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Image: Mohammed Mohammed/dpa/picture allianceImage: Mohammed Mohammed/dpa/picture alliance

World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a United Nations agency. Established in 1948 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it coordinates international health work with agencies and governments.

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All Content on this topic

A young child in a Malawian village of Tomali gets vaccinated against malaria.

A young child in a Malawian village of Tomali gets vaccinated against malaria.

WHO endorses new malaria vaccine for Africa rollout

In Africa, malaria still causes hundreds of thousands of deaths every year. Hopes for a new vaccine are high.

Two people sit next to a sick girl laying on the ground, who is being cared for

Two people sit next to a sick girl laying on the ground, who is being cared for

Record dengue fever outbreak grips Bangladesh

The climate crisis is being cited as a key factor in the country's worst-ever dengue outbreak.

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Why is asbestos a looming danger worldwide?

Asbestos is banned in around 70 countries in the world.But some continue to use the toxic fiber-with fatal consequences.

The words "Stop AIDS" are written on the palm of a harnd against a fuzzy background of candles

The words "Stop AIDS" are written on the palm of a harnd against a fuzzy background of candles

AIDS: Tanzania makes progress to end epidemic by 2030

Tanzania is prioritizing early testing and effective treatment in all communities to help end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Hand holding syringe administering vaccine into arm

Hand holding syringe administering vaccine into arm

WHO identifies new coronavirus 'variant of interest'

The EG.5 variant has been spreading rapidly in the United States and has higher transmissibility than other strains.

Medical employees packing drugs at the Serum Institute of India in Pune

Medical employees packing drugs at the Serum Institute of India in Pune

Fresh WHO alert on 'contaminated' Indian cough syrup

In a fifth global warning against India-made medication, the WHO said the syrup could cause "serious injury."

A symbolic image of a person holding a burning cigarette, as smoking rates keep up in a vast majority of countries with no regulations

A symbolic image of a person holding a burning cigarette, as smoking rates keep up in a vast majority of countries with no regulations

Smoking rates have fallen globally, Germany lagging: WHO

Millions are wary of the harmful effects of smoking through advertising or similar means, but Germany has to do more.

Diethylene glycol was detected in samples of NATURCOLD

Diethylene glycol was detected in samples of NATURCOLD

WHO issues cough syrup alert in Cameroon

The World Health Organisation has flagged a batch of "Naturcold" cough and cold syrup sold in Cameroon as toxic.

Can of soft drink, with a green straw, nestled in a load of sugar cubes

Can of soft drink, with a green straw, nestled in a load of sugar cubes

Do artificial sweeteners cause cancer?

Artificial sweeteners are big in the sugar industry, but the WHO has said they may cause cancer. So, what are the risks?

A doctor adjusts a mask on an elderly patient

A doctor adjusts a mask on an elderly patient

WHO: Nearly 36 million in Europe suffering from 'long COVID'

According to the UN health agency, COVID-19 is still responsible for over 1,000 deaths a week in the European region.

WHO Director General at a press briefing

WHO Director General at a press briefing

No, the WHO isn't trying to grab pandemic 'lockdown powers'

Claims that the WHO will enforce lockdowns in future pandemics are false.

Symbolbild I Affenpocken Impfung I Monkeypox Vaccine

Symbolbild I Affenpocken Impfung I Monkeypox Vaccine

Mpox no longer a global health emergency, says WHO

More than 87,000 cases of mpox were recorded in the past year, resulting in 140 deaths.

A face mask photographed in a trash bin

A face mask photographed in a trash bin

WHO says COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency

The World Health Organization, however, stressed that the virus "is here to stay."

Therapy for mothers who lost their babies

A Kenyan NGO is helping mothers cope with the emotional pain of infant deaths.

A group of women sitting in a room in Kenya

A group of women sitting in a room in Kenya

Therapy for Kenyan mothers who lost their babies

A Kenyan NGO is helping mothers cope with the emotional pain of infant deaths.

Chickens for sale in Henan province in China

Chickens for sale in Henan province in China

China reports first human death from H3N8 bird flu: WHO

A Chinese woman has become the first person to die from a form of avian influenza rarely caught by humans, the WHO says.

