The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the spread of monkeypox to be a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), signifying an emerging outbreak. The WHO director-general made the announcement after the United Nations expert committee couldn’t reach a consensus to apply the highest level of alert to the virus.
Issuing a PHEIC enhances coordination and sharing of resources and information among nations. A PHEIC describes a situation that has not necessarily grown out of control but has the potential to. The WHO has previously only declared six PHEICs before monkeypox, including Ebola, Zika and COVID-19.
“(The) declaration by the World Health Organization is a call to action for the global health community. Monkeypox has spread around the world, and we will continue to take decisive action to tackle it both here in the U.S. and, working in concert with our partners abroad, globally.”
– Xavier Becerra, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary
There are more than 16,000 monkeypox cases globally, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 2,891 confirmed cases nationwide. Officials report that skin-to-skin contact is the predominant manner by which monkeypox is spread. Symptoms of monkeypox include a rash, fever, headaches, muscle aches and a lack of energy. The rash typically lasts two to four weeks. According to the CDC, more than 99% of monkeypox patients can expect to survive.
What’s Next?
Monkeypox vaccines are available in the United States, but those supplies are currently strained. Fortunately, there is a response ramp-up happening. Monkeypox testing has been made more widely available, and hundreds of thousands of vaccines should be released in the coming weeks.
Visit the CDC’s website for more information about the monkeypox global health emergency. If you have health concerns, contact your doctor. Visit our TIG Advisors blog for additional health and wellness resources.
