WHO & Regionals [to 13 February 2016]

Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER) 12 February 2016, vol. 91, 6 (pp. 61–72)
Contents:
61 Meeting of the International Task Force for Disease Eradication, November 2015
71 Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks in 5 countries, 2014–2015

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Disease Outbreak News (DONs)
:: 12 February 2016 – Yellow Fever – Angola
:: 12 February 2016 – Zika virus infection – United States of America
:: 12 February 2016 – Microcephaly – United States of America
:: 12 February 2016 – Guillain-Barré syndrome – Colombia and Venezuela
:: 10 February 2016 – Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – China
:: 8 February 2016 – Guillain-Barré syndrome – Brazil
:: 8 February 2016 – Guillain-Barré syndrome – France – Martinique
:: 8 February 2016 – Zika virus infection – Maldives
:: 8 February 2016 – Zika virus infection – Region of the Americas

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Highlights
Assistive technologies for the elderly and disabled
11 February 2016 — WHO has launched a global survey to gather views on the most necessary and useful assistive technologies, such as hearing aids and wheelchairs. The survey will feed into the first ever WHO mandated list of essential assistive technologies. Governments can use the list to plan and focus efforts to help populations acquire the 50 priority products, thereby improving the everyday lives of the elderly and people living with disabilities.

Deworming campaign targets 270 million children in one day
February 2016 −− An estimated 270 million children across India have received deworming medicine (albendazole) as part of a drive to eliminate intestinal parasitic infections – a widespread problem that affects children’s development.

First WHO Global Meeting of National NCD Programme Directors and Managers
February 2016 — WHO is organizing the First Global Meeting of National NCD Programme Directors and Managers from 15 to 17 February 2016 in Geneva, at the WHO Executive Board Room.

India launches plan to eliminate malaria
February 2016 — India’s Ministry of Health launched an ambitious national roadmap to eliminate malaria. The National Framework for Malaria Elimination in India 2016-2030, aims to reduce malaria case incidence and deaths to 0 over the next 15 years.

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:: WHO Regional Offices
WHO African Region AFRO
:: Official visit of WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Moeti to Gabon
Brazzaville/Libreville, 12 February 2016 – The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti is in Libreville, Gabon, for a 5 day official visit and to participate in the 7th Conference of Health Ministers of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), which begins today…

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
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WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
:: WHO lauds India’s de-worming initiative 10 February 2016

WHO European Region EURO
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WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: WHO welcomes unprecedented international support for Syrians
10 February 2016
:: WHO and Ministry of Health endorse joint action to meet health needs and challenges in Iraq
10 February 2016

WHO Western Pacific Region
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