Yet no confirmed case of Coronavirus has been noted so far but there are few people who are under scanner after returning from China. 7 people in Kerala being observed in the hospitals, 2 people in Mumbai, 1 in Bengaluru & 1 person in Hyderabad so far.

No Confirmed Cases Of Coronovirus In India So Far, 73 People Under Observations

It has been reported, Initially, China hid the cases of the infected people from Coronavirus. Even when people raised the voice, 8 people were detained for spreading rumours. So, Did China really tried to cover up deadly 'Coronavirus' outbreak initially?

Reports: China tried to cover up deadly 'coronavirus' outbreak initially

The coronavirus is a large family of viruses that causes illnesses ranging from the common cold to acute respiratory syndromes, but the virus that has killed people in China is a novel strain and not seen before. After which, W.H.O. lists ways to prevent the spread of deadly Coronavirus originated from China.

W.H.O. Lists Ways To Prevent The Spread Of Deadly Coronavirus Originated From China

On the back of the outbreak of ‘Coronavirus’ in China, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the virus may also enter Nepal. It exclaimed that Nepal lacks proper healthcare institutes and research laboratories for treatment and diagnosis of highly infectious diseases caused by a coronavirus. Watch report:

WHO warns Nepal over Coronavirus

China deadly Coronavirus has now claimed at least around 25 lives so far and around 830 people have been affected. The five Chinese cities are presently under lockdown to try and control the spread of this deadly virus. However, the World health organisation till now hasn't declared this virus as a 'global health emergency' so far. Watch report:

China's deadly Coronavirus spreads, 25 dead, 830 infected

Medical workers in central China's Wuhan City have faced up to their responsibilities regardless of the risks, with many putting in gruelling shifts as they support patients fighting viral pneumonia following the outbreak of a new type of coronavirus in the city. The Jinyintan hospital is one of nine specialist medical facilities designated for treating pneumonia patients in Wuhan, where staff have been working to combat the coronavirus since the first patient entered the hospital on December 29. As of now, the hospital has taken in a total of 170 pneumonia patients, of which 28 have been discharged while 137 still undergo treatment. Five victims have lost their lives at the hands of the illness despite the best efforts of staff.

Wuhan medical workers face gruelling task of treating viral pneumonia patients

Gold edged down on Friday as the dollar rose and appetite for riskier assets improved after the World Health Organisation tempered fears of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/gold-climbs-to-two-week-high-as-china-flu-scare-spurs-safe-haven-bids-275730">global coronavirus outbreak</a>.

Spot gold was 0.1 per cent lower at $1,561.18 per ounce by 1039 GMT but holding above the key $1,550 support level and en route to a post small weekly gain of about 0.3 per cent, as bets on easy monetary policy globally and lingering uncertainties on the world stage buoyed appetite for the safe haven.

US gold futures slipped 0.3 per cent to $1,560.80 per ounce. "Gold prices are facing headwinds from gaining equities and a stronger dollar but it is unlikely to fall below $1,520 as a bunch of geopolitical uncertainties still exist," Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen said.

European shares gained after the WHO designated the coronavirus outbreak an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-markets-risk-assets-slip-on-chinese-virus-anxiety-275925">emergency for China</a> but not yet for the rest of the world. However, the spread of the virus ahead of the Lunar New Year, a peak period of travel and gold demand in China, kept investor concerns heightened.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/gold-climbs-to-two-week-high-as-china-flu-scare-spurs-safe-haven-bids-275730">Gold prices climb to two week high as China flu scare spurs safe haven bids</a>

Further, the dollar hovered close to a more than one and a half month high against a basket of currencies, making gold expensive for buyers holding other currencies. "With a low-interest-rate environment, geopolitical risks and uncertainties such as US President's impeachment, the conditions are still quite conducive to further upside in gold," ANZ analyst Daniel Hynes said.

<img alt="Effects of the virus evident on Chinese public" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ba00019e-24c9-469e-a5ba-17cff2a92528" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2861%29_3.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Effects of the virus evident on Chinese public (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

After the European Central Bank left rates unchanged on Thursday, investors are looking to the US Federal Reserve's first meeting of the year scheduled on January 28-29.

However in the short-term, "the Libya oil issue and the coronavirus have not helped (gold) much and if this continues, we might see a challenging quarter ahead," Saxo Bank's Hansen said. Libya earlier this week declared force majeure on two major oilfields following a military blockade, and protests escalated in Iraq, pushing investors towards safe-haven assets.

Holdings of the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust, rose 0.2 per cent to 900.58 tonnes on Thursday. 
Elsewhere, palladium dipped 0.2 per cent to $2,457.10 per ounce and was on track to register its first weekly fall in five at about 0.7 per cent. 
Silver rose 0.3 per cent to $17.84 per ounce but was set to post its biggest weekly decline since early-December at nearly 1 per cent. Platinum rose 0.3 per cent to $1,004.64 but was down 1.3 per cent for the week, its worst since the week ended December 20. 
&nbsp;

Gold edged down on Friday as the dollar rose and appetite for riskier assets improved after the World Health Organisation tempered fears of a global coronavirus outbreak.

Gold edged down on Friday as the dollar rose and appetite for riskier assets improved after the World Health Organisation tempered fears of a global coronavirus outbreak. Spot gold was 0.1 per cent lower at $1,561.18 per ounce by 1039 GMT but holding above the key $1,550 support level and en route to a post small weekly gain of about 0.3 per cent, as bets on easy monetary policy globally and lingering uncertainties on the world stage buoyed appetite for the safe haven. US gold futures slipped 0.3 per cent to $1,560.80 per ounce. "Gold prices are facing headwinds from gaining equities and a stronger dollar but it is unlikely to fall below $1,520 as a bunch of geopolitical uncertainties still exist," Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen said. European shares gained after the WHO designated the coronavirus outbreak an emergency for China but not yet for the rest of the world. However, the spread of the virus ahead of the Lunar New Year, a peak period of travel and gold demand in China, kept investor concerns heightened. Also Read: Gold prices climb to two week high as China flu scare spurs safe haven bids Further, the dollar hovered close to a more than one and a half month high against a basket of currencies, making gold expensive for buyers holding other currencies. "With a low-interest-rate environment, geopolitical risks and uncertainties such as US President's impeachment, the conditions are still quite conducive to further upside in gold," ANZ analyst Daniel Hynes said. [ Effects of the virus evident on Chinese public (Courtesy: Reuters) ] After the European Central Bank left rates unchanged on Thursday, investors are looking to the US Federal Reserve's first meeting of the year scheduled on January 28-29. However in the short-term, "the Libya oil issue and the coronavirus have not helped (gold) much and if this continues, we might see a challenging quarter ahead," Saxo Bank's Hansen said. Libya earlier this week declared force majeure on two major oilfields following a military blockade, and protests escalated in Iraq, pushing investors towards safe-haven assets. Holdings of the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust, rose 0.2 per cent to 900.58 tonnes on Thursday. Elsewhere, palladium dipped 0.2 per cent to $2,457.10 per ounce and was on track to register its first weekly fall in five at about 0.7 per cent. Silver rose 0.3 per cent to $17.84 per ounce but was set to post its biggest weekly decline since early-December at nearly 1 per cent. Platinum rose 0.3 per cent to $1,004.64 but was down 1.3 per cent for the week, its worst since the week ended December 20.

Gold prices ease after WHO tempers coronavirus fears

The World Health Organisation is holding a weekly briefing on the deadly coronavirus. Watch the video to know more information.

WHO present latest report on China's coronavirus

The World Health Organisation is holding a weekly briefing on the deadly coronavirus. Watch the video to know more information:

WHO briefing on China deadly Coronavirus

India has also come under high alert of the deadly coronavirus. According to the reports, around 25 Indian students are currently trapped in China's Wuhan province. 20 out of 25 students hail from the Southern state of Kerala. It has also been reported that 14 students will be flying to Kolkata from Yichang.

Reports: India can come under coronavirus threat

The death toll in China due to coronavirus almost doubled in a day. The World Health Organization's (WHO) representative on January 23 said, "Trying to contain a city of 11 million people is new to science, it has not been tried before as a public health measure, so we cannot at this stage say it will or it will not work. If this is happening we will note carefully to what extent it is maintained (and) how long it can take."

WION Dispatch: Death toll in China due to coronavirus doubles in a day

The World Health Organization announced Monday that it would convene an expert panel to determine whether a fast-developing outbreak caused by a new virus in China should be declared a global health emergency.

