Gains in fight to control yellow fever outbreak: but response must continue
6 August 2015 -- The yellow fever epidemic in Angola, first reported in late January 2016, appears to be declining, with no new cases confirmed in the last 6 weeks. However, WHO and partners continue to provide support to Angola as well as to Democratic Republic of the Congo to control the outbreak there. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - August 6, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, vaccines [subject], vaccine, vaccine safety, vaccine quality, yellow fever [subject], yellow feve Source Type: news
WHO and Ministry of Health expand cholera response to minimize future risk
In an effort to stop the spread of cholera in South Sudan, the Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and partners, is ramping up disease surveillance, treatment and prevention efforts. Conflict is threatening the health of thousands of people and 271 cholera cases have been reported, including 14 deaths. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - July 25, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: cholera [subject], vibrio cholerae, emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, Eastern Mediterranean Region [region], Press release [doctype], South Sudan [country] Source Type: news
WHO encourages countries to act now to reduce deaths from viral hepatitis
Ahead of World Hepatitis Day, 28 July, WHO urges countries to take rapid action to improve knowledge about the disease, and to increase access to testing and treatment services. Today, only 1 in 20 people with viral hepatitis know they have it. And just 1 in 100 with the disease is being treated. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - July 20, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: hepatitis [subject], jaundice, hepatitis a, hepatitis b, hepatitis c, hepatitis e, hepatitis [subject], jaundice, hepatitis a, hepatitis b, hepatitis c, hepatitis e, Press release [doctype] Source Type: news
Countries start to act on noncommunicable diseases but need to speed up efforts to meet global commitments
A new WHO report highlights the need to intensify national action to meet the global targets governments have agreed to protect people from heart disease, cancers, diabetes, and lung diseases. Globally, these 4 noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) represent the largest cause of death in people aged under 70 years, posing a major threat to sustainable development. The global survey, “Assessing national capacity for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases”, shows that some countries are making remarkable progress. A number of countries have put in place measures to protect people from exposure to tobacco use,...
Source: WHO news - July 18, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: communicable disease [subject], infectious diseases, noncommunicable disease [subject], chronic diseases Source Type: news
WHO flags key challenges to global HIV response at International AIDS Conference
The World Health Organization is flagging 4 key challenges as the international community meets at the International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, from 18–22 July 2016. The Organization is highlighting the need to renew attention to HIV prevention, whilst maintaining momentum on scaling up access to HIV treatment. It is also signalling the growing emergence of antiretroviral (ARV) drug resistance and the need for sustainable financing of the global response. “The enormous progress on HIV, particularly on treatment, is one of the big public health success stories of the century,” says Dr Margaret Chan, Dir...
Source: WHO news - July 15, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: hiv/aids [subject], hiv, hiv infections, aids Source Type: news
WHO steps up response to rising health needs of internally displaced persons in Juba City, South Sudan
WHO steps up response to rising health needs of IDPs in South Sudan (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - July 14, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, Eastern Mediterranean Region [region], Press release [doctype], South Sudan [country] Source Type: news
New strategies to end violence against children
WHO and partners today launch 7 interlinked strategies to reduce violence against children. The approaches have all been tested and all have shown concrete results. By bringing them together, WHO hopes to dramatically reduce instances of violence against children. Over the past year, up to 1 billion children have experienced physical, sexual or psychological violence, according to a recent study published in “Pediatrics”. Homicide is among the top 5 causes of death for adolescents. 1 in 4 children suffer physical abuse, and nearly 1 in 5 girls are sexually abused at least once in their lives. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - July 12, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: child maltreatment [subject], child abuse, violence [subject], violence prevention Source Type: news
Global leaders and youth advocates launch new partnership and fund to end violence against children everywhere
Today at the United Nations children joined world leaders to launch a new partnership and fund to make ending violence a public priority and a collective responsibility. End Violence Against Children - The Global Partnership brings together governments, foundations, the UN, civil society, the academia, the private sector and young people in driving action toward achieving the new global target to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children. "The Global Partnership to End Violence against Children is mobilizing the world,” said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon....
Source: WHO news - July 12, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: child maltreatment [subject], child abuse, violence [subject], violence prevention Source Type: news
WHO and partners step up response to the critical health needs in Juba
Since 8 July the situation in South Sudan has deteriorated rapidly. The country, just 5 years old faces fresh violence and news reports indicate that it could be back at war. More than 200 people are reported to have died since Friday, 8 July 2016. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - July 9, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, Eastern Mediterranean Region [region], Press release [doctype], South Sudan [country] Source Type: news
WHO announces head of new Health Emergencies Programme
WHO has announced the appointment of Dr Peter Salama as the Executive Director of its new Health Emergencies Programme, at the level of Deputy Director-General. He takes up his new post on 27 July 2016. Dr Salama is from Australia and is currently UNICEF Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa and Global Emergency Coordinator for the Crises in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. He has previously served with UNICEF as Country Representative in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, as Global Coordinator for Ebola, and as Chief of Global Health. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - June 28, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
WHO/PAHO and partners set out Zika strategic response plan for the next 18 months
WHO/PAHO and partners have set out their strategic response to Zika which will place a greater focus on preventing and managing medical complications caused by Zika virus infection. To date, US$121.9 million are necessary to effectively implement the Zika Strategic Response Plan, July 2016 to December 2017. “Much has been learned about Zika virus infection, how it spreads, the consequences of infection and priorities for its control since we developed the initial response framework,” said WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan. “The response now requires a unique and integrated strategy that places support for wome...
Source: WHO news - June 20, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: zika Source Type: news
Lower doses of yellow fever vaccine could be used in emergencies
The yellow fever vaccine given as one fifth of the regular dose could be used to control an outbreak in case of vaccine shortages. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - June 17, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, yellow fever [subject], yellow fever [subject], Statement [doctype] Source Type: news
WHO statement on the third meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR(2005)) Emergency Committee on Zika virus and observed increase in neurological disorders and neonatal malformations
The Zika Emergency Committee considered the potential risks of Zika transmission for mass gatherings, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - June 14, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, zika, zika Source Type: news
Voluntary unpaid blood donations must increase rapidly to meet 2020 goal
Voluntary, unpaid blood donations must be increased rapidly in more than half the world’s countries in order to ensure a reliable supply of safe blood for patients whose lives depend on it, WHO said on World Blood Donor Day. This year, the theme of World Blood Donor Day is “Blood connects us all”, highlighting the common bond that all people share in their blood. The slogan, “Share life, give blood”, draws attention to the role that voluntary donation systems play in encouraging people to care for one another and promoting community cohesion. (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - June 13, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: blood transfusion [subject], blood transfusions, blood transfusion safety Source Type: news
End of the most recent Ebola virus disease outbreak in Liberia
WHO declares the end of the most recent Ebola virus disease outbreak in Liberia (Source: WHO news)
Source: WHO news - June 9, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: ebola [subject], ebola haemhorragic fever, ebola virus, ebola fever, ebola virus disease, ebola [subject], ebola haemhorragic fever, ebola virus, ebola fever, ebola virus disease, ebola [subject], ebola haemhorragic fever, ebola virus, ebola fever, ebola Source Type: news
