Situation at a glance
Since the last Disease Outbreak News on this event was published on 23 August 2024, three additional countries and one territory (Ecuador, Guyana, Panama and Cayman Island) have reported confirmed Oropouche virus disease in the Region of the Americas in 2024. In addition, imported Oropouche cases have been reported from Canada, the United States of America and countries of the European Region. As of 25 November 2024, a total of 11 634 confirmed Oropouche cases, including two deaths, have been reported in the Region of the Americas, across ten countries and one territory: Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Peru and the United States of America. Based on available information, WHO assesses the overall public health risk posed by this virus to be high at the regional level and low at the global level. As the arbovirus season is starting in the region, WHO urges countries at risk to strengthen epidemiological and entomological surveillance and to reinforce preventive measures in the population. This is crucial due to the geographical expansion of the virus and the possible new vectors and transmission routes, including vertical transmission, that could affect both the general population and vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, their fetuses, and newborns.
Since the last Disease Outbreak News on this event was published on 23 August 2024, three additional countries and one territory (Ecuador, Guyana, and Panama) have reported confirmed Oropouche virus disease in the Region of the Americas. In addition, imported Oropouche cases were reported from the Cayman Islands, Canada, the United States of America and a few countries in the European Region.
Between 1 January and 25 November 2024, 11 634 confirmed Oropouche cases, including two deaths, have been reported in the Region of the Americas: Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (356 cases), Brazil (9563 cases, including two deaths), Canada (two imported cases), Cayman Island (one imported case), Colombia (74 cases), Cuba (603 cases), Ecuador (two cases), Guyana (two cases), Panama (one case), Peru (936 cases), and the United States of America (94 imported cases). Additionally, imported Oropouche cases have been reported in countries in the European Region (30 cases) (1).
Cases and consequences of vertical transmission of Oropouche virus infection have been reported in Brazil and Cuba. Brazil has confirmed three cases of vertical transmission (two cases of fetal death and one case of congenital anomaly) and reported that under investigation are 15 fetal deaths, five spontaneous miscarriages, and three cases of congenital anomalies.[1] Additionally, in September, Cuba confirmed a case of congenital anomaly with two further cases under investigation.
Figure 1. Number of confirmed Oropouche cases in 2024 by country and epidemiological week of symptom onset Region of the Americas*
*Source: Adapted and reproduced by PAHO/WHO from the data reported by the respective countries.
The following is a summary of the situation in the countries that have reported confirmed Oropouche cases in the Americas as of 25 November 2024.
The Plurinational State of Bolivia: Between 1 January and 5 October 2024, there were 356 Oropouche cases confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. Transmission has been reported in three departments: La Paz with 75.3% of cases (268 cases), followed by Beni with 21.3% of cases (76 cases), and Pando with 3.4% of cases (12 cases). Cases have been reported in 16 municipalities that are considered endemic for this disease, with the highest proportion of cases reported in the municipalities of Irupana, La Paz, with 33% of cases; followed by La Asunta, La Paz, with 13% of cases; Chulumani, La Paz, and Guayaramerín, Beni, with 12% each.
Half of the cases are female (179 cases) and the age group with the highest number of cases is the 30-39 years age group accounting for 20% of cases (70 cases). No deaths have been recorded that could be associated with OROV infection. In addition, between 23 March and 13 April 2024, ten cases of coinfection of Oropouche and dengue were reported in patients in three municipalities of the department of La Paz, all of whom tested positive for dengue by RT-PCR with DENV-1 (two cases) and DENV-2 (eight cases) serotyping (2).
Brazil: Between 1 January and 25 November 2024, 9563 Oropouche cases were confirmed by RT-PCR. Most cases have been reported in municipalities in the northern states; however, to date, cases have been reported in 22 of the country's 27 states. The Amazon region, an area considered endemic for Oropouche, accounts for 70% of the cases reported in the country, with seven states reporting cases: Amazonas (3231 cases), Rondônia (1711 cases), Acre (273 cases), Roraima (277 cases), Pará (157 cases), Amapá (128 cases), and Tocantins (eight cases) (3). Additionally, autochthonous transmission has been documented in 15 non-Amazonian states, some of which had not previously reported cases: Bahia (889 cases), Espírito Santo (1763 cases), Ceará (249 cases), Minas Gerais (194 cases), Santa Catarina (178 cases), Pernambuco (144 cases), Rio de Janeiro (116 cases), Alagoas (116 cases), Sergipe (34 cases), Maranhão (33 cases), Piauí (30 cases), Mato Grosso (18 cases), São Paulo (eight cases), Paraíba (five cases) and Mato Grosso do Sul (one case)(3, 4).
Over half of the cases (52%; 4995) are male and the age group with the highest number of cases is 20-29 years, with 21% of cases (1963 cases) (3).
