The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the global public health emergency for the monkey virus or 'Monkey pox', after counting more than 87.000 cases in 111 countries, and 140 reported deaths. In the last three months, 90% fewer infections have been declared.
This was stated in a press conference by the director general of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, given the drop in infections by this disease in recent months and the recommendation of the Emergency Committee for Monkeypox. Said met yesterday and assured that the 'Monkey Pox' "no longer represents a public health emergency of international importance."
However, the manager insisted that the sanitation work is not yet finished. "Monkey pox is no longer a global emergency, but we will continue to be vigilant and it is up to countries to continue vigilance and care, especially in immunosuppressed people, such as HIV patients, in addition to avoiding stigma among patients who they get infected by monkeypox.”
He added that “monkeypox continues to pose significant public health challenges that require a robust, proactive and sustainable response. The virus continues to affect communities in all regions, including Africa, so transmission is not well understood. Travel-related cases in all regions highlight the ongoing threat.”
He added that "there is a particular risk for people living with untreated HIV infection." Therefore, countries are urged to maintain their testing capabilities and continue their efforts, assess their risk, quantify their response needs and act promptly when necessary.
Six days ago, the WHO also declared the end of the international emergency for the Covid-19 pandemic. “Why do the international emergencies of covid-19 and monkeypox end in a short interval of days? The reason is that we have to continue to support countries that have tuberculosis and other serious diseases, so we face these challenges by making real changes,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The manager recorded how this new global emergence broke out, which joins the covid pandemic. “In July of last year, a public health emergency of international concern was declared due to an outbreak of monkeypox in several countries, and the virus spread rapidly throughout the world.”
However, the director general of the WHO appreciated the "steady progress in the control of the outbreak based on the lessons of HIV", in addition to working "in close collaboration" with the most affected communities.
According to the WHO, "almost 90% fewer cases of monkeypox have been reported in the last three months compared to the previous three months", thanks to "the work of community organisations, together with public health authorities". which, according to the WHO, have informed people about the risks of monkeypox.
For this reason, the WHO recommends that countries "integrate monkeypox prevention and care into existing health programs" to deal with future outbreaks.
