Ongoing avian influenza outbreaks in animals pose risk to humans

Situation analysis and advice to countries from Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization and World Organization for Animal Health

The current outbreaks of avian influenza (also called “bird flu”) have caused devastation in animal populations, including poultry, wild birds, and some mammals, and harmed farmers’ livelihoods and the food trade. Although largely affecting animals, these outbreaks pose ongoing risks to humans.

Both land and sea mammals have been affected, including outbreaks in farmed mink in Spain, seals in the United States of America, and sea lions in Peru and Chile, with at least 26 species known to have been affected. H5N1 viruses have also been detected in domestic animals such as cats and dogs in several countries, with recent detections of H5N1 in cats announced by authorities in Poland.

UKRAINE EMERGENCY

European Union and WHO join forces to further strengthen medical evacuation operations in Ukraine

On 22 June, WHO/Europe in Copenhagen, Denmark, hosted the launch of an 18-month project funded by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) entitled “Strengthening the Ukrainian Ministry of Health accountability framework for medical evacuation and repatriation systems and services”.

The project will help the Ukrainian Ministry of Health to further develop and formalize the procedures of their dedicated Medevac Coordination Unit, particularly the new efforts being made to ensure the safe return of patients who have finished acute treatment abroad and wish to continue rehabilitation in their home country.

Psychological First Aid training for mental health support in Poland

WHO joined forces with the Ministries of Sports, Tourism and Social Justice and Olympic Refuge Foundation in Poland to equip sports trainers and coaches with skills and tools to support children with mental health and abuse issues. The Psychological First Aid training provides humane, supportive and practical help to people who have experienced distressing events.

One year of health emergency support in Ukraine: WHO Ukraine launches its annual report

WHO assistance to Ukraine throughout the past year of war has been multifaceted, encompassing health emergency response as well as health system strengthening, reforms and recovery.

The health response to the crisis in Ukraine carries lessons for the whole humanitarian–development community, as outlined in the new annual report of the WHO Country Office in Ukraine. The resilience of the national health-care system has been outstanding, thanks to the determination of Ukraine’s health workforce, and the commitment and investment of the international community that has enabled delivery of supplies and continued support.

The Netherlands continues their leadership role in supporting the mental health of people affected by humanitarian crises

On 3 July 2023 Paul Bekkers, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Dr Catharina Boehme, Assistant Director General for External Relations and Governance, met to mark the renewal of the partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in humanitarian crises.

Since 2019 the Netherlands has supported WHO in collaboration with our partners UNICEF, UNHCR and UNFPA to develop and test a Minimum Service Package (MSP) for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in humanitarian emergencies. The MSP builds on existing standards and tools to create a single, easy-to-follow intersectoral package to reduce suffering and improve mental health and psychosocial well-being among adults, children and young people living in humanitarian crises.

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COVID-19

Welcoming a new era for respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness in the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova

To help countries prepare for future respiratory pandemics, the WHO Regional Office for Europe organized a workshop for senior government and public health officials from the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova to introduce the new Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative to strengthen pandemic preparedness.

The workshop focused on identifying lessons from COVID-19 to inform future pandemic preparedness and on introducing new approaches to prepare for future pandemics caused by respiratory pathogens, including influenza.

Tracking the paths of infectious diseases: Türkiye’s national genomic surveillance strategy nears completion

Genomic surveillance can track the transmission of infectious diseases and help identify novel strains of a virus. For this, scientists use a process called sequencing to decipher the genetic material that is found in a virus or organism. This helps scientists see how a virus is changing, track its spread, and predict how this may affect people’s health.

In response to the critical role of genomic surveillance in combating infectious diseases, Türkiye is intensifying efforts to strengthen its national capacity for genomic surveillance. The initiative, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and WHO Country Office in Türkiye, aims to enhance laboratory capabilities for the diagnosis and surveillance of various pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, to bolster health security in the country.

MPOX

Bringing mpox vaccination, health advice and care closer to people living with HIV in France: spotlight on the work of AIDES

AIDES, which counts more than 2000 staff and volunteers in France, focuses on encouraging people living with HIV and other affected communities to get their second mpox vaccine dose, or to get vaccinated if they have not yet done so. It is also reigniting conversations about mpox.

AIDES has played a vital role in extending vaccination services and bringing them closer to affected communities. There are some 200 places across France where affected communities can get vaccinated against mpox. These include hospitals and sexual health clinics, but also some pharmacies and AIDES centres in major cities.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

A new era for respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness

WHO’s initiative on preparedness and resilience for emerging threats (PRET) helps countries better prepare for future epidemics and pandemics. The first face-to-face workshop in the WHO European Region to roll-out the initiative coincided with the launch of WHO/Europe’s plan for transition from the acute phase of COVID-19. Over 3 days in Istanbul, 56 public health officials and high-level government decision-makers from the western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova discussed approaches by European countries for respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness in this new era. The workshop was organized with financial support from the European Union (EU).

TÜRKIYE & SYRIA EARTHQUAKES