World Health Organisation (WHO) | Business Upturn

WHO claims Europe to see “high levels” of COVID-19 this summer

Dipankar Ray — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 12:55:45 +0000

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that “high levels” of COVID-19 were anticipated in Europe this summer and urged nations to keep an eye on the disease’s spread after instances tripled in the previous month.

“As countries across the European region have lifted the social measures that were previously in place, the virus will transmit at high levels over the summer”, Hans Kluge. The regional director told the AFP news agency. “This virus won’t go away just because countries stop looking for it. It’s still spreading, it’s still changing, and it’s still taking lives.”

According to data from the WHO, the 53 nations in the European area are already reporting slightly under 500,000 cases per day. As the milder but more infectious Omicron subvariant BA.5 spreads throughout the continent.

At the end of May, there were almost 150,000 cases every day. The nations in Europe with the most significant incidence rates were Austria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, and Portugal. With instances increasing in practically all other countries in the area. Europe is presently seeing 500 fatalities per day, around the same rate. As during the summer of 2020, after recording between 4,000 and 5,000 deaths per day throughout most of the winter.

“We must keep looking for the virus. Because not doing so makes us increasingly blind to patterns of transmission and virus evolution. High population immunity and the choices made to lower risk to older people is key to preventing further mortality this summer,” Hans Kluge said.

WHO to rename Monkeypox viral disease amid disease outbreak

News Desk — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 10:52:47 +0000

More than 30 countries where the Monkeypox virus is not endemic. Lest, have reported outbreaks of the viral disease, with the majority of confirmed cases in Europe.

The virus, which was discovered in monkeys and spreads through close contact, is mostly found in West and Central Africa and only very rarely spreads elsewhere.

According to the most recent official figures, the number of monkeypox cases in the United Kingdom has surpassed 500. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported 52 new monkeypox cases. Thus, in England, one in Scotland, and one in Wales. Hence, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the UK to 524 as of Tuesday. The UKHSA reported 504 confirmed cases in England, 13 in Scotland, two in Northern Ireland, and five in Wales.

WHO decides to rename Monkeypox

The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to rename the monkeypox virus, which has infected more than 30 countries. The change is the result of concerns raised by a group of international scientists. About the “discriminatory” nature of the virus strain names.

According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the organisation is “working with partners and experts from around the world on changing the name of the monkeypox virus, its clades, and the disease it causes.” He stated that the WHO will announce the new names as soon as possible.

On June 10, a paper titled. “Urgent need for a non-discriminatory and non-stigmatizing nomenclature for monkeypox virus“. Published a request from 30 international scientists to change the name. According to a spokesperson, the current name does not comply with WHO guidelines. Moreover, that advise against using geographic regions or animal names.

According to a spokesperson for the WHO, scientists in orthopoxviruses – the family to which monkeypox belongs – are consulting on more appropriate names. Other disease names that violate the standards, according to joint recommendations from the WHO, the World Organization for Animal Health, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, include swine flu.

According to reports, the WHO will work with experts in orthopoxviruses, which include monkeypox, to come up with more appropriate names.

WHO works with impacted countries to determine cause of monkeypox

Aryan Jakhar — Sat, 21 May 2022 08:24:01 +0000

The World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with its partners to determine the scope and source of a monkeypox outbreak. While no cases have been recorded in India, the Indian government is keeping an eye on worldwide evidence and has warned its testing facilities to be on the lookout for any cases that may arise.

So far, 80 instances have been confirmed, with another 50 under investigation. As surveillance expands, more incidents are expected to be reported.

WHO is collaborating with affected nations and others to expand disease surveillance in order to identify and assist people who may be impacted, as well as provide advice on how to manage the disease.

“We continue to convene meetings of experts and technical advisory groups (such as the meeting today of the Strategic & Technical Advisory Group on Infectious Hazards with Pandemic and Epidemic Potential [STAG-IH]) to share information on the disease and response strategies,” said WHO in a press statement.

As the situation develops, WHO will continue to give updates as new information becomes available.

