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Emergencies

Health emergency highlights #88

In this issue:

  • Video: The Ebola Survivors Programme
  • Eight emerging diseases and emergencies WHO responded to in the Western Pacific Region in 2018
  • Libya: 388 000 people face health risks, US$ 43.5 million needed
  • WHO supports five countries to fight Lassa fever
  • Photo essay: Social science training enhances community engagement in health emergencies in the European Region
  • Questions and answers on the measles outbreak in the Philippines
  • Ethiopia launches measles vaccine 2nd dose for over 3.3 million children annually
  • Critical health situation in Al-Hol camp, Syrian Arab Republic
  • Iraq and Jordan: working together to curb an outbreak
  • NTDs: WHO launches toolkit to optimize water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions
  • South Sudan: Integrating WASH and early childhood development in therapeutic nutrition programs

Video: The Ebola Survivors Programme

Faustin Kalivanda is a father of four, who lost his wife and a daughter to Ebola virus disease (EVD). He survived. Today he is part of the Survivors Programme, which provides medical and psychological follow ups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of 12 February, 823 EVD cases were reported, including 517 deaths. So far, 283 people were discharged from Ebola treatment centers and enrolled in a dedicated monitoring and support programme.

Eight emerging diseases and emergencies WHO responded to in the Western Pacific Region in 2018

In 2018, the WHO Health Emergencies Programme’s surveillance team detected and reviewed 2000 signals of potential emergency health threats in the Western Pacific Region. Seventy-one turned out to be significant public health events, with WHO called upon to support the response to 50%. Here are eight of the outbreaks, emergencies and emerging infectious diseases WHO responded to in the Western Pacific Region in 2018.

WHO supports five countries to fight Lassa fever

With Lassa fever affecting five countries in Western Africa, WHO has scaled up its preparedness and response efforts. While the disease is endemic in these countries, the number of cases so early in the season is unusual. The largest outbreak is affecting 16 states in Nigeria, with 213 confirmed cases to date, including 42 deaths, and four health care workers infected. WHO is providing technical assistance and is supporting coordination, enhanced surveillance, epidemiological analysis and risk communication.

Questions and answers on the measles outbreak in the Philippines

Measles cases are rising in the Philippines with the Department of Health declaring measles outbreaks in five regions in the country, including in metro Manila. The DOH reported over 4 300 confirmed measles cases from 1 January to 10 February 2019 – more than double the number of cases compared to last year. Severe complications have claimed the lives of 70 people, one in three of them children younger than nine months old. The Philippines has had persistent low immunization coverage over the past few years. WHO estimates 2.6 million Filipino children under the age of five years are not protected from measles.

Critical health situation in Al-Hol camp, Syrian Arab Republic

WHO is scaling up its response due to the increasingly dire situation in Al-Hol camp in Al-Hasakeh governorate. Over the last two months, an estimated 23 000 people - mainly women and children fleeing hostilities - arrived in the camp, tripling the population. New arrivals wait for days in the camp’s open-air reception and screening areas, without tents, blankets or heating. More than 29 children and newborns are reported to have died during the journey, often from hypothermia.

NTDs: WHO launches toolkit to optimize water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions

“Targeted water and sanitation interventions will bolster efforts in tackling the many neglected tropical diseases,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director, WHO Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health. “This toolkit is unique in supporting all health managers to work with the WASH community, guiding them through building those partnerships, mobilizing resources, and designing, implementing and evaluating interventions. ”

Libya: 388 000 people face health risks, US$ 43.5 million needed

The World Health Organization and health partners are appealing for US$ 43.5 million to provide critical health services to 388 000 people in Libya. The country is facing a shortage of essential medicines and health service providers, increasing the risk of diseases including acute watery diarrhoea, leishmaniasis, tuberculosis and vaccine preventable diseases. “Without funding, hundreds of thousands of people will be left without health services, further adding to this humanitarian tragedy and increasing the risk of diseases crossing borders,” said Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain, WHO Representative in Libya.

Photo essay: Social science training enhances community engagement in health emergencies in the European Region

Under the International Health Regulations (2005) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) framework, WHO provides support to Member States to improve national capacity to engage communities through enhanced use of social science-based interventions before, during and after health emergencies. The SocialNET training was the first of its kind in the European Region and was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on 10–14 December 2018.

Ethiopia launches measles vaccine 2nd dose for over 3.3 million children annually

Measles is endemic in Ethiopia with outbreaks reported annually. Improved outbreak preparedness and response efforts from the government has helped to significantly reduce measles cases over the years. Measles incidence in Ethiopia is still high, however. To provide extra immunity, a second dose of measles vaccine will be provided in Ethiopia to children aged 15 months. WHO has recommended that it should be the standard for all national immunization programs. The second dose of measles at this age provides a platform for delivering other child health services.

Iraq and Jordan: working together to curb an outbreak

WHO teams in Iraq and Jordan worked with health officials to rapidly respond to a suspected H1N1 influenza outbreak in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq at the end of last year. Initially, a lack of supplies inhibited testing. "WHO focal points in Iraq and Jordan coordinated immediately to facilitate the inter-country shipment and deliver the required supplies from Jordan to Iraq,” said Dr Adham Ismail, WHO Representative in Iraq.

South Sudan: Integrating WASH and early childhood development in therapeutic nutrition programs

Severe acute malnutrition is one of the main causes of illness and death among under-five children in South Sudan. To improve the survival rate and reduce the impact of acute malnutrition, WHO is implementing an integrated health, nutrition and WASH strategy as part of its emergency nutrition program. Over 3 781 Children under five will benefit from these interventions over the next six months.