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This is the second time the World Health Organization has made this decision in two years.
The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared its second public health emergency in two years following an outbreak of monkeypox virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where infections have spread to neighboring countries.
Previously, the WHO Emergency Committee met to make recommendations to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on whether the epidemic constitutes a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC).
PHEIC status is WHO’s “highest alert” and is intended to accelerate research, funding and global public health action and collaboration to contain the disease.
“It is clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop the outbreak and save lives,” Tedros said.
The causative agent of monkeypox, the Mpox virus (from the Poxviridae family, genetically close to the variola virus, the causative agent of human smallpox – Editor’s note), can be transmitted through close contact. It is usually mild, but in rare cases can be fatal. It causes flu-like symptoms and purulent lesions on the body.
The outbreak in Congo began with the spread of an endemic strain called Clade I. However, the new variant, Clade Ib, appears to be more easily spread through close, everyday contact, including sexual contact.
It has spread from Congo to neighboring countries including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, prompting a response from the World Health Organization.
“The discovery and rapid spread of a new strain of monkeypox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighbouring countries where monkeypox had not been previously reported, and its potential for further spread across Africa and beyond are very concerning,” Tedros added.
Tedros said on Wednesday that the World Health Organization has allocated $1.5 million as an emergency fund and plans to release more funds in the coming days. The WHO’s response plan initially required $15 million.
The World Health Organization plans to appeal to donors for funds.
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