WHO warns that COVID-19 remains a persistent threat four years after outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a stark warning on Tuesday, emphasizing that COVID-19 continues to pose a threat, marking four years since the outbreak that caused millions of deaths and significant global economic turmoil. Despite COVID-19 no longer being considered a top priority, the WHO stressed the ongoing risk associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO scientist leading the fight against the pandemic, underlined, «This virus, SARS-CoV-2, is currently circulating in all countries and is still a threat».

She urged continued vigilance due to the virus’s ability to circulate, evolve, and undergo changes.

At present, there are three COVID-19 variants (XBB.1.5, XXB.1.16, and EG.5) classified as «of interest», subject to enhanced surveillance.

A fourth variant (BA.2.86) is expected to join this group, even though it does not demonstrate increased disease severity.

Dr. Van Kerkhove noted a gradual rise in its global detection.

While the WHO lifted the public health emergency of international concern related to  theCOVID on May 5, 2023, the organization remains focused on both immediate symptoms and long-term effects, including the condition known as «long COVID».

«We have evidence that vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines reduces the risk» of long COVID, stated Maria Van Kerkhove.

With 13.5 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses administered worldwide since late 2020, she encouraged individuals, especially in the northern hemisphere approaching winter, to get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and influenza.

Pedro OKALAMAR