Good morning, good afternoon and good evening,
First, an update on H5N1 avian influenza.
Last week, the United States reported a fourth human case of H5N1 following exposure to infected dairy cows.
Cambodia also reported two cases in children who had contact with sick or dead chickens.
For the moment, no human-to-human transmission has been reported, which is why WHO continues to assess the risk to the general public as low.
However, our ability to assess and manage that risk is compromised by limited surveillance for influenza viruses in animals globally.
Understanding how these viruses are spreading and changing in animals is essential for identifying any changes that might increase the risk of outbreaks in humans, or the potential for a pandemic.
WHO calls on all countries to strengthen influenza surveillance and reporting in animals and humans;
To share samples of influenza viruses with WHO Collaborating Centres;
To share genetic sequences of human and animal flu viruses with publicly accessible databases;
To provide protection for farm workers who may be exposed to infected animals;
To accelerate research on avian influenza;
And to encourage closer cooperation between the animal and human health sectors.
Even as we continue to study the spread of H5N1, we also continue to study COVID-19, which still kills an average of 1700 people globally every week.
However, data show that vaccine coverage has declined among health workers and people over 60, which are two of the most at-risk groups.
WHO recommends that people in the highest risk groups receive a COVID-19 vaccine within 12 months of their last dose.
Mpox also remains a global health threat, with 26 countries reporting cases to WHO this month.
The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo shows no sign of slowing, with more than 11,000 cases reported this year, and 445 deaths, with children the most affected.
South Africa has recently reported 20 cases of mpox to WHO, including three deaths, the first cases in that country since 2022.
The cases were all men, and most self-identified as men who have sex with men.
None had reported any history of international travel, which suggests the confirmed cases are a small proportion of all cases, and that community transmission is ongoing.
WHO is supporting both DRC and South Africa to respond to these outbreaks, to conduct surveillance, to engage the affected communities, and to develop immunization strategies to ensure the most effective response.