World News in Brief: Egypt malaria-free, tropical storm lashes Cuba, Mozambique killings, WHO support for South Sudan

“Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilisation itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history and not its future,” said Tedros Adhanom-Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This certification of Egypt as malaria-free is truly historic, and a testament to the commitment of the people and Government of Egypt to rid themselves of this […]

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Lebanon: Cholera fears for communities uprooted by war

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that a response plan had been activated to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing and water sampling. The case was confirmed in Akkar, the country’s northernmost governorate. Speaking in Geneva late Wednesday, Tedros noted that the Lebanese health authorities had launched an oral vaccination drive in August targeting […]

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UNICEF seeks $165 million for therapeutic food to combat ‘silent killer’

The warning comes from UN children’s agency UNICEF which said levels of severe wasting in children under five remain gravely high in several countries due to conflict, economic shocks and climate crises. Deadly condition Severe wasting – also known as severe acute malnutrition – is caused by a lack of nutritious and safe foods and […]

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Multi-country outbreak of mpox, External situation report #40: WHO – 13 October 2024

Overview This is the 40th situation report for the multi-country outbreak of mpox, which provides an update on the mpox epidemiological situation in Africa as of 6 October 2024. Sixteen countries on the African continent have reported mpox cases in the last six weeks. The most affected country in 2024 continues to be the Democratic […]

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1 in 7 children and teens impacted by mental health conditions

In addition, one-third of mental health conditions emerge before the age of 14 and half before the age of 18. Published ahead of World Mental Health Day, celebrated annually on 10 October, the report seeks to support the transformation of mental health services for children and adolescents. It underscores the importance of early action as an […]

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Invest more in vaccines to reduce deaths from drug-resistant superbugs: WHO

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines. It is among the top global public health and development threats, with nearly five million associated deaths each year. The main drivers are misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. Catch up on our live coverage of the issue from […]

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WHO calls for action to halt rise in hearing loss in Africa

Hearing loss already costs the continent $27 million annually, exacting profound impact on lives and economies, according to the report, which was launched at the African Summit on Hearing Impairment in Nairobi, Kenya. Widespread hearing loss disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable populations. WHO warned that without urgent interventions it will continue to escalate, amplifying existing […]

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WHO highlights mental health crisis facing Israel’s frontline workers a year after 7 October attack

Responders including ambulance drivers, health workers and forensic teams who identified many of the dead, all witnessed “carnage and horror” which resulted in lasting trauma. An organization named Mashiv Ha’Ruach, which means “Bringing back the spirit”, provided mental health and psychosocial support through workshop retreats supported by WHO/Europe. These sessions allowed workers to discuss their […]

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A letter from a mother in Gaza: Hardships, heartbreak and hope

That day was in November 2023, around a month into the war in Gaza. Ala’a is among an estimated 155,000 pregnant women and new mothers in the Gaza Strip who for the past year have been forced to give birth under fire, in tents, while fleeing bombs and often without assistance, medication or even clean water. […]

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WHO approves first mpox diagnostic test for emergency use

The Alinity m MPXV assay is a real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test that enables detection of monkeypox virus DNA from human skin lesion swabs.   It is manufactured by Abbott Molecular Inc, an American company, and specifically designed for use by trained clinical laboratory personnel. ‘A significant milestone’ “This first mpox diagnostic test listed under […]

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