Communicable diseases

Socioeconomic, environmental and behavioural factors, as well as international travel and migration, foster and increase the spread of communicable diseases. Vaccine-preventable, foodborne, zoonotic, health care-related and communicable diseases pose significant threats to human health and may sometimes threaten international health security. In cooperation with governments, WHO/Europe develops norms and standards, guidance and public health tools to help countries implement effective disease prevention and control programmes and address their risk factors.

WHO/Europe progress challenge communicable disease public health

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Ebola outbreak in West Africa declared a public health emergency of international concern

The Director-General of WHO on 8 August declared the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR 2005).

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New guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection

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