LIVE: WHO chief speaks on world health crises — Monday 18 May 2026In Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the annual World Health Assembly, highlighting ongoing threats from Ebola and hantavirus alongside broader global health emergencies. His remarks came as health officials monitor fresh flare-ups in parts of Central Africa and rising rodent-linked cases in rural areas of the Americas and Asia. Tedros stressed that these outbreaks continue to strain already fragile health systems in low-resource communities. The speech drew attention to how environmental shifts are amplifying disease risks worldwide. Warmer temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns have expanded habitats for disease-carrying animals and insects, allowing viruses once confined to specific regions to appear in new locations. For communities from the Congo Basin to the Andean highlands, these changes mean greater exposure during daily activities such as farming or collecting water, underscoring the need for stronger surveillance that connects climate data with public health responses. Global audiences are watching closely because diseases do not respect borders. Experts note that early detection in one country protects populations everywhere, especially as travel and trade accelerate transmission. Tedros urged nations to invest in resilient health infrastructure and environmental monitoring to reduce the frequency and severity of future crises.Watch the full video from Reuters below.