New data from the WHO reveal that an estimated 2.2 billion cases of malaria and 12.7 million deaths have been averted since 2000, but the disease remains a serious global health threat, particularly in the WHO African Region. According to WHO’s latest World malaria report, there were an estimated ...263 million cases and 597 000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2023. This represents about 11 million more cases in 2023 compared to 2022, and nearly the same number of deaths. Approximately 95% of the deaths occurred in the WHO African Region, where many at risk still lack access to the services they need to prevent, detect and treat the disease.
more
The report provides an update on the cholera outbreak in Haiti as of January and February 2024. A total of 79,411 suspected cases have been reported, with 4,608 confirmed cases and 1,172 deaths across all 10 departments. The most affected regions include Ouest, Centre, Artibonite, and Nord, with chi...ldren aged 1-9 being the most impacted. Despite a recent decline in reported cases, underreporting due to security issues remains a concern. Response efforts include coordination meetings, epidemiological surveillance, case management, WASH interventions, vaccination campaigns, and community engagement. However, logistical challenges, insecurity, and funding shortages are hindering effective response efforts.
more
The WHO Cholera Kits 2020 provide essential medical and logistical supplies for responding to cholera outbreaks. Designed to support the first month of an outbreak, the kits include treatment supplies for 100 patients, laboratory testing materials, investigation tools, and infrastructure components ...for patient care. The six kit types cover central, peripheral, and community-level treatment, along with resources for surveillance and outbreak response. The document also outlines recent modifications, ordering procedures, and recommendations for deployment in high-risk areas.
more
This practical guideline establishes definitions for “contact”, “contact person”, “contact tracing” and other associated concepts. It allows for improvement of contact tracing strategies and provides recommendations attempting to answer some, though not all, questions that arose during t...he 2019 coronavirus pandemic and other outbreaks. The use of this guideline begins once people have been diagnosed and the potential for transmission exists. It is not, however, intended to assist with case investigation. The guideline empowers health workers, governments, and public health officials with the tools to implement effective contact tracing strategies.
more
A training manual for identifying, assessing, preventing and controlling the risks of pandemics in the workplace. This training manual has been developed for both medical and non-medical personnel who may be called upon to lead emergency response, (eg epidemic outbreak, etc), ensure effective conta...inment whiles work continues and essential goods and services continue to be supplied.
The manual provides insight into some of the local epidemics experienced in Ghana such as Cholera, Cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) and Influenza(s), the causes, signs and symptoms and preventive measures with a view to increasing knowledge among management, staff and their families as well as immediate communities within which they work.
more
On 19 August 2016, the former UN Secretary-General announced a new approach to cholera in Haiti, consisting of two tracks. Track 1 focuses on reducing cholera transmission, improving access to care, and addressing water, sanitation, and health system issues. Track 2 aims to provide material assistan...ce to those most affected by cholera. The Secretary-General urged Member States to show solidarity with Haiti by increasing contributions. The UN General Assembly, in resolution 71/161, recognized the UN's moral responsibility to cholera victims and called for support to eliminate cholera and address its victims' suffering. The Secretary-General was requested to provide an update on the progress of this approach.
more
The study on health facility preparedness for cholera outbreak response in Cameroon evaluates the ability of healthcare facilities in four cholera-prone districts to manage cholera outbreaks. The findings highlight significant weaknesses, including limited surveillance systems, inadequate access to ...water, poor sanitation, and lack of essential medical supplies such as Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and cholera case management guidelines. Many health facilities also lacked trained personnel and proper waste disposal systems, increasing the risk of disease spread within healthcare centers. The study underscores the urgent need for improved hygiene infrastructure, better training, and resource allocation to enhance outbreak response and reduce cholera-related mortality.
more
Information and Approaches for developing Country Settings
The document provides guidance on managing acute diarrhoea outbreaks, specifically cholera and shigellosis. It outlines steps for identifying outbreaks, differentiating between cholera and shigellosis, and treating patients based on the severity of dehydration. Recommendations include the use of ora...l rehydration solutions (ORS), antibiotics in severe cases, and strict hygiene practices to prevent transmission. The document also emphasizes community protection measures such as disinfection of water sources, isolation of cases, and proper food hygiene. It is a practical resource for health workers to quickly respond to diarrhoeal disease outbreaks.
more
The document provides guidance on managing acute diarrhoea outbreaks, specifically cholera and shigellosis. It outlines steps for identifying outbreaks, differentiating between cholera and shigellosis, and treating patients based on the severity of dehydration. Recommendations include the use of ora...l rehydration solutions (ORS), antibiotics in severe cases, and strict hygiene practices to prevent transmission. The document also emphasizes community protection measures such as disinfection of water sources, isolation of cases, and proper food hygiene. It is a practical resource for health workers to quickly respond to diarrhoeal disease outbreaks.
more
The document provides essential guidelines for preventing and managing acute diarrhoeal diseases, particularly in complex emergency situations such as conflicts, natural disasters, or health crises. It highlights the importance of access to safe drinking water, sanitation, personal hygiene, and the ...prompt treatment of patients using oral rehydration solutions (ORS). The text also emphasizes the need for coordination between local and international actors to ensure an effective and sustainable response.
more
The document provides essential guidelines for managing cholera outbreaks. It includes instructions for preparing oral rehydration solutions (ORS) using simple ingredients like sugar and salt to treat dehydration caused by cholera. The text also emphasizes the importance of access to clean water, sa...nitation, and hygiene to prevent the spread of the disease. It is part of the World Health Organization's effort to provide clear, actionable steps for controlling cholera in affected areas.
more
This Teacher’s Guide accompanies the WHO publication Management of wastes from health-care activities . It provides teaching materials and recommendations for a three day training course, designed mainly for managers of health-care establishments, public health professionals and policy makers
WHO has updated its guidelines for COVID-19 therapeutics, with revised recommendations for patients with non-severe COVID-19. This is the 13th update to these guidelines.
