A (H1N1) seasonal influenza virus: guidance on prevention and treatment

7 February 2014 - WHO has recently been notified by the Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt, of an increase in seasonal influenza activity. In some governorates, severe respiratory illnesses have been reported, of which a few were laboratory confirmed as influenza A (H1N1) pdm 2009. To date, 25 deaths associated with influenza have been reported in Egypt since December 2013.

This type of seasonal influenza pattern has been observed in many other countries of the Region, as well as globally.

WHO is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Population in Egypt to continuously assess and monitor the situation and provide technical support and guidance on appropriate public health measures to mitigate the current situation.

The influenza A (H1N1) pdm 2009 virus first emerged as a new virus that was responsible for pandemic influenza in 2009. WHO declared the end of the pandemic influenza in August 2010. Since then this virus has been circulating in humans as seasonal influenza virus. Seasonal influenza viruses can cause from mild to severe illness, including deaths among a number of hospitalized patients. The elderly, young children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and people with underlying chronic health conditions are at higher risk of severe complication.

World Cancer Day 2014: Debunk the myths

4 February 2014 – World Cancer Day is observed every year by the World Health Organization, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Union for International Cancer Control on 4 February. The slogan for this year’s Day is "Debunk the myths", which builds on the success of last year's campaign.

The 2014 campaign focuses on dispelling four key damaging myths and misconceptions that people often have about cancer.

• We shouldn’t talk about cancer.
• There are no signs or symptoms of cancer.
• There is nothing we can do about cancer.
• Not everyone has the right to cancer care.

The truth is, in many cultures and settings talking about cancer is difficult but stigma, fear and silence create barriers that can negatively affect the health outcomes of those living with cancer.

New polio vaccination round begun in Syria

Every day, thousands of local and international public health workers, community members, and volunteers on all sides of this conflict risk their lives to deliver basic services, including and especially immunization, to all Syrians. Photo credit: Tarik Jasarevic/WHO.3 February, Homs, Syria – The queue was already formed when three volunteer polio vaccinators arrived at ‘Mohammed El Durra’ school in Homs that was transformed last year into a shelter for over 500 displaced people. 

“This is the third time my two children are getting immunized here,” says Ms Mirvat Baraq, as men and women bring children under the age of five to receive drops of oral polio vaccine (OPV). In less than two hours, 120 children residing in the shelter were immunized yesterday, the first day of February's vaccination round. 

Supported by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, this is the fourth vaccination campaign across Syria since the outbreak of polio was confirmed last October. To date, 23 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported by the Government.