The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) is spreading faster than health authorities can contain it and is on track to become the deadliest on record, according to the World Health Organization.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday that at its current pace, the outbreak is on track to eclipse the West African Ebola outbreak of 2014 to 2016, a crisis that killed more than 11,000 people and accelerated the push to develop a vaccine.

The outbreak in eastern DR Congo has killed more than 2,000 people out of more than 4,300 recorded cases, making it the fastest-moving Ebola outbreak on record. It was formally declared on May 15, though genetic sequencing later revealed the virus had actually begun circulating in February.

The outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which no vaccine or treatment has yet been approved.

Containment efforts have been hampered by the region’s remoteness and ongoing conflict near Congo’s borders with South Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda. 

Many infections and deaths are occurring in communities that health teams have struggled to reach. Weak infrastructure, under-resourced clinics, circulating misinformation, and strikes by health workers over unpaid wages have further slowed the response.

Dr Abdirahman Mahamud, WHO’s director for health emergency alert and response operations, said the agency’s moderate projection has the outbreak peaking within six months. Under a more severe scenario, he said, it could stretch on for nine to 12 months.

The 2014-2016 outbreak in West Africa remains the deadliest on record, having claimed more than 11,000 lives out of roughly 28,000 cases and prompting a major international push towards vaccine development. WHO officials say the current crisis could surpass that toll if access to affected communities does not improve soon. (Al Jazeera)

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Sri Lanka has officially launched the Investment Case on Alcohol Control and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SAFER Technical Package, aimed at reducing the health, social and economic harm caused by alcohol consumption.

The initiative was launched on Monday under the patronage of Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, together with WHO Representative to Sri Lanka Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav.

Speaking at the event, Jayatissa said no economic profit or industry interest would be placed above the health of the public, stressing that protecting people’s lives and wellbeing remains the Government’s top priority.

He said alcohol-related harm affects not only public health but also imposes significant social and economic costs on the country, adding that the Government would strengthen regulations, particularly to protect young people and prevent the normalisation of harmful alcohol use.

The newly launched WHO SAFER Technical Package outlines five evidence-based strategies to help countries reduce alcohol-related disease, deaths and social harm, while the Investment Case highlights the health and economic benefits of strengthening alcohol control policies in Sri Lanka.

The programme was organised by the Health Ministry in collaboration with the WHO, Movendi International, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Interagency Task Force on Non-Communicable Diseases. (Newswire)

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The Registrar General’s Department (RGD), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), through the OneRegistry initiative, has concluded a leadership programme aimed at driving Sri Lanka’s digital transformation of civil registration systems. 

Held in Kandy under the banner RGD to Digital Excellence (RGD2DX), the initiative trained 61 senior officials in adaptive leadership, systems thinking, and institutional change management, equipping them to guide the modernization of Sri Lanka’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system. 

The programme forms part of broader efforts to build a digitally enabled, integrated, and citizen-centric civil registration system that delivers more efficient and accessible services to the public.

The RGD2DX programme was conducted through two residential cohorts held in Kandy bringing together 61 members of the senior management of the Registrar General’s Department, including senior administrators and decision-makers who will play a pivotal role in driving institutional transformation in the years ahead.

Facilitated by international experts from Malaysia, the programme introduced participants to adaptive leadership, systems thinking, institutional change management, and approaches to leading organizations through periods of digital transition. Through interactive discussions, experiential learning exercises, and collaborative problem-solving activities, participants explored practical strategies to strengthen organizational resilience while maintaining public trust and service quality.

Recognizing that sustainable institutional transformation extends beyond residential learning, the programme also included a series of virtual follow-up clinics conducted over a three-month period, enabling participants to reflect on the practical application of their learnings, share experiences and challenges, and receive continued guidance from facilitators.

Participants highlighted the practical value of the programme in supporting the Department’s ongoing transition towards digital systems.

Dasun Hettiarachchi, Additional District Registrar – Matale, said, “When moving from the traditional system to the new system, we discussed the gaps and obstacles, as well as how to resolve them, and received useful advice.”

