World Health Organization Quiz

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Egypt was officially declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO). Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, spread through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is life-threatening but not contagious and mainly found in tropical regions. Five parasite species cause malaria, with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax being the most dangerous. Symptoms like fever, headache, and chills start 10–15 days after the mosquito bite. Some people in malaria-endemic areas may be infected but show no symptoms. Vector control is the key method for preventing malaria and reducing transmission.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Jordan the first country in the world to eliminate leprosy, a major public health achievement. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Jordan for its efforts to stop leprosy transmission and reduce its stigma. Jordan has not reported any local cases of leprosy for over 20 years. The declaration followed an independent assessment of the situation in the country. Despite Jordan’s success, leprosy still affects over 120 countries, with more than 200,000 new cases reported annually.

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Dhulikhel, Nepal, is the first city in the country to be recognized as a “healthy city” by the World Health Organization (WHO). Dhulikhel is located in the Kavrepalanchok district, about 18 miles from Kathmandu. The WHO monitored Dhulikhel for two years before making the announcement in August 2024. The WHO’s decision was based on factors like environmental improvements, progress in primary health care, and access to health for poor citizens. Dhulikhel was also named the second healthiest city in Asia.

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The WHO declared mpox a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC) for the second time in two years. A PHEIC is a serious and unexpected health event that spreads internationally and needs a coordinated global response. Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a double-stranded DNA virus from the Orthopoxvirus genus. There are two genetic clades of MPXV: clade I and clade II. mpox was first reported in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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UNESCO introduced the New World Soil Health Index at an international conference in Morocco to standardize soil quality assessment globally. It aims to monitor soil degradation trends and improvements across different ecosystems. UNESCO will pilot sustainable soil management in ten Biosphere Reserves to develop best practices. Globally, soil degradation affects 75% of land, impacting 3.2 billion people, and is projected to reach 90% by 2050. In India, 32% of land is degraded, with 25% undergoing desertification due to various factors including deforestation and industrial pollution.

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At least 49 migrants died and 140 others went missing after a boat capsized off Yemen’s coast, the U.N. migration agency reported on June 11. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), established in 1951 and headquartered in Geneva, aids governments and migrants. With 175 member states, it focuses on migration health, emergency operations, migration development, and counter-trafficking, publishing the World Migration Report and Migration Health Annual Report.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) introduces the term ‘Infectious Respiratory Particles’ (IRPs) to describe pathogens transmitted through the air, addressing a lack of common terminology during the COVID-19 pandemic. IRPs encompass particles expelled through breathing, talking, coughing, or sneezing. They exist across a spectrum of sizes, with two descriptors: Airborne transmission (inhalation) and Direct deposition (exposure to expelled particles). This clarifies communication and aids efforts to combat pathogen transmission.

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Cabo Verde, a group of islands off the west coast of Africa, has been certified as malaria-free by the World Health Organization. This volcanic archipelago, comprising ten islands and five islets, boasts a moderate climate and diverse terrain. The population, mainly of mixed European and African descent, speaks Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole. Praia serves as the capital. The achievement of malaria-free status marks a significant milestone for the nation’s public health efforts.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to launch the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 11 TM Module 2, Morbidity Codes in a New Delhi. The ICD, developed by WHO, serves as a global system for classifying diseases, providing essential information on the prevalence, causes, and consequences of human diseases and death worldwide. The existing data is predominantly based on modern biomedicine practices.  The ICD plays a crucial role in health recording and statistics across various levels of care, influencing payment systems, service planning, safety administration, and health services research.

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The World Health Organization has prequalified the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, enabling broader global access. In October 2023, WHO recommended the vaccine’s use in children based on expert advice. Prequalification facilitates procurement by UNICEF and funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This is the second WHO-prequalified malaria vaccine after RTS,S/AS01 obtained prequalification status in July 2022. The new vaccine aims to prevent malaria in children, a key step in malaria control efforts.