WHO Calls for Emergency Meeting as Chinese Virus Spreads

In the latest updates, four people have been killed in China due to the deadly Coronavirus. The coronavirus is a particular cause of concern given its connection to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. The World Health Organization said that Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus proposes to convene an emergency committee January 22 to resolve whether to declare the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

China: Four people killed due to deadly Coronavirus

The latest on deadly Coronavirus has confirmed the death of four in China and more than 218 cases have been detected in China alone. The World Health Organisation emergency panel will meet this week to discuss this SAARC like virus that has spread beyond China. China has confirmed human-to-human transmission of the new Coronavirus.

Coronavirus spreads beyond China, Human-to-human transmission confirmed

Japan has confirmed a case of a mystery virus that first emerged in China and is from the same family as the deadly SARS pathogen, authorities said Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-confirmed-in-chinese-traveller-who-arrived-in-thailand-who-274059">Coronavirus confirmed in Chinese traveller who arrived in Thailand: WHO</a>

It appears to be only the second time the novel coronavirus has been detected outside China, after the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed a case in Thailand.

Japan's health ministry said a man who had visited the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the apparent epicentre of the outbreak, was hospitalised on January 10, four days after his return to Japan. He reported a persistent fever.

Tests on the patient, who was released from hospital on Wednesday, confirmed he was infected with the new virus.

"This is the first domestic discovery of a pneumonia case related to the new coronavirus," the ministry said in a statement.

"We will continue active epidemiological research while also coordinating efforts with the World Health Organization and related agencies to conduct a risk assessment."

The outbreak has caused alarm because the new virus is from the same family as the pathogen that causes SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed 349 people in mainland China and 299 in Hong Kong in 2002 and 2003.

Authorities in Wuhan said a seafood market was the centre of the outbreak. It was closed on January 1.

Japanese authorities said the man had not visited the market and that it was possible he had been in contact with a person infected with the virus while in Wuhan.

Health ministry official Eiji Hinoshita told reporters that the risk of the disease spreading from the patient was considered low, with careful checks done on those who had been in close contact with him.

"At this point, we feel it is unlikely this will lead to a dramatic outbreak," he said, adding that the patient was no longer suffering a fever and was recuperating at home.

Officials declined to give further information on the man, including his nationality, citing privacy concerns.

The health ministry urged people who develop a cough or fever after visiting Wuhan to wear a surgical mask and "swiftly visit a medical institution".

Hinoshita said Japan would need to raise its guard ahead of the Lunar New Year, a popular travel period in China.

"It is expected that Japan will see many visitors from China," he said.

It is not yet clear whether the mystery virus can be transmitted between humans, but on Wednesday authorities said it was possible it had spread inside a family.

The woman diagnosed in Thailand, who is in a stable condition, also said she had not visited the Wuhan seafood market.

And WHO doctor Maria Van Kerkhove on Tuesday said she "wouldn't be surprised if there was some limited human-to-human transmission, especially among families who have close contact with one another".

The outbreak has killed one person so far, with 41 patients reported in Wuhan.

Hong Kong authorities on Tuesday said several dozen people had been hospitalised with fever or respiratory symptoms after travelling to Wuhan, but no cases of the new virus have so far been confirmed.

Japan has confirmed a case of a mystery virus that first emerged in China and is from the same family as the deadly SARS pathogen, authorities said Thursday. Coronavirus confirmed in Chinese traveller who arrived in Thailand: WHO It appears to be only the second time the novel coronavirus has been detected outside China, after the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed a case in Thailand.

Japan has confirmed a case of a mystery virus that first emerged in China and is from the same family as the deadly SARS pathogen, authorities said Thursday. Coronavirus confirmed in Chinese traveller who arrived in Thailand: WHO It appears to be only the second time the novel coronavirus has been detected outside China, after the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed a case in Thailand. Japan's health ministry said a man who had visited the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the apparent epicentre of the outbreak, was hospitalised on January 10, four days after his return to Japan. He reported a persistent fever. Tests on the patient, who was released from hospital on Wednesday, confirmed he was infected with the new virus. "This is the first domestic discovery of a pneumonia case related to the new coronavirus," the ministry said in a statement. "We will continue active epidemiological research while also coordinating efforts with the World Health Organization and related agencies to conduct a risk assessment." The outbreak has caused alarm because the new virus is from the same family as the pathogen that causes SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed 349 people in mainland China and 299 in Hong Kong in 2002 and 2003. Authorities in Wuhan said a seafood market was the centre of the outbreak. It was closed on January 1. Japanese authorities said the man had not visited the market and that it was possible he had been in contact with a person infected with the virus while in Wuhan. Health ministry official Eiji Hinoshita told reporters that the risk of the disease spreading from the patient was considered low, with careful checks done on those who had been in close contact with him. "At this point, we feel it is unlikely this will lead to a dramatic outbreak," he said, adding that the patient was no longer suffering a fever and was recuperating at home. Officials declined to give further information on the man, including his nationality, citing privacy concerns. The health ministry urged people who develop a cough or fever after visiting Wuhan to wear a surgical mask and "swiftly visit a medical institution". Hinoshita said Japan would need to raise its guard ahead of the Lunar New Year, a popular travel period in China. "It is expected that Japan will see many visitors from China," he said. It is not yet clear whether the mystery virus can be transmitted between humans, but on Wednesday authorities said it was possible it had spread inside a family. The woman diagnosed in Thailand, who is in a stable condition, also said she had not visited the Wuhan seafood market. And WHO doctor Maria Van Kerkhove on Tuesday said she "wouldn't be surprised if there was some limited human-to-human transmission, especially among families who have close contact with one another". The outbreak has killed one person so far, with 41 patients reported in Wuhan. Hong Kong authorities on Tuesday said several dozen people had been hospitalised with fever or respiratory symptoms after travelling to Wuhan, but no cases of the new virus have so far been confirmed.

Japan reports first case of mystery virus behind China outbreak

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../jk-issue-attempt-made-by-pakistan-through- china-to-misuse-unsc-platform-says-india-274661">Pakistan</a>&nbsp;says&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;will&nbsp;help&nbsp;the country in its&nbsp;fight&nbsp;against&nbsp;polio&nbsp;after authorities blamed anti-vaccine content posted last year on the social network site for a leap in the number of cases.

Pakistan&nbsp;is one of only three countries where&nbsp;polio&nbsp;has not been eradicated, but a years-long effort began to show fruit with a major drop in cases from 2016.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-efforts-to-raise-kashmir-at-un-security-council-crumbled-once-again-274575">Pakistan efforts to raise Kashmir at UN Security Council crumbled once again</a>

By 2018 just 12 cases had been recorded, but to the dismay of Pakistani authorities and the World Health Organization, that number soared to 136 last year.&nbsp;

Pakistani officials quickly tied the surge to a slew of fake news reports and videos claiming many children had been killed by the vaccine that garnered thousands of views and shares on social media.&nbsp;

They called on&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;do more to remove harmful anti-vaccine content from the site, saying it was jeopardising eradication initiatives and putting the lives of&nbsp;polio&nbsp;workers at risk.&nbsp;

Health authorities later said&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;had removed dozens such videos.

This week a delegation from the company visited Islamabad and reaffirmed their commitment to the campaign, a Pakistani government statement said.&nbsp;

"We stand behind the national and global efforts to create a&nbsp;polio-free world and will continue to support these efforts," Rafael Frankel, a&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;regional director, was quoted as saying in a statement released by&nbsp;Pakistan's ministry of health.

Dr Zafar Mirza, a Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on health, highlighted the importance of communicating correct health information online and stressed "the need to counter harmful content on social media".

Facebook&nbsp;did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.

Vaccination campaigns have faced stubborn resistance for years in&nbsp;Pakistan, with many refusing to have their children inoculated because of misinformation and conspiracy theories.

Islamist opposition to all forms of inoculation grew after the CIA organised a fake vaccination drive to&nbsp;help&nbsp;track down Al Qaeda's former leader Osama Bin Laden in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad.

As&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;tries to reach its goal of eliminating&nbsp;polio, the growing global movement&nbsp;against&nbsp;vaccinations -- fuelled by social media -- has presented a new challenge.

Afghanistan and Nigeria are the two other countries where the disease has not been entirely eradicated, although the latter is expected to be declared&nbsp;polio-free later this year.

Pakistan says Facebook will help the country in its fight against polio after authorities blamed anti-vaccine content posted last year on the social network site for a leap in the number of cases.