Similarly, Kumudu Dissanayake, Additional District Registrar (Legal Division), noted, “The higher management and the RGD staff who participated in this training have been able to adopt new methods, and we are highly motivated. This has been very beneficial to our department.”

The RGD2DX programme underscores the importance of investing not only in digital systems and technology, but also in the people responsible for leading change. By strengthening leadership capacities within the senior management of the Registrar General’s Department, the initiative contributes towards building a more agile, responsive, and future-ready institution capable of delivering improved public services to citizens across Sri Lanka.

As Sri Lanka continues its digital transformation journey, initiatives such as RGD2DX demonstrate the importance of cultivating adaptive public sector leadership that can effectively navigate complexity, champion innovation, and drive sustainable institutional change for the benefit of all Sri Lankans. (Newswire)

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The global risk “remains low” from a deadly Ebola outbreak centred in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organisation chief said Wednesday (Jun 24), after a case was confirmed in France.

France on Wednesday announced its first confirmed case of Ebola identified on its territory: a doctor who had flown back from the DR Congo, which is fighting a major outbreak. 

The case is the first of the deadly haemorrhagic fever identified outside the African continent during the current outbreak, which has also affected Uganda.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned against “over-reaction” to the case – the first ever detected in France.

There is “no need for panic”, he said, insisting that “the risk to the rest of the world is low”.

He underlined though that the case served as “a reminder of the risks faced by frontline responders”.

“Almost 80 health workers have been infected, highlighting the risks they face and the importance of strengthening infection prevention and control,” he pointed out. 

The case confirmed Wednesday involved a doctor who had been working with the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), the NGO said.

The patient “boarded a commercial flight from Kinshasa and was almost asymptomatic – except for headaches”, the French health ministry said.

The patient’s condition “slightly deteriorated during the flight”, after which they were immediately isolated and taken into care upon landing in Paris, even before the disease was officially identified, the ministry added.

The patient was in a “stable condition” and their viral load was “very low”, the ministry added.

Efforts were under way to identify potential contacts.

The WHO was advising countries “to support the safe deployment of personnel responding to this outbreak”, Tedros said.

“This includes ensuring that organisations deploying staff provide clear information on risks, how to reduce and manage the risks of exposure, and that countries are prepared to facilitate evacuation if needed.” 

The DRC’s 17th Ebola outbreak was declared on May 15 after several unexplained deaths in the mineral-rich but volatile eastern Ituri province plagued by armed groups.

According to the latest official figures, more than 1,000 cases have been recorded, including 267 deaths, representing a fatality rate of around 25 percent.

WHO assesses the public health risk level as “very high” for the DRC, “high” for Uganda and other countries bordering DRC, and “low” for the rest of the world.

Tedros called for putting the case in France in “perspective”, urging against “over-reaction”.

He pointed out that while thousands of Ebola cases have been detected in Africa over the past half century, “in the past 50 years, the number of cases that were detected outside Africa are less than 30”. (CNA)

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Sri Lanka has received special recognition from the World Health Organization for maintaining the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis as a public health concern, in line with international standards and global advisory recommendations.

The recognition was awarded in appreciation of Sri Lanka’s continued progress in reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis to levels where they are no longer considered a major public health issue.

The award was presented today at the 79th World Health Assembly, currently being held in Geneva.

The certificate of recognition was handed over by the Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.

The Health Ministry said the recognition reflects the progress achieved by Sri Lanka’s health sector in sustaining public health standards in line with global benchmarks. (Newswire)

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The Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) has highlighted the urgent need for stronger tobacco taxation, citing alarming figures on tobacco-related deaths. 

According to research by the World Health Organization (WHO), over 12,300 Sri Lankans die every year from diseases linked to tobacco use.

In a message for World Health Day 2026, IPS Sri Lanka stressed that higher tobacco taxes are recognized by the WHO as the single most cost-effective public health intervention to prevent these deaths.

