Official communications or press releases from the World Health Organization.

WHO Renames Airborne Viruses as 'Pathogens That Transmit Through the Air'

Apr 18, 2024, 11:11 AM

The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced new terminology for airborne viruses, now to be referred to as 'pathogens that transmit through the air.' This update, published in a global technical consultation report, aims to resolve a scientific disagreement that negatively impacted the initial response to Covid-19. The revised terminology is the outcome of a multi-year collaborative effort involving WHO, about 500 experts, advisory members, including co-chairs Dr. Yuguo Li and Dr. Gagandeep Kang, and organizations like @AfricaCDC. However, some experts, like Trish Greenhalgh, criticize the new terms, such as 'puff cloud,' as a retrograde step.