Brazil’s IHR National Focal Point (NFP) reported two fatal cases of OROV infection detected retrospectively in the state of Bahia1 and six cases are under investigation: one in the state of Parana, with probable source of infection in the state of Santa Catarina, two in Espírito Santo, one in Acre, one in Alagoas, and one in Mato Grosso (4).[2] Additionally, on 12 August 2024, Brazil reported a case of encephalitis associated with OROV. The case is a male resident of the state of Piauí (3).[3] As of 16 November 2024, three cases of vertical transmission have been confirmed:[4] two cases of fetal death: one in Pernambuco and one in Ceará; and one case of congenital anomaly in Acre. As for cases under investigation in the country, 15 cases of fetal death in Pernambuco (15 cases), three cases of congenital anomaly in Acre (two cases) and Bahia (one case), and five spontaneous miscarriages in Pernambuco have been identified (3-5).
Colombia: Between 1 January and 5 October 2024, 74 confirmed Oropouche cases have been reported in three departments of the country: Amazonas (70 cases), Caqueta (one case), and Meta (one case); additionally, two cases were identified in travellers from Tabatinga, Brazil. The cases were identified through a retrospective laboratory case-finding strategy implemented in 2024 by the National Institute of Health of Colombia based on dengue surveillance (38 cases) and through investigation of febrile syndrome cases (36 cases). Over half of the cases (51.4%; 38) were female and the age group with the highest number of cases was 10-19 years, with 36.5% of the cases (27 cases). No deaths have been recorded that could be associated with OROV infection.
Six cases of coinfection with dengue were reported in the department of Amazonas, four in the municipality of Leticia (two with DENV-1 and two with DENV-2), and one in the municipality of Puerto Nariño (DENV-3), and in the department of Meta, one in the municipality of Guamal (DENV-4). Regarding the surveillance of cases of vertical transmission and its consequences, up to 3 October 2024, two cases of Oropouche have been identified in pregnant women, both from Leticia, aged 18 years (onset of symptoms at 29 weeks of gestation) and 22 years (onset of symptoms at 34 weeks of gestation), respectively. Both evolved favorably and their children were born without complications. To date, none of the infants show evidence of congenital anomalies, neurological syndromes or neurodevelopmental disorders.[5]
Cuba: Between 27 May and 25 November 2024, a total of 603 confirmed cases were reported. Cases continue to be identified through surveillance for non-specific febrile syndrome, with cases recorded in 109 municipalities in the 15 provinces of the country. The provinces of Havana (174 cases), Santiago de Cuba (75 cases), Pinar del Rio (47 cases), and Cienfuegos (39 cases) accounted for 55% of confirmed cases.[6]
More than half of the cases were female (55%, 331) and the highest proportion of cases was recorded in the 19-54 age group (53%, 320). On 19 September 2024, Cuba reported three cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) associated with OROV. The three cases, two females and one male aged 51, 53, and 64 years respectively, presented with onset of symptoms in June. The cases are residents of the province of Santiago de Cuba, in the municipalities of San Luis (one case) and Santiago de Cuba (two cases). Serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine samples were collected and tested positive with RT-PCR for OROV.
Seven cases of Oropouche were identified in pregnant women, two of whom delivered live babies without any congenital anomalies being detected. On the other hand, three cases of congenital anomalies of the central nervous system with suspected infectious aetiology have been identified through the national antenatal referral service, of which one has undergone virological testing with a positive result for OROV in fetal heart blood; the other two cases are under investigation.
Ecuador: As of 5 October 2024, two laboratory-confirmed cases of Oropouche virus disease were reported, which were detected during a retrospective analysis of dengue-negative samples by the National Institute of Public Health Research (INSPI per its acronym in Spanish). The first case occurred in a 62-year-old from Bolivar province who developed symptoms on 11 June. The second case occurred in a 36-year-old from Los Rios province who developed symptoms on 17 July. Both patients have no history of recent travel. None of the cases required hospitalization and have fully recovered.
Guyana: Between 8-14 September 2024, two laboratory-confirmed cases of Oropouche virus disease were reported, being the first detection of this disease in the country. The first case was a 47-year-old who presented with symptoms on 21 August 2024. The case sought medical attention on 24 August 2024. Blood samples were collected, and RT-PCR test performed on 3 September was positive for OROV. The second case reported from a 42-year-old who presented with symptoms on 2 September 2024. The case sought medical attention on 3 September 2024. Blood samples was collected, and RT-PCR tests performed on 7 September was positive for OROV. Both cases had resided in the same geographical area in the Mahaica-Berbice region, for at least 14 days prior to symptom onset and neither has reported history of travel.
