World Health Organization Quiz

Notes:
Georgia has been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization. It is located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and West Asia, in the Transcaucasia region. Malaria is a life-threatening fever caused by Plasmodium parasites spread by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is primarily found in tropical countries and is not contagious. The disease cannot spread from person to person; transmission occurs through mosquito bites.

Notes:

• Georgia has been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO). Correct: Following a nearly century-long effort, Georgia has been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Malaria is a contagious disease transmitted through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes. Incorrect: Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, spread through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is a life-threatening disease mainly found in tropical regions and is not contagious.
• The first symptoms of malaria usually appear within 10–15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Correct: The first symptoms of malaria usually begin within 10–15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. Fever, headache and chills are typically experienced, though these symptoms may be mild and difficult to recognize as malaria.

Notes:
The United States announced its exit from the World Health Organization (WHO), with President Donald Trump citing mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and political influence from member states. Trump criticized the WHO for “unfair payments” and claimed it failed to act independently from countries like China. The U.S. contributes around 18% of WHO’s funding, with its 2024-2025 budget at $6.8 billion. Trump accused the WHO of aiding China’s efforts to mislead about COVID-19 origins, a claim the WHO denies. The withdrawal will take 12 months, ending U.S. financial contributions to the agency.

Notes:
Yemen is the most cholera-affected country globally, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Cholera is a diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae. Most cases show mild or no symptoms and can be treated with oral rehydration solution, but it can be fatal without prompt treatment. Safe access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is critical for cholera prevention. The Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) is an effective tool for cholera prevention and control.

Notes:
WHO declared January 10 as “Ayush Medical Coding and Records Day,” starting next year. The announcement was made at the 10th World Ayurveda Congress in Dehradun, India. Ayush represents traditional practices like yoga, naturopathy, Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) will lead the observance. The Hyderabad-based National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), WHO’s collaboration center in India, will work with CCRAS. Their goal is to develop a roadmap for capacity building and global classification of traditional health interventions. The initiative promotes evidence-based traditional medicine and global integration of ancient systems.

Notes:
Egypt was officially declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO). Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, spread through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is life-threatening but not contagious and mainly found in tropical regions. Five parasite species cause malaria, with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax being the most dangerous. Symptoms like fever, headache, and chills start 10–15 days after the mosquito bite. Some people in malaria-endemic areas may be infected but show no symptoms. Vector control is the key method for preventing malaria and reducing transmission.

Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Jordan the first country in the world to eliminate leprosy, a major public health achievement. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Jordan for its efforts to stop leprosy transmission and reduce its stigma. Jordan has not reported any local cases of leprosy for over 20 years. The declaration followed an independent assessment of the situation in the country. Despite Jordan’s success, leprosy still affects over 120 countries, with more than 200,000 new cases reported annually.

Notes:
Dhulikhel, Nepal, is the first city in the country to be recognized as a “healthy city” by the World Health Organization (WHO). Dhulikhel is located in the Kavrepalanchok district, about 18 miles from Kathmandu. The WHO monitored Dhulikhel for two years before making the announcement in August 2024. The WHO’s decision was based on factors like environmental improvements, progress in primary health care, and access to health for poor citizens. Dhulikhel was also named the second healthiest city in Asia.

Notes:
The WHO declared mpox a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC) for the second time in two years. A PHEIC is a serious and unexpected health event that spreads internationally and needs a coordinated global response. Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a double-stranded DNA virus from the Orthopoxvirus genus. There are two genetic clades of MPXV: clade I and clade II. mpox was first reported in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Notes:
UNESCO introduced the New World Soil Health Index at an international conference in Morocco to standardize soil quality assessment globally. It aims to monitor soil degradation trends and improvements across different ecosystems. UNESCO will pilot sustainable soil management in ten Biosphere Reserves to develop best practices. Globally, soil degradation affects 75% of land, impacting 3.2 billion people, and is projected to reach 90% by 2050. In India, 32% of land is degraded, with 25% undergoing desertification due to various factors including deforestation and industrial pollution.