Key takeaways
- Hantavirus officially over
- Ebola virus spreads in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Tons of supplies delivered to earthquake-affected Venezuela
- Air pollution remains an “invisible” killer
- Young people must be protected online
Taking the world’s temperature on pressing health issues, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus provided the latest on current global challenges and successes when it comes to international cooperation.
“The hantavirus, Ebola and Marburg outbreaks show why There is no alternative to international cooperation in the face of international threats: no country can fight alone.“, said.
As regions rush to respond to these outbreaks, Tedros reiterated that next week offers an opportunity for collective action, as the agency’s member states will continue negotiations on pathogen access and the benefit-sharing system of the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
‘The hantavirus outbreak is over’
At this time, the total number of cases in the outbreak remains at 13, including three deaths, and health authorities in 33 countries and territories have identified and followed up on more than 650 contacts.
“Today the final contact of a person exposed to hantavirus on the cruise ship is confirmed MV Hondio “They completed their quarantine period, tested negative and returned home,” Tedros said, adding that no more cases have been reported since May 25.
Ebola spread continues
As of Thursday, 1,406 cases of Ebola have been confirmed and 438 people have died as the outbreak continues to expand in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with an average of 38 new cases confirmed each day for the past two weeks.
No new cases of Ebola have been reported in Uganda since June 21.
The response has been strengthened under the leadership of the DRC government, the WHO chief said, pointing to the expansion of testing capacity to 10 laboratories set up closer to communities, along with improved contact tracing and treatment capacity.
A clinical trial of two therapies was launched on Thursday, with the first patient enrolled, and the WHO has listed for emergency use the first molecular diagnostic test for the Bundibugyo virus, Tedros said.
“Despite all these advances, we continue to face significant challenges, including mistrust and violence,” the WHO chief said, noting that this week an Ebola treatment center in Ituri province was attacked and burned, killing two people and fleeing patients.
Venezuela Updates
Last week’s double earthquakes left more than 2,300 dead, more than 5,000 injured and nearly 16,000 homeless as search and rescue efforts shift to recovery, with the total number of victims likely to rise sharply.
“The earthquake aggravates an already serious humanitarian crisis, testing a health system that was already struggling to meet people’s needs,” Tedros said.
To help, WHO has:
- Disbursed $1.5 million from its Emergency Contingency Fund
- More than six metric tons of emergency medical supplies were shipped and another 28 metric tons will be shipped in the coming days.
- He coordinated the work of international emergency medical teams, who are on the ground providing care to the injured.
- Provided support to the national health system to provide routine care to those who need it.
Pollution remains an “invisible” killer
Today, 6.5 billion people are exposed to air pollution, exceeding WHO’s interim targets of 35 micrograms per cubic meter; This “invisible threat” is linked to diseases, including heart disease, stroke and lung cancer, and is associated with 6.7 million premature deaths each year.
Protect young people online
Highlighting the impact of social media and other digital environments on young people’s health, Tedros said digital environments “are not neutral” and “the way they are designed, governed and monetized shapes many aspects of our lives, including health.”
Algorithms increasingly filter health information to increase attention and engagement rather than accuracy, allowing misleading claims to spread, he said, noting that the WHO is responding by strengthening research, advising countries and promoting safe and equitable digital health environments.
“Above all, we must listen to young people,” Tedros said. “They are not experimental subjects, nor a captive market nor a commodity. they are our future. “Together, we can and must shape digital environments that protect and support your health.”