Panama: On 15 November 2024, the Panama IHR National Focal Point reported the first confirmed case of Oropouche virus diseases in 2024. The case was confirmed by the Gorgas Commemorative Institute of Health studies (ICGES, per its acronym in Spanish) laboratory in Panama. The case age is between 30 and 35 years from Province of Coclé with a recent travel history within the country. The case reported onset symptoms on 27 August 2024, and was diagnosed with suspected dengue. The case didn’t require hospitalization and recovered at home. This case was detected through the laboratory surveillance strategy, which involved testing a sample from a patient with dengue-like symptoms who initially tested negative for DENV. On 15 November, the case was confirmed for OROV by RT-PCR. Although recovered, the case is currently under investigation, as the exact site of exposure and transmission has not yet been determined.
Peru: Between 1 January and 5 October 2024, 936 confirmed Oropouche cases have been reported in eight departments of the country. The departments are Loreto (466 cases), Madre de Dios (312 cases), Ucayali (138 cases), Huanuco (15 cases), Junin (two cases), Tumbes (one case), San Martin (one case), and Puno (one case). Over half of the cases (51%; 476) were male, and the age group with the highest number of cases was 30-39 years, with 37% of the cases (348 cases). There were no deaths and no reports of possible vertical transmission reported from the country.
Imported cases in non-endemic countries and territories Canada: As of 21 September 2024, Canada confirmed two Oropouche cases with a history of travel to Cuba.
Cayman Islands: On 16 September 2024, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) confirmed an imported case of Oropouche virus in an adult woman from the Cayman Islands who had travelled to Cuba. The patient developed symptoms, including fever and muscle pain, on 10 August after returning. The initial test for Oropouche virus in the Cayman Islands on 12 August was positive and confirmed at the CARPHA reference laboratory from a convalescent sample collected on 15 August.
United States of America: As of 8 October 2024, 94 imported cases of Oropouche virus disease were identified in the states of Florida (90 cases), California (one case), Colorado (one case), Kentucky (one case), and New York (one case). The median age of the cases was 51 years (ranging from 6 to 94 years) and 48% were female. A total of three cases were hospitalized. Two of the cases presented with neuroinvasive disease, no deaths were reported, and all cases had a history of travel to Cuba.
Additionally, between 2 June and 20 July 2024, 30 imported cases of Oropouche have been identified in three countries of the WHO European Region: Germany (three cases), Spain (21 cases), and Italy (six cases); 20 of these cases had a history of travel to Cuba and one to Brazil, these cases are of the first cases registered in this region.
Oropouche virus disease is an arboviral disease caused by the Oropouche virus (OROV), a segmented single-stranded RNA virus that is part of the genus Orthobunyavirus of the Peribunyaviridae family. The virus has been found to circulate in Central and South America and the Caribbean. OROV can be transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of the Culicoides paraensis midge, found in forested areas and around water bodies, or certain Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. It is suspected that viral circulation includes both urban epidemic and sylvatic cycles. In the sylvatic cycle, primates, sloths, and perhaps birds are vertebrate hosts, but a definitive arthropod vector has not been identified. In the urban epidemic cycle, humans are the amplifying host and OROV is transmitted primarily through the bite of the Culicoides paraensis midge. Vertical transmission has been documented in Brazil and Cuba and some cases are being investigated further. To date, there is no evidence of other modes of human-to-human OROV transmission.
The disease symptoms are similar to dengue, starting four to eight days (between three to 12 days) after the infective bite. The onset is sudden, usually with fever, intense headache, joint stiffness, pain, chills, and sometimes persistent nausea and vomiting, for up to seven days. Up to 60% of cases have a relapse of symptoms after the fever stops. Most cases recover within seven days, however, in some patients, convalescence can take weeks. Severe clinical presentation is rare, but it may result in aseptic meningitis during the second week of the disease.
There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for Oropouche virus disease. A recent publication describes the presence of Oropouche replication-competent virus in bodily fluids such as blood, serum, urine and even semen, found in samples of a patient diagnosed with the disease upon returning to Italy after a trip to Cuba. The virus was detected in cultures up to 16 days after symptoms onset. However, the results are not conclusive to confirm sexual transmission of the disease and there have been no reports of this kind of transmission.
Regional level: Epidemiological alerts and updates have been issued to alert Member States and recommend actions to be implemented. Information has also been disseminated through regional and national webinars for health personnel.
Algorithms for laboratory testing have been developed and disseminated. Training on molecular testing (RT-PCR) and characterization (whole genome sequencing) has been provided through workshops or remote assistance, and critical reagents have been distributed. As a result of regional and national efforts, molecular testing capacity is available in 23 of the 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. WHO is working to expand these capacities as necessary.
The available clinical information has been reviewed to recommend interim case definitions (suspected, probable, and confirmed, vertical transmission).
A virtual collaboration space has been created at the regional level to develop epidemiological analytics of the disease.
Generic research protocols for the characterization of pregnancy outcomes in infants from OROV-exposed pregnant individuals have been drafted and shared.
WHO experts are providing support in countries that are experiencing outbreaks.
