WHO warns over monkeypox virus

(MENAFN) The World Health Organization (WHO) stopped short of warning over the monkeypox virus to the highest level in an emergency committee conference, though the head of the UN regulator, Tedros Ghebreyesus, labeled it “an evolving health threat.”

“I am deeply concerned by the spread of monkeypox, which has now been identified in more than 50 countries, across five WHO regions, with 3000 cases since early May,” Ghebreyesus stated after the conference.

The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, including two dozen health specialists and scientists from across the globe, declared that “many aspects of the current multi-country outbreak are unusual.”

On the other hand, even though “a few members expressed differing views,” the committee eventually inked an agreement to call “that at this stage the outbreak should be determined to not constitute a PHEIC.”

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