The World Health Organization (WHO) is holding an emergency meeting today to discuss a highly disturbing outbreak of monkeypox, DPA reported.
Today's meeting involving 16 experts could determine whether the WHO will declare a public health emergency of international concern – the highest level of warning, as the World Health Organization previously did for an outbreak of monkeypox between July 2022 and May 2023.
More than 14,000 cases of a new strain of monkeypox have been reported this year in Africa, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at the start of the meeting, held via video conference. At least 500 people have died in the current epidemic, Ghebreyesus also said.
The epicenter is DR Congo, but 90 cases have also been reported in neighboring countries in recent weeks as the outbreak threatens to spread.
Monkey pox is a viral disease that causes a blistering rash. It is spread through physical contact with infected people or animals, as well as through contact with contaminated materials. Although most patients recover completely, the disease can be dangerous for children, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems.