WHO/Europe monthly newsletter, with public health news and events highlights from around the WHO European Region.
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Public health news from around the WHO European Region.
News highlights
August 2026
TOP STORIES
16 July 2026
Europe is the fastest-warming continent on earth, with temperatures rising at around twice the global average rate. Climbing temperatures can rapidly increase illness and deaths and place sudden pressure on essential services, such as health and social care. Extreme heat is a growing public health threat and health security challenge that is expected to hit harder each year. This summer’s toll is still being counted but, already, data from just 5 countries shows nearly 10 000 excess deaths due to heat.
WHO/Europe has developed a range of tools and public health advice to help countries prepare for and respond and adapt to extreme heat, which it recognizes as a recurring crisis in the WHO European Region. This includes a technical guidance and resource package for Member States on heatwaves and wildfires for the 2026 season. Read more
8 – 10 September 2026 Ljubljana, Slovenia
HEPA Europe and the National Institute of Public Health of Slovenia, in collaboration with WHO/Europe, invite you to the 17th HEPA Europe conference, which will take place on 8–10 September 2026 in Ljubljana, one of Europe’s greenest capitals. The event will also host the network’s 21st annual meeting, bringing together members from across Europe.
31 July 2026
This summer, wildfires have put Spain’s emergency preparedness and response systems to one of their toughest tests yet. By late July, according to Copernicus, the European Union’s Earth observation programme, around 120 000 hectares had burned across the country. On 24 July, a number of large fires burning simultaneously threatened the outskirts of Madrid, prompting Spain’s first-ever declaration of a national wildfire emergency. As thousands were evacuated from towns and villages, the region called for the response to be placed under the direct authority of the interior minister, a move reflecting the scale and intensity of the situation. Read more
Wildfire smoke: a frequently underestimated health risk
31-07-2026
Preparedness pays off: how hospitals in the Czech Republic and Germany are handling cases of Ebola
27-07-2026
West Nile virus: as cases rise across parts of Europe, here is what you need to know
24-07-2026
28 July 2026
The WHO European Region is proving that viral hepatitis elimination is achievable. New data from the Global hepatitis report 2026 show major gains in prevention and hepatitis C control. However, the Region remains off-track to achieve all hepatitis elimination targets by 2030. This World Hepatitis Day, WHO is asking countries to double down on their elimination efforts with the message “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down.” Read more
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15 July 2026
A global high-level conference on artificial intelligence (AI) in health, co-hosted by WHO/Europe and the Government of Portugal, opens today bringing together ministers and senior government representatives from 37 countries across all 6 WHO regions, alongside leaders from the Aga Khan University, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, European Commission, Wellcome Trust and World Bank. Read more
Statement – Govern AI in health before the gaps become irreversible
15-07-2026
COUNTRIES
28 July 2026
Ukraine continues to respond to measles outbreaks in a number of regions, with close to 1000 cases reported in the first 5 months of 2026.
WHO is supporting an outreach vaccination campaign in Ukraine to ensure that more children receive life-saving immunization services, including measles vaccination. Through mobile medical teams, the campaign brings vaccines closer to hard-to-reach communities where access to health care is limited. Read more
WHO and Sweden are making the vaccine cold chain in Ukraine more robust
03-08-2026
23 – 27 November 2026 | Barcelona, Spain
The annual WHO Barcelona course on health financing for universal health coverage (UHC) will be held on 23–27 November 2026 – an intensive training programme offered by the WHO Barcelona Office for Health Systems Financing, part of the Division of Health Systems of WHO/Europe, with the financial assistance of the Government of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, Spain. Read more
Strengthening quality of care and patient safety through innovation, leadership and collaboration: the WHO 4th European Autumn School on Quality of Care and Patient Safety
19 – 23 October 2026 | Athens, Greece
Bridging knowledge and action: Regions shaping the future of health – 31st annual meeting of the Regions for Health Network
24 – 27 November 2026 | Patras, Greece
