NewsDesk @bactiman63

Today, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported on 52 additional cases of monkeypox in England, one additional case in Scotland and one in Wales.

Image/UKHSA

This brings the total number confirmed in the UK to 524, as of 14 June.

There are currently 504 confirmed cases in England, 13 in Scotland, 2 in Northern Ireland and 5 in Wales.

On Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) tweeted: “So far this year, more than 1,600 confirmed cases and almost 1,500 suspected cases of monkeypox have been reported to WHO from 39 countries – including seven countries where monkeypox has been detected for years, and 32 newly-affected countries“

The dramatic increase in numbers has prompted Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to tweet the following:  The global outbreak of monkeypox is clearly unusual and concerning. I have decided to convene the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations on Thursday next week, to assess whether this outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

According to WHO, a PHEIC is defined in the IHR (2005) as, “an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response”. This definition implies a situation that is:

  • serious, sudden, unusual or unexpected;
  • carries implications for public health beyond the affected State’s national border; and
  • may require immediate international action.

 

Check out the WHO Media briefing from Tuesday: