World health organization

Israeli law mandating graphic warning images on all smoking products takes effect

CEO of the Israel Cancer Association, Moshe Bar Haim, called the legislation "a very dramatic milestone in the fight against smoking," which claims more than 1,000 lives in Israel every month.

Pictorial warnings on cigarette packaging, now required by law.
A lifeguard patrols North Steyne beach as beaches are closed after recent shark attacks, in Sydney, Australia, January 20, 2026.

WHO releases new guidelines to prevent drowning as 2.5 meter waves expected in Israel

Protesters hold a banner and chant slogans as they march during a demonstration against a controversial US-built Ebola quarantine centre slated to begin operations at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki on June 9, 2026.

Aid group says seven Americans quarantining at Kenya Ebola facility after US travel ban

Employees work during a visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, July 2, 2026.

Oxford begins first human trial of Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine, Germany treats infected US citizen


One US citizen tests mildly positive for hantavirus, another has mild symptoms

The two passengers suspected of being infected will be taken to another undisclosed location, where they will also undergo further testing for the virus.

A police boat approaches the cruise ship MV Hondius at the port of Granadilla de Abona after being affected by a hantavirus outbreak, in Tenerife, Spain, May 10, 2026.

First group of Spanish passengers disembarks from hantavirus-hit cruise ship

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived on Saturday evening in Tenerife alongside Spain's interior and health ministers and its minister for territorial policy.

A police boat approaches the cruise ship MV Hondius at the port of Granadilla de Abona after being affected by a hantavirus outbreak, in Tenerife, Spain, May 10, 2026.

New suspected hantavirus cases found in Spain and remote Tristan da Cunha

The announcements in locations thousands of miles apart will fuel concern, though the WHO has repeatedly said the risk to the public is low and the virus does not transmit easily.

Exterior of the emergency unit area of Sant Joan university hospital where a woman with symptoms consistent with a hantavirus infection is being treated, according to local media, in Alicante, Spain May 8, 2026.

US response to hantavirus outbreak could be hindered by withdrawal from WHO - NBC

Health experts warn that both the CDC and the WHO may face disadvantages from a lack of cooperation between the two organizations.

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus positive" label and World Health Organization logo are seen in this illustration taken May 7, 2026.

First case of hantavirus diagnosed in Israel after patient's visit to Eastern Europe

However, unlike the outbreak of the South American Andes strain currently drawing attention aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, the Israeli was infected with a European strain of the virus.

It is possible to completely get rid of the virus

Hantavirus: The rare virus infecting passengers on luxury cruise ship Hondius

As of Tuesday, the World Health Organization reported that seven passengers aboard the Hondius were sick or suspected of having contracted Hantavirus, including two confirmed cases.

A boat beside cruise ship MV Hondius anchored off Cape Verde port, on the day sick passengers were evacuated by boat from the cruise ship, in Praia Port, Cape Verde, in this screengrab obtained from a video, May 5, 2026.

Cruise ship hantavirus cases increase to seven, WHO says

Among the infected passengers, three have died, one is critically ill, and three are experiencing mild symptoms.

Cruise ship MV Hondius docks off Cape Verde port, as passengers were not allowed off the ship, while health authorities investigated suspected cases of hantavirus aboard the vessel, in Praia Port, Cape Verde, May 4, 2026.

Three dead, three sick in suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard cruise ship, WHO confirms

"The risk to the wider public remains low," said Hans Kluge, WHO Europe's regional director, in his own X post. "There is no need for panic or travel restrictions."

The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, near Tristan da Cunha, May 4, 2026.

WHO suspends medical evacuations from Gaza following death of contractor in 'security incident'

The evacuations were suspended after an individual who was contracted to provide services to the WHO in Gaza was killed during a security incident, Tedros said.

FILE PHOTO: A view shows The World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 28, 2025.

Strike on Darfur, Sudan health care center kills at least 64, including 13 children, WHO states

The total number of fatalities linked to attacks on health facilities during Sudan's civil war surpassed 2,000 following this strike, World Health Organization chief Ghebreyesus noted.

The aftermath of a strike on Al Deain Teaching Hospital in East Darfur, Sudan, March 20, 2026.