Latest news

Preventing spread of disease after Sierra Leone mudslide

WHO/S. Gborie

21 August 2017 – WHO is working closely with the Government of Sierra Leone to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as malaria and cholera in the wake of last week’s mudslides and flooding in Freetown. The Organization is also working with partners to ensure ongoing health care for the injured and displaced, and to provide psychological aid to those coping with trauma.

• News release

• #NotATarget
• Cholera
• Oman
• Malaria

Patients, health workers and hospitals are #NotATarget

WHO

18 August 2017 – Last year 418 people died because health facilities were attacked. Every hospital destroyed and every health worker killed or injured takes years of health services away from the people who need them most. Stop attacks on health care.

• Attacks on health care

Cholera count reaches 500 000 in Yemen

WHO

14 August 2017 – The total number of suspected cholera cases in Yemen this year hit the half a million mark on Sunday, and nearly 2000 people have died since the outbreak began to spread rapidly at the end of April. The spread of cholera has slowed significantly in some areas compared to peak levels but the disease is still spreading fast in more recently affected districts, which are recording large numbers of cases.

• News release

Oman beating noncommunicable diseases at souks and bakeries

WHO

11 August 2017 – From smoke-free souks to low-salt bread, businesses and communities in the Sultanate of Oman are leading the charge against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart and lung diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Oman is one of several countries selected by WHO to receive support to fast-track progress on achieving nine global targets to prevent and control NCDs, including a reduction of premature deaths from NCDs by 25% by 2025.

• Feature story

Taking on malaria: the top killer in north-eastern Nigeria

WHO/L. Ozor

5 August 2017 – WHO estimates up to 10 000 lives could be saved by November through malaria prevention and control, if more funds are secured. Following more than 8 years of conflict in Borno state in north-eastern Nigeria, some 3.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and all are at risk for malaria. WHO estimates that every week, around 8500 people are infected with the disease in Borno state. With the high transmission season for malaria lasting through October, WHO expects these numbers will increase.

• Feature story

Highlights

• Reaching key populations to prevent the spread of disease in Ethiopia
  August 2017 – In Ethiopia, thousands of pilgrims flock to holy water sites for spiritual cleansing and physical healing. People often drink the holy water and perform ceremonial cleansing, but there is a risk that these sites can be contaminated with bacteria, causing waterborne diseases.

• Breaking the link between disability and exclusion in Tajikistan
  August 2017 – Several hundred Tajik people developed impairments and now need long-term rehabilitation care following a large poliomyelitis (polio) outbreak in 2010, which also spread to 3 neighbouring countries. To improve the provision of and access to rehabilitation services for people with disabilities in Tajikistan, WHO set up a disability rehabilitation programme in 2013 that focuses on people affected by polio.

• WHO delivers medicines and medical supplies to Al-Qamishli, Syria
  August 2017 - For the first time in 3 years, WHO has delivered almost 30 tons of medicines and medical supplies by road to health facilities and mobile clinics in Al-Qamishli. The supplies will support the delivery of health services to displaced people from northern and eastern regions of Syria.

• WHO prequalifies first generic hepatitis C medicine and first HIV self-test
  July 2017 – In the lead-up to Paris AIDS conference, WHO today prequalified the first generic version of sofosbuvir, a critical medicine for the treatment of hepatitis C, as well as the OraQuick ® HIV Self-Test.