Development and publication of Interim guidance on entomological surveillance and prevention measures for Oropouche virus vectors.
Regional workshop on the biology, ecology and surveillance of insects of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) vectors of the Oropouche virus (OROV) in the Americas was held in FIOCRUZ Manaus-Brazil from 18 to 22 November 2024, with the participation of eight countries.
In the Region of the Americas, outbreaks of Oropouche virus disease have occurred historically in the Amazon region. Numerous outbreaks of OROV disease have been reported in both rural and urban communities in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The ongoing outbreak highlights the need to strengthen epidemiological and entomological surveillance and to reinforce preventive measures in the population. This is crucial due to the expansion of the virus's transmission area and the growing need to better understand the disease spectrum, including possible new transmission routes and new vectors that could affect both the general population and vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, their fetuses, and newborns.
Based on available information, WHO assesses the overall public health risk posed by this virus to be high at the regional level and low at the global level.
The proximity of midge vector breeding sites to human habitations is a significant risk factor for OROV infection. Prevention strategies are based on control measures against the arthropod vectors and on personal protection measures. Vector control measures rely on reducing midge populations through the control of breeding sites, achieved by reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled habitats that support midge larvae, thereby reducing the adult midge populations around at-risk communities. Personal protection measures rely on the prevention of midge bites using mechanical barriers (mosquito nets), insect repellant devices, repellent-treated clothing and mosquito repellents. Chemical insecticides such as deltamethrin and N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) have been demonstrated to be effective in providing protection against bites from Culicoides and Culex species.
Given its clinical presentation and considering that this is the beginning of the arbovirus season in the Southern cone part of the Region of the Americas, strengthen epidemiological (including maternal health and birth defects data) and entomological surveillance, laboratory diagnosis is essential to confirm cases, characterize the outbreak, and monitor disease trends.
Since it is an emerging and poorly identified arbovirus in the Americas, the detection of a positive sample and confirmation of a case requires the use of Annex 2 of the IHR and its consequent notification through the established channels of the IHR.
WHO advises against applying any travel or trade restrictions based on the current information available on this event.
The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and wellbeing.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has granted prequalification to the molecular diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB) called Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra. It is the first test for TB diagnosis and antibiotic susceptibility testing that meets WHO's prequalification standards.
Tuberculosis is one of the world’s leading infectious disease killers, causing over a million deaths annually and imposing immense socioeconomic burdens, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Accurate and early detection of TB, especially drug-resistant strains, remains a critical and challenging global health priority.
“This first prequalification of a diagnostic test for tuberculosis marks a critical milestone in WHO’s efforts to support countries in scaling up and accelerating access to high-quality TB assays that meet both WHO recommendations and its stringent quality, safety and performance standards,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products. “It underscores the importance of such groundbreaking diagnostic tools in addressing one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases.”
WHO prequalification of this test is expected to assure quality of diagnostic tests used to improve access to early diagnosis and treatment. It complements WHO’s endorsement approach, which is grounded in emerging evidence, diagnostic accuracy, and patient outcomes alongside considerations for accessibility and equity, with prequalification requirements on quality, safety, and performance.
WHO’s assessment for prequalification is based on information submitted by the manufacturer, Cepheid Inc., and the review by Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA), the regulatory agency of record for this product.
Designed for use on the GeneXpert® Instrument System, this nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra detects the genetic material of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB, in sputum samples, and provides accurate results within hours. Simultaneously, the test identifies mutations associated with rifampicin resistance, a key indicator of multidrug-resistant TB.
It is intended for patients who screen positive for pulmonary TB and who have either not started anti-tuberculosis treatment or received less than three days of therapy in the past six months.
“High-quality diagnostic tests are the cornerstone of effective TB care and prevention,” said Dr Rogerio Gaspar, WHO Director for Regulation and Prequalification. “Prequalification paves the way for equitable access to cutting-edge technologies, empowering countries to address the dual burden of TB and drug-resistant TB.”
In a joint effort by WHO Global TB Programme and the Department of Regulation and Prequalification to improve access to quality-assured TB tests and expand diagnostic options for countries, WHO is currently assessing seven additional TB tests.
The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and wellbeing.
Geneva---As world leaders arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the G20 Summit this weekend, the city’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue will be illuminated in the colour teal. The Brazilian advocates behind this effort are among many around the globe joining the World Health Organization (WHO) to mobilize efforts on a worldwide “Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination.” Other countries are marking the day with campaigns to provide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening, launching new health policies to align with the world’s first-ever effort to eliminate a cancer, and raising awareness in communities.
Four years ago to the day, 194 countries resolved to eliminate cervical cancer and WHO launched a global strategy. Since then, significant progress has been made. At least 144 countries have introduced the HPV vaccine, over 60 countries now include HPV testing in their cervical screening programmes and 83 countries include surgical-care services for cervical cancer in health-benefit packages.
