health programmes, making the disruption a major concern for global health supply chains.

According to Karex Chief Executive Officer Goh Miah Kiat, the Iran conflict has triggered a sharp increase in the cost of key raw materials used in condom production, including synthetic rubber, nitrile, silicone oil, and aluminium foil.

He explained that these materials are closely linked to petrochemical markets, which have been affected by rising global oil prices and instability in key shipping routes disrupted by the conflict.

READ ALSO:

• Senate Minority Whip Osita Ngwu, Aliyu Wadada Defect to APC
• Lagos Police Ban Officers From Searching Citizens’ Phones During Operations
• Lagos Sanitation Exercise Returns: Key Things Residents Should Know

“The situation is fragile and costs are rising across the board. We have no choice but to pass these increases on to customers,” he said.

The company also reported major disruptions in global logistics, with shipping times to Europe and the United States now extending to nearly two months—about twice the normal delivery period. This has caused distributors to experience shrinking inventories and has forced many buyers to place bulk advance orders, further tightening global supply.

Karex said demand for condoms has also increased as governments and distributors rush to secure stock amid uncertainty in global freight movements. The company warned that developing countries are particularly vulnerable due to limited reserves and slower replenishment systems, raising concerns about access to essential reproductive health supplies.

Industry analysts say the disruption affecting global condom supply chains reflects a broader impact on medical and protective goods, including surgical gloves and other healthcare products that rely on similar petrochemical inputs.

Despite the challenges, Karex said it currently has sufficient stock to meet short-term demand and is working to expand production capacity to stabilise global supply. The company also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting public health programmes and international aid partners while navigating ongoing market instability.

Global Condom Prices to Rise by 30% as Iran Conflict Disrupts Supply Chains

Nigeria Records New COVID-19 Case in Cross River

The Government of Cross River State has confirmed a new COVID-19 case, triggering immediate activation of emergency health protocols, surveillance operations, and contact tracing measures across affected areas of the state.

The announcement was made in Calabar by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, who disclosed that the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

According to him, the patient arrived in Nigeria on March 17, 2026, and later developed symptoms while in Cross River. He was first treated at a government health facility before being referred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were taken and tested in line with established COVID-19 testing protocols. The results confirmed the presence of the virus.

Health authorities, however, assured residents that the patient is currently stable and responding to treatment, urging the public not to panic.

The commissioner explained that the state government deliberately followed due process before making the announcement public to ensure accuracy and prevent misinformation. He added that the health system in Cross River has been strengthened to handle infectious disease outbreaks and maintain effective surveillance.

READ ALSO:

• Middle East Crisis: Nigeria Records $4bn Oil Windfall
• Nigeria Police Begins Probe of 167 Senior Officers Over Misconduct
• Naira Holds Steady in Official Market, Slides in Black Market

The State Epidemiologist, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, confirmed that the State Emergency Response Unit (SERU) has been activated immediately following the confirmation of the case. She said rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa Local Government Area to support containment efforts.

She further disclosed that health officials have begun contact tracing and line listing of individuals who may have been exposed to the patient, particularly those he came into contact with during his movement within the state.

Ekpenyong noted that the last confirmed COVID-19 case in Cross River was recorded in 2022, making the current situation a renewed focus for public health surveillance. She added that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the infection was contracted locally or imported.

According to preliminary assessments, the patient developed symptoms on April 10, 2026—more than two weeks after arriving in Nigeria. Health experts say this falls outside the typical 2–14 day COVID-19 incubation period, raising questions about possible local transmission.

The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Cross River, Dr Yewande Olatunde, has also urged continued vigilance, stressing that COVID-19 remains a global public health concern despite reduced emergency classification.

She advised residents to maintain preventive practices such as proper hygiene, early reporting of symptoms, and adherence to public health guidance to reduce the risk of spread.

State health authorities emphasized that there is currently no cause for alarm, noting that containment systems, surveillance teams, and emergency response structures are fully active to prevent any potential outbreak.

Officials reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that any suspected case of COVID-19 in Nigeria is swiftly detected, isolated, and managed to protect public health.

Nigeria Records New COVID-19 Case in Cross River

High-Salt Diet Linked to Faster Memory Decline in Men, Study Finds

A new study by researchers at Edith Cowan University has found that a diet high in salt may accelerate memory decline in men, highlighting the growing link between nutrition and long-term brain health.

The study, published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, examined how sodium intake affects cognitive performance over time, particularly episodic memory, which is responsible for recalling personal experiences and everyday events.

Researchers tracked 1,208 adults over a 72-month period, analysing baseline sodium consumption and monitoring changes in cognitive function.

Findings showed that men with higher sodium intake experienced a significantly faster decline in episodic memory compared to those with lower salt consumption. However, the study found no significant association between sodium intake and memory decline in women.

READ ALSO:

• INEC Revises Osun Governorship Campaign Deadline
• Tinubu Mocks Atiku, Obi, Aregbesola, Says They Need ‘Jigi-Bola Glasses’ to See APC Achievements
• UK Court Jails Nigerian Couple Over £433,000 TfL Tax Fraud

Episodic memory plays a crucial role in daily life, helping individuals remember routine experiences such as locations, conversations, and important personal events.

Lead researcher Samantha Gardener explained that while the exact biological mechanisms are still being studied, high salt intake may contribute to brain inflammation, vascular damage, and reduced blood flow to the brain, all of which can negatively affect cognitive performance over time.

Sodium is essential for normal body function, but excessive consumption has long been associated with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke risk, conditions that are also linked to cognitive decline and dementia in later life.

Health experts note that the findings reinforce global dietary recommendations to limit excessive salt intake, particularly as populations age and the burden of neurodegenerative diseases continues to rise.

The study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that dietary patterns—such as reduced sodium intake and balanced nutrition—may play an important role in protecting brain health and memory function across the lifespan.

High-Salt Diet Linked to Faster Memory Decline in Men, Study Finds