28 May 2016 - Based on current assessment, cancelling or changing the location of the 2016 Olympics will not significantly alter the international spread of Zika virus. Brazil is one of almost 60 countries and territories which to-date report continuing transmission of Zika by mosquitoes. People continue to travel between these countries and territories for a variety of reasons. The best way to reduce risk of disease is to follow public health travel advice.
27 May 2016 -- Delegates of the World Health Assembly have agreed resolutions and decisions on air pollution, chemicals, the health workforce, childhood obesity, violence, noncommunicable diseases, and the election of the next Director-General. Earlier in the day public health prizes were awarded to 1 woman, 3 men, and a network of organizations working in the field of international health cooperation.
27 May 2016 – 1 woman, 3 men, and a network of organizations working in the field of international health cooperation were awarded prizes this morning at this year’s World Health Assembly. Each year the Health Assembly presents a series of prizes to recognize expertise and accomplishment in the field of public health.
26 May 2016 -- Delegates at the World Health Assembly today agreed to implement two new health strategies that are closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. One relates to women’s children’s and adolescents’ health; the other to healthy ageing.
25 May 2016 -- WHO Member States today agreed to one of the most profound transformations in the Organization’s history, establishing a new Health Emergencies Programme. The programme adds operational capabilities for outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies to complement its traditional technical and normative roles.
23 May 2016 -- The Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly opened today and will take place from 23-28 May 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland. This year the Health Assembly will be attended by 3000 delegates from WHO Member States and partner organizations.
20 May 2016 -- Sequencing of the virus in Cabo Verde by Institut Pasteur, Dakar confirms that the Zika virus currently circulating in Cabo Verde is the same as the one circulating in the Americas - the Asian type- and was most likely imported from Brazil. This is the first time that the Zika strain responsible for the outbreaks linked to neurological disorders and microcephaly has been detected in Africa.
19 May 2016 – The first WHO convened Emergency Committee on yellow fever has met in response to the ongoing outbreak of the disease in central Africa. The Committee emphasized that the urban yellow fever outbreaks are a serious risk that warrant intensified national action and enhanced international support.
19 May 2016 – Dramatic gains in life expectancy have been made globally since 2000, but major inequalities persist, according to WHO’s “World Health Statistics 2016.” This new report provides data on the health-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including current information on life expectancy, pregnancy, neglected tropical diseases, suicide, road traffic injuries, air pollution, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
WHO calls on countries to prepare as Zika virus expected to spread in Europe
18 May 2016 – A new WHO report assesses the risk of a Zika virus disease outbreak occurring during late spring and summer in the European Region. While the overall risk is low to moderate, countries where Aedes mosquitoes are present are more likely to experience a Zika virus outbreak. WHO is supporting European countries to prepare and respond to Zika virus.
16 May 2016 – New WHO recommendations aim to help health workers provide better care to the more than 200 million girls and women worldwide living with female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM has no health benefits, can cause grave harm, and violates the rights of girls and women. The new recommendations focus on preventing and treating obstetric complications; treatment for depression and anxiety disorders; and attention to female sexual health such as counselling.
13 May 2016 -- Athletes and visitors to Rio de Janeiro, and other areas where Zika virus is circulating, are being encouraged to follow the travel advice provided by WHO and their countries’ health authorities, and consult a health worker before travelling.
12 May 2016 – New WHO recommendations will speed detection and improve treatment of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) through use of a new rapid diagnostic test and a shorter, cheaper treatment regimen. The novel diagnostic test, called MTBDRsl, is a DNA-based test that identifies genetic mutations in MDR-TB strains. At less than US$ 1000 per patient, the new treatment regimen can be completed in 9–12 months.
12 May 2016 – More than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limits. While all regions of the world are affected, populations in low-income cities are the most impacted. According to the urban air quality database, 98% of cities in low- and middle income countries with more than 100 000 inhabitants do not meet WHO air quality guidelines.
The International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes calls on countries to protect breastfeeding by stopping the inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes, including advertising, gifts to health workers, and distribution of free samples. A new report by WHO, UNICEF, and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) reveals the status of national laws to protect and promote breastfeeding.
6 May 2016 -- Today, Liberia has less than 200 trained midwives for more than 4 million people. And most of those are working in urban areas - compounding the situation for rural women. To improve access to quality midwifery care, the Liberian Ministry of Health, WHO and partners are working together to strengthen the country’s midwifery schools. A new Bachelor of Science midwifery programme provides professional development to help midwives advance their careers, and graduates 50-75 registered midwives in each cohort.
5 May 2015 -- On 7 May 2015, Brazil informed WHO/PAHO of its first laboratory confirmed cases of Zika virus. In the last year the scientific community has learned an extraordinary amount about this virus and its effects. WHO continues to lead the research agenda, while supporting countries in the response. This article chronicles Zika virus from when it was first identified, and details how this fairly obscure disease became a global health emergency.
4 May 2015 -- In Uganda, taking a bath before surgery, closing the door to the operating theatre and ensuring surgeons clean their hands properly can be the difference between life and death. A study involving more than 650 surgical patients, showed the rate of infections halved after new measures were introduced. As a result, patients are spending less time in hospital, resulting in cost-savings for both the patient and the hospital.
02 May 2016 – Having a skilled health professional during childbirth can save the life of a woman and her child. But, in many parts of the world and within many countries, the presence of a health worker during childbirth is often a luxury. If a woman is poor, she is even more likely to deliver without support, putting herself and child at risk. To help countries monitor health inequalities, WHO developed a new toolkit called the Health Equity Assessment Toolkit.
A warming of the central to eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, El Niño 2015-2016, is affecting more than 60 million people. Severe drought and associated food insecurity, flooding, rains, and temperature rises are causing a wide range of health problems including disease outbreaks, malnutrition, heat stress, and respiratory diseases. WHO requires US$ 51 million to provide urgent healthcare for those affected.
