WHO pushes for international accoerd to counter pandemics, cites new mutation

WHO chief: Omicron shows need for global accord on pandemics The World Health Organization on Monday is pushing for an international accord to help prevent and fight future pandemics amid the emergence of a worrying new omicron COVID-19 variant. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also said many uncertainties remain about just how transmissible and severe infection by the highly mutated omicron might be. Tedros joined leaders like outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera for a long-planned and largely virtual special session of the U.N. health agency's member states at the World Health Assembly. YahooNews

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The gathering is aimed at devising a global action plan toward preventing, preparing and responding to future pandemics.

“The emergence of the highly mutated omicron variant underlines just how perilous and precarious our situation is," Tedros said, calling for a “legally binding" agreement that wasn't mentioned in a draft text seeking consensus on the way forward. “Indeed, omicron demonstrates just why the world needs a new accord on pandemics.” ...