Potential spread of new Omicron strain at global level is high – WHO
The 194 member states of the World Health Organisation are to meet on Monday to consider a proposal to improve global preparedness for the next pandemic.
Ministers of the states will discuss whether to start formal negotiations on a “pandemic treaty”.
Germany’s diplomatic mission in Geneva tweeted on Sunday evening that countries had agreed on a draft decision that will launch treaty negotiations and set out a timeline.
The draft document describes a decision to establish an intergovernmental body to negotiate a “WHO convention, agreement or other international instruments on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response’’.
Negotiations should kick off no later than March 2022, according to the draft.
The draft decision is expected to be adopted at the three-day WHO session starting Monday.
It is not yet clear whether the eventual outcome will be a legally binding pact or not.
The exact contents are also not yet defined, but the aims include ensuring quick and fair distribution of medication and vaccines globally.
The EU is among those behind a binding global pandemic treaty, but the U.S. and China are skeptical and are resistant to any new multilateral commitments.
The likelihood of potential further spread of the new Omicron Coronavirus strain at the global level is high, the World Health Organization said on Monday.
“Given mutations that may confer immune escape potential and possibly transmissibility advantage, the likelihood of potential further spread of Omicron at the global level is high,” the WHO said in its latest technical paper on the strain.
It said, depending on these characteristics, there could be future surges of COVID-19, which could have severe consequences, depending on a number of factors including where surges may take place.
“The overall global risk related to the new VOC Omicron is assessed as very high.
“To date, no deaths associated with the new OMICRON Coronavirus strain have been registered.
“Due to the risk of importation by incoming travelers from locations experiencing Omicron transmission, countries may increase sampling from inbound travelers.
“Positive RT-PCR samples should be sequenced to confirm presence of the Omicron,’’ WHO said.
It also recommended that national testing strategies be updated to include available diagnostic tools for rapid testing, reporting and effective decentralization of testing, as well as countries be ready to tighten social and sanitary measures to counter the virus.
The organisation said in spite of the uncertainties, it is reasonable to assume that currently available vaccines offer some protection against severe disease and death. (Sputnik/NAN)
