Key takeaways
- Hantavirus is officially over
- Ebola virus is spreading in DR Congo
- Tons of supplies delivered in earthquake-stricken Venezuela
- Air pollution remains “invisible” killer
- Young people must be protected online
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus took the world’s temperature on pressing health issues and provided the latest on current global challenges – and successes when it comes to international cooperation.
“The outbreaks of hantavirus, Ebola and Marburg all show why there is no alternative to international cooperation in the face of international threats: no country can fight alonehe said.
As regions struggle to respond to these outbreaks, Tedros reiterated that next week offers an opportunity for such collective action, as the agency’s member states will continue negotiations on pathogen access and the benefit-sharing system of the WHO’s pandemic agreement.
‘Hantavirus outbreak over’
As of now, the total number of cases from the outbreak remains at 13, including three deaths, and more than 650 contacts have been identified and followed up by health authorities in 33 countries and territories.
“Today, the last contact with a person exposed to hantavirus is on the cruise ship MV Hondius completed their quarantine period, tested negative and returned home,” Tedros said, adding that no additional cases have been reported since May 25.
The Ebola spread continues
As of Thursday, 1,406 Ebola cases have been confirmed and 438 people have died as the outbreak continues to expand in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with an average of 38 new confirmed cases each day for the past two weeks.
In Uganda, no new cases of Ebola have been reported since 21 June.
The response has been strengthened under the DRC government’s leadership, the WHO chief said, pointing to the expansion of testing capacity to 10 laboratories established closer to communities, along with improved contact tracing and treatment capacity.
On Thursday, a clinical trial with two therapeutic agents was launched with the enrollment of the first patient, and the WHO has provided a list of the first molecular diagnostic test for Bundibugyo virus, Tedros.
“Despite all this progress, 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 set on fire, resulting in the death of two people and patients who fled.
Venezuela updates
Last week’s twin earthquakes have left more than 2,300 people dead, more than 5,000 injured and nearly 16,000 homeless as search and rescue efforts shift to recovery, and the death toll is likely to rise significantly.
“The earthquake is compounding an already severe humanitarian crisis, stretching a health system that was already struggling to meet people’s needs,” Tedros said.
To help, WHO has:
- Paid $1.5 million from its emergency response fund
- Shipped more than six metric tons of emergency medical supplies, with another 28 tons to be shipped in the coming days
- Coordinated the work of international emergency medical teams, which are on the ground and provide care to the injured
- Provided support to the national health system in delivering routine care to those who need it
Pollution remains ‘invisible’ killer
Today, 6.5 billion people are exposed to air pollution, exceeding the WHO’s provisional target of 35 micrograms per cubic meter, with this “invisible threat” linked to diseases including heart disease, stroke and lung cancer, and linked to 6.7 million premature deaths each year.
Protecting young people online
Highlighting the impact of social media and other digital environments on youth health, Tedros said digital environments “are not neutral” and “how they are designed, managed and monetized shapes many aspects of our lives, including health.”
Algorithms are increasingly filtering health information to increase awareness and engagement over accuracy, allowing misleading claims to spread, he said, noting that the WHO is responding by strengthening research, advising countries and promoting safe, equitable digital health environments.
“Above all, we must listen to young people,” Tedros said. “They are not experimental subjects, a captive market or a commodity. They are our future. Together we can and must shape digital environments that protect and support their health.”
