The Latest Breaking News from World Health Organization

WHO experts split on monkeypox emergency ahead of decision - sources

Members of a World Health Organization (WHO) expert group are split over whether the monkeypox outbreak represents a global health emergency, but the agency's director-general may still issue the maximum alert on Saturday, two sources close to the decision told Reuters.

Reuters · Jul 23, 2022

NZ has mask mandates and isolation, but the Omicron daily death rate is still 'very concerning'

New Zealanders are required to wear masks in supermarkets and shopping malls as the country battles its second wave of Omicron infections, but experts want the government to go even further.

ABC News · Jul 21, 2022

WHO to Decide on Sounding Highest Alarm on Monkeypox

The World Health Organization will reconvene its expert monkeypox committee on Thursday to decide whether the outbreak now constitutes a global health emergency -- the highest alarm it can sound. A second meeting of the WHO's emergency committee on the virus will be held to examine the evidence of the…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jul 21, 2022

Denying refugees and migrants healthcare violates rights, WHO says

Millions of migrants and refugees are being denied adequate health care and should be included in the health systems of host countries as a human right, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.

Reuters · Jul 20, 2022

Why are drug names so long and complicated? A pharmacist explains the logic behind the nomenclature

At some point in your life, you’ll likely find yourself with a prescription from your doctor to fill. While it’s important to keep track of all the medications you’re taking, that can be hard to do when the names of so many of these drugs are difficult to pronounce and…

The Conversation · Jul 19, 2022

WHO: COVID triples across Europe, hospitalizations double

The World Health Organization says coronavirus cases have tripled across Europe in the past six weeks, accounting for nearly half of all infections globally

The Independent UK · Jul 19, 2022

Europe must act now or risk tougher COVID measures later - WHO official

European nations must accelerate vaccine uptake and bring back mask wearing to tackle a surge in COVID-19 cases driven by an Omicron offshoot and avoid stricter measures later in the year, a senior World Health Organization official said on Tuesday.

Reuters · Jul 19, 2022

Act Now in Europe, or Risk Stricter COVID Measures Later, Says WHO Official

With an Omicron offshoot spearheading a burgeoning COVID-19 wave in Europe, countries need to accelerate vaccine uptake and bring back measures such as mask wearing to avoid stricter measures as autumn and winter approach, a senior World Health Organization (WHO) official warned on Tuesday. In an interview with Reuters, WHO…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jul 19, 2022

While Australians line up for COVID boosters, low vaccination rates in poor countries continue to cost lives

Two and a half years into the pandemic, more than 12 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered worldwide, and more than 5 million are being administered each day. People in many high-income countries, including Australia, are now receiving their third or fourth dose. But the distribution of vaccines globally…

The Conversation · Jul 18, 2022

Is monkeypox a pandemic? An epidemiologist explains why it isn’t likely to become as widespread as COVID-19, but is worth watching

Monkeypox is the latest global public health threat to make headlines. Most people who contract the monkeypox virus experience flu-like symptoms and a blistery rash that lasts two to four weeks, but a small percentage of infected people develop sepsis or other severe and potentially fatal complications.

The Conversation · Jul 15, 2022