The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to launch a global technical consultation report on proposed terminology for pathogens that transmit through the air. The virtual webinar is scheduled to take place on 18 April 2024 from 12:00 to 13:00 CET.

The variation in terminology used to describe the transmission of pathogens through the air across different scientific disciplines, organizations, and the general public has prompted the need for a unified language. In response to this, a global technical consultation involving experts from various disciplines and major public health agencies was convened to develop an updated terminology for describing the transmission of air-borne pathogens that can lead to human infection.

The objectives of the webinar include:

• Describing the updated terminology and the consultation process
• Outlining the next steps
• Addressing technical questions related to the updated terminology and consultation process

The event will be led by the WHO Chief Scientist and will feature contributions from Directors Generals and Directors of key health organizations such as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Co-Chairs of the Technical Consultation Group. The webinar will be conducted in English.

Registration for the event is open, and participants will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the webinar. The regions covered by the event include Africa, Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific. The webinar will touch on policies such as cyber security, ethics, permissions and licensing, preventing sexual exploitation, and terms of use.

The WHO continues to be at the forefront of global health initiatives, providing valuable resources and information to address public health challenges. Stay tuned for more updates on this important event.