PAHO News -- March 20, 2003

PAHO News is also available on the Web!
http://www.csih.org/synergy/synergy.html

In this issue:
-PAHO DIRECTOR DR. MIRTA ROSES PERIAGO VISITS CANADA
-PAHO WARNS OF ATYPICAL PNEUMONIA, URGES SURVEILLANCE IN THE AMERICAS
-ALLIANCES SOUGHT TO PREVENT GROWING SOCIAL VIOLENCE
-CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2003 ABRAHAM HOROWITZ AWARD FOR INTER-AMERICAN
HEALTH
-UNICEF REPORT: THE STATE OF THE WORLD'S CHILDREN 2003
-PAHO, FRANCE SIGN AGREEMENT ON HIV/AIDS IN THE CARIBBEAN
-WHO JOB OPPORTUNITY: TECHNICAL OFFICER FOR TOBACCO FREE INITIATIVE IN
CAIRO, EGYPT
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PAHO DIRECTOR DR. MIRTA ROSES PERIAGO VISITS CANADA

PAHO's new director Dr. Mirta Roses Periago paid a short visit to Ottawa
on Tuesday March 18 to meet with government officials.  She had a
breakfast meeting with CSIH representatives.
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PAHO WARNS OF ATYPICAL PNEUMONIA, URGES SURVEILLANCE IN THE AMERICAS

PAHO has asked the countries of the Americas to be alert in light of the
emergence of cases of an unusual form of pneumonia, caused by a
yet-unidentified virus or bacteria resistant to existing drugs.
Reports of over 150 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS),
an atypical pneumonia of unknown origin, have been received by the World
Health Organization (WHO) since February 26, 2003. Nine of these cases,
in nine countries, have been fatal. In the Americas, six probable cases
have been reported in Canada. The disease is spread from person to
person but only through close contact. To date, almost all reported
cases have occurred in health workers involved in the direct care of
reported cases or in close contacts, such as family members. There is no
evidence to date that the disease spreads though casual contact. WHO is
coordinating the international investigation of this outbreak and
working closely with health authorities in the affected countries to
provide epidemiological, clinical and logistical support as required.
For further information, visit:
http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PIN/pr030317.htm
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ALLIANCES SOUGHT TO PREVENT GROWING SOCIAL VIOLENCE

To fight against growing social violence in the Americas, a group of
organizations, including PAHO, has created the Inter-American Coalition
for the Prevention of Violence. Members of the coalition met recently
with PAHO director Dr. Mirta Roses Periago to analyze new ways to
prevent violence and ways to find new financing for violence prevention
projects and programs. In the Americas, more than 300,000 people die
every year from violence, suicide and accidents. For more information,
visit: http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PIN/pr030313.htm
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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2003 ABRAHAM HOROWITZ AWARD FOR INTER-AMERICAN
HEALTH

PAHO is requesting nominations for the 2003 Abraham Horowitz Award for
Inter-American Health.  This award recognizes leadership and excellence
in individuals whose public health achievements have resulted in major
improvements to the lives of the peoples of the Americas.  Nominees may
be individuals or groups whose scientific or pedagogic achievement, in
any field of inter-American health, is consistent with the award's
intention to stimulate excellence and recognize work in the region.
Candidates may be active in their careers, active though in formal
retirement, or retired having demonstrated an outstanding lifetime
career.  The deadline for submission of nominations is May 30, 2003.
For further information, visit:
http://www.paho.org/English/PAHEF/horwitz.htm
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UNICEF REPORT: THE STATE OF THE WORLD'S CHILDREN 2003

UNICEF's The State of the World's Children 2003 is available online in
English, Spanish and French.  This document reports on child
participation - the 'right' of every child at every age, the
responsibility of governments, organizations and families, and the way
to promote tolerance, respect for human rights, an appreciation of
diversity and peace. The report showcases examples from every region of
the world of how things are different when children's viewpoints are
taken into account. Photos and artwork are by children.  For the report,
visit:
In English: http://www.unicef.org/pubsgen/sowc03/index.html
In French: http://www.unicef.org/french/sowc03/
In Spanish: http://www.unicef.org/spanish/sowc03/index.html
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PAHO, FRANCE SIGN AGREEMENT ON HIV/AIDS IN THE CARIBBEAN

PAHO and the French government have signed an agreement under which
France will provide financial support of US$ 1,148,000 to strengthen the
fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean. The Caribbean has
the second highest prevalence of HIV infection in the world after
Sub-Saharan Africa.  The new agreement supports the work of the member
countries of the Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) in Port-of-Spain,
Trinidad and Tobago. The money contributed by France will be allocated
to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, improve care for people who
live with HIV/AIDS; support direct interventions on vulnerable groups,
and coordinate programs of the Regional Strategic Plan.  For further
details, visit: http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PIN/pr030314.htm
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WHO JOB OPPORTUNITY: TECHNICAL OFFICER FOR TOBACCO FREE INITIATIVE IN
CAIRO, EGYPT

WHO is seeking a technical officer to work for the Tobacco Free
Initiative in its field station in Cairo, Egypt. The incumbent will:
prepare the regional plan for Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) program;
provide technical support to countries in the area of Tobacco Control;
provide technical support to national capacity building; provide support
to countries in advocacy and promotion of the Tobacco Free Initiative
program and access to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; and
support producing countries so that they find alternative crops to
tobacco. The deadline for applications is April 29, 2003.  For further
information, visit:
http://erecruit.who.int/e-jobs/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.cfm?jobinfo_uid_c=
350&vaclng=en
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