WHO declares monkeypox global health emergency

NEW DELHI, July 23

In view of the rising cases of monkeypox globally, the WHO today declared the disease a public health emergency of international concern.

Monkeypox has now spread to 70 countries, with the WHO today saying the situation was “extraordinary” and warranted the declaration of a global emergency.

Three cases have been reported from India so far.

Making the announcement in Geneva, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made a set of recommendations to member nations. The WHO said countries that had not yet reported a case or not reported a case for more than 21 days should establish health and multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms to strengthen all aspects of readiness for responding to monkeypox.