#World Health Organization on Covid-19

[ricisidro]

The World Health Organization (WHO) comments on the announcement of US President Donald Trump to withdraw from the world health institution — the 2nd time Trump has ordered the US pull out.

On 29 May 2020, Trump accused the WHO of helping the Chinese government cover up the early days of COVID-19 #pandemic in China.

[thebookishwallflower]

I want to make a post to inform people about the current situation with the bird flu (/avian flu/H5N1) outbreaks.

I don't want to cause panic but do want to spread information.

This is especially important if you live in an area that has a news system you don't trust to give accurate, timely, or honest news about something like a possible new pandemic, use your own judgement.

If that applies it is going to be very important to make sure you stay informed and follow these H5N1 outbreaks yourself and know how to best protect yourself.

I am no expert, but I do know a good bit about disease and influenza in particular, and have been following the H5N1 outbreaks as they've been happening, so under the cut I'm going to do my best to inform everyone I can.

Please stay safe, stay informed, and spread information, not germs.

What's bird flu and why do I care? (What's bird flu and why do I care?)

Avian flu and bird flu mean the same thing, an influenza virus that (primarily) infects birds. H5N1 denotes a specific strain of avian influenza. H5N1 can spillover (when a pathogen spreads from it's normal host organism to a new host organism) from animals to humans.

How could I get H5N1? (How could I get H5N1?)

Human to human transmission has not been observed yet (12/1/24) during this current outbreak. You can get this from contact with wild birds, especially water fowl, domestic birds, cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, and bats. It is also possible to get from raw (unpasteurized) milk and undercooked meat from infected animals.

What's the big deal then? (What's the big deal then?)

The common flu is not very pathogenic. How pathogenic something is determines how sick something makes the host, something that is highly pathogenic can cause severe disease. H5N1 is considered a HPAI, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

H5N1 is also a Type A influenza virus, most known Type A influenza viruses can infect birds. There is one Type A human flu in circulation at the moment, however it isn't very prevalent.

"IAV poses a significant risk of zoonotic infection, host switch, and the generation of pandemic viruses. IAVs can infect humans and a variety of animals, such as pigs, horses, marine mammals, cats, dogs, and birds (S1)."

IAV - Influenza A Viruses | Zoonotic infection - when an infectious disease of a non-human host infects a human host | Host switch - when a cross-species transmission of a pathogen can lead to successful, stable, and continuous infections

Every species the flu infects, the more strains that pop up under a sub-type IAV, the possibility for recombination increases. "Recombination occurs when at least two viral genomes [or strains] co-infect the same host cell and exchange genetic segments (S2)."

The flu is pretty good at recombination, when given the chance. It is also really good at mutating, and fast. If there were to be a recombination event and a new strain evolved (this would be called an antigenic shift) that was highly pathogenic, highly infectious (good at spreading, which H5N1 is), that could then infect humans and cause human-to-human transmission we might have a pandemic on our hands. This has not shown signs of happening during this outbreak*, this is what to look out for.

This (a recombination event) is what caused the 1918 pandemic during WW1. This pandemic killed an estimated 50 to 100 million people in 1918, in a world with a population of around 2 billion. 7.1 million died of COVID 19, as of 11/9/24 (S3), from a population of around 8 billion.

We know more, we are prepared, it's not guaranteed to happen, and it's not guaranteed to be as bad. But the possibilities are endless and it's extremely important to be prepared and stay informed.

So what do I do? (So what do I do?)

Again, stay informed, and that might mean checking independent news sources, the CDC website, and more, to keep yourself updated, especially if you know your local news won't do it for you. You should also familiarize yourself with the symptoms of influenza, if you have it, stay home.

Keep yourself safe, we had a pandemic already, you know the drill. Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing/coughing, wash your hands, sanitize your hands, and get your flu shot. And, in addition, avoid contact with wild birds, poultry, pigs, and cattle if you can.

