World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus convened an Emergency Committee over concerns of monkeypox outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“In light of the spread of #mpox outside #DRC, and the potential for further international spread within and outside Africa, I have decided to convene an Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations to advise me on whether the outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern,” Ghebreyesus said.
“The committee will meet as soon as possible and will be made up of independent experts from a range of relevant disciplines from around the world,” he added.
In light of the spread of #mpox outside #DRC, and the potential for further international spread within and outside Africa, I have decided to convene an Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations to advise me on whether the outbreak represents a public health…
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) August 7, 2024
The WHO changed the name of the disease from ‘monkeypox’ to ‘mpox.’
From the United Nations:
In light of the situation, and the potential for further international spread within and outside Africa, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus convened an Emergency Committee to advise him on whether the outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern.
The designation is the UN agency’s highest level of alert.
“The committee will meet as soon as possible and will be made up of independent experts from a range of relevant disciplines from around the world,” he said, speaking in Geneva.
Mpox – formerly monkeypox – is a viral disease endemic in Central and West Africa. It can be transmitted through physical contact with an infected person, animal or contaminated materials.
Symptoms include skin rash or lesions, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
Mpox came to global prominence two years ago after cases emerged across the world amid the COVID-19 pandemic. That outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022 and ended the following May.
After the WHO’s COVID-19 debacle, much of the world doesn’t take the international organization seriously.
And more people call out the WHO’s fearmongering in an attempt to spark worldwide panic.
“Tedros is ramping up fear to push for lockdown + expensive/toxic/useless ‘mpox’ shots. This plan will also be used against people in other countries by saying mpox spread. Those unaware will become fearful of people from other countries. This creates division + unrest. RESIST,” Shabnam Palesa Mohamed commented.
Tedros is ramping up fear to push for lockdown + expensive/toxic/useless 'mpox' shots. This plan will also be used against people in other countries by saying mpox spread. Those unaware will become fearful of people from other countries. This creates division + unrest. RESIST 💯 pic.twitter.com/2rdVrlmb2C
— Shabnam Palesa Mohamed (@ShabnamPalesaMo) August 8, 2024
Nevertheless, there’s a strong possibility officials will declare an mpox health emergency.
BREAKING – Africa CDC says likely to declare health emergency next week over mpox outbreaks https://t.co/RIjyEnOPaK pic.twitter.com/OJsAoFvKrR
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) August 8, 2024
“After convening a meeting to declare mpox a public health emergency of international concern, the WHO triggers emergency use listing for the mpox vaccine. There is always a play, pay attention,” Dr. Kat Lindley said.
After convening a meeting to declare mpox a public health emergency of international concern, the WHO triggers emergency use listing for the mpox vaccine. There is always a play, pay attention.
“WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the media the listing will… pic.twitter.com/GbPauKeIDH
— Dr. Kat Lindley (@KLVeritas) August 8, 2024
The Defender reports:
The World Health Organization (WHO) today triggered the process to grant Emergency Use Listing to two monkeypox vaccines.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the media the listing will accelerate vaccine access in lower-income countries that have not yet approved the drugs.
“Emergency Use Listing also enables partners including Gavi and UNICEF to procure vaccines for distribution,” Tedros said. He also said he would convene an expert group to determine if the spread of monkeypox — renamed mpox — in Africa should be declared a global emergency.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF are funded in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The WHO uses the Emergency Use Listing process to help member states that haven’t already authorized unlicensed vaccines, therapeutics and tests speed up their processes for authorizing them.
During the COVID-19 pandemic Emergency Use Listing was a key mechanism used by member states without structures for granting emergency use authorization to drugs to authorize and distribute the vaccines, working together with the WHO, Gavi and UNICEF, Unlimited Hangout’s Max Jones reported.
Tedros said the Emergency Use Listing helps those same partners procure vaccines for distribution, and that countries like Japan, the U.S. and the European Union are supporting the effort through donations.