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Health News of Wednesday, 14 August 2024

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

WHO declares monkeypox international health emergency

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File photo of an mpox patient File photo of an mpox patient

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared monkeypox (mpox) an international health emergency of concern.

The Director-General of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced this in a post shared on X, on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

Dr. Ghebreyesus said that he accepted the advice of an emergency committee that the mpox outbreak constitutes an emergency of international concern.

“Today, the Emergency Committee on #mpox met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice.”

He also stated that the organisation is putting measures in place to avert the outbreak.

“@WHO is on the ground, working with the affected countries, and others at risk, through our country and regional offices, as well as with partners including the @AfricaCDC, NGOs, civil society and more.”

Also, in a series of posts shared on the emergency meeting, WHO indicated that more than 14,000 cases of mpox have been reported; adding that 524 deaths have already occurred from the outbreak.

"#Mpox has been reported in #DRC for more than a decade, and the number of cases reported each year has increased steadily over that period.

“Last year, reported cases increased significantly, and already the number of cases reported so far this year has exceeded last year’s total, with more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths. As many of you who tune into our regular press conferences know, WHO has been working on the mpox outbreak in Africa and raising the alarm that this is something that should concern us all."

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