Geneva-Sana
The Director-General of the World Health Organization warned today that some countries are taking large-scale measures to tackle the spread of the Omicron strain without evidence.
Reuters quoted Ghebreyesus as saying in a speech to the 194 member states of the organization: The actions of countries to address the Omicron strain are not based on evidence or effective in themselves, and they punish southern African countries that rushed to report the monitoring of the strain.
Ghebreyesus urged that reasonable and proportionate measures be taken to reduce the risk in accordance with the 2005 WHO International Health Regulations.
"We still have more questions than answers about the effect of Omicron in terms of infection, disease severity, and the efficacy of tests, treatments and vaccines," Ghebreyesus added in statements published on the WHO's website.
The discovery of the new mutant in South Africa caused strong reactions around the world, as many countries restricted travel to southern African countries and imposed other restrictions for fear of its rapid spread, even among previously vaccinated people.
