The WHO Committee on Emergency Situations has concluded that the recent outbreak of monkeypox is not a public health emergency (PHEIC). The committee advised the head of the organization, Tedros Gebreyesus, not to recognize the disease as such. Gebreyesus accepts the recommendation, the WHO statement said.
“Although some members expressed differing opinions, the committee decided by consensus to advise the WHO Director-General that the epidemic should not constitute PHEIC at this stage,” the organization said in a statement.
PHEIC is the highest level of risk to public health under the 2005 International Health Regulations. WHO announced this level at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the committee noted that the current outbreak of smallpox is unusual in many respects, including in countries where this type of smallpox has not been reported before.
"Some members of the committee said that given the low immunity of the population to monkeypox, the disease could spread more sustainably among the population and should not be ignored," the statement said. The committee also noted that for many years the spread of the monkey virus in Africa had been neglected and the disease was poorly controlled.
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