The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that monkeypox is no longer a worldwide public health emergency, over a year after the threat was highlighted.
The virus is still there, and future waves and outbreaks are possible, but the highest level of concern has been lifted, according to the WHO.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, urged countries to “remain vigilant.”
It is spread through close contact with an infected person.
According to a WHO calculation, over 87,000 cases and 140 deaths have been reported from 111 countries during the global outbreak.
However, about 90% fewer cases were documented in the recent three months compared to the preceding three months, indicating that the highest level of alert is no longer warranted, according to Tedros.
Only ten cases have been documented in the United Kingdom since the beginning of the year.
The declaration comes only a week after the United Nations proclaimed the Covid emergency to be over.
Declaring a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) indicates that countries must collaborate to address a common hazard, such as a disease outbreak.
There is presently only one WHO-designated PHEIC, which was notified in May 2014 for poliovirus.
