The WHO regional office for Europe launched a region-wide safety campaign, saying coronaviruses like COVID, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) “must be taken seriously”. Because these can prove to be especially dangerous for sensitive groups like the elderly, pregnant women and patients with existing or chronic diseases.
WHO Regional Director Dr. Hans Kluge said that people have developed ‘collective amnesia’ regarding Covid-19 and this situation is very worrying. While it is understandable that people, communities and countries want to move on from the pain of the pandemic years, COVID-19 is far from over and is still around, along with other respiratory viruses. Center of attention in Europe: WHO official said that seasonal influenza still causes up to 72 thousand deaths in 53 countries of Europe and Central Asia, which is about 20 percent of the global burden. “Most of these deaths are preventable,” he said. He said the most vulnerable people “must be protected” because its effectiveness in preventing the disease and its serious consequences has been proven, health officials in the WHO European Region said, as of September 22. Internationally, from Cyprus to Moldova and from Ireland to Russia, the UN health agency has reported more than 2 lakh 78 thousand cases of Covid-19 infection. said that this number is higher than in any other WHO region and the actual figures are likely to be higher than estimated. According to WHO data, more than 7 million people have died from COVID-19 since the outbreak began in late 2019. People have lost their lives, the majority of deaths, 12 lakh in the United States, 7 lakh 2 thousand in Brazil, 5 lakh 34 thousand in India, and 4 lakh 3 thousand in Russia. There have been thousands of deaths. Dr. Hans Kluge, an unexpected pathogen, said, “Covid-19 has wreaked havoc in every corner of the earth. Mpox clade II also emerged unexpectedly in Europe in 2022 and is spreading in the region. MPox clade I in Central-East Africa led to the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern. RSV and influenza are likely to spread rapidly in the coming months, especially as people gather indoors more often during the cold weather. The senior WHO official said that health officials of countries will have to continue efforts to protect vulnerable populations. He urged greater investment in public health care to protect overworked health workers. Dr. Hans Kluge warned of the need for regular and ongoing surveillance, saying that new and existing viruses could “destroy health systems, economies and societies.” But it can wreak havoc. Therefore, “it will be necessary to ensure that whenever and wherever a major health emergency arises, we are fully prepared to deal with it.” Dr. Hans Kluge said, “respiratory virus rescue, Governments and the entire society have a shared responsibility. Everyone must play their role in promoting a culture of care and solidarity with vulnerable people.”