Ebola: WHO urges better global preparedness against future outbreaks

By Michelle Nurse Last updated Jan 26, 2015

WHO Director-General, Margaret Chan (far right) speaks at the Special Session of the Executive Board on Ebola in Geneva. (UN Photo/Christopher Black)

The Ebola outbreak is “clearly” in retreat throughout the affected countries of West Africa but the continuing emergency response shows the need for urgent changes so that “never again should the world be caught by surprise,” the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) told a special meeting on Ebola today.

Speaking in Geneva to the UN agency’s Special Session of the Executive Board on Ebola, WHO Director-General, Dr. Margaret Chan, emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in the fight against the deadly virus and guarding against complacency while also delineating a set of recommendations for future large-scale and sustained outbreaks and emergencies.

“The Ebola outbreak points to the need for urgent change in three main areas,” Dr. Chan told those gathered. “To rebuild and strengthen national and international emergency preparedness and response, to address the way new medical products are brought to market, and to strengthen the way WHO operates during emergencies.”