Pakistan says Facebook will help the country in its fight against polio after authorities blamed anti-vaccine content posted last year on the social network site for a leap in the number of cases. Pakistan is one of only three countries where polio has not been eradicated, but a years-long effort began to show fruit with a major drop in cases from 2016. Also read- Pakistan efforts to raise Kashmir at UN Security Council crumbled once again By 2018 just 12 cases had been recorded, but to the dismay of Pakistani authorities and the World Health Organization, that number soared to 136 last year. Pakistani officials quickly tied the surge to a slew of fake news reports and videos claiming many children had been killed by the vaccine that garnered thousands of views and shares on social media. They called on Facebook do more to remove harmful anti-vaccine content from the site, saying it was jeopardising eradication initiatives and putting the lives of polio workers at risk. Health authorities later said Facebook had removed dozens such videos. This week a delegation from the company visited Islamabad and reaffirmed their commitment to the campaign, a Pakistani government statement said. "We stand behind the national and global efforts to create a polio-free world and will continue to support these efforts," Rafael Frankel, a Facebook regional director, was quoted as saying in a statement released by Pakistan's ministry of health. Dr Zafar Mirza, a Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on health, highlighted the importance of communicating correct health information online and stressed "the need to counter harmful content on social media". Facebook did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment. Vaccination campaigns have faced stubborn resistance for years in Pakistan, with many refusing to have their children inoculated because of misinformation and conspiracy theories. Islamist opposition to all forms of inoculation grew after the CIA organised a fake vaccination drive to help track down Al Qaeda's former leader Osama Bin Laden in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad. As Pakistan tries to reach its goal of eliminating polio, the growing global movement against vaccinations -- fuelled by social media -- has presented a new challenge. Afghanistan and Nigeria are the two other countries where the disease has not been entirely eradicated, although the latter is expected to be declared polio-free later this year.

Facebook to help in fight against polio: Pakistan

The World Health Organization said it is working with officials in Thailand and China after reports of confirmation of the coronavirus in a traveller from Wuhan in China, who travelled to Thailand.

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WHO is working with officials in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Thailand?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Thailand</a>🇹🇭 and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a>🇨🇳 following reports of confirmation of the novel <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coronavirus</a> (2019-nCoV) in a traveler from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wuhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wuhan</a>, China, who traveled to Thailand <a href="https://t.co/pj20trsUCE">pic.twitter.com/pj20trsUCE</a>
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) <a href="https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1216684542209200128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"The person was a traveller from Wuhan, China, and was identified by Thai officials on January 8, and hospitalised that day," the WHO said in a statement, adding, "The person is recovering from the illness according to Thai officials."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mystery-viral-pneumonia-china-reports-first-death-from-new-type-of-coronavirus-273549">Also Read:&nbsp;China reports first death from new type of coronavirus</a>

"The possibility of cases being identified in other countries was not unexpected," it added.&nbsp;

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Given the developments on the novel <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coronavirus</a> (2019-nC0V), WHO Director-General <a href="https://twitter.com/DrTedros?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrTedros</a> is consulting with Emergency Committee members and could call for a meeting of the committee on short notice <a href="https://t.co/oTSIsz1iu0">https://t.co/oTSIsz1iu0</a> <a href="https://t.co/15yZJNTyKo">pic.twitter.com/15yZJNTyKo</a>
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) <a href="https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1216698147130499080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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WHO had earlier informed that a new strain of virus from the SARS family may have struck China's Wuhan which has led to at least 59 people being infected. The international health organization said although the virus does not spread readily, however, it can cause severe illness.

Watch Video:&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/a-man-dies-after-getting-infected-by-a-newly-claimed-virus-in-china-273655/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to WHO, Coronaviruses (CoV) belongs to a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties, it informed. In order to prevent it, the agency advised&nbsp;regular hand washing, covering the mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing and to ensure meat and eggs are properly cooked. It also advised people to stay away from anyone who shows symptoms of respiratory illness.

"The genetic sequencing shared by China enables more countries to rapidly diagnose patients," the international health body said.&nbsp;

WHO said it "reiterates that it is essential that investigations continue in China to identify the source of this outbreak". &nbsp;WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he will consult with emergency committee members and could call for a meeting of the committee on short notice.

The infection which was first detected on December 31 last year spread rapidly in Wuhan leading to widespread SARS outbreak fears in which several hundred people had died in China in 2002-03.

The World Health Organization said it is working with officials in Thailand and China after reports of confirmation of the coronavirus in a traveller from Wuhan in China, who travelled to Thailand.

The World Health Organization said it is working with officials in Thailand and China after reports of confirmation of the coronavirus in a traveller from Wuhan in China, who travelled to Thailand. WHO is working with officials in #Thailand🇹🇭 and #China🇨🇳 following reports of confirmation of the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in a traveler from #Wuhan, China, who traveled to Thailand pic.twitter.com/pj20trsUCE — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 13, 2020 × "The person was a traveller from Wuhan, China, and was identified by Thai officials on January 8, and hospitalised that day," the WHO said in a statement, adding, "The person is recovering from the illness according to Thai officials." Also Read: China reports first death from new type of coronavirus "The possibility of cases being identified in other countries was not unexpected," it added. Given the developments on the novel #coronavirus (2019-nC0V), WHO Director-General @DrTedros is consulting with Emergency Committee members and could call for a meeting of the committee on short notice https://t.co/oTSIsz1iu0 pic.twitter.com/15yZJNTyKo — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 13, 2020 × WHO had earlier informed that a new strain of virus from the SARS family may have struck China's Wuhan which has led to at least 59 people being infected. The international health organization said although the virus does not spread readily, however, it can cause severe illness. Watch Video: According to WHO, Coronaviruses (CoV) belongs to a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties, it informed. In order to prevent it, the agency advised regular hand washing, covering the mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing and to ensure meat and eggs are properly cooked. It also advised people to stay away from anyone who shows symptoms of respiratory illness. "The genetic sequencing shared by China enables more countries to rapidly diagnose patients," the international health body said. WHO said it "reiterates that it is essential that investigations continue in China to identify the source of this outbreak". WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he will consult with emergency committee members and could call for a meeting of the committee on short notice. The infection which was first detected on December 31 last year spread rapidly in Wuhan leading to widespread SARS outbreak fears in which several hundred people had died in China in 2002-03.

Coronavirus confirmed in Chinese traveller who arrived in Thailand: WHO

China on Saturday reported the first death from a virus believed to be from the same family as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-coronavirus-from-sars-family-may-be-cause-of-mysterious-pneumonia-cases-in-china-who-273068">SARS pathogen</a> that killed hundreds in China and Hong Kong more than a decade ago.

Forty-one people with pneumonia-like symptoms have so far been diagnosed with the new type of coronavirus in the central Chinese city of Wuhan where it was first confirmed, with one of the victims dying, the city's health commission said on its website.

Watch:&nbsp;At least 59 people infected with mysterious virus in China, Beijing rules out SARS threat

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Seven others remained in serious condition while two were discharged from treatment, it added, saying the latest tally was completed on Friday.

The commission did not specify when the death occurred or give further details on the patient other than to say the bulk of those diagnosed worked at a Wuhan seafood market that was closed January 1 following the outbreak.

The episode has caused alarm due to the link to SARS, or <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mysterious-viral-pneumonia-infects-several-in-china-272495">Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome</a>, which killed 349 people in mainland China and another 299 in Hong Kong in 2002-2003.

State-run Xinhua news agency reported on Friday that Chinese scientists investigating the outbreak had made a "preliminary" determination that it was a previously unknown type of coronavirus.

The WHO says coronaviruses are a large family of pathogens ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses like <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-coronavirus-from-sars-family-may-be-cause-of-mysterious-pneumonia-cases-in-china-who-273068">SARS</a> and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which emerged in 2012 and also caused scores of deaths.

"No new cases have been detected since January 3, 2020," the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-probes-mystery-pneumonia-outbreak-amid-sars-fears-271264">Wuhan health commission</a> said.

"At present, no infections among medical staff have been found, and no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission has been found."

Wuhan authorities had earlier said 59 people had fallen ill, but Saturday's statement suggests that not all have been confirmed as cases of the new virus.

The outbreak was first confirmed on December 31 in Wuhan, which has a population of more than 11 million.

Authorities in Hong Kong have since taken precautions including stepping up the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-probes-mystery-pneumonia-outbreak-amid-sars-fears-271264">disinfection</a> of trains and planes, and checks of passengers.

The WHO, however, said Thursday it was not recommending any specific measures for travellers, nor the application of any trade or travel restrictions on China based on current information, expressing confidence in the ability of Chinese authorities to manage the situation.

