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The Director-General of the organization, which is affiliated with the United Nations, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said that declaring a state of emergency will help accelerate the development of vaccines and implement measures to limit the spread of the virus.
He added in a press interview, that monkeypox spread rapidly, noting that this virus, which is not usually life-threatening, spreads through close physical contact.
This is the highest level of preparedness for the World Health Organization, which is of international concern and concern.
It also raises the alarm that there is a need for a coordinated international response, which opens the door to the possibility of launching a funding campaign and for concerted global efforts and cooperation in the exchange of vaccines and treatments to confront this disease.
Currently, the world is dealing with two other global health emergencies, the Corona pandemic, and the ongoing efforts to eradicate polio.
Two sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Archyde.com earlier that members of an expert committee met on Thursday to discuss the disease situation and come up with possible recommendations. They were divided over the decision, but the final decision rests with the Director-General of the organization.
Tedros announced his decision to declare a state of health emergency during a press conference in Geneva, and stressed that the committee had failed to reach consensus, but noted that the rapid spread of the disease around the world prompted him to decide that it constituted an international concern.
The announcement comes following a worldwide outbreak of monkeypox. More than 16,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide since July 2022 in more than 60 countries, and five deaths have been recorded in Africa, according to the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control.
“The WHO assessment is that the risk of monkeypox is moderate globally in all regions, except for the European region where we assess the risk as high,” Tedros said.
The World Health Organization has also issued recommendations that it hopes will spur countries to take action to stop transmission of the virus and protect those most at risk.
Most of the new cases were among men who have sex with men, especially those with multiple sexual partners – but everyone remains at risk.
But it should be noted that this is not Covid, and the World Health Organization declaring a health emergency does not mean a closure or restrictions on travel – but rather puts governments on alert, and encourages increased production of treatments and vaccines, which are currently in short supply.
Monkeypox is not a new virus, there are effective treatments for it, and the chances of severe illness or death as a result of infection are low. But the speed of its spread – 3,000 cases recorded worldwide last month – and the way cases are appearing in many different countries, have health experts worried.
James Gallagher analysis
BBC health and science correspondent
The declaration of a global emergency is an important event.
It sends a clear message for countries to take the virus seriously, it raises awareness around the world and can help poor countries get the tools they need to control monkeypox.
In principle, we have the tools to stop the virus. Monkeypox does not spread as easily as Covid and we already have a vaccine (upgraded for smallpox) that provides good protection.
And while anyone can get monkeypox, the outbreak is largely concentrated among gay and bisexual men, as well as other men who have sex with men.
This might make the outbreak easier to tackle, as efforts, including vaccines and public health information, might target those most at risk.
But we must remember that there are still countries where same-sex relationships are illegal – and thus stigmatization and persecution can be a barrier to help.
And so our ability to stop monkeypox is as much regarding social and cultural challenges as it is regarding dealing with the virus.
What do we know regarding the virus that causes infection?
photo released, Getty Images
Micrograph of monkeypox virus
Monkeypox was first discovered in central Africa in the 1950s.
The monkeypox virus is caused by a virus in the same family as smallpox, but is much less severe. It can be transmitted to humans from an infected animal such as a monkey, rat or squirrel.
Human-to-human transmission is less common, but it can happen when someone is in close contact with an infected person.
The infection is transmitted through broken skin, respiratory tract, eyes and mouth.
Touching contaminated clothing, bedding, or towels used by a person with a monkeypox rash can also transmit the disease.
Symptoms of the initial infection usually include a high temperature, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash or chickenpox-like blisters – often on the mouth or genitals in recently detected cases. The infection is usually mild.
Where did monkeypox come from?
photo released, Getty Images
The Central African strain is the milder type of monkeypox from West Africa that is now spreading to other regions of the world
Monkeypox virus is common in central and western Africa, and more specifically in rainforest areas.
In the densely forested Democratic Republic of the Congo, more than 1,200 cases have been reported this year alone, and 57 deaths have been recorded as of May 1, 2022, according to the World Health Organization.
Two main strains of the virus are known – West Africa and Central Africa – the latter being the milder type, while the recent outbreaks came from the West African strain that is now spreading to other regions of the world.
Significantly large numbers of people have contracted monkeypox outside Africa without having traveled to the region, which means that the virus is now spreading in the community.
