Health Emergencies Newsletter

Issue No.18: 12.01.2023

TOP STORY

Fighting a triple health threat this winter in Europe and Central Asia

Across Europe and Central Asia, vulnerable populations and health workers face a triple threat — influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19.

In the 2022/23 winter season, the influenza season epidemic started early, and influenza cases and hospital admissions have been increasing since November. RSV has also been on the rise, and COVID-19 is still a threat.

This is of concern as when influenza, RSV and COVID-19 co-circulate, the risk to vulnerable populations increases, and health services may come under severe pressure.

COVID-19

Statement – Science, surveillance, responsibility: the essentials to addressing the ongoing COVID-19 challenge

From the information available to WHO, the SARS-CoV-2 virus variants circulating in China are those that have already been seen in Europe and elsewhere. We share the current view of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) that the ongoing surge in China is not anticipated to significantly impact the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in the WHO European Region at this time.

But we cannot be complacent. It is not unreasonable for countries to take precautionary measures to protect their populations, while we are awaiting more detailed information that is shared via publicly accessible databases. For those countries in our region introducing precautionary travel measures at this time, we are calling for such to be rooted in science, to be proportionate and non-discriminatory.

WHO meets with Chinese officials on current COVID-19 situation

A high-level meeting took place on 30 December between WHO and China about the current surge in COVID-19 cases, to seek further information on the situation, and to offer WHO's expertise and further support.

High-level officials from China's National Health Commission and the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration briefed WHO on China's evolving strategy and actions in the areas of epidemiology, monitoring of variants, vaccination, clinical care, communication and R&D.

TAG-VE statement on the meeting of 3 January on the COVID-19 situation in China

The Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) meets regularly to review the latest scientific evidence on circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and advises WHO on whether a change in public health strategies is warranted. The TAG-VE met on 3 January 2023 to discuss the COVID-19 situation in mainland China.

During the meeting, scientists from the China CDC presented genomic data from what they described as imported as well as locally-acquired cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

COVID in Europe: China’s surge not a cause for concern ‘at this time’ says WHO, as XBB.1.5 virus spreads

The ongoing COVID-19 surge in China is not expected to “significantly impact” the European region, UN health experts said on Tuesday 10 January.

Dr Hans Kluge, head of the World Health Organization for Europe, explained that this is because the two variants circulating in China are already present in European countries, according to data provided by the Chinese authorities.

“We share the current view of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) that the ongoing surge in China is not anticipated to significantly impact the COVId-19 epidemiological situation in the WHO European Region at this time.”

Advisory group urges countries to prioritize protecting the most vulnerable with COVID-19 vaccination and integrate COVID-19 vaccination into routine health-care strategies

The independent European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (ETAGE) has advised countries to increase efforts to achieve high COVID-19 vaccination coverage (primary and booster dose) among high-risk groups and to plan for the integration of COVID-19 vaccination into routine health-care strategies. These are among the recommendations provided by ETAGE at its 22nd meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 6–7 December 2022.

ETAGE meets regularly to provide independent review and expert technical recommendations to national immunization programmes and WHO/Europe’s vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization programme (VPI).

Protecting the workforce through influenza and COVID-19 vaccination: perspectives from Greece

The WHO European Region saw an early start to the influenza season this winter, with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 cases also rising. Taken together, this has the potential to lead to severe impacts for health services and populations.

We spoke to 2 staff from KoiSPE Athina-Elpis, a cooperative enterprise located in the centre of Athens, Greece, to get their perspectives on what this could mean for them and their country, and why they think getting vaccinated is so important.

Health workers build confidence in COVID-19 vaccination in Kazakhstan

How to discuss COVID-19 vaccination and build communication skills with patients was at the heart of a series of workshops in 4 regions of Kazakhstan. Over 200 health workers attended the training, while more than 4000 participated online, including paediatricians, obstetricians, gynaecologists, infectious disease specialists, epidemiologists, and medical professors. This training for building communication skills was the first of its kind in Kazakhstan.

COVID-19: What you need to know now

The virus that causes COVID-19 is circulating intensely around the world. In this update from Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's Technical Lead for COVID-19, we hear what you what you need to know to protect yourself and live your life.