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WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a> based on the information currently available <a href="https://t.co/UU8IgFvjpn">https://t.co/UU8IgFvjpn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coronavirus</a> <a href="https://t.co/nTfz6IkeKy">pic.twitter.com/nTfz6IkeKy</a>
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China has since ruled out a fresh recurrence of SARS.

China has entered its annual Lunar New Year holiday travel rush, raising the spectre of the mass movement of people serving as a vector for the pathogen's spread.

In the world's largest annual human migration, hundreds of millions of people are expected to pack together on trains, buses and planes for the Lunar New Year holiday that this year falls in late January.

Authorities have said 400 million train tickets have been purchased for holiday-related travel, with hundreds of millions more expected to travel by air and road.

China has not announced any travel restrictions.

Authorities in Hong Kong have said 48 people have been hospitalised in recent days after returning from Wuhan and displaying flu-like illnesses, but none were confirmed to have contracted the new coronavirus.

City residents worried about the outbreak have rushed to buy face masks from local pharmacies, with many selling out earlier this week.

The coming holiday has prompted concerns in Taiwan, where officials urged the island's health and welfare ministry to strengthen quarantine controls at airports.

The US embassy in China warned on Tuesday that Americans travelling in the country should avoid animals and contact with sick people.

China on Saturday reported the first death from a virus believed to be from the same family as the SARS pathogen that killed hundreds in China and Hong Kong more than a decade ago.

China on Saturday reported the first death from a virus believed to be from the same family as the SARS pathogen that killed hundreds in China and Hong Kong more than a decade ago. Forty-one people with pneumonia-like symptoms have so far been diagnosed with the new type of coronavirus in the central Chinese city of Wuhan where it was first confirmed, with one of the victims dying, the city's health commission said on its website. Watch: At least 59 people infected with mysterious virus in China, Beijing rules out SARS threat × Seven others remained in serious condition while two were discharged from treatment, it added, saying the latest tally was completed on Friday. The commission did not specify when the death occurred or give further details on the patient other than to say the bulk of those diagnosed worked at a Wuhan seafood market that was closed January 1 following the outbreak. The episode has caused alarm due to the link to SARS, or Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which killed 349 people in mainland China and another 299 in Hong Kong in 2002-2003. State-run Xinhua news agency reported on Friday that Chinese scientists investigating the outbreak had made a "preliminary" determination that it was a previously unknown type of coronavirus. The WHO says coronaviruses are a large family of pathogens ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses like SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which emerged in 2012 and also caused scores of deaths. "No new cases have been detected since January 3, 2020," the Wuhan health commission said. "At present, no infections among medical staff have been found, and no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission has been found." Wuhan authorities had earlier said 59 people had fallen ill, but Saturday's statement suggests that not all have been confirmed as cases of the new virus. The outbreak was first confirmed on December 31 in Wuhan, which has a population of more than 11 million. Authorities in Hong Kong have since taken precautions including stepping up the disinfection of trains and planes, and checks of passengers. The WHO, however, said Thursday it was not recommending any specific measures for travellers, nor the application of any trade or travel restrictions on China based on current information, expressing confidence in the ability of Chinese authorities to manage the situation. WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions on #China based on the information currently available https://t.co/UU8IgFvjpn #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/nTfz6IkeKy — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 11, 2020 × China has since ruled out a fresh recurrence of SARS. China has entered its annual Lunar New Year holiday travel rush, raising the spectre of the mass movement of people serving as a vector for the pathogen's spread. In the world's largest annual human migration, hundreds of millions of people are expected to pack together on trains, buses and planes for the Lunar New Year holiday that this year falls in late January. Authorities have said 400 million train tickets have been purchased for holiday-related travel, with hundreds of millions more expected to travel by air and road. China has not announced any travel restrictions. Authorities in Hong Kong have said 48 people have been hospitalised in recent days after returning from Wuhan and displaying flu-like illnesses, but none were confirmed to have contracted the new coronavirus. City residents worried about the outbreak have rushed to buy face masks from local pharmacies, with many selling out earlier this week. The coming holiday has prompted concerns in Taiwan, where officials urged the island's health and welfare ministry to strengthen quarantine controls at airports. The US embassy in China warned on Tuesday that Americans travelling in the country should avoid animals and contact with sick people.

Mystery viral pneumonia: China reports first death from new type of coronavirus

The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that it believes a new strain of virus from the SARS family has struck China's Wuhan which has led to at least 59 people being infected.

“Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that range from the common cold to SARS. Some cause less-severe disease, some more severe. Some transmit easily from person to person, while others don’t,” WHO said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-probes-mystery-pneumonia-outbreak-amid-sars-fears-271264">Also Read: China probes mystery pneumonia outbreak amid SARS fears</a>

"The initial information about the cases of pneumonia in Wuhan...pointed to a coronavirus as a possible pathogen causing this cluster," the WHO added.

The international health organization said although the virus does not spread readily, however,&nbsp;it can cause severe illness.

The infection which was first confirmed on December 31 in Wuhan had led to widespread SARS scare which had infected people in China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003 leading to the death of hundreds of people.

China's state media CCTV said Chinese experts believe the mysterious pneumonia was in fact a new strain of virus from the family of pathogens that includes SARS.

"As of January 7, 2020, the laboratory detected a new type of coronavirus," CCTV&nbsp;said, adding, "The new coronavirus that caused this epidemic situation is different from previously discovered human coronaviruses, and further understanding of the virus requires more scientific research."

The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission had earlier said 59 cases of the unknown viral pneumonia were reported but denied it was the deadly SARS virus. No deaths were reported.&nbsp;

As a precaution, Wuhan health officials conducted cleanup operations at a seafood market in the city suspecting it to be connected to the virus.&nbsp;

The health scare spread beyond China's border&nbsp;as Singapore's health ministry said it would be screeing passengers arriving on flights from Wuhan.

As reports of the mystery virus grew, the US embassy in China warned its citizens to avoid animals and contact with sick people.

The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that it believes a new strain of virus from the SARS family has struck China's Wuhan which has led to at least 59 people being infected.

The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that it believes a new strain of virus from the SARS family has struck China's Wuhan which has led to at least 59 people being infected. “Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that range from the common cold to SARS. Some cause less-severe disease, some more severe. Some transmit easily from person to person, while others don’t,” WHO said in a statement. Also Read: China probes mystery pneumonia outbreak amid SARS fears "The initial information about the cases of pneumonia in Wuhan...pointed to a coronavirus as a possible pathogen causing this cluster," the WHO added. The international health organization said although the virus does not spread readily, however, it can cause severe illness. The infection which was first confirmed on December 31 in Wuhan had led to widespread SARS scare which had infected people in China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003 leading to the death of hundreds of people. China's state media CCTV said Chinese experts believe the mysterious pneumonia was in fact a new strain of virus from the family of pathogens that includes SARS. "As of January 7, 2020, the laboratory detected a new type of coronavirus," CCTV said, adding, "The new coronavirus that caused this epidemic situation is different from previously discovered human coronaviruses, and further understanding of the virus requires more scientific research." The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission had earlier said 59 cases of the unknown viral pneumonia were reported but denied it was the deadly SARS virus. No deaths were reported. As a precaution, Wuhan health officials conducted cleanup operations at a seafood market in the city suspecting it to be connected to the virus. The health scare spread beyond China's border as Singapore's health ministry said it would be screeing passengers arriving on flights from Wuhan. As reports of the mystery virus grew, the US embassy in China warned its citizens to avoid animals and contact with sick people.

New coronavirus from SARS family may be cause of mysterious pneumonia cases in China: WHO

China has confirmed that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-probes-mystery-pneumonia-outbreak-amid-sars-fears-271264">mysterious viral pneumonia</a> that has infected 59 people in the central part of the country, is not SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) had killed 349 in mainland China and 299 in Hong Kong in 2003. The virus had also infected more than 8,000 people. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-health-organization-says-e-cigarettes-undoubtedly-harmful-238779">World Health Organization</a> (WHO)&nbsp;had announced that China was free from SARS in May 2004.

China's Wuhan city saw a mysterious viral infecting people which was widely reported referring to the contagious SARS virus.&nbsp;

China also ruled out the hypothesis of bird-flu and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and told reporters that investigation is still going on amid the health crisis.&nbsp;

"We have excluded several hypotheses, in particular, the fact that it is a flu, the avian flu, an adenovirus, SARS or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)," the Wuhan health commission said.

Wuhan Health Commission added that the seven patients were seriously ill and were being quarantined. &nbsp;

The health commission’s official website stated that 163 people who had contact with those who were infected were being examined under medical observation and the commission was making constant efforts to identify the virus and its source.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Wuhan police arrested eight civilians for “publishing and forwarding false information on the internet without authentication” on the viral outbreak.

