WHO mobile clinic donated by Japan joins Iran’s emergency fleet
Tehran, 3 December 2019, With support from Japan, WHO has delivered a mobile clinic to the Islamic Republic of Iran to improve access of vulnerable people -- especially those displaced or affected by floods -- to essential lifesaving health services.
The mobile clinic joined the country’s emergency medical service fleet, and will provide outreach services to populations and communities where health facilities do not exist, are not functional or are inaccessible. As the clinic moves from area to area, vulnerable and often displaced communities will be able to receive access to life-saving health services.
Services provided by the clinic include diagnosis, treatment, immunization, early disease detection, control and response services, referral of critical cases to advanced care, and detection of possible outbreaks of diseases. The mobile clinic is accompanied by a medical team and pharmaceutical supplies to cover a range of essential health services for children, women and elderly.
Expressing his gratitude to the government of Japan for the donation of the mobile clinic, Head of the National Emergency Medical Organization (NEMO) Dr Pirhossein Kolivand stated that the increasing collaboration between NEMO, WHO and the Government of Japan will improve humanitarian aid to the people of Iran in many areas related to public health.
WHO Representative in the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr Christoph Hamelmann reiterated that during recent years, WHO’s collaboration with NEMO has grown substantially, as demonstrated during the successful response to the widespread floods in Iran in 2019. Support from the Government of Japan in an Emergency Aid Grant worth US$ 700,000 allowed WHO to meet urgent health needs of people affected by the floods.
“Japan was among the first nations that expressed readiness to support WHO in providing humanitarian assistance to flood-affected areas. We truly appreciate the commitment and practical support of the people of Japan,” Dr Hamelmann added.
Ambassador of Japan H. E. Mr. Mitsugu Saito underscored the seriousness of the damages caused by the floods to the health sector, and reiterated Japan’s support to WHO in providing primary health care services through the mobile clinic, as well as essential vaccines and medicines.
MERS situation update, October 2019
Read the situation update for October 2019At the end of October 2019, a total of 2482 laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), including 854 associated deaths (case–fatality rate: 34.4%) were reported globally; the majority of these cases were reported from Saudi Arabia (2090 cases, including 776 related deaths with a case–fatality rate of 37.1%).- During the month of October, a total of 14 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS were reported globally. 13 of the cases were reported from Saudi Arabia with 3 associated deaths and 1 case was reported from United Arab Emirates. One healthcare worker was also infected this month while providing care for a case. No other cluster of cases was reported this month. Two of the cases had their symptom onset in September. The 3 deaths reported were within the 70-79 age group.
- The demographic and epidemiological characteristics of reported cases, when compared during the same corresponding period of 2014 to 2019, do not show any significant difference or change. The number of cases reported in this period was less than all other corresponding periods.
- The age group 50–59 years continues to be at the highest risk for acquiring infection of primary cases. The age group 30–39 years is most at risk for secondary cases. The number of deaths is higher in the age group 50–59 years for primary cases and 70–79 years for secondary cases.
Read the latest MERS update for October 2019
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Outbreak update - Cholera in Yemen, 18 August 2019
29 August 2019 - The Ministry of Public Health and Population of Yemen reported 16,296 suspected cases and 8 associated deaths during epidemiological week 33 (12- 18 August) of 2019. Thirteen percent of cases were severe. The cumulative total number of suspected cholera cases from 1 January 2018 to 18 August 2019 is 953 888, with 1323 associated deaths (CFR 0.14%). Children under five represent 24.4% of total suspected cases during 2019. The outbreak has affected 22 of 23 governorates and 305 of 333 districts in Yemen.
The trend of weekly reported suspected cholera cases started increasing from week 8 in 2019 and reached more than 29 500 cases in week 14. These were the maximum number of cases reported so far. The trend of suspected cases has been fluctuating over the past weeks. Starting from week 23, the number of cases increased with the start of rainy season. However, since week 27, less cases were reported every week. For the last three weeks, a stable trend was observed.
The governorates reporting the highest number of suspected cases of cholera during 2019 were Amanat Al Asimah (83 870), Al Hudaydah (74 547) Sana’a (72 160), Hajjah (55 272), Dhamar (50 016), Ibb (52 611), and Arman (38 916).
Of a total 88 173 samples tested since January 2019, 4352 have been confirmed as cholera-positive by culture at the central public health laboratories. During this reporting period the governorates reporting the highest number of positive culture were Taizz (1106), Amanat Al Asimah (1236) and Sana’a (436).
WHO continues to provide leadership and support for activities with health authorities and partners to respond to this ongoing cholera outbreak, including case management, surveillance and laboratory investigations, hotspot mapping and Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign planning, water sanitation, hygiene (WaSH) and risk communication.
Outbreak update - Cholera in Somalia, 01 August 2019
01 August 2019 – The Ministry of Health of Somalia has announced 48 new suspected cases of cholera, with no deaths, for epidemiological week 30 (22th-28th July) in 2019. The cumulative total number of suspected cholera cases since the beginning of this outbreak in December 2017 is 8454, including 46 associated death cases. During this reporting period, all of the cases were reported from a total of 17 districts in Banadir region. Of the 48 cases reported during week 30, 60% of the cases (29) are children below 5 years of age.
The cholera outbreak has been contained in the districts of Jubaland, Hirshabelle and South West States following implementation of oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaigns and other health interventions in these areas. Active transmission is still reported in Banadir region. Over the past two weeks there has been a reduction in the number of cholera cases reported from 65 in week 29 to 48 in week 30 in Banadir region. The most affected districts in Banadir are Dharkenley,Daynile,Hamarjajab, Hawlwadag and Hodan. The overall reduction in number of new cholera cases is attributed to improved implementation of preventive interventions including OCV and strengthening WaSH activities in hot spots.
Of the 765 stool samples tested since December 2017, a total of 152 samples were tested positive for Vibrio cholera serotype.
During week 24 and 26 WHO and MOH implemented Oral cholera vaccination campaign in 6 cholera high risk districts of Kahda, Hamajajab and Heliwa in Banadir region, Kismayo, Balad and Afgoi. A total of 621,875 (96.7%) of people aged 1 year and above received the first dose of cholera vaccine.
WHO continues to provide leadership and support the health authorities and partners in activities to mitigate the outbreak. The disease surveillance system is managed by the Electronic Early Warning Alert and Response Network (EWARN) system with the support of WHO and is currently being expanded to all health facilities across the country. WHO and the Ministry of Health continue to monitor outbreak trends through the EWARN system and promptly investigate and respond to all alerts.