In the event that this gets worse, social distancing is very important, being outdoors, wearing a mask, and all the stuff above, you can shed the virus for around a week before you start feeling bad. Keep yourself safe and don't infect anyone else.

If that doesn't sound like it'll do much, I promise you it does. Those are all classified NPI's (non-pharmaceutical interventions) and even epidemiologists were shocked at their impact and importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. They did work, and they were incredibly effective—as long as they were carried out.

I don't want to cause panic or worry anyone, but that is how information ends of suppressed. I want to make everyone aware of what we might face so that we can fight it and be strong and stay safe.

If anyone has any questions, wants any clarification, any corrections, or wants to know some good places to learn more about this stuff please don't hesitate to contact me (@'s, dm's, or asks), I will answer as best I can.

Here's the CDC's page covering the H5 bird flu current situation.

S1 - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5578040/

S2 - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7106159/

S3 - https://data.who.int/dashboards/covid19/deaths?n=c

*with the exception of this coverage (as a possibility): https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/19/bird-flu-cases-mutation-canada

[tomorrowusa]

Another mysterious infectious fatal disease has emerged outside the US.

At least 79 people have died from an unknown disease that is causing flu-like symptoms in south-western Democratic Republic of Congo, the health ministry says. The health ministry says the majority of people who have died are between the ages of 15 and 18. More than 300 people have been infected with patients exhibiting symptoms like fever, headaches, runny noses and coughs, breathing difficulties and anaemia.

If you do the math, this infection has a death rate of over 25%. It also targets young people like the deadly "Spanish Flu" pandemic of 1918-1919. Being "flu-like" means it may be difficult to distinguish from typical seasonal influenza. That also implies that it could easily be transmitted like the flu.

Response teams have been sent to Kwango Province, specifically the Panzi health zone, where the disease is most common, to manage cases and investigate the nature of the disease. Cephorien Manzanza, a civil society leader, told Reuters news agency the situation was worrying as the number of infected people continues to rise. "Panzi is a rural health zone, so there is a problem with the supply of medicines," he said. A World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa region official told the BBC they have "dispatched a team to the remote area to collect samples for lab investigations". Authorities have urged the population to remain calm and vigilant.

Kwango Province is adjacent to the region where the capital Kinshasa (pop. 17 million) is located.

If the Kwango infection spreads to the US after Trump's inauguration, we would be in even worse shape than when COVID-19 came to the US. Instead of Dr. Anthony Fauci, we'd have anti-vaxxing quacks like RFK Jr. and other clowns running American public health.

Trump himself would try to underplay a new pandemic the way he did in 2020. In case you've forgotten, this was his reaction to the first case of COVID in the US...

Trump waited until March 13th to declare a state of emergency. COVID had already spread to most of the US during the 50 days he hoped the infection would just go away on its own.

Urge your US senator to reject any Trump public health nominee who does not accept standard scientific and medical thinking related to infectious diseases.

In the meantime, it's a good idea to catch up on related vaccinations such as seasonal flu, COVID boosters, and RSV before the December holidays.

[we-are-not-a-number]

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday night withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization.

The loss could hinder the WHO’s ability to swiftly and effectively respond to infectious disease outbreaks and other emergencies around the world.

In exchange, the U.S. is expected to lose access to the global network that sets the flu vaccine’s composition every year.

It will also weaken the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s ability to surveil and contain health threats abroad, according to global health experts.

And American drugmakers could lose the WHO’s help in selling their products worldwide since the WHO system endorsing drugs, vaccines and medical devices for global use that many developing countries rely on could be impaired by the loss of U.S. funding.