The city office has closed the seafood market for disinfection where the infection was first seen and cases were reported. &nbsp;

"The symptoms reported among the patients are common to several respiratory diseases, and pneumonia is common in the winter season," WHO said, adding that the concentration of cases should be handled "prudently".

The international health body also stated that the reported link to a wholesale fish market and the live animal market could be an indication that the virus might have originated from animals.

(Inputs from Agencies)

China has confirmed that the mysterious viral pneumonia that has infected 59 people in the central part of the country, is not SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

China has confirmed that the mysterious viral pneumonia that has infected 59 people in the central part of the country, is not SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) had killed 349 in mainland China and 299 in Hong Kong in 2003. The virus had also infected more than 8,000 people. The World Health Organization (WHO) had announced that China was free from SARS in May 2004. China's Wuhan city saw a mysterious viral infecting people which was widely reported referring to the contagious SARS virus. China also ruled out the hypothesis of bird-flu and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and told reporters that investigation is still going on amid the health crisis. "We have excluded several hypotheses, in particular, the fact that it is a flu, the avian flu, an adenovirus, SARS or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)," the Wuhan health commission said. Wuhan Health Commission added that the seven patients were seriously ill and were being quarantined. The health commission’s official website stated that 163 people who had contact with those who were infected were being examined under medical observation and the commission was making constant efforts to identify the virus and its source. Meanwhile, Wuhan police arrested eight civilians for “publishing and forwarding false information on the internet without authentication” on the viral outbreak. The city office has closed the seafood market for disinfection where the infection was first seen and cases were reported. "The symptoms reported among the patients are common to several respiratory diseases, and pneumonia is common in the winter season," WHO said, adding that the concentration of cases should be handled "prudently". The international health body also stated that the reported link to a wholesale fish market and the live animal market could be an indication that the virus might have originated from animals. (Inputs from Agencies)

Mysterious viral pneumonia infects several in China

For the past few months, Hasan Zaidi's phone has been ringing nonstop with calls from desperate residents in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/us-re-designates-pakistan-china-as-countries-curbing-religious-freedom-269447">Pakistan</a> hoping to get their hands on his newly invented air purifier as smog blankets the country.

"Some days, I had so many calls that I couldn't answer," says Zaidi during a recent interview with AFP in his workshop.&nbsp;

Tired of choking on putrid air, Zaidi spent six months perfecting his homemade device as he looked for a low-cost solution to battle the increasingly toxic scourge overwhelming Pakistan.

During this winter alone the 31-year-old engineer has already sold some 500 units, which are priced at just 16,000 Pakistani rupees ($103), but admits to refusing hundreds of orders in recent weeks due to lack of manpower and resources.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In cash-strapped Pakistan Zaidi’s "Indoor Forest" purifiers are cheaper than imported models, which typically cost about two to five times more.&nbsp;

"Now it is less of a luxury and more of a necessity," explains Sadia Khan, whose company Autosoft Dynamics recently acquired a dozen of Zaidi’s purifiers so his 180 employees can "breathe safely".

In the past five years, air pollution has worsened in Pakistan, as a mixture of low-grade diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal crop burn off, and colder winter temperatures coalesce into stagnant clouds of smog.

In 2015, 135,000 Pakistanis died due to poor air quality, according to a study published in the scientific journal The Lancet.

Pollution tends to be at its worst in the country’s eastern province of Punjab during winter, particularly in the 12-million strong city of Lahore near the border with India.&nbsp;

In November schools were closed for several days across the province with the level of PM2.5 tiny particles that get into the bloodstream and vital organs repeatedly exceeding 200 micrograms per cubic meter of air.&nbsp;

The World Health Organisation's recommended safe daily maximum is a measurement of 25.&nbsp;

Pakistan is ranked one of the worst countries in the world for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/artificial-rain-likely-this-week-to-clear-air-quality-in-delhi-ncr-178517">air quality</a> and Lahore consistently ranked in the top 10 most smog-hit cities, according to the pollution monitoring site AirVisual.

But Tanveer Waraich, director-general of Punjab’s environmental agency, dismisses those figures, saying pollution readings cited by monitors and activists are not from "authentic machines".

"To say that Pakistan and Lahore are among the top polluted citie this statement is not based on facts," he says, but concedes the country’s air quality is largely unacceptable.&nbsp;

Public awareness about the issue is growing due to increased activism on social media about the dangers of pollution and the dire challenges climate change is bringing to Pakistan.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Yann Boquillod, who co-founded AirVisual, said subscribers to the site from Pakistan have increased tenfold this year.&nbsp;

"In Pakistan, there was a problem but no one knew about it. Pakistanis are (now) mobilising," Boquillod says.&nbsp;With officials slow to act, ordinary Pakistanis have increasingly taken measures into their own hands.&nbsp;

In 2016, Abid Omar launched the website PakistanAirQuality (PAQ) dedicated to compiling data about air pollution in the country and publishing its findings.&nbsp;

According to PAQ, Lahore only experienced "10 hours" of good quality air based on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-taliban-lifts-ban-on-world-health-organization-252047">WHO</a> standards during the first eleven months of 2019.&nbsp;

Conversely, air quality in the city oscillated between "bad" and "hazardous" for a total of 223 days so far this year.

The smog "has made our lives miserable," laments a pedestrian in Lahore buying a mask.&nbsp;

For the past few months, Hasan Zaidi's phone has been ringing nonstop with calls from desperate residents in Pakistan hoping to get their hands on his newly invented air purifier as smog blankets the country.

For the past few months, Hasan Zaidi's phone has been ringing nonstop with calls from desperate residents in Pakistan hoping to get their hands on his newly invented air purifier as smog blankets the country. "Some days, I had so many calls that I couldn't answer," says Zaidi during a recent interview with AFP in his workshop. Tired of choking on putrid air, Zaidi spent six months perfecting his homemade device as he looked for a low-cost solution to battle the increasingly toxic scourge overwhelming Pakistan. During this winter alone the 31-year-old engineer has already sold some 500 units, which are priced at just 16,000 Pakistani rupees ($103), but admits to refusing hundreds of orders in recent weeks due to lack of manpower and resources. In cash-strapped Pakistan Zaidi’s "Indoor Forest" purifiers are cheaper than imported models, which typically cost about two to five times more. "Now it is less of a luxury and more of a necessity," explains Sadia Khan, whose company Autosoft Dynamics recently acquired a dozen of Zaidi’s purifiers so his 180 employees can "breathe safely". In the past five years, air pollution has worsened in Pakistan, as a mixture of low-grade diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal crop burn off, and colder winter temperatures coalesce into stagnant clouds of smog. In 2015, 135,000 Pakistanis died due to poor air quality, according to a study published in the scientific journal The Lancet. Pollution tends to be at its worst in the country’s eastern province of Punjab during winter, particularly in the 12-million strong city of Lahore near the border with India. In November schools were closed for several days across the province with the level of PM2.5 tiny particles that get into the bloodstream and vital organs repeatedly exceeding 200 micrograms per cubic meter of air. The World Health Organisation's recommended safe daily maximum is a measurement of 25. Pakistan is ranked one of the worst countries in the world for air quality and Lahore consistently ranked in the top 10 most smog-hit cities, according to the pollution monitoring site AirVisual. But Tanveer Waraich, director-general of Punjab’s environmental agency, dismisses those figures, saying pollution readings cited by monitors and activists are not from "authentic machines". "To say that Pakistan and Lahore are among the top polluted citie this statement is not based on facts," he says, but concedes the country’s air quality is largely unacceptable. Public awareness about the issue is growing due to increased activism on social media about the dangers of pollution and the dire challenges climate change is bringing to Pakistan. Yann Boquillod, who co-founded AirVisual, said subscribers to the site from Pakistan have increased tenfold this year. "In Pakistan, there was a problem but no one knew about it. Pakistanis are (now) mobilising," Boquillod says. With officials slow to act, ordinary Pakistanis have increasingly taken measures into their own hands. In 2016, Abid Omar launched the website PakistanAirQuality (PAQ) dedicated to compiling data about air pollution in the country and publishing its findings. According to PAQ, Lahore only experienced "10 hours" of good quality air based on WHO standards during the first eleven months of 2019. Conversely, air quality in the city oscillated between "bad" and "hazardous" for a total of 223 days so far this year. The smog "has made our lives miserable," laments a pedestrian in Lahore buying a mask.