“I thank all the health workers who are playing a critical role in this global effort,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “While we are making progress, we still face huge inequities, with women in low-income countries bearing most of the burden. Only with strong leadership and sustained investment can we achieve our shared goal of equitable access for communities most in need.”
Marking this campaign for the fourth year, governments, partners and civil society are organizing various activities and commitments. These include:
Chile will announce a pilot for self-collection with HPV testing, which will be incorporated as part of its health care reform and universal primary health care.
China: Medical schools and hospitals will host a series of academic lectures, health runs, and illuminations to raise awareness across 31 cities.
Democratic Republic of the Congo will host a 3-day forum to launch a national strategy for cervical cancer elimination, concluding with a march through Kinshasa for cervical cancer awareness.
Ethiopia, with support from Gavi, will launch an HPV vaccination campaign aiming to reach over 7 million girls.
India: Civil society groups in different states will host a series of activities that include awareness campaigns and trainings for health-care professionals.
Ireland will launch its Action Plan to achieve cervical cancer elimination, one year after announcing its goal to achieve this milestone by 2040 on the Day of Action in 2023.
Japan’s Ministry of Health, local municipalities, and hospitals will illuminate over 70 landmarks across the country during their annual Teal Blue Campaign. Nigeria will raise awareness through advocacy led by the Nigerian First Ladies Against Cancer.
Rwanda will announce its goal to reach the 90-70-90 targets by the year 2027, three years ahead of the WHO goal.
South Africa’s Department of Health will roll out health provider trainings in 3 provinces.
WHO is launching new guidance on Target Product Profiles (TPPs) for HPV screening tests. This technical product outlines preferred standards for new HPV tests. The tests should be able to function even in remote areas in low- and middle-income country settings where disease burden is highest. The TPPs highlight the importance of tests that give women the option to collect their own samples for testing; and the value of tools that enable HPV testing in settings closer to where women receive care.
The new publication aims to support innovation in the HPV testing market, emphasizing high-performance, low-cost, and accessible solutions, particularly transformative in resource-limited settings.
The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and wellbeing.
7 November 2024, Bogotá -- More than 100 governments today made historic commitments to end childhood violence, including nine pledging to ban corporal punishment – an issue that affects 3 out of every 5 children regularly in their homes. These commitments were made at a landmark event in Bogotá, Colombia, where government delegations are set to agree on a new global declaration aimed at protecting children from all kinds of violence, exploitation and abuse.
Also at the event, which is hosted by the Governments of Colombia and Sweden together with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, several countries committed to improve services for childhood violence survivors or tackle bullying, while others said they would invest in critical parenting support – one of the most effective interventions for reducing violence risks in the home.
“Despite being highly preventable, violence remains a horrific day to day reality for millions of children around the world – leaving scars that span generations,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Today countries made critical pledges that, once enacted, could finally turn the tide on childhood violence. From establishing lifechanging support for families to making schools safer places or tackling online abuse, these actions will be fundamental to protecting children from lasting harm and ill health.”
Over half of all children globally – some 1 billion – are estimated to suffer some form of violence, such as child maltreatment (including corporal punishment, the most prevalent form of childhood violence), bullying, physical or emotional abuse, as well as sexual violence. Violence against children is often hidden, mostly occurs behind closed doors, and is vastly underreported. WHO estimates that fewer than half of affected children tell anyone they experienced violence and under 10% receive any help.
Such violence not only constitutes a grave violation of children’s rights but also increases the risk of immediate and long-term health issues. For some children, violence results in death or serious injury. Every 13 minutes, a child or adolescent dies as a result of homicide – equating to around 40 000 preventable deaths each year. For others, experiencing violence has devastating and life-long consequences. These include anxiety and depression, risky behaviours like unsafe sex, smoking and substance abuse, and reduced academic achievement.
Evidence shows that violence against children is preventable, with the health sector having a critical role to play. Proven solutions include parenting support to help caregivers avoid violent discipline and build positive relationships with their children; school-based interventions to strengthen life and social skills for children and adolescents, and prevent bullying; child-friendly social and health services for children that experience violence; laws that prohibit violence against children and reduce underlying risk factors such as access to alcohol and guns, and efforts to ensure safer internet use for children. Research has shown that when countries effectively implement such strategies, they can reduce violence against children by as much as 20-50%.
In line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the first global targets for ending violence against children were established in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Progress in reducing overall prevalence of childhood violence has however been slow, despite gains in some individual countries. Around 9 in 10 children still live in countries where prevalent forms of childhood violence such as corporal punishment, or even sexual abuse and exploitation, are not yet prohibited by law.
Over 1000 people are attending this first-ever Ministerial Conference on Violence against Children, including high-level government delegations, children, young people, survivor and civil society allies.
