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The WHO research agenda for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human health has identified 40 research priorities to be addressed by the year 2030. These priorities focus on bacterial and fungal pathogens of crucial importance in addressing AMR, including drug-resistant pathogens causing tuberculosis. These research priorities encompass the entire people-centred journey, covering prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of antimicrobial-resistant infections, in addition to addressing the overarching knowledge gaps in AMR epidemiology, burden and drivers, policies and regulations, and awareness and education. The research priorities were identified through a multistage process, starting with a comprehensive scoping review of knowledge gaps, with expert inputs gathered through a survey and open call. The priority setting involved a rigorous modified Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative approach, ensuring global representation and applicability of the findings. The ultimate goal of this research agenda is to encourage research and investment in the generation of evidence to better understand AMR dynamics and facilitate policy translation for reducing the burden and consequences of AMR.

Executive summary The WHO Expert Working Group on Surveillance of Influenza Antiviral Susceptibility (AVWG) supports the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) by providing practical guidance for monitoring [...]

Background Tetanus, an acute infectious disease, is caused by the Gram-positive, spore-forming Clostridium tetani bacterium, which is present in the environment. The bacteria enter the body through contaminated skin wounds [...]

Measles vaccination effectively prevents measles, a highly contagious disease that can cause severe complications and death and requires high population immunity to interrupt transmission. This report describes progress in measles elimination during 2000-2023. During 2000-2023, an estimated 60.3 million deaths due to measles were averted by vaccination. Despite commitment by all 6 WHO regions to eliminate measles, however, no region has successfully achieved and maintained measles elimination as of the end of 2023. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, estimated worldwide coverage with a first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) decreased to 81%, the lowest rate since 2008. MCV1 coverage improved to 83% in 2022 but was unchanged in 2023. During 2022-2023, the estimated number of measles cases increased by 20% globally, from 8 645 000 to 10 341 000; and the number of countries that experienced large or disruptive outbreaks increased from 36 to 57. The estimated number of deaths due to measles decreased by 8% as compared with 2022, from 116 800 to 107 500 in 2023, because of an increased number of cases in countries with a lower risk for death. The stagnation in MCV1 coverage means that millions of children remain unprotected, leading to increases in the numbers of cases and outbreaks. Measles-containing vaccine (MCV) coverage is lower and measles incidence is higher in low-income countries and in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable (FCV) settings, which exacerbates inequity. Urgent, targeted efforts are necessary to ensure that all children receive 2 MCV doses and that surveillance is strengthened, hastening progress towards measles elimination. La vaccination contre la rougeole permet de prevenir efficacement cette maladie tres contagieuse qui peut entrainer des complications severes et la mort, et dont l'interruption de la transmission necessite une forte immunite collective. Le present rapport decrit les progres accomplis vers l'elimination de la rougeole au cours de la periode 2000-2023. On estime que 60,3 millions de deces dus a la rougeole ont ete evites grace a la vaccination entre 2000 et 2023. Malgre l'engagement des 6 Regions de l'OMS a eliminer la rougeole, aucune d'entre elles n'a reussi a atteindre et a maintenir cet objectif a la fin de l'annee 2023. Le present rapport decrit les progres accomplis vers l'elimination de la rougeole au cours de la periode 2000-2023. Pendant la pandemie de maladie a coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), la couverture mondiale estimee par la premiere dose de vaccin a valence rougeole (MCV1) est tombee a 81%, le taux le plus bas depuis 2008. Elle a progresse en 2022 pour atteindre 83%, mais est restee inchangee en 2023. En 2022-2023, le nombre estime de cas de rougeole a augmente de 20% a l'echelle mondiale, passant de 8 645 000 a 10 341 000, et le nombre de pays confrontes a des flambees epidemiques de grande ampleur ou perturbatrices est passe de 36 a 57. Le nombre estime de deces dus a la rougeole a diminue de 8% par rapport a 2022, passant de 116 800 a 107 500 en 2023, en raison d'une augmentation du nombre de cas dans des pays ou le risque de deces est plus faible. La stagnation de la couverture par la MCV1 signifie que des millions d'enfants restent sans protection, ce qui entraine une augmentation du nombre de cas et de flambees epidemiques. La couverture par le vaccin antirougeoleux (MCV) est plus faible et l'incidence de la rougeole plus elevee dans les pays a faible revenu et dans les zones en situation de fragilite, de conflit ou de vulnerabilite, ce qui exacerbe les inegalites. Afin d'accelerer les progres vers l'elimination de la rougeole, il est urgent de deployer des efforts cibles pour que tous les enfants recoivent 2 doses de vaccin MCV et pour renforcer la surveillance., Introduction Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause severe complications and death. (1) Vaccination is highly effective in preventing measles and, during the past 50 years, has saved [...]

