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Tag: WHO

Africa Nigeria News and Headlines West Africa World 

Nigeria confirms 80 deaths from diphtheria outbreak

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , ,
Health authorities in Nigeria have confirmed an outbreak of diphtheria following the death of a four-year-old in the capital, Abuja. Nigeria has recorded almost 800 confirmed cases of diphtheria since last year, officials have said with at least 80 deaths. The highly contagious infection can cause breathing difficulties and heart problems and particularly fatal. Diphtheria, a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease spreads… Read More
Africa East Africa World 

Kenya: Mysterious disease kills 9 and hospitalises 80 others

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , , ,
At least nine people have died from an outbreak of a mysterious condition in Kenya. 80 others have been hospitalised from the mysterious disease in northern Kenya’s Marsabit county. Reports say out of the nine people who have died, six were adults and three were children between one and three years. The local media reported that most of the affected… Read More
Africa Featured World 

WHO recommends COVID-19 remains public health emergency

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , , ,
The World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Committee for COVID-19 has advised that COVID-19 continue to be categorized a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The Committee, which is established under the International Health Regulations (IHR) and convened by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, cited the continued detrimental impact of SARS-CoV-2 on health and health systems around the… Read More
Africa World 

Global deaths from Malaria stabilize

Elwin Mandowa, , , , ,
– – The World Health Organization has said that malaria cases and deaths remained stable last year, after a worrying rise during the first year of the Covid pandemic. The WHO has however warned of new challenges including mosquito resistance to insecticides and parasite resistance to drugs used to treat malaria. Ninety-five per cent of all malaria cases are in… Read More
Africa World 

COVID-19 burden lessens in Africa but vigilance is crucial

Elwin Mandowa, , , ,
– – While Africa is witnessing its lowest level of new COVID-19 cases since the onset of the pandemic, a recent four-week rise—the first such sustained increase in four months—underscores the criticality of maintaining vigilance as the end-year holiday seasons sets in. The continent recorded a four-week long rise until 20 November, but the number of new cases dropped slightly… Read More
Africa World 

Climate-related health crisis worsens in the greater horn of Africa

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , ,
– – New analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) has found that the number of reported disease outbreaks and climate-related health emergencies in the greater Horn Africa have reached their highest-ever level this century, deepening a health crisis in a region where 47 million people are already facing acute hunger. Most parts of the region are battling the worst… Read More
Africa World 

WHO switches to one dose of cholera vaccine as outbreaks surge

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , , ,
– – The World Health Organization is moving to replace its standard two-dose vaccination regimen for cholera with a single dose due to vaccine shortages and rising outbreaks worldwide. The one-dose strategy is effective as a response to cholera outbreaks but the duration of protection is limited and appears to be much lower in children, the agency said. Countries like… Read More
Africa Gambia West Africa World 

Gambia: WHO issues alert over  66 cough syrup related deaths 

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , ,
– – The World Health Organisation(WHO) has issued an alert over the use of some Indian manufactured cough syrup following the death of some 66 children in the Gambia. According to the WHO, the syrups have been “potentially linked with acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children”. The products were manufactured by an Indian company, Maiden Pharmaceuticals, which had… Read More
Africa Ghana West Africa World 

Ghana declares end of Marburg outbreak

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , , , ,
– – Health officials in Ghana have declared that the recent outbreak of the Marburg virus is now over following no positive case in 42 days. In July, an alert over the outbreak of the highly infectious disease related to Ebola was issued  after two deaths were recorded. One of those later turned out to have been incorrectly diagnosed. In… Read More
Africa Ghana West Africa World 

Ghana confirms outbreak of Marburg virus

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , ,
Ghanaian health officials have confirmed the outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus in the country. Samples on these two cases had been taken to the Institut Pasteur in Senegal for further tests this month. The cases were found in Ghana’s Ashanti Region with the person who had the suspected virus already reported dead. The highly infectious disease was recorded in… Read More