In a recent update, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has highlighted the concerning rise in Monkeypox cases across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African nations. This troubling situation has prompted Tedros to officially declare Monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern.
The decision to classify Monkeypox as a global health emergency is based on the guidance of an IHR Emergency Committee, which underscored the potential for the disease to spread further within Africa and potentially beyond its borders.
Tedros expressed deep concern over the emergence of a new strain of Monkeypox, its swift spread in eastern DRC, and the confirmed cases in neighboring countries. He emphasized the urgent need for a united international effort to contain these outbreaks and protect lives.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the ongoing collaborative efforts with local communities and governments to combat Monkeypox. She stressed the importance of increasing international support to assist affected countries in ending these outbreaks. As the virus continues to spread, it is clear that immediate and coordinated global action is crucial to stop the transmission of Monkeypox and prevent further harm.