Leishmaniasis continues to be a major health problem in 4 eco-epidemiological regions of the world: the Americas, East Africa, North Africa and West and SouthEast Asia. (1) This report on [...]

In 2020, the World Health Assembly endorsed the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), a 10-year strategy to reduce vaccine-preventable disease (VPD)-associated morbidity and mortality. The IA2030 goals include improving equitable vaccination coverage, halving the number of unimmunized (zero-dose) children and increasing the introduction of new and underutilized vaccines. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted health systems worldwide, compromising years of childhood vaccination achievements and putting global public health goals at risk. This report presents trends in WHO and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimates of routine vaccination coverage during 2023 in the 194 WHO Member States. During 2022-2023, global coverage with a first and third dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-containing vaccine (DTPcv) (89% and 84%, respectively) and a first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) (83%) stagnated and remained lower than pre-pandemic levels. The 31 WHO Member States with fragile, conflict and vulnerable (FCV) settings are home to more than half of the world's 14.5 million children who have not received a first DTPcv dose. Introduction of new and underutilized vaccines, such as a second MCV dose in the African Region, have improved countries' overall protection against VPDs. Accelerating country-specific routine immunization and catch-up vaccination programmes to reach unvaccinated and incompletely vaccinated children, especially those living in FCV settings, is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with VPDs. En 2020, l'Assemblee mondiale de la Sante a approuve le Programme pour la vaccination a l'horizon 2030 (IA2030), une strategie sur 10 ans visant a reduire la morbidite et la mortalite associees aux maladies evitables par la vaccination. L'IA2030 a pour objectifs d'ameliorer la couverture vaccinale equitable, de reduire de moitie le nombre d'enfants non vaccines (enfants dits <>) et d'accroitre l'introduction de vaccins nouveaux ou sous-utilises. La pandemie de maladie a coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) a perturbe les systemes de sante dans le monde entier, compromettant des annees de progres dans le domaine de la vaccination des enfants et mettant en peril les objectifs mondiaux de sante publique. Ce rapport presente les tendances des estimations de l'OMS et du Fonds des Nations Unies pour l'enfance (UNICEF) de la couverture de la vaccination systematique en 2023 dans les 194 Etats Membres de l'OMS. En 2022-2023, la couverture mondiale par une premiere et une troisieme dose du vaccin antidiphterique-antitetanique-anticoquelucheux (DTC) (89% et 84%, respectivement) et par une premiere dose du vaccin antirougeoleux (MCV) (83%) a stagne et est restee inferieure aux niveaux observes avant la pandemie. Les 31 Etats Membres de l'OMS en situation de fragilite, de conflit ou de vulnerabilite abritent plus de la moitie des 14,5 millions d'enfants dans le monde qui n'ont pas recu leur premiere dose de DTC. L'introduction de vaccins nouveaux ou sous-utilises, tels qu'une deuxieme dose de MCV dans la Region africaine, a ameliore la protection globale contre les maladies evitables par la vaccination dans les pays. Pour reduire la morbidite et la mortalite associees a ces maladies, il est essentiel d'accelerer la mise en oeuvre des programmes de vaccination systematique et de vaccination de rattrapage specifiques a chaque pays pour atteindre les enfants non vaccines et incompletement vaccines, en particulier ceux qui vivent dans des contextes de fragilite, de conflit ou de vulnerabilite., Introduction In 1974, WHO launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization for delivering vaccines during the first year of life to protect every child against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, measles and [...]

Circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs) can emerge and lead to outbreaks of paralytic polio as well as asymptomatic transmission in communities with a high percentage of under-vaccinated children. Data from the WHO Polio Information System (POLIS) and the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) are used below to describe global polio outbreaks due to cVDPVs during January 2023-June 2024. This updates previous reports. During the reporting period, 74 cVDPV outbreaks were detected in 39 countries, predominantly in Africa. Of the outbreaks, 47 (64%) were new and were detected in 30 (77%) of the 39 countries. Three countries reported cVDPV type 1 (cVDPV1) outbreaks; 39 reported cVDPV type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks; and 2 countries reported co-circulating cVDPV1 and cVDPV2. Seventy cVDPV2 outbreaks were reported in 38 countries. cVDPV transmission lasted for >1 year into 2024 in 15 countries. In Nigeria and Somalia, countries with security-compromised areas, persistent cVDPV2 transmission has spread to neighbouring countries. Delayed implementation of outbreak response and low-quality campaigns have resulted in further international spread. Countries can control cVDPV outbreaks with timely allocation of resources to implement prompt, high-quality responses after outbreak confirmation. Stopping cVDPV transmission requires vaccination to increase population immunity; this requires overcoming barriers to vaccinating children. Des emergences de poliovirus circulants derives d'une souche vaccinale (PVDVc) peuvent se produire et donner lieu a des flambees epidemiques de poliomyelite paralytique et a une transmission asymptomatique dans les communautes comptant une forte proportion d'enfants sous-vaccines. Le present rapport, qui est une mise a jour des rapports precedents, s'appuie sur les donnees du Systeme d'information de l'OMS sur la poliomyelite (POLIS) et du Reseau mondial de laboratoires pour la poliomyelite (RMLP) pour decrire les flambees epidemiques de poliomyelite dues aux PVDVc qui sont survenues dans le monde entre janvier 2023 et juin 2024. Au cours de la periode couverte par ce rapport, 74 flambees de PVDVc ont ete detectees dans 39 pays, principalement en Afrique. Parmi elles, on compte 47 (64%) flambees nouvelles, dans 30 (77%) des 39 pays. Trois pays ont signale des flambees dues aux PVDVc de type 1 (PVDVcl), 39 pays ont notifie des flambees de PVDVc de type 2 (PVDVc2) et 2 pays ont fait etat d'une cocirculation de PVDVcl et de PVDVc2. Les flambees de PVDVc2 signalees dans 39 pays etaient au nombre de 70. Dans 15 pays, la transmission des PVDVc a dure >1 an, se poursuivant en 2024. Au Nigeria et en Somalie, pays dont certaines zones sont en proie a des problemes de securite, la transmission persistante des PVDVc2 s'est etendue aux pays voisins. La mise en oeuvre tardive des activites de riposte et la faible qualite des campagnes ont conduit a une propagation internationale supplementaire. Les flambees epidemiques de PVDVc peuvent etre endiguees rapidement si les pays deploient en temps utile les ressources necessaires a la mise en oeuvre d'une riposte rapide et de qualite une fois que l'epidemie est confirmee. Pour interrompre la transmission des PVDVc, il est essentiel d'accroitre l'immunite de la population grace a la vaccination, ce qui suppose de surmonter les obstacles qui entravent la vaccination des enfants., Introduction Live, attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) induces long-term protection against paralytic disease and limits virus shedding in vaccinated people who are infected. (1) Circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs) (2) occur [...]

Introduction Onchocerciasis, more commonly known as river blindness, is a neglected tropical disease caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. The disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of [...]

Introduction Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a vector-borne disease in humans caused by infection with the filarial parasites Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and B. timori. Infections damage the lymphatic vessels and [...]

The development of World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines is multidisciplinary and includes input from a range of experts such as policy-makers, programme managers, civil society and health workers in the [...]

Background: There is a lack of evidence regarding 24-hour movement behaviors of young children from low- and middle-income countries. This study examined Mongolian preschoolers' adherence to the World Health Organization's guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep; their associations with health indicators, and the feasibility of the SUNRISE International study in Mongolia. Methods: Preschool-aged children were recruited from 5 kindergartens in urban and rural areas of Ulaanbaatar city and Tuv province in Mongolia. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured by an ActiGraph accelerometer worn for 5 consecutive days. Screen time and sleep were reported by parents. The National Institute of Health and Early Years Toolboxes were used to assess motor skills and executive function, respectively. Results: One hundred and one children participated in the study (mean age = 4.82 y, boys = 58), with 88% (n = 89) having complete data for analysis. The proportion of children who met the recommendations for physical activity, sedentary screen time, and sleep was 61%, 23%, and 82%, respectively. Only 7% met all recommendations. Meeting the sleep recommendation individually (P =.032) and in combination with the physical activity recommendation was associated with better gross (P =.019) and fine (P =.042) motor skills. Spending more time in physical activity was positively correlated with motor development. Results confirmed that the SUNRISE study protocol was feasible, age-appropriate, and enjoyable for children. Conclusions: The results of the SUNRISE pilot study will help inform the SUNRISE Mongolia main study and lay the groundwork for future research into children's 24-hour movement behaviors in Mongolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First-ever measurements of particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10, and TSP) along with gaseous pollutants (CO, NO2, and SO2) were performed from June 2019 to April 2020 in Faisalabad, Metropolitan, Pakistan, to assess their seasonal variations; Summer 2019, Autumn 2019, Winter 2019-2020, and Spring 2020. Pollutant measurements were carried out at 30 locations with a 3-km grid distance from the Sitara Chemical Industry in District Faisalabad to Bhianwala, Sargodha Road, Tehsil Lalian, District Chiniot. ArcGIS 10.8 was used to interpolate pollutant concentrations using the inverse distance weightage method. PM2.5, PM10, and TSP concentrations were highest in summer, and lowest in autumn or winter. CO, NO2, and SO2 concentrations were highest in summer or spring and lowest in winter. Seasonal average NO2 and SO2 concentrations exceeded WHO annual air quality guide values. For all 4 seasons, some sites had better air quality than others. Even in these cleaner sites air quality index (AQI) was unhealthy for sensitive groups and the less good sites showed Very critical AQI (> 500). Dust-bound carbon and sulfur contents were higher in spring (64 mg g-1) and summer (1.17 mg g-1) and lower in autumn (55 mg g-1) and winter (1.08 mg g-1). Venous blood analysis of 20 individuals showed cadmium and lead concentrations higher than WHO permissible limits. Those individuals exposed to direct roadside pollution for longer periods because of their occupation tended to show higher Pb and Cd blood concentrations. It is concluded that air quality along the roadside is extremely poor and potentially damaging to the health of exposed workers.

