Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) in the WHO African Region now goes beyond the scope of Communicable Diseases. Non-communicable health conditions and events are now a priority in IDSR.

In order to reflect this change of environment, the CDER has been renamed IDSR Epidemiological Report. This July 2010 issue attempts to provide information on the burden of some regional priority diseases such as cholera, cerebrospinal meningitis, dengue fever, influenza, poliomyelitis and yellow fever in the WHO African Region.

The aim of MLM training is to enable immunisation managers at all levels to acquire skills in planning, management, monitoring and evaluation. It will also give them the knowledge to supervise and support immunisation operations such as service delivery, the cold chain and logistics, purchase and quality control of vaccines, communication in support of the programme.

WHO Director General, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, said Tuesday in Harare that currently available evidence showed that genetically modified (GM) foods are "not likely to present human health risk", and that therefore "these foods may be eaten". She said that Southern African countries should consider accepting GM food aid in the face of the humanitarian crisis facing the region.

Monrovia, 22 April 2014 - The WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti has underscored the importance of involving the communities in the fight against Ebola.

1 APRIL 2016 - Lassa fever has killed more than 160 people in West Africa, most of them in Nigeria, since November 2015. Many of these lives could have been saved if a rapid diagnostic test were available so that people could receive treatment early.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti arrived in New York yesterday afternoon to attend a series of meetings of the United Nations.
Heads of State and Government are attending the high-level meetings at the UN headquarters, where they will make new commitments to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

New York -- United Nations Deputy Secretary General Louise Frechette has called on the international community to help in "addressing the needs of Africa where poverty and health challenges are the most acute."

Launching an international health exhibition organized by the World Health Organization in collaboration with the UN Department of Public Information at the UN headquarters in New York on Monday, Mrs Frechette said: "We (the international community) must provide support to Africa …let this exhibition be an inspiration to us all."

As of 2 June 2016, a total of 1 947 567 people have been vaccinated against Yellow Fever in the provinces of Kinshasa and Kongo Central. The vaccination campaign began on 26 May 2016. Many people have rushed to get vaccinated including many people from districts that were not targetted for vaccination. This is good news because it means people understand the importance of vaccination. However, despite concerted efforts by WHO and partners and manufacturers, global vaccine stocks remain low.

22 April 2003 -- The Director of Medical Services for Kenya, Dr. Richard Muga, together with Roll Back Malaria partners, today briefed the media about the forthcoming Africa Malaria Day to be commemorated on 25 April 2003.

As part of the commemoration, the first progress report on malaria control and prevention in Africa will be officially launched.

A meeting of health ministers from southern African counties and senior officials of WHO ended Wednesday in Harare, Zimbabwe, with delegates from participating countries renewing their "political commitment for immediate actions with a view to mitigating the health consequences" of the humanitarian crisis facing the region.

A report issued at the end of the meeting said that the ministers "indicated the importance of a strategic response which recognizes the multi-dimensional nature of the current crisis, and which responds effectively to people's priority needs."