With purifiers and lawsuits, Pakistanis fight back against smog

The federal cabinet on December 24 has decided to give one-time permission for import of polio markers from India and reduce prices of 89 medicines by 15 per cent. The markers, which are used to mark the fingers of children after administering them polio vaccine, are approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO). #Pakistan #India #WHO #PolioMarkers #Polio

Pakistan to import polio markers from India, price of 89 medicines reduced by 15%

Two people were killed in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/20-dead-as-powerful-storm-hits-madagascar-36488">Madagascar</a> after Cyclone Belna landed in the northwest of the country, causing heavy flooding and displacing hundreds, local authorities said Tuesday.

The tropical cyclone hit the impoverished island nation's Boeny region on Monday after brushing past the island of Mayotte and the Comoros archipelago.

"A child and an elderly person were unable to save themselves" after a dam collapsed, said the head of Madagascar's National Office for Disaster Risk Management (BNGRC), Elack Andriakaja.

The cyclone brought torrential rain and reached a&nbsp;maximum wind speed of 180 kilometers per hour (112 mph), tearing off roofs and causing widespread damage.

The BNGRC said 1,300 people were displaced in the town of Soalala and 172 including 120 children in the port city of Mahajanga.

Both of the deaths reported so far occurred in Soalala, which was flooded after the dam gave way.&nbsp;

"The cyclone will disappear before long but danger from flooding has not yet been averted," Andriakaja said, adding that access by air remained "complicated".&nbsp;

The World Health Organization (WHO) has distributed medicines for 1,500 people and supplies will be sent out via boat on Wednesday.

Cyclone Belna bypassed Mayotte on Sunday after initial forecasts put the French island in its direct path.

Neither Mayotte nor Comoros are reported to have suffered significant damage.

Madagascar, a former French colony off Africa's southeastern coast, is regularly hit by cyclones and other tropical storms.

Cyclone Ava killed 51 people in January last year, and two months later tropical storm Eliakim displaced around 19,000 inhabitants.

Two people were killed in Madagascar after Cyclone Belna landed in the northwest of the country, causing heavy flooding and displacing hundreds, local authorities said Tuesday.

Two people were killed in Madagascar after Cyclone Belna landed in the northwest of the country, causing heavy flooding and displacing hundreds, local authorities said Tuesday. The tropical cyclone hit the impoverished island nation's Boeny region on Monday after brushing past the island of Mayotte and the Comoros archipelago. "A child and an elderly person were unable to save themselves" after a dam collapsed, said the head of Madagascar's National Office for Disaster Risk Management (BNGRC), Elack Andriakaja. The cyclone brought torrential rain and reached a maximum wind speed of 180 kilometers per hour (112 mph), tearing off roofs and causing widespread damage. The BNGRC said 1,300 people were displaced in the town of Soalala and 172 including 120 children in the port city of Mahajanga. Both of the deaths reported so far occurred in Soalala, which was flooded after the dam gave way. "The cyclone will disappear before long but danger from flooding has not yet been averted," Andriakaja said, adding that access by air remained "complicated". The World Health Organization (WHO) has distributed medicines for 1,500 people and supplies will be sent out via boat on Wednesday. Cyclone Belna bypassed Mayotte on Sunday after initial forecasts put the French island in its direct path. Neither Mayotte nor Comoros are reported to have suffered significant damage. Madagascar, a former French colony off Africa's southeastern coast, is regularly hit by cyclones and other tropical storms. Cyclone Ava killed 51 people in January last year, and two months later tropical storm Eliakim displaced around 19,000 inhabitants.

At least two dead after Cyclone Belna hits Madagascar

Johnson & Johnson, the producer of a new vaccine aimed at protecting people against the Ebola virus, announced on Sunday it would be providing 200,000 Ebola vaccines to Rwanda to stop the virus spreading from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Vaccination programme begins to stop Ebola spread

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../samoa-measles-outbreak-death-toll-rises-to-62- 266337">measles epidemic</a> in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 5,000 people this year, many of them young children, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

Low immunisation rates and high levels of malnutrition have fuelled the epidemic and high mortality rates, especially in North Kivu province, which is also reeling from an Ebola epidemic, it said.

"Since the start of 2019, more than 250,000 suspected (measles) cases and over 5,000 deaths mostly among children under 5 years, have been recorded," the WHO said in a statement.

A first measles vaccination campaign was launched to protect people against the infectious disease that has struck all of the country's 26 provinces, it said.

A third phase of the campaign is planned, with the ultimate aim of reaching 18.9 million children across the country by year-end, it added.

"While the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has won the world’s attention and progress is being made in saving lives, we must not forget the other urgent health needs the country faces," said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Vaccination is most challenging in North Kivu, where 2.2 million people are to be vaccinated in this round, because of high insecurity following armed attacks that make some areas inaccessible to aid workers, WHO said.

The world's second biggest Ebola epidemic on record has killed more than 2,200 people since mid-2018, but new infections slowed in recent months, the WHO said last week, while warning that Ebola was likely to resurge.

A measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 5,000 people this year, many of them young children, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

A measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 5,000 people this year, many of them young children, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday. Low immunisation rates and high levels of malnutrition have fuelled the epidemic and high mortality rates, especially in North Kivu province, which is also reeling from an Ebola epidemic, it said. "Since the start of 2019, more than 250,000 suspected (measles) cases and over 5,000 deaths mostly among children under 5 years, have been recorded," the WHO said in a statement. A first measles vaccination campaign was launched to protect people against the infectious disease that has struck all of the country's 26 provinces, it said. A third phase of the campaign is planned, with the ultimate aim of reaching 18.9 million children across the country by year-end, it added. "While the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has won the world’s attention and progress is being made in saving lives, we must not forget the other urgent health needs the country faces," said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. Vaccination is most challenging in North Kivu, where 2.2 million people are to be vaccinated in this round, because of high insecurity following armed attacks that make some areas inaccessible to aid workers, WHO said. The world's second biggest Ebola epidemic on record has killed more than 2,200 people since mid-2018, but new infections slowed in recent months, the WHO said last week, while warning that Ebola was likely to resurge.

Measles toll in Congo exceeds 5,000: WHO

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/choose-hope-or-climate-surrender-says-un-chief-265756">Climate change</a> is harming human health as more people suffer from heat stress, extreme weather and mosquito-borne diseases including malaria, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday.

The UN&nbsp;agency, in a report, issued a day after a climate summit began in Madrid, urged governments to meet ambitious targets to reduce heat-trapping carbon emissions saying it could save a million lives a year through lower air pollution alone.

"Health is paying the price of the climate crisis. Why? Because our lungs, our brains, our cardiovascular system is very much suffering from the causes of climate change which are overlapping very much with the causes of air pollution," Maria Neira, Director of WHO's Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, told a news briefing.

Yet less than 1 per cent&nbsp;of international financing for climate action goes to the health sector, she said, calling it "absolutely outrageous".

Global temperatures could rise sharply this century with "wide-ranging and destructive" consequences after greenhouse gas emissions hit record levels last year, international climate experts warned last week.

Watch: Climate change 'tipping points'

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-climate-change-tipping-points-265326/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"WHO considers that climate change is potentially the greatest health threat of the 21st Century," said WHO expert Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum.

"The reason for that is that unless we cut our carbon emissions, then we will continue to undermine our food supplies, our water supplies and our air quality - everything that we need to maintain the good health of our populations," he said.

The same sources cause <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/urge-for-climate-change-spreads-like-wildfire-across-the-globe-265246">air pollution and climate change</a>, Campbell-Lendrum said, adding: "So about two-thirds of the exposure to outdoor air pollution is from burning of fossil fuels."

"WHO estimates that over 7 million people a year die from indoor and outdoor air pollution. That is where the big win is," he said.

Some 101 countries responded to WHO's survey about the risks from climate change, but not big players including India and the United States.

"Over two-thirds have assessed that they have increased risks from heat stress, from injury and death from extreme weather, from food, water and vector-borne diseases and those range from everything from cholera to malaria," Campbell-Lendrum said.

Climate change is harming human health as more people suffer from heat stress, extreme weather and mosquito-borne diseases including malaria, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday.

