The director-general of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is “back to work” following an overnight stay in a Rio hospital during his trip to the G20 summit, the WHO chief said Thursday.

The reason for the hospital visit, first reported by the Brazilian paper O Globo, was not disclosed in a statement by the hospital, although media reports cited symptoms of hypertension and labyrinthitis (inner ear infection causing vertigo) as causes for the hospitalization.

“The patient spent the night under observation, underwent all the necessary examinations, which found clinical indicators with no signs of infection,” said Samaritano Hospital, located in a western district of Rio.

I felt unwell yesterday afternoon and was admitted to Samaritano Barra Hospital in Rio, but I was discharged this morning and am back to work.

My heartfelt gratitude to the healthcare workers for their outstanding service, and to everyone who has sent their best wishes.

What… pic.twitter.com/4gFMdAvKIT

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) November 21, 2024

“I was discharged this morning and am back to work,” Tedros said in a post on X. “My heartfelt gratitude to the healthcare workers for their outstanding service.”

Tedros, 59, was first attended to on-site Monday at the G20 meeting, a forum of the world’s largest economies, following signs of hypertension but was still able to deliver his speech to world leaders.

He was in Rio attending the G20 summit alongside other G20 and world leaders including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Union representatives.

“Please take care of your health,” Tedros said.