“Tobacco isn’t just a health issue; it kills thousands annually. Strong tobacco taxes cut smoking and save lives, paving the way for healthier futures,” the IPS Sri Lanka added in its message on social media. (Newswire)

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Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says Norway’s decision to prohibit the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children is a commendable step toward reducing overweight and obesity and protecting young people from serious conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. 

Dr. Tedros further said, according to the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative, more than one in five school‑aged children in Norway are currently living with overweight or obesity.

“I applaud Norway’s leadership on this critical health challenge, and encourage other nations to take similarly decisive measures to safeguard the health and future of their children,” he said in a statement on ‘X’. 

Norway has banned the marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks to children to reduce overweight and obesity and to protect them from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and other noncommunicable diseases. 

Issuing a statement, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Norway is among the first countries in the WHO European Region to implement the WHO recommendation to reduce children’s exposure to the marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks.

The new legislation is not only a national achievement, but it also builds on international momentum to create healthier environments for children.

Breaking the vicious circle

Overweight and obesity cause more than 1.2 million deaths each year across the WHO European Region and are tightly linked to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and several types of cancer.

According to the latest WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative data, more than 20% of school-aged children in Norway are living with overweight or obesity. A 2021 study conducted by the Oslo Metropolitan University found that 8 out of 10 food and drink advertisements aimed at children in Norway promoted unhealthy nutrition.

“Across the WHO European Region, 1 in 4 children aged 7–9 years is living with overweight or obesity, while in Norway more than 1 in 5 children are affected. This is not a matter of individual choice alone: children are growing up in environments shaped by pervasive and powerful marketing of unhealthy foods. Norway’s new legislation is a bold, evidence-based step to change that reality. It shows that governments can act decisively to protect children’s health, and I hope Norway’s example will encourage other countries across the Region to take similar action,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

Efforts to reduce the pressure from unhealthy food marketing directed at children have been a key public health priority for 2 decades. “In 2006, WHO and the Norwegian Directorate of Health met in Oslo to discuss this very issue and to implement policies to reduce marketing pressure on children. Norway has remained committed to that agenda,” said Cathrine Lofthus, Director General of the Norwegian Directorate of Health.

“Since then, it has become increasingly evident that marketing of unhealthy foods is a key driver of unhealthy dietary habits among children, especially with the rise of social media,” Lofthus added. “Today, more than ever, our Region needs strong political momentum to create healthier environments for younger generations.”

How do the regulations work?

Since October 2025, when they came into force, the regulations prohibit the marketing of specific categories of unhealthy foods and beverages aimed at children under 18 years of age. They apply to both traditional and digital advertising, covering sponsorship, influencer marketing, product placement and indirect branding practices.

Norway’s legislation is based on a detailed nutrient profile model aligned with WHO guidance. It defines 10 food categories. Categories 1–5 include chocolate and sugar confectionery, cakes and pastries, snacks, edible ices and soft drinks. All products in these categories are prohibited from being marketed to children. Categories 6–10 include juices, milk drinks, breakfast cereals, yoghurt products and fast food. These are subject to nutrient thresholds and marketing is prohibited if products exceed defined limits for added sugars, saturated fat, salt or energy content.

Restricting marketing is recognized as a WHO/Europe best buy policy that can effectively prevent noncommunicable diseases. By limiting children’s exposure to persuasive and confusing advertising of products high in sugar, salt and saturated fats, governments can help to shape healthier dietary norms early in life. (Newswire/ WHO)

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The measures implemented by the Sri Lankan Government and health authorities to prevent the spread of communicable diseases during the recent disaster situation have been commended by the Director‑General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Today marks the second day of the WHO’s Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine. The summit began yesterday (17) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India.

Representing Sri Lanka, Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa met with WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus this morning (18) on the sidelines of the summit.

Joining the meeting were Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, WHO South‑East Asia Regional Director Dr. Razia Pendse, and other delegates. 

Minister Jayatissa expressed gratitude to Dr. Tedros for WHO’s interventions, assistance, guidance, and support in maintaining strong and uninterrupted health services in Sri Lanka during the recent disaster.

