Monkeypox no longer a public health emergency – WHO

The fifth meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox has provided conclusions that the situation ‘no longer constitutes’ a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
The WHO Director- General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, transmitted the report, indicating that the Emergency Committee recognised the progress made in the global response to the multi-country outbreak and the further decline in the number of reported cases.
It noted a significant decline in the number of reported cases compared to the previous reporting period and no changes in the severity and clinical manifestation of the disease.
“The Committee acknowledged remaining uncertainties about the disease, regarding modes of transmission in some countries, poor quality of some reported data, and continued lack of effective countermeasures in the African countries, where mpox occurs regularly. The Committee considered, however, that these are long-term challenges that would be better addressed through sustained efforts in a transition towards a long-term strategy to manage the public health risks posed by monkeypox,” the organisation revealed.
The health professionals later emphasised the necessity for long-term partnerships to mobilise the needed financial and technical support for sustaining surveillance, control measures and research for the long-term elimination of human-to-human transmission, as well as mitigation of zoonotic transmissions, where possible. Integration of prevention, preparedness and response within national surveillance and control programmes, including for HIV and other sexually transmissible infections, was reiterated as an important element of this longer-term transition.
“In particular, the Committee noted that the gains in control of the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox have been achieved largely in the absence of outside funding support and that longer-term control and elimination are unlikely unless such support is provided. These sustained investments will, in the long run, save money and lives, and reduce the risk of a global resurgence of mpox, as well as the risk of reverse zoonosis resulting in new areas where the virus may circulate.”
In August 2022, Guyana officially declared its first case after laboratory testing confirmed the virus in a Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) male. The Health Ministry was equipped with diagnostic equipment and was able to process the sample right here in Guyana. At that time, the new epidemic was declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation, with detection of monkeypox in 95 territories.
Guyana’s borders and ports were being monitored for cases but the country did not report any significant number of cases. (G12)