Statement of the Forty-second meeting of the Polio IHR Emergency CommitteeHealth care

Washington, D.C., 18 May 2026 (PAHO) — The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued advice to Member States following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) related to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Africa Region.While risk to the general population remains low,… 2026-05-19

Washington, D.C., 4 June 2026 (PAHO) — The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is intensifying support to countries across the Americas to strengthen preparedness for Ebola, following the World Health Organization’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) related to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic… 2026-06-05

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), having concurred with the advice offered by the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR or Regulations) Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024 during its first meeting, held on 14 August 2024, has determined, on the same date, that the ongoing upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and in a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the provisions of the Regulations. The communication of the Director-General regarding the determination of the above-mentioned PHEIC on 14 August 2024 is available here. 2024-08-19

At least one quarter or 22 500 of those injured in Gaza by 23 July are estimated to have life-changing injuries that require rehabilitation services  now and for years to come, according to a  World Health Organization (WHO) analysis of the types of injuries resulting from the ongoing conflict in Gaza: Estimating Trauma Rehabilitation Needs in Gaza using Injury Data from Emergency Medical Teams. 2024-09-12

In July 2022, WHO Director-General declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in response to a multi-country outbreak of mpox that was rapidly spreading, mainly through sexual contact, in countries where it had not previously been detected. This PHEIC was lifted in May 2023 following a sustained global decline in cases. The emergence of the new Clade Ib and a resurgence of mpox cases in the African region led to the WHO declaration of a PHEIC again on 14 August 2024. The current outbreak in affected African countries also includes other high-risk groups such as pregnant women and children under the age of 18 years, including infants. 2024-10-08