EM/RC63/INF.DOC.2
Emerging and re-emerging diseases, including dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever
Dengue and severe dengue fever, the most widespread mosquito-borne infection in humans, remain an emerging public health problem in the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Countries, especially those on the Red Sea rim, frequently report sporadic cases or explosive outbreaks of dengue fever during the high transmission season.
EM/RC62/Tech.Disc.1
Global health security, with special emphasis on MERS-CoV and H5N1
The recent example of the international spread of MERS-CoV is a stark reminder that there is urgent need to monitor the evolution of transmission risk of the MERS-CoV and A(H5N1) viruses, both of which have pandemic risk potential. In response, the countries currently affected by these 2 global health threats need to put greater efforts into containing transmission and ensuring that another global health emergency is averted.
EM/RC61/R.2
Global health security – challenges and opportunities, with special emphasis on the International Health Regulations (2005)
The importance of collective action to manage global health emergencies has long been recognized. The International Health Regulations (2005) impose obligations on States Parties to develop and maintain core public health capacities for surveillance and response, including at points of entry, in order to early detect, assess, notify and report to WHO events covered by their provisions, and to make a tailored response to local situations on the ground and with the advice of the emergency committee. Fulfilment of these obligations benefits the pursuit of global health security.
EM/RC58/INF.DOC.7
Pandemic H1N1 and progress on the response
The regional response to the influenza pandemic in 2009–2010 provided substantial insight into the way the Region can be better prepared for influenza epidemics in the future. This experience can guide and shape future strategies for improving the Region’s overall response to influenza.
EM/RC58/R.4
Dengue: Call for urgent interventions for a rapidly expanding emerging disease
This paper describes the current situation in the Region and proposes specific areas for strengthening of core capacities in the short, medium and long term to reduce the threat of this emerging disease, which threatens national, regional and global health security. The means of prevention and control are well identified and require partnership between different sectors.
EM/RC57/R.6
Infection prevention and control in health care: time for collaborative action
Infections acquired during health care delivery, more appropriately called health care-associated infections (HAIs), are a significant public health problem around the world. The objective of this paper is to draw attention to the hitherto unrecognized public health problem emerging from health care-associated infections in the Region and provide evidence that a considerable proportion of the burden of disease attributable to health care-associated infections can be prevented with low-cost interventions.
EM/RC56/R.5
The growing threats of Hepatitis B and C in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A call for action
Chronic liver disease related to viral hepatitis has emerged as a leading public health problem in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This paper raises awareness regarding the burden of disease related to viral hepatitis and the need for urgent action to prevent hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus transmission. Despite the availability of effective prevention strategies, HBV and HCV transmission occurs throughout the Region. Implementation of infection control, injection safety and blood safety programmes are major challenges.
EM/RC54/R.4
Growing threat of viral haemorrhagic fevers in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a call for action
The emergence of viral haemorrhagic fevers is a growing concern worldwide and in the Region, with social and environmental factors contributing to their wide spread in some countries. This paper discusses the factors contributing to the rising burden and the challenges facing early detection, laboratory confirmation and rapid response to outbreaks and proposes strategic directions for prevention and control.
EM/RC53/R.3
Regional strategy on preparedness and response for human pandemic influenza
Experts believe that the increasing outbreaks of influenza A (H5N1) among poultry and humans have moved the world closer to a pandemic than any time since 1968. If this virus acquires the ability to spread efficiently from human to human, all of the prerequisites for an influenza pandemic will be fulfilled. The regional strategy on pandemic influenza preparedness and response aims at enhancing the capacity of countries to undertake the actions laid out in the WHO global influenza preparedness plan and in national preparedness plans. The Regional Committee is invited to endorse the regional strategy on preparedness and response for human pandemic influenza.
EM/RC51/R.8
Proposed revision of the International Health Regulations
International travel and trade are major factors in the international spread of infectious diseases. People and goods are crossing national borders in massive numbers, unparalleled in human history. Prevention of international spread of infectious diseases has been addressed through a multilateral initiative by countries to provide a legally binding set of regulations and code of measures that harmonize the protection of public health without unnecessary disruption of trade and travel.
EM/RC50/R.11
Main challenges in the control of zoonotic diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Control of zoonoses constitutes an important health matter. However, many factors involved in prevention and control of zoonotic infections cannot be addressed by the health sector alone. High-level commitment and the ability of national programmes to mobilize the necessary resources and to collaborate closely with other relevant sectors are needed in order to cope with the common challenges in control of zoonoses.
