Health hazards: infectious
Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Federation/Kirill Sirotyuk
High-threat infectious hazards are emerging and re-emerging diseases that not only threaten health and life locally, but may have devastating consequences in multiple countries simultaneously, or worldwide in the case of pandemics.
WHO takes the lead in responding to such threats and helps countries develop capacity and strategies to prevent, prepare for and control risks from high-threat infectious hazards.
Food safety
Unsafe food not only causes significant illness and death worldwide, but outbreaks of foodborne disease can be a significant economic burden both in terms of direct health care costs and lost trade opportunities. WHO assists Member States to develop food safety policies and to implement foodborne disease surveillance, prevention and control programmes.
Influenza
Influenza is an acute viral infection that spreads easily from person to person in any age group and can cause serious complications in certain risk groups.
In addition to seasonal epidemics, influenza pandemics can occur when a new influenza virus subtype emerges or when an animal influenza virus begins to spread among humans.
Seasonal influenza and other respiratory pathogens
Current influenza situation: Flu News Europe
Vector-borne diseases
WHO/Europe works for malaria elimination, surveillance and control of invasive vectors and re-emerging mosquito-borne diseases, control of leishmaniasis, control and prevention of soil-transmitted helminthiases, and promotion of the use of sustainable vector-control alternatives to persistent insecticides based on the principles of integrated vector management.
Vector-borne and parasitic diseases
