Seasonal Flu-linked Respiratory Diseases Claim Upto 650,000 Lives Every Year – WHO
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published December 15, 2017 | 10:35 PM
Respiratory diseases from seasonal influenza takes up to 650,000 lives annually, according to new estimates released by the United Nations health agency and global partners
UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Dec, 2017 ) :Respiratory diseases from seasonal influenza takes up to 650,000 lives annually, according to new estimates released by the United Nations health agency and global partners.
"These figures indicate the high burden of influenza and its substantial social and economic cost to the world, Dr. Peter Salama, Executive Director of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme said.
"They highlight the importance of influenza prevention for seasonal epidemics, as well as preparedness for pandemics," he added. This marks an increase of the previous global estimate of 250,000 500,000 from over ten years ago, which covered all influenza-related deaths, including cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
The new figures of 290,000 650,000 deaths are based on recent data from more diverse countries and exclude deaths from non-respiratory diseases. They consider findings from recent influenza respiratory mortality studies, including by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to CDC, most deaths occur among people aged over 75 years, and in the world's poorest regions.
Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the world's greatest flu mortality risk, followed closely by the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia.
"All countries, rich and poor, large and small, must work together to control influenza outbreaks before the arrival of the next pandemic," Dr. Salama said. "This includes building capacity to detect and respond to outbreaks, and strengthening health systems to improve the health of the most vulnerable and those most at risk." Nearly all deaths among children under five with influenza-related lower respiratory tract infections occur in developing countries, but the effects of seasonal influenza epidemics on the world's poorest are not fully known.
WHO is working with partners to measure the global influenza burden and its economic consequences, and to provide guidance and expertise to Member States. Further surveillance and laboratory studies of other diseases, which can be influenza-related, are expected to yield substantially higher estimates over the next few years.
WHO encourages countries to prioritize influenza prevention and produce national estimates to inform prevention policies.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
NHA restores traffic on roads affected by recent rains in Balochistan
China to fully support Pakistan's efforts against terrorism: Ambassador Jiang
U.S. envoy calls on Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
Poland arrests man over suspected plan to kill Zelensky
EU wants to ease youth movement to and from UK
Police foils attempt of supply mainpuri raw material
More Stories From World
-
At G7, Blinken seeks European support for pressure on China
4 hours ago -
Thousands of Bosnian Serbs rally against UN resolution on Srebrenica
4 hours ago -
Israel assault has turned Gaza into 'humanitarian hellscape': UN
4 hours ago -
Husband of ex-Scottish leader charged over alleged embezzlement: police
4 hours ago -
Ecuador hit by power cuts of up to 13 hours amid drought
5 hours ago -
Hugs or bullets? How Mexico presidential rivals aim to curb violence
5 hours ago
-
Kenya military chopper crash kills defence chief, senior officers
5 hours ago -
Biden hails 'incredible' Kennedy family backing against RFK Jr.
6 hours ago -
Maldives court frees jailed ex-president ahead of vote
6 hours ago -
Probe into Portugal ex-PM Costa appears to collapse
6 hours ago -
Jury selection stalls in Trump criminal trial
6 hours ago -
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
6 hours ago