Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General at World Health Organisation has reportedly alerted the world of the rapid outspread of monkeypox across different countries, labelling it as a global health emergency.

As per credible sources, the World Health Organization (WHO) has addressed the epidemic as a ‘public health emergency of international concern’. This label was developed to activate a coordinated worldwide response and release funding to partner on sharing treatments and vaccinations.

Reportedly, there emerged a split decision by the members of the expert committee who gathered to discuss about the potential recommendations, with six people in favour and nine against the declaration. This led Director General Tedros to break the deadlock.

According to Tedros, although monkeypox is declared as a global health emergency, at present, it is a virus that is predominant amongst men who get intimate with other men, particularly those with numerous sexual partners.

It was revealed that the risk of monkeypox, which usually spreads through close contacts and causes pus-filled skin lesions and flu-like symptoms, is universally moderate, barring Europe, where, as per the WHO the risk is high.

According to sources, the White House has claimed that the announcement was a call to action for the global community to cease the spread of virus.

Raj Panjabi, Director of Pandemic Preparedness, White House commented that a coordinated response from all over the world is vital to put an end to the spread of the disease and safeguard the communities at the highest risk of developing it.

Not to mention, Tedros has typically endorsed professional committee recommendations, but decided to back the utmost alert level owing to the concerns regarding short supply of treatment and vaccines and the increasing rate of the cases.

Reliable reports cite that until now, around 16,000 monkeypox cases have been reported across 75 countries, including 5 fatalities in Africa.

Source Credits: – https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/monkeypox-outbreak-constitutes-global-health-emergency-who-2022-07-23/