Thread by @kakape

WHO presser starts with @drtedros giving an update on Ebola outbreak in Uganda:
"So far 63 confirmed and probably cases have been reported including 29 deaths.
10 health workers have been infected and four have died", he says.

@DrTedros "When there is a delay in detecting an Ebola outbreak, it's normal for cases to increase steadily at the beginning and then decrease as life saving interventions and outbreak control measures are implemented", says @DrTedros.

@DrTedros "Several vaccines are in various stages of development against this virus, two of which could begin clinical trials in Uganda in the coming weeks pending regulatory and ethics approvals from the Ugandan Government" says @drtedros.

@DrTedros On Pakistan:
"Although the waters have stopped rising, the danger is only increasing.
More than 1500 lives were lost in the floods, but many more could be lost to diseases in the coming weeks without a massive and urgent international response."

@DrTedros "Approximately 10% of all Pakistan's health facilities have been damaged, leaving millions without access to health care.
Stocks of essential medicines and medical supplies are limited or have been washed away..."

@DrTedros "There are now outbreaks of malaria, cholera and dengue, an increase in skin infections, and we estimate that more than 2000 women are giving birth everyday. Most of them are in unsafe conditions", says @drtedros.

@DrTedros "Several countries in Europe are now reporting an increase in #covid19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. This is to be expected as the weather cools and people spend more time together inside and most countries no longer have measures in place to limit the spread of the virus."

@DrTedros "We expect reported cases of #covid19 to increase, but deaths don't have to given that we have vaccines and therapeutics that can save lives", says @drtedros.

@DrTedros "Omicron remains the dominant variant globally and WHO and our partners are tracking more than 300 sub variants", says @drtedros.
"But surveillance, testing and sequencing remain weak globally, which makes tracking this virus like chasing shadows."

@DrTedros .@drtedros also sounds the alarm on #cholera:
"After years of declining cases globally, we have seen a worrying upsurge of cholera outbreaks around the globe over the past year.
In the first nine months of this year alone, 27 countries have reported cholera outbreaks."

@DrTedros "Not only are we seeing more outbreaks, but more deadly outbreaks. The data we have, which are limited, show the average case fatality rate so far this year is almost three times the rate of the past five years", says @drtedros.

@DrTedros More than 10,000 suspected cholera cases in Syria in past six weeks, says @drtedros.
"In Haiti, after more than 3 years with no cases of cholera, 2 cases have been officially reported this week in the capital Port au Prince." Cases and deaths under investigation in other areas."

@DrTedros On #cholera in Haiti:
"It’s likely the actual number of cases is significantly higher. This outbreak is a particular setback as Haiti was preparing to be certified as cholera-free later this year", says @drtedros.
(This really is heartbreaking!)

@DrTedros There is a cholera vaccine stockpile, of course, established in 2013. "But with an increasing number of outbreaks, supply cannot keep up with demand", says @drtedros.
"We urge the world’s leading vaccine manufacturers to talk to us about how we can increase production"

@DrTedros "Cholera thrives on poverty and conflict, but is now being turbo-charged by climate change", says @drtedros.
"Extreme climate events like floods, cyclones and droughts further reduce access to clean water and create the ideal environment for cholera to spread."

@DrTedros In more terrible news, "four contaminated medicines identified in Gambia that have been potentially linked with acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children".
"The four medicines are cough and cold syrups produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited, in India", says @drtedros

@DrTedros "While the contaminated products have so far only been detected in the Gambia, they may have been distributed to other countries", says @drtedros.
"WHO recommends all countries detect and remove these products from circulation to prevent further harm to patients"

@DrTedros "Ebola in Uganda, multiple outbreaks in Pakistan, cholera around the world, the ongoing #COVID19 pandemic, the global monkeypox outbreak, the annual threat of influenza and contaminated medicines all illustrate why...

@DrTedros ...it's so urgent that all countries individually and as a global community invest in strengthening their defenses against outbreaks that can devastate families and communities and cripple society societies and economies", says @drtedros.