Air travel is low-risk for Ebola transmission
14 August 2014 -- WHO today reiterated its position that the risk of transmission of Ebola virus disease during air travel remains low. Ebola is not airborne and can only be transmitted by direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is sick with the disease. On the small chance that someone on the plane is sick with Ebola, the likelihood of other passengers and crew having contact with their body fluids is low. WHO is therefore advising against travel bans to and from affected countries.
Ethical considerations for use of unregistered interventions for Ebola virus disease (EVD)
12 August 2014 -- A panel of experts was convened by WHO to consider and assess the ethical implications for clinical decision-making of the potential use of unregistered interventions. They reached consensus that, in the circumstances of this outbreak, it is ethical to offer unproven interventions with as of yet unknown efficacy and adverse effects, as potential treatment or prevention.
Ebola outbreak in west Africa: Meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee
8 August 2014 -- The first meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the Director-General under the International Health Regulations (2005) regarding the 2014 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa was held by teleconference on 6-7 August 2014. The Director-General accepted the Committee’s assessment and on 8 August 2014 declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
WHO Director-General and west African presidents launch Ebola outbreak response plan
31 July 2014 -- The new joint US$ 100 million response plan is part of an intensified international, regional and national campaign to bring the outbreak under control. “The scale of the Ebola outbreak, and the persistent threat it poses, requires WHO and Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to take the response to a new level, and this will require increased resources, in-country medical expertise, regional preparedness and coordination,” says WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan. “The countries have identified what they need, and WHO is reaching out to the international community to drive the response plan forward.”
Mental health in adolescence
WHO highlights
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August 2014
Half of preterm babies born in hospitals miss out on life-saving drug
A new WHO study reveals that only half of women who gave birth preterm in hospitals have received steroid injections which prevent death and disability among vulnerable, preterm newborns. The study is the largest to look at the use of these life-saving drugs internationally.
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August 2014
Consultation on draft Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance
A World Health Assembly resolution calls on WHO to lead the development of a Global action plan to address antimicrobial resistance and submit a draft plan to the 2015 World Health Assembly. In this first stage, WHO will seek contributions to help draft the action plan. The consultation is open until 1 September 2014.
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August 2014
WHO responds to health challenges facing people trapped on Iraq’s Mount Sinjar
WHO is supporting the delivery of urgently needed health services to people affected by insecurity in northern Iraq, including tens of thousands of children, women and men trapped on Sinjar Mountain and many more who have escaped to safer areas.
Fact sheets
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Obesity and overweight
Updated August 2014 -
Visual impairment and blindness
Updated October 2013
WHO campaigns
Events
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WHO Global Conference on Climate Change and Health
27–29 August 2014 -
FAO/WHO Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2)
19–21 November 2014
Corporate resources
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The world health report
Report on global public health and key statistics -
World health statistics report
WHO's annual compilation of data from its Member States -
International travel and health
Publication on travel risks, precautions and vaccination requirements -
International Health Regulations (IHR)
Global rules to enhance national, regional and global public health security