Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), has announced the formation of an emergency committee under the International Health Regulations in response to the spread of monkeypox outside the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This action comes amid concerns about the potential for the disease to spread internationally, both within and beyond Africa.
The committee, which will meet as soon as possible, will consist of independent experts from various relevant disciplines from around the world.
They will advise Dr. Tedros on whether the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Dr. Tedros also reflected on his recent attendance at the Paris Olympics last week, noting the contrast with the Tokyo games held during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which featured empty stadiums.
He remarked on the global progress since then, even as the games unfolded against the backdrop of numerous global crises, including ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, and the looming threat of a broader conflict in the Middle East.
While COVID-19 no longer constitutes an international health emergency, the context of these Olympic games underscores the multiple crises impacting our world today.
The WHO recently announced that COVID-19 continues to claim approximately 1,700 lives each week worldwide. The organization urged those most at risk to continue receiving and renewing their vaccinations.
It highlighted the dangers of waning vaccine protection. In a press conference, he stated that “data shows that vaccine protection has decreased among healthcare workers and individuals over 60, who are among the most vulnerable groups.”
While COVID-19 is rarely fatal, it appears to have a higher rate of long-term complications. Tedros added, “The WHO recommends that individuals in the highest risk categories receive a COVID-19 vaccine within 12 months of their last dose.”
The WHO has reported more than seven million deaths due to COVID-19, though the actual toll of the pandemic is believed to be significantly higher. COVID-19 has also dismantled economies and crippled healthcare systems globally.
