United Nations Photo/Loey Felipe At the United Nations Headquarters in New York, COVID-19 related precautionary measures remain in effect

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Wednesday that the global phenomenon of "collective forgetfulness" regarding the COVID-19 pandemic should not be an excuse for people to neglect protecting themselves and their families from respiratory diseases, especially as the northern hemisphere is approaching the cold winter season.

The WHO Regional Office for Europe emphasized that high attention must be paid to coronaviruses such as COVID-19, influenza viruses, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as these viruses pose severe threats to high-risk groups including the elderly, pregnant women, and patients with chronic diseases. To this end, the organization has launched a protection campaign covering the entire region.

Vigilance Against Pandemic Memory Fade

Hans Kluge, the director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, expressed concern about the collective forgetfulness of the COVID-19 pandemic. While it is understandable that individuals, communities, and countries want to move on from the shadow of the pandemic, the fact remains that COVID-19 is still spreading in tandem with other respiratory viruses.

Kluge pointed out that the 53 countries in the European and Central Asian regions still report up to 72,000 deaths each year due to seasonal influenza, accounting for approximately 20% of global influenza deaths. Most of these deaths could have been prevented through preventive measures. He called for vaccination to protect vulnerable populations and prevent disease transmission and its severe consequences.

COVID-19 Pandemic Data

In the 28 days ending on September 22, the WHO European region reported over 278,000 COVID-19 cases and 748 deaths. The WHO stated that both figures are among the highest in all WHO regions globally, and the actual situation may be even more severe.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019, more than 7 million people have died from the virus worldwide. The countries with the highest reported death tolls include the United States (1.2 million), Brazil (702,000), India (534,000), and Russia (403,000).

New Global Pandemic Challenges

Kluge highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused tremendous damage globally, and the unexpected emergence of monkeypox type II virus in Europe in 2022 is still spreading. At the same time, the monkeypox type I epidemic in the Middle East and Africa has also been listed as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Additionally, as the weather gets colder and people gather more indoors, RSV and influenza viruses are expected to spread with higher intensity in the coming months.

He urged health departments in various countries to fulfill their responsibilities to protect vulnerable populations, increase investment in public health, and alleviate the significant pressure on healthcare workers.

Preventive Measures and Social Responsibility

Kluge warned that emerging and existing viruses could have severe impacts on health systems, economies, and societies. Therefore, regular and continuous monitoring must be implemented to ensure that global health systems are always prepared to respond to the next major health emergency.

The WHO stated that key protective measures to prevent influenza and other respiratory diseases include staying home when sick, maintaining hand and cough hygiene, and ensuring good ventilation.

The WHO also recommended that vulnerable populations, including those with weakened immune systems and those suspected of being infected with respiratory viruses, wear appropriate masks in crowded or enclosed environments.

Kluge emphasized that protecting the public from respiratory viruses is a shared responsibility of governments and society. Everyone should contribute to caring for vulnerable groups and promoting a culture of solidarity.