During the discussion, Dr. Tedros inquired about Sri Lanka’s post‑disaster management efforts. Minister Jayatissa explained that the Government is carrying out recovery activities under a systematic and planned program, ensuring that health services prevented any outbreak or spread of communicable diseases among affected communities, thereby safeguarding public health.

The Director‑General praised the Government and health authorities for their disaster response and post‑disaster measures, stressing the importance of keeping communicable diseases under control during such crises and warning of the severe consequences if outbreaks were to occur.

The WHO’s Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, which began yesterday (17), continues today and will run until tomorrow (19) in New Delhi.

Organized jointly by WHO and India’s Ministry of Ayush, the summit aims to advance evidence, integration, and innovation in traditional medicine. It brings together ministers, scientists, indigenous leaders, and professionals from over 100 countries.

The summit will announce key scientific priorities and new commitments to implement and advance WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, focusing on stronger evidence, better regulation, system integration, collaboration, and community participation.

Around 90% of WHO member states (170 out of 194) report that between 40–90% of their populations use traditional medicine. (Newswire)

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The World Health Organization (WHO) Sri Lanka has released public health guidance on how to safely manage dead animals found during or after flood events, in the wake of recent flooding across Sri Lanka.

The advisory highlights the risks posed by animal carcasses, which may result from drowning, illness, or injury during disasters.

The WHO urges the public not to touch, collect, or consume dead fish found after floods, and to seek instructions from Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) or local authorities before handling any dead animals. 

For those involved in cleanup efforts, the organization recommends wearing protective gear such as gloves, boots, and masks, and following strict hygiene practices, including thorough handwashing with soap and clean water.

To prevent contamination, food and water sources should be kept secure, and carcasses should be removed promptly. The WHO also advises using mosquito repellent when working outdoors in flood-affected areas.

This guidance is part of broader efforts to minimize health risks and support safe recovery in communities impacted by severe weather. (Newswire)

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The 78th session of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Committee for South-East Asia commenced in Colombo today (13), with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health, Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, being elected as chairman. He will serve in this capacity for a period of one year.

The three-day session, which will continue until the 15th, marks a significant event for Sri Lanka as host nation. It is attended by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Dr Katerina Böhm, health ministers from eight member states, ambassadors from two nations, and other WHO experts.

The meeting will focus on shaping the region’s health strategy for the coming year. Delegates are expected to adopt new proposals addressing major health challenges, review progress on previous resolutions, and renew commitments to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of all people across the region.

Revitalising efforts to achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will also be among the key priorities discussed during the session.

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A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) says corporal punishment causes significant harm to children’s health and development, revealing that globally, an estimated 1.2 billion children aged 0–18 years are subjected to physical punishment in their homes every year. 

Stating that corporal punishment remains alarmingly widespread, the report states data across 58 countries show that 17% of children who experienced corporal punishment in the past month were subjected to its most severe forms – including being hit on the head, face, or ears, or being hit hard and repeatedly.

The use of corporal punishment in homes varies widely across countries. Among children aged 2–14 years, parent and caregiver self-reported rates of corporal punishment in the past month ranged from 30% in Kazakhstan and 32% in Ukraine, to 63% in Serbia, 64% in Sierra Leone, and 77% in Togo.

In schools, the practice is equally widespread. Across Africa and Central America, around 70% of children experience corporal punishment during their school years, compared with about 25% in the Western Pacific region.

“There is now overwhelming scientific evidence that corporal punishment carries multiple risks to the health of children,” said Etienne Krug, Director of the WHO Department for Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention. “It offers no benefits to the behaviour, development or well-being of children and no benefit to parents or societies either. It’s time to end this harmful practice to ensure that children thrive at home and at school.”   

The report entitled Corporal punishment of children: the public health impact, highlights that children most at risk of experiencing corporal punishment are those with a disability; those whose parents experienced corporal punishment themselves; and those whose parents struggle with substance use, depression or other mental health conditions. Broader societal factors such as poverty, racism and discrimination further increase the risk of corporal punishment of children.

