Monkeypox can be spread by an infected person through salive and droplets, including mouth lesions, as well as via bedding.  A mother can also pass the virus to her baby across the placenta. In addition, untreated HIV might increase the risk of more serious infection. So warned Dr Rosamund Lewis, the WHO’s monkeypox expert, at […] Continue reading ->
  World Health Organization (WHO) member states endorsed a new polio eradication strategy 2022-2026 last week that aims to permanently interrupt all poliovirus transmission – both of the wild poliovirus and vaccine-derived cases.  Meanwhile, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the discovery of a second wild poliovirus case in Africa, confirmed on 18 […] Continue reading ->
Diplomats approve the complex process they will use to update the legally binding rules among nations for responding to global health emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic. GENEVA – The 194-nation World Health Assembly approved a resolution on Friday that halves the two-year period for amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) to take effect down […] Continue reading ->
While the World Health Assembly adopted a raft of roadmaps, strategies and resolutions to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on Friday, what was important was their implementation, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “It is impossible to overstate the importance of concerted action against non-communicable diseases, which account for 85% of all premature mortality in low and […] Continue reading ->
GENEVA — The monkeypox outbreak has spread to almost 200 cases reported by more than 20 nations outside of Africa, where the disease is endemic. But the epidemic can be contained through a quick response, World Health Organization (WHO) officials told a public briefing for member nations on Friday. With few vaccines and drugs available […] Continue reading ->
The World Health Assembly on Thursday approved a resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by 88 votes to 12 – but the 53 abstentions reflected the discomfort of many member states with a debate that polarised the global health body.  Russia’s counter-resolution only garnered 15 votes including those of Belarus, Burundi and Eritrea, with 66 […] Continue reading ->
GENEVA – Despite pushback Monday from many WHO member states, including the 47-member ‘Africa Group’, Loyce Pace, US Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services remains “hopeful we may reach consensus” on reforming international health emergency rules at the World Health Assembly this week.  The proposal backed by Australia, […] Continue reading ->
In a groundbreaking decision on financing reform, the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolved on Tuesday that half of the world body’s budget will be derived from members’ fees by 2030. That will reduce the World Health Organization’s (WHO) massive reliance on donors. But there was less enthusiasm for revising the International Health Regulations (IHR). The […] Continue reading ->