Updated risk rates for hospital admission in patients with non-severe COVID-19
The guidance includes updated risk rates for... hospital admission in patients with non-severe COVID-19.
The current COVID-19 virus variants tend to cause less severe disease while immunity levels are higher due to vaccination, leading to lower risks of severe illness and death for most patients.
This update includes new baseline risk estimates for hospital admission in patients with non-severe COVID-19. The new ‘moderate risk’ category now includes people previously considered to be high risk including older people and/or those with chronic conditions, disabilities, and comorbidities of chronic disease. The updated risk estimates will assist healthcare professionals to identify individuals at high, moderate or low risk of hospital admission, and to tailor treatment according to WHO guidelines:
**High: **People who are immunosuppressed remain at higher risk if they contract COVID-19, with an estimated hospitalization rate of 6%.
**Moderate: **People over 65 years old, those with conditions like obesity, diabetes and/or chronic conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney or liver disease, cancer, people with disabilities and those with comorbidities of chronic disease are at moderate risk, with an estimated hospitalization rate of 3%.
Low: Those who are not in the high or moderate risk categories are at low risk of hospitalization (0.5%). Most people are low risk.
Review of COVID-19 treatments for people with non-severe COVID-19
WHO continues to strongly recommend nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (also known by its brand name ‘Paxlovid’) for people at high-risk and moderate risk of hospitalization. The recommendations state that nirmatrelvir-ritonavir is considered the best choice for most eligible patients, given its therapeutic benefits, ease of administration and fewer concerns about potential harms. Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir was first recommended by WHO in April 2022.
If nirmatrelvir-ritonavir is not available to patients at high-risk of hospitalization, WHO suggests the use of molnupiravir or remdesivir instead.
WHO suggests against the use of molnupiravir and remdesivir for patients at moderate risk, judging the potential harms to outweigh the limited benefits in patients at moderate risk of hospital admission.
For people at low risk of hospitalization, WHO does not recommend any antiviral therapy. Symptoms like fever and pain can continue to be managed with analgesics like paracetamol.
WHO also recommends against use of a new antiviral (VV116) for patients, except in clinical trials.
The update also includes a strong recommendation against the use of ivermectin for patients with non-severe COVID-19. WHO continues to advise that in patients with severe or critical COVID-19, ivermectin should only be used in clinical trials.
more
Guidelines for District Health Managers
This e-tool is intended for use by people in charge of occupational health and safety for health workers at the national, subnational and facility levels and for health workers who want to know what WHO and ILO recommend for the protection of their health and safety
Les Lignes directrices de l'OMS sur le paludisme rassemblent les recommandations les plus récentes de l'Organisation pour le paludisme dans une plateforme en ligne conviviale et facile à naviguer. Veuillez noter que cette version correspond à celle publiée en anglais le 16 octobre 2023.
Les Lig...nes directrices de l'OMS sur le paludisme remplacent 2 publications précédentes de l'OMS: les Lignes directrices pour le traitement du paludisme, troisième édition et les Lignes directrices pour la lutte contre les vecteurs du paludisme. Les recommandations sur le paludisme continueront d'être examinées et, le cas échéant, mises à jour sur la base des dernières données disponibles. Toutes les recommandations mises à jour afficheront toujours la date de la révision la plus récente dans la plate-forme MAGICapp.
more
Le panorama du paludisme a profondement changé durant la dernière décénnie. Les financements ont augmenté, les outils permettant de sauver des vies ont été mis en œuvre à plus grande échelle, la charge du paludisme a diminué et un nombre grandissant de pays envisagent son élimination.
C...e cadre actualisé fait le point sur les outils, les activités et les stratégies nécessaires pour atteindre l'élimination du paludisme et empêcher la reprise de la transmission dans les pays, quelle que soit l'étape à laquelle ils se trouvent sur la route menant à l'élimination ou l’intensité de la transmission. Le cadre est destiné à servir de référence pour élaborer des plans stratégiques d’élimination du paludisme au niveau national et doit être adapté aux contextes locaux.
more
La Déclaration de consensus sur le traitement préventif intermittent du paludisme pendant la grossesse au niveau communautaire est une publication du Partenariat RBM pour en finir avec le paludisme.
Elle porte sur le traitement préventif intermittent communautaire pendant la grossesse (c-IPTp...), avec pour objectif de renforcer la prévention du paludisme chez les femmes enceintes grâce à des interventions menées au niveau communautaire.
La déclaration propose des politiques, des recommandations et des déclarations conjointes pour orienter la mise en œuvre des stratégies du traitement préventif intermittent du paludisme pendant la grossesse au niveau communautaire .
Le document est disponible en téléchargement en anglais, français et portugais.
more