Pandemic and epidemic diseases: 2017 in retrospect

In 2017, WHO's Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean continued its support to Member States in containing outbreaks and building country capacities in surveillance, preparedness, readiness, response and prevention of health threats posed by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

In 2017, the Infectious Hazard Management programme of the Department of Health Emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region worked with Member States, and:

responded to, and contained a number of outbreaks of high-threat pathogens

supported the first-ever oral cholera vaccination campaign in Somalia

established the Emerging and Dangerous Pathogen Laboratory Network (EDPLN)

hosted the first-ever scientific conference on acute respiratory infections in the Region

Strengthened surveillance systems for detection of high-threat pathogens in Iran, occupied Palestinian territory, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates

The following photo essay covers some of the major public health activities undertaken in 2017 in support of health ministries, in coordination with regional and global health partners.

1 / 11

January 2017 - Chikungunya investigation

WHO conducts field investigation in Gwadihor, Baluchistan for detection and confirmation of the first-ever outbreak of chikungunya in Pakistan. The investigation and subsequent control measures contained the outbreak quickly, and stopped its geographic spread. Gwadihor, Pakistan. January 2017.