Montevideo, Uruguay, 2 March 2020 (CLAP-PAHO) - Every year, around 8 million newborns are born worldwide with a severe congenital defect, and about 3 million will die before the age of 5 years. In Latin America, birth defects account for up to 21% of the deaths of children under 5 years and one out of five babies dies from birth defects…
The guidelines on the use of face masks were updated on 19 of June 2020.  See When and how to use masks. Q&A: Masks and COVID-19 (Updated June 7, 2020) Washington, D.C., 28 February 2020 (PAHO/WHO) — The use of face masks during outbreaks of viral illnesses such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has only been shown…
Brazil announced the first imported case of the new coronavirus in Latin America. Washington, DC, February 26, 2020 (PAHO)– The Director of the Pan American Health Organization, Carissa F. Etienne, today recommended that countries intensify their plans to prepare and respond to COVID-19 given the appearance of cases of new coronavirus…
As climate and commercial threats intensify, WHO-UNICEF-Lancet Commission press for radical rethink on child health NEW YORK/ LONDON/ GENEVA, 19 February: No single country is adequately protecting children’s health, their environment and their futures, finds a landmark report released today by a Commission of over 40 child and adolescent…
Washington, DC, February 20, 2020 (PAHO) - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has announced a total of 23 confirmed cases of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in the Region of the Americas. As of 18 February, all cases were reported in the United States (15) and Canada (8). The first imported case of COVID-19 in the Region was identified on 21…
Washington D.C., 14 February 2020 (PAHO) – Efforts to ensure that countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are prepared to carry out laboratory diagnosis of new coronavirus (COVID-19) have continued this week with a training in Mexico City, held by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Mexican Ministry of Health’s Institute of…
PAHO urges continued actions to reduce mosquito breeding sites, and stresses that the health sector’s priority is to prevent deaths  Washington, DC, 12 February 2020 (PAHO)- The Americas reported more than 3 million cases of dengue in 2019, the largest number recorded in the Region so far, according to the latest epidemiological…
Washington D.C., 12 February 2020 (PAHO) – Virology experts from the Pan American Health Organization have travelled to the Caribbean region to ensure that laboratory specialists are trained and equipped to identify and respond to potential imported cases of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). “Providing countries with the reagents and knowledge…
Washington, Feb. 6, 2020 (PAHO)—The Pan American Health Organization is working with health ministries in Latin America and the Caribbean to help them prepare to deal with possible importations of cases of novel coronavirus. In a series of technical cooperation activities, PAHO experts in laboratories, preparedness, epidemiology, clinical…