Over 16000 cases of monkeypox have been identified across 75 countries since May 2022. On July 23, World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Majority of the cases are being reported in WHO European Region. In India, 4 cases have been reported till date. Currently, most cases are being resolved without hospitalization or any medication. Death rate is also less.
- The WHO had constituted a committee in June 2022, to study if monkeypox is PHEIC.
- It reconvened the committee on July 21 and declared the monkey pox a PHEIC.
- Last time WHO declared an PHEIC was in 2020 for covid-19.
- Monkeypox disease is caused by monkeypox virus.
- It involves fever for few days and lymph node swelling and a rash, that can leave scars.
- It is much less severe than Covid-19 and spreads less easily. This is why, WHO declared an emergency.
Monkeypox was declared PHEIC because, it is fulfilling the first two criteria of an emergency:
- Spread of the Virus outside West and Central Africa are unusual pattern
- It has already spread internationally, with cases in 75 countries.
PHEIC vs Pandemic:
PHEIC is different than the pandemic. Pandemic is an epidemic that occur over a wide area and affects large number of people. On the other hand, PHEIC is a carefully defined term. It is defined as a situation that is under control, but has potential to grow out of control. Till date, only 6 PHEICs have been declared including Zika, Ebola and Covid-19.