Health workers in protective gear prepare paperwork for Ebola vaccines in a hospital in Guinea

Health workers in protective gear prepare paperwork for Ebola vaccines in a hospital in Guinea

75 years of the WHO: Not a 'global health police'

The World Health Organization was established on April 7, 1948. It's had major successes ― and failures.

A woman walks by a sign advertising sugary drinks in Brooklyn, New York

A woman walks by a sign advertising sugary drinks in Brooklyn, New York

WHO may add Saxenda obesity drug to essential medicines

A new obesity drug may go on the WHO's list of recommended essential medicines, enabling help for millions worldwide.

A woman sleeping next to a child

A woman sleeping next to a child

A woman dies every two minutes in pregnancy, childbirth: WHO

The latest report released by WHO states that almost 800 women die every day due to pregnancy or childbirth.

Picture of baby cereal from Nestle

Picture of baby cereal from Nestle

Baby formula companies still using exploitative marketing

Nearly a half century since the Nestle boycotts, baby formula is still being aggressively marketed to new mothers.

An microscopic image of the Marburg virus

An microscopic image of the Marburg virus

Marburg virus: Equatorial Guinea confirms outbreak

Nine people have died in Equatorial Guinea from an "outbreak" of Marburg virus, the country's health minister said.

Nursing students attend physical classes inside a university in Manila

Nursing students attend physical classes inside a university in Manila

Who's going to care for the elderly?

Nurses from the Philippines are in high demand - at home and abroad. Kathrin Erdmann went to find out more in Manila.

Mum App in Nigeria.

Mum App in Nigeria.

Nigeria's HelpMum app helps save children

The app informs mothers about their children's vaccination appointments. A helpful tool for moms in Nigeria.

People wearing masks in Beijing, China

People wearing masks in Beijing, China

WHO discusses end of COVID-19 emergency status

The UN agency sees the pandemic as a "public health emergency of international concern," its highest level of alert.

Cough syrups manufactured by two Indian companies have been pulled from shelves in the Gambia

Cough syrups manufactured by two Indian companies have been pulled from shelves in the Gambia

WHO calls for 'immediate' action after cough syrup deaths

The WHO is reportedly investigating potential connections between the pharmaceutical companies that made the products.

An anopheles mosquito

An anopheles mosquito

Antimalarial drug resistance on the rise in Africa

Artemisinin is the most important component in antimalarial drugs, but some parasites in Africa are becoming resistant.

A person prepares a baby for a measles vaccination

A person prepares a baby for a measles vaccination

Tanzania expands measles vaccination

The move by comes after the World Health Organization warned the virus is becoming a global threat.

Passengers wearing masks at Beijing Capital Airport

Passengers wearing masks at Beijing Capital Airport

COVID: Chinese eye border reopening with both fear and joy

Many are excited about traveling abroad as China is set to open its borders after COVID restrictions are eased.

Dermatologist inspecting a person's arm for skin cancer

Dermatologist inspecting a person's arm for skin cancer

How to spot skin cancer: Symptoms, treatment and protection

Skin cancer rates are rising, possibly due to global heating. Here's how to spot a melanoma and stay safe in the sun.

Medical staff and patient at hospital in Zhouzhou, Hebei, China

Medical staff and patient at hospital in Zhouzhou, Hebei, China

China: WHO report lacks COVID-19 hospitalization data

China's hospitals have seen a surge in admissions since the country relaxed lockdown rules this month.

Two Chinese, a man and a woman, both wearing mediacal masks and riding bikes along a deserted street, look up through the night fog at the illuminated CCTV headquarters building in Beijing, China

Two Chinese, a man and a woman, both wearing mediacal masks and riding bikes along a deserted street, look up through the night fog at the illuminated CCTV headquarters building in Beijing, China

WHO says 'not there yet' on coronavirus

The world health body estimates 90% of people have some resistance to COVID-19 but warns new variants may pose threats.

Monkeypox virions

Monkeypox virions

Monkeypox to be renamed 'mpox,' WHO says

The World Health Organization said that it wants to minimize "negative impact" caused by the current name.

Family in a Lebanese refugee camp

Family in a Lebanese refugee camp

Why is the world experiencing a cholera vaccine shortage?

The world is experiencing the highest number of cholera outbreaks on record alongside an acute vaccine shortage. Why?

