WHO News

On 6 December 2016, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Madagascar alerted WHO of a suspected plague outbreak in Befotaka district, Atsimo Atsinanana region in the south-eastern part of the country. The district is outside the area known to be endemic area in Madagascar. No plague cases have been reported in this area since 1950. View the full article

On 6 December 2016, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Madagascar alerted WHO of a suspected plague outbreak in Befotaka district, Atsimo Atsinanana region in the south-eastern part of the country. The district is outside the area known to be endemic area in Madagascar. No plague cases have been reported in this area since 1950. View the full article

On 30 December 2016, the Department of Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) notified WHO of a case of laboratory-confirmed human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. View the full article

On 30 December 2016, the Department of Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) notified WHO of a case of laboratory-confirmed human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. View the full article

In Pakistan, a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) has been detected from environmental samples in Quetta, Balochistan. Two isolates with apparent genetic linkages were isolated from environmental samples, collected on 20 October and 28 November 2016. Virus was isolated from environmental samples only and no associated cases of paralysis linked to the isolated strains have been detected in Quetta or anywhere else in the province. View the full article

In Pakistan, a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) has been detected from environmental samples in Quetta, Balochistan. Two isolates with apparent genetic linkages were isolated from environmental samples, collected on 20 October and 28 November 2016. Virus was isolated from environmental samples only and no associated cases of paralysis linked to the isolated strains have been detected in Quetta or anywhere else in the province. View the full article

On 20 December 2016, the Department of Health (DOH), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) notified WHO of a case of laboratory-confirmed human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. View the full article

On 20 December 2016, the Department of Health (DOH), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) notified WHO of a case of laboratory-confirmed human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. View the full article

On 14 December 2016, the Health Bureau, Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) (China) confirmed a case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus affecting a 58-year old male. View the full article

On 14 December 2016, the Health Bureau, Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) (China) confirmed a case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus affecting a 58-year old male. View the full article

On 12 December 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of six (6) additional cases of laboratory-confirmed human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. View the full article

On 12 December 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of six (6) additional cases of laboratory-confirmed human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. View the full article

Between 6 and 13 December 2016 the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported ten (10) additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) including two (2) fatal cases. Three (3) deaths among previously reported MERS cases were also reported. View the full article

Between 6 and 13 December 2016 the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported ten (10) additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) including two (2) fatal cases. Three (3) deaths among previously reported MERS cases were also reported. View the full article

Between 27 November and 5 December 2016, the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported twelve (12) additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Two (2) deaths among previously reported MERS cases were also reported. View the full article

Between 27 November and 5 December 2016, the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported twelve (12) additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Two (2) deaths among previously reported MERS cases were also reported. View the full article

On 29 November 2016, the National IHR Focal Point of Oman reported one (1) additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). View the full article

On 29 November 2016, the National IHR Focal Point of Oman reported one (1) additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). View the full article

The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China has notified WHO of two laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus. View the full article

The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China has notified WHO of two laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N6) virus. View the full article

Between 12 and 27 November 2016 the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported nine (9) additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) including one fatal case. View the full article

Between 12 and 27 November 2016 the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported nine (9) additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) including one fatal case. View the full article

Between 3 and 10 November 2016 the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported six (6) additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Two (2) deaths among previously reported MERS cases were also reported. View the full article

Between 3 and 10 November 2016 the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported six (6) additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Two (2) deaths among previously reported MERS cases were also reported. View the full article

On 30 August, the Ministry of Health in Niger notified WHO of unexplained deaths among humans, along with deaths in livestock in the Tahoua region of Niger. On 23 September, human and animal specimens were tested at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) and were reported positive for Rift Valley Fever (RVF) virus by PCR and for specific IgM antibodies confirming the first outbreak of RVF in Niger. Initially the outbreak was centered in the north west of the country in areas bordering Mali, in particular around Tassara and Tchintabaraden in the Tahoua Region, however suspected cases of RVF have recently been identified in new areas to the north and south of Tchintabaraden. …