|
UN unveils global influenza strategy to prevent ‘real’ threat of pandemic
13.03.2019 15:32 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
As of this week, the WHO (UN World Health Organization) has unveiled a new global anti-influenza plan called Global Influenza Strategy for 20192030, UN Radio reports.
As to the report, while announcing the plan launching, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said the plan has been initiated to tackle the estimated one milliard cases of influenza which occur each year, and protect against the «real» threat of a global pandemic.
As to the report, Ghebreyesus warned that the «question is not if we will have another pandemic, but when».
«The threat of pandemic influenza is ever-present,» he said, noting that the risk of a new influenza virus transmitting from animals to humans and potentially leading to a pandemic is «real».
It is to be admitted, now influenza remains one of the world greatest public health challenges, which is responsible for 290,000 650,000 related deaths a year.
Reportedly, Ghebreyesus warned that globalization, urbanization and mobility will result in the next pandemic moving faster and further, while also those infected with the virus can face other health threats, such as heart attacks, strokes and severe pneumonia.
«A severe pandemic can result in millions of deaths globally, with widespread social and economic effects, including a loss of national economic productivity and severe economic burdens on affected citizens and communities,» Ghebreyesus summed up.
Also available:
|
| |
|
|