According to WHO, monkeypox is not an international public health emergency, but it should continue to be monitored.

Miami – As a result of the Emergency Committee meeting, the World Health Organization has stopped declaring that the outbreak of monkeypox is a public health emergency of international concern.

WHO convened an emergency committee on Thursday to discuss the seriousness of the monkeypox outbreak. The results of the meeting were announced on Saturday.

“Overall, in the report, they (emergency committee) advised me that this event does not constitute a public health emergency of international concern at this time. It can be published by WHO. This is the highest level of warning, but we have recognized the convocation of the Commission, which in itself reflects growing concerns about the international spread of monkey pox. “

Tedros called for increased surveillance of monkeypox on Thursday, saying, “While men who have sex with men are most affected by these new outbreaks, immunocompromised people, pregnant women, and children are severely infected. There is also a risk of serious illness. “

In his opening remarks at the conference, Tedros said healthcare professionals would also be at risk if they did not wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

“The virus behaves differently than it did before,” Tedros said last week, requiring a coordinated response as more countries were affected.

Saturday’s statement acknowledged the “evolving health threat” that WHO will follow very closely.

What are the public health emergencies of international concern?

WHO may require internationally concerned public health emergencies, or PHEIC, as “public health risks to other countries due to the spread of international illness” and “coordinated international response” It is defined as an “abnormal event” that constitutes “having sex”.

This definition is based on the International Health Regulations, developed in 2005, involving 196 countries aimed at helping the international community prevent and address public health risks that may spread around the world. Represents a legal agreement.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the regulation was “a legally binding agreement in 196 countries to build the ability to detect and report potential public health emergencies around the world. IHR is all. The country responds to detection, evaluation, reporting, and public health events. “

Two emergencies are underway: polio, which began in 2014, and Covid-19, which began in 2020.

Four other PHEICs have been declared since the regulations came into force. H1N1 influenza from 2009 to 2010, Ebola hemorrhagic fever from 2014 to 2016 and 2019 to 2020, Zika virus in 2016.

Tedros said in his opening remarks that between January 1, 2022 and June 15, 2022, more than 3,200 confirmed cases of monkeypox and one death were reported to WHO in 48 countries. ..

According to the latest information on the situation, the death occurred in Nigeria.

Tedros emphasized the importance of countries sharing information with WHO.

“In other outbreaks, we sometimes saw the consequences of countries lacking transparency and not sharing information,” he said. “Case detection, contact tracing, laboratory research, genomic sequencing, and infection prevention and control measures are needed. Information on various clades of monkeypox virus is needed. Clear to help identify and report infections. Case definition is needed. It is also needed. All countries remain vigilant and strengthen their ability to prevent future transmission of monkeypox. Many countries have cases, including cases in areas where there have been no recent trips. You may have missed the opportunity to identify. “

Monkeypox is a rare disease and is a less serious cousin of the currently eradicated smallpox virus.

It is endemic to parts of West Africa and Central Africa and is usually transmitted from rodents or small mammals. It doesn’t easily spread from one person to another.

However, the monkeypox virus can spread through body fluids, monkeypox pain, or contact with items such as clothing and bedding contaminated with the virus. According to the CDC, it can also spread from person to person through respiratory droplets.