WHO declares ‘monkey pox emergency’

Preemptive measures to prevent further spread Controversy against the declaration of a majority of the committee with an increase of 15,800 people in 72 countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern ‘PHEIC’ on the 23rd (local time) for the monkey pox infection. It was declaring a state of emergency. It has been 34 days since the first case of monkey pox infection was discovered in Singapore on June 21 (local time).

The International Health Emergency Committee held a meeting on the 21st (local time) on whether to declare a PHEIC for monkey pox. The proposal did not receive full approval. According to Reuters, six out of 15 members were in favor of declaring a state of emergency, but nine said they were negative.

Nevertheless, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus held a press conference on the same day and said, “I declare PHEIC” in response to the monkeypox incident. At a press conference, Ghebreyesus acknowledged the members’ differing views and explained, “We know that it is not a matter that can be easily and simply decided.” did.

In the past, the WHO declared PHEIC for the novel influenza H1N1 in 2009, spinal polio in 2014, Zika virus in 2016, Ebola virus in 2016, and coronavirus infection (COVID-19 ‘corona 19’) in 2020. have ever

The decision of the WHO appears to be a preemptive response to prevent the further spread of monkey pox. If PHEIC is declared, WHO will be able to strongly promote international measures, research, and funding necessary to contain the disease.

However, there is controversy over the fact that Ghebreyesus continued to declare a state of emergency even though more than half of the 15 members of the committee expressed negative opinions. It raises questions about whether the global spread of monkeypox, the fatality rate, and the response situation of each country meet the emergency requirements.

Some view the background of the emergency decision as a decision to make up for the stigma that Ghebreyesus was criticized for ‘prompt response to Corona 19’ two years ago.

About two months after the first case of COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the WHO declared a state of emergency and was criticized for increasing the damage and the global pandemic (pandemic) of Corona 19. In particular, Ghebreyesus was criticized for delaying the declaration of an emergency because of her pro-Chinese tendencies to keep an eye on China. This is because Ghebreyesus recommended wearing a mask long after countries made it compulsory to wear a mask as a countermeasure against COVID-19 at the time.

Meanwhile, according to a survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people with monkeypox worldwide was 15,800 as of the 20th, in 72 countries. The number has more than tripled from 3,000 in June.