Ebola virus disease in Guinea
1 April 2014 -- The Ministry of Health of Guinea has notified WHO of a rapidly evolving outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in forested areas of south-eastern Guinea. EVD in humans has a case fatality rate of up to 90%. In the absence of effective treatment, raising awareness of the risk factors for Ebola infection and the protective measures individuals can take is the only way to reduce human infection and death. WHO has brought in 3.5 tons of protective material to Guinea to support the Ministry of Health’s response to an outbreak of EVD.
Down to zero: Nigeria stops guinea-worm disease
31 March 2014 -- From more than 650 000 cases in 1988 to 0 today, Nigeria has successfully stopped transmission of guinea-worm disease, also known as dracunculiasis. Thousands of volunteer polio vaccinators helped to check every household nationwide to ensure that there were no remaining cases before the country could be certified free of guinea-worm disease in December 2013.
WHO South-East Asia Region certified polio-free
27 March 2014 -- WHO South-East Asia Region, home to a quarter of the world’s population, was certified polio-free today by an independent commission under the WHO certification process. This is the fourth of six WHO Regions to be certified, marking an important step towards global polio eradication. With this step, 80% of the world’s population now lives in certified polio-free regions.
7 million deaths linked to air pollution annually
25 March 2014 -- WHO estimates that around 7 million people died in 2012 - 1 in 8 of total global deaths – as a result of air pollution exposure. The estimates confirm that air pollution is now the world’s largest single environmental health risk. The new data reveal a stronger link between both indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure and cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes and ischaemic heart disease, as well as between air pollution and cancer.
Child and adolescent mental health
WHO highlights
-
April 2014
Listen to the live webcast on neglected tropical diseases
“Uniting to combat neglected tropical diseases: a conversation on progress” marks 2 years since the global public health community met in London to hold an historic international meeting on neglected tropical diseases. The webcast on 2 April will feature conversations with some of the world’s leading voices on neglected tropical diseases.
-
April 2014
World Malaria Day 2014: Invest in the future. Defeat malaria
Malaria still kills an estimated 627 000 people every year, mainly children under 5 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2013, 97 countries had on-going malaria transmission. The theme for 2014 and 2015 is: Invest in the future. Defeat malaria. World Malaria Day is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.
-
April 2014
Climate change 2014: impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability
The latest report on climate change from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has been released. The report shows the evidence on the scale and nature of the health risks arising from climate change, as well as the potential benefits that could be achieved by measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
WHO campaigns
-
World Health Day: Vector-borne diseases
7 April 2014 -
World Immunization Week: Are you up-to-date?
24-30 April 2014 -
World Malaria Day: Invest in the future. Defeat malaria
25 April 2014
Events
-
International consultation on workers’ health coverage
28-30 April 2014 -
FAO/WHO Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2)
19–21 November 2014
Corporate resources
-
The world health report
Report on global public health and key statistics -
World health statistics report
WHO's annual compilation of data from its Member States -
International travel and health
Publication on travel risks, precautions and vaccination requirements -
International Health Regulations (IHR)
Global rules to enhance national, regional and global public health security