<\/p>\n
Providing an update on major global health emergencies, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the recent outbreaks highlight the importance of international cooperation in responding to cross-border health threats. \u201cThe outbreaks of hantavirus, Ebola and Marburg all show why there is no alternative to international cooperation in the face of international threats,\u201d Tedros said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The WHO confirmed that the hantavirus outbreak has now ended after the final contact linked to the outbreak completed quarantine and tested negative. The outbreak resulted in 13 confirmed cases and three deaths, while health authorities tracked more than 650 contacts across 33 countries and territories. No new cases have been reported since May 25.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
While one health emergency has ended, concerns are mounting over the Ebola outbreak in the DRC. As of this week, 1 406 cases have been confirmed, and 438 people have died, with an average of 38 new cases reported daily over the past two weeks.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The WHO said response efforts have expanded significantly under the leadership of the DRC government. Testing capacity has been increased through a network of 10 laboratories located closer to affected communities, while contact tracing and treatment services have also been strengthened.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A clinical trial involving two Ebola treatments has now begun, with the first patient enrolled, and the WHO has granted emergency use listing for the first molecular diagnostic test designed to detect the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Despite these advances, Tedros warned that serious obstacles remain, including insecurity and public mistrust. This week, an Ebola treatment centre in Ituri province was attacked and set on fire, resulting in two deaths and the evacuation of patients.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In Uganda, health officials reported no new Ebola cases since June 21, providing some encouragement for regional containment efforts. The WHO also provided an update on the humanitarian response in Venezuela following twin earthquakes that struck the country last week.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The disaster has left more than 2 300 people dead, over 5 000 injured and nearly 16 000 homeless, with casualty figures expected to rise further as recovery operations continue.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tedros said the earthquakes have placed additional strain on an already fragile health system. \u201cThe earthquake compounds an already severe humanitarian crisis,\u201d Tedros said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
To support the response, the WHO has released $1.5 million from its emergency contingency fund, delivered more than six metric tonnes of medical supplies, and is preparing an additional 28 metric tonnes for shipment. The organisation is also coordinating international medical teams and assisting the national health system in maintaining essential healthcare services.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Beyond emergency outbreaks and disasters, the WHO raised concerns about the broader health challenges facing populations worldwide. Tedros described air pollution as an \u201cinvisible threat\u201d, noting that approximately 6.5 billion people are exposed to pollution levels that exceed WHO guidelines.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Air pollution is linked to diseases such as heart disease, stroke and lung cancer, and contributes to an estimated 6.7 million premature deaths each year.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tedros also highlighted growing concerns about the impact of digital environments on young people. He warned that social media platforms and online algorithms often prioritise engagement over accuracy, allowing misinformation to spread more easily.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAbove all, we must listen to young people,\u201d Tedros said. \u201cThey are not experimental subjects, a captive market, or a commodity. They are our future.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ghebreyesus said the WHO is increasing its work on digital health, including research, policy guidance and efforts to promote safer online environments for children and young people.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–UN\/ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":38730,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"news-type":[26],"class_list":["post-38729","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-type-general_news","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially declared the global hantavirus outbreak over, while warning that Ebola cases continue to rise in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and recovery efforts remain underway following the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.","published_date":"","news_description":"The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially declared the global hantavirus outbreak over, while warning that Ebola cases continue to rise in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and recovery efforts remain underway following the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.","form_embed":"","author":"","image_caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/38729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/38729\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38731,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/38729\/revisions\/38731"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-type?post=38729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}