WHO Revokes Global Health Emergency Status Regarding Monkey Pox

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday said it had lifted its nearly year-long global health emergency status over the "mpox" monkeypox virus, a virus which has caused more than 100 cases in more than 100 countries.

The UN health agency declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern in July, and upheld its status in November and February.

WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the end of the state of emergency for the disease based on the recommendations of the emergency committee, which met on Wednesday.

The move signals the crisis from chickenpox, which spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions, is under control.

Nearly 90 percent fewer cases of chickenpox were reported in the last three months, compared with cases of the same duration before, said the WHO chief, quoted by The National News May 12.

More than 87.000 cases of chickenpox have been confirmed globally from early last year to May 8 this year, according to the latest WHO report.

The WHO also recently announced the end of the public health emergency status for COVID-19.

"Even though the chickenpox and COVID-19 emergencies have ended, the threat of a new wave remains for both of them. These two viruses continue to circulate and both continue to kill," explained Dr. Tedros.

It is known, the WHO label is intended to trigger a coordinated international response and open up funding for collaboration in the sharing of vaccines and treatments.