Borno leaves no stone unturned as outbreak response to polio virus commences

WHO personnel vaccinating a child in Gwoza

Maiduguri, 17 August, 2016 - Immediate outbreak response (OBR) to recently detected wild polio viruses (WPV) in Borno State commenced on 15 August, 2016 with vaccination of children below five years of age in the two (2)  affected local government areas (LGAs) of Jere, Gwoza and three (3) surrounding LGAs of  Mafa, Maiduguri Municipal Council (MMC) and Bama.

Mass yellow fever vaccination campaign launched in Democratic Republic of Congo

Dr Yokouide Allarangar, WHO Representative in DRC speaking at the official campaign launch

Kinshasa, 17 August - A yellow fever preventive mass vaccination campaign was launched on Tuesday in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by the Minister of Health Dr Felix Kabange Numbi. The vaccination will cover more than 10.5 million people in 32 health zones in Kinshasa province and an additional 15 health zones bordering Angola.

A Newly Appointed WHO Representative to Ethiopia Presents Credential

1

29 July 2016, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA | Dr. Akpaka Kalu, the newly appointed WHO Representative to Ethiopia, presented his credentials to  H.E. Dr Tedros Adhanom, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on 29 July 2016.

H.E. Dr Tedros Adhanom gave Dr. Kalu a warm welcome and assured him of the Government's continued support as he accepted Dr. Kalu’s credential. “I wish you all the best and we will support you in any way possible to make your stay successful,” he said.

External team begins assessment of surveillance system in Nigeria.

Briefing at EOC

Abuja, 16 August, 2016 - An external surveillance team is in Nigeria to assess the sensitivity of the acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance system. The assessment team will work at the national level and selected states of Borno, Kaduna, Kano and Sokoto from 15 to 25 August, 2016. The team further intends to determine the potential source or reservoir of the recently detected wild polio viruses in Nigeria.

Preparing to vaccinate millions against yellow fever

72ce8822c96920d128c9fa8e45ee3e11_XL.jpg15 August 2016 - One of Africa's biggest-ever emergency vaccination campaigns starts this week in Democratic Republic of the Congo with the aim to protect millions of people against yellow fever before the rainy season begins in late September.

Nigeria detects wild poliovirus in recently accessible areas of Borno State

Professor Isaac Adewole, Nigeria's Minister of Health

Abuja, 12 August, 2016 - With improved surveillance among recently accessible populations of Borno State, Nigeria has identified two (2) wild poliovirus (WPV) cases, the first to be detected since July 2014.

Addressing partners and stakeholders on 11 August, 2016, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, confirmed that two children have been paralyzed in Gwoza and Jere local government areas (LGAs) of Borno State. The isolated viruses are linked to a virus last detected in Borno in 2011.

Government of Nigeria reports two wild poliovirus cases, first since July 2014

0e0b3f80535bd992c38fd6ecc594852a_XL.jpg11 August 2016 – After more than 2 years without wild poliovirus in Nigeria, the Government reported today that 2 children have been paralyzed. As an immediate priority, the Government of Nigeria is collaborating with WHO and other partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to respond urgently and prevent more children from being paralyzed.

WHO heightens health response to cholera outbreak in CAR

WHO and Ministry of Health staff discussing with nurses

Bangui/Brazzaville, 11 August  2016 – Amid an ongoing complex humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR), the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners are working with the country’s Ministry of Health respond to a cholera outbreak declared on 10 August 2016 with 46 confirmed cases and 13 deaths from Djoujou, Damara and Bangui cities.