Monkeypox declared a public health emergency of international concern

With more than 16,000 cases reported in 75 countries worldwide since the beginning of May 2022, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, today, July 23, 2022 declared the multi-country monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

“We have an outbreak that has spread around the world rapidly, through new modes of transmission, about which we understand too little, and which meets the criteria in the International Health Regulations,” Dr. Tedros said.

“WHO’s assessment is that the risk of monkeypox is moderate globally and in all regions, except in the European region where we assess the risk as high,” Dr. Tedros said, adding that “there is also a clear risk of further international spread, although the risk of interference with international traffic remains low for the moment.”

The announcement was made during a virtual press conference following the second meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the multi-country monkeypox outbreak.(PAHO)