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News Releases

Burundi investigates illness that has caused five deaths

The health authorities in Burundi, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), are carrying out investigations to determine the cause of an illness that has led to five deaths and sickened 28 people in Mpanda district in the north of the country, near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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When science protects the most vulnerable: An interview with Professor Anne Esther N...

Yaounde - On World Health Day 2026, under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science,” the World Health Organization (WHO) is highlighting individuals who use science to improve lives across the African Region.

A paediatrician and public health expert based in Cameroon, Professor Anne Esther Njom Nlend explains how science helps protect health—especially for mothers, newborns and children. Drawing on concrete examples from the African context, she illustrates how scientific evidence guides medical decisions, saves lives and supports sustainable progress.

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WHO AFRO Strengthens Legal Capacity for Tobacco Control Through Advanced Training Pa...

WHO AFRO and the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer convened an Advanced Workshop on Law and Tobacco Control in Melbourne, equipping 40 legal and public health professionals with skills to strengthen tobacco control legislation. The workshop reinforced a partnership that has trained 50 lawyers since 2014, supporting Member States in implementing the WHO FCTC and countering tobacco industry interference.
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Health profession regulators agree on education quality standards in Africa

Health professions regulatory bodies, education leaders and technical experts from across the African Region have reached a landmark consensus on the Africa Health Professions Education Quality Standards (AHPEQS), establishing a shared continental framework to strengthen the quality, relevance and responsiveness of health professional training.
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From data to decisions: strengthening health security in Africa

Across the African region, health threats are increasingly being detected early, bolstering measures to protect communities. To further reinforce health emergency preparedness, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa today launched an integrated intelligence system to narrow the gap between decision-making lifesaving response even more.
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Southern Africa faces acute surge in cholera due to floods, displacement

Cholera cases in Southern Africa region have risen by over seven times in the first six weeks of 2026 compared with the same period the year before due to severe flooding triggered by cyclones, infrastructure damage and inadequate water and sanitation among displaced populations, an analysis by World Health Organization (WHO) shows.
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Onchocerciasis: How to fight a parasite that threatens eyesight

Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, still affects millions of people living near rivers and wetlands in Africa. Fortunately, this disease can be prevented through a simple, free treatment that is distributed annually within communities. To better understand it's transmission, who is most exposed, and what progress has been made, we spoke with Dr Didier Bakajika, expert at WHO Africa.

What is river blindness and how is it transmitted?

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