Global support and standardization of regulation for biosimilars approval owes much of its legacy to the World Health Organization (WHO), since the first guidance by the organization on the matter was released in 2009. Since then, and with over a decade of research, the 2022 revision provides opportunities for time and financial savings to pharmaceutical manufacturers aiming to prove similarity of a potential biosimilar product to some reference product, particularly by clarifying that the use of a non-local reference product as a comparator in certain studies is permissible. This declaration has important implications, particularly in the emerging biological markets of the Middle East and North Africa region, where WHO guidelines have been integral to the regulatory framework of over a dozen countries for more than a decade. This article aims to review the impact of this revision on these countries and relevant policies on non-local comparator usage. Since 2022, this revision has been adopted only in Egypt. Many North African countries are yet to adopt a first draft of the formalized guidance. This analysis revealed that, although many of these countries reference the WHO guidelines, hesitation remains in terms of sourcing comparator products outside the US or European countries. This likely translates to slow regional development and cooperation of functioning, sustainable biosimilars markets. Future studies will be necessary to evaluate the continued development of guidance within these countries and changes in comparator sourcing norms as more time is allowed for their policies to mature and adapt to new standards.

Over the past decade, considerable progress has been made in the control, elimination, and eradication of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Despite these advances, most NTD programs have recently experienced important setbacks; for example, NTD interventions were some of the most frequently and severely impacted by service disruptions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Mathematical modeling can help inform selection of interventions to meet the targets set out in the NTD road map 2021-2030, and such studies should prioritize questions that are relevant for decision-makers, especially those designing, implementing, and evaluating national and subnational programs. In September 2022, the World Health Organization hosted a stakeholder meeting to identify such priority modeling questions across a range of NTDs and to consider how modeling could inform local decision making. Here, we summarize the outputs of the meeting, highlight common themes in the questions being asked, and discuss how quantitative modeling can support programmatic decisions that may accelerate progress towards the 2030 targets.

Assessing the feasibility of 2030 as a target date for global elimination of trachoma, and identification of districts that may require enhanced treatment to meet World Health Organization (WHO) elimination criteria by this date are key challenges in operational planning for trachoma programmes. Here we address these challenges by prospectively evaluating forecasting models of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) prevalence, leveraging ensemble-based approaches. Seven candidate probabilistic models were developed to forecast district-wise TF prevalence in 11 760 districts, trained using district-level data on the population prevalence of TF in children aged 1-9 years from 2004 to 2022. Geographical location, history of mass drug administration treatment, and previously measured prevalence data were included in these models as key predictors. The best-performing models were included in an ensemble, using weights derived from their relative likelihood scores. To incorporate the inherent stochasticity of disease transmission and challenges of population-level surveillance, we forecasted probability distributions for the TF prevalence in each geographic district, rather than predicting a single value. Based on our probabilistic forecasts, 1.46% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43-1.48%) of all districts in trachoma-endemic countries, equivalent to 172 districts, will exceed the 5% TF control threshold in 2030 with the current interventions. Global elimination of trachoma as a public health problem by 2030 may require enhanced intervention and/or surveillance of high-risk districts.