The Director General of the Organization announced World Health The rise in monkey pox cases constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, according to the advice of members at a meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee held on Wednesday.
The epidemic, which began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has spread to 18 neigh bouring countries, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounting for 96% of all cases and deaths. Nearly 70% of these cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo involve children under the age of 15, who also account for 85% of deaths.
More than 15,000 cases and 461 deaths from monkey pox have been reported this year, representing a staggering 160% increase in cases and a 19% increase in deaths compared to the same period in 2023.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. TedrosAdhanom GhebreyesusThe meeting was called last Wednesday to seek advice on whether the monkeypox outbreak constituted international concern. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the situation a public health emergency on Tuesday.
“The advice I received from the Emergency Committee is consistent with that of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which yesterday declared a public health emergency of international concern,” Dr Tedros said in a post on Twitter.
What do you know about monkey pox?
Monkey pox (MPOX) is a viral disease caused by the monkey pox virus, a species of the genus Poxvirus. It has two distinct monophyletic clades: clade I and clade II.
Common symptoms of the disease include a rash or mucosal lesions that can last from 2 to 4 weeks and are accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes.