[sophieinwonderland]

You seriously need to stop spreading misinformation and making these outrageous claims. They are rooted in pseudoscience, and what you’re saying is harmful to everyone, including yourself. Being a system requires high levels of dissociation, which is the result of trauma, and not even everyone with trauma develops that disorder. Most people claiming to be endo are either putting that label because they don’t consider their trauma severe enough to have a dissociative disorder (which is sad and rooted in misinformation), confusing their symptoms with another mental health disorder, or blatantly faking it. Promoting endogenic as normal strays people away from true recovery. I hope you eventually realize what you are doing is wrong. You most likely are genuinely ill, but this is wrong. If you are gonna have these medically incorrect views, you must keep it to yourself.

Pseudoscience, you say?

Do you... actually comprehend the gravity of the accusations you're making here?

Again, these are the quotes from Transgender Mental Health, a book by a reputable doctor that passed both peer and editorial review to be published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Your position here, then, is that the American Psychiatric Association is publishing pseudoscience!

This is a MASSIVE accusation to put out there with no evidence to back up your claims.

Additionally, the World Health Organization's ICD-11 has also basically said the same in regards to non-disordered plurality. Only, rather than use the term plural, it says that you can experience the presence of multiple "distinct personality states" without a disorder.

"Distinct personality states" being the ICD-11 and DSM-5's term for dissociative identities.

Is this pseudoscience as well in your opinion?

Because last time a group were accusing the World Health Organization of pseudoscience, they were trying convince people to not take their COVID shots!

[jangillman]

I’m still in shock.

Trump’s top advisor, and most influential man on the planet, just told the world the US government funded the creation of C19 and are responsible for the deaths of millions worldwide.

Shouldn’t the world be stopping?

Is this not the biggest news in history?

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

[trump-executive-orders]

Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization

Issued January 20, 2025.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose. The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 due to the organization's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states. In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries' assessed payments. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO.

Sec. 2. Actions. (a) The United States intends to withdraw from the WHO. The Presidential Letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations signed on January 20, 2021, that retracted the United States' July 6, 2020, notification of withdrawal is revoked.

(b) Executive Order 13987 of January 25, 2021 (Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government to Provide a Unified and Effective Response to Combat COVID-19 and to Provide United States Leadership on Global Health and Security), is revoked.

(c) The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs shall establish directorates and coordinating mechanisms within the National Security Council apparatus as he deems necessary and appropriate to safeguard public health and fortify biosecurity.

(d) The Secretary of State and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall take appropriate measures, with all practicable speed, to:

(i) pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO;

(ii) recall and reassign United States Government personnel or contractors working in any capacity with the WHO; and

(iii) identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO.

(e) The Director of the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy shall review, rescind, and replace the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy as soon as practicable.

Sec. 3. Notification. The Secretary of State shall immediately inform the Secretary-General of the United Nations, any other applicable depositary, and the leadership of the WHO of the withdrawal.

Sec. 4. Global System Negotiations. While withdrawal is in progress, the Secretary of State will cease negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the amendments to the International Health Regulations, and actions taken to effectuate such agreement and amendments will have no binding force on the United States.

Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

[relaxedstyles]

Bought & Paid.

[i-amusemyself]

so they've now found the New Improved monkeypox that WHO has declared a public health emergency outside of Africa- in Sweden and the US so far

heres me thinking we're facing down the next pandemic as This Current Covid Mess vs bird flu but now here comes fucking monkey pox with the steel chair

[slowpokedragon]

hey this is really bad. if you stopped masking now is the time to start again. now is also the time to buy a water distiller, and i do mean a DISTILLER not a filter. make sure to clean your door handles, kitchen and food preparation areas, counter tops, bathroom surfaces, toilets and taps, touchscreen personal devices, personal computer keyboards, and work surfaces with cleaning wipes. (sprays are actually pretty fucking bad to use for a respiratory illness!) start cleaning your hands more, carry hand sanitizer. wash your foods and wipe down packaging, as you never know who sneezed or coughed on something, or who doesn't wash their hands. better ventilation is extremely important now. and of course, if you aren't up to date with your vaccines, now's the time to do that. i included a ventilation infographic from the WHO.

