WHO prepares emergency talks as monkeypox spreads beyond Congo

A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it would convene the Emergency Committee regarding monkeypox. Concerns are mounting over the spread of this virus from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to other African countries and beyond.

So far, the monkeypox virus has been primarily active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). According to WHO data, it has infected over 14,000 people since the beginning of the year and has been responsible for 511 deaths. This disease has long been present in the DRC, but cases have gradually increased in recent years. The current epidemic is caused by a virus known as clade 1b. In the past month, 50 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, declared that in light of the spread of monkeypox outside DRC and the possibility of further international spread within Africa and beyond, I decided to convene the Emergency Committee following the International Health Regulations to advise me on whether the epidemic constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.

He added that the committee "will meet as soon as possible" and will consist of independent experts from various fields.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by a virus. This virus can also be transmitted from human to human. Monkeypox is characterized by fever, headache, muscle aches, and a rash resembling pustules, making it difficult to distinguish from chickenpox. This disease most commonly occurs in Africa.