From Foreign Waters

  The World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the WHO, will host thousands of government officials, global health experts, and advocates. As the world's leading health agency celebrates its 75th anniversary, the Assembly will focus on how to strengthen it to meet evolving health needs today and in the future.  When the WHO was founded 75 years ago, global health was very different. Global smallpox spread. The disease killed 300–500 million people worldwide in the 20th century. No global system tracked disease spread, making outbreaks difficult to control, especially those that crossed borders. Countries knew little about antibiotics, a promising new drug class The newly founded WHO worked with partners and countries to eradicate smallpox, established the first disease-tracking service, and advised governments on antibiotic and health product use. WHO defends health rights today. However, geopolitical tensions, economic fragility, climate change, and mis- and disi...

  Prior to a Tuesday briefing by its scientists to the World Health Organization , which is looking for a "deep debate" on the evolution of the virus, state media in China downplayed the severity of an increase in COVID-19 infections. The reliability of China's case and mortality data has come under increased scrutiny both domestically and internationally in the wake of the country's dramatic U-turn on COVID regulations on December 7. China's foreign ministry referred to some nations' restrictions on travel admission as "simply illogical" and claimed they "lacked scientific basis." Speaking to reporters in Beijing, spokeswoman for the foreign ministry Mao Ning said, "We are prepared to improve dialogue with the globe. "However, we will take equivalent steps in various circumstances in accordance with the concept of reciprocity and are vehemently opposed to attempts to manipulate the epidemic preventive and control measures...

Coronavirus outbreak has led to changes in alcohol drinking patterns of the people across the countries. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a statement on Monday warning the people of higher health risks from alcohol consumption amid COVID-19 pandemic. WHO’s Regional Office for Europe released an advisory reminding the people that drinking alcohol does not guarantee protection from COVID-19 virus. The international body also published a factsheet clarifying about the claims that high-strength alcohol can kill the virus, calling it a "dangerous myth". WHO added that consumption of high-strength alcohol can result in severe health issues, including death, particularly if it is adulterated with methanol. The health organization also pointed out that alcohol consumption weakens the immunity system of the body and can lead to a range of communicable and noncommunicable diseases and mental health disorders. These can make a person more exposed and vuln...

In Japan, a cruise ship with 3,711 people on board is quarantined after the discovery of at least eight suspected cases. 3,711 people aboard Carnival Japan's Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama Bay, in Japan. After landing a passenger in Hong Kong who tested positive for the coronavirus, at least eight other people experienced symptoms of contagion and fever. Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said adding that checks are underway on 2,666 passengers and 1,045 crew members. The number of coronavirus infections exceeded 20,400 in China, with 3,235 new cases confirmed. According to the latest official data, 64 deaths have occurred in the country, all in the province of Hubei, outbreak of the virus, and the total tall therefore rises to 425. While 635 infected, they have been discharged from hospitals. There is also a second victim outside of China after one death in the Philippines, a 39-year-old man lost his life in Hong Kong in hospital. ...