By Jennifer Rigby and Mrinalika Roy Reuters
Posted on June 14, 2022 at 10:19 am
Updated June 14, 2022 at 10:31 AM
Smaller font Decreases the font size of the article
-A
Larger font Increases the font size of the article
A +
The World Health Organization will convene an emergency committee on Thursday next week to assess whether the monkeypox outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern.
This is the highest level of warning issued by the United Nations agency, which currently only applies to the COVID-19 pandemic and polio.
Read more: Canada Leads WHO’s Fight Against Monkeypox
This year there have been 1,600 confirmed cases and 1,500 suspected cases of smallpox and 72 deaths, the WHO said, in 39 countries, including countries where the virus is commonly spread.
On June 10, Canada reported 112 cases of smallpox in the monkey, the government said.
Trend stories
-
Canada is ready to lift COVID-19 vaccine warrants for planes, trains: sources
-
Airbnb host arrested after allegedly stabbing two women invited to rent in Vancouver
Smallpox is endemic in some parts of Africa, but there have been more cases in both these countries and the rest of the world. The virus causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, and spreads through close contact.
The story continues under the ad
1:11 112 confirmed cases of smallpox in Canada: PHAC 112 confirmed cases of smallpox in Canada: PHAC
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was time to consider increasing the response because the virus is behaving unusually, there are more countries affected and there is a need for international coordination.
“We do not want to wait until the situation is out of control,” said Ibrahima Socé Fall, WHO’s director of emergency for Africa.