WHO & Regional Offices [to 30 April 2016]

World Immunization Week 2016: Close the immunization gap
:: Campaign toolkit
:: Poster, visual materials
:: Fact sheet on immunization coverage
:: Quiz: How much do you know about immunization?
Get Vaccinated: Go for the gold!
29 April 2016 – Immunization stops 2 to 3 million deaths each year, however an additional 1.5 million deaths could be avoided with better vaccination coverage. During World Immunization Week 2016, WHO offices around the world have highlighted recent gains in immunization coverage and emphasized the work still needed to meet vaccination targets. In the Americas, the week has been supported by the 6 time Olympic Games Gold Medallist, Usain Bolt, with the theme “Go for the gold! Get vaccinated!”
:: More about World Immunization Week

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Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER) 29 April 2016, vol. 91, 17 (pp. 217–236)
Contents:
217 Epidemic focus [yellow fever]
219 Dracunculiasis eradication: global surveillance summary, 2015

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IPAC – Call for nominations pdf, 126kb 25 April 2016
[Immunization Practices Advisory Committee]
Deadline for application: 31 May 2016

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Disease Outbreak News (DONs)
:: 28 April 2016 Salmonellosis – United States of America
:: 27 April 2016 Lassa Fever – Germany
:: 26 April 2016 Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – China
:: 26 April 2016 Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia
:: 25 April 2016 Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Bahrain

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:: WHO Regional Offices
WHO African Region AFRO
:: New WHO Guidelines Make All Persons Living with HIV Eligible for Antiretroviral Treatment
Johannesburg, 29 April 2016 – According to the new World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for the prevention, treatment and care of HIV and Hepatitis, all 26 million people currently living with HIV in the African Region are now eligible for antiretroviral treatment (ART). This is more than double the number of the current 11 million on treatment. “The recommendation that anyone infected with HIV should begin antiretroviral treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis will revolutionize treatment outcomes, where people living with HIV will be able to live long and healthy lives,” says Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director …
:: A Call to Close the Immunization Gap – 26 April 2016
:: Yellow fever vaccination essential for Angola, WHO reminds travellers – 26 April 2016

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
:: Communities urged to clean up mosquito breeding sites to prevent Zika, during Vaccination Week in the Americas (04/29/2016)
:: PAHO urges “Go for the gold! Get vaccinated!” during Vaccination Week in the Americas (04/25/2016)
:: “Malaria Champions of the Americas” seeks successful initiatives to eliminate malaria and prevent its reintroduction (04/25/2016)

WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
:: WHO: One year on, health partners review Nepal quake response, call for scaling up emergency preparedness SEAR/PR/1624 Kathmandu, 21 April 2016
:: End malaria for good, scale-up and sustain Region-wide anti-malaria efforts 25 April 2016

WHO European Region EURO
:: Crown Princess of Denmark advocates immunization and addressing antimicrobial resistance 28-04-2016
:: Joint statement by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe 27-04-2016
:: Governments call on WHO and partners to support achievement of global road safety targets 26-04-2016
:: European Immunization Week in the classroom 25-04-2016

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: The final frontier in polio eradication 28 April 2016
:: Chernobyl: 30 Years On 26 April 2016

WHO Western Pacific Region
:: WHO calls for action to protect young people from alcohol-related harm
HONG KONG SAR (CHINA), 30 APRIL 2016 – Every minute one person dies from alcohol-related harm in the Western Pacific Region. Alcohol is one of the biggest risk factors for deaths among young people in the Region. “One in three current drinkers in the Western Pacific aged 15 to 19 has engaged in excessive drinking,” notes Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Alcohol abuse is associated with depression and anxiety. Excessive drinking is closely linked to self-harm and suicide.”