Monkeypox Is No Longer A Global Health Emergency: WHO

International

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared that the monkeypox outbreak is no longer a global public health emergency. The emergency committee for monkeypox at WHO recommended discontinuing the emergency after their meeting this week. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus agreed with the committee’s assessment.

Dr Tedros stated that in the past three months, almost 90 per cent fewer monkeypox cases were reported compared to the previous three months. He credited community organizations and public health authorities for their critical work in informing people of the risks, encouraging behavior change, and advocating for access to tests, vaccines, and treatments.

While countries should maintain their testing capacities and continue their efforts to assess their risk and needs to respond, Dr Tedros emphasized prompt action.

In July 2022, WHO declared monkeypox a global health emergency, recognizing it as a threat to other countries and requiring a collaborative global response.

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Between January 2022 and April 2023, over 87,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox were reported to WHO by 111 countries or territories, resulting in 140 deaths. The number of cases globally has been decreasing due to heightened awareness and wider distribution of vaccines.

Monkeypox is a milder form of the smallpox virus, which has been eradicated. The virus is endemic to specific regions in West and Central Africa and is often transmitted from small mammals or rodents. It can be transmitted through bodily fluids, wounds, contaminated materials, or respiratory droplets in close proximity.