Monkeypox Cases Surpass 18,000 in 78 Countries, WHO Says

More than 18,000 Monkeypox infections were reported across 78 countries, World Health Organization (WHO) Director- General Tedros Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.

Ghebreyesus provided his Moneypox updates as part of his COVID-19 remarks, revealing that there were five Monkeypox deaths, however, 10% of cases are hospitalized.

He said: "This is an outbreak that can be stopped, if countries, communities and inpiduals inform themselves, take the risks seriously, and take the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups,"

“The best way to do that is to reduce the risk of exposure. That means making safe choices for yourself and others."

According to the WHO, almost 98% of cases are among men who have sex with other men, therefore, the world agency recommended that people need to reduce the same-sex-relationships.

"For men who have sex with men, this includes, for the moment, reducing your number of sexual partners, reconsidering sex with new partners, and exchanging contact details with any new partners to enable follow-up if needed," he said.

Furthermore, he explained: "The focus for all countries must be engaging and empowering communities of men who have sex with men to reduce the risk of monkeypox infection and onward transmission, to provide care for those infected, and to safeguard human rights and dignity."

On Saturday, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the highest level of alert in an attempt to contain an outbreak of monkeypox, which has so far infected about 17,000 people in 74 countries, according to its Director-General.

During a press conference, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he has decided to declare a health emergency with an international dimension against monkeypox, explaining that the risk in the world is relatively moderate, with the exception of Europe, where it is considered high.

The Director-General of WHO stressed that it is possible to control monkeypox and stop its spread using the means available to us at the present time, noting that the virus “is of international concern.”

Ghebreyesus sounded the alarm, calling for a coordinated international response, including the release of funds and the exchange of vaccines to control the virus.