Over 75 countries have reported infections of the Monkeypox virus
Since the World Health Organization (W.H.O) committee met over a week ago to declare monkeypox a global health emergency, more cases are being reported globally. Monkeypox has now spread to 75 different countries and infected approximately 16,000 people.
An outbreak must be voted upon by the advisors of the committee before it can be classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. It came down to the final vote of Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO, who voted to declare monkeypox a PHEIC.
Monkeypox came about by the transfer of fluids or contact with animals that had the virus. The first case of monkeypox was in 1070 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a baby boy. Over the years, the virus spread around 11 African countries. The first case of monkeypox outside of Africa was in 2003 in the United States of America and led to over 70 more attracting the virus.
WHO declared monkeypox a global health emergency because it affects not only hundreds of people in America but worldwide. The numbers have significantly increased in a short amount of time, contributing to the need for action. Currently, the most reported cases have come from Europe. However, in the past few weeks, the rate at which people are contracting the virus is slowing down.
The declaration of monkeypox as a global health emergency hopes that it entices countries to keep the spread to a minimum. In addition, now that there is more awareness, there may be more funding for research that could help control the virus.
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