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The latest news on the World Health Organization (or WHO). Formed in 1948, WHO is the United Nation's organization responsible for international public health. WHO has played a vital role in the effort to eradicate a number of diseases and viruses, including polio, small pox and HIV/AIDS.
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Over 2M COVID Vaccines Donated to Africa Have Expired Due to Shelf Life
African nations have been encouraged to refuse vaccine donations if they have only one or two months before they expire.
By Heather Bair On 1/20/22 at 1:33 PM EST
COVID May Never Go Away But Public Health Emergency Could Be Over This Year
The vaccine imbalance between rich and poor countries was slammed by the WHO as a "catastrophic moral failure."
Expect More COVID Mutations, Surges Ahead—WHO Expert
On Sunday, the U.S. surgeon general warned that Omicron had not yet peaked in America.
By Jack Dutton On 1/17/22 at 8:01 AM EST
'Endemic' Disease Explained as Experts Predict COVID Could Become One
Some public health experts have predicted that COVID will become an endemic disease over time.
By Aristos Georgiou On 1/14/22 at 9:36 AM EST
Endemic vs. Pandemic—How COVID Is Evolving Amid Avalanche of Omicron Cases
While there is optimism that COVID cases are leveling off, the World Health Organization has said it is too early to say that the pandemic is over.
By Brendan Cole On 1/13/22 at 12:16 PM EST
WHO Reports 15M New Global COVID Cases Last Week, Africa Sees Drop
Although there has been a 55 percent increase in COVID-19 cases worldwide, the African region reported an 11 percent drop.
By Charlotte Trattner On 1/12/22 at 2:23 PM EST
WHO Reports 7 Million New Cases of COVID Across Europe
More than 1 percent of each European country is now reporting positive for the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
U.S. Gives $308M, 1M COVID Vaccines to Afghanistan, Humanitarian Groups
The United States is partnering with the WHO COVAX initiative to send Afghanistan an additional one million COVID-19 vaccines as part of the assistance package.
By Katie Wermus On 1/11/22 at 12:24 PM EST
Europe Struggles to Meet Hospital Demands as Omicron Causes Staff Shortages
The WHO reported 9.5 million new cases of COVID-19 across the world on Thursday, a 71 percent increase from the previously recorded 7-day period.
By Katie Wermus On 1/7/22 at 12:13 PM EST
9.5M COVID Cases Reported Globally Over Last Week, but Deaths Are Down: WHO
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that "the tsunami of cases is so huge and quick that it is overwhelming health systems around the world."
By Zoe Strozewski On 1/6/22 at 1:04 PM EST
Some Specialists See COVID Approaching 'Endemic' Stage After Omicron
Infectious disease expert Stephen Kissler said the endemic of COVID-19 is when dealing with the virus becomes "some sort of acceptable steady state."
By Katie Wermus On 1/3/22 at 11:38 AM EST
High Levels of Death, Hospitalizations From COVID Could End in 2022: WHO
If vaccinations increase and countries ready their health care systems, WHO officials believe the most tragic part of the pandemic could be behind us next year.
By Jenni Fink On 12/29/21 at 11:42 AM EST
Nearly 5M New COVID Cases Reported Globally Last Week, Americas' Cases Jump
The WHO also backed up recent claims that hospitalization attributed to the Omicron variant is less likely than other forms of the coronavirus.
By Erin Brady On 12/29/21 at 11:09 AM EST
Rich Countries Rushing Booster Shots May Prolong Pandemic, WHO Chief Says
The WHO chief said that "the vast majority of hospitalizations and deaths are in unvaccinated people, not unboosted people."
By Zoe Strozewski On 12/22/21 at 5:00 PM EST
WHO Sees 'Long Transition' to End of Pandemic, Expects More Variants
World Health Organization officials believe that COVID-19 still has "quite a few tricks up its sleeve."
By Jenni Fink On 12/22/21 at 12:06 PM EST
Vaccines Alone Won't Stop Omicron COVID Variant, Says Who Director-General
The health agency leader said vaccines will need to be used alongside masking and other measures, and voiced concerns about booster hoarding.
By Ed Browne On 12/15/21 at 12:47 PM EST
Delta Prevalence Declines for First Time Since April as Omicron Spreads
The Omicron variant is proving a formidable force and it's possible it could hinder Delta's ability to spread.
Nearly 100 Killed by Mystery Illness as WHO Investigates
The World Health Organisation has sent a rapid response team into the areas of concern in South Sudan as part of its investigation.
By Gerrard Kaonga On 12/14/21 at 11:35 AM EST
While the Country Worries About Omicron, Delta Dominates Hospital ICUs
More than three million people in the United States have been hospitalized with COVID-19 since August.
WHO Warns Against Widespread Booster Use to Avoid Deficit in Poorer Nations
"What is going to shut down disease is for everybody who is especially at risk of disease to become vaccinated," Dr. Kate O'Brien said.
By Zoe Strozewski On 12/9/21 at 1:22 PM EST
WHO Warns There is Only 'Anecdotal' Evidence About Omicron's Severity
The new COVID-19 variant that had its first confirmed case in southern Africa caused some nations to close their borders and concerned stock markets.
By Ayumi Davis On 12/8/21 at 5:09 PM EST
What a 'Best-Case Scenario' Omicron Variant Looks Like, According to Fauci
Knocking Delta out with a variant that doesn't fuel the same surges in hospitalizations could help put the world on a path to normal.
By Jenni Fink On 12/8/21 at 4:43 PM EST
US Leads World in New COVID Cases, Europe Has First Decline in Months: WHO
The U.S. registered the most new COVID cases in the world over the last week, over 752,000, and the global weekly count of deaths rose by 10 percent last week.
By Aaron McDade On 12/8/21 at 4:26 PM EST
Use of Blood Plasma From COVID Survivors in Patients Not Beneficial: WHO
The WHO said that recent evidence "shows that convalescent plasma does not improve survival or reduce the need for mechanical ventilation."
Kids 5 to 14 Account for Highest Number of COVID Cases in Europe
WHO reported that COVID-19 infected children two to three times more than the average population in the European region.
By Alyse Messmer On 12/7/21 at 12:49 PM EST
Malaria Deaths Increased By 69K Last Year, Could Have Been Worse, WHO Says
The World Health Organization predicted malaria deaths would have doubled during 2020 due to the coronavirus.
Omicron Has Not Killed Anyone Says WHO as New Variant Cases Rise in U.S.
The latest coronavirus strain has been detected in 38 countries so far. In the U.S. there are cases in 11 states.
By Brendan Cole On 12/4/21 at 11:01 AM EST
Travel Restrictions May Buy Some Time and Delay Omicron Variant, WHO Says
WHO said new travel restrictions could delay the virus but every country must be prepared for a surge in cases, which have increased globally for several weeks.
By Katie Wermus On 12/3/21 at 3:29 PM EST
South African Student Positive for Omicron in Malaysia Prior to WHO Alert
The Malaysian Health Minister said the student had already arrived in Malaysia and tested positive before South Africa alerted the WHO about their first case.
By Katie Wermus On 12/3/21 at 11:36 AM EST
NY COVID Cases Surge to Highest Mark Since April; Gov.: Omicron Has Arrived
"This is not cause for alarm," the governor said. "We knew this variant was coming and we have the tools to stop the spread."
By Daniel Villarreal On 12/2/21 at 10:00 PM EST