The health consequences of child corporal punishment are profound and far-reaching. Beyond immediate injuries, the practice triggers harmful biological responses, including heightened stress hormone reactivity and changes in brain structure and function that can undermine healthy development. 

Analysis across 49 low- and middle-income countries shows that children exposed to corporal punishment are, on average, 24% less likely to be developmentally on track compared to peers who are not exposed.  The mental health toll is equally severe. Children subjected to corporal punishment face increased risks of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and emotional instability. These effects frequently persist into adulthood, manifesting as higher rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse and even contemplated, attempted or completed suicide.

Corporal punishment carries wider societal consequences as well. Children who experience it are more likely to develop aggressive behaviors, struggle academically, and, as adults, engage in violent, antisocial, or criminal conduct. The practice also fuels a broader social acceptance of violence, reinforcing harmful cycles across generations.

Although many countries have banned corporal punishment, its continued use – and the persistent belief that it is necessary – demonstrates that legislation alone is not enough. WHO stresses that legal measures must be paired with public awareness campaigns and direct support for parents, caregivers, and teachers to promote positive, non-violent forms of discipline. Corporal punishment of children: the public health impact provides additional arguments for expanding the spectrum of interventions that should be considered to eliminate this form of violence against children. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health, Nalinda Jayatissa, met with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly of the WHO in Geneva, Switzerland.

Issuing a statement on the meeting, Minister Jayatissa said he engaged in a detailed discussion about the current situation and future plans of Sri Lanka’s health sector.

“We focused on several key areas, such as setting up 1,000 new primary health care centres in Sri Lanka, bringing in support from international organizations and donors, and strengthening our health services with the help of the WHO,” he said.

The Health Minister highlighted that discussions were also held on finding solutions to the issue of health professionals leaving Sri Lanka, based on WHO guidelines, and reviewed the progress of ongoing WHO-supported programs in the country.

Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said he extended an invitation to Dr. Tedros to visit Sri Lanka soon and join the South Asia Regional Conference to be held in Colombo in October 2025.

Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Himali Arunathilaka, First Secretary Nishanthini Victor, and several other officials also participated in the meeting. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa raised concern over the migration of health professionals during his address at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, citing its serious impact on the country’s health system and economy.

He noted that between 2022 and 2025, thousands of health professionals have left Sri Lanka, causing serious strain to the country’s healthcare system.

“726 consultants, 1116 medical officers and nearly 2800 nursing officers have gone abroad. Sri Lanka has had to bear significant financial losses after investing to produce our own health professionals,” he said.

Dr. Jayatissa called for greater accountability from destination countries and urged the effective implementation of the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. (Newswire)

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Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa says Sri Lanka has reduced its maternal mortality rate to 25 per 100,000 live births, affirming the Health Ministry’s commitment to further lowering the rate.

According to the Health Minister, the figure was well below the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 70. 

Minister Jayatissa attributed this feat to Sri Lanka’s free healthcare system and assured to ensure the delivery of high-quality health services in the country. 

He made the remarks during a meeting with the Acting Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office, Dr. Farooq Qureshi, held at the Health Ministry, coinciding with the World Health Day, commemorated on 07 April. 

The official handover of a special expert report, based on a three-day online seminar series jointly organized by WHO Sri Lanka and the Ministry in celebration of World Health Day, took place during the meeting. (Newswire)

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President Donald Trump moved quickly on Monday to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization, a move that public health experts say will undermine the nation’s standing as a global health leader and make it harder to fight the next pandemic.

In an executive order issued about eight hours after he took the oath of office, Mr. Trump cited a string of reasons for the withdrawal, including the W.H.O.’s  “mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic,” and the “failure to adopt urgently needed reforms.” He said the agency demands “unfairly onerous payments” from the United States, and complained that China pays less.

The move was not unexpected. Mr. Trump has been railing against the W.H.O. since 2020, when he attacked the agency over its approach to the coronavirus pandemic and threatened to withhold United States funding from it. In July 2020, Mr. Trump took formal steps to withdraw from the agency.

