Kampala, 19 January 2016 -- The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa Dr. Matshidisho Moeti paid a courtesy call on the Rt Honorable Prime Minister of Uganda, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda at his office in Kampala. 
 
Dr. Moeti had come to Uganda to attend and preside over the Joint Action Forum (JAF) for the African Program on Onchocerciasis Control in Africa (APOC).
 

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation confirms a positive swab Ebola case after the death of a 22 year old female student at Magburaka town in Tonkolili district on 12 January 2016. 

A swab team collected a swab sample and after three positive results confirmed at an accredited laboratory in Makeni, a second accreditated laboratory in Kambia reconfirmed the results.

Despite the progress made in controlling the deadly Ebola Virus Disease epidemic in the West African Sub-

Abuja, 15 January, 2016 -- Lassa fever, which is endemic in Nigeria, has between late December 2015 and January 14, 2016 resulted in 53 deaths in 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

Lassa fever outbreak is a yearly occurrence during the dry season in Nigeria but, this year’s outbreak is more widespread with 10 states, 140 suspected and 30 confirmed cases. The case fatality rate (CFR) is significantly high at 53 or 37.9% of all cases.

14 January 2016 -- Today, WHO declares the end of the most recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Liberia and says all known chains of transmission have been stopped in West Africa. But the Organization says the job is not over, more flare-ups are expected and that strong surveillance and response systems will be critical in the months to come

More on the end of the Ebola in Liberia

14 January 2016 -- Today, WHO declares the end of the most recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Liberia and says all known chains of transmission have been stopped in West Africa. But the Organization says the job is not over, more flare-ups are expected and that strong surveillance and response systems will be critical in the months to come.

11 January 2016 - Massive influx of Burundians into south western Rwanda started around March 31st 2015 as a result of the on-going political crisis in that country. These refugees are accommodated in Mahama Camp in Kirehe District of Rwanda.

A salmonella Typhi outbreak was confirmed in the camp which has a refugee population of 44,965 in November 2015. UNHCR, Ministry of Health and other partners including WHO, UNICEF, ARC and SCF responded swiftly to curtail the spread of the disease among the population and surrounding communities.

In 2012, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular and lung diseases caused more than half of all deaths among those who died before their 70th birthdays. The vast majority of those deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries.

The project brings hope to millions of people at risk from these diseases. It will ultimately contribute to poverty alleviation, increased productivity and improved quality of life for the affected people in the Region," said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Over the past two decades, countries in the Region have through the APOC programme made progress in tackling onchocerciasis. Through large-scale administration of ivermectin using community distributors, the APOC significantly contributed to the reduction of onchocerciasis in the Region.

Year 2015 marks an important milestone for the United Nations. It is the year when the UN turned 70. It is inspir-ing to watch, read and be part of the organization’s achievements. Eritrea opened its doors to the UN in 1992 and over the years, the organization has built good work-ing relations with the Government of the State of Eritrea (GoSE) and supported its development priorities.

Download United Nations Eritrea newsletter-December 2015 (3.66 MB)