“The virus is endemic in some animal populations in a number of countries, leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and travelers. The recent outbreaks reported across 11 countries so far are atypical, as they are occurring in non-endemic countries,” WHO said in a statement.

COVID-19 and monkeypox spread in various ways. WHO advises individuals to be informed about the magnitude of the outbreak in their neighbourhood (if any), symptoms, and prevention from credible sources such as national health agencies.

Because monkeypox is spread through intimate contact, the focus of the response should be on the people who have been infected and their close contacts.

“People who closely interact with someone who is infectious are at greater risk for infection: this includes health workers, household members and sexual partners,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Indian government is watchful and closely monitoring global statistics from other countries. The Union Health Ministry has asked the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the National Center for Disease Control, and airport authorities to keep a close eye on the issue.

Dr Samiran Panda, Additional Director General of ICMR said, “So far, no case of Monekypox has been identified in India. But we have to be cautious and there should be no panic and if there are any cases, we have Biosafety Laboratory (BSL)- 4 and laboratory SOPs in place.”

Taliban supports WHO & UNICEF’s polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan

Cheryll Jain — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 11:57:24 +0000

The World Health Organisation and United Nations Children’s Fund on Monday, November 8 kicked off a nationwide polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan after the Taliban-run public health ministry in the country announced on Sunday that the four-day campaign will be aimed at inoculating children below the age of 5 against polio.

Naikwali Shah Momin, the National Emergency Operations Coordinator for the polio programme at the health ministry in Afghanistan, reported that the campaign has commenced in various parts of the country. However, the shortage of staff to lead the drive have posed challenges to the objective of the campaign.

Suggesting that there is a lack of medically trained vaccination teams, Momin recommended that more training be given to vaccination teams in remote areas so that the campaign can begin in regions such as Kabul.

Meanwhile, welcoming the support provided by the Taliban leadership to fast-track the polio vaccine campaign in the country, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al Mandhari stated that the backing “demonstrates a joint commitment to maintaining the health system and restart essential immunizations to avert further outbreaks of preventable diseases.”

The polio vaccine campaign is resuming in Afghanistan after 3 years as the Taliban had barred UN-backed vaccination teams from doing door-to-door campaigns in parts of the country under its control during that time. Consequently, around 3.3 million children over the past three years had not been vaccinated against the incurable disease.

Commenting on the vaccine campaign winning the Taliban’s backing, Dr Qalandar Ebad, the Taliban’s acting Public Health Minister stated, “without any doubt, polio is a disease that without treatment will either kill our children or cause them with a permanent disability, so in this case, the only way is to implement the vaccination.”

The four-day campaign is aiming to target the estimated population of Afghanistan’s 10 million children under age 5, including the more than 3.3 million who could not be reached since 2018. Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan are the only countries in the world where polio remains endemic since its virtual global eradication, made successful through decades-long immunisation drives.

Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin receives approval for emergency use by WHO: Reports

Ayisha Farah — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 12:53:02 +0000

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised Covaxin, the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Indian pharmaceutical firm Bharat Biotech Ltd, for emergency use, reports announced on November 3.

The Technical Advisory Group of WHO, which gathered earlier today to determine Covaxin, has approved Emergency Use Listing (EUL) status for the vaccine, news agency PTI reported citing sources. An official statement from the WHO and Bharat Biotech was anticipated by the time preliminary reports surfaced.

Bharat Biotech had addressed the WHO on April 19 soliciting EUL status for its jab and presented data linked to its safety, efficiency and stability in July. The global health body’s consent will promote more convenient international travel for those who took the Covaxin vaccine, as they would not be obliged to endure the harsh travel restraints inflicted on unvaccinated passengers.

In the past week, the WHO had said it was anticipating one further piece of information from Bharat Biotech concerning Covaxin and stressed that it has to completely estimate to guarantee vaccines are safe and “cannot cut corners” before approving a vaccine for emergency use.

Covaxin, administered to over 1.2 million beneficiaries in India, has demonstrated 77.8 per cent effectiveness against symptomatic cases and 65.2 per cent protection against the new Delta variant.

Why is WHO approval important?

