Cholera is an acute infectious disease transmitted mainly through the consumption of food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria. Cholera poses a significant public health threat, especially in areas with inadequate sanitation and unsafe drinking water. It can cause severe dehydration and death within hours if untreated, making early detection and prompt response crucial. In

Brazzaville – We are deeply saddened about the sudden and shocking news of the passing of Dr Faustine Ndugulile, Regional Director-elect of WHO’s Africa region. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, the Government and the people of Tanzania. Dr Ndugulile was a staunch champion of health for all in Africa and his

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – World Health Organization has convened a landmark African regional summit on self-care from November 27 to 29, 2024, in Ethiopia. This summit brings together policymakers, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, donors, and implementing partners to advance self-care interventions aimed at improving access to quality sexual and reproductive health and rights

Brazzaville – The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa has launched a Regional Validation Committee for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus, marking a pivotal moment in ensuring a healthier future for every mother and child across Africa. The Regional Validation Committee has a crucial task of

Brazzaville – Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top global public health and development threats. About4.71 million deaths were linked to bacterial AMR in 2021 alone, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for highest mortality rates. AMR could be responsible for up to 2 million deaths in Africa by 2050, underscoring the need for urgent action to protect

Malaria elimination has been an agenda that the country has been pursuing for at least a decade now. During that time, the country had experienced fluctuations in malaria case numbers, some years recording increases, while others achieved case rates within elimination targets. These inconsistencies have been attributed to various factors, including the impacts of climate

Berea District—The vibrant community of Mamatebele, located on the outskirts of Berea District, recently came alive with celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). This pivotal global health initiative, launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1974, has played a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to life-saving vaccines

Kampala. The World Health Organization (WHO) with  support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has trained 43 Most At Risk Populations Initiative (MARPI) health service providers to support surveillance activities and risk communication and reporting of mpox among key  populations in Kampala and other districts of their reach.  MARPI health service providers

Brazzaville – The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the hardest hit country in the African region by mpox outbreak, accounting for about 80% of laboratory-confirmed cases and deaths reported across the continent this year. While mpox is primarily transmitted through close physical contact, it can affect anyone. Vulnerable populations are at a heightened risk

Brazzaville – More than 13 000 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases have been reported in the African region since the start of 2024, as of 17 November. Three countries – Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda - account for approximately 97% of all reported cases so far this year. From reinforcing outbreak control measures including

Abuja, 21 November, 2024 - In Nigeria, vulnerable populations, especially those in underserved communities, remain at high risk of infectious diseases, including Lassa fever—an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus. Endemic in Nigeria, Lassa fever continues to affect thousands annually, with the dry season (December–April) being the peak transmission period. In 2024

Uganda’s Ministry of Health (MOH), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) oriented over 200 journalists countrywide on the mpox outbreak and preparedness for a possible Marburg outbreak. The orientation was conducted in different batches over a three-week period targeting reporters and editors