WHO Warns Coronavirus Outbreak Could Turn into Pandemic

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), has voiced concern over the increase in the number of cases of infection with the new coronavirus in countries with substandard health systems.

In an interview on Thursday, March 6th in Geneva, Tedros alerted that the current situation “could turn into a pandemic”.

The director-general called on nations to adopt a “comprehensive approach” and not to give up on efforts, since there are countries that have demonstrated that the virus “can be contained”.

Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO Emergency Health Program, who also took part in the panel, commented on North Korea.

To date, the country has not recorded any cases of coronavirus infection, despite the fact that it borders China and South Korea, two nations with a high number of cases.

Ryan said that North Korea is at risk because it is “right in the center of the region’s epidemic zone”. He added that WHO is ready to immediately send experts should the organization receive reports of any cases in that nation.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error