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Health systems strengthen preparedness across human, animal and environmental risks

A new joint assessment examines how MERS-CoV clade B could spread among African camel populations and spill over to humans, while a WHO-supported initiative is helping Papua New Guinea and the Philippines plan broader, multisectoral public-health workforces.[1][2]

The field note

1 source · 2 items
  1. The analysis covers camel husbandry, pastoralist mobility, cross-border animal movements, live-animal trade and…
  2. Its geographic scope distinguishes between spread within the Nile Basin, spread across Africa and camel-to-huma…
  3. The work uses the GLEWS+ joint risk-assessment mechanism, through which FAO, WHO and WOAH develop evidence-base…
Story 011 source

Joint assessment targets MERS-CoV risks in African camel populations

GLEWS+, a joint initiative of FAO, WHO and WOAH, has published an assessment of MERS-CoV clade B transmission risks at the human–animal–ecosystem interface.[1] It examines potential spread among dromedary camels in the Nile Basin and across Africa, alongside zoonotic transmission from infected camels to people in Nile Basin countries.[1]

Why it matters

The assessment is intended to help countries strengthen prevention, detection, response and control by considering the interconnected virological, epidemiological, ecological and socioeconomic conditions that influence MERS-CoV circulation.[1]

Key insights

  • The analysis covers camel husbandry, pastoralist mobility, cross-border animal movements, live-animal trade and human–camel interactions.[1]
  • Its geographic scope distinguishes between spread within the Nile Basin, spread across Africa and camel-to-human transmission in Nile Basin countries.[1]
  • The work uses the GLEWS+ joint risk-assessment mechanism, through which FAO, WHO and WOAH develop evidence-based estimates of emerging health threats.[1]
Story 021 source

Papua New Guinea and the Philippines draft public-health workforce plans

Health workforce leaders and public-health professionals from Papua New Guinea and the Philippines joined WHO experts for a Training of Trainers Workshop on 8–10 June 2026.[2] Participants used WHO tools to identify priorities and technical-assistance needs, producing draft national implementation plans for essential public health functions.[2]

Why it matters

WHO says these functions underpin disease prevention, surveillance, emergency preparedness, health promotion and governance, while delivery depends on coordinated workers across health, education, sanitation, environment, agriculture and One Health.[2]

Key insights

  • The training addressed competency-based education and methods for mapping and measuring the occupations and skills needed to deliver essential public health functions.[2]
  • Participants were prepared to adapt and cascade the training at national and subnational levels.[2]
  • The initiative responds to overlapping pressures including ageing populations, antimicrobial resistance, changing disease patterns and climate-related disasters.[2]
  • The Philippines workshop also connects to PhilPAC, which positions the country as a peer-learning hub for Pacific countries and areas facing workforce shortages, climate risks, service-continuity problems and geographic isolation.[2]

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