WHO declares monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern

The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared this Saturday that monkeypox is a public health emergency of international concern.

Despite the considerations of the group of experts of the UN agency, in charge of evaluating the crisis, which has not yet reached a consensus on this issue, the head of the WHO has decided to make this statement after understanding that the outbreak meets all the necessary requirements for it.

"We have an outbreak that has spread rapidly throughout the world, through new modes of transmission, about which we know very little and that meets the criteria of the International Health Regulations," explained the head of the WHO at a press conference. press this Saturday.

Ghebreyesus has further assured that, in general terms, "the WHO assessment is that the risk of monkeypox is moderate globally and in all regions, except the European region, where we assess the risk as high".

In his appearance, in addition, Dr. Ghebreyesus has provided the latest figures of infections, more than 16,000 cases registered in 75 countries and territories of the world, which have left five dead, before calling for calm and recommending that countries follow the containment protocol established for this type of emergency. "With the tools we have now, we can stop transmission and control this outbreak," he said.

The head of the WHO has clarified that, "for the moment, it is an outbreak that is concentrated among men who have homosexual relationships, especially with multiple partners" although he has recalled that "stigma and discrimination are as dangerous as any virus ".

"In addition to our recommendations to countries, I also call on civil society organizations, including those with experience in working with people living with HIV, to work with us in the fight against stigma and discrimination. ", has declared.