But after he lost the 2020 election, the threat did not materialize. On his first day in office, Jan. 20, 2021, former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. blocked it from going into effect.

Leaving the W.H.O. would mean, among other things, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would have no access to the global data that the agency provides. When China characterized the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus in 2020, it released the information to W.H.O., which shared it with other nations.

More recently, the W.H.O. has become a target of conservatives over its work on a “pandemic treaty” to strengthen pandemic preparedness and set legally binding policies for member countries on surveillance of pathogens, rapid sharing of outbreak data, and building up local manufacturing and supply chains for vaccines and treatments, among others.

Talks on the treaty broke down last year. In the United States, some Republican lawmakers viewed the agreement as a threat to American sovereignty.

Lawrence O. Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University who helped negotiate the treaty, said that a United States withdrawal from W.H.O. would be “a grievous wound” to public health but an “even deeper wound to American national interests and national security.”

Founded in 1948 with help from the United States, the World Health Organization is an agency of the United Nations. Its mission, according to its website, is to “confront the biggest health challenges of our time and measurably advance the well-being of the world’s people.”

That includes bringing aid to war-torn areas like Gaza and tracking emerging epidemics like Zika, Ebola and Covid-19. The annual budget of W.H.O. is about $6.8 billion; the United States has typically contributed an outsize share.

According to Mr. Gostin, it will take some time for the United States to withdraw. A joint resolution adopted by Congress at the agency’s founding addressed a potential withdrawal, and requires the United States to give a year’s notice and pay its financial obligations to the organization for the current fiscal year. (New York Times)

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A mysterious disease with flu-like symptoms has killed dozens of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to health officials there.

The unidentified illness has killed 79 people and sickened 376 as of Tuesday, according to the country’s Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security.

In a statement on X, the ministry said the disease was of “still unknown origin” and had been detected in Kwango province in southwestern Congo.

Reported symptoms include fever, headache, nasal congestion, cough, difficulty breathing and anemia.

Local authorities told Reuters and The Associated Press that the death toll may be as high as 143.

The health ministry said that the remains of anyone who has died after experiencing similar symptoms should not be handled without the involvement of authorized health authorities, and it asked people to report any suspicious illnesses or unusual deaths. The office also advised people to avoid mass gatherings and observe basic rules of hygiene, including washing hands with soap and water.

Emergency public health officials have been dispatched to the region, according to the ministry.

The World Health Organization told NBC News that it is aware of reports of an unidentified disease and is working with local authorities.

“We have dispatched a team to the remote area to collect samples for lab investigations,” WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević said in an email.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has an office in Congo, said it is aware of the situation and is providing technical assistance to a rapid response team dispatched by a local emergency operations center.

Anne Rimoin, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who has worked in Congo since 2002, said diagnosing the illnesses may be complicated by limited health care infrastructure and because of underlying health issues in some of the population, including malaria and malnutrition.

“I think it’s really important to be aware of what’s happening, and I think it’s also really important not to panic until we have more information,” she said.

“It could be anything,” she added. “It could be influenza, it could be Ebola, it could be Marburg, it could be meningitis, it could be measles. At this point, we really just don’t know.”

Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease physician at Stanford Medicine, said the outbreak “does raise alarm bells” because of its location. Interactions between humans and wildlife in Congo increase the risk of a pathogen spilling over from animals, he said, and “many animal infections that transmit from animal to human can cause pretty severe disease.”

To identify the disease, Karan said, local health officials will start by screening for common illnesses like flu or malaria, before testing for less common pathogens. If all those tests are negative, officials may genetically sequence tissue, blood, mucus or bone marrow from infected people, he said. 

At the same time, international teams on the ground will collect information about what risk factors sick people have had in common and who they’ve been in contact with, said Amira Albert Roess, a professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University.

“I think pretty quickly we’ll start to have an answer as to what this is,” Roess said, noting that there have been “a lot of deaths, especially in such a short amount of time, with the same types of symptoms.” (NBC)

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the monkeypox (mpox) outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

According to a WHO statement, its Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’s declaration came on the advice of an IHR Emergency Committee of independent experts who met earlier in the day to review data presented by experts from WHO and affected countries. 

