Coronavirus: How polio personnel are pivoting against COVID-19

On World Polio Day, we recognize the immense contributions of polio workers to COVID-19 response and acknowledge the major challenges ahead

World Polio Day, on 24 October, is when the world comes together to celebrate the determination that has brought us 99% of the way to ending polio, and reflect on the heights we must scale to defeat the disease completely.    This year, Africa was declared free of wild poliovirus, a…

Coronavirus - Africa: COVID-19 could reverse decades of progress toward eliminating preventable child deaths, agencies warn

In May, initial modelling by Johns Hopkins University showed that almost 6,000 additional children could die per day due to disruptions due to COVID-19

With the number of under-five deaths at an all-time recorded low of 5.2 million in 2019, disruptions in child and maternal health services due to the COVID-19 pandemic are putting millions of additional lives at stake. The number of global under-five deaths dropped to its lowest point on record in…

Global Polio Eradication Initiative Applauds WHO African Region for Wild Polio-Free Certification

Support from national governments and global donors critical to the region’s success against wild polio and must continue to achieve a polio-free world

Today, the Africa Regional Certification Commission certified the WHO African Region as wild polio-free after four years without a case. With this historic milestone, five of the six WHO regions – representing over 90% of the world’s population – are now free of the wild poliovirus, moving the world closer…

Coronavirus - Middle East and North Africa: Joint Statement - Food crisis likely to worsen in the Middle East and North Africa as COVID-19 continues

Countries in the region already facing food crisis are hit hardest by the pandemic

Joint statement from the Regional Directors of UNICEF, FAO, WFP and WHO “Governments and partners across the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA) are working around the clock to protect communities from the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). While these efforts are saving many lives, they are having a critical impact…

Statement of the Nineteenth International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee Regarding the International Spread of Poliovirus

The low coverage with routine Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) vaccination in several countries neighboring DR Congo heightens the risk of international spread

The nineteenth meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) regarding the international spread of poliovirus was convened by the Director General on 27 November 2018 at WHO headquarters with members, advisers and invited Member States attending via teleconference. The Emergency Committee reviewed the data on…

Dr Ahmed Salim Saif Al Mandhari nominated as WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean

WHO's Special Session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, held today in Geneva, has nominated Dr Ahmed Salim Saif Al Mandhari from Oman as WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, to be formally appointed by the WHO Executive Board during its 143rd session from 28 to 29…

Government of Nigeria Reports Two Wild Poliovirus Cases, first since July 2014

New cases come on the two-year anniversary since the last confirmed case of polio was reported in Africa

After more than two years without wild poliovirus in Nigeria, the Government reported today that two children have been paralyzed by the disease in the northern Borno state.   As an immediate priority, the Government of Nigeria is collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners of the…