Specific pledges at the event include among others, commitments to end physical punishment, to introduce new digital safety initiatives, increase the legally permitted age of marriage and to invest in parenting education and child protection. WHO provides significant support for efforts to end childhood violence, through technical guidance, guiding effective strategies for prevention and response, and conducting new research and data, including its global status reports.
· Over half of all children aged 2-17 – more than 1 billion - experience some form of violence each year.
· Around 3 in 5 children are regularly punished by physical means in their homes.
· 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 7 boys experience sexual violence.
· Between 25% and 50% children are estimated to have experienced bullying.
· For adolescent males, violence – often involving firearms or other weapons - is now the leading cause of death.
· Eight countries pledged to pursue legislation against corporal punishment in all settings - Burundi, Czechia, Gambia, Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Tajikistan – and Nigeria in schools.
· Dozens of countries committed to invest in parenting support.
· The Government of the United Kingdom along with other partners committed to launch a Global Taskforce on ending violence in and through schools.
· Tanzania committed to introduce Child Protection Desks in all 25,000 schools.
· Spain committed to pursue a new digital law to promote digital safety.
· Solomon Islands pledged to raise the age of marriage from 15 to 18 - noting that early marriage is a significant risk factor for violence against adolescent girls.
· Many countries made commitments to strengthen national policies and/or develop specific plans to tackle violence against children.
The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and wellbeing.
East Jerusalem/Amman/Geneva/New York - The second round of the polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip was completed yesterday, with an overall 556 774 children under the age of 10 being vaccinated with a second dose of polio vaccine, and 448 425 children between 2- to 10-years-old receiving vitamin A, following the three phases conducted in the last weeks.
Administrative data confirm around 94% of the target population of 591 714 children under the age of 10 years received a second dose of nOPV2 across the Gaza Strip, which is a remarkable achievement given the extremely difficult circumstances the campaign was executed under. The campaign achieved 103% and 91% coverage in central and southern Gaza, respectively. However, in northern Gaza, where the campaign was compromised due to lack of access, approximately 88% coverage was achieved according to preliminary data. An estimated 7000-10 000 children in inaccessible areas like Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun remain unvaccinated and vulnerable to the poliovirus. This also increases the risk of further spread of poliovirus in the Gaza Strip and neighbouring countries.
The end of this second round concludes the polio vaccination campaign launched in September 2024. This round also took place in three phases across central, south and northern Gaza under area-specific humanitarian pauses. While the first two phases proceeded as planned, the third phase in northern Gaza had to be temporarily postponed on 23 October because of intense bombardments, mass displacements, lack of assured humanitarian pauses and access.
After careful assessment of the situation by the technical committee, comprising the Palestinian Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the campaign resumed on 2 November. However, the area under the assured humanitarian pauses comprising the campaign was substantially reduced, compared to the first round, as the access was limited to Gaza City. Due to hostilities, more than 150 000 people were forced to evacuate from North Gaza to Gaza City, which helped in accessing more children than anticipated.
Despite these challenges, and thanks to the tremendous dedication, engagement and courage of parents, children, communities and health workers, the phase in northern Gaza was completed.
At least two doses and a minimum of 90% vaccination coverage are needed in each community to stop circulation of the polio strain affecting Gaza. Efforts will now continue to boost immunity levels through routine immunization services offered at functional health facilities and to strengthen disease surveillance to rapidly detect any further poliovirus transmission (either in affected children or in environmental samples). The evolving epidemiology will determine if further outbreak response may be necessary.
To fully implement surveillance and routine immunization services, not just for polio but for all vaccine-preventable diseases, WHO and UNICEF continue to call for a ceasefire. Further, apart from the attack on the primary healthcare centre, the campaign underscores what can be achieved with humanitarian pauses. These actions must be systematically applied beyond the polio emergency response efforts to other health and humanitarian interventions to respond to dire needs.
The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and wellbeing.
New report provides learnings and blueprint for leveraging sports as drivers of health
Doha/Geneva --- Capturing and building on the experiences of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the State of Qatar and World Health Organization today launched a new report providing lessons learned and recommendations for staging healthy and safe mega and grassroots sporting events around the world.
The report, titled Changing the Game: Strengthening Health and Well-Being through Sport Events, is the product of the 3-year Sport for Health partnership established in 2021 by Qatar and WHO, in collaboration with FIFA and Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, to deliver and ensure the legacy of a healthy and safe FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It was launched during a Ministerial event titled Strengthening Health and Well-being Through Sport Events, held in Doha during the ongoing 71st WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Committee.
H.E. Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health for Qatar, said: "The collaboration between Qatar, WHO and FIFA can inspire organisers of major global sporting events to integrate health into the planning and execution of their events."
“The Sport for Health model reflects a commitment to harness the transformative power of mega-sports events to create lasting improvements in public health and well-being,” said Dr Al Kuwari. “This report details our collaborative effort – a new model that unites nations, international organisations, and sports federations in a shared mission.”
