World Health Organization Archives

05/07/2023

Fact Check: Debunking Hypertension Myths and Understanding the Facts

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure levels in the arteries.

Blood pressure is measured using two values: systolic pressure (the pressure when the heart contracts) and diastolic pressure (the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats).

Normal blood pressure is typically defined as values below 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). Hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure consistently exceeds 130/80 mmHg.

Now let’s examine and fact-check the statements made earlier regarding hypertension:

1. Myth: Hypertension only affects older individuals.

Fact Check: This statement is false. Hypertension can affect individuals of all age groups, not just older adults. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global burden of hypertension has doubled over the past 30 years, affecting 1.28 billion adults worldwide. While age is a risk factor for hypertension, younger individuals can also develop high blood pressure due to factors such as genetics, obesity, lack of physical activity, an unhealthy diet, and excessive alcohol consumption.

2. Myth: Hypertension is harmless and does not require treatment.

Fact Check: This statement is incorrect. Hypertension is a serious medical condition that can lead to severe health complications if left untreated. According to the WHO, high blood pressure is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and contributes to a significant number of deaths worldwide. It can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other related health problems. Treating and managing hypertension through lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, and, if necessary, taking prescribed medications, is crucial for reducing the risk of complications.

3. Myth: Hypertension is primarily caused by stress.

Fact Check: This statement is misleading. While stress can temporarily elevate blood pressure, the primary risk factors for hypertension are diverse. The WHO highlights that age, genetics, obesity, lack of physical activity, high-salt diet, and excessive alcohol consumption are significant contributors to the development of hypertension. Stressful situations may lead to temporary spikes in blood pressure, but long-term hypertension is influenced by a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors.

4. Myth: People with hypertension will experience noticeable symptoms.
Fact Check: This statement is partially true. Hypertension is often asymptomatic or “silent,” meaning individuals may not experience noticeable symptoms. The WHO reports that almost half of the people with hypertension are unaware of their condition. Regular blood pressure monitoring is crucial for early detection, as hypertension is commonly identified during routine check-ups or screenings. This emphasizes the importance of proactive monitoring and preventive measures for the timely management of hypertension.

5. Myth: Medication is the only treatment option for hypertension.

Fact Check: This statement is incorrect. While medication may be necessary in some cases, lifestyle changes play a significant role in the management of hypertension. The WHO recommends lifestyle modifications as an essential part of hypertension control. These include adopting a healthier diet, reducing salt intake, maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking. These lifestyle changes, combined with prescribed medication when needed, can effectively control blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications associated with hypertension. Hypertension Factsheet.

Note; It is important to rely on accurate information when it comes to health-related topics like hypertension. By understanding the facts, debunking myths, and adopting a proactive approach to hypertension management, you can take control of your health and reduce the risk of associated complications. Regular monitoring, lifestyle modifications, and appropriate medical care are key elements in effectively managing hypertension and promoting overall cardiovascular well-being.

13/01/202313/01/2023

Uganda’s Ebola-free: A Triumph of Preparedness and Early Response

Uganda has been declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) after the latest outbreak of the virus claimed almost 60 lives in about five months. The outbreak of the deadly virus was declared over after 42 days without a new case being reported, which is double the incubation period for the virus according to WHO protocols. The highly contagious disease spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, and causes fatigue, fever and bleeding from the eyes and nose. It kills almost half of those who become infected.

This outbreak, which involved the Ebola Sudan strain of the virus, began in September and killed 56 people, including seven healthcare workers, and caused 142 confirmed infections. The virus spread through parts of the country, with officials hesitant to impose another ban on movement within the country in the wake of recent coronavirus lockdowns. Only in December were a curfew and restrictions on movement introduced in the affected districts. By then, the United States and other countries had issued orders to screen all travelers from Uganda arriving at their airports.

The acting director of Africa’s Centers for Disease Control, Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, has praised the Ugandan government for its “excellent” coordination of Ebola containment measures, saying it had taken approximately 70 days to bring the outbreak under control. African health authorities had prioritized preparedness for the deadly virus after devastating outbreaks of the Ebola Zaire strain in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone between 2013 and 2016 killed more than 11,300 people. Those outbreaks inspired global fear that air travel could allow the virus to spread across the world in a matter of hours. That fear helped galvanize research and funding for vaccines to protect against the Zaire strain of the virus.

