WHO Declares Monkeypox a Public Health Crisis

On Saturday, July 23, 2022, the WHO declared monkeypox a public health crisis after the second International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee meeting. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, monkeypox, which first appeared in humans in 1970, is “a zoonotic orthopox DNA virus related to the virus that causes smallpox.” 

Based on information from the CDC, monkeypox symptoms include rash, fever, headache, muscle ache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and fatigue.  

The disease is thought to spread through direct and indirect contact with rash, scabs or bodily fluids, respiratory secretions, and vertical transmission between mother and baby.  

The press release from the director-general of the WHO states that there are currently more than 16,000 reported monkeypox cases, including five fatal occurrences. According to the CDC, the United States alone has had 2,891 cases.  

The WHO states that, while the disease was previously contained in 47 countries, it reached 75 countries or territories.  

At the second IHR Emergency Committee meeting, there were several opposing viewpoints on the state of monkeypox and the appropriate recommendations.  

Despite the committee’s inability to reach a unanimous conclusion, the director-general identified a risk of disease spread. In the press announcement, he states, “we have an outbreak that has spread around the world rapidly, through new modes of transmission, about which we understand too little, and which meets the criteria in the International Health Regulations. For all of these reasons, I have decided that the global monkeypox outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern.” 

Following the declaration, the director-general identified four distinct groups of countries based on the status of the virus in each country and made recommendations on how to prevent the further spread of the virus.  

In the United States, the CDC has put forth several recommendations to prevent the spread of the virus. These recommendations include avoiding direct and indirect contact with people suspected of being infected with monkeypox and regular hand washing and sanitization strategies.  

People with monkeypox are advised to isolate and avoid contact with pets and humans. Finally, the CDC recommends vaccination for exposed and high-risk populations.  

As the virus spreads, the CDC, WHO, and other public health organizations will continue to monitor the risk and make recommendations accordingly.