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Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

World Health Organisation

Also known as: WHO · World Health Organization

World Health Organisation — international health body that declares disease emergencies, issues public health guidance, and works with countries on disease prevention and health monitoring.

2018-02-022026-06-08
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. June 2026

  2. The Namibian

    World Health Organisation is most concerned about late detection of outbreak, ongoing conflict and insecurity in affected areas

    Source

    “"What the World Health Organisation is most concerned about is not so much the current numbers, but the late detection of the outbreak, the ongoing conflict and insecurity in these affected areas," Coetzee says.”

    South Africa border officials on alert as Ebola outbreak expands

  3. Informanté

    World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over rapid global rise of nicotine pouches and aggressive marketing tactics by transnational tobacco companies

    Source

    “A NEW World Health Organization (WHO) report has raised alarm over the rapid global rise of nicotine pouches, warning that aggressive marketing tactics by transnational tobacco companies are driving youth uptake, exploiting regulatory gaps, and fuelling a fast-growing multi-billion-dollar market.”

    New WHO report raises alarm over fast-growing nicotine pouch market

  4. Informanté

    WHO calls on governments to close regulatory loopholes by banning or tightly regulating nicotine pouches

    Source

    “The report calls on governments to urgently close regulatory loopholes by banning or tightly regulating nicotine pouches, restricting flavours that appeal to children, introducing plain packaging and stronger health warnings, and ensuring effective taxation to reduce youth access.”

    New WHO report raises alarm over fast-growing nicotine pouch market
  5. May 2026

  6. Informanté

    The World Health Organization reported about 750 suspected Ebola cases and 177 deaths recorded in the DRC

    Source

    “According to the World Health Organization, about 750 suspected Ebola cases and 177 deaths have been recorded in the DRC, where the epidemic "is spreading rapidly."”

    Namibia neighbours among countries at risk of Ebola outbreak

  7. The Namibian

    World Health Organisation declared outbreak a public health emergency of international concern

    Source

    “The WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday due to the risks posed by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is currently no licensed vaccine or approved antiviral treatment.”

    Namibia records no confirmed or suspected Ebola cases

  8. Namibian Sun

    World Health Organization (WHO) declared Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern

    Source

    “The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern.”

    WHO declares Ebola outbreak in DR Congo a global health emergency

  9. Informanté

    The WHO added that hypertension remains the leading preventable cause of premature death globally

    Source

    “The WHO added that hypertension remains the leading preventable cause of premature death globally, affecting an estimated 1.4 billion people.”

    Health Ministry and WHO mark World Hypertension Day, urge regular screening and lifestyle changes

  10. Informanté

    WHO called for stronger health systems to improve access to screening and care

    Source

    “WHO stressed that hypertension can be prevented and managed through healthy living, early diagnosis, and long-term treatment, and called for stronger health systems to improve access to screening and care.”

    Health Ministry and WHO mark World Hypertension Day, urge regular screening and lifestyle changes

  11. The Namibian

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in DR Congo a public health emergency of international concern

    Source

    “The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo a public health emergency of international concern.”

    WHO declares Ebola outbreak in DR Congo a global health emergency

  12. Windhoek Observer

    World Health Organisation hosts the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in Geneva, Switzerland

    Source

    “The alliance, hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland, brings together nearly 1 500 partner organisations working on maternal, child and adolescent health.”

    Geingos to chair world’s largest maternal, child health alliance
World & Region

South Africa intensifies Ebola screening as Central Africa outbreak spreads

The News

A deadly Ebola outbreak in Central Africa has claimed at least 61 lives and resulted in 359 cases, mostly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. South Africa's Border Management Authority says it has intensified screening and surveillance measures at ports of entry, including temperature checks and travel history interviews, to prevent the virus from entering the country.

7 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Yesterday

  1. South Africa intensifies Ebola screening as Central Africa outbreak spreads

    A deadly Ebola outbreak in Central Africa has claimed at least 61 lives and resulted in 359 cases, mostly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. South Africa's Border Management Authority says it has intensified screening and surveillance measures at ports of entry, including temperature checks and travel history interviews, to prevent the virus from entering the country.

    7 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Rosatom seeks uranium mining approval pending IAEA report

    Russian state-owned Rosatom, through subsidiary Headspring Investments, claims groundwater in the Stampriet Basin already contains uranium at levels approximately 300 times higher than WHO drinking water guidelines. The company awaits an independent IAEA report on its proposed in situ leaching uranium mining project in Omaheke Region, which the Namibian government has received and Cabinet is reviewing.

    2 June 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 1 June

  1. WHO warns tobacco firms exploit gaps marketing nicotine pouches

    A WHO report, prepared with Stanford University experts, warns that tobacco companies are using aggressive marketing tactics—including social media, influencers, and youth-appealing branding—to drive nicotine pouch sales, particularly among adolescents, exploiting regulatory gaps with "smoke-free" claims and candy-like flavours.

