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Zika: Strategic response

16 February 2016 -- WHO's new global prevention and control strategy will guide its international response to the spread of Zika virus infection. The strategic framework outlines how WHO and partners will work according to 3 areas of focus: surveillance, research and response.

Ya Marie Kanu and her daughter Abibatu Conteh, Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone
WHO/S. Gborie

Relief for families impacted by Ebola flare-up

18 February 2016 -- Sierra Leone is once again counting down the days until the latest flare-up of Ebola can be declared over. When two people tested positive for Ebola at the end of January, they were isolated and placed under medical observation. Now that monitoring period is over, they can breathe a sigh of relief and get their lives back to normal.

WHO’s global survey on assistive technologies

EPA/A. Sultan

11 February 2016 -- WHO has launched a global survey to gather views on the most necessary and useful assistive technologies, such as hearing aids and wheelchairs. The survey will feed into the first ever WHO mandated list of essential assistive technologies. Governments can use the list to plan and focus efforts to help populations acquire the 50 priority products, thereby improving the everyday lives of older people and people with disabilities.

Women in the context of microcephaly and Zika virus disease

EPA/F. Bizerra

10 February 2016 -- The risk of babies born with microcephaly has raised understandable concerns among women including those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. There are many unknowns regarding the possible causes of microcephaly. Here are a number of questions being asked, and the advice that WHO is offering in response.

Zika virus: Current situation and future research and development

A laboratory employee examines a sample of antibodies in a laboratory. Brazilian authorities use diagnostic technology in the fight against the Zika virus.
EPA/D. Bockwoldt

8 February 2016 -- WHO releases its first situation report for the public health emergency announced after a spike in cases of microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome in the Americas. These cases are strongly suspected to be linked to Zika virus. WHO is currently mapping existing research and development for Zika virus in order to prioritize actions that need to be taken in order to fast-track medical products and approaches.

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Outbreaks and emergencies

Ebola outbreak » MERS-CoV outbreak » Microcephaly/Zika virus » Emergencies »

WHO fact sheets

Highlights

  • International Childhood Cancer Day
    February 2016 -- Each year, more than 150 000 children are diagnosed with cancer – a disease that touches all regions of the world. With access to quality care more than 80% of children with cancer can survive, living full and healthy lives.
  • WHO medical supplies reach Taiz City, Yemen
    February 2016 -- Following months of blocked access to Taiz City, Yemen, and in response to mounting emergency health needs, WHO has successfully delivered more than 20 tonnes of life-saving medicines and medical supplies.
  • Deworming campaign targets 270 million children in one day
    February 2016 -- An estimated 270 million children across India have received deworming medicine (albendazole) as part of a drive to eliminate intestinal parasitic infections – a widespread problem that affects children’s development.

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Emergency reform

WHO is reforming its work in outbreaks and emergencies with health and humanitarian consequences to ensure the Organization can respond rapidly to future crises.

Zika virus disease

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Dr Chan, WHO Director-General, visits Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, three of the four countries where indigenous transmission of wild poliovirus has not yet been interrupted.
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