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Epidemics

Unsplash/Shardar Tarikul Islam

UN health agency launches global bug-busting plan to prevent new pandemic

This week saw the UN launch an ambitious bid to stop the spread of common, mosquito-borne diseases – known as “arboviruses” - which threaten more than half the world’s population.

The main target of the initiative is four of the most common arboviruses: Dengue, Yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika.

Here’s the World Health Organization’s Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove now, telling UN News’s Daniel Johnson all about how the Global Arbovirus Initiative plans to share expertise on bug-busting across continents.

Audio
12'3"

UN Catch-Up Dateline Geneva: Migrant journeys, Ukraine, Afghanistan and virus-busting

The UN’s rights chief tells us Russian forces have used cluster bombs in built-up areas in Ukraine – and that Ukrainian forces, may have used them too. Meanwhile in Afghanistan, Martin Griffiths tells us millions of ordinary people’s lives are hanging by a thread. In South Sudan, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has put the spotlight on the communities who’re using mud and anything else they can find, to keep floodwaters at bay. We’ll hear the latest research on migrant journeys, plus a more positive initiative from the WHO, to beat mosquito-borne sickness.

Audio
15'11"