MENA Newswire News Desk: The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against a “collective amnesia” regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, urging people not to forget the serious threat posed by respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The health agency emphasized that these diseases continue to circulate and remain dangerous, particularly for vulnerable groups including the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions.
In launching a new regional protection campaign across Europe, WHO’s Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Kluge, stressed that the public must remain vigilant. “Collective amnesia on COVID-19 has set in, and this is concerning,” Kluge said. “People understandably want to move on from the trauma of the pandemic, but COVID-19 is still very much with us, co-circulating with other respiratory viruses.” He added that the health risks remain, especially for those at high risk, and urged people to stay informed and protected.
According to WHO data, the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed over seven million lives globally since it began in late 2019. The highest number of reported deaths has been in the United States (1.2 million), followed by Brazil (702,000), India (534,000), and Russia (403,000). In a 28-day period leading up to September 22, WHO’s European region reported more than 278,000 new COVID-19 cases and 748 deaths, with countries such as Cyprus, Moldova, Ireland, and Russia among those still reporting significant case numbers.
WHO noted that these figures likely underrepresent the full scope of the virus’s impact, as the numbers are higher than those reported by any other region. Dr. Kluge pointed out that countries in Europe and Central Asia continue to suffer up to 72,000 deaths annually from seasonal influenza, accounting for roughly 20 percent of the global burden. He urged for continued protection, especially through immunization, noting that the vast majority of these deaths are preventable.
“The most vulnerable must be protected by vaccine immunization, which has been proven to prevent severe outcomes and illness,” Kluge said. As respiratory diseases remain a threat, the WHO has urged communities and countries to take these viruses seriously, despite the desire to move past the pandemic era.