The World Health Organization’s emergency committee will meet on Thursday, June 23, to assess whether the monkey’s smallpox should be considered an “international public health emergency” – the highest level of alarm – DPA was quoted as saying by Agerpres.
Experts from the most affected regions were included at Thursday’s emergency committee meeting, who also consulted with scientists. They will make a recommendation to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The latter will decide whether the disease will be considered an international public health emergency, notes Reuters.
The conclusions reached by the experts are not expected before Friday.
Designating a public health emergency of international importance has no immediate practical consequences beyond greater vigilance on the part of people and governments.
The WHO declared the new coronavirus a public health emergency of international importance on 30 January 2020.
Although monkeypox, which first appeared in Africa, is not as widespread as COVID, it has caused international outcry over its recent outbreak in several countries where it has never been reported before.
So far, according to Reuters, more than 3,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported in more than 40 countries outside Africa. Romania has also confirmed five cases.
No deaths have been reported so far.
According to medical officials, the outbreak appears to be concentrated among men who have had sex with several other men.
The symptoms of monkeypox are usually similar to the flu, followed by a widespread rash on the face and body.
Although sometimes fatal, monkeypox is treatable, and most infected patients recover within a few weeks without treatment.
Source From: Libertatea