Climate change is harming human health as more people suffer from heat stress, extreme weather and mosquito-borne diseases including malaria, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday. The UN agency, in a report, issued a day after a climate summit began in Madrid, urged governments to meet ambitious targets to reduce heat-trapping carbon emissions saying it could save a million lives a year through lower air pollution alone. "Health is paying the price of the climate crisis. Why? Because our lungs, our brains, our cardiovascular system is very much suffering from the causes of climate change which are overlapping very much with the causes of air pollution," Maria Neira, Director of WHO's Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, told a news briefing. Yet less than 1 per cent of international financing for climate action goes to the health sector, she said, calling it "absolutely outrageous". Global temperatures could rise sharply this century with "wide-ranging and destructive" consequences after greenhouse gas emissions hit record levels last year, international climate experts warned last week. Watch: Climate change 'tipping points' "WHO considers that climate change is potentially the greatest health threat of the 21st Century," said WHO expert Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum. "The reason for that is that unless we cut our carbon emissions, then we will continue to undermine our food supplies, our water supplies and our air quality - everything that we need to maintain the good health of our populations," he said. The same sources cause air pollution and climate change, Campbell-Lendrum said, adding: "So about two-thirds of the exposure to outdoor air pollution is from burning of fossil fuels." "WHO estimates that over 7 million people a year die from indoor and outdoor air pollution. That is where the big win is," he said. Some 101 countries responded to WHO's survey about the risks from climate change, but not big players including India and the United States. "Over two-thirds have assessed that they have increased risks from heat stress, from injury and death from extreme weather, from food, water and vector-borne diseases and those range from everything from cholera to malaria," Campbell-Lendrum said.

Climate change has ill-effects on health, but not enough funding: World Health Organisation

A fourth person in northern China has been diagnosed with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-plague-outbreak-risk-minimal-after-two-new-cases-in-beijing-262088">plague this month</a>, officials confirmed, as a flea and rat eradication campaign was carried out by local government.

The Ulanqab government in central Inner Mongolia said on Wednesday that a herder who had been diagnosed with bubonic plague was currently being treated in isolation and was in a stable condition.

Another person was diagnosed with bubonic plague in Inner Mongolia's Xilin Gol league on November 16, more than 400 kilometres (250 miles) away.

And in mid-November two patients from Inner Mongolia were moved to Beijing for treatment of the highly-contagious pneumonic strain of the plague.

The pneumonic strain can prove fatal in 24 to 72 hours and is the "most virulent form" of the disease according to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-health-organization-says-e-cigarettes-undoubtedly-harmful-238779">World Health Organisation</a> (WHO), while the bubonic form is less dangerous.

The Ulanqab government said earlier that it had sprayed almost 200 acres of land last week as part of "rat- and flea-extermination work."

Ulanqab officials didn't disclose the specifics of how the latest patient caught the plague, but said the patient had been "active" in a plague-affected location prior to falling ill.

The plague germ Yersinia pestis can be transmitted to humans from infected rats via fleas.

Though the highly-contagious plague is rare in China, several cases have proven deadly in the past few years.

According to China's National Health Commission, a total of five people have died from the plague between 2014 and September of this year. &nbsp;

In 2014, a man died of the plague in northwestern Gansu province and sparked the quarantine of 151 people.

The 30,000 people living in Yumen, the town where the man died, were also prevented from leaving, with police at roadblocks placed on the town perimeter.

In neighbouring Mongolia, a couple died of the bubonic plague in May after they ate raw marmot meat, another carrier of the plague germ.

A fourth person in northern China has been diagnosed with the plague this month, officials confirmed, as a flea and rat eradication campaign was carried out by local government.

A fourth person in northern China has been diagnosed with the plague this month, officials confirmed, as a flea and rat eradication campaign was carried out by local government. The Ulanqab government in central Inner Mongolia said on Wednesday that a herder who had been diagnosed with bubonic plague was currently being treated in isolation and was in a stable condition. Another person was diagnosed with bubonic plague in Inner Mongolia's Xilin Gol league on November 16, more than 400 kilometres (250 miles) away. And in mid-November two patients from Inner Mongolia were moved to Beijing for treatment of the highly-contagious pneumonic strain of the plague. The pneumonic strain can prove fatal in 24 to 72 hours and is the "most virulent form" of the disease according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), while the bubonic form is less dangerous. The Ulanqab government said earlier that it had sprayed almost 200 acres of land last week as part of "rat- and flea-extermination work." Ulanqab officials didn't disclose the specifics of how the latest patient caught the plague, but said the patient had been "active" in a plague-affected location prior to falling ill. The plague germ Yersinia pestis can be transmitted to humans from infected rats via fleas. Though the highly-contagious plague is rare in China, several cases have proven deadly in the past few years. According to China's National Health Commission, a total of five people have died from the plague between 2014 and September of this year. In 2014, a man died of the plague in northwestern Gansu province and sparked the quarantine of 151 people. The 30,000 people living in Yumen, the town where the man died, were also prevented from leaving, with police at roadblocks placed on the town perimeter. In neighbouring Mongolia, a couple died of the bubonic plague in May after they ate raw marmot meat, another carrier of the plague germ.

China confirms fourth plague case

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/children-ready-to-lead-fight-against-pollution-as-climate-crisis-claims-over-9-lakh-lives-since-2016-262150">World Health Organization (WHO) </a>and the UN&nbsp;Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday evacuated dozens of their staff working on the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-expresses-solidarity-with-ebola-hit-dr-congo-247054"> Ebola </a>epidemic from the town of Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to the worsening security situation.

Rebels believed to belong to the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-says-peacekeeper-killed-in-attack-on-dr-congo-base-21157"> Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)</a> killed eight people in an overnight raid on Sunday.

Residents angry at the perceived inaction of both the government and a UN&nbsp;peacekeeping mission then set fire to the mayor's office and several UN&nbsp;buildings on Monday. At least two people were killed in clashes with police.

WHO&nbsp;spokesman Christian Lindmeier told a news briefing in Geneva that 49 non-essential staff were flown on Tuesday morning to the eastern city of Goma, where they will continue working,

"Seventy-one remains on the spot at this point to ensure as good as possible or at least the minimum support to the Ebola response," Lindmeier said.

"The frustration, the anger of the population on the ground is very much understandable. But we need law and order restored in order to carry out vital operations," he said.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-in-three-young-children-undernourished-or-overweight-unicef-255958">UN&nbsp;Children's Fund (UNICEF)</a> has temporarily relocated 27 staff, leaving 12 in Beni, spokeswoman Marixie Mercado said.

Dr Michael Ryan, executive director of the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;Health Emergencies Programme, said on Friday that about 360 people were at potential risk of Ebola after contact with an infected person in eastern Congo, yet many of them were out of reach due to clashes and insecurity.

"The violence has to stop, we have enough areas where we cannot go due to violence, military violence or rebel violence going on. So this is very bad for the Ebola response," Lindmeier told the briefing.

There have been 3,303 cases of Ebola, including 2,199 deaths, in the outbreak that was declared in August 2018. The&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;declared it an international emergency in July 2019.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday evacuated dozens of their staff working on the Ebola epidemic from the town of Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to the worsening security situation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday evacuated dozens of their staff working on the Ebola epidemic from the town of Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to the worsening security situation. Rebels believed to belong to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) killed eight people in an overnight raid on Sunday. Residents angry at the perceived inaction of both the government and a UN peacekeeping mission then set fire to the mayor's office and several UN buildings on Monday. At least two people were killed in clashes with police. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told a news briefing in Geneva that 49 non-essential staff were flown on Tuesday morning to the eastern city of Goma, where they will continue working, "Seventy-one remains on the spot at this point to ensure as good as possible or at least the minimum support to the Ebola response," Lindmeier said. "The frustration, the anger of the population on the ground is very much understandable. But we need law and order restored in order to carry out vital operations," he said. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has temporarily relocated 27 staff, leaving 12 in Beni, spokeswoman Marixie Mercado said. Dr Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said on Friday that about 360 people were at potential risk of Ebola after contact with an infected person in eastern Congo, yet many of them were out of reach due to clashes and insecurity. "The violence has to stop, we have enough areas where we cannot go due to violence, military violence or rebel violence going on. So this is very bad for the Ebola response," Lindmeier told the briefing. There have been 3,303 cases of Ebola, including 2,199 deaths, in the outbreak that was declared in August 2018. The WHO declared it an international emergency in July 2019.

WHO, UNICEF evacuate 76 staff from Ebola teams in Congo due to insecurity

Road accidents in India claimed over 1.5 lakh lives in the country in 2018.

The ministry of road transport and highways has released its 'road accidents in India 2018-19 report.

Overspeeding has been identified as the foremost reason behind the maximum number of road-related deaths reported in India between January 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019.

The report shows that road accidents in 2018 increased by 0.46% as compared to 2017.

A total of 4,67,044 road accidents have been reported by states and union territories in 2018, claiming over 1.5 lakh lives and causing injuries to approximately 4,70,000 people.

Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh remain accounted for the highest number of road accidents and deaths on account of road accidents in 2018.

According to the road accidents in India 2018 report, New Delhi has been ranked first in the total number of road fatalities when compared to other Indian cities.

