The International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has determined that the current monkeypox outbreak requires immediate response measures but does not represent a global emergency.
Despite the committee’s members’ divergent opinions in yesterday’s statement, it was decided by consensus to inform the WHO Director-General that the epidemic should not yet be considered a PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern).
“…the committee unanimously acknowledged the emergency nature of the event and that controlling the further spread of outbreak requires intense response efforts. The committee advised that the event should be closely monitored and reviewed after a few weeks, once more information about the current unknowns becomes available,” the WHO said.
The current multi-country monkeypox outbreak has a number of “unique” characteristics, according to the IHR emergency committee.
These factors include the virus’ spread in non-endemic nations and “the fact that the vast majority of cases are observed among men who have sex with men, of young age, who have not previously received the smallpox vaccine (knowing that the smallpox vaccination is effective in protecting against monkeypox as well)”.
A widespread rash appears after the initial flu-like symptoms, which include fever, chills, and enlarged lymph nodes.