IHR News
The WHO quarterly bulletin on IHR implementation
What’s new in risk and disease control
Meeting report: Rift Valley fever outbreaks forecasting models - Joint FAO - WHO experts' consultation, Rome, Italy, 29 September – 1 October 2008
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis that primarily affects animals, but also humans. RVF outbreaks in eastern Africa are associated with periods of heavy rainfall, and forecasting models and early warning systems have been developed. Despite these precautions a series of RVF outbreaks from 2006 to 2008 dramatically affected countries in Africa, the Sudan and islands in the Indian Ocean. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and WHO have developed a common strategy for RVF outbreaks, and are currently defining joint guidelines for countries. They also invited experts on RVF modeling and forecasting to a workshop. A report from that meeting has now been published and can be found at the IHR web site.
Guide to hygiene and sanitation in aviation
The printed version of the third edition of the Guide to hygiene and sanitation in aviation is now available. The guide will facilitate high standards of hygiene and sanitation in all aircrafts in order to protect both travelers and crew. The guide addresses water, food, waste disposal, cleaning and disinfection of facilities as well as vector control and cargo safety, and contains guidelines with procedures and quality specifications that are to be achieved. The guide is a collaborative project between the IHR Coordination and the Department of Public health and Environment and can be ordered at bookorders@who.int ISBN 9789241547772