WHO declares monkeypox virus no longer global health emergency

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
13 May 2023 18:40

WHO's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is calling on nations to "remain vigilant" since it can still be passed on through close contact with an infected individual.

Test tubes labelled "Monkeypox virus positive" in a lab on May 23, 2022 (Reuters)

After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid last week no longer a global health emergency, it has now declared Monkeypox no longer a threat to the world a year later.

However, it still lingers around although the highest level of alert is over, with the WHO's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calling on nations to "remain vigilant" since it can still be passed on through close contact with an infected individual.

The virus' symptoms include fever, headaches, swellings, back pain, and aching muscles.

A rash then breaks out and spreads to the rest of the body, most commonly the hands and palms.

Sexual intercourse should be prevented in the case of infection or symptoms as a preventative method.

Over 87,000 cases and 140 deaths have been reported from 111 nations during its global outbreak, according to WHO data, but less than 90% have been recorded over the past three months compared to the previous three months before that, which indicates that the highest level of alert is no longer necessary, said the chief.

Only one public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), which means countries need to work jointly to manage a shared health threat, remains, which is the poliovirus that was declared an emergency back in May 2014.

Head of sexually transmitted infections at the UK Health Security Agency, Dr. Katy Sinka, stated, "If you're eligible and still need to take up the vaccine, please come forward ahead of the summer months to ensure you have maximum protection," adding, "First doses of the vaccine will end on 16 June and both doses will cease at the end of July."