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said the new report demonstrated the power of sports – and sporting events – to empower people to lead healthier lives, physically and mentally.
“Once again, we see that health promotion, health advocacy and health security can be seamlessly mainstreamed into the staging of mega sport events,” said Dr Tedros. “WHO is committed to ensuring that sporting events continue to be used as powerful drivers for sustainable health.”
Mr Mutaz Barshim, Qatari Olympic high-jump champion, said: "Sport has the unparalleled ability to inspire, unite, and transform lives. By promoting both physical and mental well-being during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, the Sport for Health initiative has shown how sport can lead to healthier lives for everyone, setting a valuable model for future global events."
The Sport for Health Partnership culminated in the staging of a range of health-related activities during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, dealing with health promotion (tobacco control, healthy diets, mental health, and physical activity), health security, and advocacy and communications.
A review was undertaken of the 3-year project and produced a range of recommendations that included the importance of:
Developing memorandums of understanding with the private health sector – including hospitals and health care providers – before major events to set the foundation for effective collaboration;
Involving all relevant authorities and bodies in decision making, planning, and implementation;
Developing and reviewing comprehensive plans and procedures to enhance safety at mega sports events, then testing them with an equally comprehensive training programme and series of major incident drills.
Establishing mechanisms to strengthen compliance with public health and social measures and other established public health protocols.
The Sport for Health partnership was launched to support efforts to protect health during and beyond the tournament, so that visitors, players, staff and residents could have a safe and enjoyable time. The partnership also focused on advocating to improve health beyond sport, making the most of the World Cup and its legacy by associating it with a range of programmes promoting physical activity, healthy nutrition, and healthy lifestyle choices. This report captures the learning process and results of the partnership, and offers up the Healthy FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 project as a model to be tailored across future sport events.
The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and wellbeing.
15 October 2024, Beirut/Cairo - Since the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon on 17 September 2024, WHO has verified 23 attacks on health care in Lebanon that have led to 72 deaths and 43 injuries among health workers and patients. Fifteen incidents impacted health facilities, while 13 impacted health transport. Hospitals in Lebanon are already under massive strain as they strive to sustain essential health services while dealing with an unprecedented influx of injured people. Understaffed and under-resourced, the health system has been struggling to maintain uninterrupted services to all those in need with supplies being depleted and health workers exhausted.
Increasing conflict, intense bombardment and insecurity are forcing a growing number of health facilities to shut down, particularly in the south. Out of 207 primary health care centres and dispensaries in conflict-affected areas, 100 are now closed. Hospitals have had to close or evacuate due to structural damage or their proximity to areas of intense bombardment. As of today, 5 hospitals have been evacuated and another 5 partially evacuated, with critical cancer and dialysis patients referred to other hospitals also overwhelmed by increasing health needs. Dialysis centres are having to operate an extra three shifts to accommodate the referred patients while being under-resourced for essential blood testing supplies and personnel.
“The situation in Lebanon is alarming. Attacks on health care debilitate health systems and impede their ability to continue to perform. They also prevent entire communities from accessing health services when they need them the most,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. “WHO is working tirelessly with the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon to address critical gaps and support the continuity of essential health services, but what people of Lebanon need most is an immediate ceasefire.”
In response to growing needs, WHO is supporting with delivery of essential supplies. On 4 and 5 October, four flights containing medical supplies for trauma care, cholera prevention and mental health treatment arrived from WHO’s logistics hub in Dubai to Beirut. The supplies, currently being distributed to priority hospitals in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health, are enough to treat around 100 000 patients. WHO is working to bring in additional supplies.
WHO continues to coordinate with the Lebanese Red Cross and hospitals to equip blood banks with adequate supplies, including testing supplies to support safe blood donation. Surgical trauma capacities, including life-limb saving skills are also being strengthened through war trauma surgery trainings for surgeons of various disciplines. WHO is also working with Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon to establish trauma centers within the existing referral hospitals and to plan for the deployment of Emergency Medical Teams.
WHO support is ongoing to the ministry’s Epidemiological Surveillance Unit to expand community-based surveillance on priority diseases in shelters hosting displaced people, especially for acute watery diarrhoea, respiratory infections, and other communicable diseases. WHO is also working to ensure that shelters are linked with primary health centres to support continuation of health services and dispensing essential medications.
WHO calls for attacks on health care to stop. Health care should be protected at all times. Peace is the only solution.
The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and wellbeing.
Berlin---In a powerful demonstration of high-level support, the World Health Organization (WHO) today received nearly US$ 700 million in new funding commitments from European countries, foundations and others, and another US$ 300 million in reaffirmed commitments.
Announced at the WHO Investment Round Signature Event at the World Health Summit in Berlin hosted by Germany, France, and Norway, the commitments highlighted the urgent need for investments in the Organization’s mission to improve health outcomes worldwide.
