A look at the state of the world: WHO chief highlights the global health emergency

Taking global temperature into consideration as a pressing health issue, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus provided the latest information on today’s global challenges – and successes in international cooperation.

“Hantavirus outbreak, 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 the outbreak, Tedros reiterated that next week offers an opportunity for collective action as the body’s Member States will continue negotiations on pathogen access and benefit-sharing systems under the WHO Pandemic Agreement.

‘Hantavirus outbreak is over’

Currently, the total number of cases from this 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 was the last contact of someone exposed to hantavirus on a cruise ship MV Hondius completed their quarantine period, tested negative and returned home,” Tedros said, adding that no further cases had been reported since May 25.

The spread of Ebola continues

As of Thursday, 1,406 cases of Ebola had been confirmed, and 438 people had died as the outbreak continued to expand in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with an average of 38 new cases confirmed each day over the past two weeks.

In Uganda, no new cases of Ebola have been reported since June 21.

This response has been strengthened under the leadership of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the WHO chief said, citing increased testing capacity to 10 laboratories set up closer to communities in addition to increased contact tracing and treatment capacity.

On Thursday, clinical trials of the two therapies were launched, with the first patient enrolled, and WHO has granted emergency use listing for the first molecular diagnostic test for the Bundibugyo virus, Tedros said.

“Despite all this progress, we continue to face significant challenges, including distrust and violence,” the WHO chief said, noting that this week, an Ebola treatment center in Ituri province was attacked and burned, resulting in the deaths of two people and the escape of patients.

Venezuela Update

Last week’s double earthquakes have left more than 2,300 people dead, more than 5,000 injured and nearly 16,000 people homeless as search and rescue efforts turn to recovery, with the total number of victims likely to rise significantly.

“This earthquake adds to an already serious humanitarian crisis, weakening a health system that is already struggling to meet people’s needs,” said Tedros.

To help, WHO has:

• Cashed out $1.5 million from it Emergency Fund for Emergencies
• Delivered more than six metric tons of emergency medical supplies, and another 28 metric tons will be delivered in the coming days
• Coordinate the work of international emergency medical teams, who are on the ground providing care to injured victims
• Provide support to the national health system in providing routine care for those in need

Pollution remains an ‘invisible’ killer

Currently, 6.5 billion people are exposed to air pollution, exceeding WHO’s interim target of 35 micrograms per cubic meter. This “invisible threat” is linked to diseases, including heart disease, stroke and lung cancer, and causes 6.7 million premature deaths each year.

Protecting teens online

Highlighting the impact of social media and other digital environments on the health of young people, Tedros said digital environments “are not neutral” and “the way they are designed, regulated and monetized shapes many aspects of our lives, including health.”

Algorithms increasingly filter health information to promote attention and engagement over accuracy, allowing the spread of misleading claims, he said, noting that WHO is responding by strengthening research, advising countries and promoting a safe and fair digital health environment.

“Most importantly, we must listen to the younger generation,” said Tedros. “They are not the subject of an experiment, a captive market, or a commodity. They are our future. Together, we can and must shape a digital environment that protects and supports their health.”