WHO declares Monkeypox as Public Health Emergency

The Monkeypox epidemic has been declared a Public Health Emergency of Global Concern by a scientific group created in response to the Covid-19 danger.

This comes only days after the World Health Organization’s (WHO) chief announced the formation of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee in response to the spread of the Monkeypox virus to 32 non-endemic nations. On June 23, specialists will gather to determine if the ongoing epidemic becomes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the highest degree of global alert now applicable only to the COVID-19 pandemic and polio.

The World Health Organization (WHN) has declared Monkeypox a public health emergency, indicating that the epidemic is not restricted to a single country or area and that rapid action to prevent community transmission is required.

“The World Health Network declares the monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Global Concern, by which it indicates that this outbreak is not limited to a single country or region and should be addressed by immediate actions taken wherever community transmission is taking place in order to ensure that the least effort is needed and the smallest impact is suffered due to this outbreak,” the WHN said.

The growth of Monkeypox in 58 countries through local community transmission around the world, with 3,417 confirmed Monkeypox cases reported across 58 countries, and the rate of growth of cases increasing week by week across multiple continents

“The World Health Network @TheWHN has just declared monkeypox a pandemic emergency. Will the @WHO declare #monkeypox a **Public Health Emergency of International Concern** (PHEIC) later today or by end of Friday?” said Eric Feigl-Ding, Epidemiologist and health economist.

Severity of Monkeypox

The terrible pain, scarring, blindness, and death that has historically been documented in instances of monkeypox.
The severity of Monkeypox in youngsters, who have so far escaped infection during the present outbreak but are expected to get sick if community transmission spreads.

The possibility of transmission to animals, including rodents such as mice, rats, squirrels, and domesticated pets, creating a reservoir that will spread over the world, resulting in a continual risk of human infection and the need to alter everyday living to prevent exposure in many situations.

The WHN stated that efforts are required to prevent broad public communication about the symptoms of monkeypox.

Additionally, efforts are needed to ensure universal availability of testing without limits based on particular indicators like as travel, known contact with infected persons, or participation in previously high-risk areas.

Also Read: WHO removes difference between endemic and non-endemic nations to bolster fight against Monkeypox