TOPLINE The World Health Organization announced Saturday the spread of monkeypox does not yet constitute a public health emergency, but WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “serious concerns about the scale and speed of the current outbreak” remain. KEY FACTS A WHO panel made the determination at an emergency meeting called to determine if the escalating spread of monkeypox qualifies as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), which would push countries to take action to limit the virus’ spread. It’s also a signal for nations to activate their own emergency plans, such as boosting funding, vaccination or testing. There are many unknowns about how the virus has spread around the world and among whom it is spreading, something exacerbated by testing issues. There have been an additional 1,500 suspected cases and around 70 deaths reported this year in Central Africa, Tedros said.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 27, 2022 06:47 UTC