World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific

Disease outbreaks

In recent years, both the Western Pacific and South-East Asia Regions of WHO have experienced significant outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, including Nipah virus, avian influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Outbreaks of known diseases such as dengue, cholera, typhoid fever and leptospirosis also continue to occur in the Region. Early detection and reporting of such events is a crucial step towards minimizing their negative social and economic impact

Fact sheets

News and press releases

31 August 2009
Flu season starting early in Japan
[full text]

12 August 2009
Deaths linked to Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 rise in Malaysia
[full text]

07 August 2009
Health workers at front line of fight against Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
[full text]

06 August 2009
Malaysia expects pollution haze to boost number of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 cases
[full text]

03 August 2009
New Zealand urges citizens to be “flu buddies” for friends and relatives
[full text]

[more news]

Relevant publications and documents

A Guide to Clinical Management and Public Health Response for Hand, Foot and Mouth disease (HFMD)
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infectious disease caused by a group of enteroviruses, including coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) and enterovirus 71 (EV71). Over the last decade, many outbreaks of HFMD have been reported in countries of the Western Pacific Region. HFMD caused by EV71 is of particular concern because of the increased number of deaths associated with infection.

Meeting of Ministers of Health for the Pacific Island Countries, Apia, Samoa, 14-17 March 2005

[more publications and documents]

Upcoming meetings and events

No meeting/event planned at this time.



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