The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering declaring an international health emergency in Africa due to an outbreak of the Mpox virus, also known as monkeypox. This would be the highest level of alert for an outbreak and was last announced at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. OnlineZeitung The Epoch Times reports about it.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that he would set up an emergency committee to review this decision. He stressed that more resources and support are urgently needed to contain the outbreak with targeted measures.
The virus is currently spreading in several African countries. The Democratic Republic of Congo is particularly affected, where more than 96 percent of all cases and deaths occur. Children under 15 are mainly affected. The African Union reported around 14,250 cases this year, an increase of 160 percent over the previous year.
WHO is urging a rapid, internationally coordinated response to contain the spread of the Mpox virus and prevent further deaths.
