The announcement was made in two days WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysus convened the Emergency Committee on the disease, under the International Health Regulations (IHR), to address the increase.
“The WHO Director-General agrees with the advice of the IHR Emergency Committee regarding multinationals monkey smallpox outbreak and, at present, it is not determined whether this event constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC),” the United Nations agency said in a statement. statement.
The PHEIC declaration is the highest global alert level, currently only applicable to COVID-19 pandemic and polio.
Monkey smallpoxa rare viral disease that occurs mainly in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa, although it is occasionally exported to other areas.
Since May, more than 3,000 cases have emerged in 47 countries, many of which have never reported the disease. The highest numbers are currently in Europe, and most cases are in men who have sex with men.
Prevent further spread
So far, there have been very few hospitalizations and one death.
“The Committee unanimously recognizes the urgent nature of the outbreak and that further control of its spread requires vigorous response efforts,” the statement said.
Members have also recommended that the situation be closely monitored and reviewed after a few weeks.
Conditions that could prompt a reassessment include evidence of an increased rate of cases over the next 21 days, the number of cases occurring in sex workers, and substantial spread to and within countries. other families, and increasing proportions of vulnerable groups such as those with poorly controlled HIV infections, pregnant women and children.
Other scenarios mentioned include evidence of back-spreading into animal populations, or significant alterations in the viral genome.
Concern spreads quickly
In statementTedros said he is extremely concerned about the spread of the disease, and that both he and the WHO are monitoring the evolving threats very closely.
“What makes the current outbreak particularly worrisome is the rapid pace of its spread, its continued spread into new countries and regions, and the risk of further long-term transmission into vulnerable populations,” he said. Vulnerable people include immunocompromised people, pregnant women and children,” he said.
He stressed the need for both collective attention and coordinated action through public health measures including surveillance, contact tracing, isolation and patient care, while ensuring vaccines are safe. applications, treatments and other tools are available to at-risk populations and are shared fairly.
The WHO chief noted that the Committee had shown that monkeypox had been circulating in several African countries for decades and had been overlooked in terms of research, attention and funding.
“This must change not only for monkeypox but also for other neglected diseases in low-income countries as the world is reminded once again that health is a factor,” he said. linked together,” he said.
WHO convened hundreds of scientists and researchers to speed up the research and development of monkeypox,
The United Nations agency urges countries to cooperate, share information and engage with affected communities, so that public health safety measures are communicated quickly and effectively.
