WHO chief warns against misinformation on global pandemic agreement

At a briefing for correspondents in Geneva at his regular weekly press conference, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that “assertion that the agreement will yield power WHO just false. this is fake news“.

countries will decide

He made it clear that countries will decide the wording and scope of any global agreement on how to deal with the next pandemic, “and only countries“.

“No country will cede its sovereignty to the WHO” said the CEO.

Several cases have been reported in the news in recent weeks where online news sources and commentators have falsely claimed that the Biden administration in the United States was negotiating a deal to allow the WHO to “control” emergency laws in the event of another pandemic, such as COVID-19.

International negotiations are underway

Earlier this month, WHO Member States launched negotiations on a draft global agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and responseworking from an agreed “zero blueprint” designed to protect countries and communities from future pandemic emergencies.

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), which is developing and discussing the expected WHO agreement, is due to meet again early next month to prepare a first draft.

INB Co-Chair Ms. Precious Matsoso of South Africa stated at the March meeting that the meeting was “ an important step in ensuring that we do not repeat the mistakes of our response to COVID-19including sharing life-saving vaccines, providing information and building local capacity.”

Tedros said on Thursday that if any politician, business leader, or anyone at all does not understand what a pandemic agreement is and what is not, we would be more than happy to discuss it and explain it“.

WHO mobile laboratory plays key role in Marburg virus response in Tanzania

Speaking of the rapid response to Tanzania’s first outbreak of the Marburg virus disease, Tedros said that national rescuers, trained jointly by WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control, have been sent to the affected region to conduct further investigations and provide assistance.

So far, eight cases have been confirmed, including five deaths, he told reporters, with more than 160 contacts identified.

“Tanzania was able to confirm the outbreak because the first samples were tested in a mobile laboratory created as a result of work supported by WHO last year prepare for viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, including ebola and Marburg,” added the head of WHO.

WHO has offered further support to the Tanzanian government.

Outbreak in Equatorial Guinea

A month ago, Equatorial Guinea also reported an outbreak of Marburg virus disease, and eight additional laboratory-confirmed cases have since been reported, bringing the total to nine confirmed and 20 probable cases.

“WHO has deployed experts to Equatorial Guinea to support the government’s response and strengthen community engagement,” Tedros continued.

Marburg belongs to same family of viruses as Ebolaand causes similar symptoms, is similarly transmitted from person to person with a high fatality rate.

“Although there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics for Marburg WHO is leading efforts to evaluate candidate vaccines and therapeutics.in the context of the outbreak,” Tedros concluded.