Medical staff look after an elderly woman with cholera

Medical staff look after an elderly woman with cholera

Cholera has spread throughout Lebanon, says WHO

A first batch of vaccines from France arrived in Lebanon this week as the country seeks to contain an outbreak.

A mother with her child, someone who presumably requires vaccine doses, in Tigray, October 2022.

A mother with her child, someone who presumably requires vaccine doses, in Tigray, October 2022.

Ethiopia's Tigray running out of medical supplies, WHO warns

Hospitals in Tigray are running dangerously low on supplies like antibiotics as fighting in the region picks up.

A health worker squeezes an oral cholera vaccine into the open mouth of a boy

A health worker squeezes an oral cholera vaccine into the open mouth of a boy

Africa sees surge in cholera amid vaccine shortage

Kenya reports new cholera cases as Africa sees a spike in infections, especially in flood-hit Nigeria and Cameroon.

An image of the omicron virus shown on a screen

An image of the omicron virus shown on a screen

German Africa Prize won by scientists who identified omicron

Scientists in Botswana and South Africa, who identified the COVID-19 omicron variant, win the German Africa Award 2022.

A vial of Cholera vaccine is prepared in Yemen

A vial of Cholera vaccine is prepared in Yemen

Cholera vaccine shortages force WHO to reduce advised dosage

The WHO has announced a temporary shift to a one-dose strategy amid a rise in cholera cases in several countries.

A health worker administers oral polio vaccine to a child during a vaccination drive as a part of an ongoing polio eradication program in Chennai

A health worker administers oral polio vaccine to a child during a vaccination drive as a part of an ongoing polio eradication program in Chennai

World leaders pledge $2.6 billion to eradicate polio

The plan to end polio has received pledges for half its necessary funding at a summit in Berlin.

Health workers outside a hospital building

Health workers outside a hospital building

East Africa vigilant as Uganda locks down Ebola epicenter

Authorities in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda are working to keep Ebola out after the virus claimed 19 lives in Uganda.

Man looks over ocean

Man looks over ocean

Global mental health issues on the rise

Support for mental health issues has declined since the coronavirus pandemic. What’s being done about it?

India probes cough syrups linked to Gambia deaths

The products were found to have "unacceptable" levels of substances that can be toxic and lead to acute kidney injury.

A woman in protective gear takes the temperature of a young woman and man in Uganda

A woman in protective gear takes the temperature of a young woman and man in Uganda

Uganda prepares for a new Ebola outbreak

Though experts believe that the country is well prepared to handle the outbreak, a new epidemic cannot be ruled out yet.

Colorized scanning electron micrograph of filamentous Ebola virus particles.

Colorized scanning electron micrograph of filamentous Ebola virus particles.

Uganda declares Ebola outbreak

Uganda has confirmed its first death from Ebola virus since 2019, declaring an outbreak.

COVID-19 rapid antigen test held in hand

COVID-19 rapid antigen test held in hand

WHO: COVID-19 pandemic end 'in sight'

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged the world to "take this opportunity" to end the pandemic.

A patient is treated for COVID-19 in an intensive care unit in Germany

A patient is treated for COVID-19 in an intensive care unit in Germany

17 million in Europe experienced long COVID, says WHO

The WHO found that women are twice as likely to develop long COVID compared to men.

A child receives a measles vaccination jab at a local clinic in Harare

A child receives a measles vaccination jab at a local clinic in Harare

Zimbabwe: WHO triggers measles outbreak response

WHO officials hope that crisis response initiatives will save lives amid Zimbabwe's measles outbreak.

Test tubes labelled "monkeypox virus positive" are seen in this illustration

Test tubes labelled "monkeypox virus positive" are seen in this illustration

WHO reports drop in number of monkeypox cases

The number dropped globally by 21% in the last week, reversing a month-long trend of rising infections.

Microscopic image of Ebola virus

Microscopic image of Ebola virus

WHO recommends new Ebola treatments

The World Health Organization has recommended two drugs against Ebola that studies show significantly reduce mortality.

Monkeypox vaccines

Monkeypox vaccines

WHO calls on public to rename monkeypox

The world health body is searching for a "neutral" name over fears that "monkeypox" could be used in a racist way.