Three candidate vaccines in development for the Ebola Zaire strain were sent to Uganda, with the first arriving on December 8, to be evaluated in a clinical trial being run by the Makerere University Lung Institute, as there is currently no vaccine proven to be effective against the Sudan strain of the virus. Critics have said an opportunity was missed as the candidate vaccines only arrived as the virus was waning. The delays meant a chance to trial the drugs amid an evolving outbreak was missed. However, the limited trial did prove the vaccines safe to use on humans. In December, doctors discharged the last known Ebola patient in Uganda from hospital, allowing President Yoweri Museveni to lift all Ebola-related restrictions and curfews for the holiday season.

“Today we join the Government of Uganda to declare the end of the Sudan Ebola Virus Outbreak in the Country,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa. The WHO’s Moeti further added, “With no vaccines and therapeutics, this was one of the most challenging Ebola outbreaks in the past five years, but Uganda stayed the course and continuously fine-tuned its response. Two months ago, it looked as if Ebola would cast a dark shadow over the country well into 2023, as the outbreak reached major cities such as Kampala and Jinja, but this win starts off the year on a note of great hope for Africa.”

The end of the Ebola outbreak in Uganda is certainly a cause for celebration and relief, but it also serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and early response in the face of deadly epidemics. The Ebola virus is a highly contagious and deadly disease, and it is essential that countries and international organizations take the necessary steps to prevent and contain outbreaks as quickly as possible. The WHO’s announcement of Uganda being Ebola-free is an encouraging sign for the continent of Africa and the rest of the world, showing that with proper coordination and response, it is possible to overcome even the most challenging of outbreaks.

20/09/2022

Ugandan Ministry of Health declares Ebola Virus Disease outbreak

The Ugandan Ministry of Health has declared an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic following the confirmation of a Sudan ebolavirus case in Mubende district in central Uganda.

Doctor Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, said during a news conference, “We want to notify the people that we have an epidemic of Ebola which we verified yesterday.

The patient who had the verified case, according to Doctor Atwine, had a high temperature, diarrhoea, stomach discomfort, and vomiting blood. Initially, he had been given malaria medication.

This comes after a National Rapid Response team investigation into six mysterious deaths that have happened in the district this month. Eight suspected cases are now being treated at a medical facility.

“Uganda is no stranger to effective Ebola control. Thanks to its expertise, action has been taken to quickly to detect the virus and we can bank on this knowledge to halt the spread of infections,” Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Africa’s regional director, said.

The WHO said there had been seven previous outbreaks of the Ebola Sudan strain, four in Uganda and three in Sudan.

It said Uganda last reported an outbreak of Ebola Sudan strain ten years ago in 2012 and an outbreak of the Ebola Zaire strain in 2019.

In recent outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere, the WHO reported that ring vaccination of high-risk individuals with the Ervebo vaccine had been extremely effective in controlling the spread of Ebola. However, this vaccine had only been approved to protect against the Zaire strain.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Africa, stated, “We are collaborating closely with the national health authorities to look into the origin of this epidemic and assist the efforts to swiftly implement appropriate control measures.

Humans and other primates can contract the severe, frequently deadly disease known as Ebola. Three of its six species—Bundibugyo, Sudan, and Zaire—have historically been responsible for major epidemics. In previous epidemics, the Sudan virus’ case fatality rate ranged from 41% to 100%. Early commencement of supportive care has been found to drastically lower Ebola-related fatalities.

03/08/2022

UNICEF and WHO urge governments to allocate more resources for breastfeeding promotion policies

AFRICA – In honour of World Breastfeeding Week 2022, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) have encouraged African governments, donors, civil society, and the private sector to dedicate more resources to safeguard, enhance, and support breastfeeding policies and programmes.

27/07/202227/07/2022

Special health report demonstrates COVID-19 resistance in South Africa through hybrid immunity.

ESWATINI – In a recent study, Vaccines and Infectious Analytics Research (VIDA) at the University of Witwatersrand identified potential advantages of hybrid immunity, which results from past COVID-19 infection and immunisation against coronavirus variants and subvariants.

21/07/202227/07/2022

First ever malaria vaccine to be distributed more extensively across Africa thanks to historical funding

AFRICA – The Vaccine Alliance, Gavi, has started a procedure for nations to apply for funds to help to roll out the new vaccine, moving the world’s first-ever mass vaccination against malaria one step closer.

18/07/202201/08/2022

Zimbabwe and WHO collaborate to conduct an external evaluation of the country’s TB Prevention and Control Program

The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) of Zimbabwe has collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) to perform an external review of the country’s Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT) program management.

13/07/202201/08/2022

WHO calls for the maximum usage of existing vaccines to prevent AMR infections

SWITZERLAND – The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the first-ever report on the pipeline of the vaccines currently in development and points to the need to accelerate trials for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) related vaccines in late-stage development.