Advancing neglected tropical disease elimination in Sierra Leone

Onchocerciasis, or 'river blindness', is a vector-borne disease spread through the repeated bites of infected blackflies

FREETOWN, January 15 2018 --- With support from WHO, Helen Keller International and partners, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation is advancing efforts towards the elimination and control of onchocerciasis, or 'river blindness'. The country has also launched its revised five-year National Action Plan (2016-2020) for Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) elimination.

WHO promotes one-health approach to enhance response to zoonoses in South Sudan

Multi-sectoral task force meeting in Rumbek, former Lakes State


Juba, 25 January 2018 – To reduce threats posed by zoonotic diseases due to a wide range of diseases – including Rift Valley Fever, Crimean- Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Avian Influenza, Yellow Fever, as well as Lassa Fever, Ebola, and Marburg, WHO is promoting the one-health approach to ensure that the combined resources and expertise are effectively used.

Nigeria set to vaccinate 25 million people, its biggest yellow fever campaign ever

Nigeria set to vaccinate 25 million people, its biggest yellow fever campaign ever
The Government of Nigeria will launch a mass vaccination campaign to prevent the spread of yellow fever on Thursday (January 25) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners. More than 25 million people will be vaccinated throughout 2018, in the largest yellow fever vaccination drive in the country’s history.

Nigeria set to vaccinate 25 million people, its biggest yellow fever campaign ever

Nigeria set to vaccinate 25 million people, its biggest yellow fever campaign ever
The Government of Nigeria will launch a mass vaccination campaign to prevent the spread of yellow fever on Thursday (January 25) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners. More than 25 million people will be vaccinated throughout 2018, in the largest yellow fever vaccination drive in the country’s history.

Government of Uganda confirms outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic and Rift Valley fevers

WHO official in a planning meeting with a district risk communication team

The Ministry of Health in Uganda confirmed an outbreak of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever and Rift Valley Fever in Nakasseke and Luwero respectively. 

Earlier in December 2017, the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) confirmed a positive case of CCHF in Nakaseke district. As of January 18, 2018, two confirmed and seven suspected cases had been investigated in Nakaseke district. Three of the seven suspected cases were close relatives of the patient. Samples from the seven suspected cases tested negative for CCHF. 

WHO hands over cholera and Reproductive health kits to Ministry of Health and Child Care

OIC Zimbabwe, Dr Juliet Nabyonga handing over the kits to Dr Portia Manangazira, Director Epidemiolgy and Disease Control in Ministry of Health and Child Care

In a move aimed at complementing and supplementing the Ministry of Health and Child Care's efforts to step up essential emergency preparedness and response, WHO Zimbabwe handed over cholera and emergency reproductive health kits. The cholera and reproductive health kits are meant to support preparedness and response measures that the ministry is currently putting in place to restock districts and provinces at risk of possible outbreaks of diseases or need.