Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, still affects millions of people living near rivers and wetlands in Africa. Fortunately, this disease can be prevented through a simple, free treatment that is distributed annually within communities. To better understand it's transmission, who is most exposed, and what progress has been made, we spoke with Dr Didier Bakajika, expert at WHO Africa.

What is river blindness and how is it transmitted?

The Government of Angola launched a subnational polio vaccination campaign in the municipality of Namacunde, Cunene Province, running from 24 to 27 February 2026, across 13 municipalities of 4 provinces bordering the Republic of Namibia. The initiative is carried out in synchronization with Namibia, aiming to interrupt poliovirus circulation and protect all children at risk.

Juba- When severe flooding submerged large parts of Fangak County in Jonglei State, entire communities were cut off from basic services. Roads disappeared under water. Health facilities were damaged or became inaccessible. Families were stranded without transport. For many, even a minor illness could turn life-threatening.

For 33-year-old Mary from Pajiok village in Patia Payam, Fangak County, 23 September will forever remain etched in her memory, a day marked by panic andpain. Her three-month-old baby boy had accidentally fallen into a basin of hot water at home.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) - Republic of South Sudan and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a landmark land agreement paving the way for the construction of a permanent WHO country office in Juba, signaling a strengthened and long-term partnership to advance healthcare delivery across South Sudan.

Bissau–Within the framework of Guinea-Bissau’s all-hazards emergency preparedness, readiness, response and resilience efforts, the acting WHO Representative in Guinea-Bissau donated a consignment of medical kits intended to treat victims of a blast that triggered a devastating fire emergency with multiple casualties. The fire occurred in the city of Bafatá on 13 February 2026, resulting in 160 injuries and four deaths.

When a child’s bloodstream infection no longer responds to prescribed antibiotics, or a mother’s minor wound turns life-threatening despite treatment, it is not because the medicines are no longer working but the germs causing the infection have changed and the antibiotics are no longer effective. This silent crisis, known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), is one of the world’s top ten global health threats. 

Pretoria, South Africa — 20 February 2026, The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in South Africa, together with the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, convened an expert policy stakeholders’ roundtable, to examine how major global trends are reshaping health systems and what this means for global and South Africa’s future.

Nairobi—According to the World Health Organization, Africa produces less than 1% of the vaccines it consumes, yet it carries a disproportionate share of the world's infectious disease burden. Efforts to shift this reality are now under way in Kenya.