MPOX (MONKEYPOX)

“Listen, listen, listen” – how cooperation and communication with at-risk groups are increasing access to mpox vaccination in Latvia

A new pathway to vaccination in Latvia allows referral not just by family doctors, but through the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) civil society organization Mozaika.

This smooth and judgement-free route to vaccination is part of a successful collaboration with the Latvian Ministry of Health that is increasing access to vaccines and information about the virus. It underscores the vital importance of risk communication and community engagement as components of responses to health emergencies.

UKRAINE EMERGENCY

HIV prevention, diagnosis and care for Ukrainian refugees in Poland

Poland saw the highest numbers of Ukrainian refugees crossing the border, with an estimated 7 million people entering the country, of whom almost 1.5 million have applied for temporary protection. Many of them are aware of their HIV-positive status and are receiving treatment. Some people may be unaware of their status and others are at heightened risk of contracting HIV due to external factors, such as drug use or sexual transmission, including through sex work and sexual abuse.

A key part of the health response is ensuring that refugees have the necessary information in Ukrainian about which services are available to them and how to access them. The HIV treatment regimen in Ukraine differs from the regimen used in European Union (EU) countries and includes use of certain effective drugs which are not licensed for use in EU countries. Continuing to adhere to treatment regimens that are effective and avoiding unnecessary changes are the best solutions for the health of patients. The Polish government passed legislation to ensure that these drugs are available for the treatment of Ukrainian patients in Poland.

WHO trains thousands of health care workers in mass casualty and trauma care amid the war

WHO in Ukraine has trained more than 6000 health care workers in mass casualty management and trauma care this year amid the war. Health care workers from over 40 hospitals participated in the trainings, which required specialists to test and develop specific plans and procedures on how to adequately respond to needs amid the ongoing war.

WHO has also trained tens of thousands of health care workers in gender-based violence, mental health and psychosocial support, chemical preparedness and laboratory diagnostics. In addition to trainings, WHO is also providing essential medical supplies throughout the country in response to needs and in coordination with national and international partners.

Active play brings friends together: WHO started a new project for Ukrainian children in Poland

Ukrainian children who have recently moved to Poland are discovering how being physically active with others can help them overcome language barriers and make new friends. This is the idea behind the new “Be active, be healthy!” project for Ukrainian school-aged children, launched by WHO/Europe in collaboration with the Polish Ministry of Sports and Tourism and the Institute of Sport – National Research Centre.

The project has established a series of events to improve the well-being of children who have moved to Poland, and to inspire them and their families to find new social contacts in a new country.

WHO provides assistive products for thousands of displaced people in Ukraine

WHO Ukraine has provided assistive technology kits (AT10 kits) with essential assistive products to health care facilities for thousands of internally displaced persons and other persons with mobility and self-care needs resulting from the war in Ukraine.

Up to 4000 assistive products, which include crutches, walking sticks, walking frames, wheelchairs, catheter kits and other items, have been provided to 12 hospitals in 5 regions in eastern Ukraine. Nearly 4000 people will benefit from the kits, thanks to funding from ATscale and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.

New research reveals how war-related distress affects mental health of Ukrainian refugees in Poland

The most comprehensive and wide-ranging study on the health needs of Ukrainian refugees in Poland to date, has found that at least 1 in 10 report significant mental health issues, and of those reporting issues, more than half would benefit from treatment. Barriers such as lack of child care and difficulty of obtaining one-to-one appointments with Ukrainian speaking mental health professionals mean that many Ukrainian refugees are unable to access the mental health care they need.

These are among the findings of a new WHO and Statistics Poland survey on the health needs of Ukrainian refugees in Poland, carried out with the aim of obtaining health information about Ukrainian refugees who fled the war in their homeland across the Polish–Ukrainian border.

WHO promotes knowledge sharing across Ukraine’s health sector during the war

A WHO initiative in Ukraine involves a series of weekly online meetings which aim to encourage knowledge sharing between international organizations and the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU).

The meetings provide analysis from WHO and partners on health financing and service delivery topics, as well as policy dialogue support from the WHO Barcelona Office for Health Systems Financing. Following the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, WHO has been providing continuous support to the NHSU in these areas.