Most cases of monkeypox are in Europe, most of those affected are gay/gay.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, GENEVA – Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said his agency had confirmed 14,000 cases monkey pox around the world. So far, five deaths have been reported in Africa.
According to WHO, most of the confirmed cases are found in Europe. Most infected individuals are gay or homosexual.
WHO is scheduled to hold a meeting on Thursday (21/7/2022). They will determine whether monkeypox will be declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) or not.
PHEIC is the WHO’s highest alert level. Such status can be used to encourage countries to cooperate on preventive measures while allowing WHO to recommend relevant measures, such as travel warnings.
“Despite the recommendations, WHO will continue to do everything we can to support countries to stop transmission and save lives,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Wednesday (20/7/2022).
Late last month, European Union health authorities purchased more than 100,000 smallpox vaccines to tackle the spread of monkeypox cases on the continent. According to the European Commission, 5,300 doses of the Bavarian Nordic A/S vaccine have been delivered to Spain.
Portugal, Germany, and Belgium will receive the next dose. Further submissions will be made in July and August.