    1 June 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 30 May

  1. Angola, Zambia listed among ten African nations at Ebola risk

    Two of Namibia's neighbours, Angola and Zambia, are among ten African countries at risk of Ebola exposure as an outbreak spreads in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has recorded about 750 suspected cases and 177 deaths. The May 2026 outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no vaccine and mortality rates can reach up to 50 per cent.

    30 May 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 23 May

  1. Namibia reports no confirmed or suspected Ebola cases

    Namibia's health ministry confirmed there are no confirmed or suspected Ebola cases in the country, despite an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain spreading to major urban centres in the DRC and Uganda. The ministry has implemented heightened surveillance at all points of entry and is providing refresher training to frontline health workers.

    23 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 21 May

  1. Walvis Bay Corridor Group urges vigilance over DRC Ebola

    The Walvis Bay Corridor Group has called on transporters, logistics operators, and corridor users to strengthen hygiene and sanitation measures following an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Transport and trade activities continue normally, but stakeholders are advised to ensure handwashing facilities, sanitisers, and protective equipment are available and to comply with health screening measures.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Windhoek residents demand lab evidence after body found in water treatment facility

    A body was discovered at Windhoek's Gammams Water Care Works facility on Sunday, prompting the Residents and Ratepayers Association to demand laboratory results on tap water safety. The Windhoek Municipality has assured the public that the city's water is safe, noting the body was found at the initial screening stage of the treatment process.

    20 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia strengthens medicine safety systems through African cooperation

    Namibia is strengthening its medicine safety systems as African countries push for closer regulatory cooperation through the African Medicines Agency to address concerns over counterfeit medicines and weak reporting systems for medicine side effects. The Ministry of Health and Social Services says stronger cooperation between African regulators would help countries respond faster to harmful medicines, improve monitoring of side effects and reduce dependence on foreign regulatory systems.

    20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 18 May

  1. Over 70% of low-income Namibians depend on walking and cycling

    A report launched during UN Global Road Safety Week found that more than 70% of daily travel among low-income households in Namibia depends on walking and cycling, but major gaps exist in infrastructure, funding and policies supporting pedestrians and cyclists. Namibia recorded more than 1,000 motor vehicle crashes during the first four months of 2026, resulting in 179 deaths and over 1,700 injuries.

    18 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo

    The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern.

    18 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Sunday 17 May

  1. Ministry and WHO urge regular blood pressure screening on World Hypertension Day

    Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Services and the WHO marked World Hypertension Day on 17 May, calling on the public to prioritise regular blood pressure checks and healthy lifestyles. The ministry urged monitoring blood pressure, reducing salt intake, exercising, and taking prescribed medication, warning that uncontrolled hypertension can lead to stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.

    17 May 2026 · Informanté →

  2. WHO declares DR Congo Ebola outbreak public health emergency

    The World Health Organisation has declared an Ebola outbreak in DR Congo's Ituri province—caused by the Bundibugyo virus, with 246 suspected cases and 80 reported deaths—a public health emergency of international concern. The outbreak has spread to Uganda, with two confirmed cases reported there, and the WHO warns of potential for larger spread despite no approved drugs or vaccines for this strain.

    17 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 16 May

  1. Monica Geingos appointed Board Chair of global maternal health alliance

    Former First Lady Monica Geingos has been appointed Board Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), the world's largest alliance focused on the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents. She succeeds former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, whose tenure ends in November 2026.

    16 May 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 15 May

  1. WHO representative urges investment in safer walking and cycling

    World Health Organization country representative Dr Richard Banda called for urgent investment in safer walking and cycling infrastructure, stating that road crashes continue to claim lives and leave many with permanent injuries in Namibia and across Africa. He said pedestrians and cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users due to poor infrastructure and unsafe conditions, and called for stronger law enforcement, lower speed limits in pedestrian areas, and improved emergency response systems.

    15 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Former first lady Geingos appointed chair of global maternal health alliance

    Monica Geingos has been appointed board chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, the world's largest alliance focused on maternal, newborn and child health, succeeding former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark when her term ends in November 2026. The alliance, hosted by the WHO in Geneva, brings together nearly 1,500 partner organisations working on maternal, child and adolescent health.

    15 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Road deaths persist as national crisis requiring urgent attention

    The Namibian reports that 15 people died on roads during a long weekend, bringing the year-to-date toll to 170 by 3 May, with the MVA Fund recording 921 crashes, 1,467 injuries, and 143 fatalities from January to 26 April. The editorial argues road crashes constitute a persistent national crisis requiring immediate action, citing WHO data showing Namibia recorded about 423 fatalities in 2023 at a rate of 14 per 100,000 population.

    12 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 11 May

  1. Namibia monitoring hantavirus threat as WHO alerts countries

    The Namibian government has assured the nation that the country remains vigilant and prepared amid global hantavirus concerns, with the Ministry of Health and Social Services stating that Namibia has not recorded any confirmed cases but is actively monitoring developments at global and regional levels through coordination with local and international partners.

