2023-05-11 17:21:53
The WHO lifted its maximum alert level for the mpox epidemic (formerly called monkey pox) on Thursday, May 11, deeming it sufficiently under control almost a year after the start of its unprecedented outbreak outside endemic areas.
This epidemic “no longer represents a public health emergency of international concern”World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference, following the recommendation of the WHO’s emergency committee.
This announcement comes exactly one week after the lifting of the WHO’s highest level of alert for Covid. “While the mpox and Covid-19 emergencies are over, the threat of further waves remains for both. Both viruses keep circulating and both keep killing”warned Doctor Tedros, however.
87,400 cases and 140 deaths
Outbreaks of mpox had been observed, from May 2022, in Europe and the United States, apart from the ten countries in central and western Africa where the disease has long been endemic. The public health emergency of international concern was declared on July 23, 2022 by the Director General of the WHO.
Since then, the contamination curve has experienced a sharp decline. There was thus “nearly 90% fewer cases in the last three months compared to the previous three months”, noted Dr. Tedros. So far, around 87,400 cases have been recorded in 111 countries and the disease has claimed 140 lives, according to the latest count, cited by the director general.
The disease, endemic in certain countries of West and Central Africa, is characterized by rashes, which may appear on the genitals or in the mouth, and may be accompanied by bouts of fever, sore throat or pain in the lymph nodes.
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