India has achieved a significant milestone by eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, becoming the third country in the Southeast Asia Region to accomplish this feat. After decades of dedicated efforts, India’s victory against this leading cause of blindness worldwide underscores its commitment to public health and the effectiveness of the WHO’s SAFE strategy.
India has successfully eradicated trachoma, a bacterial eye infection that was once a major cause of blindness, as a public health concern. This significant achievement, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), follows years of dedicated efforts through the National Trachoma Control Program and the National Program for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI). The WHO’s SAFE strategy, encompassing surgery, antibiotics, facial hygiene, and environmental cleanliness, played a crucial role in this triumph.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the first mpox in vitro diagnostic (IVD) under its Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure, a critical step in expanding global access to accurate and timely mpox testing. The Alinity m MPXV assay, produced by Abbott Molecular Inc., is a real-time PCR test that detects monkeypox virus DNA, aiding in the rapid confirmation of suspected cases. This move is particularly significant in countries experiencing mpox outbreaks, where quick and reliable testing is crucial for effective containment.
A World Health Organization (WHO) doctor has proposed regulating smartphones similar to cigarettes, restricting their use in certain areas and implementing age limits, citing growing concerns about smartphone and social media addiction. The suggestion follows a WHO study revealing a significant rise in problematic smartphone use among European teenagers, with potential negative impacts on mental health, education, and productivity.
With the first case of Monkeypox reported in India, concerns about the spread of the disease have risen. While experts emphasize the need for vigilance, they also highlight that the disease is less fatal than COVID-19 and the risk of a pandemic seems low. This article explores the symptoms, transmission, and precautions related to Monkeypox.
India has issued a nationwide alert after its first suspected case of Mpox was reported in Delhi. The Centre has instructed states and union territories to screen, test, and trace contacts of all suspected cases, while also identifying isolation facilities for both suspected and confirmed patients. This comes after the World Health Organization declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in August 2024.
A comprehensive review by the World Health Organization (WHO) has found no evidence connecting mobile phone use with an increased risk of brain cancer. The analysis of 63 studies conducted over 28 years revealed no association between mobile phone use and brain cancer, even for long-term users. However, the WHO acknowledges the need for ongoing research and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) will re-evaluate its classification of mobile phone radiation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported exceeding its vaccination targets in Gaza during a mass campaign aimed at stemming a recent polio outbreak. This achievement comes amidst ongoing conflict, with daily ceasefires facilitating the vaccination efforts.
UNICEF, in collaboration with Gavi, Africa CDC, and WHO, has launched an emergency tender to secure up to 12 million doses of mpox vaccines for crisis-hit countries. This initiative aims to address the ongoing mpox outbreak, particularly in Africa, and ensure timely access to vaccines for those most in need.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to deliver mpox vaccines to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the coming days, as the country faces a surge in cases of a new strain. The WHO declared an international emergency over mpox in August due to the rapid spread of the Clade 1b strain. The organization aims to control the outbreaks within the next six months, emphasizing the need for a political solution to ongoing insecurity in the region.
