WHO Declares Monkeypox Global Emergency
- WHO Director-General declares global emergency due to monkeypox outbreak in Africa.
- Monkeypox outbreak poses a serious health threat, prompting urgent action from WHO.
- Global efforts needed to contain and prevent the spread of monkeypox.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared monkeypox, now referred to as "mpox," a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). This announcement, made by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, comes in response to alarming outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and surrounding African nations. Tedros emphasized the need for a coordinated international response to combat the rapid spread of a new clade of mpox, which has raised significant concerns due to its emergence and the increasing number of cases reported in neighboring countries. In a related development, Sweden confirmed its first case of mpox, specifically the more severe Clade I variant. Swedish Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health, Jakob Forssmed, announced the confirmation during a news conference, highlighting the urgency of the situation as the virus continues to spread globally. The WHO's declaration underscores the seriousness of the outbreaks, which are compounded by existing cases of other mpox clades in the region. The WHO has also introduced a new terminology for the disease, opting for "mpox" instead of its original name established in 1970. This change aims to address concerns regarding the previous name's negative implications and to promote a more scientifically appropriate and universally acceptable term. The organization encourages global adherence to this new nomenclature to mitigate any ongoing stigma associated with the disease. As the situation evolves, the WHO's call for international collaboration is critical in efforts to contain the outbreaks and protect public health worldwide.