٠٠:٠٠:٥٨World Health Organisation chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus claimed that mpox - or monkeypox - is a 'public health emergency of international concern' due to its rapid spread in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other parts of Africa.
"Today, the emergency committee met and advised me that, in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice," he said in a briefing on Wednesday.
Previously, the category was used for Ebola outbreaks, Covid-19 and a 2022 mpox surge in Europe.
"In addition to other outbreaks of other clades of mpox in other parts of Africa, it is clear that a co-ordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives," he concluded.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the disease has been detected in 13 countries, with 96 percent of cases and deaths registered in DRC. This year the organisation has documented over 14,000 cases and 524 fatalities in the DRC alone while 38,465 cases were registered across Africa since January 2022.
Mpox is a viral infection that is transmissible both among humans and from animals to humans. The virus can spread through close physical interactions and contaminated items such as bedding, clothing, or needles, according to the WHO.
It causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, and is fatal in four in 100 cases. Vaccines exist but are usually only available to those at risk or in close contact with cases.
Mpox outbreak in Africa is 'public health emergency of international concern' - WHO chief
World Health Organisation chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus claimed that mpox - or monkeypox - is a 'public health emergency of international concern' due to its rapid spread in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other parts of Africa.
"Today, the emergency committee met and advised me that, in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice," he said in a briefing on Wednesday.
Previously, the category was used for Ebola outbreaks, Covid-19 and a 2022 mpox surge in Europe.
"In addition to other outbreaks of other clades of mpox in other parts of Africa, it is clear that a co-ordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives," he concluded.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the disease has been detected in 13 countries, with 96 percent of cases and deaths registered in DRC. This year the organisation has documented over 14,000 cases and 524 fatalities in the DRC alone while 38,465 cases were registered across Africa since January 2022.
Mpox is a viral infection that is transmissible both among humans and from animals to humans. The virus can spread through close physical interactions and contaminated items such as bedding, clothing, or needles, according to the WHO.
It causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, and is fatal in four in 100 cases. Vaccines exist but are usually only available to those at risk or in close contact with cases.
World Health Organisation chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus claimed that mpox - or monkeypox - is a 'public health emergency of international concern' due to its rapid spread in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other parts of Africa.
"Today, the emergency committee met and advised me that, in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice," he said in a briefing on Wednesday.
Previously, the category was used for Ebola outbreaks, Covid-19 and a 2022 mpox surge in Europe.
"In addition to other outbreaks of other clades of mpox in other parts of Africa, it is clear that a co-ordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives," he concluded.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the disease has been detected in 13 countries, with 96 percent of cases and deaths registered in DRC. This year the organisation has documented over 14,000 cases and 524 fatalities in the DRC alone while 38,465 cases were registered across Africa since January 2022.
Mpox is a viral infection that is transmissible both among humans and from animals to humans. The virus can spread through close physical interactions and contaminated items such as bedding, clothing, or needles, according to the WHO.
It causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, and is fatal in four in 100 cases. Vaccines exist but are usually only available to those at risk or in close contact with cases.