India ranks 1st in the number of road accident deaths across the 199 countries reported in the world road statistics, 2018 followed by China and the US.

As per the WHO global report on road safety 2018, India accounts for almost 11% of the accident-related deaths in the world.

Road accidents in India claimed over 1.5 lakh lives in the country in 2018. The ministry of road transport and highways has released its 'road accidents in India 2018-19 report.

Road accidents in India claimed over 1.5 lakh lives in the country in 2018. The ministry of road transport and highways has released its 'road accidents in India 2018-19 report. Overspeeding has been identified as the foremost reason behind the maximum number of road-related deaths reported in India between January 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019. The report shows that road accidents in 2018 increased by 0.46% as compared to 2017. A total of 4,67,044 road accidents have been reported by states and union territories in 2018, claiming over 1.5 lakh lives and causing injuries to approximately 4,70,000 people. Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh remain accounted for the highest number of road accidents and deaths on account of road accidents in 2018. According to the road accidents in India 2018 report, New Delhi has been ranked first in the total number of road fatalities when compared to other Indian cities. India ranks 1st in the number of road accident deaths across the 199 countries reported in the world road statistics, 2018 followed by China and the US. As per the WHO global report on road safety 2018, India accounts for almost 11% of the accident-related deaths in the world.

India ranks first in the number of road accident deaths: WHO

The work done under Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s flagship healthcare scheme Ayushman Bharat in the past one year has received commendation from the United Nations (UN), World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World bank alike, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday.

Speaking to ANI on the completion of the first year of Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), he said, "This biggest health insurance scheme has brought smiles on the faces of lakhs of people in the country. People are thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for this blessing. I am glad to inform that Ayushman Bharat scheme has been appreciated by the United Nations, World Health Organisation and World Bank."

Vardhan noted that more than 47 lakh people have received benefits worth Rs 7,500 crores in the past 12 months, and approximately 60 per cent of this amount has been spent on tertiary-care.

"Over 10 crore e-cards have been generated and about 18,000 hospitals have been empanelled under AB-PMJAY. Out of the total hospitals empanelled, 53 per cent are private, especially multi-speciality. There are 9 hospital admissions every minute across India," said the Health minister.

As of today, the scheme has been implemented in 32 States and Union Territories.

A unique feature of AB-PMJAY is its portability, which has helped atleast 42,631 eligible poor and migrant workers to seek treatment outside their states, said the health minister.

AB-PMJAY is the flagship scheme of Government of India that provides a cover of up to Rs 5 lakhs per family per year, for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 10.74 crore vulnerable entitled families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries).

Last year on 23 September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched PM-JAY from Ranchi, Jharkhand.&nbsp;

The work done under Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s flagship healthcare scheme Ayushman Bharat in the past one year has received commendation from the United Nations (UN), World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World bank alike, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday.

The work done under Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s flagship healthcare scheme Ayushman Bharat in the past one year has received commendation from the United Nations (UN), World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World bank alike, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday. Speaking to ANI on the completion of the first year of Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), he said, "This biggest health insurance scheme has brought smiles on the faces of lakhs of people in the country. People are thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for this blessing. I am glad to inform that Ayushman Bharat scheme has been appreciated by the United Nations, World Health Organisation and World Bank." Vardhan noted that more than 47 lakh people have received benefits worth Rs 7,500 crores in the past 12 months, and approximately 60 per cent of this amount has been spent on tertiary-care. "Over 10 crore e-cards have been generated and about 18,000 hospitals have been empanelled under AB-PMJAY. Out of the total hospitals empanelled, 53 per cent are private, especially multi-speciality. There are 9 hospital admissions every minute across India," said the Health minister. As of today, the scheme has been implemented in 32 States and Union Territories. A unique feature of AB-PMJAY is its portability, which has helped atleast 42,631 eligible poor and migrant workers to seek treatment outside their states, said the health minister. AB-PMJAY is the flagship scheme of Government of India that provides a cover of up to Rs 5 lakhs per family per year, for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 10.74 crore vulnerable entitled families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries). Last year on 23 September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched PM-JAY from Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Work done under Ayushman Bharat scheme commended by UN, WHO, World Bank: Harsh Vardhan

The Democratic Republic of the Congo will introduce a second vaccine next month to combat the Ebola virus, which has killed more than 2,100 people in the country, the World Health Organization said on Monday.

The announcement came as the aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) accused the WHO of rationing the first Ebola vaccine in the DRC.

"The health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have announced plans to introduce a second experimental Ebola vaccine, manufactured by Johnson &amp; Johnson, from mid-October," the global health body said in a statement.

"This vaccine, which is given as a 2-dose course, 56 days apart, will be provided under approved protocols to targeted at-risk populations in areas that do not have active Ebola transmission as an additional tool to extend protection against the virus", they added.

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's Regional Director for Africa, said the second vaccine "will help ensure that we have potentially an additional tool to prevent the expansion of the outbreak and also a potential tool to protect populations before outbreaks hit areas at risk."

The ongoing Ebola outbreak is the second-worst one in history after more than 11,000 people were killed in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia between 2014 and 2016.

The WHO said last week that as of September 17, DRC had registered a total of 3,145 cases of Ebola since the outbreak began over a year ago, including 2,103 deaths.

It has declared the Ebola epidemic a "public health emergency of international concern".

Around 225,000 people have received the Ebola vaccine manufactured by the German pharma giant Merck since August 8, 2018.

'Insufficient' 
 
But the MSF said earlier Monday that "this number remains largely insufficient".

"One of the main problems currently is the fact that in practice the vaccine is rationed by the WHO and that too few people at risk are protected today," MSF said in a statement.

The WHO denied limiting the availability of the drug, saying it was doing "everything possible" to end the epidemic.

The UN's health agency has been pushing for the introduction of the second vaccine, but the DRC health ministry under former minister Oly Ilunga had resisted such a move, citing the risks of introducing a new product in communities where mistrust of Ebola responders is already high.

Ilunga stepped down on July 22 after being replaced as the head of the country's Ebola response effort.

He has since been charged with embezzling funds allotted for the Ebola fight, according to his lawyers who reject the allegations saying accounts prove that public funds were used "exclusively" for the anti-Ebola effort.

WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised the latest decision by DRC authorities, who he said, "Have once again shown leadership and their determination to end this outbreak as soon as possible".

The Democratic Republic of the Congo will introduce a second vaccine next month to combat the Ebola virus, which has killed more than 2,100 people in the country, the World Health Organization said on Monday.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo will introduce a second vaccine next month to combat the Ebola virus, which has killed more than 2,100 people in the country, the World Health Organization said on Monday. The announcement came as the aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) accused the WHO of rationing the first Ebola vaccine in the DRC. "The health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have announced plans to introduce a second experimental Ebola vaccine, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, from mid-October," the global health body said in a statement. "This vaccine, which is given as a 2-dose course, 56 days apart, will be provided under approved protocols to targeted at-risk populations in areas that do not have active Ebola transmission as an additional tool to extend protection against the virus", they added. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's Regional Director for Africa, said the second vaccine "will help ensure that we have potentially an additional tool to prevent the expansion of the outbreak and also a potential tool to protect populations before outbreaks hit areas at risk." The ongoing Ebola outbreak is the second-worst one in history after more than 11,000 people were killed in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia between 2014 and 2016. The WHO said last week that as of September 17, DRC had registered a total of 3,145 cases of Ebola since the outbreak began over a year ago, including 2,103 deaths. It has declared the Ebola epidemic a "public health emergency of international concern". Around 225,000 people have received the Ebola vaccine manufactured by the German pharma giant Merck since August 8, 2018. 'Insufficient' But the MSF said earlier Monday that "this number remains largely insufficient". "One of the main problems currently is the fact that in practice the vaccine is rationed by the WHO and that too few people at risk are protected today," MSF said in a statement. The WHO denied limiting the availability of the drug, saying it was doing "everything possible" to end the epidemic. The UN's health agency has been pushing for the introduction of the second vaccine, but the DRC health ministry under former minister Oly Ilunga had resisted such a move, citing the risks of introducing a new product in communities where mistrust of Ebola responders is already high. Ilunga stepped down on July 22 after being replaced as the head of the country's Ebola response effort. He has since been charged with embezzling funds allotted for the Ebola fight, according to his lawyers who reject the allegations saying accounts prove that public funds were used "exclusively" for the anti-Ebola effort. WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised the latest decision by DRC authorities, who he said, "Have once again shown leadership and their determination to end this outbreak as soon as possible".

Democratic Republic of Congo to receive second Ebola vaccine in mid-october: World Health Organisation

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