“For all these reasons, I have decided that globally monkey pox the outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concernWorld Health Organization director, Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus, announced Saturday during a press conference.
Tedros points out that the current risk of monkeypox is moderate globally and in all regions, with the exception of the high-risk European region.
“There is also a more pronounced risk of international spread, although the risk of impact on international traffic remains low for the time being,” he added.
There are now more than 16,000 cases reported from 75 countries and territories and 5 deaths.
© CDC
Monkeypox lesions usually appear on the palms of the hands.
Outbreaks can be prevented
WHOThe head said that although he is declaring a public health emergency of international concern, Currently, monkeypox outbreaks are concentrated among men who have sex with men, especially those with multiple sexual partners.
“That means this is an outbreak that can be contained with the right strategies in the right groups,” he explains.
Tedros believes it is essential that all countries work closely with communities of men who have sex with men, to design and deliver effective information and services, and to put measures in place. protect the health, human rights and dignity of affected communities.
“Stigma and discrimination can be as dangerous as any virus,” he warned, calling on civil society organizations, including those with experience working with people living with HIV, cooperate with anti-stigmatization and anti-discrimination agencies.
“With the tools we have right now, We can stop transmission and control this outbreak.”he emphasized.
CDC: NHS UK High Consequential Infectious Diseases Network
The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to work with patients and community advocates to develop and deliver relevant information to communities affected by monkeypox.
The committee hasn’t decided yet
Tedros clarified that the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, convened last Thursday, was unable to reach a consensus on monkeypox.
He explained that WHO must consider five factors to decide whether an outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern.
- Information provided by countries – which in this case shows that the virus has spread rapidly to many countries that have not been seen before;
- Three criteria for declaring a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations – being an unusual event, a public health risk to other States and a the underlying need requires a coordinated international response;
- The advice of the Emergencies Committee, did not reach consensus;
- Scientific principles, evidence and other relevant information – which, according to Tedros, is currently insufficient and unknown;
- Risks to human health, international transmission and potential interference with international traffic.
Commitee member in favor of declaring a state of emergency expressed that future episodes of monkeypox are expected as the virus will be introduced into other susceptible populations and the magnitude of the outbreak may be underestimated.
They also cited a “moral obligation” to deploy all available means and tools to respond to the outbreak, as highlighted by LGBTI+ community leaders from several countries, note that the community is currently most affected outside of Africa as well as initially reported to be affected in the early stages of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Experts emphasize that the modes of transmission that sustain the current outbreak are still not fully understood.
Recommendations
To combat smallpox outbreaks in monkeys, WHO recommends countries:
- Implement a coordinated response to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups
- Join and protect affected communities
- Strengthen public health and surveillance measures
- Strengthen clinical management and infection prevention and control in hospitals and clinics
- Accelerate research into the use of vaccines, treatments, and other tools
A full set of recommendations tailored to different country contexts is published on WHO websiteand the agency also launched a Live data dashboard of monkeypox outbreaks.
WHO currently has three public health emergencies of international concern: COVID-19polio and monkeypox.