The world’s global health strategy, WHO's Fourteenth General Programme of Work 2025-2028, was approved by WHO’s 194 Member States at the World Health Assembly in May. The Organization’s first ever Investment Round, also launched at the Assembly, aims to ensure that WHO has the predictable, flexible, and resilient funding it needs to effectively partner with countries to implement the strategy.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; the Prime Ministers of Estonia (Kristen Michal), Montenegro (Milojko Spajić), and Norway (Jonas Gahr Støre); government Ministers and representatives of Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom of Great Britian and Northern Ireland (UK); Wellcome CEO John-Arne Røttingen; European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; Gates Foundation Chair Bill Gates; and Gavi CEO Sania Nishtar were among leaders making commitments or speaking in support of WHO during the high-level event.
Federal Chancellor Scholz said Germany was committing nearly US$ 400 million of funding to WHO over the next four years, including more than US$ 260 million in new voluntary funding. In his address, the Chancellor said: “The WHO’s work benefits us all. What it needs for this work is sustainable financing that gives it the certainty to plan ahead and the flexibility to react."
Global health foundation partners and CEOs made pledges including Wellcome, with a US$ 50 million commitment, and the Institute for Philanthropy, Resolve to Save Lives, and the World Diabetes Foundation each committing or recommitting US$ 10 million.
The WHO Foundation’s CEO Anil Soni announced a US$ 50 million commitment to the Investment Round, which includes part of a US$ 57 million pledge from Foundation S and Sanofi to support WHO’s global health agenda, and at least US$ 30 million in contributions from other philanthropic and private sector partners, including new commitments from Boehringer Ingelheim and Novo Nordisk.
Governments and partners have already been making significant pledges to the Investment Round, including 16 African governments so far, and in Berlin the Minister of Health for Mauritania, speaking on behalf of the African Union, reconfirmed support for a successful outcome to the Investment Round. Announcing plans to pledge or continue funding WHO were France, Spain, the UK, and the Gates Foundation.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, concluded the event by thanking donors and partners: "We know that we are making this ask at a time of competing priorities and limited resources. That’s why I have asked every Member State and every partner to step up. Every contribution counts. Once again, my deep thanks to Chancellor Scholz, co-hosts France and Norway, and the World Health Summit for the event tonight, and to all countries and partners who have announced pledges."
The event marked a milestone in the Investment Round engagement process which will culminate at next month’s G20 leaders’ Summit, chaired by Brazilian President Lula da Silva. The Summit will be a moment for leaders to pledge additional resources for WHO, further advancing global health equity.
The event in Berlin, moderated by Isabelle Kumar, former news anchor, ended with a musical finale by Quire, symbolizing the unity and determination of all participants to work towards a fully funded WHO, capable of addressing the world’s most pressing health challenges.
The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and wellbeing.
Geneva -- Today, the World Health Organization released two new publications, “Freedom from tobacco and nicotine: guide for schools,” and “Nicotine- and tobacco-free school toolkit” to help protect children’s health just in time for back-to-school season in many countries.
The tobacco industry relentlessly targets young people with tobacco and nicotine products resulting in e-cigarette use increasing and 9 out of 10 smokers starting before the age of 18. Products have also been made more affordable for young people through the sale of single-use cigarettes and e-cigarettes, which typically lack health warnings.
Regulators in the US last month warned companies to stop selling illegal e-cigarettes that appeal to youth by resembling school supplies, cartoon characters, and even teddy bears.
“Whether sitting in class, playing games outside or waiting at the school bus stop, we must protect young people from deadly second-hand smoke and toxic e-cigarette emissions as well as ads promoting these products,” said Dr Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion, World Health Organization.
The new guide and toolkit are step by step manuals for schools to create nicotine- and tobacco-free campuses, but it takes a “whole of school” approach – which includes teachers, staff, students, parents, etc. The guide and toolkit include topics on how to support students to quit, education campaigns, implementing policies and how to enforce them.
The guide highlights four ways to foster a nicotine- and tobacco-free environment for young people:
banning nicotine and tobacco products on school campuses;
prohibiting the sale of nicotine and tobacco products near schools;
banning direct and indirect ads and promotion of nicotine and tobacco products near schools; and
refusing sponsorship or engagement with tobacco and nicotine industries.
Countries worldwide were highlighted in the publication as having successfully implemented policies that support tobacco and nicotine free campuses including:
India, Indonesia, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Qatar, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine.
The new WHO guide can help create nicotine- and tobacco-free schools that help keep kids healthy and safe. Nicotine- and tobacco-free policies help to prevent young people from starting to smoke; create a healthier, more productive student body; protect youth from toxic chemicals in second-hand smoke; reduce cigarette litter; and cut cleaning costs.
To protect people’s health, WHO encourages all countries to make all indoor public places completely smoke-free in line with Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and wellbeing.