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Monkeypox Now a Global Health Emergency, Warns WHO

WHO Calls for Urgent Action to Contain Outbreak in Africa

Meeting Held to Advise on Whether to Declare Public Health Emergency of International Concern

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the spread of monkeypox in Africa a global health emergency, calling for urgent action to contain the outbreak.

The decision was made at a meeting of the WHO's Emergency Committee on Thursday, after the committee reviewed the latest data on the outbreak and assessed the risk of global spread.

The outbreak, which began in May 2023, has now spread to more than 20 African countries, with over 1,600 confirmed cases and 150 deaths.

The WHO is particularly concerned about the rapid spread of the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where there have been over 1,000 cases and 100 deaths.

The WHO is calling on countries to take urgent action to contain the outbreak, including:

• Increasing surveillance for cases of monkeypox
• Rapidly isolating and caring for infected patients
• Contact tracing and quarantine for close contacts
• Administering the monkeypox vaccine to high-risk groups
• Raising public awareness about the virus and how to prevent transmission

The WHO is also working with partners to develop new vaccines and treatments for monkeypox.

The outbreak of monkeypox in Africa is a serious public health threat, and the WHO is calling on countries to take urgent action to contain it.

Conclusion

The WHO's declaration of a global health emergency for the mpox outbreak in Africa is a sign of the seriousness of the situation. The rapid spread of the virus, particularly in the DRC, is a major concern, and countries need to take urgent action to contain the outbreak.

The WHO is calling on countries to increase surveillance, isolate infected patients, trace contacts, administer vaccines, raise public awareness, and develop new treatments. The WHO is also working with partners to develop new vaccines and treatments for monkeypox.