WHO

  • HealthIs tap water in Thailand safe to consume?

    Is tap water in Thailand safe to consume?

    Wondering if you can drink the tap water in Thailand? From brushing your teeth to filling up a bottle, it’s helpful to understand a few basics. Tap water safety in Thailand varies by location, and while some people use it without issue, others avoid it completely. Here’s a guide on what’s safe, what’s not. How clean is Bangkok’s tap water…

  • HealthFertility woes? Let’s make it a Ago Dad thing

    Fertility woes? Let’s make it a Ago Dad thing

    It’s becoming increasingly common for younger couples to face challenges with infertility. According to the latest report from the World Health Organisation, one in six adults worldwide are infertile at some point in their lives. Support is at hand with Ago Dad. In Thailand, about 7.7% of couples of childbearing age are infertile, which is equivalent to 1 million couples.…

  • World NewsWHO gives green light to first mpox test

    WHO gives green light to first mpox test

    In a crucial move to fight the growing mpox crisis, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved Abbott Laboratories’ mpox diagnostic test for emergency use. This marks the first approval of its kind as the global health body ramps up efforts to tackle outbreaks across affected regions. The real-time PCR test, known as the Alinity m MPXV assay, can detect…

  • Thailand NewsFDA puts the ‘test’ in ‘protest’ over mpox spread

    FDA puts the ‘test’ in ‘protest’ over mpox spread

    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has swung into action, kicking off the registration process for mpox (formerly monkeypox) diagnostic test kits amid growing fears over the viral infection’s spread. In a bold move, FDA Deputy Secretary-General Lertchai Lertwut revealed the new initiative yesterday, August 22. He stressed that the FDA is cutting red tape for manufacturers and importers alike,…

  • Thailand NewsWHO praises Thai cuisine for trans-fat removal

    WHO praises Thai cuisine for trans-fat removal

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently hailed Thailand‘s efforts in eliminating trans fat in its cuisine, placing the country alongside Denmark, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, and Poland. Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) luminary, Dr Narong Aphikulwanit, stated that the FDA’s commitment to vanquish trans fats has earned the country a top-tier accolade, which is a testament to their unwavering dedication…

  • Thailand NewsWHO selects Thai-discovered flu strain for 2024 Southern Hemisphere vaccine

    WHO selects Thai-discovered flu strain for 2024 Southern Hemisphere vaccine

    The World Health Organization (WHO) advisory groups have selected a flu virus lineage discovered and sequenced in Thailand as one of the three strains for the manufacturing of a novel influenza vaccine. The vaccine, set to be used in the Southern Hemisphere in 2024, was chosen by vaccine regulatory agencies, influenza vaccine producers, and the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s pollution control department to lower safe PM2.5 levels following WHO guidelines

    Thailand’s pollution control department to lower safe PM2.5 levels following WHO guidelines

    The Pollution Control Department (PCD) yesterday announced plans to align with the World Health Organisation guidelines and reclassify the safe level for ultra-fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from 50 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) to 37.5 µg/m3 in an effort to address dust pollution concerns. Jatuporn Burutphat, the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, expressed the ministry’s…

  • Covid-19 NewsWHO makes Covid-19 pandemic plea

    WHO makes Covid-19 pandemic plea

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) made a plea to those who know about the origins of the pandemic to come clean so they can conclude their report after the debate turned into a geopolitical football that continues to be kicked around. The WHO made the plea on the back of new accusations by FBI Director Christopher Wray who stated that…

  • China NewsChina defends its Covid death reporting rates while allegedly banning photos, videos of Tibetan cemeteries

    China defends its Covid death reporting rates while allegedly banning photos, videos of Tibetan cemeteries

    China is defending itself against World Health Organisation (WHO) claims that its reported Covid-19 death rates are inaccurate. Chinese health officials say that it is ‘not necessary’ to dwell on the exact number of Covid-related deaths in the country. But, a news report by Radio Free Asia says that the government is allegedly banning photos and videos of cemeteries in Tibet.…

  • Covid-19 NewsWHO to decide if Covid pandemic remains a global emergency on January 27

    WHO to decide if Covid pandemic remains a global emergency on January 27

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) is set to decide whether the Covid pandemic is still classified as a global emergency. The organisation is holding a meeting on Friday, January 27 to consider changing its classification. The move comes three years after a global emergency was declared. According to Reuters, WHO spokesperson Carla Drysdale confirmed the scheduled meeting at a Geneva…

