The WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a panel of 27 independent, international, multidisciplinary experts, today published its report on the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The virus can get into the human population when people have close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope or porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. This fact sheet provides information about transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and WHO's work to support prevention and treatment.
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the CHIKV, an RNA virus in the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae. CHIKV is transmitted by infected female mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses. These mosquitoes bite primarily during daylight hours and Aedes aegypti feeds both indoors and outdoors, whereas ...
On 12 March 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified the first maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine to protect infants against one of the most common causes of acute lower respiratory infections in children globally.
WHO is bringing the world’s scientists and global health professionals together to accelerate the research and development process, and develop new norms and standards to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and help care for those affected. The R&D Blueprint has been activated to accelerate diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics for this novel coronavirus. The solidarity of all ...
WHO fact sheet on Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever: includes key facts, definition, signs and symptoms, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control, WHO response.