(all images have image ID except the infographic, because i spent nearly 20 minutes trying to do the last one, only for tumblr to crash and delete all i had typed for it. my brain is mush right now, and i dont have the mental energy to redo it all. apologies.)

[ricisidro]

The World Health Organization (WHO) designated LP.8.1 as a variant under monitoring in January 2025.

LP.8.1, was first detected in July 2024. It’s a descendant of Omicron KP.1.1.3, which is descended from JN.1, a subvariant that caused large waves of Covid infections around the world in late 2023 & early 2024.

#SARSCoV2 #covid #COVID19 #WHO

-https://theconversation.com/a-new-covid-variant-is-on-the-rise-heres-what-to-know-about-lp-8-1-253237?utm_medium=article_native_share&utm_source=theconversation.com

-https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/risk-evaluation-for-sars-cov-2-variant-under-monitoring-lp81

[tomorrowusa]

Another New Disease That Trump is Weakening US Response To

We remember how COVID-19 was allowed to run rampant in the United States for 51 days before Trump bothered to declare a state of emergency on Friday the 13th of March in 2020.

With newly installed incompetent MAGA administrators and deep cuts to public health, the US is now even less prepared for any new infectious disease to hit the country.

A deadly disease which doesn't even have a name yet has hit Équateur province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The World Health Organization mentioned it prominently in its 16 February 2025 Bulletin.

Unknown Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing multiple public health and humanitarian crises. In its northwestern Équateur Province, two clusters of cases and deaths from an unknown disease have emerged, resulting in hundreds of cases and dozens of deaths. The outbreak, which has seen cases rise rapidly within days, poses a significant public health threat. The exact cause remains unknown, with Ebola and Marburg already ruled out, raising concerns about a severe infectious or toxic agent. Key challenges include the rapid progression of the disease, with nearly half of the deaths occurring within 48 hours of symptom onset in one of the affected health zones, and an exceptionally high case fatality rate in another. Urgent action is needed to accelerate laboratory investigations, improve case management and isolation capacities, and strengthen surveillance and risk communication. [ ... ] Specimens from thirteen cases, including 12 blood samples from active cases and one swab from a deceased individual, were collected and sent to the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa for analysis on 11 February 2025. Test results released on 13 February 2025, showed that all samples were negative for Ebola and Marburg viruses by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Differential diagnosis under investigation include malaria, viral haemorrhagic fever, food or water poisoning, typhoid fever, and meningitis.

So essentially, Ebola and Marburg virus have been ruled out. We do know that the fatality rate is way high.

The situation in Équateur Province presents significant public health risk, with two clusters of an unknown disease causing high morbidity and mortality. The overall case fatality ratio (12.2%), particularly high in Bolomba Health Zone (66.7%), and the rapid disease progression raise concerns about a severe infectious or toxic agent.

We should point out that this is in the northwest of the DRC – not the east where there is a de facto war going on.

The Obama administration had great success combating Ebola. There were just 11 fatalities in the US with just 2 being from infections contracted inside the country during the 2013-2014 outbreak.

Obama's national security team put together a pandemic playbook based on their success to be used by succeeding administrations. Of course Donald Trump ignored it and the result was hundreds of thousands of additional American deaths from COVID-19.

Obama team left pandemic playbook for Trump administration, officials confirm

If this new unnamed disease spreads to the US, don't expect Trump to respond competently to it.

[nando161mando]

WHO: "Five years, 10 years, 20 years from now, what are we going to see in terms of cardiac impairment, pulmonary impairment, neurologic impairment? It’s year five in the pandemic, but there’s still a lot we don’t know about it."

https://www.reddit.com/r/HermanCainAward/

[pandemichub]

A great explanation of what the ending of the health emergency means.

The death statistic comes directly from the WHO.

Science.org ‘It’s still killing and it’s still changing.’ Ending COVID-19 states of emergency sparks debate' "Moves by WHO and U.S. usher pandemic into new phase of disease monitoring, even as coronavirus kills thousands weekly."