The World Health Organization will convene an emergency committee next week to consider whether monkey pox outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern.
Only the Covid-19 pandemic and polio are currently considered by the WHO to be “emergencies” of international concern.
The committee will meet next Thursday, June 23.
So far, 1,600 confirmed cases and 1,500 “suspects” have been reported, as well as 72 deaths in 39 countries. These include countries where the virus is endemic.
Smallpox is endemic in some parts of Africa, but more cases have been reported both in these areas and in the rest of the world. The virus causes skin lesions and flu-like symptoms and is transmitted through close contact.
WHO Director-General of the Center Anatom Gebregesus said the virus was behaving “unusually”, affecting more countries and that international co-operation was needed to provide a coordinated response. “We do not want to wait until the situation gets out of control,” said Ibrahima Sose Fal, director of emergency management for African countries.
According to the WHO, mass vaccination for smallpox is not required or recommended at this time. Vaccine supplies are limited and vaccine access strategies are under discussion, he explained.
The decision on whether to use smallpox or smallpox vaccines should be based on a full assessment of the risks and benefits and should be taken on a case-by-case basis, the agency added in a statement.
Source: AMPE
Source: Capital
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