The 70th World Health Assembly took place from 22 to 31 May in Geneva. Delegates have adopted a resolution on Global Vector Control Response (GVCR) that aims to prevent, detect, report and respond to outbreaks of vector-borne diseases worldwide through an integrated, comprehensive approach.
The major vector-borne infectious diseases are responsible for the loss of more than 700,000 lives every year, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. Taking into account the socio-economic, demographic and environmental factors that interfere with infectious diseases transmission characteristics, more than 80% of the global population now live in areas at risk from at least one major vector-borne disease, and more than 50% at risk from two or more.
These diseases could be better prevented through efficient vector control. Designing a response plan for vector control was the objective of extensive consultation process led by the WHO since June 2016. You can find here the draft Global vector control response 2017–2030, addressing the challenge of "a world free of human suffering from vector - borne diseases".
The response will support technical capacity, strengthen monitoring and surveillance systems, improve infrastructure, and above all, tackle multiple vectors and diseases cost–effectively and in an integrated manner across many sectors beyond health – including environment, urban planning and housing, education and information sharing.
On another note, during the 70th World Health Assembly, the Pasteur International Network association made its first statement during the session "Research and Development on Potentially Emerging Diseases" thanks to Nadia Khelef, representative of the Institut Pasteur at WHO.
The recognition in 2016 of Pasteur International Network association as a non-state actor in official relations with WHO enables it to sit in the World Health Assembly and its executive bureau and thus increase the visibility of its actions toward the United Nations’ health institution and other major international stakeholders. During the same meeting, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Ethiopia) was elected as WHO Director-General for a five-year term beginning July 1st, succeeding to Margaret Chan (Hong Kong).