    11 May 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 10 May

  1. Namibia monitoring global hantavirus outbreak, no local cases recorded

    Namibia has not recorded any hantavirus cases, but health authorities are closely monitoring the global and regional situation and urging the public to seek immediate medical attention if experiencing symptoms, especially after rodent exposure or travel to affected regions. As of 6 May, eight cases including three deaths have been reported globally, five confirmed as the Andes strain, the only hantavirus strain known to allow limited human-to-human transmission.

    10 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 9 May

  1. Namibia has not recorded any Hantavirus cases, ministry confirms

    The Ministry of Health's Executive Director confirmed that Namibia has not reported any Hantavirus cases, though the ministry is monitoring the global and regional situation. The statement follows reports of a Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship that travelled from Argentina to Cabo Verde, with five confirmed cases and three suspected as of 6 May 2026.

    9 May 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 8 May

  1. Namibia has no Hantavirus cases, monitoring outbreak

    Namibia has not recorded any cases of Hantavirus despite a recent outbreak on a cruise ship in the South Atlantic that has resulted in eight reported cases, including three deaths. The Ministry of Health and Social Services says it is closely monitoring the global and regional situation and has put precautionary measures in place.

    8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship traced to multiple countries

    Three passengers have died and four others medically evacuated from a cruise ship that sailed from Argentina a month ago carrying the Andes strain of hantavirus. Health authorities are tracing potentially exposed passengers who have travelled to countries including the UK, South Africa, the Netherlands, the US and Switzerland, but WHO stress the risk to the general public remains low.

    8 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 7 May

  1. Hantavirus outbreak strands 150 on luxury cruise ship

    Around 150 people from 23 countries are stranded on the MV Hondius in the Atlantic near Cape Verde after three confirmed and five suspected hantavirus cases were identified on board. Three passengers have died, and the WHO says three suspected hantavirus patients have been evacuated to The Netherlands for medical care.

    7 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Three dead in suspected hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship

    Three people have died after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, with two cases confirmed so far and two crew members presenting with respiratory symptoms. Hantavirus is a virus strain carried by rodents, primarily transmitted to humans through inhalation of airborne particles from dried rodent droppings, with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome having an approximate 38% mortality rate when respiratory symptoms develop.

    6 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 30 April

  1. Namibia intensifies malaria elimination efforts amid rising cases

    Namibia marked World Malaria Day 2026 by reaffirming its commitment to fight malaria, particularly in northern regions where cases are rising. Health Minister Dr. Esperance Luvindao stressed that malaria is preventable and treatable, calling for stronger prevention and early detection efforts supported by coordination with the Africa CDC, WHO, and regional partners.

    30 April 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 29 April

  1. WHO approves first malaria treatment for newborns

    The World Health Organisation has prequalified artemether/lumefantrine, the first antimalarial drug formulation specifically designed for infants weighing two to five kilogrammes. The move addresses a long-standing treatment gap affecting about 30 million babies born annually in malaria-endemic parts of Africa, as infants have previously been treated with medicines intended for older children.

    29 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia launches polio vaccination despite no reported cases

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has started a nationwide polio vaccination campaign following virus detections in sewage at Rundu and Gobabis, with the health minister declaring an outbreak despite no confirmed cases. The last reported polio cases in Namibia occurred in 2006, when 35 cases and 11 deaths were recorded.

    29 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 22 April

  1. Japan, UN fund health projects targeting emergency preparedness

    Japan, the UN, and global partners have launched major investments to strengthen Namibia's health system, including three key projects focused on emergency preparedness, disease prevention, and diagnostic capacity. The initiatives, valued at approximately N$18.4 million, will benefit more than 118,000 people across eight hospitals and vulnerable regions including Kunene, Omusati, and Otjozondjupa.

    22 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 16 April

  1. Researcher identifies antimalarial drug resistance markers in Namibia

    Lydia Eloff, a University of Namibia PhD candidate in malaria genomics, has identified molecular markers associated with drug resistance in Namibia using genomic tools. Her research, which won the Best Student Researcher Award, is informing national surveillance efforts and therapeutic efficacy studies as the country experiences rising malaria cases, particularly in northeastern regions.

    16 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 15 April

  1. African health worker migration rooted in colonial power structures

    A health education researcher argues that the migration of healthcare workers from poorer to wealthier countries is not simply driven by individual choice, but is shaped by colonial legacies and global inequality. Solutions require African governments to invest in local retention and working conditions, while high-income countries must reduce reliance on international recruitment and reform global knowledge hierarchies that devalue non-Western expertise.

    15 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 9 April

  1. Walvis Bay dumpsite becomes informal settlement amid health risks

    A controlled landfill in Walvis Bay has transformed into an informal settlement housing over 100 shacks and more than 300 people, with residents reporting illegal tyre burning, undercover prostitution, domestic violence, and drug activity. The situation raises serious environmental and health concerns for surrounding communities, prompting authorities to engage stakeholders on de-proclaiming the portion within Dorob National Park to enable better municipal management.

    9 April 2026 · New Era →

World Health Organisation — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute