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EU backs WHO as its members agree to independent probe of COVID-19 outbreak
World Health Organisation member states agreed on Tuesday (19 May) to an independent probe into the UN agency's handling of the coronavirus crisis. The agreement came with an EU-brokered resolution that called for multilateralism and was in stark contrast to US criticism of the body's actions during the pandemic.OpinionPromoted content
Non-Aligned Movement is ‘United Against Covid-19’
On Monday (4 May), an online Summit of the Non–Aligned Movement (NAM) states was held at the initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Dr. Esmira Jafarova shares her impressions from this event.
Vaccine telethon raises billions as Europe eases virus lockdown
Hopes rose in the fight against the coronavirus on Monday (4 May) as world leaders pledged billions of euros for a vaccine in a special telethon and European countries edged out of lockdown.
Weekly coronavirus testing of healthcare workers could reduce spread by a third
Weekly screening of healthcare workers and other at-risk groups could reduce their contribution to transmission by between 25-33%, a study published Thursday (23 April) by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Modelling, concluded.
Spanish government criticised over handling of health crisis
The Spanish government has been repeatedly criticised for its management of the COVID-19 health crisis, with the latest rebuke regarding the rules for children going outside. EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
US failed to block UN virus vaccine resolution
The UN General Assembly has demanded equal access for any future COVID-19 vaccine but its seeming unanimity was a fluke. The United States in fact opposed the resolution but acted too late to stop it, diplomats say.
National immunisation routines ‘more critical than ever’ in wake of COVID-19 outbreak
The recent COVID-19 outbreak has demonstrated that we must not let down our guard on routine immunisations, Dr Hans Kluge, World Health Organisation (WHO) regional director for Europe, stressed in a speech marking European Immunisation Week 2020.
G20 leaders to inject $5 trillion into global economy in fight against coronavirus
Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies pledged on Thursday (26 March) to inject over $5 trillion into the global economy to limit job and income losses from the coronavirus and "do whatever it takes to overcome the pandemic."
Elite hackers target WHO as coronavirus cyberattacks spike
Elite hackers tried to break into the World Health Organization earlier this month, sources told Reuters, part of what a senior agency official said was a more than two-fold increase in cyberattacks.
The last continent to face up COVID-19, Africa ‘needs to wake up’
As Europe and North American countries go into self-imposed economic and social lockdown to curb the coronavirus pandemic, Africa remains the continent least affected by the virus. Still, a raft of African governments were quick to impose travel bans on airlines carrying passengers from Europe last week.
WHO expert: Finding and distributing COVID-19 vaccine in 18 months would be ‘historic’
It would be “historic” to find a vaccine that can be distributed to all countries in 18 months to defeat the coronavirus, a high-ranking researcher at the World Health Organisation told EURACTIV’s partner EFE in an interview. “We are all...
Coronavirus Western Front: Italy deaths hit record
Italy on Wednesday (18 March) reported nearly 500 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, the highest one-day official toll of any nation, as Donald Trump ordered sweeping new action against the pandemic and declared himself a war president.
Europe locks down as global virus panic spreads
European leaders are set to ban non-essential travel into the continent on Tuesday (17 March), the latest drastic attempt to curb the coronavirus pandemic that has upended society, battered markets and killed thousands around the world.
Air pollution main risk factor for mortality worldwide, says new study
Air pollution is the world's leading cause of mortality as it reduces a person's lifespan by three years on average, according to a study published on Tuesday (3 March). EURACTIV's partner Le Journal de l'Environment reports.
European Parliament considering virtual meetings, plenary due to virus
The European Parliament is considering whether to hold its meetings and plenary sessions by teleconference instead of in person due to growing concerns about the fast-spreading coronavirus that originated in China, a spokesman said on Thursday (27 February).
Milan offers some cheer to suffering bars as coronavirus cases climb in Italy
Bars and clubs in Milan can re-open in the evenings, local authorities announced on Wednesday (26 February), in the first rollback of tough restrictions imposed at the weekend to try to contain a coronavirus outbreak in Italy.
Italy’s coronavirus outbreak spreads south, death toll rises
Italy's coronavirus crisis spread south on Tuesday (26 February) beyond its original epicentre in the north, as the death toll from the worst outbreak in Europe rose to 11 and the number of new cases jumped above 320, officials said.
China virus death toll rises to at least 212 as WHO declares global emergency
The United States warned Americans not to travel to China as the death toll from a new virus reached 213 on Friday (31 January) and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency.
Lawmakers, stakeholders see delivering economics of well-being as next health challenge
The well-being of EU citizens should be made a priority and an intersectoral approach integrating policy areas such as housing, fighting pollution and digital transformation into health can also help bring about new economic models, MEPs and civil society representatives agree.
Professor: EU should establish roadmap for hepatitis C virus elimination
Eliminating hepatitis C should be tackled at EU level by establishing a clear political road map and mobilising public and private funding, Angelos Hatzakis told EURACTIV in an interview.
MEPs call to raise awareness on benefits of vaccines
The European Parliament’s Environment Committee called on member states to tighten their law against anti-vaccination movements and better inform their citizens about its myths and benefits. EURACTIV’s partner Euroefe reports.
Air pollution legal action decision due in mid-March
The European Commission will decide next month whether to launch legal cases against nine member states that are accused of breaking air pollution action, after additional information was submitted at the eleventh hour.
Health leadership in a multipolar world: A view from Europe
Europe is still the most powerful international player in global health. But in an increasingly multipolar world, where differences between the developing and developed health worlds are dissolving, the way we look at global health is outdated, writes Johanna Ralston.
Green MEP: EFSA should release full glyphosate studies
Studies by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) about the risks of the glyphosate pesticide have different conclusions. Belgian MEP Bart Staes told EURACTIV Germany that EFSA needs to make its findings public so they can be scrutinised.