WHO declares Monkeypox a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern' as spread continues

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the current monkeypox outbreak a PHEIC (public health emergency of international concern) on July 23 in the organization's headquarters in Geneva. The decision was made after WHO's expert team held a second meeting to discuss the situation, though the Emergency Committee did not reach a consensus. He explained that the virus is now spreading around the world rapidly, and experts still understand far too little about its mode of transmission. According to latest WHO data, a total of around 16,000 monkeypox cases have been reported in 75 countries and regions around the world so far. Tedros also pointed out the main transmission pattern of the virus is that it spreads mostly among men who have sex with men, especially those who have multiple sex partners. He further elaborated the possibility to adopt suitable public health strategies in 'the right groups' for the best result. Finally, the director general stressed the importance to avoid stigma and discrimination and expressed confidence in containing the disease. Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus and can cause symptoms that may resemble smallpox. Previous, WHO had declared PHEICs for swine flu in 2009, polio and Ebola in 2014, Zika virus in 2016, Kiyu Ebola in 2019 and COVID-19 in 2020. __________________ Powered by Shanghai Media Group, ShanghaiEye focuses on producing top-quality content for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. Nobody knows Shanghai better than us. Please subscribe to us ☻☻☻ __________________ For more stories, please click ■ What's up today in Shanghai, the most updated news of the city    • Playlist   ■ Amazing Shanghai, exploring the unknown corners of the city, learning the people, food and stories behind them    • Amazing Shanghai and China 淘宝魔都玩转中国   ■ What Chinese people's lives are like during the post COVID-19 period    • COVID-19 新冠疫情   ■ Views of foreign scholars on China and its affairs    • Voices, Let's Listen! 听她他说   ■ Foreign faces in Shanghai, people living in this city sharing their true feelings    • Playlist   ■ Mini-docs showing why China is the country it is today    • Stories & Documentary 奇闻逸事记录中国   __________________ ☎Leave us messages if you have any suggestions or questions! Thank you!