In a file photo on Monday, May 24, 2021, World Health Organization (WHO) Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a bilateral meeting between the Swiss Interior Minister and Health Minister Alain Berset at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. I will give a lecture. (Keystone via Laurent Gilliéron / AP, file)
London (AP) — The head of the World Health Organization said the first COVID-19 delta mutant found in India was “the most contagious mutant identified so far” and is currently at least 85. I warned that it has spread to other countries.
At a press conference on Friday, WHO Director Tedros Adanom Gebreyes said vaccine shortages in poor countries exacerbated the transmission of delta mutants. He described a recent meeting he attended about an advisory group established to allocate vaccines.
“They were disappointed because there was no vaccine to allocate,” he said, criticizing developed countries for refusing to share shots with developing countries immediately. “What would you share if you didn’t have the vaccine?”
read: What should I know about Delta Variants?
Tedros said global society has failed and is at risk of repeating the mistakes made during the AIDS crisis decades ago and the 2009 swine flu pandemic.
“It took 10 years (in the case of antiretroviral drugs) to reach low-income countries since (HIV) had already spread in high-income countries,” he said. “Do you want to repeat the same thing?”
A UN-backed effort to distribute vaccines to poor countries, COVAX failed to meet some goals for sharing COVID-19 shots, with the largest suppliers delivering vaccines until the end of the year. There are no plans to export. The hundreds of millions of doses promised by the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries may not arrive immediately.
“Through COVAX this month, we have a zero dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, a zero dose of Pfizer vaccine, and a zero dose of (Johnson and Johnson) vaccine,” admitted Dr. Bruce Aylward, senior advisor to WHO Chief. “All suppliers will not be able to supply during this period as other suppliers are immunizing very young populations without risk because they are requesting those products.”
WHO officials have warned that this could lead to a recurrence of the disease, as border restrictions and other public health measures have been relaxed in Europe, the United States, and other countries with high vaccination rates.
“The world situation is very vulnerable,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on COVID-19. Van Kerkhove said that while infections in Europe are declining, there are many events that affect the spread of the disease, from large-scale sporting events to backyard barbecues.
“The delta mutant virus will continue to evolve,” said Wankelhove. “Currently, our public health and social measures work, vaccines work, diagnostics work, treatments work. But there may be times when the virus evolves and these measures do not evolve. May. “
Earlier this month, British officials announced that 60,000 fans would be able to participate in the semifinals and finals of the European Football Championship at Wembley Stadium in London. Some public health professionals were disappointed.
Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, said there was limited data to prove its safety, especially given the prevalence of more infectious delta mutants. I’m confused. ” “The inevitable opportunity for the virus to spread in a closed space like a toilet is a recipe for a disaster.”
Note: This story will be updated in the video.
WHO: Delta Variant is the “Most Infectious” Identified to date | Chicago News
Source link WHO: Delta Variant is the “Most Infectious” Identified to date | Chicago News