WHO/Europe | News feed

Post-2015 development agenda in focus on first day of World Health Assembly

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:16:41 +0200

The Sixty-fifth World Health Assembly, WHO’s annual global meeting of ministers and senior health officials, opened on 20 May. It will discuss a draft global action plan for noncommunicable diseases, as well as action plans on mental health and the prevention of avoidable blindness and visual impairment.

Third Barcelona Course on Health Financing held

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:55:46 +0200

Held on 13–17 May 2013, the Course brought together 42 participants from 27 countries for a week-long, intensive training programme on improving health system performance through better health financing policy. It was organized by WHO/Europe’s Barcelona Office for Health Systems Strengthening.

Human infections with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in China – update 4

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:38:42 +0200

WHO/Europe’s fourth update on the outbreak of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus summarizes the latest information relevant to the WHO European Region, including an updated risk assessment on human infections with the virus.

Novel coronavirus update – new virus to be called MERS-CoV

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:51:04 +0200

As of 15 May 2013, WHO had been informed of a global total of 40 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with novel coronavirus, including 20 deaths, in 6 countries: France, Germany, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. To provide uniformity and facilitate communication about the disease, the Coronavirus Study Group (CSG) of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses decided to call the new virus Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Communication central to health response in crises

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:34:04 +0200

Responding quickly and effectively to health emergencies challenges health authorities. Crisis communication must be an integral part of any early warning and response system at both the national and local levels. On 7–9 May 2013, 40 people took part in a national exercise in Ankara, Turkey, to ensure that crisis communication is an integral part of public health authorities’ response to threats to health and safety.

Human infections with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in China – update 3

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:16:06 +0200

As of 9 May 2013, 130 laboratory confirmed human cases with A(H7N9) virus including 32 fatalities in China have been reported from eight provinces (Anhui, Fujian, Henan, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shandong and Zhejiang) and two municipalities (Beijing and Shanghai). In addition, one case has been reported from Taipei Centers for Disease Control.

Greater focus needed on research on disease prevention

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:17:16 +0200

This was the recommendation of the European Advisory Committee on Health Research (EACHR), meeting on 2–3 May.

How flooding affects health

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:04:17 +0200

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the WHO European Region, with effects on health ranging from drowning and injuries to infectious diseases and mental health problems.

Long Short Walk in Brussels: focus on pedestrian safety

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:17:22 +0200

New publication: Health effects of particulate matter. Policy implications for countries in eastern Europe, Caucasus and central Asia

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:21:06 +0200