  • HealthThailand ramps up airport checks for Ebola

    Thailand ramps up airport checks for Ebola

    The Thai government reported it has put its airports on red alert after a recent outbreak of the Ebola virus in Africa. Deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul acknowledged Thailand is aware of the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus discovered in Uganda last month and made known steps are being taken to monitor passengers passing through customs from Africa to…

  • Hot NewsWHO boss in Syria under investigation for fraud, corruption, abuse

    WHO boss in Syria under investigation for fraud, corruption, abuse

    The World Health Organisation Syrian branch representative has been accused of fraud, corruption, and abuse by coworkers. Akjemal Magtymova is now under what seems to be one of the most extensive investigations by the organisation as at least a dozen personnel have accused her of mismanaging millions of dollars, giving gifts to government officials and acting frivolously when the Covid…

  • World NewsMonkeypox declared a Global Health Emergency by WHO

    Monkeypox declared a Global Health Emergency by WHO

    Monkeypox has been found in 74 countries around the world, including Thailand and now Cambodia, and the World Health Organisation (WHO)has now officially declared it a Global Health Emergency. The warning is the highest rating the WHO can assign, after nearly 17,000 people worldwide have been afflicted with the disease. The chief of the WHO held a press conference where…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 is far from over cautions the WHO

    Covid-19 is far from over cautions the WHO

    Despite the world seemingly getting back to normal, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is warning that the Covid-19 pandemic is far from finished. New surges in coronavirus infections in Thailand and around the world are beginning to strain medical facilities and workers, but people are tired of safety measures and growing impatient, frustrating the head of the WHO. “The virus…

  • World NewsBA.2.75 Omicron sub-variant causing “concern” for authorities in SE Asia

    BA.2.75 Omicron sub-variant causing “concern” for authorities in SE Asia

    The UN and the World Health Organisation is actively following a new sub-lineage designated BA.2.75, another variant of the Omicron derivative of Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2 ). It was first detected in India and has since been found in 10 other countries. The Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Ghebreyesus, noted that new Covid-19 infections, globally, have increased nearly 30% over…

  • Covid-19 NewsMonkeypox is not a shingles mingle or side effect of Covid-19 vax

    Monkeypox is not a shingles mingle or side effect of Covid-19 vax

    The current monkeypox outbreak has not yet caused mass hysteria throughout the globe but there is enough false information doing the rounds on social media to cause concern. The latest stories circulating on social media suggest the outbreak of monkeypox is in fact shingles, while some others believe the flare-up is due to an adverse effect of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccination,…

  • HealthThe WHO insist monkeypox is not “a gay disease’

    The WHO insist monkeypox is not “a gay disease’

    World Health Organisation officials Monday revealed the outbreak of the monkeypox virus in Europe and the US “is primarily spreading through sex among men with around 200 confirmed and suspected cases across a dozen countries.” But today the WHO insist that the disease isn’t just isolated to one community. Andy Seale, from the WHO’s Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and…

  • Covid-19 NewsFDA approves protein-based Covovax vaccine for emergency use in Thailand

    FDA approves protein-based Covovax vaccine for emergency use in Thailand

    Need a Covid jab? If you’re in Thailand, you’ll have a new option. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the protein-based Covovax vaccine manufactured by Novavax for active immunisation against Covid-19. The FDA granted the vaccine emergency-use authorisation for individuals 18 years of age and older last Friday, according to a press release from Novavax. The vaccine — known…

  • Covid-19 NewsFirst case of new Omicron variant ‘XE’ detected in Thailand

    First case of new Omicron variant ‘XE’ detected in Thailand

    Thailand now has its first case of a new variant of a new Covid-19 Omicron variant. Yesterday, the Centre for Medical Genomics Ramathibodi Hospital confirmed tests of Thailand’s first case of the new recombinant variant, a hybrid of the BA.1 and BA.2 variants. The World Health Organisation flagged concerns about the new variant last Tuesday, warning that XE could be the…

  • Covid-19 News‘Deltacron’ in Thailand? Pft! We got this – Public Health Minister

    ‘Deltacron’ in Thailand? Pft! We got this – Public Health Minister

    Don’t fear new virus variants — we can handle it. That’s the main message from Thailand’s public health ministry, which says the country is well equipped to handle any new Covid-19 strains, including the so-called “Deltacron” variant, a possible combination of Delta and Omicron. Speaking at the Thailand International Health EXPO 2022 on Thursday, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | 9 cases of Omicron BA.2 subvariant found in Thailand

    Thailand News Today | 9 cases of Omicron BA.2 subvariant found in Thailand

    Thailand has detected nine cases of the new Omicron subvariant BA-two. The subvariant is spreading across the globe with at least 40 countries reporting the mutated strain, while infections in Thailand involve both Thais and travelers from overseas. When it comes to the severity of symptoms and transmissibility, ศุภกิจ ศิริลักษณ์ from Thailand’s Department of Medical Sciences says researchers have not…

  • Phuket NewsChange of mood over Covid restrictions as demands rise to reboot Test & Go

    Change of mood over Covid restrictions as demands rise to reboot Test & Go

    There’s a change of mood in some government circles as plans are afoot to ease some current restrictions imposed since the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19. The CCSA will meet again next Friday to consider the current restrictions and curbs to control the spread of Covid-19. Now, the Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is publicly noting the low…

  • World NewsFrance detects new Covid variant “IHU,” believed to be highly transmissible

    France detects new Covid variant “IHU,” believed to be highly transmissible

    While the world is grappling with new spikes in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, scientists in France have discovered another variant. The newly-discovered variant, called B.1.640.2, was found in 12 patients near Marseille and features 46 mutations, making it vaccine-resistant and contagious. Also known as “IHU,” the strain was detected by scholars at the IHU Mediterranee Infection on…

  • Covid-19 NewsWHO warns of surge in hospitalisations, particularly among the unvaccinated

    WHO warns of surge in hospitalisations, particularly among the unvaccinated

    The World Health Organisation has warned that even if the Omicron Covid-19 variant proves to be milder, its rapid spread will still mean a surge in hospitalisations. Europe Covid Incident Manager Catherine Smallwood says this will be particularly evident among the unvaccinated. “A rapid growth of Omicron, even if combined with a slightly milder disease, will still result in large…

  • Covid-19 NewsUPDATE: What we know about “Omicron,” new travel restrictions to Thailand

    UPDATE: What we know about “Omicron,” new travel restrictions to Thailand

    An increasing number of countries are taking precautionary steps to halt international flights. There are already many travel bans from several southern African nations following the discovery of a newly identified Covid-19 variant called “Omicron”. Is Omicron in Thailand? The Omicron Covid-19 variant has not been detected in Thailand, according to the director-general of the Department of Disease Control, assuring…

  • Covid-19 NewsOmicron causing concern, Thai authorities ban travellers from 8 countries

    Omicron causing concern, Thai authorities ban travellers from 8 countries

    Countries around the world are pushing back against the latest strain of Covid-19, now officially called by its Greek alphabet name ‘Omicron’, or B.1.1.529 if you want to be scientific. Potentially, the new variant is more a transmissible coronavirus and was first recognised by South African health authorities. Now, a number of countries are already banning travellers from several southern…

  • World News“Omicron” – a new Covid variant triggers travel alarms as flights disrupted

    “Omicron” – a new Covid variant triggers travel alarms as flights disrupted

    A reminder today that there is still more steam left in the Covid-19 coronavirus. Just as the world started to peek from behind the curtain of uncertainty, another Covid “variant of concern”, named Omicron, has been discovered. The World Health Organisation says Omicron has a large number of mutations, and early evidence suggests an “increased reinfection risk”. Officially, it is…

  • Covid-19 NewsWhy wasn’t the Thai deputy PM allowed into Switzerland?

    Why wasn’t the Thai deputy PM allowed into Switzerland?

    Sorry, must be another misunderstanding. Poor Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul. The mercurial Thai deputy PM and leader of the Bhumjaithai political party, continues to be barred from entering Switzerland until he receives another booster Covid vaccine. But confusion surrounds his misgivings last week. He was heading to a World Health Organisation meeting at the end of November but was…

  • Covid-19 NewsWHO approves Siam Bioscience’s AstraZeneca for emergency use

    WHO approves Siam Bioscience’s AstraZeneca for emergency use

    Today brought good news for Thai vaccines as the World Health Organisation approved the Siam Bioscience-licensed AstraZeneca vaccine for emergency use. Siam Bioscience, a company wholly owned by a subsidiary of the Crown Property Bureau, was licensed last November to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine for domestic use in Thailand and for sale and distribution around Southeast Asia. The director of…

  • Thailand NewsJapan plans to donate 1.3 million AstraZeneca doses to several Asian countries, 300,000 heading to Thailand

    Japan plans to donate 1.3 million AstraZeneca doses to several Asian countries, 300,000 heading to Thailand

    Japan is planning to donate 1.3 million AstraZeneca vaccines to several Asian countries, including 300,000 doses to Thailand. The newest donation from Japan should go out as soon as possible and includes 400,000 doses for Vietnam, 300,000 for Thailand, and 100,00 doses for Brunei. With 500,000 doses heading to Taiwan, Japan’s total donation to the island will be just shy…