Monkeypox Outbreak Shifts to Global Health Emergency Focus
The spread of monkeypox infections beyond Africa has prompted the World Health Organization to sound the alarm on the rare disease. In an unprecedented step, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern on Saturday.
While monkeypox outbreaks in Africa are not new, the disease spreading to over 70 countries where it is not usually found has increased the risks. More than 16,000 confirmed cases have been reported globally so far this year. The emergency status aims to limit international spread through coordinated efforts and bring long-overdue attention to battling the outbreak.
The classification could help speed development of treatments and vaccines, which are in short supply. It may also encourage reluctant countries to take stronger measures to identify cases and track contacts. Monkeypox transmits through close contact with symptomatic patients. Common symptoms include rash, fever, body aches and fatigue. Most people recover within a few weeks.
