viral disease
WHO: Monkeypox remains a global public health emergency
A colorized scanning electron micrograph of monkeypox virus (green) on the surface of infected VERO E6 cells (blue). photo
© Niaid/Niaid/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
The course of the disease is often harmless, but an infection can also be fatal. Despite progress, the WHO keeps the classification of the monkeypox virus on the highest alert level.
The outbreak of monkeypox in numerous countries remains a global public health emergency for now. The World Health Organization (WHO) decided on Wednesday and thus followed the recommendation of an independent committee of experts.
This means that monkeypox officially remains a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC – Public Health Emergency of International Concern). This is the highest alert level the WHO can impose to alert governments to take precautions. The declaration has no other concrete effects. There is also an emergency situation at the moment due to the corona pandemic and polio.
The independent experts stated that progress was being made in the fight against monkeypox in order to contain the infections. But new infections continue and some countries do not yet have enough diagnostics, treatments or vaccines to respond to outbreaks.
The experts are also concerned that sufferers continue to be discriminated against in some countries, with the result that diseases may be hidden and the infection could spread further. Above all, men who have frequent sex with changing male partners become infected. In many countries, sex between same-sex partners is illegal.