WHO Declares 'Wonsungi Duchang' a Public Health Emergency of International Concern

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared monkeypox infection a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). PHEIC is the highest level of public health alert that WHO can issue.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus held a press conference on the 23rd local time and announced the declaration of PHEIC for monkeypox. Once PHEIC is declared, WHO can strongly promote research, funding, and international health measures to control the disease.

Earlier, WHO held an International Health Emergency Committee meeting to discuss whether to declare PHEIC for monkeypox. According to foreign media, out of 15 committee members, 6 supported the declaration, while 9 expressed negative opinions.

It is known that Director-General Tedros declared PHEIC without unanimous approval. Although there is still controversy over whether the spread and fatality rate of monkeypox meet the criteria for declaring PHEIC, it is interpreted that the decision was made based on the judgment that it is a disease requiring proactive global response before it spreads to more countries.

As of the 20th, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported approximately 15,800 monkeypox cases in 72 countries worldwide.

Director-General Tedros stated, "I am aware that the committee members had differing views, and this was not an easy or simple decision," adding, "Monkeypox is spreading through new transmission methods that we do not fully understand."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.