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World Health Organization (WHO)

World Health Organization (WHO)
The latest news, analysis and opinion on World Health Organization (WHO). In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Workers from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department carry out mosquito control. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Global warming and increased travel drive surge in Hong Kong dengue infections

Health authorities urge vigilance as number of infections and other mosquito-borne diseases continues to climb annually.

India

India on health alert with ‘brain-eating’ amoeba on the rise

John Lee policy address 2025

How much screen time should kids have? Hong Kong leader to seek expert advice

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Sinovac flu shots safe for pregnant women, Hong Kong health experts say

Product description of Sinovac vaccine says no clinical trial data on pregnant women is available, sparking concern.

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Hong Kong has entered the summer flu season. Photo: Shutterstock
Afghanistan

WHO urges Taliban to lift restrictions on women aid workers

Restrictions are hampering the humanitarian response for women following last week’s deadly earthquake, WHO says.

Africa

New Ebola outbreak in DR Congo kills 15, prompting WHO response

The World Health Organization said case numbers were likely to increase as transmission was ongoing.

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Earthquakes

Afghan earthquake deaths top 2,200, survivors face aid crunch

The first earthquake of magnitude 6 struck on Sunday and a second quake of magnitude 5.5 occurred on Tuesday.

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Afghans transfer earthquake relief supplies in Suki district of Kunar province on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
Afghanistan

Another quake hits Afghanistan, hindering efforts as death toll exceeds 1,400

Tuesday’s quake occurred at a relatively shallow depth of 10km, the same level as the magnitude 6 that struck on Sunday.

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Israel-Gaza war

Flotilla headed to Gaza leaves Barcelona for second time after storm delay

The Israeli military is likely to try and stop the boats from getting near Gaza, as they have done in the past.

Middle East

Houthi rebels storm UN offices in Yemen, detain employees

Iran-backed rebels targeted WFP, WHO and Unicef offices just days after an Israeli strike killed their prime minister.

Houthi fighters participate in a protest against Israel in Sanaa, Yemen on Friday. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Lifestyle fixes can curb doubling of liver cancer cases by 2050: Hong Kong experts

Lancet Commission study also says measures such as raising alcohol prices and calorie labelling can reverse projected number of cases.

The Lancet Commission on liver cancer study found that by 2050, about one in three liver cancer cases will be caused by alcohol use and fatty liver, up from 26 per cent in 2022. Photo: May Tse
United States

Chikungunya vaccine suspended by US after ‘serious’ side effects emerge

The decision to suspend the Ixchiq vaccine comes as public health experts warn the mosquito-spread virus could pose a future pandemic threat.

Israel-Gaza war

Israel vows to destroy Gaza City if Hamas doesn’t disarm and release hostages

Hamas has accepted a new ceasefire proposal, but Israel has yet to officially respond as fighting escalates on the ground.

Israel-Gaza war

UN declares famine in Gaza, blames Israel, as 500,000 face catastrophic hunger

The Israeli foreign ministry rejected the UN’s famine declaration, calling the report ‘based on Hamas lies’.

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Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, July 26. Photo: AP
Science

HKU virologist says next pandemic inevitable and world may not be ready

Respiratory origin such as for Covid-19 is a particular concern amid a higher risk of new viruses jumping from animals to humans.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Israel-Gaza war

Hamas accepts new Gaza truce plan from Egypt and Qatar, official says

According to Egyptian media, the deal proposes an initial 60-day truce, partial hostage release and provisions to allow for the entry of aid.

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Nepal

Nepal eliminates rubella as public health problem, WHO says

World Health Organization cites the success of Nepal’s immunisation campaigns and disease-surveillance programme.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel ‘deliberately starving’ Palestinians in Gaza, Amnesty says

The human rights group says that starvation is ‘part and parcel of Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza’.

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Palestinians wait for a meal distributed by a charity organisation in Gaza on July 30. Photo: Zuma Press Wire/dpa
The Philippines

Filipinos increasingly open to sex education as teen pregnancies, HIV cases rise

Three in four Filipinos support sex education, survey shows, despite religious opposition and disinformation campaigns.

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Israel-Gaza war

‘Dangerous escalation’: Israeli army approves ‘framework’ for Gaza offensive

The approval for the expanded offensive comes days after Israel’s security cabinet called for the seizure of Gaza’s largest city.

India

Video | Stray dogs in Delhi ordered removed

The move to set up shelters and ban dog releases has drawn criticism from conservationists, who call it an ‘impractical’ move.

india’s stray dogs
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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hongkongers warned of elevated chikungunya fever risk as cases rise across Asia

Director of Health Dr Ronald Lam highlights shorter incubation period in mosquitoes, allowing virus to replicate quickly.

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Workers from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department carry out mosquito control efforts near On Tat Estate in Kwun Tong. Photo: Dickson Lee
Artificial intelligence

Alibaba, Beijing United Family Hospital partner to use AI in cancer diagnosis

The collaboration will leverage Alibaba research arm Damo Academy’s medical AI screening system, called ‘One Sweep Multi-Check’.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong steps up mosquito control measures after chikungunya fever case found

Estate residents ramp up precautions against mosquitoes while authorities set more traps and strengthen disinfection, among other measures.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Explainer | How can you protect yourself if Hong Kong has chikungunya fever outbreak?

Hong Kong has confirmed its first imported case of chikungunya fever since 2019, so should you worry about a local outbreak?

A staff member carries out disinfection work at a hospital amid an outbreak of chikungunya fever in Foshan. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hongkongers with lung cancer risk urged to test after actor Will Or’s diagnosis

Health experts reveal most lung adenocarcinoma patients discover condition at advanced stages as symptoms tend to show up later.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in Hong Kong, accounting for 16.1 per cent of new cases in 2022. Photo: Getty Images
United States

Opinion | As ‘world minus one’ cooperation grows, US withdrawal will backfire

World minus US likely to intensify cooperation and reform across the UN and other multilateral organisations, rather than leave like the US.

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Israel-Gaza war

‘Moral failure’: shift in Israel as public mood turns against Gaza war

Israeli commentators and human rights groups are questioning the war amid images of emaciated children, even prompting criticism from Donald Trump.

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