WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing – 10 July 2024
11 July 2024
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening,
First, an update on H5N1 avian influenza.
Last week, the United States reported a fourth human case of H5N1 following exposure to infected dairy cows.
Cambodia also reported two cases in children who had contact with sick or dead chickens.
For the moment, no human-to-human transmission has been reported, which is why WHO continues to assess the risk to the general public as low.
However, our ability to assess and manage that risk is compromised by limited surveillance for influenza viruses in animals globally.
Understanding how these viruses are spreading and changing in animals is essential for identifying any changes that might increase the risk of outbreaks in humans, or the potential for a pandemic.
WHO calls on all countries to strengthen influenza surveillance and reporting in animals and humans;
To share samples of influenza viruses with WHO Collaborating Centres;
To share genetic sequences of human and animal flu viruses with publicly accessible databases;
To provide protection for farm workers who may be exposed to infected animals;
To accelerate research on avian influenza;
And to encourage closer cooperation between the animal and human health sectors.
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https://www.who.int/news-room/speec...-remarks-at-the-media-briefing---10-july-2024
