(CNN)The World Health Organization has announced that as a result of the emergency committee, the outbreak of monkeypox is an international concern for public health. Did not declare it an emergency. meeting.
WHO convened an emergency committee on Thursday to discuss the seriousness of the monkeypox outbreak. The results of the meeting were announced on Saturday.
"Overall, in the report, they (emergency committee), at this time, this event is the highest level of warning that WHO can issue but is aware of, internationally. He advised me not to constitute a public health emergency of concern. The convocation of the Commission itself reflects growing concerns about the international spread of monkey pox. "
Tedros on Thursday called for increased surveillance of monkeypox: "Men who have sex with men are most affected by these new outbreaks, while immunocompromised and pregnant women. There is also a risk of serious illness for children. " If they are infected.
Healthcare workers are also at risk if they don't wear proper personal protective equipment, Tedros said in his opening remarks at the conference.
Last week, Tedros said, "The virus behaves differently than it used to," and as more countries were affected, a coordinated response was needed.
Saturday's statement acknowledged the "evolving health threat" that WHO would follow very closely.
What are the public health emergencies of international concern?
WHO describes internationally concerned public health emergencies, or PHEICs, as "public health risks to other countries due to the spread of international illness" and "potential". Needs a coordinated international response. ”
This definition derives from the 2005 International Health Regulations to prevent public health risks that could spread the international community. It represents a legal agreement involving 196 countries aimed at assisting in the response. Earth.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called this regulation "legally binding in 196 countries to build the ability to detect and report potential public health emergencies around the world. Agreed. IHR requires that all countries have the ability to detect. Evaluate, report and respond to public health events. "
An ongoing emergency There are two. Polio started in 2014 and Covid-19 started in 2020.
Four other PHEICs have been declared since the regulations came into force. H1N1 influenza from 2009 to 2010, Ebola from 2014 to 2016, 2019 to 2020, and Zika virus from 2016. In his opening remarks, Tedros mentioned January 1, 2022 and June 15, 2022.
According to the latest information on the situation, he died in Nigeria.
Tedros emphasized the importance of a country sharing information with WHO.
"In other outbreaks, we sometimes saw the consequences of countries lacking transparency and not sharing information," he said. “Case detection, contact tracing, laboratory research, genomic sequencing, and infection prevention and control measures are needed. Information on various clades of monkey pox virus is needed. Clear to help identify and report infections. Case definition is needed. It is also needed. All countries remain vigilant and strengthen their ability to prevent future transmission of monkey pox. Many countries have cases, including cases in areas where there have been no recent trips. You may have missed the opportunity to identify. ”
Monkey poultry is a rare disease, and the cousins of the currently eradicated natural pox virus are less serious.
Endemic to parts of western and central Africa, it is usually transmitted from rodents or small mammals. It doesn't easily spread from one person to another.
However, the monkeypox virus can spread through body fluids, monkeypox pain, or contact with items such as clothing and bedding contaminated with the virus. According to the CDC, it can also spread from person to person through respiratory droplets.