WHO Leader Dies After Surgery for Blood Clot

by Brenda Wilson, NPR

The doctor who led the World Health Organization's battles against SARS and bird flu has died following surgery for a blood clot on the brain. Dr. Lee Jong-Wook, the first South Korean to head a U.N. agency, was 61.

Lee fell ill Saturday while attending a function in Geneva, and underwent surgery later that day, the agency said. Anders Nordstrom of Sweden will take over as WHO's acting director-general.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, May 22, 2006