The WHO’s emergency committee gathered this Saturday July 23, 2022, to take a stock on the evolution of monkeypox. Data are worrying: over 17,000 cases reported in 74 countries, including at least 1,500 in France. Following the meeting, the highest alert has been triggered!
During a press conference, WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the risk related to monkeypox is relatively mild in the world, except Europe “where we assess the risk as high”. He also said “there is also a clear risk of further international spread, although the risk of interference with international traffic remains low for the moment”.
Following recommendations delivered by virologists, vaccinologists, epidemiologists and other specialists, the organization director has decided to trigger a higher alert level, which is the 7th time this measure occurs since 2009. Health emergency applies in the event it is “an extraordinary event, a public health risk to other States and a potential need to require a coordinated international response”. This decision allows to prevent and curb the spread to other States.
In early May, the very first monkeypox cases were reported outside African countries, where the virus is endemic. The rise in the disease was quick and spreads all over the world, and unusually focuses in Europe.
“So in short, 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”, the director general announces.
For the record, monkeypox is not a STD. Excluding exception; it was noticed it involves men who have homosexual intercourses.