The WHO permission for Covaxin’s emergency use is essential for its extensive acceptability as a reliable and efficient vaccine. Recognition from the WHO will enable people vaccinated with Covaxin to travel abroad without constraints as various nations only acknowledge COVID-19 vaccines that WHO has recommended.

Covaxin has gained administrative clearances in Iran, Mexico, Oman, Greece, Nepal and Australia, apart from India. With the EUL status granted by WHO, more countries are assumed to add Covaxin to the list of vaccines approved under their jurisdictions.

CDSCO extends Covaxin’s shelf-life to 12 months from the date of manufacturing

Cheryll Jain — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 12:37:35 +0000

Vaccine maker Bharat Biotech on Wednesday, November 3 revealed that the shelf-life of its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin has been extended to 12 months from the date of manufacture. Prior to this, the shelf-life of Covaxin had been set at 6 months from the date of manufacture, subject to its storage at two to eight degrees Celcius.

In a statement, Bharat Biotech announced that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) approved its request to extend the shelf-life of the vaccine based on additional stability data that the vaccine maker provided to the regulatory body.

The announcement comes just in time as the World Health Organisation has reportedly approved Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for its Emergency Use Listing after deliberating on the additional data provided to the Technical Advisory Group of the WHO by the Hyderabad-based company.

Bharat Biotech had been looking to increase Covaxin’s shelf-life to 24 months from the date of manufacture and had sought permission for the same from the Drug Control General of India (DCGI) earlier this year in July.

Covaxin has demonstrated 77.8 percent effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 and 65.2 per cent protection against the new Delta variant. Bharat Biotech had earlier stated that it has concluded the final analysis of Covaxin efficacy from Phase three trials.

Covaxin is currently one of two COVID-19 vaccines being widely administered in India and has been a crucial factor in the accelerated vaccination drive of India. Outside of India, the vaccine has received regulatory clearance in countries such as Iran, Mexico, Mauritius, Nepal, Oman and Greece.

Australia became the latest country to join the list of nations to have recognised people administered with Covaxin as fully vaccinated on Monday, November 1.

Cannot play with lives of people by ordering revaccination with Covishield without any data: SC

Ayisha Farah — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 15:24:21 +0000

On Friday, The Supreme Court said that it could not play with people’s lives by ordering the Centre to revaccinate people with Covishield who are completely vaccinated by Covaxin to allow them to travel overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The top court was trying a petition that said that Covaxin was not recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). People here are encountering challenges in obtaining approval to travel overseas. A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and BV Nagarathna said that the court does not have any data on the people’s impact, and it cannot simply address the Centre to revaccinate people with Covishield.

“We cannot play with the lives of people by directing Centre to revaccinate. We don’t have any data with us. We have read in newspapers that Bharat Biotech has filed an application with the World Health Organisation for recognition. Let us wait for the response of WHO. We will take up this matter post-Diwali vacation,” the bench said.

Advocate Kartik Seth, arriving in person, disputed that some students and people are ready to go overseas every day. Still, they are refused entrance as the WHO does not acknowledge Covaxin.

He said that under the existing mechanism, a person vaccinated with Covaxin could not register themself on the CoWIN portal to receive the Covishield vaccine, and a command can be assigned to the Centre in this concern.

“We cannot pass a direction to administer another vaccine without any data. We understand your concern but let’s wait for the WHO’s response,” the bench said.

The highest court said that there is also concern that opponents may try to take benefit of the litigation in the form of the PIL. Seth said that his PIL is completely a Public Interest Litigation as many students who go abroad to study are denied entry in multiple countries.

The plea registered by Seth said that at the time of working out of Covaxin, the government did not make the public conscious that WHO did not recognise it. It said that Bharat Biotech had submitted its application for approval as late as April 2021, and in May, people came to know many countries are not allowing entry of those who are vaccinated with vaccines other than those listed in WHO’s emergency use list.

The plea pleaded for a command to the concerned department and published official data and reasons for the lag in receiving approval to Covaxin produced by Bharat Biotech.
It also asked for directions for revealing the actual data and records to WHO to obtain consent in favour of Covaxin.