The Government of Belgium has nominated me for the position of WHO Director-General. I am deeply honoured by the trust and confidence Belgium 🇧🇪has placed in me, and grateful for the opportunity to stand for this important responsibility. Effective today, I will be on special leave from my role as WHO Regional Director for Europe, in accordance with WHO's established procedures. During this period, I look forward to engaging with Member States, partners and civil society listening to their perspectives, and exchanging views on the future of our Organization and global health. I know that @WHO_Europe's important work will continue under the capable leadership of Dr Corinne Capuano during my period of special leave, and I wish Corinne every success in this responsibility. My commitment to WHO, its Member States and the values of our Organization will remain unwavering, as will my deep respect for the outstanding leadership of @DrTedros, who has guided WHO through some of the most challenging moments in global health. Serving @WHO has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. I approach this next chapter with humility, optimism and a steadfast commitment to the values that unite us in improving #HealthForAll.

What is human metapneumovirus #HMPV – the pathogen currently in the news coming from China? It’s a fairly common respiratory virus that usually causes relatively mild symptoms like cough, fever, nasal congestion and wheezing. Severe cases, however, can lead to pneumonia, especially in infants, the elderly or those with underlying conditions. It spreads through droplets, close contact or contaminated surfaces. Currently, there's no specific antiviral therapy to treat HMPV and no vaccine to prevent it. Simple infection control measures – applicable to a range of respiratory diseases, from the common cold and influenza to #COVID19 and HMPV - can prevent spread and reduce risk: ☑️Stay home when ill and wear masks in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces. ☑️Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or bent elbow. ☑️Wash hands and clean surfaces regularly. Stay informed. Stay safe. 2/

Antimicrobial resistance #AMR is one of the top global health threats of our time, potentially reversing significant medical breakthroughs of the past century.    Following the mandate from our Member States, we are developing and piloting the first AMR Accountability Index, together with @LSEHealthPolicy. The aim is to pilot the Index in Europe and Central Asia from 2026.      Targets are a highly valuable tool in our response to AMR. They provide clear, measurable objectives that focus efforts and resources on key areas.     Targets can motivate stakeholders, including governments, healthcare providers and organizations, to prioritize AMR as a critical public health issue.    Read our commentary here thelancet.com/journals/lanmi…