Starting in early May 2026, reports emerged of an outbreak of Andes hantavirus (Andes virus, ANDV) associated with the cruise ship MV Hondius. As of May 12, 2026, at least eleven cases and three deaths have been associated with the outbreak, including three additional passengers who tested positive after repatriation to France, Spain, and the … Continued
Language note – This article includes an approved French translation at the bottom of the page. The English version is the version of record. Purpose A concise, shareable update for individuals, organizations, and communities to understand current COVID risks—and how to respond effectively using practical, science-based measures. Core Message (for sharing) COVID is still widespread … Continued
On March 16, 2026, in the matter American Academy of Pediatrics et al. v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. et al., 25-11916-BEM, the Federal Court of the District of Massachusetts temporarily suspends (through a stay) a January 2026 memorandum of the CDC that would reduce the number of diseases from which children are protected through the … Continued
The World Health Network exists to protect life and health. That obligation applies regardless of nationality, legal status, or political context. Detention in facilities that lack enforceable standards of medical care, safety, transparency, and accountability poses a high and foreseeable risk to human life and health. When individuals are deprived of liberty, the detaining authority … Continued
Authors: Yaneer Bar-Yam, Stephane Bilodeau, Špela Šalamon, Greta Fox, Sunil K Raina, Andrew Ewing Long COVID in Children: Science, Precautions, and Protection For years, many parents, doctors, and policymakers were told that children are safe from COVID-19. That belief shaped decisions about schools, masking, and vaccination—and continues to influence public attitudes today. Yet growing scientific … Continued
Overview Throughout the COVID pandemic, there has been confusion from public health and medical leaders over which masks to wear to prevent transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Inadequate supplies of respirator masks and a misunderstanding that the predominant means of transmission of disease was contact/droplet rather than the correct airborne/aerosol meant that there were recommendations … Continued
By Spela Salamon, Andrew G. Ewing, Yaneer Bar-Yam, Deborah Lupton, Resia Pretorius, Arneaux Kruger World Health Network, New England Complex Systems Institute, Cambridge, MA When COVID-19 first emerged, we focused on the acute illness — the cough, the fever, the weeks at home or in the hospital — and the many deaths. But nearly six … Continued
Sunil Raina1, Matthias Schneider2, Stephane Bilodeau3, Yaneer Bar-Yam4 1 Dr. RP Government Medical College, Tanda (HP), India and World Health Network2 Medical and Biological Physics, TU Dortmund University and World Health Network3 Department of Bioengineering, McGill University and World Health Network4 New England Complex Systems Institute and World Health Network Abstract Tuberculosis (TB), particularly in … Continued
Submitted to: covid19@who.int Subject: Public comment submission – strategic and operational plan for coronavirus disease threat management We appreciate WHO’s continued leadership in coordinating global efforts to reduce the burden of coronavirus disease threats and welcome the opportunity to comment on the draft Strategic and Operational Plan (2025–2030). The shift from short-term emergency response to … Continued
The World Health Network (WHN) expresses grave concern over the ongoing dismantling of core public health institutions in the United States. In recent weeks, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has taken actions that represent not a shift in policy but a collapse of institutional function and purpose. Among the most alarming … Continued