The Committee informed the Director-General that it considers the upsurge of mpox to be a PHEIC, with the potential to spread further across countries in Africa and possibly outside the continent.

The Director-General will share the report of the Committee’s meeting and, based on the advice of the Committee, issue temporary recommendations to countries. 

In declaring the PHEIC, Dr Tedros said, “The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.”

This PHEIC determination is the second in two years relating to mpox. Caused by an Orthopoxvirus, mpox was first detected in humans in 1970, in the DRC. The disease is considered endemic to countries in Central and West Africa.

In July 2022, the multi-country outbreak of mpox was declared a PHEIC as it spread rapidly via sexual contact across a range of countries where the virus had not been seen before. That PHEIC was declared over in May 2023 after there had been a sustained decline in global cases.

Mpox has been reported in the DRC for more than a decade, and the number of cases reported each year has increased steadily over that period. Last year, reported cases increased significantly, and already the number of cases reported so far this year has exceeded last year’s total, with more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths. 

The emergence last year and rapid spread of a new virus strain in DRC, clade 1b, which appears to be spreading mainly through sexual networks, and its detection in countries neighbouring the DRC is especially concerning, and one of the main reasons for the declaration of the PHEIC.

In the past month, over 100 laboratory-confirmed cases of clade 1b have been reported in four countries neighbouring the DRC that have not reported mpox before: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Experts believe the true number of cases to be higher as a large proportion of clinically compatible cases have not been tested.

Several outbreaks of different clades of mpox have occurred in different countries, with different modes of transmission and different levels of risk.

The two vaccines currently in use for mpox are recommended by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, and are also approved by WHO-listed national regulatory authorities, as well as by individual countries including Nigeria and the DRC.

Last week, the Director-General triggered the process for Emergency Use Listing for mpox vaccines, which will accelerate vaccine access for lower-income countries which have not yet issued their own national regulatory approval. Emergency Use Listing also enables partners including Gavi and UNICEF to procure vaccines for distribution. 

WHO is working with countries and vaccine manufacturers on potential vaccine donations, and coordinating with partners through the interim Medical Countermeasures Network to facilitate equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics and other tools.

WHO anticipates an immediate funding requirement of an initial US$ 15 million to support surveillance, preparedness and response activities. A needs assessment is being undertaken across the three levels of the Organization.

To allow for an immediate scale-up, WHO has released US$ 1.45 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies and may need to release more in the coming days. The Organization appeals to donors to fund the full extent of the needs of the mpox response. (Newswire)

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UNICEF, together with WHO, will support the Ministry of Health in implementing a supplementary measles immunization activity (SIA) in Sri Lanka aimed at controlling the ongoing measles outbreak, midst over 700 measles cases reported in the country since May 2023.

The SIA will be launched in two phases; the first phase will commence on Saturday (January 06), targeting 6-9-month-olds in nine identified districts with a high population density where measles cases were reported, including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala and Kalmunai. 

Issuing a statement, UNICEF stated that the second phase will be initiated on January 20 and extended to other age groups across the country.

Speaking at a press briefing held in Colombo recently to announce the launch of the supplementary immunization activity, UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka, Christian Skoog said, “UNICEF, as well as WHO, has been closely associated partners with the Ministry of Health for many years in the implementation of the national immunization programme, which is a success story in Sri Lanka.  However, even with a high immunization coverage, measles outbreaks can occur among unvaccinated children, especially when there are outbreaks in the region. While the numbers are small with the recent measles outbreak, it is important to take it seriously and that is what the Ministry of Health is doing, in taking appropriate steps to control it.”

He also added the assistance extended by UNICEF during COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021 to maintain the quality of vaccines by addressing the gaps in the cold chain equipment system, will undoubtedly support in implementing this effective supplementary immunization activity.

