The global monkeypox outbreak remains a public health emergency of international concern. This was announced by the World Health Organization on Wednesday.
The (Emergencies) Committee recommended maintaining a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) while considering plans to integrate smallpox prevention, preparedness and response into national surveillance and control programs, including those related to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections," the WHO said.
The Emergency Committee recognized the progress made in the global response to the smallpox outbreak in several countries and the continued decline in the number of reported cases since the last meeting. The Committee noted that several countries still have persistent morbidity. The committee also believes that underreporting of the detected and confirmed cases of the disease in other regions is possible.
In particular, the WHO European Region reported that as of February 3, 43 countries and territories had not detected any new cases in the past three months. While 18 countries and territories continue to report recent local human-to-human transmission of the virus, the number of cases has declined significantly.
In the Americas, a steady number of cases have been reported over the past six weeks, at 200-250 cases per week, with 4% of cases occurring in women. In addition, although vaccine supplies are limited, seven countries have begun vaccination.
However, it is indicated that there are concerns about ongoing transmission in some regions, such as Central America.
The Committee expressed concern about the possible recurrence of cases in some regions, both due to potential seasonal differences in the incidence of infections and, in particular, in the context of the resumption of LGBTQ social events and other mass events in the coming months.
It is also stated that after a series of consultations with world experts, WHO recommends the new preferred term "mpox" as a synonym for "monkeypox". Both names will be used simultaneously for one year until the term "monkeypox" is phased out.
Last July, the WHO officially declared an outbreak of monkeypox outside the traditional endemic areas of Africa a public health emergency of international concern, the highest level of alert the organization can issue.