Emergency Meeting Held on the 23rd (Local Time)
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The World Health Organization (WHO) held an emergency meeting on the 23rd (local time) to review whether to declare monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The review results are expected to be announced on the 24th.
According to foreign media, WHO held the first emergency committee meeting on monkeypox on the 23rd with experts to discuss the issue. If they make related recommendations to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General Ghebreyesus will make the final decision on whether to declare the emergency.
WHO stated that no decision from the emergency committee is expected to be announced before the 24th.
PHEIC is the highest level of alert issued by WHO for diseases that are spreading globally, currently applied to COVID-19 and poliomyelitis (polio).
In his opening remarks at the emergency meeting, Director-General Ghebreyesus said, "Six weeks ago, we received reports from the UK that three members of a family with no recent overseas travel history were infected with monkeypox," adding, "Since then, over 3,200 confirmed cases and one death have been reported in 48 countries, including Nigeria."
He continued, "Many countries likely missed opportunities to detect infections, such as cases occurring in the community without recent travel history," and requested all countries to share all information with WHO.
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