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Ministry of Health (MoH), Dr. Palitha Mahipala expressed confidence in the success of the vaccination drive, stating, “There is no other country in the world which has reached over 99% immunization coverage. I can confidently state without any hesitation that Sri Lanka is the only country which reached 99.9% immunization coverage. So, I am optimistic that with this supplementary immunization activity, the measles cases reported will be reduced.”

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was introduced into Sri Lanka’s immunization program in 1984. In 2001, a second dose of the vaccine was introduced to improve population-level immunity and in 2019, the WHO declared Sri Lanka as a country free of Measles. However, a significant drop in global immunization coverage from 2020 to 2022 impacted many countries in the region, which has led to a rise in measles cases once again, including in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Alaka Singh, WHO Representative to Sri Lanka who also spoke at the presser said, “The cases reported so far have been mild, and no deaths have been reported. However, measles can be a major childhood disease, which can and must be prevented. Accordingly, MoH has embarked on a rapid supplementary immunization activity in two phases through the strong primary healthcare system. We, as WHO, reiterate our full support for this program and overall recovery in Sri Lanka going forward.”

Other experts in attendance at the media briefing included Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health; Dr. Vinod Kumar Bura, Coordinator, Immunization and Vaccine Development, Department of Communicable Diseases, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office; the Chief Epidemiologist; Director, Health Promotion Bureau as well as other consultants and specialists from MoH.  

UNICEF and MoH, through this latest SIA, are committed to combating any possible measles outbreaks in Sri Lanka. While measles is highly infectious, past vaccination initiatives have shown success in controlling outbreaks when high coverage is achieved. Stakeholders noted that strategic public awareness and community engagement will be critical in conveying the urgency of vaccinations and ensuring the campaign’s success. (NewsWire)

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a “variant of interest”.

Taking to ‘X’, WHO said due to its rapidly increasing spread, it is classifying the variant JN.1 as a separate variant of interest (VOI) from the parent lineage BA.2.86. 

It was previously classified as VOI as part of BA.2.86 sublineages, it clarified.

WHO further said that based on the available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low. 

“Despite this, with the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, JN.1 could increase the burden of respiratory infections in many countries,” it warned.

WHO went on to note that current vaccines continue to protect against severe disease and death from JN.1 and other circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

WHO added that it is continuously monitoring the evidence and will update the JN.1 risk evaluation as needed. (NewsWire)

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The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Departments of Gender, Rights and Equity – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (GRE-DEI), Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes (HHS), and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (SRH) are developing a guideline on the health of trans and gender diverse people.

The WHO said this new guideline will provide evidence and implementation guidance on health sector interventions aimed at increasing access and utilization of quality and respectful health services by trans and gender-diverse people.

The guideline will focus on 5 areas: provision of gender-affirming care, including hormones; health workers’ education and training for the provision of gender-inclusive care; provision of health care for trans and gender-diverse people who suffered interpersonal violence based on their needs; health policies that support gender-inclusive care, and legal recognition of self-determined gender identity. 

Following WHO guidance for guideline development a guideline development group (GDG) will be composed of members from all WHO regions acting in their individual capacity (not representing any organization with which they are affiliated). The members of the GDG are not commissioned and do not receive any financial compensation. Members of the GDG for this guideline were chosen by WHO technical staff among researchers with relevant technical expertise, among end-users (programme managers and health workers) and among representatives of trans and gender-diverse community organisations.

The GDG will meet from 19 to 21 February 2024 at WHO’s headquarters in Geneva to:

• examine the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) evidence profiles or other assessments of the quality of the evidence used to inform the recommendations on the 5 above-mentioned areas;
• interpret the evidence, with explicit consideration of the overall balance of benefits and harms;
• formulate recommendations, taking into account benefits, harms, values and preferences, feasibility, equity, acceptability, resource requirements and other factors, as appropriate; and
• suggest implementation considerations and highlight research gaps for the guidelines. 

In line with WHO policy on conflict of interest, members of the public and interested organizations can access the biographies of the GDG members for this guideline and inform WHO of their views about them. The list comprises 21 members. All comments should be sent by email to hiv-aids@who.int by 8 January 2024. (NewsWire)

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